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Mars Hill Classified #1
The Evidence
The discovery of life on Mars coincides with adesperate terrorist attack on earth. Navy Commander John Wells musttake a giant step for mankind, his family, and his God.
439 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 2006
2 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Austin Boyd
11 books42 followersAustin is an award-winning author who writes extensively about faith issues related to technology and business. He published award winning poetry and more than two dozen technical articles and papers during his career as a Navy pilot, NASA astronaut finalist, and spacecraft engineer. The author of six novels, he is a Christy Gold Medal finalist (The Proof, 2007) and the winner of the Mount Hermon “Pacesetter Award.”
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 22, 2018
I enjoyed the Christian elements of this story but I think the author lost his point in all the plot lines. My rating 3.5.
Commander John Wells has felt a Godly call on his life since he was a young boy. He took all the right steps to prepare himself to follow what he believes is God’s directed destiny. John has been a successful naval officer with a bold record that gets the right attention and gets him selected as an astronaut.
John has had an amazing time on the space station, but just as he is looking forward to getting home to his wife and children, his rotation is extended when another crewman needs emergency care. As John waits to get home, a terrorist attack cripples Washington DC. The evidence points to an attack by Iranian jihadists. Meanwhile mysterious images stun the world as evidence of alien life on Mars. One of the bomb investigators doesn’t trust all the clear clues of the attack. Instead he is inclined to agree with John’s alternate theory that something much bigger is going on.
John has to struggle with leaving his wife and children when he is offered the opportunity to fly to Mars to search out the truth of the pictures. Amy has her own life struggles that extend beyond being in the position of a single parent during the long months that John is away. It is not an easy decision and together they must seek God’s will.
The story covers quite a bit – maybe too much. There are multiple characters and multiple events. The primary story centers around John but there are chapters following a mysterious team who has set bombs for an undisclosed purpose. There is another full set of scientists and sci fi fans who are focused on the revelations of man-sized alien spiders on Mars. I enjoyed the Christian elements which are shared in real life situations. Although it isn't clear from this book if the aliens on Mars are real or a hoax, this does raise the question of whether alien life would challenge Christian faith. Unfortunately, it was difficult to determine the real point the author wants to make. This leaves the reader with a choice: continue the series in hopes of making more sense or move on to something that isn't quite so convoluted.
The title “Evidence” naturally catches my legal interest. It can be derived from several threads of the book and leads into the next book in the series which is titled "Proof". A couple of us are tempted to continue to try to figure out what is going on but the majority of the ladies are moving on to other reads. If and when I read book two I may have a better recommendation.
Commander John Wells has felt a Godly call on his life since he was a young boy. He took all the right steps to prepare himself to follow what he believes is God’s directed destiny. John has been a successful naval officer with a bold record that gets the right attention and gets him selected as an astronaut.
John has had an amazing time on the space station, but just as he is looking forward to getting home to his wife and children, his rotation is extended when another crewman needs emergency care. As John waits to get home, a terrorist attack cripples Washington DC. The evidence points to an attack by Iranian jihadists. Meanwhile mysterious images stun the world as evidence of alien life on Mars. One of the bomb investigators doesn’t trust all the clear clues of the attack. Instead he is inclined to agree with John’s alternate theory that something much bigger is going on.
John has to struggle with leaving his wife and children when he is offered the opportunity to fly to Mars to search out the truth of the pictures. Amy has her own life struggles that extend beyond being in the position of a single parent during the long months that John is away. It is not an easy decision and together they must seek God’s will.
The story covers quite a bit – maybe too much. There are multiple characters and multiple events. The primary story centers around John but there are chapters following a mysterious team who has set bombs for an undisclosed purpose. There is another full set of scientists and sci fi fans who are focused on the revelations of man-sized alien spiders on Mars. I enjoyed the Christian elements which are shared in real life situations. Although it isn't clear from this book if the aliens on Mars are real or a hoax, this does raise the question of whether alien life would challenge Christian faith. Unfortunately, it was difficult to determine the real point the author wants to make. This leaves the reader with a choice: continue the series in hopes of making more sense or move on to something that isn't quite so convoluted.
The title “Evidence” naturally catches my legal interest. It can be derived from several threads of the book and leads into the next book in the series which is titled "Proof". A couple of us are tempted to continue to try to figure out what is going on but the majority of the ladies are moving on to other reads. If and when I read book two I may have a better recommendation.
June 5, 2023
Kicks off this trilogy with a bang and an intro to characters that grow in depth throughout the series. Thriller written with great understanding of our nations space and cyber security capabilities and vulnerabilities. Genuine insight into both the technical details of spaceflight and the human experience.
I first read these books as they were being published and greatly enjoyed them. Re-reading over 15 years later, when amongst other things we have a national Spaceforce, and realizing how prescient they were.
I first read these books as they were being published and greatly enjoyed them. Re-reading over 15 years later, when amongst other things we have a national Spaceforce, and realizing how prescient they were.
October 2, 2020
Character development and storyline are believable and really good with some tender moments. He has a lot going on in the book to keep one turning the page wondering what is really going on. You can tell by reading it that the author knows his stuff, especially, since he was a "navy pilot, nuclear wea[ons officer, and spacecraft engineer," among many other fascinating credentials, and that is what makes "The Evidence" believable.
April 12, 2022
Very technical space, engineering language that had me lost and rather bored. Good qualities of faith and faithfulness didn't compensate for this loooong story. There was a lot going on with many characters and switching back and forth in the action.
December 3, 2019
Intriguing idea, enjoy the concept.
September 16, 2022
This is a good book, it was a little confusing at first not sure what was going on, but keep reading it does get better, I am on the second book which is called The Proof.
May 30, 2007
Austin is one of my favorite authors to work with, and if I have been impressed by anything, it's his incredible imagination and work ethic.
This is a blend of biography and alarm. Written from his own experience as a Navy pilot, nuclear weapons officer, and spacecraft engineer, the plot will suck you in.
Is this sci-fi? No. Hit you over the head Christian stuff? No to that, either. But it will make you think and you'll probably lose sleep, too. If the prospect of life on Mars threatening a NASA mission doesn't get you, the psychological toll of a cult disguised as prophetic faith will.
This is a blend of biography and alarm. Written from his own experience as a Navy pilot, nuclear weapons officer, and spacecraft engineer, the plot will suck you in.
Is this sci-fi? No. Hit you over the head Christian stuff? No to that, either. But it will make you think and you'll probably lose sleep, too. If the prospect of life on Mars threatening a NASA mission doesn't get you, the psychological toll of a cult disguised as prophetic faith will.
April 26, 2008
John Wells was called by God to make a difference in the world by becoming an astronaut. While he is serving on the space station in 2011 the U.S. comes under a terrorist attack, a famous speaker predicts a visit from aliens, and a 28-year-old NASA lander is suddenly broadcasting again from Mars. Who is behind the attack? Why is the Viking 1's signal back online? Very captivating make-you-think story. Have the sequel handy when you finish!
December 12, 2013
I thought this book was extremely well-written, believable, and entertaining. I don't usually read books like this, but I was really drawn in from the beginning. I think Austin Boyd did a great job of portraying his characters as real, believable, and didn't portray all Christians as perfect and all non-Christians as bad people. He portrayed Christ without being too pushy. I am excited to read the other books in the series!
September 24, 2011
A novel about an overtly Christian astronaut and his personal struggles amid terrorism and possible alien contact. Poorly done science. Amateurish writing. But, I hear there's two sequels. No thanks.
May 24, 2007
A bit slow to get off the ground, but overall a good read. Interesting premise.
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June 7, 2017Very good book with a good mix of science fiction, reality and Bible. Very believable, not too weird. Plan on reading the series, though, as the first book doesn't really end.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews