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In Ben Bova's 1992 bestselling book Mars, geologist Jamie Waterman and his crewmates discovered the existence of primitive lichen on the floor of the great Martian canyon known as the Valles Marineris. In Return to Mars, Waterman is headed back to the Red Planet, this time in charge of an expedition that hopes not only to study Martian life but also to prove that exploring Mars can be profitable. Waterman also wants to revisit a part of the canyon where he thought he spotted a primitive cliff dwelling during the first Martian mission. The second voyage to Mars runs into trouble right away, however, as Waterman clashes with Dex Trumball, the son of a billionaire who's backing the expedition. Dex wants to turn Mars into a tourist attraction, while Waterman wants to preserve the planet for scientific research. Both men are also attracted to the expedition's beautiful psychologist, Vijay Shektar, who can't seem to decide which of the two she likes best. As if that weren't enough, one of the Mars team may be trying to sabotage the mission, while back home the elder Trumball is pulling strings in order to force Waterman to step down as the expedition's leader.
Like Jamie Waterman, Bova takes on a lot of responsibility in this second Mars book. He's trying to create a complex story that relies equally on science, characterization, and politics, mixed in with a healthy dose of mystery and a dash of thriller. As usual, Bova nails the science but fares less well--though by no means poorly--with his characters. He pulls off the politics with confidence, but the thriller subplot seems forced. Finally, the mysteries (there are several) all succeed reasonably well, though some are more compelling than others. The whole makes up a thoroughly enjoyable novel both about what life might be like on an expedition to Mars and what Martian life might be like. It's a better book than its predecessor, and it can be read entirely on its own thanks to Bova's carefully interwoven details about the back story that took place in Mars. --Craig E. Engler
From Publishers Weekly
The sequel to Bova's popular Mars (1992) returns Navajo Jamie Waterman to the Red Planet as the mission director in tenuous command of a crew of scientists and astronauts jockeying for political power, romantic liaisons and scientific renown. And as anonymous journal entries also indicate, one of the explorers is seriously deranged. Waterman's chief rival on the mission is C. Dexter Trumball, the heir of the man who substantially funded the flight. Trumball has promised his wealthy father that the mission will make money, and he is determined to win his father's love and respect, even if it means turning Mars into a tourist attraction. For ideological reasons, Waterman is equally bent on keeping Mars free of tourists, especially his beloved "cliff dwellings"Aa nearly inaccessible structural anomaly that he believes will prove there was once intelligent life on the planet. Waterman must struggle to find the Navajo way of negotiating the crew's various desires and manias. He must also contend with the powers-that-be back on Earth to ensure that scientific concerns continue to supersede crass commercial interests. Bova makes the speculative hard science aspects of this novel vivid and appealing. His characters, however, are less enchanting, and the inclusion of a saboteur seems like overkill, since the environment he describes is more than capable of destroying anyone for simple carelessness. The novel ends with plenty of room for a sequel to pick up and continue the saga. (June) Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
As a sequel to Mars, this novel covers the second expedition to the red planet. The object of this mission is to document and study the lichen-like organisms that had been discovered during the first visit. Bova (Death Dream) skillfully develops plot and characters in this tale, showing the talent that has earned him six Hugo Awards. Libraries would do well to provide both the abridged and unabridged versions. However, if only one can be purchased, the NewStar abridgment is definitely the winner. Performed by Harlan Ellison, it is actually a tighter, more finely crafted version of the novel. The personalities of each of the characters remain; the major points and drive of the plot actually seem to work better in the edited form. Ellison handles the international accents well and adds energy and drive to the performance. The unabridged version is skillfully narrated by Dick Hill; however, it lacks the quality of Ellison's performance--the charisma a gifted storyteller can bring to an audiobook. Highly recommended for all public libraries and for academic libraries with sf or performance collections.-Theresa Connors, Arkansas Tech Univ., Russellville Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
The New York Times Book Review, Gerald Jonas
Where Bova shines is in making science not only comprehensible but entertaining...
From AudioFile
Jamie Waterman, the Navajo astronaut, returns to the red planet to find out if it really is a cliff dwelling he saw tucked into the sheer wall of a Martian canyon. Naturally, he has a mixed crew: one scared, one seductive, one megalomaniac and some fix-it folks. Bova has a great story line and good science, but the characterization is poor. The dialogue is obvious and repetitive. A speed reader can gloss over these faults, but an audio production must record every (painful) word. So, it's long. It's boring. It will make the listener squirm. Dick Hill's reading does nothing to minimize Bova's problems, and, at times, he almost causes offense with his weird accents and masculine ogling. Pass this one right up. L.R.S. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
From Booklist
Half-Navajo, half-Anglo astronaut Jamie Waterman is back on Mars, several publishing seasons after his previous adventures in Mars (1992). His second expedition is motivated largely by expectations of profit from the life-forms discovered in the Vallis Marinaris on the first expedition. As far as Waterman is concerned, those pecuniary motives get the second fling off on the wrong foot from the beginning. Waterman also has to put up with small-group politics that are particularly virulent this far from Earth and with this much at stake; with his own emotional attachments; and with a lengthening string of incidents that has the odor of sabotage about it. The last third of the yarn is literally a cliff-hanger, as the expedition maneuvers to reach unmistakable artifacts of intelligent life in a mountainous area. Characterization is better than usual in this kind of adventure, the pacing is brisk, the scientific details are convincing, and Bova's depiction of the Martian environment is outstanding indeed. No one who enjoyed Mars is likely to turn down this lively continuation of it. Roland Green
From Kirkus Reviews
Sequel to Bova's fact-based epic Mars (1992). The second expedition to Mars, backed by arrogant billionaire Darryl C. Trumball, will be led by mission director Jamie Waterman, Navaho geologist and veteran of the first expedition. Also going along will be Trumball's brash son, Dex, two pilots, Doctor Vijay Shektar, and three additional scientists hoping to study the lichens on Mars. Jamie also intends to investigate the cliff dwelling he's convinced he glimpsed on the last trip. Dex, backed by his father, is keen to exploit the commercial opportunities the trip provides (VR tours for on-line subscribers, tourism, and the recovery of the Pathfinder lander), while Jamie wants to keep Mars pristine and beautiful. Rivalries and sexual tensions mount. Dex recovers the still-operable rover vehicle that Jamie's expedition lost in a dust-filled crater. Old Trumball blows his top, first when the VR equipment develops an intermittent fault, again when Dex insists on personally taking the hazardous trip to recover Pathfinder. Two scientists explore, with near-fatal consequences, the vast Olympus Mons volcano, discovering that the rocks are still warm. A dust storm threatens Dex's Pathfinder mission. And Jamie must confront the likelihood that there is a saboteur within the group. The cliff dwelling turns out to be just that, complete with indecipherable inscriptions; the inhabitants died 65 million years ago after a meteorite impact. But can Jamie discover the saboteur and prevent Darryl C. Trumball from raping Mars? Absorbing and thoroughly satisfying: Mars fans will pounce, while newcomers will feel welcome too. -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
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