Mars Trilogy Books in Order

The short answer

Kim Stanley Robinson · 3 books

How many books?
There are 3 books in the Mars Trilogy, published 1992–1996.
Is it finished?
Yes — the series is complete; it ends with Blue Mars (1996).
Where to start
Start with Red Mars (1992).

About 2,000 pages — roughly 30 hours of reading

by Kim Stanley Robinson · 3 books · ★ 4.1 average rating · Updated

Science Fiction

The colonization of Mars across generations, told with hard-science rigor and political complexity.

Here is the complete Mars Trilogy reading order — all 3 books by Kim Stanley Robinson, in the order you should read them:

Reading order

  1. Red MarsThe First Hundred colonists arrive on Mars and begin terraforming — and fighting over what Mars should become.1992592 pages
  2. Green MarsA second generation of Martians, ecopoesis, and the first rebellion against Earth.1993656 pages
  3. Blue MarsA terraformed Mars with oceans, independence, and a galaxy of implications.1996773 pages

Good news: for this series, reading order and publication order are the same — just read straight down the list.

On our lists: Completed sci-fi book series

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Frequently asked questions

How many Mars Trilogy books are there?

There are 3 books in the Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson, from Red Mars (1992) to Blue Mars (1996). Together they run to about 2,000 pages.

Is the Mars Trilogy finished?

Yes. Kim Stanley Robinson completed the series with Blue Mars in 1996; all 3 books are out now.

What is the first Mars Trilogy book?

Red Mars (1992) is book one, at 592 pages. The First Hundred colonists arrive on Mars and begin terraforming — and fighting over what Mars should become.

Should I read the Mars Trilogy in publication order?

Yes. For the Mars Trilogy, reading order and publication order are the same — Red Mars (1992) through Blue Mars (1996).

How long does it take to read all Mars Trilogy books?

About 2,000 pages across 3 books — roughly 30 hours at a page a minute. The longest is Blue Mars (773 pages); the shortest is Red Mars (592 pages).

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