Ascension & Distortion - Victor Dixen

With Book 3 of the Phobos trilogy - Collision, coming out soon, I thought now would be a good time to post my reviews of Ascension and Distortion. I listened to both of these on audiobook which gave them an additional dimension. The way the books are set out, partly in episodes of a TV show, really lends itself to the audiobook format. I almost felt like I was watching on TV rather than reading a book.

Imagine the Cupido along with the other satellites orbiting Mars.

While I found the idea of the story intriguing and the book well written, I was a bit bothered by the idea that the whole world would be so obsessed with a dating show. People I know have different interests, some of my friends would be right in this group and others would hate the idea! It was almost like the planet Earth was brainwashed. That said, I did still enjoy reading about the interactions between the boys and girls on their 6 minute dates.

Book 1 - Ascension

This book is described like a dating show but it is not as light-hearted as that would sound, there is a lot more depth to the story.

I had very mixed feelings about this book. There was far too much unnatural explanation, a bit like when the movie villain tells the hero exactly what his evil plans are. But I think this could be due to the film-style layout of the book. Also, is it really necessary to use the phrase water-green eyes so many times? Serena McBee sounded extremely condescending and saccharin though I don't know if I would have realised that if I was just reading the book rather than listening. Sometimes you get clues from the voices that might not be there simply from the writing. Quite an over dramatic book. However, I did enjoy the book, it was full of suspense and I really wanted to get stuck into book 2 as soon as I finished it.

Book 2 - Distortion

After sharing her devastating discovery with the rest of the boys and girls on the Cupido, Leonor has to make a deal with the contemptible Serena to save all their lives. Landing on Mars, they have to pull together to set up their new home and work out the best way to survive. But with ever more revelations coming, its getting harder for Leonor to keep them working together. 

Leonor is practically the only sensible one of the group, apart from one of the boys who is super paranoid. Most of the group seem a bit too gullible and also quite ready to fight each other. 

This book really leaves you hanging, I wasn't expecting the ending at all so will be needing book 3 asap!

I did some investigating for a Mars cocktail and saw some amazing cocktail names online, it looks like Mars cocktails are quite popular: Marsgarita, Tequila Mariners, White Martian, Bloody Martian. In the end I decided to adapt the Tequila Sunrise to make a Martian Sunrise. Sunrise on Mars is bluish so I've replaced the grenadine with Chambord. The black raspberry gives it a slightly darker hue.

Pour a shot of tequila into an ice filled tall glass, then top with orange juice. Gradually pour half a shot of Chambord down the side of the glass so it falls to the bottom of the glass without mixing into the rest of the drink. Garnish with a couple of blackberries.