The Martian Contingency - bookrastinating.com

Audiobook

English language

Published March 18, 2025 by Audible.

Audible ASIN:: B0DJFYCM2Z

Years after a meteorite strike obliterated Washington, DC—triggering an extinction-level global-warming event—Earth’s survivors have started an international effort to establish homes on space stations and the Moon.The next step–Mars.Elma York, the Lady Astronaut, lands on the Red Planet, optimistic about preparing for the first true wave of inhabitants. The mission objective is more than just building the infrastructure of a habitat–they are trying to preserve the many cultures and nuances of life on Earth without importing the hate.But from the moment she arrives, something is off.Disturbing signs hint at a hidden disaster during the First Mars Expedition that never made it into the official transcript. As Elma and her crew try to investigate, they face a wall of silence and obfuscation. Their attempts to build a thriving Martian community grind to a halt.

What you don’t know can harm you. And if the truth doesn’t come to light, the …

Years after a meteorite strike obliterated Washington, DC—triggering an extinction-level global-warming event—Earth’s survivors have started an international effort to establish homes on space stations and the Moon.The next step–Mars.Elma York, the Lady Astronaut, lands on the Red Planet, optimistic about preparing for the first true wave of inhabitants. The mission objective is more than just building the infrastructure of a habitat–they are trying to preserve the many cultures and nuances of life on Earth without importing the hate.But from the moment she arrives, something is off.Disturbing signs hint at a hidden disaster during the First Mars Expedition that never made it into the official transcript. As Elma and her crew try to investigate, they face a wall of silence and obfuscation. Their attempts to build a thriving Martian community grind to a halt.

What you don’t know can harm you. And if the truth doesn’t come to light, the ripple effects could leave humanity stranded on a dying Earth ...

2 editions

dgold reviewed The Martian Contingency by Mary Robinette Kowal (Lady Astronaut, #4)

A fine entry in the series

4 stars

Robinette Kowal's been writing these 'Lady Astronaut' books for over a decade, and I have, and will continue to, enjoy each and every one of them.

Each book reflects, in its own way, the society we all live in, and the society we all wish we could live in. Each book focuses on Elma York, and her struggles to succeed in a world which is similar to ours but vastly different, by chance.

The thing is, four books into the series, you're either on board for this sort of thing, or you're not. There's no way I could recommend this book to anyone who hasn't read the previous three. I love the solipsisms, the roundabout storytelling mode, the features of everyday living which crawl into every aspect of life; Robinette Kowal captures these perfectly.

This book takes up the narrative with the establishing of a permanent occupation …

Robinette Kowal's been writing these 'Lady Astronaut' books for over a decade, and I have, and will continue to, enjoy each and every one of them.

Each book reflects, in its own way, the society we all live in, and the society we all wish we could live in. Each book focuses on Elma York, and her struggles to succeed in a world which is similar to ours but vastly different, by chance.

The thing is, four books into the series, you're either on board for this sort of thing, or you're not. There's no way I could recommend this book to anyone who hasn't read the previous three. I love the solipsisms, the roundabout storytelling mode, the features of everyday living which crawl into every aspect of life; Robinette Kowal captures these perfectly.

This book takes up the narrative with the establishing of a permanent occupation of Mars, and is in many ways just a continuation of what came before. I love this, I will read it forever. If you are on board already, you will love this too.

SocProf reviewed The Martian Contingency by Mary Robinette Kowal (Lady Astronaut, #4)

Not the best entry in the series

4 stars

MRK needs a good editor. Not every hesitation or uncertainty requires a character to bite, chew, gnaw on that lip or cheek or some other part of their mouth. The story is a bit weaker than the other entries in this series because there isn't any tension. It's still a nice easy read.