Seven years after its conception, LEAP is finally about to spell the end of global warming. For Uma and Ethan, this means personal and professional triumph – but quantum teleportation is an unwieldy beast, held back by those fighting to dominate the new world order.
As LEAP's roll out slows to a trickle, a greater threat emerges when a stealth attack on US troops leaves thousands dead. With the finger of suspicion pointing to a LEAP copycat, Ethan and Uma are forced to condone a breach of the Laws to reverse the massacre.
As LEAP’s new rival continues to show their hand, Ethan is dragged back into a nightmare he thought he had escaped. One that may finally claim his sanity, and that pushes Uma to the limits of hers, to defeat an evil that no longer plays by the rules.
Click ‘buy now’ to dive into the dark world of ATOM Inc today!
I write what I love to read - globetrotting, big issue thrillers that are super well researched inside complex plots full of twists and turns.
The result of the above is The Race Is On Series, an idea I had on a trip to Iceland. The first in the series is called LEAP, which tells the tale of a device which has the power to halt global warming. The ensuing race to control the power of this machine continues in: - Green Ray, Book 2, - ATOM INC, Book 3, and - Godwin's Revenge, Book 4, which launches 31st March 2025.
I have also written a prequel to The Race Is On series called MAD which you can download for FREE off my website.
I live in Leeds, UK with the love of my life and our two daughters. It rains a lot in Leeds but that works out well for me - loads of time for research and of course writing!
Our Rating: 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 for Goodreads
Atom INC is the third book in Heaton’s series The Race is On, which follows Uma Jakobsdóttir and Ethan Rae as they work on combatting the climate crisis and look to release Uma’s teleportation technology (known as LEAP) to the world in the bid to help save the planet.
And so what is Atom INC itself about?
Set in 2010, seven years after LEAP was conceived and only a month after where the last book left off. And LEAP is slowly being trickled out for public use, the end of global warming is here. This is nothing but personal and professional triumph for both Uma and Ethan… but quantum teleportation is an unwieldy beast, held back by those fighting to dominate the new world order.
Problems soon arise when a stealth attack on US troops leaves thousands dead, and a virus that kills thousands of LEAP users leaves them in a tricky situation. While they suspect that there is a LEAP copycat, Ethan and Uma are forced to condone a breach of the Laws to reverse the massacres. Being forced into doing what they would rather avoid and knowing that this would just be the beginning, the catalyst to what comes next, where does it end?
No one is above the Laws…
Let’s begin with the parts that I felt didn’t work or enjoy with Atom INC.
With the story, for me, I think the character of Ed Fox was the weakest part. Whilst he was an interesting character and a pretty badass one at that, it was his motives that really left me confused. As the technology with LEAP developed, and more was known about what you could do with it, Ed Fox wanted to exact his revenge on Ethan and Uma for the deaths of his family. From what I understood, they had no direct cause for these deaths. Ed Fox wanted to kill them because they would not allow them to be resuscitated. This may seem reasonable to some, but to me it wasn’t, especially since the lengths that he went to were extreme, like for example, taking a bomb to a crowded London Area resulting in the deaths of a few innocent bystanders.
I found the writing could be hard to follow in places, and it could be confusing to understand who was talking, or even thinking sometimes as Heaton would flick between different characters POV’s in quick succession leaving me feeling a little whiplashed and having to go over a few sections multiple times to make any sense of it. And so I found that some storylines just weren’t executed as well as it could have been just from the lack of being able to follow some of the more tense and higher-paced sections.
So, overall, Atom INC was not for me the strongest of the series for The Race is On, but it was still a strong addition to the series and I shall explain to you just why.
Like with his earlier works, Heaton seamlessly ties in real-world events and uses them to help raise the stakes, push the world along and even create situations for these characters to deal with. For example, the volcano eruption that happened in Iceland in 2010 that affected most of Western Europe causing flights to be cancelled, helped to force the world to adapt to using LEAP as its main source of travel. And for better or worse, the consequences it causes make it seem like something that could happen with job security and people’s desperation to get home. It’s a great mix of reality and make-believe to create this intricate and well-thought-out parallel world of Heaton’s.
You can tell reading through this that it has been researched thoroughly. The blending of recent events and what only happens in Atom INC, goes to show that Heaton had a lot of fun with this. And the amount of detail that goes into this, with how LEAP actually works gives you the sense that this could be a reality… if only.
While it wasn’t always executed as well as it could have been in places, Heaton managed to create moments of tension and even moments that was quite unnerving to read, which led to characters making decisions or even things that happened to them was quite upsetting to read through or even frustrating. Some parts were even shocking and completely surprised me, which just goes to show how invested I was in all of the characters. And the majority of the characters are so nicely developed and as Heaton likes to have, most of them are grey characters where they are not fully good or bad. They have their own motives and wishes that don’t always line up to being necessarily fully good or bad.
While Atom INC may not be my favourite book of the series, it still is a great addition to the series and an enjoyable read. It has its flaws and questionable motives from some of the characters, but that did not derail me from being able to enjoy the experience and I am certainly looking forward to seeing where Heaton takes the series with his next book that he has planned.
If you love to read Sci-Fi that is blended with conspiracy and thriller then this book is one you should check out, if not the whole series. Whilst I think you would be able to pick up this book alone and understand what is going on, I would highly recommend going back to the start and reading all the books so far as it is a great series altogether.
This is the third book on the Race is On series. This too offers the same action and suspense. The story continues right where the, Green Ray, end. I loved everything in this book. I adored the character development. The writing is flawless which makes everything vivid. The Action was top notch. I loved the short chapters. Its been a interesting so far and I am looking forward to continue this extraordinary journey. Overall, I loved this book and would strongly recommend it to techno-thriller lovers.
I loved this book. It was a Sci-Fi thriller which is a combination I'm starting to really enjoy! The book is part 3 of a series. I've not read that first two but it certainly did not effect my enjoyment of this book!
The story was very well written indeed. It was immersive, twisty and a real page turner. There were no plot holes or any unanswered questions by the time I finished. Any sections with science explanations were tremendously done with avoidance of confusing jargon. The Quantum transportation LEAP was a great concept.
I liked the characters. They all worked in the context of the book. I loved our Icelandic lady Uma Jakobsdóttir. She meant well I think. She was a strong and fierce character. Similarly to Katrina Hoskins. Ethan Rae. My heart broke for him. I liked him a lot in this. He caused ugly tantrum crying! Forsyth and Crouch I have no words. Ed did what he felt he had to. Kind of like The Punisher. Everything was so good.
The book was written in third person. It wasn't written from a specific POV. I did like the chapter headings. It was locations and then the date, 24 hour clock (thank you Mr. Heaton!) and the timezone. It helped keep the book's timeline straight.
The third book in The Race is On, Atom Inc, offers the same amount of action and suspense we have come to expect from Heaton and once again it does not let go. Unlike the gap between the first and second novel this one continues right were the 2nd, Green Ray, left off. We are left hoping that Leap will finally, after seven long years, be able to end global warming. But of course it does not run that smoothly and soon Ethan and Uma have to breach one of the Leap Laws to the reverse the massacre.
We are again thrust right into the action and I loved it. We have all the elements that made the previous books but with the added bonus of knowing some of the characters better and seeing them evolve over time. One thing that I really love is the pace of the book. We generally have shorter, snappy chapters but these keep you in the action and on the edge of your seat. The tension and action is top notch, I honestly adore this about Heaton’s writing, he really knows how to write a compelling action thriller. The one downside? The shorter chapters at some points make it easier to loose time to this novel. Oh just one more chapter turns into oh just one more. Not a bad thing really but it can be when you stay up late having to know what happens next.
If you love a good technothriller or thrillers in general this series is definitely for you.
This is Book Three in 'The Race Is On.' I've had the pleasure of reading and reviewing the last two books in the series, 'LEAP' and 'Green Ray.' Seven years on from LEAP, and LEAP is finally ready to spell the end of global warming, but there is a problem, a LEAP copycat. It's up to Uma and Ethan to accept a breach, so they could reverse the massacre on US troops. Uma and Ethan know they have to do something, but can they risk everything. What will happen to them if they go back? I love OC Heaton, the storylines and writing style is amazing. Because the story flows well, I found myself reading the book in one sitting, even though it was very late into the night/morning. I'm looking forward in seeing what OC has for us next, I know I won't be disappointed
Atomic Inc is the 3rd book in the Race Is on series by OC Heaton. The novel continues where the 2nd book finished. 7 years after its conception, Leap is finally about to spell the end of global warming. As Leap's roll out slows to a trickle, a bigger threat emerges with an attack on US troops, leaving thousands dead. There is a suspicious Leap copy cat, and Ethan & Uma are forced to condone a breach of the Laws to reverse the massacre. I absolutely loved this novel. OC Heaton's writing is brilliant and flows along at a fast pace, which I was drawn into and didn't stop reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. I loved everything about the book. The cast of characters are brilliant too. A brilliant novel that I highly recommend. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. 💖 Thank you to @zooloobooktours and OC Heaton for my copy of Atomic Inc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Zooloo's Book tours and the author OC Heaton himself for sending me a copy of this book along with some goodies in exchange of my honest review.
Trigger warnings: sexual assault, alcoholism, gore and violence
How would you feel if you were killed off and your identity was forcefully given to another person with the sole purpose of destroying the world and spreading terror, enabled by a technology that was supposed to only save the world? In the 3rd book of the series, LEAP has broken barriers and is now serving a sinister purpose and being used by the wrong handlers for every wrong reason to realise every wrong dream possible. A large problem looms as the teleportation technology with morally and ethically sound rules is now being used to bring back the dead, threatening overpopulation and opposing every good effect LEAP was first designed to bring about. How will it be like if technology was used to design and engineer every aspect of our identity from the atomic level? Nature will have no say with this leap forward. The 3rd installment to The Race Is On series combines technology, thrill, power, revenge, competition, politics, business and morals values. New enemies, new allies and new situations are all set in motion in this 3rd installment. Uma's character is a bit too strong and way unhinged than earlier. All rules seem to be one way for her and another way for the rest of the world.
This book is also a powerful sequel that can also very well function as a standalone novel because of the vivid and clear descriptions the author has included to help the reader connect with the past stories from the first two books. The disentangling of possible knots from the previous books, right at the start of this book was very helpful before the thrill of this new story began. Our two main characters Ethan and Uma are now officially a couple in love whilst some characters from the previous novels are accompanied now by a bunch of new characters telling this new story. The start of the book was again very captivating. But again this book is also not short of gore, graphic death and violence in graphic detail. Unlike the first two book, this was a definite page turner, grippy and confidently narrated. The science and tech in this book are mind-blowing and feels so real unlike how it was portrayed in the previous books. The detail and the realism of it is very well executed through words. I was intrigued and wanted to know more and keep following the story from the get go. After his former business partner, Abdullah's death due to the incompetence of raking money into the Arabic countries though LEAP, Forsyth the traitor has now formed an alliance with Prof. Crouch and only the worst is to be expected of LEAP at the wrong hands. This is a series that gets better with each book. So hold on tight and keep reading. I promise you, it gets better. Looks, health and backup are now set front and center as the new goals of LEAP. This story is what a science fiction technothriller should be like. At most times I felt OC Heaton might actually be predicting the future of our human race. Once again this book also, as a downside had some chapters, very short, introducing new characters one after the other out of nowhere, making the reader jump back and forth between minor characters to the main characters. There were so many turns to the plot that I had forgotten half the good narrative it started off with, by the time I was 80 pages in. Like always, there was just too much going on in an otherwise well-crafted story. The newest and most intriguing character of Ed Fox was a very good addition to the series. This was the first book in the series where I found myself dog-earing pages on the go. Two women bonding over their trauma, plotting revenge against a common enemy and finally willing to come out of shame without hiding for crimes they didn't commit was thoughtfully brought out. And it was only in this 3rd book that I finally understood what happened between Uma and Eva and it was also interesting to see how Uma gets to experience for herself what inhabiting a male body is like. That was so unexpected but possible. This kind of identity swapping really makes you question who are you really, which to a spiritually inclined individual like myself is very interesting. These are the types of thoughts I like sci-fi novels to ignite in me. Memories - do they belong to our sense of self? What are they? How much can LEAP affect what we remember and what we don't? Who decides whose life gets tampered with? Who are we in essence? What would punishment do to a man not just physically but more so mentally? Identity compromise because of LEAP is very widely explored in this narrative. There's a lot of in and out conversations with one's mind that makes you question your past, whether you should listen to your gut or other people's advice and also things that lead you to swim in a pool of deep regret. One important thing is this book really made me learn about why we as a human race needs laws to control the good from the bad, after all it's something we have imposed on ourselves for our own good. Everything is a double-edged sword and we must be mindful and moral when using our resources. This book also shows how addiction reduces the strength and voice of one's conscience. Overall the recurring characters were very solidly narrated in this book and the story took a much better trajectory of progression than the previous two novels. ATOM INC may very likely be my favourite book of the series. Very well-rounded story with a feeling of finality and completion with a powerful story and even more powerful characters. Waiting for the next book...
My favourite quotes:
"All science is, at some stage, fiction" "...at an atomic level, there is very little individuality or sense of 'self'. None of us are ever the same person for more than a milisecond"
“Atom Inc” is book three in ‘The Race Is On’ series and is the first I have read of these books. However, I personally believe reading the previous ones would help with the continuity and understanding the author’s intent, due to the complex structure of the storyline but it didn’t stop my enjoyment and I soon picked up what was going on and what had preceded. The short, concise chapters keep the pace steady and enable you to follow what’s occurring, by reading them in smaller chunks.
I liked how the author involved real world issues and events into the story; global warming, over population, the Icelandic volcanic eruption of 2010 and the deep water oil spill disaster, which allowed the reader to clearly understand how the LEAP machine benefited the public and how it worked. At the same time, the story sees the flip side to this, the job casualties when no one needs conventional travel anymore which in turn affects the fuel industry etc. This obviously causes a backlash and protests from these workers, as we see happening within the story.
There’s been an obvious, huge amount of research carried out for this series, something I believe the author relishes and together with his very active imagination, the potential ability to LEAP from place to place instantly and step into a machine to improve looks, health and backup your self, in the event of death, seriously scares me and I’m not sure whether to welcome the future or fear it.
This complex but thoroughly entertaining story is suffused with tense twists and turns that will keep you on your toes throughout and with book four in the pipeline and an ‘Ed Fox’ spin off series booked for 2025, OC Heaton has his work cut out developing even further imaginative (but possibly realistic) storylines and I for one wish him continued success with this brilliant series.
This is Book 3 of The Race Is On series, and Uma and Ethan are BACK with some old and new faces!
We follow Uma and Ethan as they navigate the fallout from Green Ray (Book 2) and just WOW.... There is so much to unpack, I'm not sure I can give ATOM INC the full justice it deserves in this tiny caption!
Once again, I love Uma. She is a strong and intelligent female lead, which is fantastic to see! She is also a survivor...
As for Ethan, he is fantastic too. He a perfect match for Uma ❤
I feel like this is the fastest paced book of the trio so far, and as soon as you start to read, you really are on a rollercoaster ride, which I loved!
There are so many little details packed into these pages that it's unreal - including the addition of real-life events!
Once again, I can't stress enough how much time and effort is evident in the research and development of this book. While Leap is just science fiction (... well for me!), the explanation for how it works sounds entirely plausible, which makes this book even more special.
While this is a fun book, it does bring to light many eco issues and ethical dilemmas, and ATOM INC seems the most philosophical so far in this respect. Especially when the world is attempting to come to terms with Leap and whether the Leap Rules apply to them - if you're dead, should you remain dead?
It's deep and really makes you think as you read.
I think ATOM INC is my favourite so far as by now you know and love the characters and understand how the author writes.
I can't wait to read more work by OC Heaton!
Grab yourself a brew and your favourite snacks, settle yourself in your favourite chair, and enjoy this highly recommended book!
I read the first two in this series with a thrilling sense of nervous tension and couldn’t wait to read this one and discover how everything is tied up. With Uma Jakobsdottir and Ethan Rae thick in the middle of rolling out the Leap programme but facing violent protests against it, this is a breathtaking read and I was immediately catapulted into the action. Moving between various countries and the timelines given at the start of each chapter kept the story fast paced and almost impossible to put down. At times I did feel sorry for the pair of them as events escalate almost beyond their control. But they are wonderful together, with their own particular skills perfectly complimenting each other. There are unexpected allies, but also a couple of characters who are truly evil, which had me reading with my hand over my mouth in horror. I did have to read a few parts a couple of times to fully understand who was who, which when you read it you’ll understand. Having said that though, the technical descriptions are written in such a way that I had no problem them. Atomic Inc is an action packed, breathless read which I found almost impossible to put down until I’d finished the final page. And one which makes you think of the future and what it might hold for us.
ATOM INC is a thrilling journey that awaits you in Book 3 of The Race Is On! You'll be left speechless as Uma and Ethan return with a bang, taking on both familiar and novel obstacles. Uma shows off her strength and intelligence as the main character, and Ethan is the ideal partner for her.
The story continues where Green Ray left off in this volume, delving deep into the fallout with twists that will have you gripped from beginning to end. You won't want to put this book down—it's jam-packed with deep details, real-life events, and fast-paced action—it's an incredible read.
You'll find yourself thinking about the ramifications of leap technology as the protagonists struggle with moral and environmental concerns.
Highly recommend for the sci-fiction readers like myself!
This is the third book in The Race Is On series and having read books one and two - Leap and Green Ray - quite a while ago now, it's been a bit of a wait to finally read this conclusion to the series.
We follow the story from where we left off in book 2 and now 7 years on, even though the success of LEAP is looking good, the roll out is slowing - but the competition is growing and after an attack on the US reveals a copycat, Uma and Ethan are forced to take action.
As usual, this is a fast-paced read which is packed with action straight from the first page. I loved that the chapters are nice and short, which makes this an easy read that I raced through. Each chapter comes from a different pov which allows us to see all perspectives from each character and each countries position.
This was a great conclusion to this story, but I've found that it's themes and the moral dilemmas explored really stuck with me. I'm not great with technology, but the amount and speed of change in this field makes me feel as though this could not be too far off really happening and this feels pretty scary!
I've loved this series, finding it fascinating, even though I'm not usually technologically minded. The writing style is engaging and I think the storyline is exciting and current. I'm keen to see what might come next and read further books from this author.
A physical copy of this book was supplied through Zooloo's Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
I found that I enjoyed the pacing of this book more than I did the earlier books in the series and was quickly pulled in to the moral and ethical dilemma the main characters were facing. All the female characters in this book suffer, and be aware of trigger warnings for SA content. Uma is no longer the strong character from book 1, she's become emotional and broken from the events that have unfolded. I'd love to see her stronger in the following books, but how her arc ended in this book didn't personally connect for me. Forsyth is a truly despicable character, and it's a testament to the author's skill in creating a character I so detest and loathe, getting such an emotional reaction. The LEAP technology faces another advancement in this book and we see another way its use can be manipulated, with true repercussions to be explored in later narratives. It's such an intriguing premise and it feels like the author has had fun exploring this kind of technology. The best entry so far in this series, and a great read for thriller fans 😊
We're onto book 3 and it's 7 years since the conception of LEAP. Global warming is going to come to an end, which is great for Uma and Ethan. However, an attack on US troops leaving thousands dead starts to arouse suspicion that there may be a LEAP copycat.
This was another fast paced read with the chapters being quite short. Once again Uma and Ethan are battling for what they believe in and take action against the copycat. I actually found it quite unnerving how easy a copycat could be produced. What also scared me was the thought that one day in the future this could probably happen and if falling into the wrong hands what disasters would it bring into the world?
I love how Uma and Ethan have never backed down from anything even knowing they were putting themselves in more danger. They are great characters.
This is the third book in the races on series, and what a race it is. The series is so action packed full of adventure, with twists and turns.
I love the MC, Ethan and Uma, they’re strong characters that Heaton has done a wonderful job developing. The vivid imagery is spot on, it’s as if you’re right there in the action.
I truly appreciate the short chapters, just like in the previous books. It makes you feel as if you fly right through the book.
If you like, sci-fi thrillers, action packed books that are full of twist and turns and fast-paced… Check out this series!
Atom inc by OC Heaton. Book 3 of the race is on series. Seven years after its conception, LEAP is finally about to spell the end of global warming. For Uma and Ethan, this means personal and professional triumph – but quantum teleportation is an unwieldy beast held back by those fighting to dominate the new world order. As LEAP's rollout slows to a trickle, a greater threat emerges when a stealth attack on US troops leaves thousands dead. With the finger of suspicion pointing to a LEAP copycat, Ethan and Uma are forced to condone a breach of the laws to reverse the massacre. As LEAP’s new rival continues to show their hand, Ethan is dragged back into a nightmare he thought he had escaped. One that may finally claim his sanity, and that pushes Uma to the limits of hers, to defeat an evil that no longer plays by the rules. The final book. This was a really good series. I really did enjoy this book. A good final. I was satisfied with the ending. Lots of action. I couldn't put it down. I still love Uma. It had the destination and date and time at the start of each chapter. The chapters were short, so I read it quickly. I got into it straight away. It's a shame it's the last book. I was hoping for more. 5*.
Atom Inc ( Book 3 in The Race is On series ) is an absolutely thrilling conclusion to the series.
Having read the previous 2 books, I was looking forward to this one, and it certainly did not disappoint.
We continue where the second book left off, 7 years down the line, with it looking as though LEAP will finally end the problem of global warming.
However, an attack on U.S troops leaves thousands dead and LEAPS's rollout is slowing to an almost standstill. That's all I'll say about the story to avoid spoilers.
As we have come to know and love with OC Heaton novels, the storyline was fast paced and full if great detail. The characters had decent depth, the plot flowed well and I read this in two sittings.
I loved this series from the first book. If I could have a peer it would be teleportation and this series makes that possible but it also explores the dangers, ethical or real life. Atom, INC takes LEAP public but this is not good for transportation companies because people and cargo will not need to fly, take trains, or go on boats. It also opens the idea that you can essentially clone someone or bring them back to life because LEAP saves a copy of your atoms. As you can imagine people will fight to have the power over this system. This is a great book that didn’t let me put it down. I would recommend reading the series in order and you will want to read the whole series. I loved how the author intertwined LEAP and an action packed plot. The series will continue with book 4 and I can’t wait to read it!
Atom INC is a thrilling conclusion to the Race is On series by OC Heston. The story follows Uma and Ethan seven years after the creation of LEAP, a solution to global warming. Despite the success of LEAP, they find themselves facing new challenges as they navigate a world dominated by those seeking to control the cutting-edge technology of quantum teleportation.
When a devastating attack on US troops is linked to a potential LEAP copycat, Ethan and Uma are forced to make difficult decisions to protect the greater good. As a new rival emerges, Ethan is drawn back into a dangerous world that threatens his sanity and challenges Uma to her limits.
Heston does an excellent job of building tension and suspense throughout the novel. I was on the edge of my seat as we raced towards the thrilling conclusion. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the complex plot kept me fully engaged from beginning to end.
Overall, Atom INC is a gripping and exciting read that will leave readers satisfied with the conclusion of the Race is On series. Fans of science fiction and thrillers will not be disappointed by this fast-paced and action-packed novel. Little side note worth mentioning - You need to really concentrate with this series, when you fully commit you will love it!
This is the third in a series, and you can find my reviews on the others on my page.
Like the first and second, this novel keeps the reader intrigued and interested in what is happening. The pacing is good, and the characters easy to enjoy reading about.
ATOM INC by OC Heaton is the third installment in The Race is On Series by the author and the series just keeps getting better and better as I read through it y'all! ATOM INC takes place 7 years after LEAP was thought up. This book starts us off in Afghanistan where a prisoner is killed but before he dies be sees himself, which is impossible isn't it? Uma and Ethan are together but they are still having problems with LEAP being released and people happy and upset about it. And Uma is keeping a big secret from Ethan on top of that too. Uma is still dealing with the aftermath of what happened with Forsyth. A lot happens with bombings in this book and more LEAP developments. The story continues to make the reader find out if LEAP will ever be released for the world and what will happen if it ever does get released to the world. We learn what happened between Forsyth and Uma as the book progresses and it is not a pleasant tale, to say the least. After that all hell breaks loose in the story and you need to keep reading the book. And another top notch cliffhanger ending, where the reader is left wondering WHAT just happened?
A brilliant mix of twists, moral dilemmas, futuristic tech in LEAP, spies, Government conspiracies, action and danger at every turn.
This is book three in The race is on series and it TOTALLY had me at the end!!
Like me and the author need words now 😱 had me! Noooooooo!! Whyyyyyy!!! Just Nooooo.
No spoilers, except maybe the emojis 🤷♀️, but honestly I can't deal with the way this ended 😱😢😢😢💔 🤣🤣
I loved following Uma and Ethan as they developed and were set to launch LEAP, a teleportation device, setting off a chain of events over the series that definitely has you questioning your moral stance and the very believable future that this book creates.
The twists and turns in this book were amazing and it added a WHOLE another level of morally questionable possibilities to the mix in the guise of using LEAP to merge minds.
This is a fabulous series, and despite my personal devastation at the endin, this is one I'll always highly recommend. This is a read this now book recommendation from me for sure.
Thanks to Love book tours for my copy of this, all opinions are my own.
Atom Inc is the third book in Heaton's The Race is On series and I have to say they're actually quite moreish aren't they?
Seamlessly taking off where we left Green Ray, Heaton takes us straight back into the thick of the action with Uma and Ethan. Can Leap really be the end to global warming?
Told from multiple POV Atom Inc is a full on fast paced scifi thriller. As I've said before the author's world building is fantastic, the continuity is perfect and the characters well developed.
I'm so excited now because I'm diving straight into book 4, Godwin's Revenge!!
Atom Inc is the third book in the race is on series, following Uma and Ethan as they deal with the fallout of Green Ray, and the reality of the LEAP technology being released into the world. This book takes place 7 years after the development of LEAP, and a couple of weeks after Green Ray (book two)
This novel jumps straight into the action and grips the reader from the first paragraph, I like that the author has included brief round ups of plot points from the previous two books just to act as a gentle reminder of what has occurred to lead up to the points the characters find themselves in. The book is action packed and fast paced, there are short chapters that follow a set timeline, but flick between a variety of locations and perspectives which really helps the reader engage with the high stakes, and suspense throughout the book.
There are many action sequences, and environmental fallouts that are explained in great details, and vividly so. I like that the author took time in the book, teaching Ethan (and the audience) how to pronounce Eyjafjallajökull, this was a great inclusion within the book. The writing was brilliant, and the world building was great, you could easily see the environments, and characters come to life (this would make an interesting TV series!) and I just feel that the author has done a great deal of research regarding environmental and political situations, as well as the science/technology that would be required for this type of system to be real.
The amount of plot twists and shocks throughout this book was unreal, I honestly could not tell which direction this book was taking us, and the way Ethan and Uma’s characters have developed and changed in this book has me on edge, I really feel like we could see a villainous Uma emerge in future books, I just don't trust her character anymore, and I didn’t really like the way she referred to her situations as “a dirty secret” I felt that could have been handled slightly more delicately. Other characters were also interesting, Forsyth and Crouch still their evil bigotry continued throughout this book, but this time they roped in the help of Ed Fox, who wanted to enact revenge on Ethan and Rae, as he blamed them for the deaths of his family, I would of liked more development regarding Fox as he was a character I was interested in, I just wanted more detail about his ordeal – but there is news that he has his own spin off coming soon, so I guess wishful thinking pays off?
Overall, this is a fast, action-packed book, full of suspense, mystery and plot twists, with often high stakes on each turn of the page. This is a book I would recommend to fans of science fiction thrillers, but I will mention that I believe this book comes with more trigger warnings than its predecessors. Such as; rape, sextortion, terminations, abortions, blackmail, violence, torture (masked as punishment) and very graphic scenes – personally chapter 42 was one of the more harrowing violent scenes and I did skim this chapter as it made me queasy. So just bare that in mind before picking up this book/series.
While each can be read as a standalone, if you’ve been around here long enough you know I’m never really a fan of that. I also read books one and two before I read this one, so I have a hard time telling you if you’d understand without reading them. Others said you would, so that’s the best I can offer.
One of the things I adore about this series is the complex moral and ethical issues each story highlights. It also weaves together actual historical events with an alternative universe including the LEAP technology that single-handedly changed the course of history. If you’re unfamiliar with the first two books you can read my reviews further down on my page or at my #linkinbio. (add links for blog) But the gist is that a scientist created a teleportation technology that reminds me a lot of the one in Star Trek. Much of the science goes over my head, but I’m sure there are some differences. But the basic concept is the same – you go into the portal or gate and are rebuilt at an atomic level on the other side. As you can imagine some people are excited while others are terrified and devastated.
This third installment sees our heroes Uma and Ethan fighting to see their creation save the world from climate crisis one LEAP at a time. Unfortunately, as is to be expected, the rollout is taking longer than expected as governments around the world fight over minute details that keep Uma awake at night screaming. Meanwhile, Uma, Ethan, and her returning characters deal with personal dramas, including deceits, betrayals, and crimes that will come back to haunt various members of the story. Another lurking threat awaits in the Middle East, where the Saudi Arabians have their hands on the technology and seek to destroy the competition.
The characterizations of Uma, Ethan, and all the main characters are so well done. Some of the characters change in immense ways, and O.C. Heaton’s handles these changes so well. He researches so extensively for everything in his books and it shows. I’m not saying that a panster couldn’t write a sci-fi novel, but the depth and complexity of this author’s works intimidate this planster. I can’t imagine the painstaking detail he has had to take to create these magnificent pieces of storytelling.
Who’s It For?
If you love a fast-paced, action, technothriller this is a book for you. Things start with a bang and keep moving until you turn the final page. The break-neck pace almost gives you no respite to catch your breath, so if you enjoy your heart beating in your ears and an adrenaline rush grab this one today. I suggest you start with the first book LEAP, but others say it’s not necessary. I just always prefer series in order. Do beware that this is not a light sci-fi book, this book addresses a lot of ethical dilemmas as well as broaching some serious topics. So please read the content warnings and I always advise that everyone consider their mental health when choosing reading materials.
Content Warnings: Suicide (including assisted), SA, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Loss/Abortion, Blackmail, Infidelity, Torture, Domestic Abuse, Classism, Racism, Xenophobia. While I try to include all content warnings, these are not guaranteed to be all-inclusive, and some may be overlooked.
I don't think that O.C. Heaton ever met a metaphor that he could resist.
"The heat crushed down on him, enveloping him in its grasp like a deep ocean from which there was no escape."
"Ethan heard a scratching sound above and cracked an eyelid, wincing as it scoured the dry cornea like sandpaper."
"He could feel the past shifting, waiting for the tectonic plates he had carefully constructed to crack open, so it could crawl up from the depths of his belly like an unfading force of night terrors, slobbering and shuffling into the daylight with gleeful abandon."
The above three examples were all in one paragraph! ...Atom Inc was like a beautiful oil painting splashed with vivid color and detail ;)
But metaphors aside, Heaton really does tell a good story. I received this book as an early read so I didn't realize that it was number three in a series. I really wish that I would have been able to start with the first in the series because many of the characters and details of the plot were new to me and got in the way of following the story. Once I understood who was with who and what was with what I enjoyed the rich detail of the plot. It's clear that Heaton has done much research to make his story realistic.
Each of the short chapters is titled with a location, date and time. The plot focuses on a group of scientists that has developed the LEAP program which allows people to transport themselves to other cities and countries without using fossil fuel, kind of like transporting in Star Trek. Their intentions are good, but of course an evil genius steals their invention and uses it to advance their own agenda.
The story is fast paced and really had me sitting up to take notice of all the action. As I said, I would highly recommend starting with book one of the trilogy to have a fuller experience.
This review was written for library thing early reviewers. I received the book in exchange for my honest review.
‘Atom Inc’ is the third book in ‘The Race is On’ series and it's just as exciting, packed full of action and unbelievable events! The anticipation was real for this book and it did not disappoint. It picks up the action right where book two finishes and are our duo of Uma and Ethan have a lot of obstacles to overcome. I would normally say that you can read individual books in a series as a standalone but in this case, I think you would benefit from reading the first two books.
Uma and Ethan have finally launched LEAP to the world and have given it away for free, allowing countries across the world access to the code and tech. But with this new technology comes new ways to attack and when the US troops across Afghanistan are killed and LEAP technology is implicated. Uma and Ethan are forced to allow these troops to be brought back from a previous scan and this has huge ramifications for LEAP and the team. Will they be able to wrestle back control?
I have really enjoyed this series and I'm not a huge sci-fi fan. This means it is a belter of a read and ‘Atom Inc’ in my opinion is the best book so far. Uma and Ethan are really well-developed and nuanced characters but I must say that Ethan is my favourite and gosh he is put through the wringer in this book by the author!
The short chapters and differing POVs mean that as a reader you are unable to put this down! I found it compelling from the start to the finish and I can't wait to read more. This was a great thriller as there are so many twists and turns that you don't know where it is heading to. The fact that even the good characters are morally grey makes for a thought-provoking and interesting read.
Is it just me or are the ethics getting more murky the further we get into the series, which of course is exactly what happens when an invention, a weapon or advancement opens up a world of opportunities. Somewhere along the path the excitement burns into greed, into hunger to explore elements that have been closed to mankind. The question is where does it stop, and indeed has Uma lost sight of what the research was born from and intended for?
As most inventions there will always be someone ready to use the blueprint and make a power play – with cold hard cash at the heart of it. What happens when you lose control completely, when LEAP becomes the outdated version and potential copies do real harm?
There is a little bit of a twist that might shake up how Uma moves forward, and it will certainly make for an interesting controversy if she does what I think she will do. Is there a personal line she will never cross or does the need to take one step further into research and the unknown always override every ethical barrier in the end?
I note there is also a prequel novella in the series, which captures the beginning of LEAP and the man who brought us the core concept in the first place. I wonder whether the above applies to Jakob also, despite the best intentions. Science, technology and advancement eh – not always the gift it appears to be. Why, well because humans will always be the unknown and unpredictable variable you can never quite calculate with complete accuracy.
This is a really engaging book which I found that I really enjoyed reading. There is a lot of travelling around in this book as Leap goes global but Ethan and Uma are still very much involved. Although some protesters are proving too much for some governments and they give in and give up on the idea of Leap so the roll out slows down to a trickle. A lot of research has gone into this book before the writing stage. There is extremely good plotting in this story, the writing is superb and the descriptive text is excellent as it explains everything so well. There is a lot going on in this book so there are a lot of characters involved. Each chapter tells you where you are and the time. A very good read.
Blurb :
No one is above the Laws... Seven years after its conception, LEAP is finally about to spell the end of global warming. For Uma and Ethan, this means personal and professional triumph – but quantum teleportation is an unwieldy beast, held back by those fighting to dominate the new world order. As LEAP's roll out slows to a trickle, a greater threat emerges when a stealth attack on US troops leaves thousands dead. With the finger of suspicion pointing to a LEAP copycat, Ethan and Uma are forced to condone a breach of the Laws to reverse the massacre. As LEAP’s new rival continues to show their hand, Ethan is dragged back into a nightmare he thought he had escaped. One that may finally claim his sanity, and that pushes Uma to the limits of hers, to defeat an evil that no longer plays by the rules.
First off a huge thank you to LoveBooksTour and OCHeaton for allowing me to be apart of this amazing book read along. I had a lot of fun answering all the amazing questions and reading everyone’s answers 😊
✨RATING✨ ✨✨✨✨/5
✨REVIEW✨ Starting off with the fact that this is book number 3 in the series and it can be read as a standalone. (I haven’t read the other 2 books) I didn’t expect to love this as much as i did!
I’m a romance girl through and through but I wanted to venture out with my genres and I’m glad I tried this book out. This is a Sci - Fi thriller and it’s so good!
The plot never gets boring and it’s amazing to see such a Badass Female main character. Uma is incredible. She’s smart and intelligent! Than we have Ethan who is our Main Male character and let me tell you they were definitely such a good match!
Considering it was a 3rd book in a series it was surprisingly really easily to follow along and I’m definitely thinking about picking up the first two books just so I can read what all happened before atom INC.
At the start I was a-bit Confused but everything I was confused about was quickly answered. I will say the first chapter was quit upsetting and unexpected 😭
Overall I think this is a really great and easy read especially if you like sci-fi or just badass MCs. Uma and Ethan’s story was so interesting to follow along and I’m really excited to see what happens in the next book 🫶