Mars Colony Agatha
Nikki Red
by Jack Chaucer
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Pub Date Nov 01 2019 | Archive Date Dec 31 2019
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Description
Nicole Janicek already has stared down a high school shooter, a cult of criminal ex-Scientologists and six months of frigid darkness at South Pole Station in her young life, but now she risks it all attempting to ride a rocket to Mars in 2022. After the Red One mission quickly aborts in the skies over the North Sea, Nikki gets a surprise phone call from Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX. What follows is a euphoric, historic, tragic and heroic mission to establish Mars Colony A, dubbed by some in the media as “Mars Colony Agatha” when misfortune strikes. While doubters predict the perilous mission will morph into “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie, Nikki and her crew are determined to write their own story. Through it all, Nikki is surprised to learn how strong her connection to those she loved on Earth remains despite the chasm of time and space.
A Note From the Publisher
Best,
Jack Chaucer
Advance Praise
"I had such a hard time gathering my thoughts about this final installment of this series....because I knew it was the final book. I have been a huge, huge fan of this series since the first book and each one has gotten better and better. I believe I have stated before that I had thought this series was going in one direction after the first one and the storyline of a school shooting scenario but it turned into so, so much more. It has been such a roller coaster watching Nikki overcome all that she has been through, it has been a highly emotional journey. Each book, I went from tears to laughing to fear to joy. From the school shooting plot, to the bridge fiasco, her training (which was brutal) to her failed takeoff to now her wildest dream coming true. All the characters along the way have added to her journey and each one was so pivotal in who she has become. While some were left back in earlier books, new ones only added to her journey. In this final book....Nikki is one take off away from her dream....landing on Mars. However, her takeoff does not go as planned and she finds herself back on Earth. Until she gets the most unbelievable phone call from, THE Elon Musk. Musk wants her to join his crew in putting her on Mars. Naturally, Nikki wastes no time in accepting and she is on her way. Her crew and her bond immediately and seamlessly and I loved watching them all turn into a family. Their trip from preparation to take-off, to landing and the heartache that follows had me at the edge of my seat. I needed Nikki to prevail....I needed to see her her dream come to fruition...I was not ready for yet another setback or disappointment!! So much happens from take off to the end of the book and all I will say is...my tears flowed freely and frequently...I smiled until my face hurt and my heart was happy for Nikki. Getting to Mars was her dream of dreams...and getting there she endured more then one person can take but she stood her ground and pushed on with her head held high. She matured in so many ways and became someone she could be proud of. Her life had purpose and she left no stone unturned. She made some enemies along the way and turned friends into family (including some enemies). She may have left behind Earth but found a whole new world on Mars. It was entrancing to see how life on Mars progressed over time and even more interesting seeing characters from past books popping back up - on Mars!!! The drama!!! I could not have been more attached to this series and I am quite fond of the author....I thank you Jack for this amazing series and taking me along on Nikki's journey. It was an "out of this world" experience!!! LOL....I am so very sad to see this amazing story end but I will say that it couldn't have ended any better then it did! Ciao Nikki!!!"
-- Christine Cheff, Goodreads reviewer from Totowa, New Jersey
"I adored the story! Mars Colony Agatha, although belonging to a series, can be read as a standalone, and easily. The story started with a screw-up that could have gone really bad, but instead gave Nikki an adventure of a lifetime. I loved the characters and going to Mars with them. I adored ”meeting" Elon Musk (I wish) and the mogul’s care for the team. I adored the realness of the connections, of the character stories and relationships, and also of supporting the group in wanting to strike the stupid media with their "And then there were none." It was an enjoyable read, with comic relief in the right measure (said by someone whose team uses comic relief in everything on the ambulance), and while I don't read much sci-fi spacey novels, I loved this one, with technical stuff explained but not in a boring-let-me-pass-this-stuff tone. It was like I was there and knew what I was doing."
-- Liliane Oliveira, Goodreads reviewer from Mauritius
An excellent read that had me engrossed from the outset. I enjoy science fiction, but what I really appreciated about this novel was that I was never overwhelmed with scientific jargon, concepts and theories that usually go over my head – often a frustration I have with sci-fi. It has a great pace and the dialogue is great. You quickly become invested in the characters and are willing them on to success. Along the way, the story includes enough flashbacks to add a little darkness and extra tension as you uncover the protagonist’s backstory. I thoroughly recommend this book."
-- Mrs. RJ, Amazon and Goodreads reviewer from Kidlington, United Kingdom
"Jack Chaucer gives the reader a fun, digestible, entertaining story of space exploration and adventure. He's done his research, and manages to successfully walk the line between technical descriptions of the material and practices used on an interplanetary voyage and making those descriptions understandable. His characters are relatable, and the plot engaging enough to keep a reader entertained even if they haven't kept up with the adventures of Nikki Janicek. I hadn't read any of his previous novels and was able to follow along just fine. It's an imaginative take on colonizing Mars ... enjoyable from start to finish."
-- Daniel Edwards, Amazon and Goodreads reviewer from Brooklyn, New York
“Throughout the story, the crew faces setbacks, tragedy and elation as they begin their colony and are gradually joined by more people from Earth. The unique characters, realistic descriptions and well-conveyed emotions come together to make for an engaging story."
-- Caitlynn Akin, Amazon and Goodreads reviewer from Tampa, Florida
"I'm so buzzed with excited energy right now as I read this. It's so enthralling. I'm loving it."
-- Christina Jackson, Goodreads reviewer from Shawneetown, Illinois
Marketing Plan
The Mars Colony Agatha "book launch" tour begins eight days after its Nov. 1 release ...
Jack Chaucer will be among 30-plus authors of sci-fi, fantasy, steampunk and horror speaking and signing books at the Book Fiend Readers Festival on Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Norwich Arts Center in Norwich, Connecticut, USA
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781073383061 |
| PRICE | $13.99 (USD) |
Featured Reviews
Lia O, Reviewer
This book was my first entry into Nikki's world, thanks to being gifted an ARC of it.
And I adored the story! Mars Colony Agatha, although beloging to a series, can be read as a standalone, and easily. The story started with a screw-up that could have gone really bad, but instead gave Nikki an adventure of a lifetime.
I loved the characters and going to Mars with them, I adored ”meeting" Elon Musk (I wish) and the mogul’s care for the team, I adored the realness of the connections, of the character stories and relationships, and also of supporting the group in wanting to strike the stupid media with their "Then there were none".
It was a enjoyable read, with comic relief in the right mensure (said by someone whose team uses comic relief in everything on the ambulance), and while I don't read much sci-fi spacey novels, I loved this one, with techical stuff explained but not in a boring-let-me-pass-this-stuff tone, it was like I was there and knew what I was doing. God, the chapter titles made me chuckle so much… Captain Uranus… Mars is a lucky guy. It was a good way to start the book, and make a good creative touch in a novel, a special touch from the author.
The only wish I have is that it was bigger, in two ways: more moments showing the group growth and coesion in space, after the get-together, and what can happen with making a family in Mars, because that’s a hell of a story.
Still, in unpredictability and tragedies, we get a taste of hope and happiness in the middle of space, and gave me hope that everything can get better, even with tragic pasts.
(ps. trying to be as much spoiler free as I can; review published on goodreads)
Ellie D, Reviewer
Mars Colony Agatha by Jack Chaucer is scheduled to be released on November 1, 2019. It will be the fourth installment in the Nikki Janicek series, a series that follows the near-death adventures of Nicole Janicek. Thank you NetGalley for giving me this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review
I thought this was a really good adventure book. I haven’t read the rest of the series, so I began feeling slightly lost and confused at the wild stories and crazy adventures Nikki kept describing from her past. However, I enjoyed the mystery element this added and piecing together her backstory. The romance side to the book wasn’t laid on too heavily, something that I appreciate. Something I don’t like is when a romance detracts from the other elements of the plot. Additionally, the storyline itself was interesting and not too predictable, and the base personalities of the characters were easy to relate to. Of course, most of us can't claim to have survived a failed attempt to Mars, but Nikki had a positive mindset and didn’t let this stop her from achieving her biggest dream.
The only complaints I have are about character development and some funky pacing towards the end. Aside from the antagonists, it was hard to tell how much or even if the trip and experience on Mars changed our main characters. From the beginning, they seemed to get along and they are just as close at the end as well.
Overall, I recommend this book, even as a stand-alone! It’s a quick read I think is good for young teens (some mature language) who enjoy adventure novels with slight romance.
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