LOST ON MARS
Published by Firefly 2015
‘Paul Magrs writes with such joy and honesty.’ Russell T. Davies
First in Epic Sci-Fi trilogy. The sequel The Martian Girl published in Autumn 2016. The last in the trilogyHeart of Mars is out in Spring 2018.
With the scale and scope of the great science fiction epics,Lost on Mars tells the story of Lora and her family, settlers on the red planet struggling to survive in incredible circumstances. The family clings to life on a smallholding, surviving storms and sinister rumours of people disappearing – until one night Lora sees the Dancers. When her father and grandmother disappear, Lora and her family are driven out to seek a new life across the plains. But none of them are ready for what they find – the beautiful, dangerous City Inside.
Paul is the author of five Doctor Who novels, as well as Exchange (Book Trust Teen Book Award shortlist, Carnegie longlist) and Diary of a Dr Who Addict (Leeds Book Prize shortlist) among many others.
Paul sees Lost on Mars as a blend of the best of classic children’s fiction like Laura Ingalls Wilder’sLittle House books, and Golden Age space operas such as Ray Bradbury’s Martian Chronicles.
‘I wanted to to make my own contribution to the children’s science fiction genre ... going back to elements in the books that I read as a child and celebrating them,’ he says.
Praise for Lost on Mars:
'wondrous, strange and satisfying.' 4 stars SFX
'a novel that shares many of Doctor Who’s qualities – an extraterrestrial setting, alien characters, mind-bending mysteries – while being rooted in classic children’s literature ... Lora is a beautifully realised protagonist: complex and convincing. Almost anything could be going on, and Magrs keeps us guessing with expert skill ... much to offer all readers of children’s and YA literature, as well as adult science fiction.' SF Said, The Guardian
'It's FANTASTIC, it's BRILLIANT, it's certainly strange and the plot will hit you in both the gut and the heart at the same time. It's thought provoking and very surreal … the more that I read, the more that I fell in love with this book… This is easily my favourite read of the year. It is a cracking space odyssey for the Young Adult audience and beyond. A unique outlook all wrapped in a disturbing fight for survival against a bleak and desolate landscape.' Mr Ripley’s Enchanted Books
'This is not just a YA novel but an existential exploration of being a stranger in a strange land … I enjoyed getting caught up in their troubles and I am looking forward to reading the next in the series.' SFCrowsnest
'Not only is this a great story, it harks back to other great stories and sets itself up in the grand literary cannon of our times that is now so meta in nature.'
4 stars, Strange and Random Happenstance
'Lost on Mars left me feeling very scared, but determined to find out what happens next' The Bookwitch
Lost on Mars was chosen in two authors' pick of 'The Best Summer Reads' for The Independent:
PATRICIA DUNCKER
'Paul Magrs’ Lost on Mars (Firefly) is a wonderfully written sci-fi adventure about a pioneer family on the desert plains of the red planet, a terrifying, inhospitable world of massive dust storms. Then the Disappearances begin. Grandma is taken and all that is left is her cybernetic leg. Completely irresistible.'
AMANDA CRAIG
'Funny, scary, and like Ray Bradbury crossed with Laura Ingalls Wilder, it will appeal to boys and Doctor Who fans.
THE MARTIAN GIRL
Published by Firefly 2016
Sequel to Lost on Mars - ‘wondrous, strange and satisfying’ SFX
‘Paul Magrs is part of an exciting new wave of science fiction rising in children’s literature’ - SF Said, author of Phoenix
The Mars trilogy tells the story of Lora and her family, settlers struggling to survive on the red planet.
Apparently safe in the City Inside, Lora becomes suspicious of its human/Martian authorities. But then she gets the chance to join their expedition to the Martian plains to find Grandma’s friend Ruby, survivor of the old Earth starships. When their flying saucer crash-lands Lora must lead on through deadly adventures. They find Ruby but she’s changed, and admits to abandoning Lora’s Ma and sister Hannah to an ancient and dangerous Martian spirit. Horrified, Lora sets out again, to try to save her family.
Praise for Lost on Mars
Chosen by Patricia Duncker and Amanda Craig in the Independent’s 'Best Summer Reads'
‘the more that I read, the more that I fell in love with this book... easily my favourite read of the year.’ Mr Ripley’s Enchanted Books
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