Green Mars

Kim Stanley Robinson has earned a reputation as the master of Mars fiction, writing books that are scientific, sociological and, better still, fantastic. Green Mars continues the story of humans settling the planet in a process called "terraforming". In Red Mars, the initial work in the trilogy, the first 100 scientists chosen to explore the planet disintegrated in disagreement--in part because of pressures from forces on Earth. Some of the scientists formed a loose network underground. Green Mars, which won the 1994 Hugo Award, follows the development of the underground and the problems endemic to forming a new society.

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Mars book 2 - Rated
Following on from the failed revolution at the end of `Red Mars' this second book in Kim Stanley Robinson's epic trilogy follows the revolutionists as they go underground, while clashes between multinational corporations and ecological disaster on Earth eventually herald the start of another attempt to gain independence for Mars. As with it's predecessor this is at times a rather heavy-going read, with the pace often slowing to a crawl, but for those with the mental stamina this is ultimately a rewarding future history.

Just as good as "Red Mars" - Rated
"Green Mars" seamlessly follows on from where "Red Mars" left off and it is just as well written and convincing as the first book of the trilogy. Once again the whole feel of the book is like an historical narrative written after the event by some kind of time traveller , rather than an imaginative work of futuristic fiction by a talented writer . The plot is thoroughly gripping, the characterisation immense and the geographical, geological and biological detail is phenomenal. "Green Mars" sees the development of a "Martian Underground" resistance which tries to gain political independence from Earth and the transnational corporations that control it. The main characters are all infused with a steely determination to stop Mars becoming an Earth Mark 2 and the book explores their collective struggle to forge a separate Martian identity and society amidst the climate changes brought about by ongoing "terraforming" which is steadily "greening" Mars and creating large areas of surface ice. It is remarkable how the author has brought Mars to life so vividly ;his fantastic world of space elevators, tented cities, genetically engineered flora and Platonic "Scientist-King" revolutionaries is quite astounding. "Green Mars", despite the scientific minutiae is a very readable book. I raced through the 800 page epic in 7 days and I hope that the final book in the trilogy ,"Blue Mars", is just as good as the first two.

Dry and verbose, but interesting - Rated
Like the first book, Red Mars, at times this can read more like a history textbook than a novel. The book is broken up into sections, each written from the point of view of various characters. This gives each part a personal spin, but breaks up the overall narrative somewhat, leaving the reader a bit dislocated. It also lacks the exploring-the-unknown, hard science aspects of Red Mars, but that was inevitable given the plot.

That said, it's superbly well thought out, and utterly, completely convincing. If you liked Red Hars, this is worth the follow-up.

an intelligent and believable sequel, nice characters - Rated
The first book in the Mars series brought us into a newly settled world and made us want to be there - although maybe not having to deal with all those fascinating problems with concrete. Green Mars continues developing characters that we met in the first book and tracking the political and ecological developments of a terraforming world. Unlike much sci fi involving habitation of a new planet, Robinson takes an intelligent understanding of anthropology and social theories and applies it to a well written and engaging plot. I will admit now to reading the whole series already and enjoying almost every moment of them and yearning to see the expansive red landscapes and the gradual terraforming mutating the planet, slowly but surely. If you've read the first book(Red Mars), don't worry about the sequel letting you down. If you haven't read the first one, then read it first, or Green Mars won't make sense.

Very good if you have read Red Mars - Rated
Very good if you have read Red Mars. As it is a continuation. I am into the 3rd book, and they all are very good. He makes the stories very believeable