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Green Mars starts out about 40 years after the failed revolution by elements of the original settlers to free itself of the rule of Earth. That revolution caused much destruction and thousands of deaths but in the end it failed. It failed because there was no coordination among the disparate groups. Some were fighting to keep Mars as it was, some to change it, some were out merely to seize power for themselves. Now the legendary First Hundred settlers have been hunted down and reduced to just 39. Those that are alive must live in secret sanctuaries hidden throughout the landscape or take on fake identities. And all the while, Mars is beginning to show life on its surface.
Hope springs eternal, for the metanational corporations, the real force that controls Mars, from Earth, are about to embark on a civil war amongst themselves. Also, a new generation of Martians are coming of age and doing something their predecessors didn't. Organizing themselves into a united and coordinated front. Establishing goals and having patience for the right moment to strike. Kinda like a twelve step program for revolution.
In Green Mars, different parts of the book are divided into the perspective of the various characters. Nirgal, the first to be introduced, is a young ectogene, a cellular descendent of the First Hundred, who is taught by Hiroko, the weird and reclusive religious cult figure from the first book. He will try to be the bridge between the old and the new Mars, gathering support from the young generation who see themselves as Martians, not settlers. Art Randolph is from Earth, sent by the CEO of Praxis, a leading metanational company, to infiltrate the underground movement of Mars. His mission is not to harm it, but to help it. Sax Russell's identity is changed by plastic surgery so he can spy on the metanationals. Ann Clayborne, the eco-terrorist from the first book must find her will to fight again. Maya Toitovna must come to terms with her past and find the ground to stand on to become a leader for the new generation as well. Only together will all these elements, will all these different camps be able to defeat the powers of Earth.
This book was great. Robinson's science fiction is not that of Star Wars. His vision of Mars is something to me that could truly happen. In fact, these books have read like future history, if there is such a thing. The settlers didn't land on Mars to fight aliens. They had to fight about what they wanted their world to be like in terms of politics, environment, and society, freedom. This book is a good treatise on what it takes to make a revolution. I mean, to make a good one. The book is really about finding commonality and being able to act as one. Kim is a masterful studier of character. There is no cuteness as in immature sf writers who know nothing of relationships except what they see in movies. This book is strong. It cannot be read alone though, meaning Red Mars must be read first. In some ways, reading this book is like looking at the problems faced by our founding fathers 200 years ago. The formation of a nation. Seek this book out.
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The story is about a girl who is walking through the crystal forest looking for the Green Goddess, because her mother is sick and dying, and the little girl thinks the Goddess will help her mother. It is a dull story, otherwise. She meets a deer who walks with her. They spend the night with an old tree (all this is rather boring and uneventful). Then they meet the Green Goddess who gives the girl a green crystal heart that opens up to let out green light, and this light gives you perfect health. And the Goddess gives the girl this heart to keep so that she can help people and animals whenever they are in need. And the Goddess tells her she can use it on her mother, and that the heart will give her whatever she asks for.
So, I was not too happy with the theme of the story. Makes it sound like if you ask the Goddess for anything, it will be granted. Which is bound to cause disappointment in children - especially those who have sick loved ones or who are sick themselves. While I believe in the power of prayer and magick, I would never tell a child that they will be granted everything they ask for.
And - the story is dull. Despite its potential. The title itself is probably the most exciting part of the book. It has okay illustrations. But nothing to get too excited about.
It's nice to get this book just to give your child something mentioning the Goddess. But I made goddess magnets with my daughter, and that got her more interested and talking about the Goddess than this book did.
Not a horrible book. But not nearly as good as I was hoping for.
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