What do you think?
Rate this book
Born on Mars Colonization Book 2
Contacting recent settlers half a planet away may be the only hope for a rebellious young man's failing colony, though the conflicts they bring from Earth could be deadly.
Jake is born into a dying colony, abandoned by Earth. Sickness plagues his family, and Mars yields none of the minerals they need to survive. A second colony arrives half a planet away, but visiting the newcomers is more perilous than he imagined.
The newcomers hold the key to survival, if only Jake can understand the conflicts among these Earth-borns from China and Africa. They bring advanced technologies and tantalizing possibilities. But if they forge ties with Jake, they'll defy their masters on Earth and perhaps be abandoned too.
Watch the sun rise through the thin Martian atmosphere and smell the acrid soil that clings to surface suits. Join Jake on adventures far from his home habitat.
From NASA to Mars One and SpaceX, real-life visionaries plan to settle on Mars. You can go today in science fiction. Each book in the series joins a different settler struggling to build a life on Mars.
Jake is born into a dying colony, abandoned by Earth. Sickness plagues his family, and Mars yields none of the minerals they need to survive. A second colony arrives half a planet away, but visiting the newcomers is more perilous than he imagined.
The newcomers hold the key to survival, if only Jake can understand the conflicts among these Earth-borns from China and Africa. They bring advanced technologies and tantalizing possibilities. But if they forge ties with Jake, they'll defy their masters on Earth and perhaps be abandoned too.
Watch the sun rise through the thin Martian atmosphere and smell the acrid soil that clings to surface suits. Join Jake on adventures far from his home habitat.
From NASA to Mars One and SpaceX, real-life visionaries plan to settle on Mars. You can go today in science fiction. Each book in the series joins a different settler struggling to build a life on Mars.
- GenresScience Fiction
ebook
Published November 20, 2015
5 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Kate Rauner
38 books13 followersKate Rauner is a retired Cold War Warrior. She worked for over twenty years at the Rocky Flats Plant, once part of the nation's nuclear weapons complex. She helped decommission the site, which is now a National Wildlife Refuge.
Kate moved to southwest New Mexico and worked at the copper mines around Silver City, including the historic Santa Rita mine. Santa Rita has been mined since Native Americans collected copper there before the Spaniards entered Mexico.
Today she lives outside Silver City on the edge of the Gila National Forest with her husband and cat. She enjoys hiking and bird-watching, and, as a volunteer firefighter, has fought wildland and home fires. "I'm well on my way to my life's goal," Kate says. "To become an eccentric old woman."
Kate moved to southwest New Mexico and worked at the copper mines around Silver City, including the historic Santa Rita mine. Santa Rita has been mined since Native Americans collected copper there before the Spaniards entered Mexico.
Today she lives outside Silver City on the edge of the Gila National Forest with her husband and cat. She enjoys hiking and bird-watching, and, as a volunteer firefighter, has fought wildland and home fires. "I'm well on my way to my life's goal," Kate says. "To become an eccentric old woman."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 11, 2016
Find out what it's like to be a second-generation Martian
Born on Mars by Kate Rauner tells the story of Jake, one of the second generation of Mars-born humans who live at Kamp Kans on the Tharsis Plain. Colony Mars, the organization that sent the original settler missions is now defunct, and no more missions will be coming to Kamp—either to bring more settlers or to bring more supplies. Young Jake feels stifled at Kamp, and even though he tries out a number of different professions, nothing really satisfies his restlessness. And Jake is also deeply frustrated and worried by the sickliness that plagues the new generations at Kamp. Though Jake is healthy, many of the other Mars-borns suffer from headaches, fatigue, and autoimmune disorders. Jake finds himself feeling resentment towards the Earthers who started with grand plans and then ended up dooming them to a lifetime of subsistence farming.
But when Jake finds clay on Mars, exciting new possibilities open up. Half a planet away, there exists a mysterious Sino-African colony known as Fenghuang District, and Jake discovers that one of its colonists might take a professional interest in his find. The only problem is that the District has heretofore refused all contact with Kamp, and even Jake’s modest request to travel to the District is likely to be met by stony silence. When the District actually responds, Jake is elated—but opening up relations with the only other group of humans on Mars proves far more perilous than he could ever have imagined.
As with the first book, Glory on Mars, author Kate Rauner really makes you feel as if you have taken a trip to Mars yourself. You can see the sun rising in the thin Martian atmosphere and smell the rusty soil that clings to the colonists’ surface suits. Rauner has also done a wonderful job describing Kamp, the District, and all of the technology that makes living on the harsh surface of Mars possible for human beings. And in Jake, the author has given us a marvelous protagonist—he is smart, brave, and quick-witted, much like Emma was in Book 1. Those who have read Book 1 will be delighted to learn that Emma, Claude, Ruby, and Yin all return in Book 2, and readers also get to meet a host of new, intriguing characters, including Jake’s Kinderen family, three generations of Mars-borns, and the colonists of the District. I was impressed by the author’s depth of knowledge, and readers who enjoy hard science fiction will really find themselves in their element. I also recommend this book to more general science fiction fans and book-lovers in general. If you want to see what living on Mars would truly be like, this is the book for you.
Born on Mars by Kate Rauner tells the story of Jake, one of the second generation of Mars-born humans who live at Kamp Kans on the Tharsis Plain. Colony Mars, the organization that sent the original settler missions is now defunct, and no more missions will be coming to Kamp—either to bring more settlers or to bring more supplies. Young Jake feels stifled at Kamp, and even though he tries out a number of different professions, nothing really satisfies his restlessness. And Jake is also deeply frustrated and worried by the sickliness that plagues the new generations at Kamp. Though Jake is healthy, many of the other Mars-borns suffer from headaches, fatigue, and autoimmune disorders. Jake finds himself feeling resentment towards the Earthers who started with grand plans and then ended up dooming them to a lifetime of subsistence farming.
But when Jake finds clay on Mars, exciting new possibilities open up. Half a planet away, there exists a mysterious Sino-African colony known as Fenghuang District, and Jake discovers that one of its colonists might take a professional interest in his find. The only problem is that the District has heretofore refused all contact with Kamp, and even Jake’s modest request to travel to the District is likely to be met by stony silence. When the District actually responds, Jake is elated—but opening up relations with the only other group of humans on Mars proves far more perilous than he could ever have imagined.
As with the first book, Glory on Mars, author Kate Rauner really makes you feel as if you have taken a trip to Mars yourself. You can see the sun rising in the thin Martian atmosphere and smell the rusty soil that clings to the colonists’ surface suits. Rauner has also done a wonderful job describing Kamp, the District, and all of the technology that makes living on the harsh surface of Mars possible for human beings. And in Jake, the author has given us a marvelous protagonist—he is smart, brave, and quick-witted, much like Emma was in Book 1. Those who have read Book 1 will be delighted to learn that Emma, Claude, Ruby, and Yin all return in Book 2, and readers also get to meet a host of new, intriguing characters, including Jake’s Kinderen family, three generations of Mars-borns, and the colonists of the District. I was impressed by the author’s depth of knowledge, and readers who enjoy hard science fiction will really find themselves in their element. I also recommend this book to more general science fiction fans and book-lovers in general. If you want to see what living on Mars would truly be like, this is the book for you.
March 14, 2024
I’m two books into Kate Rauner’s “Colonization” series, and am loving every minute of it. I’ve always been a sucker for a good mars book – see SI Clarke’s wonderfully diverse “Devon’s Island” series or the stunning “Mars Trilogy.” I love a good colonization book in general too, as humankind tries to set up shop on a new planet.
In Born on Mars, we’ve jumped ahead two generations from the events of book one, Glory on Mars. The Kamp nederzetting settlers are on their own, semi-abandoned by the organization that got them there – there are no new transports coming with additional settlers or supplies. The colonists have settled into a kind of stasis, growing their numbers while lacking the resources to build new machines, create modern medicines, or deal with the many little issues that have set in.
Jake is a second generation Martian. He’s still trying to decide what he wants to do with his life, and is filled with a wanderlust that’s a hard itch to scratch in a Martian colony. He tries out the Pathfinders – a group tasked with exploring the area around the colony when they’re not otherwise occupied with life support issues, subsistence living, or trapped inside during the annual Martian storm season.
Rauner throws in another factor this time around, a second colony funded by the Sino-African coalition – the Fenhuang District. While somewhat distant from Kamp, it’s reachable by air, or overland in one of the rovers. The District isn’t a very good neighbor, ignoring all attempts to contact it and normalize relations between the two colonies. Earth’s politics still loom large on Martian soil.
Jake’s discovery of clay on one of his pathfinding trips gives him just the excuse he needs to make contact with one of the District’s colonists who was a ceramicist back on Earth. He finagles himself an invitation to visit the newer colony, and the door between the two cracks open just a bit.
Like the first book, the research that went into this one was evident, but in the best possible way. No info dumps here, just a strong feeling that we’re right there on the Martian surface with Jake and his friends and family. The issues that living so close to a near-vacuum can bring provide a lot of the dramatic tension in the story, aided by the sometimes frosty relations between the two colonies, and the political machinations going in behind the scenes. Rauner contrasts them nicely – on the surface, the District is in much better shape, but both colonies have needs that only the other can fulfil.
And there are a few great whiz-bang surprises along the way too.
Two small nitpicks. I would have loved to see more diversity here in terms of the LGBTQ+ community – it is kinda my jam. And I’d also like to see more variation in the naming of characters, especially as they move ahead in generations. Only Oona really stood out among the Jakes and Marthas and Madisons and Olivias of the cast.
But these are minor quibbles that didn’t take away from the enjoyment of the overall story. For all his naiveté, Jake navigates the space between the two cultures admirably, and the ending was very satisfying. Another great Mars book from Rauner… I can’t wait to return to her version of the Red Planet for round three.
In Born on Mars, we’ve jumped ahead two generations from the events of book one, Glory on Mars. The Kamp nederzetting settlers are on their own, semi-abandoned by the organization that got them there – there are no new transports coming with additional settlers or supplies. The colonists have settled into a kind of stasis, growing their numbers while lacking the resources to build new machines, create modern medicines, or deal with the many little issues that have set in.
Jake is a second generation Martian. He’s still trying to decide what he wants to do with his life, and is filled with a wanderlust that’s a hard itch to scratch in a Martian colony. He tries out the Pathfinders – a group tasked with exploring the area around the colony when they’re not otherwise occupied with life support issues, subsistence living, or trapped inside during the annual Martian storm season.
Rauner throws in another factor this time around, a second colony funded by the Sino-African coalition – the Fenhuang District. While somewhat distant from Kamp, it’s reachable by air, or overland in one of the rovers. The District isn’t a very good neighbor, ignoring all attempts to contact it and normalize relations between the two colonies. Earth’s politics still loom large on Martian soil.
Jake’s discovery of clay on one of his pathfinding trips gives him just the excuse he needs to make contact with one of the District’s colonists who was a ceramicist back on Earth. He finagles himself an invitation to visit the newer colony, and the door between the two cracks open just a bit.
Like the first book, the research that went into this one was evident, but in the best possible way. No info dumps here, just a strong feeling that we’re right there on the Martian surface with Jake and his friends and family. The issues that living so close to a near-vacuum can bring provide a lot of the dramatic tension in the story, aided by the sometimes frosty relations between the two colonies, and the political machinations going in behind the scenes. Rauner contrasts them nicely – on the surface, the District is in much better shape, but both colonies have needs that only the other can fulfil.
And there are a few great whiz-bang surprises along the way too.
Two small nitpicks. I would have loved to see more diversity here in terms of the LGBTQ+ community – it is kinda my jam. And I’d also like to see more variation in the naming of characters, especially as they move ahead in generations. Only Oona really stood out among the Jakes and Marthas and Madisons and Olivias of the cast.
But these are minor quibbles that didn’t take away from the enjoyment of the overall story. For all his naiveté, Jake navigates the space between the two cultures admirably, and the ending was very satisfying. Another great Mars book from Rauner… I can’t wait to return to her version of the Red Planet for round three.
January 8, 2021
Depiction of life on Mars in a 60 person colony - 5 stars
Excellent story of trying to thrive while making do and improvising. The things one has to do to stay alive provides a contrast between local decisions vs decisions and edicts from an remote, earth-based organization.
The original Mars Colony was established two generations ago; it now has people who were born on mars in addition to the people who came from earth. It has had no new equipment, food or people for an entire generation and appears to be adequately self sufficient.
A new second colony which still has missions to supply more resources, people and much newer equipment has less than 20 residents who seem to have more material goods but a tyrannical overseer. Initially it refused to communicate with the original colony and encrypts all communications with earth.
One person from the older colony offers to try to set up a trade and exchange between the two colonies.
Visiting and comparing the two colonies results in a fruitful exchange of information, gifts and companionship that makes both colonies seem to have an interest in mutual aid.
Complications, accidents and political considerations (especially from the earth-governed colony) make for conflicts just like on earth.
Learning to deal with safety and unconventional family units is extremely well done. I doubt that jealousy would be as modest as portrayed. Caring for each other and helping to the best of one's ability is convincingly essential to survival.
One incident of a mars-born person getting flu like symptoms because he did not have immunity was particularly convincing of the dangers of being isolated on Mars. The tools needed to survive outside the habitats including transport and electronic communication are key. The AI which supports the original colony is named "Governor". It can hear all conversations and provide guidance without out being obtrusive or judgmental and knows when to keep quiet.
A must read if you have dreams of settling on Mars.
Excellent story of trying to thrive while making do and improvising. The things one has to do to stay alive provides a contrast between local decisions vs decisions and edicts from an remote, earth-based organization.
The original Mars Colony was established two generations ago; it now has people who were born on mars in addition to the people who came from earth. It has had no new equipment, food or people for an entire generation and appears to be adequately self sufficient.
A new second colony which still has missions to supply more resources, people and much newer equipment has less than 20 residents who seem to have more material goods but a tyrannical overseer. Initially it refused to communicate with the original colony and encrypts all communications with earth.
One person from the older colony offers to try to set up a trade and exchange between the two colonies.
Visiting and comparing the two colonies results in a fruitful exchange of information, gifts and companionship that makes both colonies seem to have an interest in mutual aid.
Complications, accidents and political considerations (especially from the earth-governed colony) make for conflicts just like on earth.
Learning to deal with safety and unconventional family units is extremely well done. I doubt that jealousy would be as modest as portrayed. Caring for each other and helping to the best of one's ability is convincingly essential to survival.
One incident of a mars-born person getting flu like symptoms because he did not have immunity was particularly convincing of the dangers of being isolated on Mars. The tools needed to survive outside the habitats including transport and electronic communication are key. The AI which supports the original colony is named "Governor". It can hear all conversations and provide guidance without out being obtrusive or judgmental and knows when to keep quiet.
A must read if you have dreams of settling on Mars.
May 1, 2021
Jake is a likeable, emotionally resilient character. It seems that every book in this series has a new cast separated from the last by a generation or so. The only constant is the setting and history of previous books. So you could easily jump into one without having read any of the previous.
Having some exposure to communist China, I found the portrayal of District's politics to be realistic. Of course its hard to evaluate the likelihood of developments that take place so far in the future. But everything Rauner speculated about the governments and technology of Earth was believable to me.
There are lot of dry parts, but the background info is still interesting, and the actiony parts are good and exciting. I am interested to see how Rauner's Martian society evolves in the next book.
Having some exposure to communist China, I found the portrayal of District's politics to be realistic. Of course its hard to evaluate the likelihood of developments that take place so far in the future. But everything Rauner speculated about the governments and technology of Earth was believable to me.
There are lot of dry parts, but the background info is still interesting, and the actiony parts are good and exciting. I am interested to see how Rauner's Martian society evolves in the next book.
April 13, 2018
Kate builds a comprehensive world in Born on Mars. I haven’t read any other book that puts me in another world so completely or so delightfully. I’m there as she describes the colors of the building blocks. I’m there as she describes the social and political relationships. I’m there as she describes the colors of the sunset and how they change as the sun hits the horizon.
Her explorations of how humans would react to being on the edge of survival is interesting. I see echoes of the relationships within tribes that lived in precarious environments here on Earth.
I want the story to continue. I want to feel a part of this life. Fortunately, there is the next book in the series.
Her explorations of how humans would react to being on the edge of survival is interesting. I see echoes of the relationships within tribes that lived in precarious environments here on Earth.
I want the story to continue. I want to feel a part of this life. Fortunately, there is the next book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews