Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Secrets of the Dragon Tomb | 2016 | Patrick Samphire | Buy |
| 2 | The Emperor of Mars | 2017 | Patrick Samphire | Buy |
Secrets of the Dragon Tomb (2016) is set on a Mars where the British Empire has set up shop and ancient Martian technology lies buried beneath the red soil. Patrick Samphire builds a steampunk world full of mechanical servants, eccentric scientists, and tombs guarded by ancient defenses. The protagonist, Edward Sullivan, is the only normal member of a family of geniuses, which puts him in the awkward position of being the practical one when everything goes wrong.
The Emperor of Mars (2017) continues the adventure. Both books are aimed at middle grade readers but have enough worldbuilding and humor to entertain adults. Samphire’s Mars is a fun, detailed creation that owes as much to Verne and Wells as to modern science fiction.