6 minutes speed-dating in space | Book Review: Ascension (Phobos #1) by Victor Dixen

Translated by: Daniel Hahn
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Publication Date: June 28th, 2018 (first published: June 11th, 2015)
Genre: YA Sci-Fi
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Buy Links: Kinokuniya Malaysia | MPH Online
Rating: 5⭐

Source: Huge thanks to Pansing for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Blurbs

Six girls, six boys. Each in the two separate bays of a single spaceship. They have six minutes each week to seduce and to make their choices, under the unblinking eye of the on-board cameras. They are the contenders in the Genesis programme, the world's craziest speed-dating show ever, aimed at creating the first human colony on Mars.

Leonor, an 18 year old orphan, is one of the chosen ones.
She has signed up for glory.
She has signed up for love.
She has signed up for a one-way ticket.
Even if the dream turns to a nightmare, it is too late for regrets.

I knew I had said I really love Sci-Fi however I seldom reading in that genre. That being said, most of the books in this particular genre have made me love each of the books so so much that I couldn't help myself from recommending to anyone of you. It is really like a hidden gem and I cannot get enough from it. Now, it is the time for me to share the book that I just finished reading them today (February 13th, 2020) is Ascension (Phobos #1). 

As a start, I even googled the definition of Ascension. The meaning according to google (thank you, google) is the action of rising to an important position or higher level. So, that is that. I kinda understand when I get through reading this whole story. Anyway, Ascension is a fast-paced adventure, weird yet very exciting, a page-turner, dangerous yet seducing and full of surprise. It has put me still on my seat so that I can focus my reading to explore the whole story. 

A blind speed-dating in two separate spaceships. Each of them has to go for a 6 minutes speed-dating to get to know each other in order for them to choose the one for them before they set their foot at Mars. None of the girls know who is in the boys' team or how do they look or even their voice. Neither do the boys. It was a very thrilling journey for each of them and even to me as if I was one of the people who is watching them through the television that been broadcasted live to everyone seeing each of the couple going through the genesis program; speed-dating game. It is a one-way ticket.

"Loving someone means fighting for what you think is best for the other person . . . even if they don't know it themselves."

The story concept is really cool and yet, I can't help but to feel odd about the whole speed-dating game and that makes it very interesting to read. I enjoy reading the story to get to know how it works, get to know all the contenders and their personality also flaws. Leonor is the main character of the story. I love the way she set the rules of the game to get to know each of the boys. It is a back and forth from Earth and the spaceships. You will get to know the people who are behind the mission sending these 12 teenagers. The nasty people. Besides, these contenders and the people behind this mission - there two characters that I'm not sure if it should be there but it is too early to judge who knows what they do in the next novel, right? I guess let's leave them that way.

"...we've actually done these nobodies a favour by sending them into space. It will be a brief experience, certainly, but so remarkable compared to the pathetic, dull existences the would have had on earth."

Overall, I can't get enough from reading the first Phobos novel. It was an amazing story concept. I know I need to get another two books so I will know what happens next. I better get my hands on these two Phobos novel tomorrow! Ascension is actually written in French and translated in English. Anyhow, it was a really enjoyable to read and I couldn't get enough from it! Definitely, looking forward to what is in the next installation!