**Updating this review just to say this is officially published!!! YAY GO SI CLARKE and go check this out :)**

WOW! This book really surprised me. The promise of a diverse cast really caught my attention, and Si Clarke ABSOLUTELY delivered.

This beautifully queer civilization on Mars was absolutely delightful to read about. I initially thought there wasn't enough action, but as I continued, I realized that my desire for more action is simply because I'm not used to just delightful sci-fi books. There WAS action, just not the kind that I expected. I was also initially overwhelmed by characters, because there were so many. By the end, however, I was so happy that there were so many characters, because they were all a practice in acceptance.

It's incredibly clear that Clarke put a lot of work and thought into this book and how the colony should work. It did not go unnoticed or unappreciated! There are references in the back about the research done to create Devon Island, which was so awesome to see and understand!

This was just a lovely story of humanity surviving and thriving socially even after we've had to leave our beautiful home on Earth. We learn to move on, and we learn to accept each other. Delightful! By the end I was just smiling to myself about all of it. :) I really felt like I was there, building the colony through the mears with them!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.