Book Review of Diary of a Martian: Soul Soldiers
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The Children’s Book Review
Diary of a Martian: Soul Soldiers
Written by Stephen B. Haunts
Ages: 9-12 | 326 Pages
Publisher: Adventures in Writing (2023) | ASIN: B0C9M9X6RP
What to Expect: Friendship, problem-solving, space, adventure, and non-human life.
The year is 2156, and after a turbulent start, the human colonists of New London, Mars, are finally reaping the benefits of their alliance with the alien Vehni people. However, for Elliot, Mei, and Dimitri—now celebrities on both Mars and Earth—the intrigues of the previous year are far from over. The colonists have barely begun to settle into their new partnership when ambassadors from Earth attempt to hijack the Vehni ship. But how can they possibly know how to do that—and why would they want to? Once again, it’s up to the three friends to unravel a conspiracy that began many thousands of years before they were even born.
Sequel to the award-winning Diary of a Martian: The Discovery, Soul Soldiers continues the world-building work that began in the first book, engagingly blending the familiar (football, school assignments, and TV) with the high-tech and futuristic (MarsFlix, holo-projections, and space chariots). The story also continues the exploration of human/non-human relationships and power dynamics that began in the first book, encouraging readers to challenge what they think they know about progress and technology. Readers will also enjoy seeing the complex relationship between Elliot and his friends deepen as the characters mature. Like the best speculative fiction, the story’s darker elements give way to hope in the ending, inviting readers to consider what the future could be like.
Diary of a Martian: Soul Soldiers is a solid follow-on for The Discovery, and readers will love seeing where this space adventure takes them next.
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About the Author
Stephen Haunts is a writer who lives in Derbyshire in the United Kingdom with his wife and two children. Stephen and his family are fans of theme-parks and rollercoasters. He’s happiest when hanging upside down, and hurtling along a rollercoaster track at 100kph, or sitting at his desk writing novels.
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