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Saving Mars #4
Mars Burning
Chancellor Lucca believes Jess and Pavel are dead, and now she's deadly determined to make certain Mars never interferes with her or her world again. Meanwhile on Mars, Mei Lo pleads with the Raiders to finish their second mission: disabling the Terran satellites. But the satellites aren't all that threaten the red planet. Cavanaugh Kipling makes plans to contact Lucca's government--without permission. Now Jessamyn must thwart villains on two worlds before it's too late to prevent the destruction of Mars.
371 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 4, 2013
60 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 3, 2014
This is a hard review to write. Why? Because I have to take time out of the next book in the series to write it. I absolutely love this series! It is the most satisfying science fiction that I have read in my entire life! I don't want it to end! In my 64 years, I have read a lot of sci-fi. Much of it made me want to be an astronaut. But almost all of it was written by males with male main characters. That didn't stop me from reading it. Had this been my reading diet as a young person I might have pushed myself beyond my bad math skills to aim for that dream. Fly to Mars and be a Martian citizen.
What I like most about this series is what I liked of Asimov's books. The research is there. Cidney Swanson does one better, she gives the reader the opportunity to follow suggested links at the end of the book to learn about Mars, NASA, and other wonderful sciencey goodness.
But don't get hung-up on the science. Ms. Swanson creates strong characters and builds believable worlds. Jess, the spit-fire pilot and her brother Ethan, a savant hacker, are flying to Earth, back, and beyond to save their home-world of Mars. The depth of characters and their relationships astounds me.
I could go on and on but book five is calling me. Please, if you get the chance, read the Saving Mars series. I think the trilogy is still $.99. Enjoy!
What I like most about this series is what I liked of Asimov's books. The research is there. Cidney Swanson does one better, she gives the reader the opportunity to follow suggested links at the end of the book to learn about Mars, NASA, and other wonderful sciencey goodness.
But don't get hung-up on the science. Ms. Swanson creates strong characters and builds believable worlds. Jess, the spit-fire pilot and her brother Ethan, a savant hacker, are flying to Earth, back, and beyond to save their home-world of Mars. The depth of characters and their relationships astounds me.
I could go on and on but book five is calling me. Please, if you get the chance, read the Saving Mars series. I think the trilogy is still $.99. Enjoy!
January 28, 2016
3.5 stars. I'm a fan of Swanson's writing and initiative. I enjoyed the first three books in this series (especially 1 & 2) so I hesitate to give this one lesser stars. It might've just been me, but Mars Burning just didn't grab me quite as much as the others. I think some of it is because through a large portion of the book Jess is completely focused on her brother solving a problem rather than HER solving a problem. So in a way Jess has a problem of a different kind, helping her brother, but I enjoyed reading about the brash, take no prisoners Jess of the prior books who was bent on saving her planet. She still is desperate to do that in Mars Burning, but she lost faith in herself slightly. That might be exactly the point of the plot, but it missed the mark a little for me. And I'm never one to love romance threads in YA books, so her boyfriend Pavel is one I could take or leave. But again, that's just me. I'll definitely read more from Swanson!
August 21, 2017
Suffice it to say that when I spotted book 4 on a Kindle deal, I snapped it up, but then went back and reread books 1-3 before I started in. I was very pleased to return to this well-written saga. And I immediately downloaded books 5-6 so I wouldn't have to do without!
October 11, 2017
Jessamyn rules!
A fun, exciting, poignant romp around Mars, Earth, and the space between with the intrepid Marsian, Jessamyn Jaarda, and her band of renegades. Another wonderful episode with charming and chilling characters.
A fun, exciting, poignant romp around Mars, Earth, and the space between with the intrepid Marsian, Jessamyn Jaarda, and her band of renegades. Another wonderful episode with charming and chilling characters.
September 10, 2019
Great book. Rushed in certain areas, but overall a great read.
January 28, 2021
I still don't want to move to Mars, but it made me appreciate Earth a little more.
June 6, 2020
The first three books in this YA series Jess colored outside the lines but she did so with confidence. This book she is full of self doubt which while part of growing the character it felt a little too much like self pity. Still the adventure is there and well-paced.
The contest between the evil Earth ruler and Jess and Pavel continue. Ethan spiraling downward is very realistic. The best character in this book is the Evil Ruler's butler.
The contest between the evil Earth ruler and Jess and Pavel continue. Ethan spiraling downward is very realistic. The best character in this book is the Evil Ruler's butler.
June 13, 2014
Mars Burning
What can I say about this series? Each book leaves me oxygen deprived and weightless! I'm literally holding my breath as Jess and her friends struggle to stay one step ahead of the evil Terran Chancellor Lucca who is hell bent on destroying Mars.
The world building is amazing! Ms. Swanson has created a very believable society on Mars and a disturbing dystopian society on Earth. This series is packed with plenty of action and suspense, but what I enjoy most is the characters. Jess is a fantastic leading character! She's grown from a young and rebellious, but very talented pilot, to a responsible member of a team on a dangerous mission to save Mars. Pavel, Lucca's nephew, has rebelled against his aunt and her regime and sided with Jess. The two are reunited in this volume and we finally get to see their relationship develop romantically. Yah! But their love for each other isn't the main focus as political upheaval on Mars threatens the planet on another front.
I can't get enough of this series and I highly recommend it!
* I received a free copy of this book from the author. My opinions are my own and this is an honest review.
What can I say about this series? Each book leaves me oxygen deprived and weightless! I'm literally holding my breath as Jess and her friends struggle to stay one step ahead of the evil Terran Chancellor Lucca who is hell bent on destroying Mars.
The world building is amazing! Ms. Swanson has created a very believable society on Mars and a disturbing dystopian society on Earth. This series is packed with plenty of action and suspense, but what I enjoy most is the characters. Jess is a fantastic leading character! She's grown from a young and rebellious, but very talented pilot, to a responsible member of a team on a dangerous mission to save Mars. Pavel, Lucca's nephew, has rebelled against his aunt and her regime and sided with Jess. The two are reunited in this volume and we finally get to see their relationship develop romantically. Yah! But their love for each other isn't the main focus as political upheaval on Mars threatens the planet on another front.
I can't get enough of this series and I highly recommend it!
* I received a free copy of this book from the author. My opinions are my own and this is an honest review.
December 28, 2014
I started 2014 reading the first three books in this series, and finished the year reading the last three. I did a combo review of the first three books and I'm having a hard time thinking of reviewing the final three separately (I have read them all as I write this) as the entire story has run together a bit in my mind. I should have written the reviews immediately upon finishing, but ...
I had put off reading the final three books in part because the 6th and final book hadn't been published yet, and I did want to read the three books back to back. I was also hoping that perhaps they would drop in price a bit (not that they are that expensive or anything). I ended up paying the $3.99 for this one (and then it DID drop to $1 for a short time after that but too late for me).
Anyway, I easily slipped back into the story. I do like how each one does "end" with a satisfactory conclusion while still being open for the next sequel.
Just checking my notes ... no quotes really, but I did highlight some less common words; obsequious, aphorisms, archipelago, ascetic, piscine, patois, ameliorating, ornithological, parturition, purgation
I had put off reading the final three books in part because the 6th and final book hadn't been published yet, and I did want to read the three books back to back. I was also hoping that perhaps they would drop in price a bit (not that they are that expensive or anything). I ended up paying the $3.99 for this one (and then it DID drop to $1 for a short time after that but too late for me).
Anyway, I easily slipped back into the story. I do like how each one does "end" with a satisfactory conclusion while still being open for the next sequel.
Just checking my notes ... no quotes really, but I did highlight some less common words; obsequious, aphorisms, archipelago, ascetic, piscine, patois, ameliorating, ornithological, parturition, purgation
July 26, 2019
Actual rating 3.5
I'm quite enjoying this series. Is it the best ever or life changing no, is it full of tropes- yes. But sometimes you just want a light, fun, easy read to just enjoy.
I loved getting to know clan Wallace, the deepening of Paval and Jessamyns relationship and Zussman. this book has a lot of comic relief after the serious events of the last book- Jessamyn being captured, the destruction of yucca and the loss of the m-class ship. Zussman is great in his role as costume designer! Lucca puts clan wallace under house arrest for hiding fugatives, and the gang hide in plain sight as musicians- complete with kilts, fake facial hair and wigs. Its great!
the plot of this book is plan and avoid. The gang has to avoid Lucca, Lucca is planning on using the satellites to wipe out mars, and the gang is planning on getting the satellite back.
We get to know
There a great escape scene involving the gang being hidden in the hold of a fishing vessel, the destruction of holding cells which leads Lucca into thinking Jessamyn is dead- again. And we escape into space.
I'm quite enjoying this series. Is it the best ever or life changing no, is it full of tropes- yes. But sometimes you just want a light, fun, easy read to just enjoy.
I loved getting to know clan Wallace, the deepening of Paval and Jessamyns relationship and Zussman. this book has a lot of comic relief after the serious events of the last book- Jessamyn being captured, the destruction of yucca and the loss of the m-class ship. Zussman is great in his role as costume designer! Lucca puts clan wallace under house arrest for hiding fugatives, and the gang hide in plain sight as musicians- complete with kilts, fake facial hair and wigs. Its great!
the plot of this book is plan and avoid. The gang has to avoid Lucca, Lucca is planning on using the satellites to wipe out mars, and the gang is planning on getting the satellite back.
We get to know
There a great escape scene involving the gang being hidden in the hold of a fishing vessel, the destruction of holding cells which leads Lucca into thinking Jessamyn is dead- again. And we escape into space.
May 20, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed books 1 through 5 of this series. Book 6, not so much. I loved the idea that humans had a settlement on Mars, and that there developed a "them and us" attitude with both the Marsians and Earthlings. And the whole rebody idea is brilliant. Highly enjoyable. Might have to reread in the near future.
September 15, 2013
The conflict between Jess and her friends and the Earth Government continues. The upcoming election on Mars has the incumbent fearing defeat as her opponent works his way of shaping the truth to fit his needs. Can't wait till I get #5.
May 12, 2016
ACTUAL RATING: 3.5
might-read-sequels
August 6, 2013OMG. I didn't even realise there was a fourth book in this series! I have to read books 3 and 4 now! So excited!! ☺
August 15, 2013
Excellent chapter to this series. My only conplaint is it went to fast. Not quite as much action as the last few but I enjoyed it. Cidney Swanson needs to write faster. :)
August 24, 2013
I loved this book. It is part of an excellent series that I have really enjoyed reading so far. I love the characters in the book and the premise it is based on.
October 22, 2014
Pretty good, but seemed short.
February 9, 2015
Enjoyed the series, enjoyable characters, adventure.
December 10, 2016
Mars Burning Book 4
I like a book that keeps my interest. This series is fast paced I couldn't put them down because I needed to see what was happening with Jess and her adventures!
I like a book that keeps my interest. This series is fast paced I couldn't put them down because I needed to see what was happening with Jess and her adventures!
August 4, 2013
Coming soon
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews