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The Red Woman on Mars
A Pride & Prejudice retelling, perfect for those looking for a mashup of sci-fi and Bridgerton and speculative romances like The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley.
Vivian Bowen left Earth for Mars, seeking safety and a fresh start after seven long years trapped in a climate refugee camp. She’s determined to fulfill her contract as a Red Mother by selecting a Martian partner and bearing genetically modified children to fund her family’s survival back on Earth. In sixty days, everything will be secure.
But beneath the glamorous lifestyle of the Martian oligarchs, with luxurious gowns, lavish balls, and charming suitors, lies a dark reality. The Red Mothers initiative is controlled by the Intelligence, an AI worshipped as a god, who is indifferent to the pain and suffering the Red Mothers will experience as they carry out their contractual duties.
The last thing Vivian expects is to be drawn to Xavier Dorsey, a charismatic and infuriating Martian politician hell-bent on shutting down the Red Mothers initiative. As Xavier pushes her to imagine a life beyond mere survival, Vivian is torn between her obligation to her family and her own evolving dreams of a different future.
When her younger sister is seduced by a dangerous Martian soldier and breaks her contract—threatening the lives of their family back on Earth—Vivian is forced to act. Joining forces with Xavier and the Intelligence to rescue her sister by infiltrating an enemy Martian dome, Vivian discovers a strength and power inside herself she never knew she had.
Caught between the security she’s always craved and a future filled with passion and uncertainty, Vivian must decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice for freedom—and for love.
Vivian Bowen left Earth for Mars, seeking safety and a fresh start after seven long years trapped in a climate refugee camp. She’s determined to fulfill her contract as a Red Mother by selecting a Martian partner and bearing genetically modified children to fund her family’s survival back on Earth. In sixty days, everything will be secure.
But beneath the glamorous lifestyle of the Martian oligarchs, with luxurious gowns, lavish balls, and charming suitors, lies a dark reality. The Red Mothers initiative is controlled by the Intelligence, an AI worshipped as a god, who is indifferent to the pain and suffering the Red Mothers will experience as they carry out their contractual duties.
The last thing Vivian expects is to be drawn to Xavier Dorsey, a charismatic and infuriating Martian politician hell-bent on shutting down the Red Mothers initiative. As Xavier pushes her to imagine a life beyond mere survival, Vivian is torn between her obligation to her family and her own evolving dreams of a different future.
When her younger sister is seduced by a dangerous Martian soldier and breaks her contract—threatening the lives of their family back on Earth—Vivian is forced to act. Joining forces with Xavier and the Intelligence to rescue her sister by infiltrating an enemy Martian dome, Vivian discovers a strength and power inside herself she never knew she had.
Caught between the security she’s always craved and a future filled with passion and uncertainty, Vivian must decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice for freedom—and for love.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 28, 2026
About the author
Claire Barner
2 books56 followersClaire Barner studied public policy and education at the University of Chicago and has spent her career in operations. She is an avid gardener, on a mission to maximize the number of tomatoes her small bungalow lot can produce. She loves to cook freshly harvested vegetables, mix strong cocktails, and host lively dinner parties.
She and her husband are raising three children and love exploring Chicago’s garden walks, lakefront, museums, and forest preserves. Barner leads the parent engagement group at her children’s school and is committed to enhancing equity at Chicago Public Schools.
She and her husband are raising three children and love exploring Chicago’s garden walks, lakefront, museums, and forest preserves. Barner leads the parent engagement group at her children’s school and is committed to enhancing equity at Chicago Public Schools.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy!
It's Pride & Prejudice ON MARS! And I was so down for it!
I'd be willing to bet Barner is a Star Trek fan, as we see the same format used in many a Star Trek episode across all the shows of a colony where everyone gets really into recreating a specific time and place (i.e. the 19th century Ireland planet, the RenFaire planet, the 1930's Chicago planet, the 1990's small town American Midwest planet - that show had really gone over budget that season -, the Scottish Highlander romance novel planet, etc.)
In this story, the Martian colonists have gotten really into the Regency period, cos-playing Bridgeton, complete with all the delights of the Season:
"What does 'promenade' mean?"
"Walk," Luz said. "Pretentiously."
Mars, like so many human colonies throughout history, needs working wombs if its going to survive, and women from Earth and being imported in to chose a partner and start making babies, after courtship through a series of balls where they get to meet the local Martian men.
And so the P&P storyline plays out, beat for beat, on Mars, holding up surprisingly well to scrutiny, Jane Austen's wry commentary on human foibles still relevant, even in the future on a different planet. (The "Mr. Collins" proposal scene had me in almost tears of laughter!) But all throughout Barner points out what Austen was too constrained by society to say out loud - that these women have precious little choices, and are looking down the dangerous barrel of forced pregnancy.
Then, at about 3/4's through, the story takes a sharp left turn as Barner, like so many sci-fi authors, uses the genre to call out things going wrong in our present, reminding her present day American audience that, currently, we are f*cked by an educational system being dismantled, our bodily autonomy being taken away, health care disappearing, and climate change wreaking havoc.
In an action packed climax, Barner makes the uncomfortable point that sometimes might does make right, as we see real political change happen at the tip of a sword. (Never forget that there is a solid through line from Carrie Nation's ax to the 18th Amendment.) In a update on Teddy Roosevelt's political theory, Barner suggests carrying a law book in one hand and a broadsword in the other. It plays out surprisingly effectively.
Overall an excellent retelling of Pride and Prejudice, with things to say about past, present and future, all wrapped up perfectly in this wonderful book.
July 29, 2026
Vivian Bowen and her sister Delilah are offered a ticket to a new life on Mars after being trapped as climate refugees on Earth for seven years. They'll serve as Red Mothers to the next generation of elite Martians, and in exchange they'll gain protection and financial support for their parents on Earth. The Martian society is lavish, advanced, and intentional, and influenced by the Intelligence, an AI that provides guiding principles for their way of life. The Red Mothers have sixty days to accept a spouse to fulfill their contracts, and somehow the only Martian to truly catch Vivian's eye is the haughty elite politician Xavier Dorsey, who is radically opposed to the Red Mothers initiative.
The Red Woman on Mars is in fact Pride and Prejudice on Mars with some very cool worldbuilding concepts baked into the plot. A classic piece of literature provides certain constraints - usually character or plot constraints - which actually leave more room for creativity in things like worldbuilding or other story elements. Claire Barner sticks close to familiar themes in P&P while giving us a sci-fi society that may remind readers of Barrayar (from the Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold, of which Barner is a fan) and includes strong judgement on a society imagined by an artificial intelligence. I think at times Barner sticks a little too close to plot elements from P&P, and I found nods to original plot and characters occasionally forced. I loved her unique storyline though, which had me really engaged by the end. Vivian's epic courtroom challenge sticks the landing on this book for me.
The Red Woman is a fast-paced enjoyable read that I found perfect for the attention span of a beach weekend. It's easy to follow if you need to put the book down occasionally, but interesting enough to want to pick it back up. Barner actively includes queer and BIPOC characters, making their identities an important part of the storyline, and not just descriptors. We love a future world where identity is just that, a part of a person but not a concern in society.
Thank you to Diversion Books for an eARC. The Red Woman on Mars is out 7/28/2026.
The Red Woman on Mars is in fact Pride and Prejudice on Mars with some very cool worldbuilding concepts baked into the plot. A classic piece of literature provides certain constraints - usually character or plot constraints - which actually leave more room for creativity in things like worldbuilding or other story elements. Claire Barner sticks close to familiar themes in P&P while giving us a sci-fi society that may remind readers of Barrayar (from the Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold, of which Barner is a fan) and includes strong judgement on a society imagined by an artificial intelligence. I think at times Barner sticks a little too close to plot elements from P&P, and I found nods to original plot and characters occasionally forced. I loved her unique storyline though, which had me really engaged by the end. Vivian's epic courtroom challenge sticks the landing on this book for me.
The Red Woman is a fast-paced enjoyable read that I found perfect for the attention span of a beach weekend. It's easy to follow if you need to put the book down occasionally, but interesting enough to want to pick it back up. Barner actively includes queer and BIPOC characters, making their identities an important part of the storyline, and not just descriptors. We love a future world where identity is just that, a part of a person but not a concern in society.
Thank you to Diversion Books for an eARC. The Red Woman on Mars is out 7/28/2026.
July 16, 2026
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Diversion Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I went into this book not knowing exactly what to expect, but I immediately liked Vivian and rooted for her as she fought to save her family and help them survive the harsh world they'd been left in. The dystopian elements were fascinating, and I couldn't help but think about how terrifying those climate disasters could be for our own future. *shudders*
At its core, The Red Woman on Mars is Pride and Prejudice on Mars with some very cool world-building concepts baked into the plot. It stays pretty faithful to the original story, even pulling direct quotes at times. In theory, using a classic piece of literature provides constraints that can leave more room for creativity in world-building and other story elements. However, as a retelling, it ultimately stuck far too close to the source material. By the time the story finally got its own legs under it, it was simply too late, leaving the conclusion feeling rushed.
The biggest hurdle was the world-building, which felt quite bizarre. People had supposedly been living on Mars for nearly 200 years, yet they were living as if in Regency-era England. The explanation of a weird form of dedicated cosplay felt incongruous with the Martian setting. Furthermore, as a big P&P fan, what disappointed me the most was that I just didn't see Lizzie in our main character, Vivian. Her portrayal felt inconsistent, and her romance with and feelings for Xavier Dorsey (the Mr. Darcy equivalent) didn't feel authentic.
The book starts out very slowly, with the P&P vibes doing a lot of heavy lifting. I appreciated that the book offered interesting commentary, especially on AI tech and the ongoing climate crisis. It did ask some deep questions, but it came across a bit preachy, when I would have preferred the chance to just sit with those questions. I enjoyed the updated political commentary, but again, the execution felt ham-fisted.
Overall, I found this a bit simpler and less imaginative than I was hoping for. The promise of Pride and Prejudice in space is EVERYTHING I could want, and I'm sad to give it only 3 stars, but the core concept is so strong that I'm definitely interested to see what is in Barner's future.
I went into this book not knowing exactly what to expect, but I immediately liked Vivian and rooted for her as she fought to save her family and help them survive the harsh world they'd been left in. The dystopian elements were fascinating, and I couldn't help but think about how terrifying those climate disasters could be for our own future. *shudders*
At its core, The Red Woman on Mars is Pride and Prejudice on Mars with some very cool world-building concepts baked into the plot. It stays pretty faithful to the original story, even pulling direct quotes at times. In theory, using a classic piece of literature provides constraints that can leave more room for creativity in world-building and other story elements. However, as a retelling, it ultimately stuck far too close to the source material. By the time the story finally got its own legs under it, it was simply too late, leaving the conclusion feeling rushed.
The biggest hurdle was the world-building, which felt quite bizarre. People had supposedly been living on Mars for nearly 200 years, yet they were living as if in Regency-era England. The explanation of a weird form of dedicated cosplay felt incongruous with the Martian setting. Furthermore, as a big P&P fan, what disappointed me the most was that I just didn't see Lizzie in our main character, Vivian. Her portrayal felt inconsistent, and her romance with and feelings for Xavier Dorsey (the Mr. Darcy equivalent) didn't feel authentic.
The book starts out very slowly, with the P&P vibes doing a lot of heavy lifting. I appreciated that the book offered interesting commentary, especially on AI tech and the ongoing climate crisis. It did ask some deep questions, but it came across a bit preachy, when I would have preferred the chance to just sit with those questions. I enjoyed the updated political commentary, but again, the execution felt ham-fisted.
Overall, I found this a bit simpler and less imaginative than I was hoping for. The promise of Pride and Prejudice in space is EVERYTHING I could want, and I'm sad to give it only 3 stars, but the core concept is so strong that I'm definitely interested to see what is in Barner's future.
September 22, 2026
4 ⭐️ 2.5🌶️
Sci-Fi Romance that takes place on Mars + Bridgerton vibes?! Say less! 🚀❤️
I picked up Red Woman on Mars based on those vibes alone, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I really liked the FMC and watching her growth throughout the book. She was such a fun character to root for, especially as she began pushing back against the expectations placed on her. I loved the drama, the fast-paced storyline, and the feminist themes woven throughout.
This was such a fun mashup of sci-fi + romance. If Bridgerton on Mars sounds like your vibes, definitely check this one out! 🚀📚
I recommend this if you love:
❤️ Sci-Fi Romance
❤️Mars/Space Settings
❤️Bridgerton Vibes
❤️Feminist Themes
❤️Strong FMC
❤️Drama
❤️Action & fast paced story
Sci-Fi Romance that takes place on Mars + Bridgerton vibes?! Say less! 🚀❤️
I picked up Red Woman on Mars based on those vibes alone, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I really liked the FMC and watching her growth throughout the book. She was such a fun character to root for, especially as she began pushing back against the expectations placed on her. I loved the drama, the fast-paced storyline, and the feminist themes woven throughout.
This was such a fun mashup of sci-fi + romance. If Bridgerton on Mars sounds like your vibes, definitely check this one out! 🚀📚
I recommend this if you love:
❤️ Sci-Fi Romance
❤️Mars/Space Settings
❤️Bridgerton Vibes
❤️Feminist Themes
❤️Strong FMC
❤️Drama
❤️Action & fast paced story
June 26, 2026
3.5 rounded down.
I think there are plenty of people who will enjoy this, especially if Pride & Prejudice fan fic sounds like it’s up your alley. I was certainly entertained, but I think this book lacked some direction and cohesiveness.
There were a lot of really direct Pride & Prejudice references that were essentially copy and pasted quotes and story lines, and I personally prefer retellings to have a bit more subtlety and lean more toward “inspired by” than just “modern version”, and though I can see why the author chose P&P as a medium for telling their story, the execution felt disjointed to me.
I thought this book had some interesting commentary and asked some deep questions, but a lot of it felt a bit spoon fed, when I’d have appreciated a chance to sit with those questions a little more. For my own taste there was a bit too much telling me how to feel through Vivian’s perspective.
Thank you to NetGalley and Diversion Books for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I think there are plenty of people who will enjoy this, especially if Pride & Prejudice fan fic sounds like it’s up your alley. I was certainly entertained, but I think this book lacked some direction and cohesiveness.
There were a lot of really direct Pride & Prejudice references that were essentially copy and pasted quotes and story lines, and I personally prefer retellings to have a bit more subtlety and lean more toward “inspired by” than just “modern version”, and though I can see why the author chose P&P as a medium for telling their story, the execution felt disjointed to me.
I thought this book had some interesting commentary and asked some deep questions, but a lot of it felt a bit spoon fed, when I’d have appreciated a chance to sit with those questions a little more. For my own taste there was a bit too much telling me how to feel through Vivian’s perspective.
Thank you to NetGalley and Diversion Books for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2026
"The Red Woman on Mars" by Claire Barner is a nice blend between sci-fi, Pride & Prejudice and dystopia.
I received an advance digital copy from Diversion Books.
Opinions from this review are completely my own.
Last year I read "Moonrising", the author's debut novel and it convinced me to keep on reading her books.
Also, the idea of Pride & Prejudice on Mars sounded very interesting.
I have to say that this book is well written, deals with some serious issues and the characters are well developed.
Vivian Bowen and her sister went to Mars, as Red Mothers, which means they must find a Martin partner and carry genetically modified children to fund their family’s survival back on Earth.
After seven years in a refugee camp, this is the only way out they could see and they did not think a lot about what that actually means.
The situation on Mars is not as glamourous as it seems and the Red Mothers program is controlled by an AI, The Intelligence, that doesn't care about the pain the women need to go through to be able to fulfill the contract they signed.
Vivian has 60 days to find a partner but during this time finds some things that make her question the program.
She also becomes interested in Xavier Dorsey, a Martian politician that is against the Red Mothers initiative.
He helps Vivian find her sister after she is seduced by a dangerous Martial soldier and taken to an enemy Martian Dome.
The story is fast paced, as there is a countdown to the presentation day and there is a lot of action.
I had a great time reading the book and I recommend also reading the author's note at the end.
I received an advance digital copy from Diversion Books.
Opinions from this review are completely my own.
Last year I read "Moonrising", the author's debut novel and it convinced me to keep on reading her books.
Also, the idea of Pride & Prejudice on Mars sounded very interesting.
I have to say that this book is well written, deals with some serious issues and the characters are well developed.
Vivian Bowen and her sister went to Mars, as Red Mothers, which means they must find a Martin partner and carry genetically modified children to fund their family’s survival back on Earth.
After seven years in a refugee camp, this is the only way out they could see and they did not think a lot about what that actually means.
The situation on Mars is not as glamourous as it seems and the Red Mothers program is controlled by an AI, The Intelligence, that doesn't care about the pain the women need to go through to be able to fulfill the contract they signed.
Vivian has 60 days to find a partner but during this time finds some things that make her question the program.
She also becomes interested in Xavier Dorsey, a Martian politician that is against the Red Mothers initiative.
He helps Vivian find her sister after she is seduced by a dangerous Martial soldier and taken to an enemy Martian Dome.
The story is fast paced, as there is a countdown to the presentation day and there is a lot of action.
I had a great time reading the book and I recommend also reading the author's note at the end.
October 26, 2026
I go into pretty much every book blind and this time I couldn't be more wrong about what type of book this is 😂 I was envisioning a smutty little rom com and what I got was a discussion of body autonomy. Both are special interests of mine, so in the end I was a happy reader.
This book had a lot of potential to be really good but the pacing was just a little off and the dialog felt stilted at times. Overall a quick read that felt unique despite being a pride and prejudice retelling.
This book had a lot of potential to be really good but the pacing was just a little off and the dialog felt stilted at times. Overall a quick read that felt unique despite being a pride and prejudice retelling.
October 31, 2026
Interesting retelling of pride and prejudice. Sci-fi twist and parallels to current times where women’s rights are increasingly restricted.
February 7, 2026
MF
Mars - Sci-fi
Sent to mars to repopulate
Pride and prejudice retelling
Mars - Sci-fi
Sent to mars to repopulate
Pride and prejudice retelling
March 20, 2026
Read an advance copy. Enjoyable mix of romance, sci-fi, and a Pride and Prejudice retelling, but shines the most when it digs into the speculative fiction aspects of its storytelling. The best fiction manages to make the reader think and challenge worldviews while still delivering an entertaining story and this book definitely succeeds in this. The story asks some delightfully challenging questions about bodily autonomy, AI, and reproductive freedom that force the reader to stop and think without ever feeling preachy or too forced. Ties in nicely to modern events while still framing these within an enjoyable, creative, and diverting story with a winning main character who grows through the novel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, author Claire Barner, and publisher Diversion Books for providing an eARC for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
.
.
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When Claire Barner released her debut Moonrising last year, I said she was an author to watch.
And boy, look at her go!
The Red Woman on Mars is the book every angry woman needs right now. It's extremely (and regrettably) relevant, in the current climate of AI, bodily autonomy, access to healthcare, and women's rights. And when FMC Vivian picks up a sword in the middle of a government building and says "Enough!" I couldn't help but cheer. Fuck yeah, Vivian, enough is enough!
The book does start slow. I was firmly feeling this to be a 3-4 star read by the time I hit 38%. The first roughly 40% is a major focus on the Pride and Prejudice and regency vibes and does a lot of heavy lifting for the setup and world-building, blending the bygone Earth era with futuristic Mars settlements. But after the first Red Mother makes her match, things start happening, and they happen quickly. 41-100% of the book is fast paced, action packed, and I stayed up well past my bedtime to finish it in a single go. There's sword fights. There's kidnappings. There's politicking and alliances and nosy media and scandalous secret pasts and rival Martian domes vying for natural resources and intellectual property.
Vivian saves . We love a woman who does the saving! There's also the AI overlord a la Skynet, watching everyone everywhere all the time. And the way it talks, the way it gaslights you, is terrifyingly familiar. It tries to get you to agree with it, using your name, and flattery, and phrases like "Isn't that right?" to get you to agree because look how sensible and logical it is. And that, frankly, is chilling.
Just like in Moonrising, Barner manages to pack a ton into a mere 320 pages, yet seemingly does not cut corners. At no point did I find any dropped plot threads or missed beats, everything had a satisfying explanation or resolution, and there is a HEA, it just might not be the HEA readers expect. Unlike Moonrising, which I believe was fad-to-black if memory serves, this book does contain some open door spice; it's not overly detailed, but it is there. And the tension that leads up to it is chef's kiss.
This book is peak feminine rage: when all else fails, take up a sword and start slashing.
I highly recommend The Read Woman on Mars to anyone with a pulse and a bit of anger in their veins.
.
.
.
When Claire Barner released her debut Moonrising last year, I said she was an author to watch.
And boy, look at her go!
The Red Woman on Mars is the book every angry woman needs right now. It's extremely (and regrettably) relevant, in the current climate of AI, bodily autonomy, access to healthcare, and women's rights. And when FMC Vivian picks up a sword in the middle of a government building and says "Enough!" I couldn't help but cheer. Fuck yeah, Vivian, enough is enough!
The book does start slow. I was firmly feeling this to be a 3-4 star read by the time I hit 38%. The first roughly 40% is a major focus on the Pride and Prejudice and regency vibes and does a lot of heavy lifting for the setup and world-building, blending the bygone Earth era with futuristic Mars settlements. But after the first Red Mother makes her match, things start happening, and they happen quickly. 41-100% of the book is fast paced, action packed, and I stayed up well past my bedtime to finish it in a single go. There's sword fights. There's kidnappings. There's politicking and alliances and nosy media and scandalous secret pasts and rival Martian domes vying for natural resources and intellectual property.
Vivian saves . We love a woman who does the saving! There's also the AI overlord a la Skynet, watching everyone everywhere all the time. And the way it talks, the way it gaslights you, is terrifyingly familiar. It tries to get you to agree with it, using your name, and flattery, and phrases like "Isn't that right?" to get you to agree because look how sensible and logical it is. And that, frankly, is chilling.
Just like in Moonrising, Barner manages to pack a ton into a mere 320 pages, yet seemingly does not cut corners. At no point did I find any dropped plot threads or missed beats, everything had a satisfying explanation or resolution, and there is a HEA, it just might not be the HEA readers expect. Unlike Moonrising, which I believe was fad-to-black if memory serves, this book does contain some open door spice; it's not overly detailed, but it is there. And the tension that leads up to it is chef's kiss.
This book is peak feminine rage: when all else fails, take up a sword and start slashing.
I highly recommend The Read Woman on Mars to anyone with a pulse and a bit of anger in their veins.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Diversion Books, and Claire Barner for providing me with an ARC copy of The Red Woman on Mars in exchange for an honest review.
The Red Woman on Mars is a sci-fi romance inspired by Pride and Prejudice, which already sounds like someone threw several of my interests into a blender and said, “Let’s see what happens.” Mars colonization, climate refugees, marriage politics, genetically modified children, class tension, bodily autonomy, and a little enemies-to-lovers friction? Ambitious. Slightly unhinged. I respect it.
Vivian Bowen leaves Earth after years in a climate refugee camp and enters the Red Mother program, agreeing to choose a Martian partner and have children in exchange for money that could save her family back home. So, you know, casual dating stakes. Instead of “will he text me back?” it is “will this marriage secure my family’s survival and also what exactly is happening with reproductive ethics on Mars?” Normal romance problems, obviously.
What I liked most is that the book does not treat its sci-fi setting like shiny wallpaper. Mars matters. The politics matter. The class structure matters. The reproductive bargain Vivian enters into is uncomfortable on purpose, and the book is at its best when it lets that tension sit in the room and stare at everyone.
There is also a lot of fun here. The Pride and Prejudice bones are recognizable without feeling like a scene-by-scene costume change. Vivian is headstrong, reactive, and deeply human, and the romance has that “I am annoyed that I am attracted to you” energy that will always work on me.
What worked for me:
- Sci-fi Austen. Weirdly specific. Surprisingly effective.
- Vivian’s stakes. Family survival is a strong motivator. Slightly more urgent than finding a husband with a nice estate.
- The Red Mother program. Deeply unsettling. Excellent book fuel.
- Mars as more than decor. Thank you for not just putting bonnets in space and calling it a day.
- The bodily autonomy themes. Timely, uncomfortable, and very much the point.
- The romantic tension. Annoyed attraction remains undefeated.
What didn’t work for me:
- The worldbuilding occasionally wanted more room.
- Some emotional shifts moved fast.
- A few side elements felt bigger than the page space they got.
- The Austen references worked overall, but every now and then I could feel the framework a little too clearly.
Overall, The Red Woman on Mars is smart, strange, romantic, and refreshingly bold. It is not a quiet little space romance. It has Opinions. It has politics. It has reproductive dystopia wrapped in Regency-inspired manners, which is both horrifying and kind of brilliant.
The Red Woman on Mars is a sci-fi romance inspired by Pride and Prejudice, which already sounds like someone threw several of my interests into a blender and said, “Let’s see what happens.” Mars colonization, climate refugees, marriage politics, genetically modified children, class tension, bodily autonomy, and a little enemies-to-lovers friction? Ambitious. Slightly unhinged. I respect it.
Vivian Bowen leaves Earth after years in a climate refugee camp and enters the Red Mother program, agreeing to choose a Martian partner and have children in exchange for money that could save her family back home. So, you know, casual dating stakes. Instead of “will he text me back?” it is “will this marriage secure my family’s survival and also what exactly is happening with reproductive ethics on Mars?” Normal romance problems, obviously.
What I liked most is that the book does not treat its sci-fi setting like shiny wallpaper. Mars matters. The politics matter. The class structure matters. The reproductive bargain Vivian enters into is uncomfortable on purpose, and the book is at its best when it lets that tension sit in the room and stare at everyone.
There is also a lot of fun here. The Pride and Prejudice bones are recognizable without feeling like a scene-by-scene costume change. Vivian is headstrong, reactive, and deeply human, and the romance has that “I am annoyed that I am attracted to you” energy that will always work on me.
What worked for me:
- Sci-fi Austen. Weirdly specific. Surprisingly effective.
- Vivian’s stakes. Family survival is a strong motivator. Slightly more urgent than finding a husband with a nice estate.
- The Red Mother program. Deeply unsettling. Excellent book fuel.
- Mars as more than decor. Thank you for not just putting bonnets in space and calling it a day.
- The bodily autonomy themes. Timely, uncomfortable, and very much the point.
- The romantic tension. Annoyed attraction remains undefeated.
What didn’t work for me:
- The worldbuilding occasionally wanted more room.
- Some emotional shifts moved fast.
- A few side elements felt bigger than the page space they got.
- The Austen references worked overall, but every now and then I could feel the framework a little too clearly.
Overall, The Red Woman on Mars is smart, strange, romantic, and refreshingly bold. It is not a quiet little space romance. It has Opinions. It has politics. It has reproductive dystopia wrapped in Regency-inspired manners, which is both horrifying and kind of brilliant.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.
At first glance, The Red Woman on Mars sounds like a concept that shouldn’t quite work—Pride and Prejudice reimagined on Mars, filtered through speculative fiction and political commentary. And yet, what’s most striking is how naturally it all coheres. Barner doesn’t simply transpose Austen’s structure into a futuristic setting; she interrogates it, using the familiar framework to explore questions that feel urgent and distinctly modern.
The worldbuilding is where the novel quietly excels. The juxtaposition of Regency aesthetics with a highly controlled, almost clinical Martian society creates a tension that never fully resolves—and that’s exactly the point. Beneath the surface-level elegance (the balls, the courtship rituals, the performance of refinement) is a system built on constraint, particularly for women whose bodies are treated as both resource and obligation. The novel’s engagement with bodily autonomy, reproductive control, and the ethics of artificial intelligence is deliberate without becoming heavy-handed, allowing the reader to sit with the implications rather than be directed toward a single conclusion.
Vivian, as a protagonist, anchors the narrative effectively. Her internal conflict—between duty, survival, and the possibility of something more self-directed—feels grounded even as the circumstances around her are heightened. The romance, too, is handled with restraint. It develops in a way that feels earned rather than inevitable, which makes its emotional payoff more satisfying.
That said, the novel occasionally strains under the weight of its own ideas. There are moments where the thematic intent becomes more visible than the narrative itself, and certain tonal shifts—particularly around the portrayal of the Intelligence—can feel slightly jarring. Still, these are relatively minor disruptions in what is otherwise a cohesive and compelling story.
Ultimately, this is less a straightforward retelling and more a reframing—one that uses Austen as a foundation rather than a blueprint. Readers looking for a beat-for-beat adaptation may find it unexpected, but those open to a more interpretive approach will likely find it both engaging and thought-provoking.
At first glance, The Red Woman on Mars sounds like a concept that shouldn’t quite work—Pride and Prejudice reimagined on Mars, filtered through speculative fiction and political commentary. And yet, what’s most striking is how naturally it all coheres. Barner doesn’t simply transpose Austen’s structure into a futuristic setting; she interrogates it, using the familiar framework to explore questions that feel urgent and distinctly modern.
The worldbuilding is where the novel quietly excels. The juxtaposition of Regency aesthetics with a highly controlled, almost clinical Martian society creates a tension that never fully resolves—and that’s exactly the point. Beneath the surface-level elegance (the balls, the courtship rituals, the performance of refinement) is a system built on constraint, particularly for women whose bodies are treated as both resource and obligation. The novel’s engagement with bodily autonomy, reproductive control, and the ethics of artificial intelligence is deliberate without becoming heavy-handed, allowing the reader to sit with the implications rather than be directed toward a single conclusion.
Vivian, as a protagonist, anchors the narrative effectively. Her internal conflict—between duty, survival, and the possibility of something more self-directed—feels grounded even as the circumstances around her are heightened. The romance, too, is handled with restraint. It develops in a way that feels earned rather than inevitable, which makes its emotional payoff more satisfying.
That said, the novel occasionally strains under the weight of its own ideas. There are moments where the thematic intent becomes more visible than the narrative itself, and certain tonal shifts—particularly around the portrayal of the Intelligence—can feel slightly jarring. Still, these are relatively minor disruptions in what is otherwise a cohesive and compelling story.
Ultimately, this is less a straightforward retelling and more a reframing—one that uses Austen as a foundation rather than a blueprint. Readers looking for a beat-for-beat adaptation may find it unexpected, but those open to a more interpretive approach will likely find it both engaging and thought-provoking.
July 28, 2026
** I read this book through Netgalley**
If there is one thing to know about me, it’s how much I love space. Science fiction is and will always be my favorite genre. I also love Jane Austen. A lot! I even took a college class on Jane Austen, and I learned so much about her. She was definitely ahead of her time. I am always on the lookout for anything Jane Austen and love to watch or read retellings of Austen’s work. Recently, I saw an author named Claire Barner promote her book on Threads. It was called The Red Woman on Mars. Of course, the title had me at Mars! Then, when I saw how it was a Pride and Prejudice retelling, I was hooked!
The story follows sisters Vivian Bowen and Delilah Bowen. These two sisters have been living in a refugee camp on Earth with no future. An opportunity arises for them to travel to Mars. There, they will select a Martian husband or wife to procreate with and end Mars’s failing at reproduction. We also have the familiar characters: Mr. Dorsey, a.k.a. Mr. Darcy. As well as his nemesis, Mr. Silas Gatlin, a.k.a. Mr. Wickham.
There is also an interesting behind-the-scenes plot: AI worship on Mars. Tackling this subject, given the current times, is a smart move. The ladies are also known as the Red Mothers. This also reminded me a lot of one of my favorite books, The Handmaid’s Tale. Given our current times, this theme was great to read about.
I really liked all the main characters. Their pride and prejudice were at the forefront of their words and actions. I also enjoyed Luz Flores. It was great to see a Hispanic character. She was the perfect Charlotte Lucas. I was also delighted when she talked about Tajín, chamoy, agua fresca, and Tamales!
The story took some different turns, things I was not expecting, yet they were great. Barner definitely made this retelling her own. I absolutely enjoyed this retelling of Pride and Prejudice and loved all the worldbuilding. I would actually love for it to be a sequel and find out more about Martian life. I especially want to know more about Vivian and Dorsey.
If you love Science Fiction and Jane Austen, this is the perfect book for you!
If there is one thing to know about me, it’s how much I love space. Science fiction is and will always be my favorite genre. I also love Jane Austen. A lot! I even took a college class on Jane Austen, and I learned so much about her. She was definitely ahead of her time. I am always on the lookout for anything Jane Austen and love to watch or read retellings of Austen’s work. Recently, I saw an author named Claire Barner promote her book on Threads. It was called The Red Woman on Mars. Of course, the title had me at Mars! Then, when I saw how it was a Pride and Prejudice retelling, I was hooked!
The story follows sisters Vivian Bowen and Delilah Bowen. These two sisters have been living in a refugee camp on Earth with no future. An opportunity arises for them to travel to Mars. There, they will select a Martian husband or wife to procreate with and end Mars’s failing at reproduction. We also have the familiar characters: Mr. Dorsey, a.k.a. Mr. Darcy. As well as his nemesis, Mr. Silas Gatlin, a.k.a. Mr. Wickham.
There is also an interesting behind-the-scenes plot: AI worship on Mars. Tackling this subject, given the current times, is a smart move. The ladies are also known as the Red Mothers. This also reminded me a lot of one of my favorite books, The Handmaid’s Tale. Given our current times, this theme was great to read about.
I really liked all the main characters. Their pride and prejudice were at the forefront of their words and actions. I also enjoyed Luz Flores. It was great to see a Hispanic character. She was the perfect Charlotte Lucas. I was also delighted when she talked about Tajín, chamoy, agua fresca, and Tamales!
The story took some different turns, things I was not expecting, yet they were great. Barner definitely made this retelling her own. I absolutely enjoyed this retelling of Pride and Prejudice and loved all the worldbuilding. I would actually love for it to be a sequel and find out more about Martian life. I especially want to know more about Vivian and Dorsey.
If you love Science Fiction and Jane Austen, this is the perfect book for you!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I am not obsessed with Mars - I can stop thinking about it at any time. This is not the time. I read Claire Barner's previous novel and enjoyed it, so when I saw this one I ordered it, as well as downloaded an ARC via Netgalley. Overall, this was an enjoyable book. They say that science fiction is the literature of ideas. Well, I have Thoughts about this book.
First, it's billed as "Jane Austen in space." There is some of that (the Martians consciously are following Regency customs) but there's rather a lot more violence in this book than in Austen's. Second, the reason that Vivian Bowen, the titular Red Woman, is on Mars is that, due to weak bones, Martian-borne women can't carry pregnancies to term. I'm not sure I buy the science on that.
I am reminded of a book I read in junior high in which the humans on Mars could only have boys, and they solved their women problem by kidnapping Earth girls. Even in back then, I found the idea the all the kidnapped women were okay with this to be problematic. Fortunately, Barner's characters have more normal reactions to being lured to Mars. Also, gays have been invented in Barner's work, which they weren't in the 1950s (that's sarcasm, of course).
My third problem is guns. On Barner's Mars, guns are banned because they would poke holes in pressure domes. Besides the idea of frangible ammunition (Google it), on Earth we get concerned about guns on airplanes because they are small and the walls are made of the thinnest material possible. On a station that is the size of a city, a few bullet holes would be negligible, and there's no particular reason to make your walls paper-thin. In fact, for thermal and radiation protection, thicker is better.
Don't get me wrong - I liked the book - it's just that it produced some thoughts.
First, it's billed as "Jane Austen in space." There is some of that (the Martians consciously are following Regency customs) but there's rather a lot more violence in this book than in Austen's. Second, the reason that Vivian Bowen, the titular Red Woman, is on Mars is that, due to weak bones, Martian-borne women can't carry pregnancies to term. I'm not sure I buy the science on that.
I am reminded of a book I read in junior high in which the humans on Mars could only have boys, and they solved their women problem by kidnapping Earth girls. Even in back then, I found the idea the all the kidnapped women were okay with this to be problematic. Fortunately, Barner's characters have more normal reactions to being lured to Mars. Also, gays have been invented in Barner's work, which they weren't in the 1950s (that's sarcasm, of course).
My third problem is guns. On Barner's Mars, guns are banned because they would poke holes in pressure domes. Besides the idea of frangible ammunition (Google it), on Earth we get concerned about guns on airplanes because they are small and the walls are made of the thinnest material possible. On a station that is the size of a city, a few bullet holes would be negligible, and there's no particular reason to make your walls paper-thin. In fact, for thermal and radiation protection, thicker is better.
Don't get me wrong - I liked the book - it's just that it produced some thoughts.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.
I went into this thinking it was one thing, and it ended up being something different, but I really enjoyed this book. It's an SF retelling of Pride and Prejudice. Or rather, that's the framework for the story. It definitely has the main elements, and you'll recognize the Austen's counterparts in this book. But it's also not as sweetly innocent, this book carries a bit of a punch to it. In that respect, I kept thinking it had a bit of a feel of Handmaiden's Tale to it as well.
In this future, there's a human colony on Mars. The people who live there have developed in the lighter gravity, and as a result, they have trouble conceiving and carrying children to term. So they recruit women from a climate-ravaged Earth to come to Mars to have their children. The women who are recruited are coming from very desperate situations, so the promise of an easy life in exchange for money (which many want to send to their families on Earth) and three children sounds perfect.
I won't say much more, except to say there's a very dark undertone to this story, that is so relevant and informed by what's happening in the US today. This was a terrific book!
Sure, there are balls, and manners and pretty clothes, but there's also questions of women's bodily autonomy, how AI is being incorporated into our daily decision making, and how we're ruining our climate.
If I have one quibble, and honestly it's not a huge one, I'd have liked more of Vivian's backstory, a little more about how she and her family got into the situation they are in at the beginning of the story. Yes, a hurricane destroyed their home, but I feel there's more that could be explored that I think would have helped me connect quicker with Vivian.
Still, this was a really good read.
I went into this thinking it was one thing, and it ended up being something different, but I really enjoyed this book. It's an SF retelling of Pride and Prejudice. Or rather, that's the framework for the story. It definitely has the main elements, and you'll recognize the Austen's counterparts in this book. But it's also not as sweetly innocent, this book carries a bit of a punch to it. In that respect, I kept thinking it had a bit of a feel of Handmaiden's Tale to it as well.
In this future, there's a human colony on Mars. The people who live there have developed in the lighter gravity, and as a result, they have trouble conceiving and carrying children to term. So they recruit women from a climate-ravaged Earth to come to Mars to have their children. The women who are recruited are coming from very desperate situations, so the promise of an easy life in exchange for money (which many want to send to their families on Earth) and three children sounds perfect.
I won't say much more, except to say there's a very dark undertone to this story, that is so relevant and informed by what's happening in the US today. This was a terrific book!
Sure, there are balls, and manners and pretty clothes, but there's also questions of women's bodily autonomy, how AI is being incorporated into our daily decision making, and how we're ruining our climate.
If I have one quibble, and honestly it's not a huge one, I'd have liked more of Vivian's backstory, a little more about how she and her family got into the situation they are in at the beginning of the story. Yes, a hurricane destroyed their home, but I feel there's more that could be explored that I think would have helped me connect quicker with Vivian.
Still, this was a really good read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Overall: 4 of 5
World Building: 4 of 5
Character Development: 4 of 5
Romance: 4 of 5
Smut quality: 3.5 of 5
Smut quantity: med-low
Reading Anxiety: Yes
F/M
------
This is, above every other aspect, a retelling of Pride and Prejudice. It is adapted to a science fiction setting. Overall I would say that it is a pretty good retelling. Some of the characters from the original are parsed together in interesting ways.
The author talks to us about bodily autonomy and fundamental rights, including reproductive rights. Consent is discussed quite often, and I feel it does a good job of breaking down the principles of enthusiastic consent.
Our FMC finds herself very drawn to Martian law. That particular aspect I very much liked. It does echo P&P’s Elizabeth in that they are both quite intelligent and are avid readers. I could see Elizabeth Bennet studying law.
This book also is inclusive of those who fall outside the gender binary. Non-hetero couplings are included as well.
The depiction of AI, and the Intelligence in particular, is what I would call critical. Its speech is jarring. The vernacular pulls me out of the book, disrupting the reading experience.
Be sure to read the content warnings at the beginning! My anxiety was mostly quiet with this book but there were a couple of points where it did kick off, so I will check this *Yes* on the Anxiety, but it was just a little bit for me.
As for the smut element:
I regret to say that the author neglected including a scene involving a white shirt and a lake. An opportunity missed, unfortunately.
“Give me my freedom. Over my body. Over my future.”
World Building: 4 of 5
Character Development: 4 of 5
Romance: 4 of 5
Smut quality: 3.5 of 5
Smut quantity: med-low
Reading Anxiety: Yes
F/M
------
This is, above every other aspect, a retelling of Pride and Prejudice. It is adapted to a science fiction setting. Overall I would say that it is a pretty good retelling. Some of the characters from the original are parsed together in interesting ways.
The author talks to us about bodily autonomy and fundamental rights, including reproductive rights. Consent is discussed quite often, and I feel it does a good job of breaking down the principles of enthusiastic consent.
Our FMC finds herself very drawn to Martian law. That particular aspect I very much liked. It does echo P&P’s Elizabeth in that they are both quite intelligent and are avid readers. I could see Elizabeth Bennet studying law.
This book also is inclusive of those who fall outside the gender binary. Non-hetero couplings are included as well.
The depiction of AI, and the Intelligence in particular, is what I would call critical. Its speech is jarring. The vernacular pulls me out of the book, disrupting the reading experience.
Be sure to read the content warnings at the beginning! My anxiety was mostly quiet with this book but there were a couple of points where it did kick off, so I will check this *Yes* on the Anxiety, but it was just a little bit for me.
As for the smut element:
I regret to say that the author neglected including a scene involving a white shirt and a lake. An opportunity missed, unfortunately.
“Give me my freedom. Over my body. Over my future.”
July 30, 2026
If you're looking for a unique Pride & Prejudice retelling, have I got one for you! This is a Regency romance/near future SF mashup set on (you guessed it) Mars.
Vivian and her sister live in a refugee camp in North Carolina. She sees no escape until she's offered the chance to emigrate to Mars ... if she agrees to bear children for a Martian suitor. She figures anything is better than staying where she is, so she convinces her sister to sign up with her and off they go. But when they arrive on their new planet, they learn that the contracts they've signed require them to engage in experimental techniques to ensure specific genetic outcomes in their children with no legal recourse.
And yes, I did say this was a P&P retelling! Vivian is attracted to Councilor Dorsey, who seems to disapprove of the whole Red Mothers project but also can seem to stay away from her. She's also being illicitly courted by a member of the Martian militia, as is her sister.
I personally really liked the premise of the book and didn't think it needed the P&P overlay. Sometimes plot elements felt like they were disconnected with the character motivations and were there to make the P&P references more one-to-one. I did absolutely love the AI "Intelligence"'s dialogue choices, and the Aral/Vorrutyerness of the Dorsey:Darcy/Silas:Wickham relationship. (Sorry if that's a little vague, but if you haven't, go read Shards of Honor and come back - this was an INSPIRED choice!)
As a historical romance AND science fiction lover, this appealed to the two reading wolves inside of me. I think the SF reader was a little more satisfied, but I really do appreciate the ambition of this one!
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
Vivian and her sister live in a refugee camp in North Carolina. She sees no escape until she's offered the chance to emigrate to Mars ... if she agrees to bear children for a Martian suitor. She figures anything is better than staying where she is, so she convinces her sister to sign up with her and off they go. But when they arrive on their new planet, they learn that the contracts they've signed require them to engage in experimental techniques to ensure specific genetic outcomes in their children with no legal recourse.
And yes, I did say this was a P&P retelling! Vivian is attracted to Councilor Dorsey, who seems to disapprove of the whole Red Mothers project but also can seem to stay away from her. She's also being illicitly courted by a member of the Martian militia, as is her sister.
I personally really liked the premise of the book and didn't think it needed the P&P overlay. Sometimes plot elements felt like they were disconnected with the character motivations and were there to make the P&P references more one-to-one. I did absolutely love the AI "Intelligence"'s dialogue choices, and the Aral/Vorrutyerness of the Dorsey:Darcy/Silas:Wickham relationship. (Sorry if that's a little vague, but if you haven't, go read Shards of Honor and come back - this was an INSPIRED choice!)
As a historical romance AND science fiction lover, this appealed to the two reading wolves inside of me. I think the SF reader was a little more satisfied, but I really do appreciate the ambition of this one!
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“You are the last man in the world—this world or any other—that I could ever love.”
In a future Federation of America, hurricanes and rising ocean levels have wiped out a large chunk of land, displacing citizens into refugee camps. Vivian Bowen and her family live in one such camp after losing their home. It’s a lawless place where resources are hard to come by, and there’s a constant threat of bodily harm. When an opportunity presents itself to get her and her sister out in exchange for joining the Red Mothers Initiative, she jumps on it.
Mars doesn’t seem so bad at first, but upon realizing some of the specifics of her contract, Vivian finds it isn’t as appealing as she initially thought—nor does it seem ethical. Her strong will and decided opinions quickly get her into trouble, catching the attention of Xavier Dorsey, a politician who opposes the initiative.
The second half of the book is a wild ride, and I truly wasn’t sure where it was going. Vivian and Dorsey’s push and pull is incredibly entertaining throughout, and their relationship builds into something I hadn’t expected.
While bearing genetically modified children for the survival of Mars might seem ludicrous on the surface, the bigger real-world problems like climate change, artificial intelligence, bodily autonomy, and human rights deeply ground the story. Not only that, but Barner flips power dynamics on their head. It’s immensely satisfying to see Vivian grow into her own and tackle these subjects with the tenacity we would expect from our beloved Lizzy Bennet.
In a future Federation of America, hurricanes and rising ocean levels have wiped out a large chunk of land, displacing citizens into refugee camps. Vivian Bowen and her family live in one such camp after losing their home. It’s a lawless place where resources are hard to come by, and there’s a constant threat of bodily harm. When an opportunity presents itself to get her and her sister out in exchange for joining the Red Mothers Initiative, she jumps on it.
Mars doesn’t seem so bad at first, but upon realizing some of the specifics of her contract, Vivian finds it isn’t as appealing as she initially thought—nor does it seem ethical. Her strong will and decided opinions quickly get her into trouble, catching the attention of Xavier Dorsey, a politician who opposes the initiative.
The second half of the book is a wild ride, and I truly wasn’t sure where it was going. Vivian and Dorsey’s push and pull is incredibly entertaining throughout, and their relationship builds into something I hadn’t expected.
While bearing genetically modified children for the survival of Mars might seem ludicrous on the surface, the bigger real-world problems like climate change, artificial intelligence, bodily autonomy, and human rights deeply ground the story. Not only that, but Barner flips power dynamics on their head. It’s immensely satisfying to see Vivian grow into her own and tackle these subjects with the tenacity we would expect from our beloved Lizzy Bennet.
August 7, 2026
Well, I can truly say I’ve never read anything like this book. A blend of regency romance (Pride and Prejduice-ish), science fiction, dystopian, and a little bit of courtroom drama thrown in.
The premise is that much of earth has been made unlivable by large storms/hurricanes and other extreme weathers, so Vivian and her sister are forced to make a rough decision- stay on a dying, dangerous earth or sign a contract to be a mother on Mars? They choose Mars, but when they arrive they realize they’re in the center of a complex ethical debate about their purpose and role on the red planet. Humans have been on mars for several hundred years, here, and have lost the ability to hold a baby to term, thus their population is declining rapidly and the need for the Earth women to come and bear children. This got way more in the weeds about fertility, IVF, and what it means to be a mother. It felt a little too close to A Handmaids Tale, and current politics, but I was able to get thru it.
The pride and prejudice structure is loose, and it was a little hard to not place expectations on the plot because if it’s similarity. I found the Darcy character erudite and brusque, which is good, but I ultimately thought their chemistry was just…not there. They seemed like they’d make great law partners but not romantic ones.
Overall, a wild take and I’d definitely read more by Claire!
Thank you to Diversion Books and the author and an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
The premise is that much of earth has been made unlivable by large storms/hurricanes and other extreme weathers, so Vivian and her sister are forced to make a rough decision- stay on a dying, dangerous earth or sign a contract to be a mother on Mars? They choose Mars, but when they arrive they realize they’re in the center of a complex ethical debate about their purpose and role on the red planet. Humans have been on mars for several hundred years, here, and have lost the ability to hold a baby to term, thus their population is declining rapidly and the need for the Earth women to come and bear children. This got way more in the weeds about fertility, IVF, and what it means to be a mother. It felt a little too close to A Handmaids Tale, and current politics, but I was able to get thru it.
The pride and prejudice structure is loose, and it was a little hard to not place expectations on the plot because if it’s similarity. I found the Darcy character erudite and brusque, which is good, but I ultimately thought their chemistry was just…not there. They seemed like they’d make great law partners but not romantic ones.
Overall, a wild take and I’d definitely read more by Claire!
Thank you to Diversion Books and the author and an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
June 25, 2026
The Red Woman on Mars is such a timely novel but also one that will continue to resonate. When the Martian settlement decides to pull impoverished and desperate women from earth to serve as basically baby factories for their colony, these women must find in themselves a way to survive. The protagonist is Vivian Bowen who is part of the Red Mothers initiative along with her younger sister. Each woman in the Red Mothers program must pick a spouse (with the help of the AI) and as part of the deal, have three children with them in hopes that the next generation of Martians will be able to birth their own children. What looks like a great opportunity on the surface is soon discovered to be less than ideal and an environment where for many of the women, they have fewer rights and freedom than they had on earth.
But don’t forget, this is a Pride and Prejudice retelling. So of course we have the dark and broody love interest, Xavier Dorsey. What I love about Claire Barner’s novels is that they’re layered. Is it romance? Yes. Is it sci-fi? Yes. Is it a political statement on the on going fight of women for body autonomy and right of choice? Yes. And all of these things blend beautifully in an entertaining and poignant story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Diversion books for the arc.
But don’t forget, this is a Pride and Prejudice retelling. So of course we have the dark and broody love interest, Xavier Dorsey. What I love about Claire Barner’s novels is that they’re layered. Is it romance? Yes. Is it sci-fi? Yes. Is it a political statement on the on going fight of women for body autonomy and right of choice? Yes. And all of these things blend beautifully in an entertaining and poignant story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Diversion books for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is tailor-made for anyone who loves Jane Austen in a modern-day (or future!) setting. The worldbuilding is so fun, with regency ballgowns being picked out by a hair/makeup/clothes robot and fancy language being spoken by pretentious rich people on Mars...which sounds wild but works SO well here. It made me laugh out loud several times. Vivian as a character is so endearing and her growth throughout the book is one of the very best parts. It's a fascinating premise, too, asking a lot of thought-provoking questions about bodily autonomy, AI, and even the future of humanity without becoming depressing or scary. In fact it remains relatively light-hearted and completely empowering. But above all, obviously, the ROMANCE!!! Xavier is such a hot love interest, and the development of the love story is so believable. It tips its hat to the Pride & Prejudice of it all, but it also does something fresh and exciting that a lot of P&P retellings miss when they're just rehashing the same story. This book is one of my all-time favorites and I can't wait for it to come out so that the world can discover it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 stars
2.5 spice (open door)
This modern Pride and Prejudice retelling hits deeply in our current political climate. The whole book centers around women's autonomy and their right to do what they want with their bodies, and I think the author did a wonderful job adapting that into a sci-fi story. The characters, especially the FMC, Vivian, are easy to root for and feel like real people. The spice is relatively mild, with a couple of short and not very detailed open-door scenes.
The Pride and Prejudice elements are heavier in the first half of the book, and are quite obvious but in a good way. It becomes much less predictable as the story goes on, with the author diverging from the classic P&P storyline in order to craft a more satisfying ending. My only complaint is that I think the relationship between Xavier Dorsey (Mr. Darcy) and Vivian (Elizabeth) could have been developed more. Some of the yearning came across, but I don't think there was enough transition between enemies-to-lovers. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am very grateful to have gotten the ARC!! I will be following this author in the future <3
2.5 spice (open door)
This modern Pride and Prejudice retelling hits deeply in our current political climate. The whole book centers around women's autonomy and their right to do what they want with their bodies, and I think the author did a wonderful job adapting that into a sci-fi story. The characters, especially the FMC, Vivian, are easy to root for and feel like real people. The spice is relatively mild, with a couple of short and not very detailed open-door scenes.
The Pride and Prejudice elements are heavier in the first half of the book, and are quite obvious but in a good way. It becomes much less predictable as the story goes on, with the author diverging from the classic P&P storyline in order to craft a more satisfying ending. My only complaint is that I think the relationship between Xavier Dorsey (Mr. Darcy) and Vivian (Elizabeth) could have been developed more. Some of the yearning came across, but I don't think there was enough transition between enemies-to-lovers. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am very grateful to have gotten the ARC!! I will be following this author in the future <3
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Vivian Bowen is offered the chance to escape her life in a refugee camp in a crumbling America by going to Mars to marry a native-born Martian and bear children (something too dangerous for Mars-born people to attempt, requiring Earth-born recruits).
I was intrigued by the premise (Pride and Prejudice on Mars) but was a little disappointed in the execution. The worldbuilding was a bit bizarre--people were supposedly on Mars for nearly 200 years, but were dressing and acting as though it was Regency-era England? This is kind of explained away as a form of dedicated cosplay but it felt very incongruous with the Martian setting. The main character of Vivian also felt inconsistently portrayed and her romance with and feelings for Xavier Dorsey (aka the Mr. Darcey character) didn't feel authentic. There were a lot of secondary characters but they were all very flat and easy to keep track of. The action picked up right at the very end but then that felt a bit rushed. Might appeal more to fans of the original Pride and Prejudice but this one was not for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was intrigued by the premise (Pride and Prejudice on Mars) but was a little disappointed in the execution. The worldbuilding was a bit bizarre--people were supposedly on Mars for nearly 200 years, but were dressing and acting as though it was Regency-era England? This is kind of explained away as a form of dedicated cosplay but it felt very incongruous with the Martian setting. The main character of Vivian also felt inconsistently portrayed and her romance with and feelings for Xavier Dorsey (aka the Mr. Darcey character) didn't feel authentic. There were a lot of secondary characters but they were all very flat and easy to keep track of. The action picked up right at the very end but then that felt a bit rushed. Might appeal more to fans of the original Pride and Prejudice but this one was not for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of advanced copy
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and loved the themes that it explored. The coverage of bodily autonomy, consent, and traditional gender roles was inspiring to “expect more” from our lives. Also loved the coverage of AI, climate change, and the parts that talked about America having the means to provide for everyone but unfortunately it is not a fundamental value here.
The only feedback I have is that Vivian and Xavier’s love story felt very rushed, especially when he first professed his love it seemed out of nowhere because they had barely interacted so I didn’t feel that invested in their love story but at the same time I think that was a big point of the book that it was not a typical romance, and more focused on Vivian’s journey and the topics mentioned above.
Overall, the book covered so many important topics that was done really well and in a way that left me feeling empowered and hopeful for the future as women!! Excited for it to come out to be able to discuss with my friends.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and loved the themes that it explored. The coverage of bodily autonomy, consent, and traditional gender roles was inspiring to “expect more” from our lives. Also loved the coverage of AI, climate change, and the parts that talked about America having the means to provide for everyone but unfortunately it is not a fundamental value here.
The only feedback I have is that Vivian and Xavier’s love story felt very rushed, especially when he first professed his love it seemed out of nowhere because they had barely interacted so I didn’t feel that invested in their love story but at the same time I think that was a big point of the book that it was not a typical romance, and more focused on Vivian’s journey and the topics mentioned above.
Overall, the book covered so many important topics that was done really well and in a way that left me feeling empowered and hopeful for the future as women!! Excited for it to come out to be able to discuss with my friends.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Excellent book, best scifi of the year. Truly you have got to read this. I couldn't put it down and felt wiser after finishing it.
I haven't read pride+prej, so to me the setting was just classic sci-fi anacronism like Dune or Red Rising. I love a sword fight in space.
The romance is far from the conventional regency genre that inspired it. This book is hot, and does not fade to black. But the spice isn't purely for titillation, it's tied into an overall theme of sex, violence, and power. That's where the book really shines.
The author has something to say about our species, and how living on Mars might change us. Those ideas are woven seamlessly into the fabric of a page turning space adventure. This is exactly the kind of thoughtful science fiction that gets readers dreaming about the future.
I haven't read pride+prej, so to me the setting was just classic sci-fi anacronism like Dune or Red Rising. I love a sword fight in space.
The romance is far from the conventional regency genre that inspired it. This book is hot, and does not fade to black. But the spice isn't purely for titillation, it's tied into an overall theme of sex, violence, and power. That's where the book really shines.
The author has something to say about our species, and how living on Mars might change us. Those ideas are woven seamlessly into the fabric of a page turning space adventure. This is exactly the kind of thoughtful science fiction that gets readers dreaming about the future.
Review of advance copy received from Author
THE RED WOMAN ON MARS is a smart, speculative sci-fi romance, and the Pride and Prejudice inspired love story felt simultaneously fresh and timeless.
Though the story tackles some heavy topics, Barner manages to maintain a light touch and a level of nuance that makes this a timely, discussion-worthy read.
I really enjoyed the worldbuilding and the way Barner created a sharp contrast between the elite Martian society and climate-ravaged earth where her protagonist grew up. I especially liked Barner's exploration of physical and social power dynamics and her depiction of AI, which I found thought-provoking and entertaining. She also ends the story on a powerful high note that left me feeling hopeful.
I highly, HIGHLY recommend THE RED WOMAN OF MARS. Read it with someone else because you'll definitely want to talk about it!
Though the story tackles some heavy topics, Barner manages to maintain a light touch and a level of nuance that makes this a timely, discussion-worthy read.
I really enjoyed the worldbuilding and the way Barner created a sharp contrast between the elite Martian society and climate-ravaged earth where her protagonist grew up. I especially liked Barner's exploration of physical and social power dynamics and her depiction of AI, which I found thought-provoking and entertaining. She also ends the story on a powerful high note that left me feeling hopeful.
I highly, HIGHLY recommend THE RED WOMAN OF MARS. Read it with someone else because you'll definitely want to talk about it!
July 29, 2026
I went into this book not knowing exactly what to expect, and it completely surprised me. I immediately fell in love with Vivian and found myself rooting for her as she fought to save her family and help them survive the world they'd been left with. The dystopian elements were fascinating, and I couldn't help thinking about how terrifying the climate disasters would be. As someone who doesn't read a lot of sci-fi, I was happy to find that the science and space aspects were easy to follow. I especially loved the Martian domes, the way AI was integrated into their society, and how the main dome had adopted the Regency era as the foundation of its culture. The characters were another highlight. Even the ones I was supposed to hate were well written, and their growth and backstories made me genuinely care about what happened to them. This book really snuck up on me, and I can't wait to see what Barner writes next!
September 26, 2026
**Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for the eARC; all opinions are my own.**
3 ⭐️
2 🌶
📱/🎧 (cross-listened after publication)
This was...okay. I had higher expectations and that's on me. I knew that this was a Pride and Prejudice retelling, but I didn't realize how closely??? it would follow. I thought some things were intriguing- like the Martians, and the tech, and some of the political intrigue.
Unfortunately, I did not find any of the characters to be likeable and I thought that the relationship between Vivienne and Xavier was lacking. I also did not like that Delilah was basically just ALL of the other Bennet sisters smashed together.
☆pride & prejudice retelling
☆futuristic colony on Mars
☆women's rights
☆a world run by Artificial Intelligence
☆body autonomy
3 ⭐️
2 🌶
📱/🎧 (cross-listened after publication)
This was...okay. I had higher expectations and that's on me. I knew that this was a Pride and Prejudice retelling, but I didn't realize how closely??? it would follow. I thought some things were intriguing- like the Martians, and the tech, and some of the political intrigue.
Unfortunately, I did not find any of the characters to be likeable and I thought that the relationship between Vivienne and Xavier was lacking. I also did not like that Delilah was basically just ALL of the other Bennet sisters smashed together.
☆pride & prejudice retelling
☆futuristic colony on Mars
☆women's rights
☆a world run by Artificial Intelligence
☆body autonomy
Review of advance copy received from Author
The premise of this book is so creative! Opting to escape a dire situation in a camp on Earth, Vivian arrives on Mars to a surprising and descriptive bougie civilization. AI figures prominently as a voice and authority figure.
The world building is incredible as it mimics a decadent, entitled class willing to take advantage of young women to grow their population. Issues of feminism, the patriarchy, and body autonomy are thoughtfully explored as Vivian regrets her decision and challenges the status quo. She is a strong character who experiences love, betrayal, and lots of action. This is a page turner!
The world building is incredible as it mimics a decadent, entitled class willing to take advantage of young women to grow their population. Issues of feminism, the patriarchy, and body autonomy are thoughtfully explored as Vivian regrets her decision and challenges the status quo. She is a strong character who experiences love, betrayal, and lots of action. This is a page turner!
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