The Long Mars Lib/E: (3 Long Earth)

The third novel in Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter's "Long Earth" series, which Io9 calls "a brilliant science fiction collaboration." 2040-2045: In the years after the cataclysmic Yellowstone eruption there is massive economic dislocation as populations flee Datum Earth to myriad Long Earth worlds. Sally, Joshua, and Lobsang are all involved in this perilous rescue work when, out of the blue, Sally is contacted by her long-vanished father and inventor of the original Stepper device, Willis Linsay. He tells her he is planning a fantastic voyage across the Long Mars and wants her to accompany him. But Sally soon learns that Willis has an ulterior motive for his request. . . . Meanwhile U. S. Navy Commander Maggie Kauffman has embarked on an incredible journey of her own, leading an expedition to the outer limits of the far Long Earth. For Joshua, the crisis he faces is much closer to home. He becomes embroiled in the plight of the Next: the super-bright post-humans who are beginning to emerge from their "long childhood" in the community called Happy Landings, located deep in the Long Earth. Ignorance and fear have caused "normal" human society to turn against the Next. A dramatic showdown seems inevitable. . . .

About the Author :
Terry Pratchett is one of the world's most popular authors. He is the winner of numerous literary prizes, including the Carnegie Medal, and he was awarded a knighthood in recognition of his services to literature. Sir Terry lives in England. Stephen Baxter is a trained engineer with degrees from Cambridge and the University of Southampton. He is the acclaimed author of the Manifold novels and Evolution and has won the British Science Fiction Award, the Locus Award, the Philip K. Dick Award, and the John W. Campbell Award and was nominated for the Arthur C. Clarke Award. Michael Fenton Stevens is an actor and comedian, as well as a founding member of The Hee Bee Gee Bees, a pop music group. He is known for his work in television and for his voice work on BBC Radio 4.

Review :
A solid piece of old-school science fiction, with a modern political bent; the exploration of both the Long Earth and Long Mars is well played. Long Mars in particular is an excellent piece of world building. -- "Booklist" Baxter and Pratchett remain in fine form, their collaboration producing another thoughtful page-turner. -- "Publishers Weekly" Third in the series exploring the idea that alternate Earths exist and can be visited simply by 'stepping' into them...Panoramic and fascinating. -- "Kirkus Reviews" Unlike Pratchett's Discworld saga, this long, descriptive audiobook is a travelogue across 250 Martian landscapes, with a subplot involving mutations that turn ordinary humans into geniuses. As Michael Stevens narrates in a moderately paced upper-class British accent, the listener soon disappears into the story. He distinguishes between characters using subtle vocal techniques...This is skilled, low-key science fiction. -- "AudioFile"