Philosophical and reflective science fiction

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Vagabonds is set in 2201 in a future where Mars has been colonized and there has been a war between Earth and Mars. The story focuses on a group of Martian young people who were sent to live on Earth for five years and are now returning from Earth and attempting to integrate back into Martian society. Earth has become a society driven by commerce and the market of ideas. Mars is more of a rigid, collective society, driven more by technology and the sharing of ideas than profit. If you are looking for the type of science fiction where there are space ship battles, explosions, three headed aliens and non-stop action, Vagabonds is not going to be your book. Vagabonds would interest those who love political science, sociology and philosophy. Luoying one of the young people returning to Mars, and the granddaughter of the legislative leader of Mars, starts to question aspects of Martian society and the mysterious deaths of her parents. Vagabonds explores questions about what is the perfect society and how can it be achieved. It is a beautifully written, introspective and thought provoking book. The only aspect I didn't like was the absence of women in leadership and technological positions. Most of the characters are male and the few female characters only seem to have careers in the arts. This seems discordant with a society that is 200 years in the future.