What do you think?
Rate this book
The Kwan Thrillers #3
Mars Enigma
An ancient civilization on Mars, and a secret organization on Earth seeking global conquest: How are they related?
Immediately following the Malor invasion, Malia and Jaden Kwan have left Earth with the Othali, seeking a habitable planet in the distant reaches of the galaxy. But as they approach Mars, the ship’s engines fail. Entering orbit to make repairs, they discover evidence of ancient, technologically advanced life down on the surface. Malia and Jaden join the team going down to investigate.
But there is a traitor in their midst who kidnaps the twins and brings them to a clandestine organization back on Earth. They need the twins’ powers to achieve global conquest. Can Malia and Jaden eradicate this group in time to save humanity?
Immediately following the Malor invasion, Malia and Jaden Kwan have left Earth with the Othali, seeking a habitable planet in the distant reaches of the galaxy. But as they approach Mars, the ship’s engines fail. Entering orbit to make repairs, they discover evidence of ancient, technologically advanced life down on the surface. Malia and Jaden join the team going down to investigate.
But there is a traitor in their midst who kidnaps the twins and brings them to a clandestine organization back on Earth. They need the twins’ powers to achieve global conquest. Can Malia and Jaden eradicate this group in time to save humanity?
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 14, 2021
304 people are currently reading
103 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 44 reviews
September 26, 2022
Too many species spoil the world
As Mars Enigma opens, Malia and Jaden Kwan are separated from Melissa and on an Othali ship headed away from Earth. The Othali commander Anshur is guiding them and Nadia is watching over the kids.
As they overfly Mars, they are astonished to see a humanoid face on a large object and another structure. Deciding to investigate, the crew makes the discovery of a lifetime.
A fathomlessly huge underground structure that appears to be millions and millions of years old is slowly revealed as they fly the shuttle in the openings.
Fast forward to the discovery of a cryostasis chamber with ten sets of bones about eighty years old, ten dead beings in pods and twelve missing opened pods. Where did these beings go?
The race is on to connect the ancient Martian beings to the Man in Black who keeps trying to capture the Kwan twins. Bomani, Melissa's old mate from Egypt, turns out to be a traitor and almost gets them killed.
But it is Salvatore, an ancient Martian being, who ultimately comes to their aid and almost succeeds in rescuing the twins. I say almost because their fate is hanging in the balance as the book comes to a close. On to the next book in the series.
As Mars Enigma opens, Malia and Jaden Kwan are separated from Melissa and on an Othali ship headed away from Earth. The Othali commander Anshur is guiding them and Nadia is watching over the kids.
As they overfly Mars, they are astonished to see a humanoid face on a large object and another structure. Deciding to investigate, the crew makes the discovery of a lifetime.
A fathomlessly huge underground structure that appears to be millions and millions of years old is slowly revealed as they fly the shuttle in the openings.
Fast forward to the discovery of a cryostasis chamber with ten sets of bones about eighty years old, ten dead beings in pods and twelve missing opened pods. Where did these beings go?
The race is on to connect the ancient Martian beings to the Man in Black who keeps trying to capture the Kwan twins. Bomani, Melissa's old mate from Egypt, turns out to be a traitor and almost gets them killed.
But it is Salvatore, an ancient Martian being, who ultimately comes to their aid and almost succeeds in rescuing the twins. I say almost because their fate is hanging in the balance as the book comes to a close. On to the next book in the series.
January 14, 2021
I usually don't read a lot of sci-fi, however when I read the blurb about it, I was intrigued. I was grabbed right away and brought into a well written sci-fi with likeable characters and a great adventure to follow. This is my first read in this series and since it is book three, I will definitely go back to the first two for the backstory. But it didn't take anything away from reading this third one. The two main characters, Malia and Jaden, twins, are a great and typical brother/sister team! With their mother, they are on their way with the Othali looking for another habitable planet to settle on. With exploration of Mars since they saw some type of a pyramid there, the twins go along on the exploratory since their powers may be needed to help see what was there. When returning to the mother ship, they are kidnapped before they got there leaving only two survivors on the planet, one hurt badly that the mother ship has to send help for. But what about the twins, the survivor saw the ship they were kidnapped in explode. Here we are taken on a major adventure, dangerous and life threatening with the kidnappers want the twin's powers to take over the world. Can they stop them in time? I can't wait to see what happens next! I received an ARC but the opinions expressed here are stictly my own.
November 25, 2021
I have mixed feelings about this one. I liked the first 2 books in the series, but I can't ignore the problems I had with the 3rd. It seemed like the author rushed a bit with the writing, maybe he had some good ideas, but didn't know how to connect them properly. There are too many convenient plot devices which were a bit ridiculous, like
"Won't they see our spaceship in their radar?" "No, because there is this really futuristic method the writer came up with that is completely bananas, but it just works." "Oh, okay. But why can we see them? They have the exact same ship as we do." "Because I tuned the ship's system to their frequencies." "Oh, okay."
This is not a real example, but the novel is full with discussions like this. The main characters are really one dimensional. Jaden is the simple minded younger brother who didn't learn ANYTHING in school and asks really basic things, while Malia knows almost EVERYTHING and explains to him (and to the reader) in a condescending way all the time. Also she has these sudden and incomprehensible guilt trips for a few minutes, until someone convinces her that it's okay to kill those who want to kill you.
This book felt like a filler between the 2nd and 4th volume, but I'm not sure if I want to read the next one.
"Won't they see our spaceship in their radar?" "No, because there is this really futuristic method the writer came up with that is completely bananas, but it just works." "Oh, okay. But why can we see them? They have the exact same ship as we do." "Because I tuned the ship's system to their frequencies." "Oh, okay."
This is not a real example, but the novel is full with discussions like this. The main characters are really one dimensional. Jaden is the simple minded younger brother who didn't learn ANYTHING in school and asks really basic things, while Malia knows almost EVERYTHING and explains to him (and to the reader) in a condescending way all the time. Also she has these sudden and incomprehensible guilt trips for a few minutes, until someone convinces her that it's okay to kill those who want to kill you.
This book felt like a filler between the 2nd and 4th volume, but I'm not sure if I want to read the next one.
July 26, 2021
Very good book and series - but this one gets a bit political
I've enjoyed the Kwan series and am looking forward to book 4! This volume is well-written with a fast-paced storyline that whips the reader around without losing them along the way. The story is about the fate of the Kwan twins and their comrades, but also of the entire planet, so I wish the storyteller had written more and earlier to move out from the U.S. to other countries. When complaints about the human race's greed, disunity and abuse of one another are mentioned, the author can't seem to find fault with anyone other than America and ventures no further back in man's history than America's colonization! Apparently, highly-evolved extra terrestrials have no complaints about the genocides of Nazis and Soviets or the lives ruined by drug lords. But, after the sermon the book gets back in the storytelling groove and keeps the ride going to a cliffhanger that demands the next download! Enjoy!
I've enjoyed the Kwan series and am looking forward to book 4! This volume is well-written with a fast-paced storyline that whips the reader around without losing them along the way. The story is about the fate of the Kwan twins and their comrades, but also of the entire planet, so I wish the storyteller had written more and earlier to move out from the U.S. to other countries. When complaints about the human race's greed, disunity and abuse of one another are mentioned, the author can't seem to find fault with anyone other than America and ventures no further back in man's history than America's colonization! Apparently, highly-evolved extra terrestrials have no complaints about the genocides of Nazis and Soviets or the lives ruined by drug lords. But, after the sermon the book gets back in the storytelling groove and keeps the ride going to a cliffhanger that demands the next download! Enjoy!
January 13, 2021
Mars Enigma (The Kwan Thrillers Book 3), my eighth read from author Ken Warner. After reading his Scroll of the Five Masters, five book series I knew I was reading an epic in the making so I jumped at the chance to read and review another of his books. Starting out seamlessly from book 2 and launching from there, if you haven't read the first two books you'll probably feel a bit lost! No spoilers here, buy the book, read the book and leave a review. "I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
February 14, 2021
Book 3 completed!
What do you mean... January2022!!!!!!. I have ordered the next 2 books , now to wait until then! I have enjoyed the cat and mouse chase around the Earth, Moon and Mars. This author really knows how to capture the reader's imagination and hold it through the entire story.
This is an awesome read for any age group. If I had grand children I would send them the hard book set for Christmas. As good as Harry Potter!
What do you mean... January2022!!!!!!. I have ordered the next 2 books , now to wait until then! I have enjoyed the cat and mouse chase around the Earth, Moon and Mars. This author really knows how to capture the reader's imagination and hold it through the entire story.
This is an awesome read for any age group. If I had grand children I would send them the hard book set for Christmas. As good as Harry Potter!
September 10, 2022
I didn’t like this book as much as the previous 2 and I’m semi annoyed that I’ve read about a thousand pages between the 3 books and still don’t have any sort of complete story or ending.
I like most of the characters though the kids are sort of one dimensional and obnoxious.
The series is also throwing everything and the kitchen sink into it. It’s a bit much.
I’ll continue to read because overall I am enjoying the books and I’m chasing some sort of actual ending.
I like most of the characters though the kids are sort of one dimensional and obnoxious.
The series is also throwing everything and the kitchen sink into it. It’s a bit much.
I’ll continue to read because overall I am enjoying the books and I’m chasing some sort of actual ending.
June 27, 2023
started great, but then….
Why do authors do this at some point in all series. They feel like they need to give the bad guy every conceivable advantage or power, going against the story they have set previously. Only to then have the hero’s pull some ridiculous end. It’s old and worn, sorry to see it happen. The story start off great with exploration and then quickly became predictable.
Why do authors do this at some point in all series. They feel like they need to give the bad guy every conceivable advantage or power, going against the story they have set previously. Only to then have the hero’s pull some ridiculous end. It’s old and worn, sorry to see it happen. The story start off great with exploration and then quickly became predictable.
January 15, 2021
An excellent sci-fi with a well written plot and great main characters in Milia and Jaden. A hard to put down read with plenty of action and suspense. The only negative being the all to sudden cliffhanger ending. Highly recommended book and series. Ready for the next adventure with these twins.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
August 29, 2021
Why do political statements have to be part of a fiction book….
Surprisingly the author finds a way to bring his political beliefs into a science fiction story taking place on Mars. I am reading for enjoyment not to learn about one’s political views (left, right or middle). There are plenty of books where I can choose to read with that context.
Surprisingly the author finds a way to bring his political beliefs into a science fiction story taking place on Mars. I am reading for enjoyment not to learn about one’s political views (left, right or middle). There are plenty of books where I can choose to read with that context.
October 14, 2021
A Fast Read!
This was a fast read - I would recommend this to Sci-Fi fans highly! You definitely need to read the preceding novels, but who cares? The preceding novels were great too! I especially like the fact that Malia is a bright, kind, young woman that is more gifted in her telepathic powers than her brother. You will enjoy this series!
This was a fast read - I would recommend this to Sci-Fi fans highly! You definitely need to read the preceding novels, but who cares? The preceding novels were great too! I especially like the fact that Malia is a bright, kind, young woman that is more gifted in her telepathic powers than her brother. You will enjoy this series!
May 1, 2023
Love it
I’m a little confused with this one, based on the way book 2 ended. So I’m hoping there is some clarification in book 4 lol, or else there is a continuity issue. But it’s getting better and better. Battles, travelling all over the world, more aliens, alien/human hybrids and more supernatural powers. No wonder I can’t put them down.
I’m a little confused with this one, based on the way book 2 ended. So I’m hoping there is some clarification in book 4 lol, or else there is a continuity issue. But it’s getting better and better. Battles, travelling all over the world, more aliens, alien/human hybrids and more supernatural powers. No wonder I can’t put them down.
January 26, 2021
Feels like tv drama series
Part 1 & 2 were ok. This one seems endlessly stretched TV series. Literally skipped 10s of pages. Looks like author has wasted a good story in trying to make it interesting
Part 1 & 2 were ok. This one seems endlessly stretched TV series. Literally skipped 10s of pages. Looks like author has wasted a good story in trying to make it interesting
March 6, 2021
Mars Enigma
Great story, keeps your interest from beginning to end. The whole series is well worth reading. It just seems January of 2022 is too long to wait for the next installment.
Great story, keeps your interest from beginning to end. The whole series is well worth reading. It just seems January of 2022 is too long to wait for the next installment.
March 9, 2021
Thrilling, Suspenseful, Engaging
On the edge of my seat for the entire read, the twins were engaging,strong(even though they were frighten most of the time) they never have up trying to do the right thing. Salvadore how great is he, I am ready for book four, a great read.
On the edge of my seat for the entire read, the twins were engaging,strong(even though they were frighten most of the time) they never have up trying to do the right thing. Salvadore how great is he, I am ready for book four, a great read.
July 10, 2021
It’s becoming more of battle to finish
There is the bones of a good plot lint here. It’s a shame the author Appears to be drawing the story out to lengthen the series with additional books. The same capture and escape sequence again and again
There is the bones of a good plot lint here. It’s a shame the author Appears to be drawing the story out to lengthen the series with additional books. The same capture and escape sequence again and again
August 11, 2021
Book 3
I'm still liking the series, but it's getting a bit to far fetched, even for a sci-fi story. I expected a meeting that was introduced at end of book 2, seems the author has forgotten that bit of storyline.
Well, I'm off to book 4. Hoping we get back on track.
I'm still liking the series, but it's getting a bit to far fetched, even for a sci-fi story. I expected a meeting that was introduced at end of book 2, seems the author has forgotten that bit of storyline.
Well, I'm off to book 4. Hoping we get back on track.
June 23, 2022
Almost have 4 starts, but deserves 2 just for three points: the annoying preteen-clueless-about-everything-cucumber-like IQ of Jaden (definitely not of a 17yo); the amount of plot holes and its senseless plot coverups; and total lack of coherent character build up... Books 1&2 were way better .
August 12, 2022
I don’t like books that end with cliffhangers
There are, what, eight books in this series? There is NO WAY I’m going to read eight books to find out what happens in the end. The writing isn’t bad, but it’s not THAT great.
There are, what, eight books in this series? There is NO WAY I’m going to read eight books to find out what happens in the end. The writing isn’t bad, but it’s not THAT great.
September 20, 2022
Exciting adventure
Each book in this series takes you further into the story! Great adventure s and exciting, but it doesn't end! I hate waiting for the next book! But its well worth it! Great read!
Each book in this series takes you further into the story! Great adventure s and exciting, but it doesn't end! I hate waiting for the next book! But its well worth it! Great read!
November 21, 2023
Good story with actors to match.
Had trouble at the beginning of the story, but started figuring it out after a few chapters . finally got into this account after a bit. Dang Lucifer got away! Maybe get him in the next book.
Had trouble at the beginning of the story, but started figuring it out after a few chapters . finally got into this account after a bit. Dang Lucifer got away! Maybe get him in the next book.
May 2, 2024
Once again, a fun, well-written book that would merit a four or five-star rating EXCEPT for one big problem.
This novel, as with the second in the series, ends abruptly with no resolution.
WARNING do not buy unless you intend to buy the whole series.
This novel, as with the second in the series, ends abruptly with no resolution.
WARNING do not buy unless you intend to buy the whole series.
January 20, 2021
Keeps your interest
The story line and writing kept my interest. Usually I loose interest on a series. Looking forward to next book.
The story line and writing kept my interest. Usually I loose interest on a series. Looking forward to next book.
February 4, 2021
Great series
These characters are a lot of fun the storyline keeps you tied in and rooting for the good guys. Flew through these so far now have to wait but it's worth I!
These characters are a lot of fun the storyline keeps you tied in and rooting for the good guys. Flew through these so far now have to wait but it's worth I!
February 12, 2021
Great Adventure
Another excellent book in the series full of action and adventure. I love the story line and characters in story. I really like this book and I highly recommend it.
Another excellent book in the series full of action and adventure. I love the story line and characters in story. I really like this book and I highly recommend it.
Read
March 8, 2021Review
Good story,! Will read next book in series. Don't usually read this many ,,usually read stand alone books. Will start now!
Good story,! Will read next book in series. Don't usually read this many ,,usually read stand alone books. Will start now!
March 9, 2021
A rip roaring fast paced adventure
I have thoroughly enjoyed this chapter in an exciting saga. Does not disappoint, however, waiting for the release of the next episode sucks.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this chapter in an exciting saga. Does not disappoint, however, waiting for the release of the next episode sucks.
March 27, 2021
Superb
As good as can be. The greatest author and stories of all time. Best read them now before you forget.
As good as can be. The greatest author and stories of all time. Best read them now before you forget.
May 5, 2021
Nonstop adventure
I have enjoyed all three columns so far. Good character development, great characters and adventures. I am looking forward to reading the next two books.
I have enjoyed all three columns so far. Good character development, great characters and adventures. I am looking forward to reading the next two books.
May 22, 2021
Engaging
I’m liking this series quite a bit. I’m usually more involved with the characters then hard science so I think this suits me. On to the next one.
I’m liking this series quite a bit. I’m usually more involved with the characters then hard science so I think this suits me. On to the next one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews