Rating: 
Summary: The seond-best Mars novel so far
Review: Only a novel called Outpost, which I cannot locate, was better. The journey across Mars is quite scientifically accurate and believable, the writing is good.The macguffin lacks, though. Too unbelievable to fit in a near-future hard SF novel.
Rating:
Summary: An entertaining, tought-provoking book.
Review: This first novel was engaging because of its portrayal of humans on the Martian Frontier, using technology and science to fend off the deadly but beautiful desert. The plot bogged down at points, but the pace picked up in the last third with twists that, while having a familiar ring to them, didn't quite seem like a dozen other science fiction stories. The most intriguing science, involving an alien artifact, goes largely unexplained, and I was a little dissapointed that its function was not explored in more depth. The prose fell flat at times, and the love scenes made me wince once or twice, but overall I enjoyed the book for its vivid and plausible depiction of humans colonizing Mars. It would be fun to read this book again in thirty years to see how much it got right.
Rating: 
Summary: good writing, bad story
Review: This novel could have been -- should have been -- half or a third as long. It's an interesting and at times fascinating portrait of life on Mars in the near future, but the love story is ridiculous and pointless, and the red herring aspect of the old scientist's disappearance is incredibly annoying. This book really needed some serious pruning, better focus, and a real plot that goes somewhere.
Rating: 
Summary: Aptly named visit to the life and geology of Martian Colony.
Review: When I picked this novel up, I was hoping for a fascinating exploration of colonization, politics and science. I did get the exploration, politics, and geology of a possible future. I also got some excellent characterization and literary style. So why was I disapointed? Something was missing that could have taken this novel from a fair read to a great one. Somehow the characters never completely engaged me, nor did they seem to have much at stake. And the revelations of the final third of the book were pretty standard for SF books. I was hoping for more intensity, a bit more highlight on theme and the meaning of exploration. A fair read for insights into what living on Mars might really be like and for enjoyable prose.
Rating:
Summary: Plausible Extrapolation; Topical Subject; Good Story!
Review: William Hartmann's books on Astronomy have been a source of great inspiration and education; this novel does the same while adding good solid entertainment. Hartmann continues in the "plausible extrapolation" mode of SF and includes enough mystery, conspiracy and excellent characterizations to keep the reader entertained. With all the interest in Mars that has been generated by the success of the Sojourner/Pathfinder mission, this novel provides a good fix for those who like to get their science education within the bounds of an imaginative look into the mid twenty first century. The story takes it's time in meticulously building plot, characters and setting -- then leads you on a grand adventure. Highly recommended
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