Red MarsRed Mars
Score Modern
What it's about
In 2026, the First Hundred, carefully chosen scientists and engineers, set off to colonize Mars. On arrival, they begin to build, and to argue: over whether to terraform the planet or leave it red, over who will control it, and over their own loves and rivalries. Over decades, as more settlers and corporations arrive, Mars moves toward revolution.
Why it's worth reading
It won the Nebula Award and was a Hugo finalist. It's the most detailed, realistic novel ever written about settling another planet.
You'll love it if you liked
The Martian
The Calculating Stars
The Moon Is a Harsh MistressGood to know
It's long, with very detailed passages on science and geology. It's the first of a trilogy.
By the numbers
- Readers17 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics95 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller34 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #112 of the 313 science fiction books we rank
- #613 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #1161 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Adventurous
More by Kim Stanley Robinson
New York 2140
The Years of Rice and Salt
The Wild ShoreIf you like this, read next
A Game of Thrones
The Fifth Season
Dungeon Crawler Carl
Gideon the Ninth
Red Rising
11/22/63Explore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is Red Mars worth reading?
Yes. It won the Nebula Award and was a Hugo finalist. It ranks #1,161 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 71.2 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Red Mars about?
In 2026, the First Hundred, carefully chosen scientists and engineers, set off to colonize Mars. On arrival, they begin to build, and to argue: over whether to terraform the planet or leave it red, over who will control it, and over their own loves and rivalries. Over decades, as more settlers and corporations arrive, Mars moves toward revolution.
How long does it take to read Red Mars?
About 15 hours (592 pages), or about 4 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has Red Mars won?
Nebula Award winner (1993); Hugo Award winner (1997, for Blue Mars); Hugo Award winner (1994, for Green Mars).
What should I read after Red Mars?
If you liked it, try The Martian by Andy Weir, The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal or The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein.