What do you think?
Rate this book
Colony Mars #5
Surface Tension: Colony Five Mars
A devastating dust storm. A colony on the edge of extinction. Only one person can save them. But first they need to start a revolution. In the midst of the most devastating dust storm in the history of Mars, the survival of the half million people who call it home is hanging in the balance. Yet for Major Mia Sorelli, of the Mars Law and Order Department, it’s just another sol at the office — another sol trying to keep the desperate and angry citizens from tearing themselves apart. But when she’s sent to investigate the death of a fellow officer in the lawless industrial city of Syrtis, she begins to suspect that the endless dust storm may not be the only thing threatening their survival. With the help of her semi-sentient droid, Gizmo, they uncover a plot so heinous that her faith in humanity is almost shattered — and the only way for her to get it back, and save the colony, is to start a goddamn revolution. About Surface This is the fifth book in a Sci-Fi series set in a human colony on Mars, but it can also be read as a stand-alone novel. The science depicted is, for the most part, plausible. In other words, what’s technically possible with either current technology or taking experimental research a step or two further. That said, you won’t need a calculator or a slide-rule to enjoy the story. Can be read as a stand-alone novel. Reading Book 1: Colony One Mars Book 2: Colony Two Mars Book 3: Colony Three Mars (Completes the trilogy) Book 4: Jezero City, Colony Four Mars (Can be read as a stand-alone novel) Book 5: Surface Tension, Colony Five Mars (Can be read as a stand-alone novel) The Belt Book 1: Entanglement Book 2: Entropy Book 3: Evolution
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 6, 2019
594 people are currently reading
305 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
July 12, 2019
This is much like the 4th book, and should be called “The Further Adventures of Mia & Gizmo”. Once more we are in the genre of detective novel rather than sci-fi, yes it’s set on Mars but really it could be anywhere. A little predictable at times and not quite as action packed excitement as the earlier books either, a slow burn I suppose to one big event. Even so an enjoyable and easy read, and I still care about what happens to the characters, probably because I have invested so much in these guys over the series of books. Not something I would highly recommend but it’s ok. I still feel that as a reader and lover of sci-fi you are better off stopping at the end of book 3 however. Another 3*/5 for me.
July 18, 2019
I love the Mars Colony One series. People read books that take place on Mars because they take place on Mars. It is someplace I will never go, and I want to!
While the setting of Surface Tension is Mars, that fact takes a back seat to the procedural and sleuthing by Mia and Gizmo. It could take place (almost) anywhere else in the universe and you’d have the same story. That said, there are obviously unique hurdles to overcome in solving a mystery on another planet, and Kilby always does such a great job with the landscape and environment, and for me that alone was reason enough to read the book.
I will say I think Kilby should have started a new series rather than trying to carry on with Mars Colony One. What made Mars Colony One(& Two & Three) so good was that the setting was almost a character, and it was strongly focused on science-the science of growing food on Mars, science of cloning, and of course, the psychological effects of it all (even if the science was more fiction than science). Jezero City and Surface Tension have taken a hard left. So much time has elapsed that Mars is almost-but not quite-another earth. It’s not as exotic anymore.
If you read book four, and want more of the same, I recommend. Even if you haven’t, this works as a stand-alone, too.
I’m just not really a fan of police procedurals in general, but that’s a personal preference and did not effect my rating, which is 3.5 and I rounded up.
While the setting of Surface Tension is Mars, that fact takes a back seat to the procedural and sleuthing by Mia and Gizmo. It could take place (almost) anywhere else in the universe and you’d have the same story. That said, there are obviously unique hurdles to overcome in solving a mystery on another planet, and Kilby always does such a great job with the landscape and environment, and for me that alone was reason enough to read the book.
I will say I think Kilby should have started a new series rather than trying to carry on with Mars Colony One. What made Mars Colony One(& Two & Three) so good was that the setting was almost a character, and it was strongly focused on science-the science of growing food on Mars, science of cloning, and of course, the psychological effects of it all (even if the science was more fiction than science). Jezero City and Surface Tension have taken a hard left. So much time has elapsed that Mars is almost-but not quite-another earth. It’s not as exotic anymore.
If you read book four, and want more of the same, I recommend. Even if you haven’t, this works as a stand-alone, too.
I’m just not really a fan of police procedurals in general, but that’s a personal preference and did not effect my rating, which is 3.5 and I rounded up.
December 15, 2024
Number 5 was definitely a more solid story! Mia returns, as does my favorite character throughout the whole series - Gizmo. Why the author decided to give the robot all the best qualities is beyond me, but I adore the little guy. Maybe even more so because I really don’t care for Mia. She was still making “rookie” mistakes for a detective which kind of blows the reality of the story for me. The rest of the story line was good, never ending dust storm, component failures, and bad guys trying to take over. I have realized that I enjoy the origin story and the small colony trying to survive more than these last books where there are hundreds of thousands of people on Mars now. Personal preference, though.
May 26, 2025
An interesting and enjoyable installment in this series.
July 2, 2022
The fifth Colony Mars book sees Mia again trying to find out who committed a murder in the midst of supply shortages that have occurred during a yearlong sandstorm. Civilization on Mars is breaking down because of these supply shortages, and in the midst of Mia’s investigations she discovers that the currently most influential corporation on Mars has been syphoning off critical supplies from earth to make the crisis greater. She discovers this with Gizmo who presumably records everything, but her superiors simply tell her that she can’t make such accusations without evidence. I don’t know about you, but I think the eye witness account of a high ranking security person and what I assume has to be tons of photographic evidence taken by the droid should certainly be enough evidence to drop some police on the site of the stolen goods but no, all the people running Mars continue to refuse to use their brains in case that would get in the way of a tense story.
And that’s what’s bothered me the most about this book. Once again, Kilby had a good story to tell, but he didn’t seem to be able to handle what I would call “believable” responses from people in power. To preserve his murder investigations, he made everyone else an idiot. But I think the real story to be told was the power moves that would come from exposure. He does get to those power moves eventually, but they should have happened earlier and changed the nature of the story.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
And that’s what’s bothered me the most about this book. Once again, Kilby had a good story to tell, but he didn’t seem to be able to handle what I would call “believable” responses from people in power. To preserve his murder investigations, he made everyone else an idiot. But I think the real story to be told was the power moves that would come from exposure. He does get to those power moves eventually, but they should have happened earlier and changed the nature of the story.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
August 19, 2021
A cops been murdered and it's up to an ex cop to determine what happened. Mars is a tough place to do an investigation when the main corporation is running security for the place. Soon it is clear that someone is determined to derail the investigation even to the point of killing the investigator.
Lots of action and a GREAT story
Lots of action and a GREAT story
August 24, 2020
Again with the Kindle format, I may have finished this book if it was an actual, rather than virtual, thing. DNF
August 30, 2024
I’ve liked all of these books so far.
They are light adventures and a nice way to wind down before bed. They are not very long and are fast paced.
They are light adventures and a nice way to wind down before bed. They are not very long and are fast paced.
December 31, 2024
I really wanted to like this book. It was not as good as the others. Even those had some grammatical errors, but this one was worse.
“I’ll be bringing you out to the spaceport.” Bret should have used the word, taking.
“The inner door slid opened, and a hail of plaza fire came whizzing in.”
I found several more errors, including subject-verb agreement errors. Good authors have proofreaders and early readers.
Also, I did not care for all the foul language. In addition, only two characters from the first four books appear in this book.
2.5 stars.
I hope the next one is better.
“I’ll be bringing you out to the spaceport.” Bret should have used the word, taking.
“The inner door slid opened, and a hail of plaza fire came whizzing in.”
I found several more errors, including subject-verb agreement errors. Good authors have proofreaders and early readers.
Also, I did not care for all the foul language. In addition, only two characters from the first four books appear in this book.
2.5 stars.
I hope the next one is better.
January 29, 2020
This last book in the series is kind of a whodunnit on Mars, much like book four. The plot is basically the same, greedy corporation places profits over the welfare of the community. A maniacal corporate operative will stop at nothing, including murder, to increase his power. Our hero (Mia Sorelli from book four), a major in the planetary police department, is tasked with recovering the body of an officer that was killed in action in another Martian city. The mission leads to bigger things as Major Sorelli has to deal with a powerful corporation and political corruption in order to save the colony .
This story could have just as easily taken place on Earth except that is written as a science fiction novel. I was somewhat disappointed in this book as it was much more of a crime novel that what I was looking forward to. I was hoping to read more about the expansion of the martian colony and the scientific difficulties that needed to be overcome to reach their goals. The last two books of this series leaned much more toward political intrigue than technical challenges.
I don't intend to criticize the writing abilities of the author as the writing is very good. The novel is fast-paced and holds the reader's interest, just as the preceding four books in this series did. I am being more critical of the direction that the writing took over the course of the five-book series. In my opinion, the last two books were too light on the science and too heavy on the fiction.
This story could have just as easily taken place on Earth except that is written as a science fiction novel. I was somewhat disappointed in this book as it was much more of a crime novel that what I was looking forward to. I was hoping to read more about the expansion of the martian colony and the scientific difficulties that needed to be overcome to reach their goals. The last two books of this series leaned much more toward political intrigue than technical challenges.
I don't intend to criticize the writing abilities of the author as the writing is very good. The novel is fast-paced and holds the reader's interest, just as the preceding four books in this series did. I am being more critical of the direction that the writing took over the course of the five-book series. In my opinion, the last two books were too light on the science and too heavy on the fiction.
December 26, 2025
Just a shallow, superficial, thin-concept series of books
I was truly excited about getting stuck into this set of books, after reading all the positive reviews. But I’m disappointed. These are a fun, but very light, very superficial read, and that’s all they are. There’s no depth or richness as in a Tolkien, and no real brilliance or intelligence as in Asimov. And, in every book, the author repeats pretty much the same story. Mad/greedy antagonist wants control over Mars, pages are then filled with a lot “blah” description (filler to eke the series out), and female protagonist (with handy, can-accomplish-anything robot), wrests control back. Book after book. You might say “but don’t all stories suffer from plot/structure similarities?”. My push back would be: “At least introduce some variety, richness and imagination into the plot/structure across the set of six books”. And, I also believe that the author chose to take a series that could have been edited to a tighter two (or maximum three) series set, and really stretch them out to six novels to exact more sales from his readers.
I believe he, and his editor (who should have given him some of the above guidance), have taken us all for ride. Unfortunately it was never to Mars, as promised.
I was truly excited about getting stuck into this set of books, after reading all the positive reviews. But I’m disappointed. These are a fun, but very light, very superficial read, and that’s all they are. There’s no depth or richness as in a Tolkien, and no real brilliance or intelligence as in Asimov. And, in every book, the author repeats pretty much the same story. Mad/greedy antagonist wants control over Mars, pages are then filled with a lot “blah” description (filler to eke the series out), and female protagonist (with handy, can-accomplish-anything robot), wrests control back. Book after book. You might say “but don’t all stories suffer from plot/structure similarities?”. My push back would be: “At least introduce some variety, richness and imagination into the plot/structure across the set of six books”. And, I also believe that the author chose to take a series that could have been edited to a tighter two (or maximum three) series set, and really stretch them out to six novels to exact more sales from his readers.
I believe he, and his editor (who should have given him some of the above guidance), have taken us all for ride. Unfortunately it was never to Mars, as promised.
September 4, 2024
It isn't an Earth settlement without political posturing, greed and violence. The more that Mars becomes settled, now with Jerezo City and Syris, there is political unrest caused by a long-lasting sandstorm that has been exacerbated by mining on the planet. Supplies are not getting from Jerezo to Syris, the latter being the mining town where the workers of Mars live. Survival is threatened as it becomes apparent that supplies are being withheld or sent elsewhere. Mia is sent to recover the body of an MLOD officer who was killed in the ensuing unrest. She gets Gizmo reanimated to accompany her and before you know it, she is thrust into the middle of a deadly fight. Another really good book in this six book series (this is book 5). Each book tries to bring in a character or two from a former novel, but each story is unique and appropriate for the protagonist. Good pace, good story that kept me going until the end. I miss Gizmo.
July 21, 2021
Accidental death or murder? Mia investigates.....
Mia and Gizmo go to investigate the death of a fellow officer in Syrtis during a 360+ day sand storm that is decimating the resources and morale of everyone on Mars. Did his air purifier breakdown or was it sabotaged? The sand storm is leading to the malfunction of many resources making microprocessors a valuable commodity as they are shipped from Earth. Conspiracy theories abound as to what is currently happening making a stranger from Zerico city a target, so Mia has to play it safe while she attempts to investigate. A secret hidden in a book (Dune by Frank Herbert) helps kick off her investigation as she explores the political and company manipulations going on behind the scenes. An exciting and entertaining tale.
Mia and Gizmo go to investigate the death of a fellow officer in Syrtis during a 360+ day sand storm that is decimating the resources and morale of everyone on Mars. Did his air purifier breakdown or was it sabotaged? The sand storm is leading to the malfunction of many resources making microprocessors a valuable commodity as they are shipped from Earth. Conspiracy theories abound as to what is currently happening making a stranger from Zerico city a target, so Mia has to play it safe while she attempts to investigate. A secret hidden in a book (Dune by Frank Herbert) helps kick off her investigation as she explores the political and company manipulations going on behind the scenes. An exciting and entertaining tale.
May 28, 2021
Mia Sorelli is back in this 5th Colony Mars adventure. But when she needs help from her old friend, the robot Gizmo, she discovers its been relegated to a museum, deemed too old, and too dangerous, to have around. But, happily for Mia, Mars and us readers, Gizmo is rebooted and joins Mia in her quest to find out the truth behind what is going on in the city of Syrtis, all while Mars is engulfed in a seemingly never-ending dust storm.
This 5th Mars Colony book in Gerald M. Kilby's series continues in the same vein as its predecessors: its short, swift to move the action along, and immensely readable - and enjoyable.
This 5th Mars Colony book in Gerald M. Kilby's series continues in the same vein as its predecessors: its short, swift to move the action along, and immensely readable - and enjoyable.
June 14, 2019
Excellent.
I really looked forward to this fifth instalment of the Mars series and was surprised and satisfied. It jumps ahead into the future further than I would have guessed.
It's a bit darker than the previous books in the series. Some nasty characters challenge Mia and Gizmo right to the end. I love the relationship between Mia and this robot together.
The author left the door open to continue the series, but also winds this book up nicely.
I read anything Gerald M. Kilby writes and always enjoy it.
I really looked forward to this fifth instalment of the Mars series and was surprised and satisfied. It jumps ahead into the future further than I would have guessed.
It's a bit darker than the previous books in the series. Some nasty characters challenge Mia and Gizmo right to the end. I love the relationship between Mia and this robot together.
The author left the door open to continue the series, but also winds this book up nicely.
I read anything Gerald M. Kilby writes and always enjoy it.
July 15, 2020
The first three were the best in the series (IMHO) .. four was fun too - i few years ahead.
I enjoyed this one - especially that I am invested in Mia and Gizmo. The issues that upset me in the book were not so much the author's fault but rather the fact that similar things happen in real life here on Earth - and in this present time.
-- I immersed myself in the story and the characters and went for the ride :-) I would recommend the series (1-5, and of course Gizmo Origin - which i had to read right after book one.. lol.. i just couldnt wait.)
I enjoyed this one - especially that I am invested in Mia and Gizmo. The issues that upset me in the book were not so much the author's fault but rather the fact that similar things happen in real life here on Earth - and in this present time.
-- I immersed myself in the story and the characters and went for the ride :-) I would recommend the series (1-5, and of course Gizmo Origin - which i had to read right after book one.. lol.. i just couldnt wait.)
September 22, 2021
This feels like a remix of the previous books: we have the corporate greed from book #3 and the detective/murder mystery from book #4.
I found the story dragged a bit and was a little corny at times, especially when reading from the 'bad guy' viewpoint. Overall not bad but this is my least favourite of the series so far.
The new characters are all really good and the Mia/Gizmo relationship is fun.
I found the story dragged a bit and was a little corny at times, especially when reading from the 'bad guy' viewpoint. Overall not bad but this is my least favourite of the series so far.
The new characters are all really good and the Mia/Gizmo relationship is fun.
July 13, 2019
Solid sci-fi adventure/ mystery
Kirby writes good science fiction with a tinge of mystery. Although this offering does not stretch the reader as much as initial offerings in the series, we can count on him for an engaging story line, attractive characters, and significant challenges to overcome. Hope we will see more in this series.
Kirby writes good science fiction with a tinge of mystery. Although this offering does not stretch the reader as much as initial offerings in the series, we can count on him for an engaging story line, attractive characters, and significant challenges to overcome. Hope we will see more in this series.
January 27, 2020
Books one through three are good. Simple but enjoyable. Book four was a bit clunky and strained. This last book was infuriating in that it tainted those that came before it, just by being as bad as it was. The baddies seemed to have been lifted straight out of an episode of Scooby Do. The only shining light to keep you going was the relationship between Mia and gizmo.
July 12, 2023
Amazing!
As with all of the colony mars series, it was amazing, so many things that are good about it, and Gizmo is my favorite character, I think, he secretly is the main character, after all, he plays a pivotal role in all the books so far, he saved Jann twice, helped mia expose Montecristo, and probably some thing in plains of Utopia
As with all of the colony mars series, it was amazing, so many things that are good about it, and Gizmo is my favorite character, I think, he secretly is the main character, after all, he plays a pivotal role in all the books so far, he saved Jann twice, helped mia expose Montecristo, and probably some thing in plains of Utopia
January 1, 2025
In the midst of a global Martian sandstorm, the Colony and its two major cities hunker down for an extended trial of failing infrastructure.
A battle begins as the components needed to solve the Colony’s predicament are being siphoned off by a vendor corporation.
Reasonably well written, but the sheer complication of factors nearly overrun the story line.
A battle begins as the components needed to solve the Colony’s predicament are being siphoned off by a vendor corporation.
Reasonably well written, but the sheer complication of factors nearly overrun the story line.
January 10, 2026
This book was quite similar to the last one in that there is a significant time jump, and Mia has to investigate a possible murder, as well as conspiracies and corruption.
I lost a little interest while reading because it felt too much like the previous book.
I liked how Gizmo, Mia and Lloyd worked together in order to save the people living in the town.
I lost a little interest while reading because it felt too much like the previous book.
I liked how Gizmo, Mia and Lloyd worked together in order to save the people living in the town.
June 15, 2019
Part five of the Colony Mars series. You don't need to have read the others to follow this.
Not bad. I did find it a bit of a plod to get through in places. The basic story is good but he takes a long time to tell it.
Not bad. I did find it a bit of a plod to get through in places. The basic story is good but he takes a long time to tell it.
June 26, 2019
What a great series. All five!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading all five books, great action packed ready especially Gizmo, the robot that couldnt be stopped. Need not books like this.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading all five books, great action packed ready especially Gizmo, the robot that couldnt be stopped. Need not books like this.
June 29, 2019
Sci-fi and believable
No honkin’ dragons or trash talking qua alligators. True, the obligatory female PC asskicker but Kilby didn’t spend a letter going on about her testostified badness.
No honkin’ dragons or trash talking qua alligators. True, the obligatory female PC asskicker but Kilby didn’t spend a letter going on about her testostified badness.
August 1, 2019
Go Mia! Go Gizmo!
Thoroughly enjoyable murder mystery set on Mars, with villains to battle as well. Cop Mua and sentient droid Gizmo work well together - and offering an occasional laugh as well!
Thoroughly enjoyable murder mystery set on Mars, with villains to battle as well. Cop Mua and sentient droid Gizmo work well together - and offering an occasional laugh as well!
August 7, 2019
Gizmo is back!
Fast paced thru to the end, although I wished the end was a little different. The series ended far, far different than it began, but still worth the read. I hope there are more adventures of Gizmo to come, I've kinda gotten attached to him.
Fast paced thru to the end, although I wished the end was a little different. The series ended far, far different than it began, but still worth the read. I hope there are more adventures of Gizmo to come, I've kinda gotten attached to him.
September 8, 2019
Corporate greed hits Mars
As with many exploration expeditions, someone has to pay, sometimes companies see it as a way to make a profit. Some just see personal gain at all costs. The good folk are out there but are they thete in time?
As with many exploration expeditions, someone has to pay, sometimes companies see it as a way to make a profit. Some just see personal gain at all costs. The good folk are out there but are they thete in time?
October 31, 2019
Great sequel
More years have passed & there are now two cities on Mars & the corporate overlords are plotting. Love Mia, a strong female character & the series wouldn't be the same without Gizmo the droid.
More years have passed & there are now two cities on Mars & the corporate overlords are plotting. Love Mia, a strong female character & the series wouldn't be the same without Gizmo the droid.
December 12, 2023
Loved this series! Exciting and touching too.
I hope this isn’t the last we see of these amazing characters and their adventures. The whole series has been a thrilling ride and is a very believable scenario of what the future may look like. Asimov would be proud!
I hope this isn’t the last we see of these amazing characters and their adventures. The whole series has been a thrilling ride and is a very believable scenario of what the future may look like. Asimov would be proud!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews