“Diary of a Martian: The Discovery” elegantly transports us to the year 2155, where we follow the Martian life of twelve-year-old Elliot. Amidst his everyday endeavors of playing soccer and attending school in New London, Mars, an extraordinary story unfolds. When a casual visit to the clinic due to a football injury alerts him to peculiar activities, Elliot’s life takes an adventurous turn. His ordinary Martian life is further invigorated when he befriends Mei, a girl from New Beijing, whose father and Elliot’s mother have found solace in each other following their respective partners’ demises on Mars. The bond shared by Elliot and Mei goes beyond friendship as they find themselves navigating the thrilling journey of their lives.

Stephen B. Haunts proves himself to be an exceptional author in his rendition of an ordinary yet captivating Martian life. From the initial pages, he meticulously weaves drama and intrigue that persist throughout the narrative. Life on Mars, depicted with intriguing elements such as personal AI assistants through implanted chips, ancestral classes teaching about earthly ancestors and cultures, and tantalizing lab-grown meat, becomes a fascinating backdrop for the unfolding drama.

Haunts commendably balance the narrative with a blend of semi-serious plot progression and elements that will certainly appeal to young readers. The book, with its compelling narrative, is an excellent fit for pre-teens and early teenagers. Haunts’s undeniable passion for space is visible in the well-researched details and the painstakingly well-thought-out characters and plots.

“Diary of a Martian: The Discovery” diverges from the typical unrealistic portrayals often associated with the sci-fi genre. It opens up the realm of future possibilities to young readers in the most engaging manner. This book is a fantastic book for children, providing them with a vivid and enthralling glimpse of potential future realities.

Pages: 282 | ASIN: B0BP2LZWHD