The Mars House

January Stirling was once a principal dancer with London's prestigious Royal Ballet, but that life is far behind him now. As a climate refugee, he finds himself on a spacecraft bound for Tharsis, a controversial, terraformed colony on Mars. While Tharsis is a utopia for its naturalised population, January is an Earthstronger, unadapted to the colony's weaker gravity. This condemns him to a life of hard labour and unrelenting discrimination. But there’s a glimmer of hope: he will survive.

Aubrey Gale is an energy trillionaire and hereditary senator running for election. His policy platform is staunchly hardline, promising protection for the native Martian population from the so-called dangers posed by immigrants. His proposed solution? Force all Earthstrongers to undergo a risky and sometimes fatal process of surgical naturalisation—a fate that, in January's eyes, is no life at all.

When an unexpected and disastrous media encounter throws both Aubrey and January’s lives into disarray, they strike upon an unusual solution: a five-year contract marriage, perfect for a reality-television spectacle. This arrangement could safeguard January’s future and ensure Aubrey's political ambitions. However, as they navigate this complex relationship, they soon realise that thousands of lives hang in the balance, and the stakes are higher than either of them could have anticipated.

The Mars House skilfully blends genres to deliver a timely and utterly compelling story that examines privilege, resilience, and love across class divides. It’s a tale that resonates with themes of identity, survival, and societal boundaries, making it a must-read for fans of thought-provoking and intricate narratives.

Described as "Pure Pulley" by Stuart Turton and "Joyful and profound" by Catriona Ward, The Mars House captivates from beginning to end. Thomas D. Lee considers it "Simply unputdownable," while Imran Mahmood calls it "A work of staggering genius." Temi Oh praises its charm, humour, and pacing, and Robin Stevens hails it as "A spiritual heir to Terry Pratchett." For Lauren James, it’s the "Book of the year."

Perfect for readers who cherished Babel by R.F. Kuang, The Ferryman by Justin Cronin, and This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone, The Mars House promises an unforgettable journey into a world where the struggle for survival brings forth the deepest of human emotions.