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Saving Mars #6

Mars Rising

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In the breathtaking conclusion to The Saving Mars Series, Jessamyn prepares to sacrifice her future with Pavel when Lucca invites her to Budapest to prove she's from Mars. Jess knows she's walking into a trap, but if Jess can't convince Terrans the Mars colonists are real, Lucca will destroy Jessamyn's family, her friends, and her world.

396 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2014

47 people are currently reading
157 people want to read

About the author

Cidney Swanson

48 books475 followers

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5 stars
143 (49%)
4 stars
110 (37%)
3 stars
30 (10%)
2 stars
7 (2%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Darlene.
1,969 reviews220 followers
May 26, 2014
I am SO SAD! This is the end of the series. I could live in this series forever. I want to be Jess, or Harpreet. They are my favorite characters. Both are pilots who fly between Earth and Mars and globally on either. Oh, include the moon in that for Jess.

REAL science fiction. Real research involved in the science. These things are all possible and hopefully the space travel will be something we do.

Mars as a colony is grand! Its a believable world peopled according to what is possible in the beginnings of populating another planet.

Creepy things have taken over the political system of Earth. Such a marvelous planet to an outsider. Rain, oceans, breathable air. But recycling bodies? 'Rebodying'. Ew. Although some of the science might be worth looking into for incurable diseases.

I know. You are looking at what I am saying and wondering what in the world I am talking about. Sorry. I should stick with reviewing. I try so hard not to make spoilers that I find relaying what the book is about nearly impossible. Meanwhile, these are the books I would have died to have to read when I was a kid. Still they hold up for me at 64. Though a little heavy in males, I find that the author has included all ages and sexes which is refreshing. And they learn from each other.

Okay, there is a bit of romance, but Jess isn't all googly she holds on to herself and the couple completes each other intellectually and emotionally. That, too, is refreshing.

Cidney Swanson, also took a chance an included a sibling that has a disability. Jess's brother, Ethan, seems to be a bit of a savant or has autism or Asberger's Syndrome. She never labels his differences as such, just describes him with his assets and problems in ways that he is just human like all of us. Ms. Swanson is amazing in how she portrays this character.

In fact, the writing of these books is fantastic. I think I found an editing oops, but it was so minor that I can't remember it at all. THAT's how an author writes!

The series ended very well. I was glad to stick it out to the end. I didn't have that incomplete feeling I often feel at the ends of books. Even still, I feel I will have to reread them all again and again! I recommend everyone who is a sci-fi buff to read them all. By the way, The first book, Saving Mars, is free right now. But for once I don't feel bad about spending the money on the rest of the series. I think Ms. Swanson's promotions of her books are very well done. Please, find these and enjoy them like I did--do.
Profile Image for Robert 'Rev. Bob'.
191 reviews20 followers
July 18, 2015
This was a smashing conclusion to a wonderful series. Loose ends I'd lost track of were tied up, and the last third of the book is mostly one giant thrill ride. Except for the last chapter, that is, which is absolutely perfect.

I've enjoyed this YA series from the first page to the last, and I recommend it unreservedly.
Profile Image for Lizzie.
373 reviews34 followers
June 6, 2020
The girl from Mars and the Evil Aunt controlling Earth government go head to head in the media campaign to win over the public and the race to the finish line. As Jess flies, airsurfs, hoverbikes, runs, walks, and crawls to make her case before parliament, Pavel's Evil Aunt uses and abuses Earth's police and military to prevent Jess from appearing to prove she is a real, live Marsian. If Jess fails it is likely the Mars colony will be wiped from the red planet. But Evil Lucca has even more nefarious plans set in motion at the rebodying center that the Ghost is hoping to interrupt.

Book 6 moves quickly and the last of it relates the future generations of our characters and the planets. My only disappointment is that after the race to get out the truth and in tying up all the threads in the series, some of those story lines were given short shift. A few more chapters in the 80 to 90 percent section of the book would have been nice. My rating would be 9 out of 10 stars.

This series is very appropriate for the young teen reader. I think girls will especially appreciate that the leading characters, (good and bad) - Jess, her Captain, the matriarch of the Wallace Clan, the Mars governor, the Evil Aunt Chancellor controlling Earth - are all strong female roles. There is a multitude of male characters as well, many in supporting roles (such as Zuss, the Ghost, Crusty, Brian Wallace), but Ethan as a science/engineer whiz kid brother and Pavel, the heir apparent who disagrees with his Aunt's plans for him and falls in love with Jess and Mars, are central characters.

Romance is limited to kissing, and there is no gratuitous or descriptive violence, sex, or foul language. The series would be perfect family reading for those who like science fiction adventure with some real science.
Profile Image for Trina.
379 reviews11 followers
January 28, 2021
Satisfying conclusion to this series. A titchy bit predictable, but I liked how it worked out. And I liked that the author made up her own swear words/phrases. One of my favorites: For the love of mittens!
Profile Image for Margie .
503 reviews2 followers
August 10, 2017
Excellent

Canada's such an exciting and fun character.. I simply could not put this series down. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author.
Profile Image for Margo.
770 reviews6 followers
September 4, 2017
The ending of a terrific story, well told, well edited. The author easily maintains your interest across the 6 volumes.
Profile Image for MK.
52 reviews2 followers
February 29, 2020
Excellent series!

I read all 6 books in the Mars series and enjoyed them very much. Lots of action a long with clean romance. Well written with interesting characters.
27 reviews
March 22, 2020
Great series

All is well that ends well and this book, with it daring race to the finish line and the rise of a new political power group does just that.
Profile Image for Trina.
379 reviews11 followers
March 1, 2021
Great series. Satisfying conclusion.
Profile Image for JenBsBooks.
2,623 reviews71 followers
December 28, 2014
Ah ... the conclusion, and this was a definite conclusion. Like a few other series (Harry Potter, Frost Chronicles) the very end does wrap up years and years, showing us the full lives of these characters we've come to know.

This book did feel just a bit different, in that the chapters actually had little chapter titles. None of the other books did (nor did the "sneak peek" at the first few chapters of book 6 included with the download of book 5) ... they all would simply state the location that chapter would take place (which was helpful as the chapters did skip focus among many different characters). For some reason, this slight change threw me just a bit. I'm not sure, but in this book it felt a little more like we were left hanging more often as the chapters would end and the focus would shift.


I was happy with this book, the way the story ended. I'll think back on this series fondly. I'm always amazed at the imagination of authors and how they can think up such unique settings and situations. It was so very interesting to see this perspective of life on Mars, and also the "rebodying" that earth had adapted. Interesting and imaginative stuff!
Profile Image for Steven.
474 reviews14 followers
May 18, 2014
In the breathtaking conclusion to The Saving Mars Series, Jessamyn prepares to sacrifice her future with Pavel when the Chancellor invites her to Budapest to prove she's from Mars.

This was a great finish to this series. Cindy kept the action but also gives you the satisfying ending you wanted. Pick up this Fun family friendly series now
Profile Image for Linda Pijor.
10 reviews
April 27, 2014
Great read.

Great read.

I think of this series as a sci-fan-tasion. A fun story that's light yet holds your attention. I couldn't wait for this final book to come out and I wasn't disappointed. There is no sex, language, or graphic violence for those of us who are not interested in those things. The series is a good way to relax.


69 reviews
May 14, 2014
Wow! This was a wonderful end to a great series. I am really glad I found this. I really enjoyed all the books. I found the concept very interesting, especially the whole re-bodying programing. It was a hard book to put down. I'm really glad that the author seemed to bring closure to the story points. I would definitely recommend this series!
1,361 reviews8 followers
May 20, 2014
Even though the book was easy to read, I had to reread parts of it to find out which universe the characters were in. There was a tremendous amount of violence, and several times Jesus was used as a curse word, more than any other book in the series. I did like the characters enough to slog through the book. I wanted to know who lived at the end, at least.
Profile Image for Jane Alden.
27 reviews
June 1, 2014
Mars Rising

I read all six of the Mars books and the ending was just fabulous! I felt as if the characters were real and so was the description of the planet. I am a senior (75) and enjoyed the book. After reading the first book, you will want to read the rest. Unfortunately I cannot give it more than 5 stars!
Profile Image for Hope Griffin Diaz.
313 reviews31 followers
June 20, 2014
So worth your time

I have so greatly enjoyed the Saving Mars series. Cidney has done a terrific job in her research and creativity. The story is quite unique and engaging. I highly recommend the serIes.

This last book left me write satisfied. I will miss my "friends" in this series but ask glad to know them.
Profile Image for David Swager.
178 reviews
November 4, 2014
A decent conclusion to a very good series. I felt that the ending was somewhat rushed as it didn't really start until about 85% into the book. That would have been fine for a stand alone book, but for the final book in a 6 book series, I would have expected a more detailed finish consumer 30-50% of the final book.
Profile Image for Damon.
50 reviews1 follower
August 15, 2014
Guilty Pleasure

Guilty Pleasure

I really enjoyed this entire series but I am not exactly sure why. There was nothing very groundbreaking other than the "rebody program" but the story was paced well and I cared for the characters.
Profile Image for Holly Thames.
28 reviews1 follower
February 9, 2015
Great series, interesting adventures. Easy to imagine the scene, and people.
5 reviews2 followers
March 31, 2017
Saving Mars is an excellent series! I got all teary at the end. Wonderful sci fi full of adventure. Great plot.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews

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