Mars trilogy Books in Order

science fiction novels by Kim Stanley Robinson

Publication order

In the order the books were originally released.

  1. Cover of Shadow Over Mars

    Shadow Over Mars

    1961 · Leigh Brackett

    First published in the Fall 1944 issue of Startling Stories. Its first book publication was in 1951, by Sydney Pemberton. It was later republished as…

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  2. Cover of Red Mars

    Red Mars

    1992 · Kim Stanley Robinson

    Red Mars is the first novel of the Mars trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson, published in 1992. It follows the beginnings of the colonization of Mars,…

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  3. Cover of Green Mars

    Green Mars

    1993 · Kim Stanley Robinson

    "Green Mars," a Hugo Award-winning novel by Kim Stanley Robinson, continues the story of humanity's efforts to transform Mars into an Earthlike…

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  4. Cover of Blue Mars

    Blue Mars

    1996 · Kim Stanley Robinson

    A 1996 novel by Kim Stanley Robinson. The red planet is red no longer, as Mars has become a perfectly inhabitable world, while Earth is threatened by…

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Companion & related books

Related titles and editions that sit outside the main numbered order.

Frequently asked questions

What order should I read the Mars trilogy books in?

Read them in publication order, starting with “Shadow Over Mars”. Start with “Shadow Over Mars.”

How many books are in the Mars trilogy series?

We list 6 books by Kim Stanley Robinson , published between 1961–1999.

Where can I buy the Mars trilogy books?

Each title above links to Amazon. See our affiliate disclosure.

Reading order compiled from author/publisher guidance and verified bibliographic data. Spotted an error? We continuously correct the catalog.