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Last Day on Mars (Chronicle of the Dark Star, 1) Paperback – January 9, 2018

by Kevin Emerson (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 373 ratings
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“Last Day on Mars is thrillingly ambitious and imaginative. Like a lovechild of Gravity and The Martian, it's a rousing space opera for any age, meticulously researched and relentlessly paced, that balances action, science, humor, and most importantly, two compelling main characters in Liam and Phoebe. A fantastic start to an epic new series.” —Soman Chainani, New York Times bestselling author of the School for Good and Evil series

“Emerson's writing explodes off the page in this irresistible space adventure, filled with startling plot twists, diabolical aliens, and (my favorite!) courageous young heroes faced with an impossible task.” —Lisa McMann, New York Times bestselling author of the Unwanteds series

It is Earth year 2213—but, of course, there is no Earth anymore. Not since it was burned to a cinder by the sun, which has mysteriously begun the process of going supernova. The human race has fled to Mars, but this was only a temporary solution while we have prepared for a second trip: a one-hundred-fifty-year journey to a distant star, our best guess at where we might find a new home.

Liam Saunders-Chang is one of the last humans left on Mars. The son of two scientists who have been racing against time to create technology vital to humanity’s survival, Liam, along with his friend Phoebe, will be on the last starliner to depart before Mars, like Earth before it, is destroyed.

Or so he thinks. Because before this day is over, Liam and Phoebe will make a series of profound discoveries about the nature of time and space and find out that the human race is just one of many in our universe locked in a dangerous struggle for survival.

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  1. Reading age
    8 - 12 years
  2. Book 1 of 3
    Chronicle of the Dark Star
  3. Print length
    352 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Grade level
    3 - 7
  6. Dimensions
    5.12 x 0.7 x 7.62 inches
  7. Publisher
    Walden Pond Press
  8. Publication date
    January 9, 2018
  9. ISBN-10
    0062306723
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0062306722
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“This is perfect science fiction: a terrifying yet very cool vision of the future, lots of technological awesomeness, mind-bending alien mysteries, a mission to save the human race—and two funny, resourceful, very real kid heroes who I’d follow to the edges of the universe.” — Tui T. Sutherland, New York Times bestselling author of the Wings of Fire series

“Emerson’s writing explodes off the page in this irresistible space adventure, filled with startling plot twists, diabolical aliens, and (my favorite!) courageous young heroes faced with an impossible task.” — Lisa McMann, New York Times bestselling author of The Unwanteds series

“Last Day on Mars is thrillingly ambitious and imaginative, a rousing space opera for any age, meticulously researched and relentlessly paced. A fantastic start to an epic new series.” — Soman Chainani, New York Times bestselling author of The School for Good and Evil

“A hugely enjoyable blend of adventure, humor, science, and kids trying to find their place when humanity itself doesn’t have one.” — Emma Trevayne, author of The Accidental Afterlife of Thomas Marsden

★ “With high-stakes tension, propulsive action, multidimensional characters, and vivid scenes, this well-wrought and thrilling series starter is perfect for middle-graders who prefer their sci-fi to be grounded in the realm of the possible.” — Booklist (starred review)

★ “Enigmatic enemies, sabotage, space travel, and short, bone-wracking bits of time travel make for a banging adventure.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“This first installment of the Chronicle of the Dark Star trilogy is ambitious, exciting, and just a shade terrifying.” — Publishers Weekly

“With a focus on space and time travel, including well-researched and accurate science, the novel will be an easy sell for sci-fi enthusiasts.” — School Library Journal

“Action-packed science-fiction adventure.” — Brightly

About the Author

Kevin Emerson is the author of the acclaimed novel Last Day on Mars and its sequels in the Chronicle of the Dark Star. He has written thirteen middle grade novels, including The Fellowship for Alien Detection, the Oliver Nocturne Series, and Lost in Space: Return to Yesterday (based on the Netflix series), as well as eight young adult novels, including The Atlanteans trilogy and Any Second. A former science teacher, Kevin is also a drummer and singer, most recently with his band Model Shop. He lives with his family in Seattle, Washington. You can visit him online at www.kevinemerson.net.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Walden Pond Press; Reprint edition (January 9, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0062306723
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062306722
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 12 years
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.12 x 0.7 x 7.62 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 373 ratings

About the author

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Kevin Emerson

Kevin Emerson

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About

Kevin Emerson is the author of 16 middle grade and YA novels: LAST DAY ON MARS, BREAKOUT, the ATLANTEANS series, THE FELLOWSHIP FOR ALIEN DETECTION, the OLIVER NOCTURNE series, the EXILE series, and CARLOS IS GONNA GET IT. He is also a singer and drummer. His current projects are NORTHERN ALLIES (indie-rock/new wave), and THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (music for kids and kids-at-heart).

Kevin grew up in Cheshire, CT, where he wrote stories all the time, played in the marching and jazz bands, and ran track. One time, he won a spelling bee, prevailing over his ex-girlfriend in the final round. The word that launched him to victory was 'vague.' Kevin now lives in Seattle with his wife and two children. A former science teacher, Kevin also once competed in a beauty pageant, but lost (probably because he was wearing a suit of armor).

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
373 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Wyvern Murphy
5.0 out of 5 stars Hands down, one of my favorite book series
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2023
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I first read this series when the books were still being released, and it quickly became one of my most favorite books ever. The visual imagry that comes with the book's plot is unmatched, and the story told is incredible. I highly reccomend this to any space lovers, as this book feuled my intrest in spacetime further.
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BrianB
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story with great characters
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2020
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I have been looking for a while to find a decent sci-fi novel on kindle, and this is it! It is well written, with complex, realistic characters, a fast paced adventure story, and a future world richly imagined. I was fully involved for several days, neglecting my usual routines because I couldn't tear myself away from my kindle. I had to read the whole trilogy. Now I am suffering from let-down, because the series is over.

This is young adult fiction. Both of the main characters are 13 years old, and there is an age appropriate attraction between them, which the author handles well. There is no inappropriate behavior, no profanity, and infrequent mild violence. I don't usually like young adult fiction, but these are excellent books for almost all ages.
6 people found this helpful
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Michael Lynn McGuire
4.0 out of 5 stars Book number one of a three book young teenage science fiction series
Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2022
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Book number one of a three book young teenage science fiction series. I read the well printed and well bound new trade paperback published by Walden Pond Press in 2018. I have ordered the following two books in the series, the second of which is new and the third of which is used as the new copies are gone.

In the year 2213, mankind has abandoned Earth and moved to Mars and the other planets. The sun started converting into a red dwarf a hundred years ago and is expanding rapidly. Sol has already consumed Mercury, Venus, and Earth and will consume Mars soon. Mankind has rapidly built many 100 million passenger spaceships and is moving to another star system almost 15 light years away. The humans will use stasis pods to make the 150 year dangerous journey. All of the spaceships have left except for one, the Starliner Scorpius.

Thirteen year old Liam and Phoebe are spending their last day on Mars with their parents at the project in the old volcano to convert their new planet into an Earth atmosphere. An marsquake has caused a cave-in of the old volcano walls into the large area being used for the test equipment to terraform the new planet.
One person found this helpful
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Stefana S. Gomez
5.0 out of 5 stars I can't wait for the next one!!
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2017
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I adored this book and read it in a day, then gave it to my husband to read. Now our 9 year old daughter is reading it and we all agree it's wonderful! Emerson writes well of the teenage main characters who have grown up on Mars as to how they have adapted where their earthling parents cannot. Compelling plot, thoughtful descriptions, characters you care about - it's all there in this great book. To say I can't wait for the next book is a serious understatement!
7 people found this helpful
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Kimberly Laidlaw
5.0 out of 5 stars The Martian for Kids!
Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2017
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My 9 yo son and I can't wait for the next installment in the series. Take three parts of The Martian, add one part Star Wars, plus a dash of Ender’s Game, and you’ve got The Last Day on Mars. This is kids-oriented science fiction at its best combining a propulsive plot with humor and lots of twists and turns. The Sun is dying. Mankind has fled Earth for a temporary home on Mars. Now its time for the fleet to leave for a new solar system. Forces are working against them though. As the clock ticks down for departure, it might be up to Liam, Phoebe, and Liam’s robot JEFF to save the fleet.
5 people found this helpful
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A. Valentine
5.0 out of 5 stars It's a fun, interesting story that depicts people his age solving ...
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2018
Verified Purchase
Read this book to my 6th grader one chapter at a time at bedtime. It's a fun, interesting story that depicts people his age solving problems (big ones) and moving forward. We're on the second one now and it might be going a bit off the rails. There's inter-species genocide, time-traveling, and a couple of glaring plot holes. Overall, though, it's engaging and fun to read. My kid is liking it and we're definitely going to wait for and read the whole series so that we can find out what happens!
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Noatak Girl
3.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining page turner . . . but
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2017
While I (adult reader) did find the book to be a page turner, the editorial reviews are over the top. This is cotton candy science fiction, enjoyable but not memorable, your basic good versus evil theme. That being said, I will tune in for Book 2. Recommended for any age who enjoys this genre.
5 people found this helpful
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DSam
5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic series
Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2019
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My son read these books more than once. He's been borrowing them from the library but when the last book came out, he asked if he could buy the set...and he read them again. He really loves these books. He said he likes the cliffhangers and the characters' emotional struggles.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

D. E. Gellert
5.0 out of 5 stars It makes a great gift for a young reader.
Reviewed in Canada on October 17, 2021
Verified Purchase
This was a gift. The person that received this book is thoroughly enjoying it. I hope there will be more of to purchase.
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Mahendra Jadhav
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in India on April 13, 2022
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Excellent book
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Changye Ding
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on May 23, 2018
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A good sci-fi. My daughter has read it and said that story is exhilarating and engrossing.
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