Requested and downloaded this book back in 2013 with every intention of reading it but then it expired on my device before I had the chance. Have felt bad about that and as a result haven't wanted to leave a review but with more and more publishers relying on Feedback ratings I need to clear out some of these older titles in my queue.

I loved some of the concepts of how to treat alien creatures; especially when they are the size of spaceships! The in-soma pods made me think of Inner Space, even if they did only go down the digestive tract… I am a little sad that we didn’t get a fully described treatment but maybe I’m a little weird in that respect. The tensest part of the book was a 36 hour operation on a cat, and I mean that in a good way. It’s perfect for kids who might be starting to grow out of those animal rescue style books but still secretly love reading about animals and looking out for them.

For me, it was a little bit young for my tastes, but I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to kids. The Martian politics were a little too obvious but a good introduction to the pointlessness of racism and how segregation starts. It’s easier to deal with these issues for a young audience using aliens as the outcasts; historically blamed for disease and destruction on earth and therefore they become the perfect scape goat for human problems. From Zenn’s point of view, we see how silly the people of Mars are being. In fact, they are the aliens. They have no more place on Mars than the creatures they treat.

It was refreshing to see a young adult character working towards an actual profession, instead of saving the world or mindlessly going to school. If you know of anyone with ambitions to be a vet, or even already in training, I think this would be a great gift.

I started this book and at the time didn't finish it. The cover for it sounded really promising, however, the style of writing just didn't hook me at the time. And yet, years later, here I am going Oh wow I remember that book. So it did stick with me. The cover is killer and the idea behind it is also pretty unique.

Very enjoyable mix of YA and science-fiction.

Well written and good world building (on Mars, no less) with such vivid descriptions of a variety of other-worldly animals/beasts. They are by far the star(s) of this book for me.

A bit of a slow-burner but a good read. I will be checking out the sequel as this one ends in such a fashion that it screams out for the sequel to be read.

I wanted to like this one. Unfortunately after giving this story many attempts I did not find my feet with it and have abandoned it. It wasn't as engaging as I'd hoped it would be.

I read this book a few years back but from what I can remember it was a fun and original read with an interesting young protagonist who I enjoyed reading about. Loved her determined and feisty attitude. The setting was something I loved and Schoon's imagination with worldbuilding is clear to see.