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Undersea
In a world flooded and irradiated by a nearly forgotten cataclysm generations passed, all that remains of civilization clings to life in two war-torn, city-sized submarines. For fifty years, the only peace between them has come from separation.
Now, young councilwoman Ralla Gattley has uncovered mysteries that will bring these two factions face-to-face, setting in motion events that will forever change their undersea world. Along the way she meets Thom Vargas, a bored fisherman and aspiring drunk who merely wants to climb one rung on the social ladder. Little does he know that single step may well put the fate of the world in his hands.
Now, young councilwoman Ralla Gattley has uncovered mysteries that will bring these two factions face-to-face, setting in motion events that will forever change their undersea world. Along the way she meets Thom Vargas, a bored fisherman and aspiring drunk who merely wants to climb one rung on the social ladder. Little does he know that single step may well put the fate of the world in his hands.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2011
About the author
Geoffrey Morrison
9 books13 followersGeoffrey Morrison is a freelance writer and photographer about tech and travel. He contributes regularly to CNET, The New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal. His work has also been featured in USA Today’s Reviewed, Forbes, Men’s Journal, Business Traveler, Sound & Vision, and more. His photos and videos have been used in a variety of content by other authors and creators including books, magazines, as well as in music and corporate videos.
Geoff was the original A/V editor of Wirecutter, editor in chief of Home Entertainment magazine, and is the author of two sci-fi novels, Undersea and Undersea Atrophia, and Budget Travel for Dummies.
He has traveled extensively through all 50 US states including several multi-month road trips, and to 60 countries across 6 continents. He spends four to six months each year “on the road” either traveling internationally or exploring national parks in a campervan he converted. You can find him on Instagram (Inveterate_Adventurer) and on YouTube (@GeoffMorrison).
Geoff was the original A/V editor of Wirecutter, editor in chief of Home Entertainment magazine, and is the author of two sci-fi novels, Undersea and Undersea Atrophia, and Budget Travel for Dummies.
He has traveled extensively through all 50 US states including several multi-month road trips, and to 60 countries across 6 continents. He spends four to six months each year “on the road” either traveling internationally or exploring national parks in a campervan he converted. You can find him on Instagram (Inveterate_Adventurer) and on YouTube (@GeoffMorrison).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
January 12, 2013
Part of the Sci Fi story bundle, and as a Sci Fi story, the whole thing just doesn't hold water. The basic premise of the story is that a failed attempt to destroy/deflect an impending asteroid impact scattered radioactive debris over the planet, making the entire surface uninhabitable due to radiation and melting the ice caps, flooding the entire planet. The survivors of the entire human race live in giant submarines cobbled together from the hulls of surface ships.
Wait, what? Melting the ice caps flooded the entire planet? If both the Antarctic and Greenland ice masses melted, sea level might rise as much as 100 meters. Disastrous, yes, but hardly enough to flood the entire planet.
And welding together a couple hundred surface ships each to make submarines that can handle deep ocean pressures? Not likely.
There's one cardinal rule of Sci Fi: Do what you want with the fictional science in your story, but when you're writing about real science, you have to get it right!
Add in a simplistic plot full of unlikely events, and I was left feeling like I'd wasted my time finishing it.
Wait, what? Melting the ice caps flooded the entire planet? If both the Antarctic and Greenland ice masses melted, sea level might rise as much as 100 meters. Disastrous, yes, but hardly enough to flood the entire planet.
And welding together a couple hundred surface ships each to make submarines that can handle deep ocean pressures? Not likely.
There's one cardinal rule of Sci Fi: Do what you want with the fictional science in your story, but when you're writing about real science, you have to get it right!
Add in a simplistic plot full of unlikely events, and I was left feeling like I'd wasted my time finishing it.
November 18, 2012
This book really surprised me. Once I started reading, I was sucked into this new world order that existed below the sea. I did not really know what to expect when I purchased this as part of the Story Bundle, but it did not disappoint. The story is a unique take on future Earth and I found the characters appealing and easy to relate to. I was especially impressed with Ralla and the strength that the character possessed, but I have always been a sucker for strong female protagonists.
June 18, 2012
Geoffre Morrison's "Undersea" is a terrific read, and not just for sci-fi fans. A compelling premise and well-developed characters combine to create the quintessential page-turner; I inhaled this book in no time. Highly recommended!
August 18, 2012
The book in my opinion was well written. Though the suspension built in the end left me wondering what happened after all that turmoil and grief that Thom and Ralla had to go through.
September 11, 2012
Innovative, a refreshing take on the future of humanity after countless 'we now have spaceships, laserbeams and robots! Hooray!' novels.
November 24, 2012
This book surprised me.
I decided to read it without knowing much about it and it sucked me right in. The setting was very imaginative and very detailed. I really enjoyed all the little touches that made it more real. I don't want to give any of that away, because I think it was really fun to read.
The author creates a lot of tension during the high points of the conflict. It was really hard to put this book down at times. I found the central characters likable and realistic, though they probably could have been fleshed out a bit more. The conflict and the love story were both compelling and interesting, even to a cynic like me.
I decided to read it without knowing much about it and it sucked me right in. The setting was very imaginative and very detailed. I really enjoyed all the little touches that made it more real. I don't want to give any of that away, because I think it was really fun to read.
The author creates a lot of tension during the high points of the conflict. It was really hard to put this book down at times. I found the central characters likable and realistic, though they probably could have been fleshed out a bit more. The conflict and the love story were both compelling and interesting, even to a cynic like me.
October 31, 2012
A really great book, it is an intriguing world that the author has created, and a very action packed story. I look forward to reading more. I would have liked to see more background information about what forced the world's population under the sea in the first place and how the two different factions came to be at odds.
August 20, 2012
Once i had started this book, I could not put it down! A different take on the end of the world. Superb action sequences under the waves, and lots of suspense right up to thevlast page! Please Geoffry write a sequel!
October 10, 2012
Got this one as part of the Humble Ebook Bundle. Interesting plot about a scenario where humans have had to settle underwater in huge ships. Reasonably fast paced and good central characters. A sequel would have been great.
July 22, 2018
This was the most interesting post-apocalyptic book I've ever read.
Everyone lives underwater in these city sized submarines, and there are farms and mines in domes.
Also, there are two competing city subs with radically different ideas of government (both are flawed) and they fight it out.
I bought the sequel after 100 pages of this book, that should tell you whether or not it was a good read.
Everyone lives underwater in these city sized submarines, and there are farms and mines in domes.
Also, there are two competing city subs with radically different ideas of government (both are flawed) and they fight it out.
I bought the sequel after 100 pages of this book, that should tell you whether or not it was a good read.
November 16, 2012
Excellent, very original.
September 17, 2014
Can I write a review based on 14% that I managed to read? I mean, I should have known there was something wrong with this book from the start, but I was too smitten with the underwater post-apocalyptic setting and the promise of an adventure with two bickering protagonists to worry about events happening too fast, clumsy descriptions and and overall attitude of a story written for kids.
Suffice to say, I got the setting (whether I could believe in it is another matter) and I got two bickering characters, and most of all, I got the water, but what I didn't get was any resemblence of a logical plot (and logic of any other kind), any kind od character insight, and the action? How boring can action be? Please do not read to find out. I've rarely been so dissapointed and frustrated with a book (and the money I had to pay for it), so all I want to do is warn others and forget aboout "Undersea" as soon as humanenly possible.
Steer clear of things that shine too bright - not all of them turn out to be diamonds...
Suffice to say, I got the setting (whether I could believe in it is another matter) and I got two bickering characters, and most of all, I got the water, but what I didn't get was any resemblence of a logical plot (and logic of any other kind), any kind od character insight, and the action? How boring can action be? Please do not read to find out. I've rarely been so dissapointed and frustrated with a book (and the money I had to pay for it), so all I want to do is warn others and forget aboout "Undersea" as soon as humanenly possible.
Steer clear of things that shine too bright - not all of them turn out to be diamonds...
August 25, 2012
I thought this might be a bit like a Peter F Hamilton space opera under the sea (sea opera?) but it felt more like it was written for 12 year old boys. The plot idea was OK, but you really had to stretch credibility to plot pass and I found it rather difficult to grasp just how exactly they managed to create what seemed to be a normal functioning society complete with coffee and wine etc after being underwater in a giant submarine for 3 generations.
And the love story was completely naff.
Sorry, but on the Hunger-Road Scale (with 0 being The Hunger Games and 10 being The Road by Cormac McCarthy) I'd only give it a 5. A couple of the action scenes raised it from a 4.
And the love story was completely naff.
Sorry, but on the Hunger-Road Scale (with 0 being The Hunger Games and 10 being The Road by Cormac McCarthy) I'd only give it a 5. A couple of the action scenes raised it from a 4.
January 30, 2017
This book was super awesome! Also, well written with likable characters and a great story that's told really well. I wouldn't have minded even more fleshing out of the characters, but otherwise this is an amazingly well thought out and crafted world. There's lots of action going on and one of the things I like most in a story - growth by the main characters, Thom and Ralla. Another thing I really like in a book is a strong female character and Ralla comes through in spades. I got this first book and the 2nd in the series through storybundle and can't wait to read the next one. I really hope the 2nd book lives up to the high bar of this one.
November 13, 2014
Very enjoyable - if you liked Philip Reeve's Mortal Engines (Hungry City series) books this will suit you down to the ground.
Doesn't Geoffrey Morrison know though that you only put out trilogies these days?
What can he have been thinking writing a completely self contained novel?
Doesn't Geoffrey Morrison know though that you only put out trilogies these days?
What can he have been thinking writing a completely self contained novel?
October 31, 2014
a wonderful story set in a post-apocalyptic underwater world.
the characters really make this one. without the strong personality progression of the protagonists, this would be just another generic sci-fi entry (though i did appreciate the fact that this was not set in space, as so many other sci-fi novels are).
well worth your time.
the characters really make this one. without the strong personality progression of the protagonists, this would be just another generic sci-fi entry (though i did appreciate the fact that this was not set in space, as so many other sci-fi novels are).
well worth your time.
August 26, 2012
A good book which, whilst a bit slow going it was good enough to keep me interested and I am glad I did.
October 2, 2012
Very interesting, well written book. It presents a scenario and follows things to logical conclusions, sets rules and keeps them. Interesting character development, too.
The not so great? Well, it suffers a bit from the "this person is involved in *everything* that happens" syndrome, but that's par for the course in scifi, and I have learned to live with it.
And this is totally petty of me, but whenever Mrakas Gatley was mentioned, I kept reading he's called "Maracas" and giggling, which kinda spoils the page.
The not so great? Well, it suffers a bit from the "this person is involved in *everything* that happens" syndrome, but that's par for the course in scifi, and I have learned to live with it.
And this is totally petty of me, but whenever Mrakas Gatley was mentioned, I kept reading he's called "Maracas" and giggling, which kinda spoils the page.
February 1, 2015
Author Geoffrey Morrison has managed to create a world of believably advanced technology cobbled together from decades-old decaying parts, set in the depths of ocean water where natural sunlight, and radiation, never reach. Ingenuity and innovation are the keys to life in this world. The cast of fully fleshed-out characters feel like family members, even the really bad dude who needed to be on meds...he is that crazy uncle nobody likes but has to deal with at family reunions.
January 4, 2016
Un tanto difícil de leer, por tener muchos términos marítimos que desconocía, pero la historia es muy buena. Empezó un poco lento, sin embargo de la mitad hasta el final va acelerando el paso y se va poniendo cada vez más frenético. Me gustó mucho.
January 27, 2016
Great book!!
I am a sci-fi lover and this book was a great read. There is plenty of action from beginning to end and the story line was great. I would recommend this book to any action or sci-fi lover.
I am a sci-fi lover and this book was a great read. There is plenty of action from beginning to end and the story line was great. I would recommend this book to any action or sci-fi lover.
November 8, 2016
Good premise and fast paced.
Not badly written but a lot of typos and misspellings. Good story line and character development was steady. A very unique take on an "end of the world" scenario.
Not badly written but a lot of typos and misspellings. Good story line and character development was steady. A very unique take on an "end of the world" scenario.
August 13, 2012
A nice, entertaining read. I'm a sucker for underwater action and this book delivered that in spades with some solid character work thrown in to boot.
November 19, 2012
This review has been removed due to Amazon's purchase of Goodreads.
November 29, 2014
Good book! Fun to read.
February 17, 2015
A fantastic read.Highly recommended.
January 18, 2016
Great
Was a really good book, if you're looking for an an exciting sub warfare and romance book, this is for you
Was a really good book, if you're looking for an an exciting sub warfare and romance book, this is for you
October 24, 2016
Good read
I have to say that this was more of a unexpected surprise than I thought it would be. I liked the characters and the story line was ok
I have to say that this was more of a unexpected surprise than I thought it would be. I liked the characters and the story line was ok
January 3, 2019
I didn't enjoy this one. The plot, setting and world could have made for a compelling story, but there was far too little in the way of character development (it felt forced), no sense of urgency or emotional investment, and a lot of skipping over things that could have been good to read.
February 14, 2021
Great concept
Great concept for a story but the writing was not great,but acceptable,I like the story line,the characters were kind of flat
Great concept for a story but the writing was not great,but acceptable,I like the story line,the characters were kind of flat
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews