A Dream Within A Dream: Last Day on Mars Blog Tour: Playlist, Review + Giveaway

http://www.jeanbooknerd.com/2017/01/last-day-on-mars-by-kevin-emerson.html

Last Day on Mars (Chronicle of the Dark Star #1)
Author: Kevin Emerson
Genre: MG Science Fiction

Release Date: February 14, 2017
Publisher: Walden Pond Press

Description:

It is Earth year 2213—but, of course, there is no Earth anymore. Not since it was burned to a cinder by the sun, which has mysteriously begun the process of going supernova. The human race has fled to Mars, but this was only a temporary solution while we prepare for a second trip: a one-hundred-fifty-year journey to a distant star, our best guess at where we might find a new home.

Liam Saunders-Chang is one of the last humans left on Mars. The son of two scientists who have been racing against time to create technology vital to humanity’s survival, Liam, along with his friend Phoebe, will be on the very last starliner to depart before Mars, like Earth before it, is destroyed.

Or so he thinks. Because before this day is over, Liam and Phoebe will make a series of profound discoveries about the nature of time and space, and find out that the human race is just one of many in our universe locked in a desperate struggle for survival.

Praise for LAST DAY ON MARS:

“Emerson’s writing explodes off the page in this irresistible space adventure, filled with startling plot twists, diabolical aliens, and (my favorite!) courageous young heroes faced with an impossible task.” --Lisa McMann, New York Times bestselling author of The Unwanteds series

“Last Day on Mars is thrillingly ambitious and imaginative, a rousing space opera for any age, meticulously researched and relentlessly paced. A fantastic start to an epic new series.” --Soman Chainani, New York Times bestselling author of The School for Good and Evil

“This is perfect science fiction: a terrifying yet very cool vision of the future, lots of technological awesomeness, mind-bending alien mysteries, a mission to save the human race—and two funny, resourceful, very real kid heroes who I’d follow to the edges of the universe.” --Tui Sutherland, New York Times bestselling author of the Wings of Fire series

“A hugely enjoyable blend of adventure, humor, science, and kids trying to find their place when humanity itself doesn’t have one.” --Emma Trevayne, author of The Accidental Afterlife of Thomas Marsden

“Action-packed science-fiction adventure.” --Brightly.com

You can purchase Last Day on Mars at the following Retailers:

8 Albums That Inspire Trips to Mars and Beyond

Oblivion Movie Soundtrack, and Saturdays=Youth by M83

Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots by The Flaming Lips

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars by David Bowie

Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd

Lost in Space by Aimee Mann

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix by Phoenix

More of Other Worlds, Other Sounds by Esquivel

Last Day on Mars is an exciting middle grade science fiction novel that fans of the genre are sure to love. I personally don't read much middle grade fiction, but I thought it sounded interesting and figured I'd give it a shot. It was a good story with solid characters - especially the main character, Liam. His character was complex with distinct traits and flaws that made him seem realistic right away. The other characters in the book were well rounded and fit into the story in a natural manner.

There were a couple of things that effected my reading experience in a negative fashion. They are my thoughts and opinions, and I know that others won't have the same ones. The major issue was the writing style. The author wrote the story in the third person point of view. If you've read any of my other reviews, you'll know that I almost always prefer the first person POV - and this was no exception. I couldn't seem to really identify with any of the characters, mostly because of the lack of personal connection. The third person POV seems to fall short of allowing me to really empathize with a character. If the story had been done in the first person, I know I would have a different rating. Again - these are my personal feelings and opinions, and have absolutely nothing to do with the author's talent or the book itself. I do recommend this novel to fans of middle grade fiction, science fiction, and readers looking for something exciting and full of adventure.

Author of the EXILE series, THE ATLANTEANS series, THE FELLOWSHIP FOR ALIEN DETECTION, the OLIVER NOCTURNE series and CARLOS IS GONNA GET IT. Musician in THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. Former K-8 science teacher, currently teaching with Richard Hugo House and Writers in the Schools. Originally from Cheshire, CT, now living in Seattle, by way of Boston.

Check out bonus content: https://www.walden.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Last-Day-on-Mars-Ed-Guide.pdf