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Colony Mars #1–3 omnibus
Colony Mars: The Complete Trilogy
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.
Colony One Mars: All contact is lost with the first human colony on Mars during a long and destructive sandstorm. Satellite imagery of the aftermath shows extensive damage to the facility. The fifty-four colonists who called it home are presumed dead.
Three years later, a new mission sets down on the planet surface to investigate what remains of the derelict site. But, it’s not long before they realize the colony is not as lifeless as everyone thought. Someone is still alive -- hiding out somewhere.
Yet, before they can find the elusive colonist a strange illness starts to affect the crew. Pressure now mounts on Biologist, Dr. Jann Malbec, to locate the source and find a way to fight it. However, as she investigates she begins to suspect a dark and deadly secret lurking within the colony. A secret that threatens not just the crew but the entire population of Earth.
With limited resources and time running out, she must find some answers and find them fast. Because if she doesn't, none of them will be going home.
Colony Two Mars: The only survivor of the ill-fated ISA mission is now stranded on Mars. Having been designated a bio-hazard by Earth, any hope of returning home is all but gone. She is alone, isolated, and abandoned.
That is, until another human shows up in the main colony airlock. However, he's barely alive and soon dies without regaining consciousness. More disturbing though, a DNA test identifies him as a colonist who has already died, several years earlier — impossible as that may be.
Nevertheless, there is only one place he could have come from, the mine on the far side of the Jezero crater — Colony Two. An outpost they had presumed was long dead. But if he survived, maybe there are others still alive?
She now has no choice but to attempt the dangerous journey across the crater to investigate. Because if she doesn’t find some answers soon, her only future is to die alone on Mars.
Colony Three Mars: Now that the truth of the genetic experiments on Mars has been revealed, new missions are on their way to gain control of this extraordinary technology. In the process, they seek to exploit and enslave the colonists—turning them into nothing more than lab rats.
Worse, these newcomers are well armed, and prepared to go to war with each other to win control of the colony and its people.
But Dr. Jann Malbec has a secret, one that she could use to spare the colony and save the colonists from this fate. However, by using it she will almost certainly doom Earth to a planet-wide pandemic of apocalyptic proportions.
Yet she must choose. Earth or Mars—which is is going to be?
Colony One Mars: All contact is lost with the first human colony on Mars during a long and destructive sandstorm. Satellite imagery of the aftermath shows extensive damage to the facility. The fifty-four colonists who called it home are presumed dead.
Three years later, a new mission sets down on the planet surface to investigate what remains of the derelict site. But, it’s not long before they realize the colony is not as lifeless as everyone thought. Someone is still alive -- hiding out somewhere.
Yet, before they can find the elusive colonist a strange illness starts to affect the crew. Pressure now mounts on Biologist, Dr. Jann Malbec, to locate the source and find a way to fight it. However, as she investigates she begins to suspect a dark and deadly secret lurking within the colony. A secret that threatens not just the crew but the entire population of Earth.
With limited resources and time running out, she must find some answers and find them fast. Because if she doesn't, none of them will be going home.
Colony Two Mars: The only survivor of the ill-fated ISA mission is now stranded on Mars. Having been designated a bio-hazard by Earth, any hope of returning home is all but gone. She is alone, isolated, and abandoned.
That is, until another human shows up in the main colony airlock. However, he's barely alive and soon dies without regaining consciousness. More disturbing though, a DNA test identifies him as a colonist who has already died, several years earlier — impossible as that may be.
Nevertheless, there is only one place he could have come from, the mine on the far side of the Jezero crater — Colony Two. An outpost they had presumed was long dead. But if he survived, maybe there are others still alive?
She now has no choice but to attempt the dangerous journey across the crater to investigate. Because if she doesn’t find some answers soon, her only future is to die alone on Mars.
Colony Three Mars: Now that the truth of the genetic experiments on Mars has been revealed, new missions are on their way to gain control of this extraordinary technology. In the process, they seek to exploit and enslave the colonists—turning them into nothing more than lab rats.
Worse, these newcomers are well armed, and prepared to go to war with each other to win control of the colony and its people.
But Dr. Jann Malbec has a secret, one that she could use to spare the colony and save the colonists from this fate. However, by using it she will almost certainly doom Earth to a planet-wide pandemic of apocalyptic proportions.
Yet she must choose. Earth or Mars—which is is going to be?
652 pages, Paperback
First published March 23, 2017
307 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 23, 2024
For the most part, I've enjoyed the distraction provided by this story and the development of the characters, especially how they interact under stressful social situations. However, now that I’ve started the third book, my frustration has peaked. The main characters' naivety, particularly during the Chinese invasion where they are surprisingly unprepared for any subjugation attempts, feels unbelievably contrived and lazy.
Moreover, the book follows a page-turner formula where crises pile up, often resolved with MacGyver-like solutions, or characters who seemingly die miraculously survive. If you appreciate high-quality fiction, this book might irritate you as it does me. While I enjoyed "The Martian," it has influenced my favorite genre—hard science fiction—with a relentless urgency akin to thrillers like zombie or slasher movies, lowering the quality overall.
I’m listening on Audible. The voice characterizations are in general pretty good but I'm offended by the use of Russian and or Eastern European accents for most of the evil or otherwise untrustworthy characters in the book.
If you dislike the trend of formulaic, oversimplified storytelling, I’d recommend skipping this series. However, if you’re after a distraction that's occasionally entertaining, read on.
Moreover, the book follows a page-turner formula where crises pile up, often resolved with MacGyver-like solutions, or characters who seemingly die miraculously survive. If you appreciate high-quality fiction, this book might irritate you as it does me. While I enjoyed "The Martian," it has influenced my favorite genre—hard science fiction—with a relentless urgency akin to thrillers like zombie or slasher movies, lowering the quality overall.
I’m listening on Audible. The voice characterizations are in general pretty good but I'm offended by the use of Russian and or Eastern European accents for most of the evil or otherwise untrustworthy characters in the book.
If you dislike the trend of formulaic, oversimplified storytelling, I’d recommend skipping this series. However, if you’re after a distraction that's occasionally entertaining, read on.
September 19, 2024
The plot was interesting enough, so I continued with the second and third books, even though the characterizations and grammar are merely adequate.
April 11, 2024
Overall, it was a compelling story that comments on the human condition. One essential character begs the question, what does it mean to be alive, to have consciousness?
February 21, 2025
Enjoyable enough.
May 11, 2021
Colony Mars by Gerald M. Kirby is great fun if you grew up on a diet of SF adventure stories. I did and reading this 600+ page trilogy was like the good times returned – but with updated science. We have a recognizable Mars and a recognizable form of colonization. There are also some eerie parallels with recent developments including the involvement of private companies chasing their respective interests (not all of them benevolent in the novel) and even a pandemic. Yikes! That’s scarily prophetic for a series of books written between 2016-2017. Colony One Mars, Colony Two Mars and Colony Three Mars are each approximately 200 pages, and it is reasonable to take a break after each one for a change of scene. But if you’re like me, you’ll be back before too many days have passed (or other books read) to find out how biologist Jann Malbec and her friend Gizmo are managing to survive on a planet that seems almost malevolently hostile. Or is that just the other humans who have journeyed there? You’ll have to read the book(s) to find out. There's nothing very high-brow about the ideas and execution of the story in the Colony Mars series, and there were a couple of times when my interest started to flag, particularly in Book 3, when the Martian landscape started to become very crowded with new arrivals from Earth. But, in the end, it was worth staying the distance.
January 5, 2025
If you can suspend reality and read this trilogy for what it is - entertainment - then you'll have no problem with it. I love sci-fi, specifically space travel type books. While this was entertaining, I couldn't help but roll my eyes at plenty of scenes. What do you mean one of the astronauts is confused on how to work their EVA suit? Why are people with claustrophobia being sent through the solar system to other planets? Why is this robot claiming to be analytical and unable to understand rhetoric, while simultaneously being rhetorical at times? The story was fun but don't look too hard or you'll find it to be silly and *very* unbelievable. In comparison, I thought the cheese factor and overall believability of the story was on par with the movie Total Recall (original movie). It's a fantastic movie but very laughable at times. This story gave me the same feels. I probably won't read the remaining books in the series, but am content with where it's left off for me.
July 15, 2021
Mars attacks!!!!!!!
The first three novels in the Mars Colony saga provide the backdrop for the initial colonization, the illegal genetic experiments performed by COM, resulting in the generation of the Janus bacteria, and the effects it has. The investigation by ISA - enter Dr. Jann who is the heroine of the tale. The first novel primarily focuses on colony one, while the 2ndfeatures the discovery of colony 2 and includes more astoundingly illegal genetic experiments. Book 3 deals with three landings by different conglomerations to take over Mars and the colonists fight back. These are three intriguing tales that will keep you entertained and looking forward for more....
The first three novels in the Mars Colony saga provide the backdrop for the initial colonization, the illegal genetic experiments performed by COM, resulting in the generation of the Janus bacteria, and the effects it has. The investigation by ISA - enter Dr. Jann who is the heroine of the tale. The first novel primarily focuses on colony one, while the 2ndfeatures the discovery of colony 2 and includes more astoundingly illegal genetic experiments. Book 3 deals with three landings by different conglomerations to take over Mars and the colonists fight back. These are three intriguing tales that will keep you entertained and looking forward for more....
September 7, 2019
Not your typical sci-fi story.
A recovery mission to mars in the first book expands to threaten not only the mars colony but Earth itself as the trilogy unfolds. An unexpected heroine develops into a strong and capable character you'll want to see succeed. Brining with heart and emotion this rollercoaster ride of a trilogy sits well on the shelf between Red Mars and The Moon is A Harsh Mistress.
A recovery mission to mars in the first book expands to threaten not only the mars colony but Earth itself as the trilogy unfolds. An unexpected heroine develops into a strong and capable character you'll want to see succeed. Brining with heart and emotion this rollercoaster ride of a trilogy sits well on the shelf between Red Mars and The Moon is A Harsh Mistress.
August 1, 2022
The colonization of Mars is on everybody's mind. This trilogy covers what the colonization of Mars would be when it's directed by a private corporation or a government contract with a private corporation.
There is a lot of hard science covered in this trilogy. What most may call the attention is genetic engineering. No need to spoil the Read for those who are inclined to a hard science fiction. However this trilogy is very doable in the real world.
There is a lot of hard science covered in this trilogy. What most may call the attention is genetic engineering. No need to spoil the Read for those who are inclined to a hard science fiction. However this trilogy is very doable in the real world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2024
I'm not sure the other readers got the same book I did. From page one the characters were horrible. Astronauts with, we have to assume, years of experience, education and training, likely chosen for their steadiness and ability to work as a team are bullying to each other, make stupid decisions, are clearly unprepared and exhibit utter stupidity.
January 1, 2025
I got enough from this series to finish it, but I won't read the next one. The plot was too formulaic, and the characters were so naive that they occasionally made me laugh out loud. The villains were cartoonish at best, and there were too many logic errors. I love good, hard sci-fi, but this is not good.
July 25, 2025
Any book that uses the phrases, “every fiber of her being” or “shook her to her very core” is begging for a DNF from me. It’s trite. It’s lazy. It’s not the sign of quality writing. I made it through book 1, and it was… fine. Halfway through book 2, the wheels came off. Forced myself to the end of book 2, and that was all I could do.
February 20, 2019
Terrific series!
This series combined realistic scientific theories with believable people in a way to make me care about the characters. The Mars planet is real. Easy read and fun, too! A much better job of balancing science and human problems.
This series combined realistic scientific theories with believable people in a way to make me care about the characters. The Mars planet is real. Easy read and fun, too! A much better job of balancing science and human problems.
Read
August 11, 2019Well written story
Enough science fiction to be entertaining, but really some very good character development . One of he best ending I have read in a sci-fi piece. I will look for more from this author.
Enough science fiction to be entertaining, but really some very good character development . One of he best ending I have read in a sci-fi piece. I will look for more from this author.
October 2, 2019
Great series!
I really enjoyed this series. Loved the strong female lead and all the other great characters trying to make and protect their lives on mars. I really think there is at least one more book in this series... I need to know what happens when Jann goes home.
I really enjoyed this series. Loved the strong female lead and all the other great characters trying to make and protect their lives on mars. I really think there is at least one more book in this series... I need to know what happens when Jann goes home.
December 25, 2019
Decent Mars Trilogy
Another series of book that came recommended by Amazon's algorithm, and another series of books that I liked. Don't have much more to say, outside of the fact that I found this series to well written and containing a narrative that was well thought out and written.
Another series of book that came recommended by Amazon's algorithm, and another series of books that I liked. Don't have much more to say, outside of the fact that I found this series to well written and containing a narrative that was well thought out and written.
January 7, 2020
Highly enjoyable! The characters are interesting and believable, the plot is great and the pacing fast without skimming over the science explanations.
Really enjoyed every moment of these three books.
Really enjoyed every moment of these three books.
January 25, 2020
Having read previous colonisation novels about settling Mars, this trilogy is the most interesting and action-packed of the lot. Having said that, the action plays out through typical human behaviour in an isolated environment and is riveting throughout.
I will read this trilogy again.
I will read this trilogy again.
October 2, 2020
The first book the trilogy was great! I really enjoyed the characters and the twists and turns in the plot. The main character was delightfully relatable and I found myself rooting for several characters.
The rest of the books were okay but somewhat predictable.
The rest of the books were okay but somewhat predictable.
February 4, 2025
Engaging, if not simple story. Kept me turning pages. There were grammatical errors. Not sure why it would get published before the errors were corrected. This is a 1st for me, reminded me of early AI.
June 25, 2025
I liked the characters in this Mars trilogy. Much of this books seems like it could easily turn out this way although a solution to a longer life seems improbable. I'm sure the new Mars colony would not listen to Earth's orders for too many years and experiments are sure to occur.
July 17, 2019
Good read!
I was completely drawn in by the characters, the science, and Mars itself. I would recommend to all my fellow scifi fans.
I was completely drawn in by the characters, the science, and Mars itself. I would recommend to all my fellow scifi fans.
July 29, 2019
Great series
Very compelling. An interesting plot with many twists and turns that unexpectedly draw you in to the story. A masterfully written series
Very compelling. An interesting plot with many twists and turns that unexpectedly draw you in to the story. A masterfully written series
September 17, 2019
Awesome Trilogy
Could not put these books down! Extremely fun and imaginative story. All the elements of a heroes tale! Thanks l!
Could not put these books down! Extremely fun and imaginative story. All the elements of a heroes tale! Thanks l!
October 20, 2019
Pretty much couldn't put this down, can story. Just how I imagined a Mars mission to be with all the trials and tribulations. Loved all 3 books.
January 3, 2020
Very good set of books. Especially the first one. I had trouble putting the books down.Wanted to just keep on reading.
January 13, 2020
I enjoyed the first 2 books way more than the third. Reads fast like an action sci fi movie.
September 9, 2020
Imagine living in Mars
A story about Mars that is not far out. Incidents are believable. The characters are a strong community of survivors.
A story about Mars that is not far out. Incidents are believable. The characters are a strong community of survivors.
June 5, 2021
Excellent!
Cannot wait to read the next three books as this trilogy was difficult to put down! Well written, I do like this author.
Cannot wait to read the next three books as this trilogy was difficult to put down! Well written, I do like this author.
July 7, 2024
Good series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews