
Member Reviews

Colony really surprised me—in a good way. It’s a YA sci-fi set on Mars, and while that alone is usually enough to pique my interest, it’s the character dynamics and rising tension that truly hooked me.
The story follows Adam, the first human born on Mars, who’s lived his whole life on a tight-knit colony. But when a new wave of colonists arrives from Earth, things go downhill fast. The power struggle between the original Martian-born teens and the newly arrived Earth kids (who are a bit full of themselves, to be honest) sets the stage for some serious drama. And just when you think it’s all just cliques and leadership battles—bam—alien bugs.
Wolff balances the science-fiction elements with real coming-of-age vibes. Adam’s growth as a character feels natural, and the way he steps up when everything falls apart (thanks to an alien invasion and a power-hungry adult who loses it) makes him an easy protagonist to root for.
There were moments where the pacing dipped slightly, but overall the tension builds well, especially once the mystery of the missing colonists kicks in. The relationships between the kids are layered with typical teenage bravado, banter, and bonding under pressure—which made it feel grounded despite the whole “we’re being hunted by aliens on Mars” thing.
Fans of The 100 or Red Rising (the lighter YA side of it) will probably enjoy this. It’s got survival, suspense, and just enough sci-fi to feel fresh without getting bogged down in too much tech.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy in exchange for an honest review!