The Mars House

A compulsively readable queer sci-fi novel about a marriage of convenience between a Mars politician and an Earth refugee.

Named a Best Book of 2024 by The Washington Post * Amazon * Book Riot * LitHub * Paste Magazine * HuffPost

In the wake of an environmental catastrophe, January, once a principal in Londons Royal Ballet, has become a refugee in Tharsis, the terraformed colony on Mars. There, Januarys life is dictated by his status as an Earthstronger-a person whose body is not adjusted to lower gravity and so poses a danger to those born on, or naturalized to, Mars. Januarys job choices, housing, and even transportation are dictated by this second-class status, and now a xenophobic politician named Aubrey Gale is running on a platform that would make it all worse: Gale wants all Earthstrongers to naturalize, a process that is always disabling and sometimes deadly.

When Gale chooses January for an on-the-spot press junket interview that goes horribly awry, Januarys life is thrown into chaos, but Gales political fortunes are damaged, too. Gale proposes a solution to both their problems: a five year made-for-the-press marriage that would secure Januarys future without naturalization and ensure Gales political success. But when January accepts the offer, he discovers that Gale is not at all like they appear in the press. Theyre kind, compassionate, and much more difficult to hate than January would prefer. As their romantic relationship develops, the political situation worsens, and January discovers Gale has an enemy, someone willing to destroy all of Tharsis to make them pay-and January may be the only person standing in the way.

Un-put-downably immersive and utterly timely, Natasha Pulleys new novel is a gripping story about privilege, strength, and life across class divisions, perfect for readers of Sarah Gailey and Tamsyn Muir.