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Mars Duology Book #2
Mars Underground
Dee and Holt think they've found safety, but together they must face new dangers to reunite the humans of Mars in this heart-stopping, page-turning sequel to Mars Awakens.
When Dee brought Holt home to Davinci colony, there was a new sense of hope for human life on Mars. A new Y had been found - a precious boy - and more than that, there was a whole settlement still surviving at Newton. It felt like they were saved.
But now? There's been no mission organised to go to Newton. Dee is on punishment duties, and Holt and Chayse are kept hidden away with the fragile Futures. Dee is destined to join them in a prison-like life of isolation, unless they can take matters into their own hands.
Dee, Holt and Chayse set out to cross the planet to Newton via a network of subterranean tunnels. Can they reach it without encountering the Others - the sinister biocloud they've been running from? And if they make it, can they convince the Newtonians to work with Davinci - those they've been trained to hate?
A thrilling and imaginative conclusion to the Mars Duology.
When Dee brought Holt home to Davinci colony, there was a new sense of hope for human life on Mars. A new Y had been found - a precious boy - and more than that, there was a whole settlement still surviving at Newton. It felt like they were saved.
But now? There's been no mission organised to go to Newton. Dee is on punishment duties, and Holt and Chayse are kept hidden away with the fragile Futures. Dee is destined to join them in a prison-like life of isolation, unless they can take matters into their own hands.
Dee, Holt and Chayse set out to cross the planet to Newton via a network of subterranean tunnels. Can they reach it without encountering the Others - the sinister biocloud they've been running from? And if they make it, can they convince the Newtonians to work with Davinci - those they've been trained to hate?
A thrilling and imaginative conclusion to the Mars Duology.
Kindle Edition
Published May 2, 2023
2 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
H.M. Waugh
5 books22 followersHM Waugh is a children’s author, educator and environmental scientist with a long-term love of wild places and outdoor adventures. She has been kidnapped twice, handled dragons for a job, and dreams of one day blasting into space. Her books mix humour, danger and friendship with a dash of science and imagination.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 2, 2023
The sequel and culmination of the sci-fi duology - Mars Awakens. Another action packed, barely catch your breath, high fives all round instalment of Sci-fi goodness.
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With some meaty concepts around ingrained bias and the hate that stems from fear, the story has the potential to get weighed down, but the humour and comradery threaded throughout, lightens the mood and makes this book so easily devoured.
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The affection between Holt and Dee, though just lightly sprinkled, felt so comfortingly sweet I found myself flipping the pages hoping for just one more hand hold.
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I can't imagine the amount of research and knowledge it took to create these two believably functioning colonies, as well as the revelation about the others, but I appreciate, and thoroughly enjoyed it!
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What an epic duology! Must read for young sci-fi lovers!
.
🍿 scale - enough fast paced action to keep you munching down crickets... I mean, kernels, but with meatier concepts of discrimination and fear, it's a substantially filling meal.
👻 scale - your heart will race and your nails will be bitten down to the quick, but there's no ghostly terrors in this tale, just humanity at both it's best and it's worst.
.
With some meaty concepts around ingrained bias and the hate that stems from fear, the story has the potential to get weighed down, but the humour and comradery threaded throughout, lightens the mood and makes this book so easily devoured.
.
The affection between Holt and Dee, though just lightly sprinkled, felt so comfortingly sweet I found myself flipping the pages hoping for just one more hand hold.
.
I can't imagine the amount of research and knowledge it took to create these two believably functioning colonies, as well as the revelation about the others, but I appreciate, and thoroughly enjoyed it!
.
What an epic duology! Must read for young sci-fi lovers!
.
🍿 scale - enough fast paced action to keep you munching down crickets... I mean, kernels, but with meatier concepts of discrimination and fear, it's a substantially filling meal.
👻 scale - your heart will race and your nails will be bitten down to the quick, but there's no ghostly terrors in this tale, just humanity at both it's best and it's worst.
April 2, 2024
Was a big fan of Mars Awakens, and have been eagerly awaiting the conclusion of the story. This did provide a satisfying conclusion, but had some pacing problems at the start that knocked it down a star.
For the first half of the book, The whole time this was happening, I wanted the storylines involving Newton learning of Da Vinci's existence, and the discovery of The Others - two cliffhangers from book one, to be continued.
Eventually, we do return to these storylines and bring them to resolution. However, I think that time could have been much better spent fleshing out those resolutions, rather than focusing on the journey. For example, I would have loved to understand more about High Leader Ryte, and her motivations for suppressing the truth about the Outside. The second half of the book was unputdownable. It ramps up the action, as well as exploring themes of loyalty, racism and living in harmony with the environment.
Overall, taking both books together, this is a great middle grade sci-fi read and I would like to see more of this type of story available.
For the first half of the book, The whole time this was happening, I wanted the storylines involving Newton learning of Da Vinci's existence, and the discovery of The Others - two cliffhangers from book one, to be continued.
Eventually, we do return to these storylines and bring them to resolution. However, I think that time could have been much better spent fleshing out those resolutions, rather than focusing on the journey. For example, I would have loved to understand more about High Leader Ryte, and her motivations for suppressing the truth about the Outside. The second half of the book was unputdownable. It ramps up the action, as well as exploring themes of loyalty, racism and living in harmony with the environment.
Overall, taking both books together, this is a great middle grade sci-fi read and I would like to see more of this type of story available.
November 16, 2025
This book was so amazing!! It was an amazing finish to the first book. Like in the review for the first book, I wanted romanticness (pretty sure that's not a word but... anyways) in the book. I feel like it could have been added with Dee and Holt, especially when they were missing each other. Also, ngl if it's just me, but this bit is weird
"...one of her arms curled around his waist, his head on her shoulder."
They have gotten so close that they are so comforable with each other! 🥰💖 Apart from that, I lovd this series so much. The "Others" actually really helpful to humans. I still don't really get why they make someone unconsicouswhilst they are 'infecting' them. ??? Also, I like the reunion with the bloodsisters and brothers at the end!! :) The High Leader Ryte like disappeared—we were never told about things after. I think theere should have been a bit for how the Newtonians espaced and what happened to domes, because I'm fairly sure only some Y chronosomes (is that how you spell it??) went with Dee.
Overall, I love this book (and series) a lot! 😍🤗
"...one of her arms curled around his waist, his head on her shoulder."
They have gotten so close that they are so comforable with each other! 🥰💖 Apart from that, I lovd this series so much. The "Others" actually really helpful to humans. I still don't really get why they make someone unconsicouswhilst they are 'infecting' them. ??? Also, I like the reunion with the bloodsisters and brothers at the end!! :) The High Leader Ryte like disappeared—we were never told about things after. I think theere should have been a bit for how the Newtonians espaced and what happened to domes, because I'm fairly sure only some Y chronosomes (is that how you spell it??) went with Dee.
Overall, I love this book (and series) a lot! 😍🤗
May 28, 2023
A great finish to this middle-grade duopoly. A ripping adventure set on Mars which not only gives insight into the Martian topography but also how assumptions about others and polarisation can lead to very suboptimal outcome. This is a novel that shows the importance of understanding what each person can bring, no matter how odd their skills and knowledge might seem to us.
I would've loved having this book to read when I was in late primary school. And I loved reading as an adult.
I would've loved having this book to read when I was in late primary school. And I loved reading as an adult.
November 13, 2024
Rate 3.5 with tendency to be 4.
More colourful dynamics and conflicts, although I would say very light, suitable for younger YA. Still loves how the writer put 'sol' into the 'yestersol'. I love the interaction between teenager Davincians and Newtonians, emphasising the differences of culture between two colonies. Overall I found the last book is more enjoyable than the first.
More colourful dynamics and conflicts, although I would say very light, suitable for younger YA. Still loves how the writer put 'sol' into the 'yestersol'. I love the interaction between teenager Davincians and Newtonians, emphasising the differences of culture between two colonies. Overall I found the last book is more enjoyable than the first.
May 25, 2023
An excellent finish, heart pounding and unputdownable for most of it.
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September 7, 2023An exciting action packed sequel to Mars Awakens.
January 26, 2024
Read for PRC
April 26, 2024
Part 2 as good as the first. We wish there were more than 2! It’s such an interesting world and great stories.
December 15, 2023
A great sequel to 'Mars Awakens' this is the second book in the duology. H.M. Waugh has created another story with lots of suspense, surprises, and heart, and most of all a hopeful ending to a great series. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews