The Winds of Mars [Hardcover]

H. M. Hoover (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up

When her father's capital city is imperilled by his enemies, Annalyn Court, in company only with her protector robot, Hector, enters on an adventure of discovery and self-knowledge. By the author of Another Heaven, Another Earth.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Plenty of action, an atmosphere of exotic court intrigue and a stalwart, self-reliant female heroine make Hoover's (Only Child) novel read like a deep-space version of Robin McKinley's The Hero and the Sword. As one of many children of the president of Mars, Annalyn has been raised to take her place among the ruling class. But Annalyn gradually becomes aware that Mars's commoners are unfairly treated-and that her own father will kill anyone (including Annalyn) who threatens his interests. When a solar cannon attack (possibly ordered by the president himself) disables Mars's capital, Annalyn takes part in overturning the social order and-with the support of her fellow citizens-eventually triumphs over a passel of selfish, ambitious relatives to become the planet's temporary ruler. Annalyn's step-by-step awakening to both the treachery of her immediate family and the inequities of Martian society is convincingly portrayed. Woven neatly throughout, quirky, well-thought-out details provide a distinctive setting for this fast-paced SF adventure. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9?A daughter of the President of Mars, Annalyn Court, 17, begins her education as a cadet at the prestigious military academy. Originally colonized by corporate investors looking for a place to produce products unattainable on Earth, as well as to develop technology in secret, Mars has become rich, powerful, and independent. But unrest intervenes both from within and without. Annalyn's half-brother Evan, who has difficulty deferring to authority, reveals to her some secrets about mind-transfer chips and android bodies. Simultaneously, commoners are becoming more reluctant to kneel to their all-powerful President and to defer to the wealthy elite. Finally, the President's oldest son launches an attack on Mars. In the resulting destruction and confusion, Annalyn accepts the challenge of organizing survivors and beginning to build a new, democratic society, but must face the wrath of the vengeful, inhuman creature her father has become. The novel elaborates on a theme Hoover introduced in Only Child (Dutton, 1992)?a greedy corporate entity cruelly suppresses a less powerful group for its own excessive profit. While Annalyn and her protector robot are interesting characters, most of the others are fairly one-dimensional, serving to advance the story in predictable ways. Also, some elements of the fast-moving plot don't stand up to close examination. On the other hand, the plot is interesting and the premise thought-provoking. Readers who enjoy the action and the scientific imaginings will be absorbed in Annalyn's adventures and cheer her triumphs.?Susan L. Rogers, Chestnut Hill Academy, PA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; 1st edition (June 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525453598
• ISBN-13: 978-0525453598
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,783,459 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The BEST book in the history of books EVER!!!, December 28, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Winds of Mars (Hardcover)

I really enjoyed The Winds of Mars. It has a way of capturing you and making you want to read more that no other book I have read does. My favorite parts is when Annalyn takes her "father's" place as president on Mars and Annalyn's protector robot, Hector. If you like sf, you will definately LOVE this book, I just couldn't stop reading it. H. M. Hoover did a wonderful job of creating a Martian society where the citizens were on the verge of a "civil war" of sorts. If you are reading this review, no doubt you are interested in this book, so I urge you to read this book.

Enjoy!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book ever of the past. present, and future!, February 11, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Winds of Mars (Hardcover)

The Winds Of Mars is an excelent book! My favorite character is Hector (Annalyn's protector robot). When Annalyn's father abandons her on a broken down subway she has to overcome her fears to bring the city of Mars back together. If you like science fiction you will love this book! IT IS A MUST READ!!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars The Winds Of Mars, August 20, 2011

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jrh - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Winds of Mars (Hardcover)

"The Winds Of Mars" is the story of Annalyn Reynolds Court, one of the many children of the President of Mars. Like all the President's children she is sent to the elite Martian Military Academy to be trained as a presidential body guard and officer in the Martian military from "enemies of the state". Annalyn is a dutiful and loyal daughter and does brilliantly in school but her teachers can't seem to give an honest answer as to who exactly it is the enemies of the state. She eventually finds out who the President's enemies are and which side she's actually on while overcoming the privileges and problems of one's caste.