A re-occuring question of whether we are in complete control of our own destinies has been a topic for many philosophers and thinkers for quite some time. Free will seems to run through this novel as several characters battle against what they see to be their destinies.
Early on in the story, the character Beatrice is told what her fate will be and she rebels against this prophecy, but continues to be assured about the events that will take place are unchangeable. She tries to do everything she can to avoid this fate, but in doing so she fulfills the prophecy. The same goes for Malachi as he tries to avoid his destiny.
It is as if every character is imaging that they have the capacity to transcend their destiny by making decisions they feel they are in control of.
This begins to ask many questions in the novel dealing with "God" and religion. One of which is how the Constant's came about their luck. Noel Constant using the initials from the first words of the Bible to determine which companies to invest in is pretty crazy, but this brings up the question of it being blind luck or the strength of some higher power. If it being blind luck, it can still be considered fate and would make for a great story. If this is the power of God, then what does this mean? Or is fate just another part of "Gods" plan to give people flexibility in believing what the wish?
The style of science fiction that is introduced by the author when we arrive on Mars is somewhat humorous. The antennas that are described to be installed in the soldiers heads is amusing. They definitely call back to the iconic "Martians" that have antennas. Especially how they are all marching in unison, taking orders, and acting very robotically without any outside emotions. One aspect that I like is how they are able to question there actions internally for brief moments before they feel pain from the antennas.
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