A private space exploration company is mounting a manned mission to Mars. Before they send a team for real, they plan an elaborate training event that will as closely as possible match the conditions and potential problems the team might face in the real mission. The ordeal, though simulated, is no less dramatic for the astronauts, their families, and the crew. The lines between fiction and reality become blurred and none of the participants is left unchanged. Part literary fiction, part sci-fi, all amazing.

Greatly enjoyed this. Was a bit muddled at first, strange layout of dialog from multiple characters but once the story got going the points of view all worked together to weave a lovely story.

Meg Howrey is great at creating enticingly flawed characters. I would love to read more about every single character included in this novel.

Would love to say more in this review but do not want to spoil any of the story for future readers. Let's just say I prefer to think Sergei was right.

This book has been compared to "The Martian" but I don't think that description does it any justice. This is a highly introspective look at what it actually takes in order to survive the solitude, isolation, conflict, boredom and stress of a deep space mission. I loved how all three of the main characters, Helen, Yoshi, and Sergei, deal with their own personal journeys as they participate in a mock (or is it) mission to Mars. Their relationships with each other, their families, and their own minds are front and center in this novel, allowing you to put yourself into their shoes and try to understand how you would handle an adventure like this. I also enjoyed how the story explored how far the astronauts were willing to go in order to achieve their dreams of the "Gofer". Even readers who are not typical fans of sci fi will love this novel!