Ahoy there me mateys! This here be a sci-fi novel that I listened to in audiobook format. The premise is that a trio of astronauts have a chance to become the first people who travel to Mars. The expedition is privately funded by a corporation called Prime Space. This corporation has strict rules and protocols for both the astronauts and their families.

For the astronauts, these protocols include a 17 month simulation of the entire Mars voyage – both there and back again. For the trio and their families, this trial will have them questioning both the mission and the emotional consequences that occur when getting back to space seems more important than those people left back on Earth.

This is one of those reads where the space story is secondary in the plot. This is a character-driven book that showcases various relationships and the emotional growth of the characters. Ye follow the three astronauts, a spouse, several children, and a member of the support team. The space items are interesting but much of the book happens outside of the astronaut habitat.

I think me favourite sections were those of the astronaut, Helen, and her daughter. I also liked Yoshi’s wife. Overall I thought this was a well written book and I listened to it in one setting. The characters were multi-faceted and I enjoyed how they changed in the novel. I don’t think this has a ton of re-read potential and a lot of the details already begin to fade. But I am glad I took the journey.

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