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The Mars House

By: Natasha Pulley
Narrated by: Daniel de Bourg
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Publisher's summary

Bloomsbury presents The Mars House by Natasha Pulley, read by Daniel de Bourg.

A compulsively readable queer sci-fi novel about a marriage of convenience between a Mars politician and an Earth refugee.

Named as one of Amazon's Best Books of 2024 So Far

As Recommended By: Amazon * LitHub * Gizmodo * New Scientist * LGBTQ Reads * Reactor Magazine * KOBO Canada * BookRiot

In the wake of an environmental catastrophe, January, once a principal in London's Royal Ballet, has become a refugee in Tharsis, the terraformed colony on Mars. There, January’s life is dictated by his status as an Earthstronger—a person whose body is not adjusted to lower gravity and so poses a danger to those born on, or naturalized to, Mars. January’s job choices, housing, and even transportation are dictated by this second-class status, and now a xenophobic politician named Aubrey Gale is running on a platform that would make it all worse: Gale wants all Earthstrongers to naturalize, a process that is always disabling and sometimes deadly.

When Gale chooses January for an on-the-spot press junket interview that goes horribly awry, January’s life is thrown into chaos, but Gale’s political fortunes are damaged, too. Gale proposes a solution to both their problems: a five year made-for-the-press marriage that would secure January’s future without naturalization and ensure Gale’s political success. But when January accepts the offer, he discovers that Gale is not at all like they appear in the press. They're kind, compassionate, and much more difficult to hate than January would prefer. As their romantic relationship develops, the political situation worsens, and January discovers Gale has an enemy, someone willing to destroy all of Tharsis to make them pay—and January may be the only person standing in the way.

Thrilling immersive and utterly timely, Natasha Pulley’s new novel is a gripping story about privilege, strength, and life across class divisions, perfect for listeners of Sarah Gailey and Tamsyn Muir.

©2024 Natasha Pulley (P)2024 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: LGBTQ+
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What listeners say about The Mars House

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Grabs you from the start

I started out this audiobook from my local library. I quickly knew that I wanted my own copy. It has been a long time since a book hit all of my senses. Almost immediately upon finishing the audiobook I started again.

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6 people found this helpful

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Truly exceptional in both the writing and narration

An absolute treasure through and through. Sigh, now I have to write more because of the minimum word rule.

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8 people found this helpful

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Another stunner from Natasha Pulley

Always so well written, riveting plot line, applicable to current events. Just loved it and the Nods to other books sprinkled in!

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4 people found this helpful

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A really great story

In a very subtle way the author addresses some very weighty subjects. The characters aren’t one dimensional, rarely are the good guys flawed, and the bad ones portrayed as being good too. A very well written story.

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A well-developed and complex piece of world building

This is my first book by this author, and I'm eager to read more! The complex social problems were fascinating and realistic, and the characters were believable and well-written. I could hardly put this one down!

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Unexpectedly good!!!

I started this book without any real knowledge of what it was about and it was absolutely brilliant!! I found myself doing extra housework so that I could keep listening to it! Do recommend!!!!

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Phenomenal!

I don’t listen to a lot of sci-fi but was intrigued by the description when it was listed as the deal of the day. What an incredible listen! Amazing world building that beautifully incorporates themes of fear, empathy, immigration, nationalism, politics, reliance on technology, class and gender. I loved the linguistic discussions, too. I raved about this book, recommending it to friends and family, even while I was in the middle of it. The narrator is perfect. He has a gorgeous, melodic voice and his English and American accents are a delight to listen to. I know I will listen to it again.

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Amazing

I listen to a lot of sci-fi and fantasy and this is the best audio book I have come across in a long time. Humanistic and emotionally relatable,

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First Audible is a win!

This was my first book on Audible and it has set the bar HIGH. The story line is incredible, relevant to social issues today, and the narrator has an amazing voice and reads with such passion. Looking forward to more, now!

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Beautiful and Moving

I could not stop listening to this. The story was engaging, the characters fascinating and the narration felt just right —
the characters’ voices were all distinct, without anything feeling overdone. I’m tempted to listen all over again. This is definitely a top listen of the year.

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