A long, slow-burning, very hard science fiction novel about building a homestead on Mars, with real physics calculations, real orbital mechanics, real engineering, real chemistry, real economics, and real danger. It’s the end of the 21st century. The discovery of gold in the Tharsis Plateau triggers a Martian gold rush and the scramble for Mars is underway. Unsuccessful inventor Henrik Weeks is unwillingly forced to join the exodus to the Red Planet after he learns a recently released government bioweapon makes it too dangerous for him to stay on Earth. The only captain willing to take him to Mars is the scowling, sarcastic, abrasive, doomsaying spacer Anders Mortenson, who Henrik will have to live with for years on end. Anders’ ship, the Evergreen , is bound for lawless Valles Marineris. They soon learn they’re ill-prepared for the challenges of Mars settlement, and the planet holds many unexpected dangers. Will they succeed in their goal of building a successful homestead into a city on Mars? Or will the Red Planet defeat them, as it has defeated so many others? Contains violence and strong language. Very long and achieves a frankly obsessive degree of technical accuracy. Written by author Andrew Stanek, who can’t go to Mars because he has too much writing to do.