Altheria Jackson’s novel, The Martians of Mercy, is the story of how a small town on Earth becomes a refuge for humans as they try to survive. Its protagonist is Martha “Marty” West–a plucky, independent woman who takes it upon herself to establish a humanitarian center in her small town. She’s got big dreams and even bigger ideas that Marty doesn’t let get in the way of living them.

Marty’s “dream” takes her and other characters all over a post-apocalyptic Earth. There are plenty of chases, close calls with death, and run-ins with dangerous people. There’s treachery, political intrigue and a dash of romance. But despite the action in this novel, Martians of Mercy is ultimately about living life to its fullest and embracing the power that comes from doing so.

Marty grabs readers by the collar on page one and doesn’t let go until the final page. The reader is pulled into the reality of a world after a global catastrophe, and it’s fascinating to experience how Marty travels from despair to hope. As the novel continues, the reader feels even more for Marty as she witnesses the death of her entire family and watches others endure similar tragedies.

The Martians of Mercy is an ambitious work that will make you question your own moral compass in ways you might not have considered before. There’s no question that Altheria Jackson has talent and creativity–her vision is vivid and her prose are thoughtful.Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (R.I.O.C.), the organization that operates Roosevelt Island, is one of the primary characters in the novel, and it’s an unusual organization to say the least. It’s two-faced, corrupt and in its way a fascinating character itself; leading readers down new paths as they learn more about this intriguing organization and its inhabitants of Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation.

Jackson has created a fascinating, powerful work that will make you consider the world around you.

Altheria Jackson is a graduate of Clarion West Writers Workshop and has participated in five other writing seminars over the years. Her stories have appeared regularly in literary magazines and online publications, both in America and abroad. Altheria studied theater at Brown University, pursuing a degree in international relations.