Red star rebels by Amie Kaufman

A front cover that states 'This is life or death…Probably death’, and has Mars as the background, immediately drew me in, especially as I am a fan of the sci-fi that Amie Kaufman has written or co-authored (Aurora cycle and Unearthed series). My reading slump was over as soon as I read the first two short chapters that introduced Hunter, a mega rich boy who wanted to be reunited with his mother and sister on Mars, and Cleo, a poor stowaway, trying to evade the people who chasing her to repay the medical debts that had been incurred when her father was dying. They find themselves marooned when the check-in station is evacuated because of the threat of a toxin and to their horror discover that it is a plot for mercenaries to take over and plant a bomb. They have 8 hours to escape and save themselves and others on the planet.

Kaufman deftly keeps the suspense at a high-octane level, telling Cleo and Hunter’s back stories in short alternative chapters, as the pair use their skills to keep ahead of the mercenaries. Cleo knows the space station and where to hide, while Hunter has the tech skills to override some of the station’s computer system. Cleo is initially wary of trusting Hunter, whose family owns the greedy corporation that first colonised Mars, but sparks fly as they face danger together, with the clock ticking down the hours and minutes until the space station blows.

Some unexpected twists add to the enjoyment of Red Star Rebels and readers may like to think about the ethics surrounding big corporations and space expansion. Fans who have enjoyed other series by Kaufman will be thrilled with the adventure and readers new to the sci-fi genre are sure to enjoy it.

Themes: Science fiction, Adventure, Mars, Romance.

Pat Pledger