A Publisher’s Perspective: Early Review of Icarus

I’m deeply honored to share this thoughtful and beautifully written review of Icarus by Attila Turba, publisher and CEO of Mesélő Kiadó in Hungary.

As a test reader, Attila brought not only his professional insight as a publisher, but also his personal passion for meaningful storytelling. His generous feedback, attention to detail, and reflections on the deeper themes of the novel meant a great deal to me throughout the writing process.

Thank you, Attila, for taking the time to engage so fully with the book — and for this review, which captures so much of what Icarus hopes to say.

Below is his full review, originally written in Hungarian and translated into English.

It’s rare these days to find a sci-fi novel that truly captures the unique atmosphere of the genre. But I believe this book does exactly that. It’s science fiction — not fantasy. It is first and foremost scientific in its precision and thoughtfulness, and truly fantastic in the quality of its storytelling and the depth of its character portrayals.

The core premise might seem familiar: humanity settles on another planet. But here, that fact is merely a vehicle — means of exploring how we behave today, what we do to our environment, to our planet, to each other — and how, if we lived on another world, that behavior might (or might not) change. A world that is far less forgiving than Earth.

Mars, in this story, becomes a symbol. A symbol of what awaits us if we’re not careful, that the paradise we’ve known, Earth itself, could vanish. And we’re not being careful. This story is a foretaste of a future where every breath, every drop of water, every bite of food will require sacrifices we can hardly imagine today.

Some will awaken to this reality. Some won’t. But who will be the ones who can preserve their humanity even in harsh, life-hostile conditions? Who can carry life forward into distant futures What matters in a time when life on Earth is on the brink, yet power still clings stubbornly to vanishing resources? What matters in a place where power games are no longer compatible with survival?

Zsolt’s book is both heartwarming and, at times, heartbreaking as it portrays humanity’s last flicker of hope. And between the lines, it becomes clear: it’s not advanced technology, not omnipotent robots, not unlimited resources that will save us from extinction. Only cooperation — pure, selfless cooperation — has the power to elevate humanity above other life forms, and above itself.

The strength of this book lies in the fact that it raises such heavy questions while remaining a thrilling and utterly magnetic reading experience. Not for a single moment during the month and a half I spent reading it in segments as a test reader did I feel bored. The outside world disappeared. I was immersed in the lives of the Martian colonies and the dramas of the captivating characters who fight to forge a path for humankind. The unexpected twists, the unfolding mysteries kept me hooked throughout. The tension was delivered with a teacher’s precision, and its resolution handled with a masterful rhythm that completely drew me in.

Despite the scientific depth of the technological descriptions, the language remains accessible, and the narrative is written in an engaging style. What’s especially exciting is how philosophy, ancient Chinese poetry, and 20th-century underground culture seep into the otherwise technocratic atmosphere. Each element is beautifully placed within the flow of the story. The characters who deliver deep philosophical insights are sometimes humans, sometimes AI-based robots. This aspect brings such unique twists to the story that it makes this novel a truly one-of-a-kind, genre-defining work of science fiction.

I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who appreciates high-quality storytelling, thoughtful writing, and meaningful connection — and, last but not least, to those who love real science fiction.

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🚀 Welcome to ICARUS

An emotionally gripping, high-stakes sci-fi epic about survival, rebellion, and the fragile hope of beginning again — not just as individuals, but as a civilization.

📘 Kindle eBook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHQV1XB9

📕 Paperback Edition: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHW3VYJX