Official Review: The Fall of Mars by Simon Lee

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[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Fall of Mars" by Simon Lee.]

The Fall of Mars, by Simon Lee held me spellbound. This is also a book that I would never think to buy, but I am more than glad that I took the opportunity to read it. I am not familiar with this author, but the way he developed the characters made me want to know more. Set in a time where sky ships travel into space, the author introduces us to the concept of space travel in ships with engines powered by void mechanics. The time setting also introduces the reader to characters with abilities that aid in fighting the pervasive evil present throughout the story.

The book centers on some main characters that I grew to love. Rus woke up to find himself in the care of clerics as a young teen and he has no idea why. Ulther, one of the clerics, teaches Rus basic education and helps him to remember his past. Rus is also unique in that he has abilities that Ulther also helps him to develop. Rus would eventually become the most powerful cleric of them all. Ann Schuler is a thaumatist who aids pilots in avoiding negative void energy while traveling in space. She is also able to communicate with thaumatists elsewhere. Thaumatists can deeply sense evil in the void of space that others are not able to discern. Elizabeth Hadley is a respected clairvoyant and mystic drawn into the plot by mysterious dreams. John Harvey is an ex-military warrior of great reputation who now serves as a scientific reporter. Master Tomlin is a man of great stature and a shipwright, or builder of ships. Heinrich Blaum is a void mechanic, responsible for installing engines and other devices in sky ships to ensure smooth travel into the vacuum of space. Chenery Noble is evil personified and the reason why those who fight for good sacrifice themselves to the end to rid the world of his evil influences and his evil cult, the Essaine, who worship the gods of the void.

The story begins in Liverpool where a new sky ship, the Inspiration, is in production. This ship is more advanced than any ship built and will travel to Mars, where no ship has gone before. John is in Liverpool to document the building process and keep the public informed of progress. The Inspiration is attacked and dark ones, controlled by priests of the Essaine, kidnap Heinrich and kill the pilot. Heinrich’s friends rescue him, but not before he experiences something that changes him. After his rescue they find that another group is also building a ship, the Crusader to also travel to Mars. The Crusader will reach Mars before the Inspiration is completed, so the hopes of everyone involved with the Inspiration are dashed. The Crusader takes off and disappears somewhere in space between Earth and Mars, so the Inspiration does make it first.

This magnificent story follows the group of Rus, Ulther, Ann, Liz, John, Master Tomlin, and Chenery Noble is a most dramatic battle of good and evil. Chenery must be stopped and it is up to this talented group with amazing abilities to do it. As the plot progresses, the reader experiences evil, treachery, pleasant surprises, and sacrifices of the greatest magnitude. Even when it seems that all hope is lost, the group persists in the battle that stretches from Liverpool to Mayan temples and finally to Mars. The Crusader had a purpose other than reaching Mars first and it is an evil one indeed, so where is the ship now? The characters grow individually in power and as a group and find that this may not be the first time they fought this fight. The past, present, and future merge together in an ancient prophecy that predicts the outcome of a war as old as time itself while the group members have vague memories of knowing each other in a past life. I had to keep reading to find out what the end was going to be.

This book makes the reader ponder on life beyond what we can see. It also shows what loyalty and determination can accomplish even when all seems lost. This is a must read for those who enjoy this genre and for those like me who never thought to give it a chance. I will definitely recommend this book to my friends and Mr. Lee’s books are now on my reading list. I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars.

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