The Day of the Martians

by H.E. Wilburson, Harry Preston (Narrator), Terry Thompson (Narrator)

Runtime: 2 hours, 3 minutes

Readers Favorite Five Stars and winner of 5 awards in the 2020 Los Angeles Science Fiction Film Awards, Audio Drama category.

A New War Of The Worlds Begins as Martian Tripods Return To Earth!

The terror of the coming of the Martians is all but a distant memory, a bad dream that has faded with time.... All George wants is a quiet suburban life – but at breakfast one morning his newspaper reports the shocking discovery of a Martian cylinder, found intact and unopened, and carefully transported to London. Could it be from the first alien invasion and after more than seven years are there Martians still inside - alive?

By teatime George learns that vengeance seeking Martians and their tripod fighting machines are already on their way back. This time they are armed with a doomsday weapon, able to destroy all bacteria and completely annihilate Earth. The countless numbers of their projectiles form a huge green comet and invasion day will be just before Christmas.

The first attack by aliens was enough for any lifetime, but who would expect to be involved with two? Can George and his wife escape this new Martian apocalypse and how will our planet survive a second time?

The Day Of The Martians continues the iconic alien invasion novel by H.G. Wells, in this exciting, action adventure – the first volume of The Martian Diaries series. If you're a fan of The War Of The Worlds don't miss this award-winning 3 part continuation. Get the ebook today or check out the action-packed audio version featuring original music and sound effects.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook

3 pages, Audiobook

Published January 1, 2019

About the author

I am delighted and honoured that my work has been recognised by various awards for both books and audiobook versions featuring my own original music and sound effects. Here are some of them:

The Eric Hoffer Book Award 2025, Category Finalist (Ebook) - The Martian Diaries, vol. 1 - The Day Of The Martians.

Bronze Medallist Readers Favorite International Book Awards 2024, Fiction Audiobook category - The Martian Diaries, vol. 1 - The Day Of The Martians.

The Martian Diaries vol.2 Lake On The Moon audiobook was voted into 3rd place in the TCK Publishing 2020 Readers Choice Awards - Science Fiction category.

The audiobook versions of the above titles were entered into the Los Angeles Science Fiction Film Festival Awards 2020 and jointly won five awards.

All three audiobooks were awarded 5 stars by Readers Favorite Reviews. Of book 1 'The Day Of The Martians' the reviewer said, “This was more than an audio book. This was, in many ways, a wonderfully executed tribute to H.G. Wells.”

Of book 2, 'Lake On The Moon' the reviewer said, “The storyline is mesmerizing, and Mr. Wilburson has done a magnificent job of melding his story with the original War Of The Worlds.”

The reviewer of book 3 Gateway To Mars said, "The soundtrack composed by H.E. Wilburson deserves special praise, as it created an atmospheric background that fed my imagination alongside Paul's awesome narration. I highly recommend this flawless production to sci-fi, action-thriller, time travel, and adventure fans."



You can request review copies of books 1-3 here:

https://books.martiandiaries.com/revi...


And now for some of my bio...

Although I have been composing music all my life I only started writing about 2013. I have always enjoyed 'The War Of The Worlds' by H.G. Wells and in 2015 decided to continue the story myself as there seemed to be questions left unanswered. That is why I created my sequel to Wells' science fiction classic and I have added my own music and sound effects to the audiobook recordings to add atmosphere and mood.

Book 2 of the series, 'Lake On The Moon', links even more closely to the story of H.G. Wells' original characters. It was a bronze medallist in the 2020 Readers Choice Awards - science fiction category.

The third book in the trilogy, 'Gateway To Mars', continues the story in 1945 on Earth, and the 2130s on the moon and Mars, and brings the original H.G. Wells tale full circle.

There is also a companion book to volume 1 - a set of diary entries from 1913 by Ogilvy, the Astronomer Royal, which fills in some of the story from his perspective. The ebook is exclusive to my email subscribers but it will be incorporated into print versions of volume one. You van join my email newsletter here:https://subscribepage.io/martian-diar...

Apart from 'The Martian Diaries' trilogy I have adapted 'The Pilgrim's Progress' by John Bunyan. It was my first project combining text with music, and will be released in the future. I also have several hundred pieces of music, and unpublished stories and poetry.

I find much inspiration by getting off the beaten track and into the great outdoors, and am in my element exploring remote locations around coastal and mountain regions, but most especially in Wales. 

Find out more and hear sample chapters of the audiobooks on my website here: https://www.martiandiaries.com

If you follow me on BookBub they'll notify you whenever one of my books goes on sale. They'll also tell you about deals on similar books. Click here https://www.bookbub.com/profile/h-e-w...

Come and say hello to me on X (Twitter) https://twitter.com/martiandiaries @martiandiaries

Go here linktr.ee/martiandiaries to find me and my work in other places.

Reviews

[Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of e-book August 2022 - 4 stars
This is a re-read of the e-book in preparation for the release of the third book (and then audiobook) in the trilogy.
As before I really enjoyed this book even if it is a little short. I am just so looking forward to initially the third e-book, but more the audiobook version.

Review of new e-book May 2021 - 4 stars
This, as a reading book is relatively short, but don't mistake lack of length for lack of quality. When I listened to this book 2 years ago, with the music and sound track, it was marvellous, and a true sequel to the Jeff Wayne version. As an e-book I still enjoyed the story but I have to say I missed the soundtrack by H.E.

I now know that as the the third "book" is released I will have to re-listen to this and the sequel.

Review of Musical Audiobook Feb 2019 - 4.5 stars

A number of people have commented that this "sequel" to H G Wells' War of the Worlds is in fact a bit of a "non sequitur:" Whilst that opinion is understandable, one only has to listen to Jeff Wayne's WotW to realise this recording is a direct descendant of Jeff Wayne's version.
Yes it is not Richard Burton narrating, but the guy (Harry Preston ?) does an excellent job. The music accompaniment is again not Jeff Wayne, but H.E has does an excellent job, it is atmospheric and relevant, the sound effects are also brilliant.
So sound and narration aside, it is also an excellent story that continues the wonderful epic that is War of the Worlds. I suppose, as it is only just over 2 hours long, it is really only a novella, but I understand (H.E. please correct me if I'm wrong) that there is a trilogy planned.
I for one will be at the front of the queue for episode two. Thanks H.E. for the opportunity to experience this, an atmospheric and "true to the original" continuation of a classic book.
A solid 4 stars

[donna backshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I realize I'm in the minority here, but I must admit I did not enjoy The Day of the Martians: The Martian Diaries Vol 1. Giving this 2.5 stars, rounded to 3 simply for the Herculean effort put into the production.

The Day of the Martians: The Martian Diaries Vol 1 was offered as a sequel to The War of the Worlds, written in tribute to H.G. Wells's groundbreaking novel. Since this was an audiobook presentation, I first found and listened to Simon Vance's narration of The War of the Worlds, so I could approach the sequel with the original fresh in my mind. This was a mistake, as the two did not mesh at all.

I feel like the author missed the point of The War of the Worlds, with its speculative philosophy and allusions to British imperialism in the mid-late 1800s, and instead wrote a piece of fan fiction that merely included the world and characters of H.G. Wells's novel. This sequel contained mostly dialogue and adventure, rather than the didactic description, Wellsian introspection, and characters representing different ideologies.

As well the writing style was informal, lacking the Victorian era pompousness and richness of the original. The descriptions, and especially the dialogue, sounded too contemporary, generously using contractions and sentences ending with prepositions. I especially missed the era-specific colloquialisms, like skedaddle, that grounded me in the time period.

And finally, while many enjoyed the addition of music and sound effects, I found they detracted from the presentation. Especially troublesome were the 1980's-styled electric guitar solos and psychedelic sound effects. If we are supposed to be in 1913, none of the electronica in the background could exist, and suspension of disbelief became impossible for me.

But please do not allow my personal dislike of this presentation to deter you. If you go in free of expectations and would love a chance to hear more Martian colonialism efforts similar to The War of the Worlds, this may be just the audio presentation for you.

[Derek Beaugarde · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a stunning novella sequel to the famous War of the Worlds by H G Wells, with authentic prose that transports the reader back to the pre-war Edwardian era. It is now 1913 and the book evokes the growing sense of hysteria, which spread across Europe, as the coming of a Great War loomed. Just as panic spread across Britain about the ever-growing threat of the alien German Reich, The Day of the Martians presents the allusion of an even greater threat of a second invasion from Mars, with even more powerful weapons than before. It seems incredulous that the narrator George, Professor Ogilvy and the Major can devise a plan to save humankind from the Martian invasion. Is man doomed? A great read for H G Wells aficionados, alien sci-fi fans and would probably appeal to steampunk enthusiasts, with the mix of steam engines, hot air balloons, warships and, of course, those pesky Martians.

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would happen if the Martians were to come back. Not only were they coming back but they had a weapon the would kill all of Earth's bacteria and microbes. What would happen once they got the abandon Martian artifact opened. A nicely written sequel to the original War of the Worlds.

[Sharon :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story line. 50/50 on the music for the entirety of the audiobook maybe since it was my first experience I can’t decide. Definitely up to listening to the next one!

[Himanshu Karmacharya · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, I want to thank the Author for the copy.
And here's my honest review:

The Day of the Martians is the follow-up to The War of the Worlds, following the events of the unnamed protagonist during a second Martian invasion.

I found the audiobook to be enjoyable; the narration was great, and the sound effects are on point. The writing is very reminiscent of H.G.Wells', and it is great to see all the characters and references from the original.

The major complaint that I have with the audiobook, is the background music, which doesn't seem to fit in the time period in which the story occurs. The music also seems louder than the narration at times, which tended to be very distracting.

[Paul (Life In The Slow Lane) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Martians Are Coming!

A creative sequel to H.G. W's The War of the Worlds that could have been written by the man himself. The Martians know what happened to the first invasion fleet. They weren't going to let bacteria and viruses get them this time.

Well worth a read and I'm going to see if I can find the next book in the series.

[Sheila Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 Martians, Cylinders, Astronomers, Welsh Hills ... gripping, atmospheric, just wonderful. I read this book with dimmed lights and cosy blanket on a cold night. This audiobook takes you right to the centre of the story, the possible invasion of the Martians (again) and the human scientific combat plans. Absolutely wonderful, loved the music, no Justin Heywood but beautiful instrumental pieces. The story is gripping and a fabulous continuation from the original book. Bold characters, great story line, clear narration, lovely voice. Well done Mr Wilburson!

[Elite Group · Rating 5 out of 5]

The war against the Martians continues………!

The year is 1913 when we join the narrator and his wife Laura, while they eat their breakfast and read the morning newspapers. An article quickly catches the narrator’s attention. A Martian cylinder has been discovered, intact, buried deep in the Welsh mountains. The cylinder has been transported to London where the astronomer and scientist, Ogilvy, has put it on display at Crystal Palace together with Martian artefacts from the original attack. Ogilvy tells the man that he’s using the exhibition to remind the public that, once again, the Martians will be attacking earth and that he thinks the attack will happen shortly before Christmas.

Laura and her husband visit Tryfan Mountain in Wales where the cylinder had crashed and discover what appears to be a mineral, which gives off a strange glow. Laura gives it the name Tryfanite and on discussion with the Major, (the Artilleryman has been promoted) they decide to start mining this mineral. There is a strong possibility that, as this seems to be alien to the area, its presence is thanks to the cylinder and that somehow, it could be used to build a weapon to fight the Martians. But no-one is going to be able to prove this theory until the Martians attack.

H E Wilburson has created a truly fantastic continuation to complement H G Wells’ original “The War of the Worlds”. The format is an audiobook and H E Wilburson’s choice of the narrator, Harry Preston, reflects the seriousness of the story with so much meaning and inspiration making the story come alive and real.

H E Wilburson has added music and background sound adding even more excitement to the intense storyline as, once again, the earth comes under attack by the Martians.

If you are, like me, a fan of “The War of the Worlds” then download this audiobook. Discovering it has left me with the feeling that sometimes in life, amongst all the boring stuff, something comes along to shake up your life and make you grateful for other people’s creations. H E Wilburson has certainly succeeded in making me a very happy listener. I now await Volumes 2 and 3.

Treebeard

Breakaway Reviewers were given a copy of the audiobook to review.

[Sleepy Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been a sci fi fan since I was a kid, so I was naturally interested when I came across this book. I’m glad to say it did not disappoint. This book was written as a sequel to War of the Worlds by H G Wells, which I thought was a cool idea.

From the very beginning, when the Martian cylinder was discovered, I was absorbed in the story. The book moves at a great pace, following George on this adventure, and I was always on the edge of my seat as things were unfolding. There’s never a dull moment along the way. One of my favorite parts was when some characters were exploring an ominous cave that contained a mysterious mineral. The story was set in 1913, and did a good job of drawing you into that time period. With the threat of another Martian invasion looming, the story built up to what I thought was an exciting and satisfying conclusion. This was a really solid sci fi adventure, and I enjoyed every minute of it.

I read some reviews recommending getting the audiobook version, so I did, and I 100% agree. They did an amazing job on the audiobook. Besides excellent narration, the good music and sound effects added to the listening experience. After this book, I’m interested in checking out further entries in the series. If you’re looking for an enjoyable sci-fi adventure, I recommend giving this book a try.

[Tempest Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an engaging sequel that continues the legacy of its predecessor with tremendous vigour. The writing is fast-paced and as breathless as what Wells' managed with the original. It was like riding on a heat ray. Classical science fiction is simple and iconic, particularly in the Wells tradition, and the book expands on this formula with the return of the Martians. Now very much evolved to meet human resistance, there is a nerve-wracking, insurmountable undertone to the threat now posed. It is interesting to see the returning cast of characters, and indeed they are much more richly-drawn having to face such new and grave odds. Wells always had this knack for thrilling first-person narration - this is very much a continuation.

The book's main triumph is its grounding in a quintessential British landscape. There is a classical affection for Britain - its town names, the tweaks of the dialects, etc. It all built to a very cohesive atmosphere. I see later books in the series are longer and it is perfectly believable to me the writer could craft something more continuous on the same premises.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was younger, I routinely borrowed the cassette of 'War of the Worlds' from my school library (which I believe may have been a BBC dramatisation, but I could very well be incorrect) and listen to it in my bedroom with headphones on over a weekend, completely freaking myself out about an impending alien invasion. I loved that dramatisation, the narration and the music really drew me into the story.
This sequel to H.G. Wells classic does not disappoint. Drawing inspiration from that dramatisation, the music, narration and general production on this novella is excellent although the background music does occasionally drown out the narration so a little editing on volume would sort that out.
Looking forward to volume 2 coming out.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request via Audioboom and have voluntarily left this review.

[Laura Loolaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

[re-sharing an old 5-star review that got lost in the interwebs]

During the War of the Worlds all Martians were defeated by Earth's microbes - or were they? Ten years later humanity must once again prepare for a fight, complete with improved heat-rays, eccentric inventors, no-nonsense military chaps, and a protagonist very era-appropriately bemused by his wife's competence under duress (there is also a comet-cameo). Borrowing the manners and pacing of another era, the book's textflow and narration beautifully complement each other. With spot-on sound design and expressive, scene-appropriate music, listening to this book makes for a very stylish experience indeed!

[Eban · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the onset of the story, we are placed in a situation where something startling has happened, which could escalate and be a large battle that could end with the human species' destruction.

The thing I loved about the book is that the Martians' attack felt impending and that it could happen at any time in the story. That's how the author managed to create suspense, which pervaded throughout the entire book.

The main actor comes up with a plan to defeat the Martians, and I felt that the details should have been vague so that we don't know how they plan to fight them.

One of the things that I found completely bizarre is that the book is written from the main character's POV, yet his name is not mentioned once in the entire book. At least, I didn't see. Maybe I skipped it. I only found out that it was George when I read the blurb.

[sandra stiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Wow! Read this in one sitting! Followed on seamlessly from the original and had me hooked! So intrigued now, I'm going to get the audio book to hear the music you've chosen to accompany my new favourite 'follow-on.' Really
good!!

[odedo1 Audio book worm. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Martian trilogy.





Written as a prelude to the continuation of “ The War Of The Worlds “, I must admit that the author H. E. Wilburson have done a great job, but I also advise to read or listen this trilogy as a totally new story and only then decide if it really is a continuation.



Beautiful narration by Harry Preston and Terry Thompson for each of the characters of this creation, plus amazing special affects and music.



My recommendations !!!




Oded Ostfeld.

[John Decarteret · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic listen. All of the sound effects and mix of music complement the narration beautifully. A brilliant production that places the visions of the story in your mind with sounds, and gives the whole story another dimention. This is like nothing I have seen (or heard to be more specific) It stands alone in its own right, making this very compelling. I look forward to the next part of the story. 5 stars for this wonderful piece of art.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

The novella, "The Martian Diaries," continues H.G. Wells' "War of the Worlds." The author wrote in the same style as Wells. I thought the story was well written and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The author promises to continue the War of the Worlds narrative and I look forward to reading more stories about the Martian conflict.

[Sandra Vdplaats · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Day of the Martians!

‘Once started, life has a persistence…’

H.E.’s sequel to H.G. Wells The War of the Worlds is a brilliant adaptation to what could have happened after the ending of the original story.

It’s been ten years since, and Earth is under attack once more, the Martians are coming back!
A shiny cylinder has been found in the Welsh mountains, and is taken to the Crystal Palace to have it on display.

The narrator, - let’s call him H.E - , reads in the papers that the end of the wold is eminent once more.
He and his wife Laura pack for Wales, and find the cave where the Martian cylinder has crash-landed. They also find luminous lichen in the cave....

From this point on, the story accelerates quickly - everyone is trying to find a way of how to fight the Martians and defend Earth. Will the Tryfanite be of any help? Will they be on time?

H.E. closely follows H.G. Well’s syle and storyline - and I absolutely loved how previous characters are brought back into the story in different roles and settings - e.g the Curate is speaking to H.E. ‘from another hemisphere’ - playing havoc on his senses , and we are to believe it is he who is losing his marbles this time - since he suffered a head injury when the cave ceiling collapsed!

Similar to H.G. Wells’s novels - the story shows examples of 'the human condition' on another level, in which we read about the collapse of economy, the disruption of natural order, class conflict, women rights and (future) military conflicts, - as if H.E. were to shock us with the truth of how human kind is faring…,, just like Wells used to do (and he was quite accurate and visionary in most cases!)

I have been a fan H.G. Wells' work since my childhood, this is a worthy succesor and well-executed sequel. Chuffed to bits to been given the opportunity to read this novel.

I would like to thank the author and BookSirens for letting me have the opportunity to read this delightful sequel, and as a huge H.G. Wells fan I'd give this 5+ stars. No doubt, that Wells would have been delighted with this continuation.

Highly recommended!!

[Joe Pranaitis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author H.E. Wilburson brings us an exciting sequel to H.G. Well's War of the Worlds. Picking up in 1913 ten years after the original Martian invasion a London scientist named Ogilvy finds an unopened Martian cylinder in the mountains of Wales and takes it to Whitehall where he puts a lot of the Martian war machines on display. This story maybe his but it's told through a reporter friend of his whos wife Laura is essential is bringing the mineral that kills the Martians to the front lines of the new war. The new war that began on December 24th. On that Christmas eve night the world had once again fought the Martians in there new machines and it was the scientist Ogilvy who came up with a directed energy weapon that took out the Martians new machines. But in the sky above the Martians turned their attention from Earth to our Moon and I'm looking forward to reading the second book in this series. I highly recommend this two book series for all who like the original War of the Worlds or even those that like either of the film versions or the Animated sequel or the TV series sequel. This story will appeal to all.

[C.A. A. Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked on this wonderful sci-fi audio from the word go. The narration is gripping plus the background music is haunting and atmospheric. The historic feel and the characters are marvellous. As the plot began to unfold, the story got better. It all leads to a fabulous climax and I would recommend this to any War of the Worlds fan. A splendid sequel.

[Kent Mattoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome book! Picks up right where War of the Worlds ends. Same characters and short of being a bit more modern, it fits seamlessly with the original. Well done!!

[Vicki Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well after the war of the worlds, the enemy came back an by miracle was pushed back. Thank you so much for a fun read, an reminder to enjoy the little things while I still can.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full review is here on my blog!~

The Day of the Martians is written as a sequel to H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds. It takes place 10 years after the Martians came to Earth with their heat-rays and it follows a man (presumably the same narrator as War of the Worlds) and his wife, as they investigate a projectile that has come from Mars to Earth and landed in Wales. The Martians, it seems, are planning on coming back to (spoiler alert for a book published in 1898) try and kill the bacteria that killed them the first time they came so they can get on with that invading and killing everyone thing.

The idea certainly had merit, but I will admit that I didn’t really love this audiobook, and it’s for a couple of reasons.

First of all, while the general narration of this story is quite good, there is a constant musical soundtrack playing in the background of it, and it got really distracting, and really old fast. Some of it is the sort of music that you would hear on an ambient trance album, so, while I understand that this is more-or-less sci-fi, the fact that it takes place in 1913 made this more modern music feel out of place and took me out of the story. There are times that the story and the music try and mingle together too. One part specifically sets out a bit of dialog (and it’s important dialog, don’t get me wrong) and mixes it into the music in what sounded like a really weird 80’s rock music remix of these 2 lines of dialog. Really, really odd. That was the only time that happened, so I’m not sure what purpose it served.

That said though, there are some cool sound effects at times that try and bring you back into the story, and it works sometimes, but again, sometimes these are sometimes over the top and overused. If the music wasn’t constantly going in the background, I might have been more inclined to give the overuse of some of them a pass, but it all mixed together at points and again, became distracting.

The writing itself wasn’t bad, and it told the story pretty well, though it certainly wasn’t Wells. I don’t know if I fully believed that we were in the timeframe that we were supposed to be in all the time, but that honestly could be due to the psy-trance beat happening in the background.

The narrator did a good job, all told. This story is told in the first person and he tells it quite well from the narrator’s point of view. He has a good voice for this sort of production, I think. It was certainly a production, but I’m not sure that it benefited from the level of production it got, in the end.

So, it wasn’t the worst audiobook I’ve listened to, and it was only two hours long so I don’t feel like it was a waste of my time at all, but I didn’t love it. I would have liked it quite a lot more had it not had a BGM soundtrack from a 90s adventure game/goa trance/random choirboy singing/piano concerto/easy listening guitar playing in the background. It was so bizarre at times and distracting that I couldn’t really stay engrossed in the story.

But, so it goes. I’ll call this one a 50/50 – 2.5/5 stars.

Thanks to the author for the review copy.

[Lea Wiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Day of the Martians: The Martian Diaries, Volume 1
Author: H.E. Wilburson
Narrators: Terry Thompson and Harry Preston
Listening Time 2 hours 3 minutes


I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this honest review.

I always like to preface any reviews I give with this information.
I am a 68 year old female who has been an avid reader since I was around 10 or 11 years old.
I read mainly for entertainment purposes although I do a lot of research in areas of personal interest.
I have a great interest in many things. Ancient History and Archeology are at the top of a very long list.

This is a review of the Audiobook version.

This is going to be a bit of a departure from my usual type of review.

I grew up reading mystery and Science Fiction as a child and some of the first Science Fiction I read was by H.G. Wells. He has always been one of my favorite pre 20th Century writers and "The War of the Worlds", is one of my favorite books by Mr Wells.

I have seen both movies, listened repeatedly to the old radio broadcast that terrified so many people when it was originally broadcast, and always listen to it on Halloween.

I found this short story to be excellent! I immediately got into the story line from the first sentence and listened with rapt attention all the way through it.

This is a well written, tight story, and also this had the same "feel" or atmosphere of a much different time, since it was set in the early 1900s, 10 years after the event that H.G. Wells wrote about. Times were much different and there is a wonderful sense of gentility about this story that indeed makes one feel like it is a continuation of the original story line.
I also enjoyed that sense of slow building suspense in the story as well.

Author H.E Wilburson has crafted a very wonderful story. I can only imagine how daunting it must feel to be brave enough to continue a story line that is well over a century old and that was originally written by one of the first and most well known Science Fiction writers of all time. That takes guts, and this writer certainly has them. I look forward to reading more of his work.

Narrators Terry Thompson and Harry Preston were so amazing with this narration that I honestly did not know when the narrator changed from one to the other. I enjoyed their narration very much and look forward to listening to them again.

It was a true pleasure to listen to this audiobook and hear the story unfold.

I have two complaints though. I felt the sound effects were too prominent and should have been subdued whereas in this recording it was as if both vied for the attention of the listener. I enjoy sound effects with audiobooks and this did give this experience the feeling of listening as we did on radio when I was a kid.

The other complaint is this story was finished much to quickly! I want more!

This book is my kind of story. I enjoy a mystery, some suspense, but really don't like blood, gore and terror.

I believe anyone from the age of 10 and above would enjoy reading or listening to this book.

[Dick Woodgate · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE COMET IS COMING
The Day of the Martians by H E Wilburson (audiobook)

This audiobook transported me to a particular place, somewhere somehow familiar, and of another time. Set against our now more sophisticated imaginings of alien civilisations, the idea of the Martians and the descriptions of these tentacled monsters strikes us, just over a century and a quarter after The War of the Worlds was first published, as being naïve. To us today, H G Wells’ portrayal of Martian invaders displays a certain innocence, and in H E Wilburson’s The Day of the Martians, that innocence remains in full view. But it’s precisely because of this that the author’s superb sequel is rooted authentically in its time. This is, after all historical fiction – and I’m a fan of honest writing, matched to the period.
I remember quite clearly watching the original 1960 film of H G Wells’ The Time Machine when I was a kid. The film, shot in technicolour, captured my imagination, possibly introducing me to science fiction – along with Star Trek. I loved the possibilities of the time machine, to travel far into the future and equally far backward in time. I remember one section of the film vividly, when the time machine became entombed within the rock of a mountain (as did Marvin, the paranoid android from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) until eventually, through eons the geology transformed and the time machine was released from its tomb. In The Day of the Martians, the science fiction worlds created by H G Wells are authentically reimagined. Wells’ world and the sense of time are perfectly captured in the writing. Not only in the description but in the characters: how they speak, the way they behave.
This audiobook presentation deliberately connects with Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of the Worlds. I remembered it also from my childhood and listened to it again while writing this review. The style of the narration in The Day of the Martians and the integration of words and music is similar to The War of the Worlds, but here the words are given centre stage over the music. The music is always there but the focus is reversed. Once you get used to it, having the musical bed behind the narration suits this audiobook very well. In fact, it would only be half the book without it. Changes in mood and pace in the story are carefully set by the musical score, created also by the author. It works well, with the intention of this project deftly realised. Richard Burton is without question a hard act to follow, but the narrator here does a sterling job in telling the story in the first person from the perspective of the unnamed protagonist, and I felt his voice suited the book extremely well.
At two hours, the story is a short listen. The plot therefore gets underway without much preamble and it gallops along from there. The pace is fine but the shorter form precludes depth and anything much in the way of character analysis. Characters from The War of the Worlds reappear here, notably the astronomer, Ogilvy, whose flaky character is given his own suitably drifting voice by the narrator. Good stuff indeed. Production values on this audiobook are high. In addition to the musical score, and professional narration, we get sound effects thrown in too. Dutifully respectful to the original work, this homage has clearly been created with great care and love. All of this adds up to an engaging and highly enjoyable listen.

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since it was first published in 1897, there has been numerous adaptations of H.G.Well's terrifying story of alien invasion. I have my personal favourites and yes, that does include Stephen Spielberg's version. My absolutely number one favourite is Jeff Wayne's iconic musical version (it terrifies the life out of me if I listen to after darkness falls and I would love to experience the immersive version but I would probably end up having a nervous breakdown and suffering nightmares for the rest of my life) For decades, fans of Wells's timeless classic have been patiently waiting for a proper sequel to be written, a story that fits in perfectly with the character and style of the original. Well, in my humble opinion,the wait is finally over.

The Day Of The Martians is set just over ten years after the original invasion and voiced from the perspective of George, the Journalist. He is understandably shocked when he unfolds the paper one morning and discovers that a intact and unsealed cylinder has been discovered in a remote region of Wales. He is even more disconcerted when he reads that the cylinder has been transported to London and placed in Ogilvy's Martian exhibition at Crystal Palace. Both men had borne witness to the horror's and destruction that happened during the original invasion and George cannot understand why his old friend would behave so foolhardy and recklessly. George wants answers so once again he finds himself,along with his beloved wife Laura on his way back to London, travelling through countryside that still bears the scars of the damage and destruction caused by the ruthless, martian heat ray's. Once there Ogilvy informs George that the war is not over and he finds himself in a desperate race against time that will take him from London,to rural Wales and on to the coast at Kent. A journey during which he will find himself encountering faces and reliving memories from the terror filled days of the past. Meanwhile, across the gulfs of space,a horrifyingly familiar green comet is making its way towards Earth. The Martians have learned their lessons, they have a new plan of action, they have upgraded their technology and are on their way to finish what they started over ten years ago...... the massacre of mankind.

This is only a short story but, oh boy, the author has certainly packed a lot into its 77 pages. It's fast paced, gripping, seriously spine chilling at times and has all the intensity and atmosphere of the original, classic story. I really liked the way that the author didn't bog down the flow of his story by including pages of difficult to understand and confusing  science and technology information. I really enjoyed this enthralling story and look forward to reading book 2 Lake On The Moon.

[Robert Vaughn · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Martian Diaries” by H.E. Wilburson is a stunning tribute to H.G. Wells’ “War of the Worlds,” which continues the story of the Martians’ invasion in a unique and original way. This story captures the tone and atmosphere of the original novel, making it just as entertaining, if not more so.

“The Day Of The Martians” is the first volume in the “Martian Diaries” trilogy. After the Martians were defeated by bacteria, the people of Earth moved on with their lives, once again acting as if the Martian threat to humanity never happened. While humanity moves on, the Martians are preparing for their next attack against Earth.

I had the pleasure of listening to the audio version of this sci-fi adventure, and I have to say it was very pleasing. The sound effects and music, which were composed by Wilburson, really brought the story to life and gave the audio version of the book that extra spark of life.

The voice and narration of an audiobook are essential components that can make or break the listening experience. A good narrator can bring the story to life and captivate the listener, while a bad one can make the story difficult to follow. With the prologue done by Terry Thompson and the story itself performed by Harry Preston, these two really brought the story to life. If I were asked to rate the story based on the narration alone, I would give this audio adventure a 5 out of 5.

With the music and sound effects composed by Wilburson himself, they really brought the story to life and gave the audio version of the book that extra spark of life. The music and sound effects enhanced the story and narration without becoming a distraction.

The pacing of the audio version of this book was very well put together. With just the right amount of action, tension, romance, and everything in between, it kept me engaged the entire time. Being a huge sci-fi fan myself, I enjoyed the scientific accuracy, but at the same time, it also had that imaginative feel to it. The combination of these two elements made the story feel more plausible and believable.

Does one have to read the original “War of the Worlds” by H.G. Wells to understand this story? No. The story does a great job of bringing one up to speed, but I’m sure it would help give one a greater appreciation for this book. I highly recommend the audiobook version of “The Martian Diaries: Vol.1 The Day Of The Martians” for anyone who enjoys science fiction and adventure. The expert narration, thrilling music, realistic sounds, and exciting story make for an immersive listening experience.

[C.L. Spillard · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘The Martian Diaries’ books draw upon the rich seam of Victorian science fiction tradition to address the question: After the ending of the original ‘The War of the Worlds’ by H.G. Wells (and I’m trying to avoid spoilers here, for those of you who’ve not yet read it), what happened next?

‘The Martian Diaries Volume 1 - The Day of the Martians’ opens with a new Martian invasion looming, with the invaders now wise to the cause of their setback twenty or so (earth) years previously.

The author’s introduction to the novella explains the sparseness of scenes is deliberate: the work is geared for audio rendition, with the words accompanied with sound effects and music to immerse the reader in the setting, and lend atmosphere.

However the prose, written In journal form by the main character, to me lacks neither, freeing the reader to be swept along in the action. There is no need to know what the interiors look like - with the exception of an abandoned tea-room, and pair of blue curtains.

The battle scenes are vivid, the reminiscences poignant and the reflections of H.G. Wells’ work - such as the calm felt when hearing a passing train - bring a wry smile. There is, in short, atmosphere a-plenty.

The style is authentic to the year - 1913 - with that slightly stuffy but nevertheless descriptive wording of the turn of last century. The characters are true to the originals, with one gratifying bit of character growth: Laura, the journalist’s wife, is something of what today would be called an environmentalist, and one of her scientific insights as a result is crucial to the plot. The allusions, with the invasion imminent, to the war that we but not the characters here know would break out the following year, bring a heightened sense of ominousness for the reader.

We even have a nod to H.G. Wells’ philosophy. Leaving aside the outcome of the battle, the reader is asked to wonder, regarding the nature of the weapon used on the Martian invaders: can you trust humans with a thing of such power?

[Flora McGowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An imaginative continuation of the classic story

The first thing to note is an accompanying audio soundtrack is mentioned a lot and as I was reading the book I found this a little distracting, wondering how it would affect the story and whether my reading experience would be lessened by the lack of “background” music. (I am quite familiar with the Jeff Wayne musical version). However, I really do not want background music when I am reading, although it may, I suppose, enhance an audiobook with a narrator who is able to pause for the background effects.

The book took me longer to read than anticipated for a “mere” 75 pages! The opening chapters are very short, sometimes barely a page long, conveying the urgency of the situation as the main character realises his predicament and travels to London and Wales, and back again; indeed he seemed to be always on the move, first to look at the Martian cylinder and then attempting to find ways to fend off the threatened invasion.

Thus, initially I thought it would be a very quick read, however once the story progressed the chapters lengthened, and the story took on Tardis-like proportions as so much happened in those 75 pages (plus the sneak preview of the next book, front matter etc). In contrast, who hasn’t read tediously long books filled with badly written prose, where a reader can skip over huge chunks and still manage to keep up what was happening in the story?

This is well written and edited. The action moves at a good pace but there is still plenty of description setting the scenes from the Crystal Palace in London to the Welsh countryside. I recognised the time period without the characters needing to state any dates.

At the end I was left with the feeling that perhaps I might like to reread HG Wells' original story which is, I think, a testament to the strength of this.