Ghosts of Mars by Stuart White including Author Interview

 Link to Waterstones

Published: 13th Feb 2023

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I haven't reviewed many sci-fi novels on the blog so I was very excited to get my hands on Ghosts of Mars by Stuart White which publishes this week. Set on Mars, this is a story with epic world-building, an exciting and pacy plot and a character who doesn't play by the rules...

Eva Knight is famous for being the first Martianborn human although she doesn't particularly enjoy that status. What Eva wants is to be an astronaut, something which she can never be thanks to being a type 1 diabetic. But when her dad gets trapped in a mining vent far from their base AND in a dust storm, Eva is determined to save him. Will her ability to wield a mysterious sword and her connection with some strange ghost-like figures help or hinder her quest?

The brilliantly designed cover by Jennifer Jamieson immediately drew me into this story and the reader is quickly plunged into an action-packed plot. I really enjoyed the character of Eva, whose lack of regard for obeying orders leads her into situations that have high stakes for herself and others. There's a great cast of characters - Quasar Jones being one of the best character names I have ever come across - and a formidable antagonistic force in Darshi.

One of the highlights, for me, was definitely the world-building. Stuart White has created a martian world so vivid that I found myself having dreams about it. Eva's love for her dad and her friends bring the heart and there are some big revelations and twists at the end. There's a strong element of mystery to the novel throughout which keeps readers guessing and Eva's medical condition is explored and represented with genuine authenticity, not only raising awareness of type 1 diabetes but placing a character who lives with it centre stage. 

Overall, this is a wonderfully imagined world which I would recommend for competent middle grade readers. The text is fairly dense and the vocab is complex, although I didn't feel bogged down in overly descriptive jargon. Combined with a fast-moving plot, it is a book readers can really get their teeth into.

Ghosts of Mars is now available to buy from popular online retailers. Read down for our author interview with Stuart White.

Interview with Stuart White, author of Ghosts of Mars

Hi Stuart, congratulations on the publication of your debut novel. How does it feel to hold your published book in your hands?

Even better than holding my new-born children! No, it's nice of course, especially after being involved in every stage of publication and development, so it really does feel like 'my book' rather than the vision of other people, so that's been massive for me.

Ghosts of Mars is a sci-fi novel full of brilliant world-building? Is science fiction what you love to write and what gave you the idea for the world you have created?

Yes, I adore sci-fi - it's always my go-to in terms of TV or movies or books, but it's not as popular as other genres so good material is harder to come by. I love fantasy very much, too. Anything considered 'speculative' is definitely a vibe for me. In terms of this book, I read two books about five years ago, called Red Rising and The Martian in succession (both set on Mars) and it fuelled my desire to create my own version of a future colony on the Red Planet. The character of Eva came afterwards, and she is moulded by the restrictions the world has on her personally. I also wanted the world to be realistic in the timeframe between now and when it's set in the 2040's, so lots of research went into possible colony base designs and the level of tech and equipment we'll see over the next 10-20 years.

Your main character, Eva, has Type 1 diabetes. Although this is not the focus of the story, how important do you think it is to represent character’s with disabilities and medical conditions in children’s fiction?

The most important thing. Even above the story, in some ways. As you say, it's not the central focus and that's conscious - I could have written about those struggles more specifically from my own experience, but when you have a condition or disability, you want a release from the daily struggles and reality of living with it. There's definitely room for stories which explore the conditions and disability as a focal point, but this wasn't what I wanted for this story. Characters with disabilities can be heroes too, and it doesn't need to be about overcoming their disability to be the hero, it's being the hero while living with it, and its complications and barriers. Because that reflects life and what diabetic kids are looking for - a life like everyone else, or even more extraordinary, alongside managing their condition.

If you had to describe Ghosts of Mars in three words, what would they be?

Ghosts, Sword, Mars (sorry, that's basically the title!)

You made the decision to self-publish your book. Has this been a positive experience and do you have more novels on the way?

Yes, and yes! I thought about doing it for a long time, and always dithered. But the moment I decided, there was clarity and there was certainty. I was empowered and felt fully autonomous in my own destiny. A feeling that had deserted me after years of querying and rejection, the odd (mistaken) acceptance, and my general mood about writing and publishing. It has transformed me on both a creative and a personal front. And it's only the beginning - my 18 month plan is well underway and I'm excited about what the future brings.


Can you tell us something about this book that you are most proud of?

I am proud of the disability representation, of course, but also the standard of the finished product. Self-publishing has a, perhaps fair, reputation of people uploading sub-standard books with poor covers and very little/no editing etc, and one thing I wanted to achieve with this book was to produce something that would sit comfortably alongside books produced by top publishers, and I think it does. Much love has to go to my brilliant editors and illustrator, who made the difference in that regard. Any sub-standard components in the book are purely down to me! :-)


Thanks so much for talking to us, Stuart. Just before you go, do you have one tip for any aspiring writers out there?

Stop looking around, hoping and waiting, gazing enviously at others, and go your own way. You're not a side-character. Be the hero in your own story.

Brilliant advice Stuart and we wish you every success with this book and future ones.