THE MARTIAN CONTINGENCY Lady Astronaut, Book 4

Mary Robinette Kowal narrates her latest science fiction novel, putting her skills to excellent use in the fourth installment of the Lady Astronaut series. It's the 1950s, and Elma York has just landed on Mars to prep the planet for its first group of settlers. A pilot and mathematician, Elma has already paved the way for women in space, but now she faces unexpected hurdles: politicking, perimenopause, and mysterious signs of a previous disaster on the Red Planet. Interpersonal struggles and secrets threaten the viability of building a life on Mars. Kowal does more than narrate the story. She engrosses listeners in an entrancing audio play with dozens of distinct characters, voices altered by space equipment, and Elma's grounding inner monologue. Kowal's performance is a feat. A.A.H. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2025]