Sci-Fi Spotlight: "The Martian War" by Kevin J. Anderson

A gathering of real and imagined extraordinary gentlemen (dare I say league) and one woman populate the re-release of The Martian War (Titan Books) by Kevin J. Anderson. Author H.G. Wells, biologist T.H. Huxley, astronomer Percival Lowell, Dr. Moreau, Hawley Griffin (The Invisible Man) and Wells' fiance Jane all play pivotal roles in the story, which centers around a potential Martian invasion of Earth. Wells, along with his mentor, Huxley, and Jane find themselves in the far reaches of space, after an accident that nearly costs them their lives. They are able to return to Earth at their leisure, but they decide to explore the moon and then Mars, which leads to many disturbing discoveries that places them all in danger yet again. Meanwhile, Dr. Moreau, who approached Wells and Huxley about a potential alien invasion before the accident, recounts a personal story about his encounter with a spaceship and a Martian. Moreau, along with Percival Lowell, struggle to learn as much as they can from their extraterrestrial find in order to prepare for and/or prevent an invasion. 

The author assembles an interesting cast of characters who mesh together well, even though they probably should not. As I was reading, I found it strange that I was partial to the narrative when it focuses on Dr. Moreau's journal than the exploits of Wells, Jane and Huxely in space. Both storylines are interesting and well written, but it was almost like two different authors took turns writing the story. Credit should be given to Anderson, who is clearly trying to channel the real life H.G. Wells and the fictional Dr. Moreau, who are two very different people, and succeeds in relating their unique points of view. 

Of course, it was Wells who wrote The War of the Worlds and The Martian War speculates that Wells may have been writing a true story based on his personal experiences. While some may find that far fetched, the famous 1938 radio broadcast of "The War of the Worlds," which was initiated by screen legend Orson Welles, convinced some listeners that the invasion was actually real. Yes, even in the late nineteenth and the early part of the twentieth century, some people wanted to, or were at least inclined, to believe in extraterrestrials. I am not sure if The Martian War is likely to change anyone's mind about the origins of The War of the Worlds, but science fiction fans will have an enjoyable time judging for themselves.