We have said it before, but we so love the feeling and reassurance we get when the author includes a note, a genuine thank you, to the One who gave them the ability to write the book in the first place. In this one we see a dedication to the author’s wife and to the “Creator and Savior of all worlds”.
The other main thing we should say right up front is that this book is exactly what many parents are looking for… an unapologetically Christian book for older teens. In our secular culture we can get so excited if a main character in a story even mentions God or church, let alone Jesus… it is not very often we can genuinely say can challenge your faith (if one day people will risk space travel to evangelize, how much more should we be willing now!). This is one of those cases. The story isn’t just “safe”, it is genuinely faith-building with a storyline that naturally turns our minds to our own call to missions. And as a real bonus, it’s really entertaining too, especially as the book gets going. This is genuinely a great read.
This main theme of the book gets hinted at early, as Brock wonders “How one could plant churches in the dead Martian soil”. The focus of the exciting story zeroes in on missions. In a world where the secular authorities offer peace and even religious tolerance as long as all groups/religions stay within a certain set of boundaries, Christians can do nearly anything they want… except fulfill the great commission. And that is what breeds the real conflict the plot revolves around. You can have peace, trade and do business, have shared protection, etc… or you can do missions out into the world (or universe in this case). What are we really willing to give up to do the primary thing we were called to do?
Here we will provide just a few glimpses at some of the Christ-honoring content readers will find along the way:
Early in the book, Brock asks for a list of people at a facility and prays for each one by name. At this same location, when he thinks these people won’t survive an unfolding tragedy, his mind turns to sharing the gospel. When he thinks he will lose his own life, his mind turns to Heaven, but also to the desire to share Jesus more with his own young children.
A refreshing marriage/family dynamic exists between Brock and his family. He says that his family’s home on Mars “might be the first family ‘church’ on another planet. Congregation, five”. He wonders if one of his children will become a professional Christian scholar.
Wisdom from Brock’s grandfather: “Whenever you’re alone, speak first to the person you worship”.
He makes the really helpful comment “We live in God’s world. Science is His idea. If we study science, we’re studying God”.
In a flashback we find out about Brock and his wife leading another family to Christ.
In a time of desperation, Brock looks back on God’s amazing providence from earlier in his life.
There are quite a few scriptural references throughout. There are also several very sincere prayers along the way (hard to overstate how refreshing this is in a book).
When asked if she still wants to go on missions even after adversity Brock’s wife Alecia responds, “Yes, more than ever, and if Jesus wants this, He will make it happen”.
Brock makes parallels to what they are setting out to do and Paul’s missionary journeys.
This book has a great feel. It doesn’t really feel like “sci-fi”, but rather something that could easily be right around the corner for this current societal trajectory. There is also this neat aspect of the story causing you to genuinely appreciate this planet God has given us. Space is amazing and shows the majesty of God, but there is truly no place (planet) like home. So good.
We will end similar to how we started. The book wraps ups with one of the more intentional and genuine acknowledgements we have seen, culminating with “Ultimately I thank you Jesus, the Author of Life who holds all the worlds in His hands. Even in this groaning era, the heavens declare Your glory. I can’t wait to see the sequel.” Amen! This is one we HIGHLY Recommend.
