Friday, June 7, 2013

Review: Blue Hearts of Mars by Nicole Grotepas

Blue Hearts of Mars
Blue Hearts of Mars by Nicole Grotepas

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A tale of love in the face of injustice and fear.

Blue Hearts of Mars is an analogy for civil rights and how the general public can be influenced to fear and despise those who are different. The story begins with the birth of Hemingway, an android: coming into self-awareness, his mother welcoming him, and sleep. Alive despite his origins.

Flash forward and Retta, a seventeen year-old girl working at a coffee shop, notices the most handsome boy she's ever seen walking into her life. She and Hemingway hit it off immediately, but almost right away she sees stars in his eyes, his "tell", the thing that sets androids apart from humans. This beautiful boy, this caring, exciting handsome boy who adores her and whom she adores is an android.

Martian humans consider androids nothing more than machines, in fact the word "machine" is considered derogatory when used in reference to an android. Relationships between humans and androids are taboo, and androids are often ridiculed and tormented. How can a love like Retta's and Hemingway's survive the malice of their social order?

I thoroughly enjoyed this love story set in a plausible future colony on Mars. The history of the androids and their rise to self awareness is gradually and effectively introduced. The romance between Retta and Hemingway isn't a perfect journey to happily forever after, a good thing in my opinion. I also enjoyed how concepts like the influence of government and media on public opinion, diversity in the face of adversity, and acceptance of differences are woven into the story line without being heavy handed.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dystopian, futuristic stories with believable science fiction elements.

I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest, non-reciprocal review.



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