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The Martian Diaries, Vol. 2: Lake on the Moon (The Martian Diaries - A Sequel to The War of the Worlds) Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

H.E. Wilburson (Author), Harry Preston (Narrator), Terry Thompson (Narrator),
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 38 ratings

The War Of The Worlds Continues as a New Martian Menace Invades Earth!

What lies concealed inside the Martian Red Weed, and what is the secret of the lake on the moon?

When the first Martian cylinder crash lands in England, Ogilvy the astronomer barely survives the deadly heat ray from the attack by aliens. He then accidentally stumbles upon the truth about the Red Weed and sends vital evidence to scientists in France on board HMS Thunder Child, but the ship is attacked by a Martian tripod.

Years later in 1919, in the aftermath of World War 1 and Spanish influenza, a sinister plague emerges on Earth from the long forgotten Red Weed, and it threatens all life on our planet with global extinction.

Ogilvy suggests a daring and risky plan to combat the devastating alien menace, involving alternate history timelines. He persuades other original War of the Worlds characters to participate, but how on earth can they locate the secret weapon hidden by the Martians at the lake on the moon?

Don't miss this compelling continuation of the H.G. Wells Mars novel in the gripping second volume of The Martian Diaries science fiction series audio drama, featuring a bespoke musical score and immersive sound effects. Get this award-winning continuation of The War of the Worlds today!

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  1. Book 2 of 3
    The Martian Diaries: An Alternate History Adventure, Continuing The War Of The Worlds
  2. Listening Length
    4 hours and 38 minutes
  3. Author
    H.E. Wilburson
  4. Narrator
    Harry Preston, see all
  5. Audible release date
    May 12, 2021
  6. Language
    English
  7. Publisher
    Flint House Publishing
  8. ASIN
    B094KPXZNS
  9. Version
    Unabridged
  10. Program Type
    Audiobook
  11. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 4 hours and 38 minutes
Author H.E. Wilburson
Narrator Harry Preston, Terry Thompson
Audible.com Release Date May 12, 2021
Publisher Flint House Publishing
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B094KPXZNS
Best Sellers Rank #439,825 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#70 in Science Fiction Dramatizations
#1,053 in Alternate History Science Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)
#5,397 in Urban Fantasy (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
38 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story intriguing and creative with mind-bending plot twists. They describe the book as an engaging, fun read with skillful narration. Readers appreciate the original and sophisticated approach to science fiction. The book has a riveting pace and is well-written in the style of H.G. Wells' original War of the Worlds.

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Story qualityReadabilityCreativityPacingWriting style
10 customers mention "Story quality"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the story intriguing and creative. They appreciate the modern twists and fast-paced storyline with moments of sci-fi terror and suspense.

"The first volume of this series was a wonderful throwback to classic science fiction, and volume 2 is just as impressive...." Read more

"...If you’re looking for a mind-bending, original, and creative invasion story, this one will fit the bill...." Read more

"...There is well-written grief. There are time loops and clones – way more stuff happening than in the first volume, as I recall...." Read more

"...A time loop and a trippy out-of-body experience gives the story a more modern feel, but “Lake On The Moon” should please sci-fi and H.G Wells fans." Read more

5 customers mention "Readability"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it engaging and thought-provoking, with a fun story that continues. Readers also mention it's satisfying and sophisticated.

"...of the original HG Wells masterpiece, and it’s still a joy to see the story continue...." Read more

"...The Martian Diaries: Vol. 2 Lake On The Moon was a very fun read, and kind of reminds me of those old sci fi pulp novels I used to read when I was..." Read more

"...This is a highly engaging and thought-provoking read, which should not be missed...." Read more

"...Author Wilburson's trilogy is a enthralling companion to H.G. Wells War of the Worlds...." Read more

4 customers mention "Creativity"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book creative and original. They appreciate the author's clever use of new ideas and sophisticated storytelling. The story is interesting and skillfully narrated with sound effects in the audiobook.

"...Despite these bizarre issues, the book is creative, and original in its use of the Martian Red Weed as a means to take over the world and humans...." Read more

"...to also read the second volume as a stand alone book, a very neat trick of the author and a kind one...." Read more

"...For the audiobook, the story is skillfully narrated, complemented with sound effects and a custom musical score that takes you back in time,..." Read more

"...out into new subplots and daring new directions, the book is more sophisticated and more satisfying at the same time while maintaining the Wells feel." Read more

3 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the pacing of the books impressive. They say volume 2 is riveting, and The Lake on the Moon is an audiobook and eBook treat.

"...was a wonderful throwback to classic science fiction, and volume 2 is just as impressive...." Read more

"This second volume of The Martian Diaries I found even more riveting than the first volume, and wonderfully, as with the first volume, it is..." Read more

"...The Lake on the Moon is an audiobook and eBook treat, highly recommended!" Read more

3 customers mention "Writing style"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the writing style. They say it's well-written in the style of H.G. Wells' original War of the Worlds, and a breeze to read if you're looking for something light.

"...The writing style perfectly mimics that of the original HG Wells masterpiece, and it’s still a joy to see the story continue...." Read more

"This book is definitely well written in the style and manner of H.G. Wells’ original War of the Worlds...." Read more

"...There is well-written grief. There are time loops and clones – way more stuff happening than in the first volume, as I recall...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • 1958Fury
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Retro Sci-Fi Story
    Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The first volume of this series was a wonderful throwback to classic science fiction, and volume 2 is just as impressive. The writing style perfectly mimics that of the original HG Wells masterpiece, and it’s still a joy to see the story continue. This book is exciting and has many moments of sci-fi terror and suspense.

    The story follows one of the survivors of the original Martian attack as he deals with aftermath of the invasion. The Martians may be gone, but they left some of their plant life behind, a quickly-growing weed that could spell doom for Earth. While these plants are just as vulnerable to Earth bacteria as the Martians were, the weeds soon mutate and poison our water. A new disease spreads through the populace, a mysterious extraterrestrial ailment that kills without warning. Unlike the original invasion, this new menace can’t be targeted with tanks and guns.

    We witness the horrors of war and deal with the tragedy of lost loved ones. We also learn more about Martian biology, and how they perceive the universe. Some characters even manage to visit the red planet, at least in a metaphysical sense. This leads to some mind-bending plot twists that change everything you know about the War of the Worlds universe.

    The story is a bit slow in places, but that feels intentional, like it’s part of style being emulated. It’s a breeze to read if you’re looking for something light, and the chapters are short. I find old school sci-fi really fascinating, and it’s nice to see it live on through a modern writer.
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  • Lupine Bailey
    4.0 out of 5 stars Red Weed and Time Loops: A Journey Through the Martian Diaries
    Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This book is definitely well written in the style and manner of H.G. Wells’ original War of the Worlds. While this makes sense given the context, using such an old-fashioned writing style over a century later made it a tricky read for me. And if this style is attempted, the dialogue should be more consistent with that period I would think, but therein lies the anachronism dilemma for a writer as people don't talk like that anymore. But Wilburson pulls it off for the most part.

    The concept of the Red Weed facilitating communication with Mars was difficult for me to accept, detracting from the more factual tone of the original War of the Worlds and the more realistic parts of Martian Diaries. However, the idea of incorporating human consciousness into the Martians's collective mind was both original and creative. It was disconcerting to have the two main characters shift POVs out of nowhere though, but as the narrative progressed it began to make sense and so the story improved. So be prepared for some initial confusion until you get deeper into the book.

    Then, the weird dream sequences began, and I started to lose interest in them. The story picks up again with the introduction of Elizabeth, a niece of another main character when it returns to the real world. But soon devolved into bizarre plot points involving unbelievable inter-alien mind melding multiverses and implausible elements like time loops and time travel. I feel it went too far past the original in this regard.

    Despite these bizarre issues, the book is creative, and original in its use of the Martian Red Weed as a means to take over the world and humans. It’s a very interesting take on how the next wave of Well's Martians might "invade" Earth. The line “A cup of tea opened a cylinder from another planet?” was particularly intriguing, and I even learned a new word: selenography. The book ends on a cliffhanger, leaving the way open for the next installment in the series called the Gateway to Mars.

    If you’re looking for a mind-bending, original, and creative invasion story, this one will fit the bill. But be prepared for some strange dream sequences, weird time loops, and multidimensional mind plot weavings.
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  • BK
    5.0 out of 5 stars likeable and credible characters trying realistic things to combat aliens
    Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The Martian Diaries: Vol. 2 Lake On The Moon by H.E Wilburson is the second book I’ve read in the series. As with the first, it features likeable and credible characters trying realistic things to combat alien life forms, e.g. tripods and Red Weed. (I’ll have to go back through, but I cannot for the life of me remember why anyone would reflexively bite the weed.)

    Unlike most stories, the aliens have a truly original motivation for invading Earth, which I appreciated. There are numerous casualties, not just from alien machines but from a plague that (to my recollection) the aliens directly or indirectly caused. There is well-written grief. There are time loops and clones – way more stuff happening than in the first volume, as I recall.

    We see well-laid plans, frustrated, just like in life. Distrust between heroes can mean that one heroic feat prevents the achievement of a more productive act of heroism.

    The ending was not a climax, which is sad. But it means there should be another volume, which is great.
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  • John L. Harmon
    4.0 out of 5 stars The invasion continues…
    Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    For the second installment in The Martian Diaries, author H.E. Wilburson takes us on a fictionally historic journey dealing with a silent, but nonetheless deadly Martian invasion occurring during the Spanish Flu outbreak. A time loop and a trippy out-of-body experience gives the story a more modern feel, but “Lake On The Moon” should please sci-fi and H.G Wells fans.
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  • Payton Joseph Cavallo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great classic sci fi
    Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Having read the first in the series, I was quite giddy to find out there was a sequel! The Martian Diaries: Vol. 2 Lake On The Moon was a very fun read, and kind of reminds me of those old sci fi pulp novels I used to read when I was younger (considering it is based on war of the worlds, this should be kind of obvious). Some of the chapters are kind of slow, but the book is short at only 174 pages, so that really doesn’t matter much as it will be a quick read regardless. If you’re an Wells fan, you will definitely enjoy this!
    I’ve only one complaint, and it is less of a complaint and more of a helpful tip for the author. If you are reading this, you should make a paperback and hardback option available. As a sci fi enjoyer, I loved to have a nice hardback in my hands, and with the pretty cover, I think it would look great! Also, the pricing on the kindle is kind of awkward at 3.97, and it would probably be better to make it 3.99 to attract more customers.
    Anyway, definite recommendation from me!
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Kim Aaron
    4.0 out of 5 stars Not quite the home run of the first book, but an easy third base
    Reviewed in Canada on August 20, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The Martian Diaries, Vol. 2 is H.E. Wilburson’s second sequel of his three-part extension of H.G. Well’s masterpiece The War of the Worlds. Once again, Wilburson has done an excellent job making his readers feel like they’ve stumbled upon a less well-known extension of Well’s own book.

    Volume 2 is the lesser work, for various reasons I’ll get into below, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get your hands on it if you enjoyed The War of the Worlds, or The Martian Diaries, Vol.1. It is definitely worth a read.

    Awesomeness:

    The detailed roller-coaster ride extension of the HMS Thunder Child’s battle with Martian tripods, described brilliantly by Wells in the original novel. This battle by Wells is one of my favourite naval battles in all of literature. A picture painted by a writer so brilliantly that I can still see it in my mind, decades after reading it.

    In Wilburson’s extension of the battle, the Thunder Child has been given an urgent mission (no spoilers!), which the Captain decides to put off in order to protect civilians on the water threatened by three Martian tripods that suddenly come over the horizon. If you know The War of the Worlds, you’ll know this battle, and you’ll clench your jaw once again, hoping the Thunder Child’s bravery is rewarded with victory. Even if you have not read Wells, it doesn’t matter: your fists will clench as you sit on tenterhooks, willing her brave crew to emerge victorious.

    They do not. Spoiler alert.

    The basic plot of the second volume deals with Martian civilization itself, including some creepy memory super-powers they hold. I don’t want to get into the weeds on this, because it is complicated and isn’t easy to summarize. Let's just say it made me see red.

    Suspension of disbelief suspended, plus a prediction.

    Time travel. Yeah, that old bugaboo. Always a risky thing to introduce in any work of fiction, and it is kind of hard to imagine the Martians have time travel technology, but still managed to get their asses handed to them by late 19th century humans. But there it is.

    As for a prediction. The conclusion of The Martian Diaries will come in Vol. 3, no doubt. And I’m going to predict here that the time travel plot-line will result in the Martians never having attacked, or perhaps even existed. Don’t bet your kid’s school lunch on this one, though. You’ve been warned.

    The cast of characters is mostly the same as we met in Vol. 1, although there are some deaths as the story plays out against a backdrop of WWI and the worldwide influenza outbreak that came so hard upon a world just returning to peace. An insidious biological threat also surfaces, a result of the Martian invasion into our biosphere, which dovetails itself into the influenza pandemic, masking its severity from most people, except Ogilvy, of course.

    Despite being inferior to the first book, The Martian Diaries Vol. 2 is a solid addition to Wilburson’s extension of Well’s wonderful novel. If you enjoyed reading The War of the Worlds, then I’m certain you will enjoy Wilburson’s extension of the story.
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  • Matt
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good sci-fi read
    Reviewed in Australia on December 24, 2024
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    The second installment of The Martian Diaries, titled "Lake On The Moon", was a thrilling and nostalgic read. It transported me back to my youth, when I devoured old sci-fi pulp novels with fervor. Drawing inspiration from the classic tale of war between worlds, the book captured my imagination from the first page.
    The aftermath of the Martian attack continues to haunt one of the few survivors. The once barren landscape is now dotted with remnants of the alien invaders, including a fast-spreading weed that threatens to wipe out all life on Earth. Although these plants are susceptible to Earth bacteria, they quickly mutate into deadly poison and contaminate our water sources. A new disease, originating from the extraterrestrial flora, spreads rapidly among the population, killing without warning.
    Overall there are a few slow points in Lake on the moon, however due to the shortness of the book overall, these are somewhat not noticed. It doesn’t take long for the pace to pick up either. Definitely a worthwhile recommend for those that like retro sci-fi stories.
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  • A.L. MacDonald
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great classic writing style
    Reviewed in Canada on October 23, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is an industrious book! A lot happens. Multiple consciousnesses, time loops, alien invasions, moon bases, all against a backdrop of multiple major world events. 

    The bonus chapter at the very end provided so much clarity to me, I wish it had been in the proper place in the book because I was flipping back through the pages to try and figure out when George lost his vacuum jar and why on Earth Ogilvy was so mad at him.

    Some of my trouble with keeping up with the break neck developments in the story was due to me not having read the first book, so I take responsibility for that. What kept me going was the brilliant prose with the diction and cadence of an old classic novel, which really immersed me in the H.G Wells era. I would like to go and read the first one to help explain volume 2. Also, the ending of vol 2 was such a cliffhanger that I'll probably have to go and read vol 3!
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  • S A Griffiths
    5.0 out of 5 stars Crazy, Scary & Thought Provoking Sci Fi
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 26, 2024
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    It’s been six years since the second Martian invasion and in the aftermath of the First World War too, humanity is beginning to get back to normal. But then there is the Spanish Influenza killing off millions of people around the world. But is it just a normal case of pandemic flu? Could the original introduction of the Red Weed into our environment have more serious implications for humanity that we could not foresee or have not fathomed yet? George and Oglivy race against time to find a cure for the dangerous Marsieria but nothing short of space and time travel will save humanity now. Which may just be out of our reach. And what exactly are the Martians building on the moon? This is a welcome return to HG Wells vision of The War Of The Worlds. It is a cleverly written Sci Fi with some truly grim and thought provoking moments. But there is dash of humour to be found as well with some brilliant bonkers dialogue such as this line - “A cup of tea opened a cylinder from another planet?” This made me laugh out loud and I especially appreciated it as I was drinking a cup of tea at the time of reading it. At least I will be sorted if we get invaded by Martians. I look forward to reading volume 3 especially with the rather dire cliffhanger at the end of this book.
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  • Ava
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Retro-Sci-Fi Adventure
    Reviewed in Canada on August 29, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The Martian Diaries: Vol 2. The Lake on the Moon is a retro sci-fi adventure filled with invading
    Martians and their red weed. It’s a successful step back in time, when the moon, mars, and
    Martians were all the rage and we all wondered what lay beyond our reach in the dark skies
    above.
    The author does a great job building an old-time feel to the tale, and maintains a consistent tone
    and voice throughout. It’s a strong accomplishment, given our current environment and modern
    writing styles, to paint a story with such a traditional brush. It certainly makes the story unique
    and memorable, and I found the style one of its greatest strengths.
    The story is good, but suffers at times from a slower pace. Perhaps that’s the style sneaking
    through, however I think the lead character – and thus the plot, meander through the middle
    section of the story. This, combined with some confusing dream sequences, put an awkward
    turn to several points in the journey. However, things pick up in the last third, and the book
    finishes strong (recognizing that there is more to come from this series). It was fun, and the
    author’s development of the red weed had some very interesting moments.
    Overall, it’s 4 stars from me. If you like science fiction, and retro stories, this is for you. It will
    make a wonderful, and unique, addition to your bookshelf.
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