Alien Pursuit

Mars Diaries #2

by Sigmund Brouwer

Set at an experimental community on Mars in the year 2039, the Mars Diaries feature 14-year-old virtual reality specialist Tyce Sanders. Life on the red planet is not always easy, but it is definitely exciting. As Tyce explores his strange surroundings, he finds that the mysteries of the planet point to his greatest discovery-a new relationship with God. Mission 2: Alien Pursuit Someone is found unconscious in the plant lab. Worse, it looks like teeth and claws have ripped his space suit. It's clear someone-or something-chased him. But who or what? And why? Fourteen-year-old Tyce Sanders does not believe aliens exist, but his discoveries may force him to rethink this view.

Genres: Science Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Canadian Literature

144 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 1, 2000

About the author

Sigmund loves going to schools to get kids excited about reading, reaching roughly 80,000 students a year through his Rock&Roll Literacy Show.

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the short chapters and the non-drama in the story. A little outdated but the some interesting concepts. Ready for the next in the series.

[Colin Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part 2 of my quick foray into all the middle grade novels I've had on my bookshelf for more than 10 years that I never got around to reading when I was younger so I can make room for more books on my shelf:

Aliens! Wait, no, not really.
Book 2 of these Mars Diaries was more of the same as the last book. An actually engaging and fun story with twists, new fun characters, and a big reveal at the end. Man there sure is a lot of corruption on Mars.

Book 2 is also more of the same as the first book in terms of the issues with it. Still a very forced Christian message, not a ton of character development, and science that is only mostly accurate (but it was 2000, so I can't blame Brouwer that much as he's missing 25 years of scientific advancements and discoveries)

Another fun thing was that most of the recap of the story (which I already have mentioned in other reviews I have written, is my least favorite part of sequels) is not exactly word for word from the first book, but when reading it feels like it was copy pasted straight from the previous book. It makes the 144 page book about 120 pages of original writing. The next few books get shorter though and if it's still the same if not more of the recap then it might get a bit tedious to reread the same paragraphs about why they are on Mars and how Tyce came to exist on Mars in the first place.

Also, were koalas really the best choice for genetic experimentation on Mars when all koalas have Chlamydia?

[Lacy Dohner · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the first time in three years, a spaceship from Earth is arriving at the Mars colony, bringing, among other new arrivals, Tyce Sanders’ father. But Tyce has even bigger problems to worry about: he must don his robot persona and investigate possible alien activity. Using the robot, he is able to capture one alien in the greenhouse dome. But as he begins to dig for answers about the creature’s origin, the others inside the dome start to act strangely– even Rawling.

This fast-paced, high-action read will appeal to upper elementary and middle school sci-fi fans. It's a little short on description and character development for my taste, but the focus on action and science may draw some preteens in. The wealth of scientific facts included is interesting. The conversations about faith seem a little forced at times, but I do appreciate their inclusion.

[Mary Emma Sivils · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely better than the first book in the series! The plot still wasn't as "exciting" as I wanted it to be... but maybe that's okay. I think the author's main intent was for these books to draw kids into science fiction from a Christian perspective, not to have an action-packed, mind-blowing plot.
I enjoyed the continuation of Tyce's story, and the addition of a new character. Also, some interesting ideas were raised over the course of the book. It's nice that, simple as the reading level is, this series still touches on some important subjects.

[Gloria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was concerned about how the book would handle aliens in light of the fact of a created universe, but it did a very good job. The main reason for the three star rating was that one of the newcomers to the Martian settlement was a girl in whom our protagonist Tyce immediately expressed interest. I suspect that their relationship will not be a strictly platonic one.

A full review of the series will be posted once I finish reading it.

[Camiron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Someone I know used to do writing classes wih Sigmund Brouwer, so it was really interesting to read this years later! His writing is definetly aimed at a younger audience and reading level, but the story is pretty interesting.

[AurorainBookland · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

A little better than the first. Tyce gets some more lines that shows that he's 14 not an adult.
But a lot of the book was more tell don't show. Like give us scenes of Tyce and his dad bonding instead of just saying it happened.

[M. G. A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio.

[Chance Hansen · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a solid three stars for me. It's not bad. Not perfet but it isn't bad.

Cover
Sticking to the style It makes sense. I actually like the title as Mars Diaries.

Interior
I do have a few qualms about this book. For one I'm not completely convinced it had to re-explain the medical backstory to the robot body.
I do like the introduction of Ashley into the story even though I was a little annoyed with his attitude to his father.
When the story really starts going it's not that bad I really got confused by the perspective at the end. To me it really fell apart. With that comes the spoiler part of the review

SPOILERS!
I wish this ending made more sense. My first issue is that the conspiracy of hiding aliens is obvious why didn't they bring him in? It's obvious loose ends make everything fall apart so the hiding the conspiracy obviously failed.
The thing that really kills me is why did this become political blackmail for a handicapped 14 year old that is literally a well advanced techno-human. I don't quite understand why they would sabotage a project ten years ahead of it's time because of a genetics project?

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tyce his journals about his adventures on Mars. This time while traveling around in his robot body, he finds evidence of "aliens". What are these aliens and what is the coverup surrounding these creatures about? Is Tyce's best friend, Director Rawlings, involved? Great story. I think my son will really like this series.

While this is a Christian book, it doesn't have a very strong message. Evidence is given relating to intelligent design in the discussion but nothing about the young Earth (~6000 years). Hopefully Brouwer isn't leaving room for theistic evolution on purpose.

[Anita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good on first read through, and at the intended reading age, and from the intended worldview. Decently interesting characters. Trying very hard to be hard scifi, which I could stand to see more of. Extremely preachy, and relies more than a bit on the element of surprise to stay interesting, without enough subtlety or foreshadowing to give depth to re-reads. Repeat review ad infinitum for the rest of the series.

[Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when a black op is about to be exposed? Blackmail prime movers to keep it buried. How do a father and son begin to connect when the son hits puberty and the father is absent 80% of the time? Are science and belief in God at loggerheads with each other? Or, does science truly point to intelligent design?

[Kathleen Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books! Very interesting, and there was never a part in the book where I wanted to stop and do something else! I can't wait until next one comes in from the library! But who knows when that wiil be?

[jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much better the second time you read it.

[Ayesha Ahmed · Rating 3 out of 5]

cool clean science fiction

[The Third Place A Teen Library]

F BRO md bk. 2

Science Fiction

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really impressed with this series. It has sci fi and also tackles religion with respect. Looking forward to reading the rest of them

[Tarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nail-biting adventure on Mars. There's illegal government secrets abounding. Plus, what would you know, the second kid EVER arrives at the Mars colony. Suffice it to say, 14-year-old Tyce Sanders is a very busy person, taking down rotten government agents, and acquiring his first friend his own age. All packed with cool science about creation.