Colony One Mars (Colony Mars #1) by Gerald M Kilby
Publisher: Outer Planet Media
Publication Date: March 16, 2016
Format: Paperback, 240 pages
Genre: Science Fiction
POV Style: Single
Map Included: No – Not Needed
🚑 Triage Score
Score: 3 — 🩹 Outpatient Care
Completely surpassed my expectation.
🧾 Patient Intake Summary (Spoiler-Free)
All contact is lost with the first human colony on Mars during a long and destructive sandstorm. Satellite imagery of the aftermath shows extensive damage to the facility. The fifty-four colonists who called it home are presumed dead.
Three years later, a new mission sets down on the planet surface to investigate what remains of the derelict site. But, it’s not long before they realise the colony is not as lifeless as everyone thought. Someone is still alive — hiding out somewhere.
Yet, before they can find the elusive colonist a strange illness starts to affect the crew. Pressure now mounts on Biologist, Dr. Jann Malbec, to locate the source and find a way to fight it. However, as she investigates she begins to suspect a dark and deadly secret lurking within the colony. A secret that threatens not just the crew but the entire population of Earth.
With limited resources and time running out, she must find some answers and find them fast. Because if she doesn’t, none of them will be going home.
💊 Prescription Tropes
Recommended For:
- Quick, fun read, you can finish in one sitting
- Weekend read!
- Mars sci-fi settings
- Genetic and biology tech
⚠️ Known Side Effects:
- Deep exploration of technology
- Space opera fans who are used to complex characters and plots
📝 Long-Term Prognosis
Closing thoughts:
Talk about an incredibly fun read. This was gift to me from my father. Major sci-fan, but reads 1 book every decade. He picked it up for me because “it seemed like a cool premise, and it had good reviews on Amazon.” As many readers know, sometimes, a self/independent/indie published novel, can really be a hit or miss. Well, this one, completely surpassed my expectation. I was not expecting to enjoy this much.
The only reason I gave it a 3-star, is because, for my personal taste, it was simple story telling. My genres are the epic fantasy, space operas, that really did into the technology and it’s intricacies, deep character building, and complex plot. By no means do these make a story better by default, its just a personal preference. While this did not have those aspects that I look in a story to give it a 5, this is undoubtable on the best 3 stars review books I have ever read, and for people while different rating systems from myself, I would be surprised if it was given anything less a 4.5/5.
What sold me on the story, and why I am so invested is because of the illness and technology behind. I really really really wanted to know the genetics and biology behind it. And just because it not explored now, does not mean that author is not waiting to explain this as time goes on.
I am a notoriously slow reader, and I was able to this in a couple hours over the weekend. Straight-up devoured this. People with even an average reading speed can probably finish this in a couple hours. They only reason I haven’t picked up the next book, is because I think my dad is going to gift me the rest of the series.
📊 Fantasy / Science Fiction Lab Results
| System | Diagnosis |
|---|---|
| 🦴 Worldbuilding Skeleton | 3 – Stable Framework |
| 🫀 Character Pulse | 3 – Stable Rhythm |
| ⚡ Mission Adrenaline | 3- Moderate Challenges |
| 🩸 Political Blood Pressure | 3- Elevated Pressures |
| 🧬 Technology DNA | 3 – Functional |
| 🔥 Climactic Trauma | 3 – Severe Impact |
Reading Difficulty Diagnosis: 1 — Light Reading
Map Dependence: Not Needed
Commitment Level: 🧠 Moderate Series (6 books)
Treatment Plan: Weekend visit
Final Diagnosis: 3 – Healthy
– DJ, Bookworm MD
Bookworm M.D. 
I’m glad you enjoyed this! It’s nice to find a self published book that works for you😁
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