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Atomica: Between Sea and Sky
One girl’s mission. One boy’s curse. One hunted creature that could save them all—or destroy everything.
When teenager Eva is captured by a group of Raiders, a perilous journey across the sea leaves her shipwrecked on a mysterious tropical island. Forced to ally with a rogue band of castaways, her mission isn’t just to survive, it’s to fulfill her sworn duty as a Guardian to ATOMICA, Earth’s most valuable—and most hunted—creature. Pursued by relentless Raiders, she places her trust in Kade, but his shadowy motives may be more dangerous than any enemy.
Kade Thorn, a hunter bred to destroy all remnants of forbidden technology, battles opposing impulses. Marked by ancient symbols etched into his skin that incite violence, he’s torn between blindly obeying his directive or surrendering to a powerful attraction to Eva, knowing either choice could cost him his life.
As enemies close in, Eva and Kade retreat deep into the jungle, where survival becomes a test of loyalty. Will they uphold their sworn duties, or risk everything to forge a new destiny together? ATOMICA’s fate—and humanity’s future—hang in the balance while the line between hero and villain blurs in the shadows of a forgotten world.
When teenager Eva is captured by a group of Raiders, a perilous journey across the sea leaves her shipwrecked on a mysterious tropical island. Forced to ally with a rogue band of castaways, her mission isn’t just to survive, it’s to fulfill her sworn duty as a Guardian to ATOMICA, Earth’s most valuable—and most hunted—creature. Pursued by relentless Raiders, she places her trust in Kade, but his shadowy motives may be more dangerous than any enemy.
Kade Thorn, a hunter bred to destroy all remnants of forbidden technology, battles opposing impulses. Marked by ancient symbols etched into his skin that incite violence, he’s torn between blindly obeying his directive or surrendering to a powerful attraction to Eva, knowing either choice could cost him his life.
As enemies close in, Eva and Kade retreat deep into the jungle, where survival becomes a test of loyalty. Will they uphold their sworn duties, or risk everything to forge a new destiny together? ATOMICA’s fate—and humanity’s future—hang in the balance while the line between hero and villain blurs in the shadows of a forgotten world.
Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2024
8 people are currently reading
1405 people want to read
About the author
Heather McKenzie
4 books160 followersHeather McKenzie is the bestselling author of Serenade and The Nightmusic Trilogy. Canadian born and raised, she resides in Edmonton, Alberta where she is inspired to write for adults and young adults. Heather does not confine herself to one particular genre. She embraces the artistic freedom of writing contemporary and fantasy fiction with underlying romantic themes. Also an accomplished singer-songwriter, she pulls from her extraordinary experiences as a musician to fuel ideas for her novels. For more info visit www.heathermckenzie.com
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 15, 2024
Atomica: Between Sea and Sky by the talented Heather McKenzie is a YA science fantasy with a unique and clever premise—four characters are all at odds with each other. Their purposes all clash.
I really enjoyed getting to know them: Eva, Kade, Kitkun and Rowan. All four, in various ways, end up on a mysterious tropical island. Danger lurks around every corner. Neither the magical island and its strange weather and creatures, nor the enemy band, the Raiders, can be trusted.
Eva, tough-as-nails, is a bodyguard for a special girl with a powerful gift. Kade is torn between fulfilling his life’s mission of destroying forbidden technology and pursuing Eva, who he’s enthralled with. Kitkun is an island local who is also trying to survive and keep her family alive. And then there’s the notorious Commander Rowan, a Raider—and no spoilers—but he only complicates things further.
This book is a fresh, exciting and gorgeously written page turner. (The first half of the book wasn’t quite as fast as the second half.) The memorable romance and fight scenes made me giggle and squeal like a teenage girl, and I’m still thinking about them days later. I can’t get my hands on book two fast enough! It was definitely one of my favorite reads of the year so far!
I really enjoyed getting to know them: Eva, Kade, Kitkun and Rowan. All four, in various ways, end up on a mysterious tropical island. Danger lurks around every corner. Neither the magical island and its strange weather and creatures, nor the enemy band, the Raiders, can be trusted.
Eva, tough-as-nails, is a bodyguard for a special girl with a powerful gift. Kade is torn between fulfilling his life’s mission of destroying forbidden technology and pursuing Eva, who he’s enthralled with. Kitkun is an island local who is also trying to survive and keep her family alive. And then there’s the notorious Commander Rowan, a Raider—and no spoilers—but he only complicates things further.
This book is a fresh, exciting and gorgeously written page turner. (The first half of the book wasn’t quite as fast as the second half.) The memorable romance and fight scenes made me giggle and squeal like a teenage girl, and I’m still thinking about them days later. I can’t get my hands on book two fast enough! It was definitely one of my favorite reads of the year so far!
August 21, 2024
What an incredible read! Heather McKenzie’s,Atomica: Between Sea and Sky is fast-paced, thrilling, and absolutely unputdownable! It has the perfect mix of gorgeous prose, action-adventure , elements of fantasy, and a smidge of romance. Heather does a beautiful job immersing the reader in the world she’s created while propelling us through the story. Even for readers tentative about reading fantasy, the characters are so believable and the plot so engaging that it’s easy to follow. Five stars for sure!
August 6, 2024
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 stars)
Heather McKenzie’s Atomica: Between Sea and Sky is a deeply moving and beautifully crafted novel that immerses readers in a world where personal struggles and emotional journeys are at the forefront. This book is a testament to McKenzie’s ability to weave together heartfelt storytelling with a profound exploration of human experiences.
Set against a backdrop that blends the mystical and the real, Atomica follows a poignant narrative that delves into themes of identity, resilience, and the quest for belonging. McKenzie’s evocative prose paints a vivid picture of the novel’s setting, drawing readers into a world that feels both enchanting and intimately familiar. The atmospheric descriptions and rich detail enhance the story’s emotional depth, making it a truly immersive experience.
The characters in Atomica are one of the novel’s standout elements. They are portrayed with remarkable authenticity and complexity, each facing their own trials and triumphs. McKenzie’s skillful character development allows readers to form a deep connection with the protagonists, feeling their joys, fears, and growth throughout the story. The emotional resonance of their journeys adds a layer of poignancy that is both touching and thought-provoking.
The book’s pacing is well-balanced, with a narrative that flows smoothly between moments of quiet introspection and more intense emotional developments. McKenzie’s writing is both lyrical and grounded, capturing the nuances of the characters’ experiences while maintaining a sense of narrative momentum.
However, there are moments where the plot’s progression could benefit from a bit more clarity. Some transitions between different storylines or themes can feel abrupt, which may momentarily disrupt the reader’s immersion. Despite this, the overall impact of the novel remains strong and engaging.
Overall, Atomica: Between Sea and Sky is a heartfelt and evocative novel that showcases Heather McKenzie’s talent for creating emotionally rich and immersive stories. With its compelling characters, atmospheric setting, and moving narrative, it earns a well-deserved 4-star rating. This book is highly recommended for readers who appreciate deeply emotional storytelling and are looking for a novel that offers both beauty and depth.
Heather McKenzie’s Atomica: Between Sea and Sky is a deeply moving and beautifully crafted novel that immerses readers in a world where personal struggles and emotional journeys are at the forefront. This book is a testament to McKenzie’s ability to weave together heartfelt storytelling with a profound exploration of human experiences.
Set against a backdrop that blends the mystical and the real, Atomica follows a poignant narrative that delves into themes of identity, resilience, and the quest for belonging. McKenzie’s evocative prose paints a vivid picture of the novel’s setting, drawing readers into a world that feels both enchanting and intimately familiar. The atmospheric descriptions and rich detail enhance the story’s emotional depth, making it a truly immersive experience.
The characters in Atomica are one of the novel’s standout elements. They are portrayed with remarkable authenticity and complexity, each facing their own trials and triumphs. McKenzie’s skillful character development allows readers to form a deep connection with the protagonists, feeling their joys, fears, and growth throughout the story. The emotional resonance of their journeys adds a layer of poignancy that is both touching and thought-provoking.
The book’s pacing is well-balanced, with a narrative that flows smoothly between moments of quiet introspection and more intense emotional developments. McKenzie’s writing is both lyrical and grounded, capturing the nuances of the characters’ experiences while maintaining a sense of narrative momentum.
However, there are moments where the plot’s progression could benefit from a bit more clarity. Some transitions between different storylines or themes can feel abrupt, which may momentarily disrupt the reader’s immersion. Despite this, the overall impact of the novel remains strong and engaging.
Overall, Atomica: Between Sea and Sky is a heartfelt and evocative novel that showcases Heather McKenzie’s talent for creating emotionally rich and immersive stories. With its compelling characters, atmospheric setting, and moving narrative, it earns a well-deserved 4-star rating. This book is highly recommended for readers who appreciate deeply emotional storytelling and are looking for a novel that offers both beauty and depth.
July 8, 2024
"If you're not doing things the hard way, then you're not living…" (Page 40, ebook).
"Never judge based on appearances. Sometimes the most unassuming can be the deadliest." (Page 114, ebook).
Eva is a protector. Even when she fails in her duty and is captured, her loyalty and determination do not falter. Kade is a hunter on a mission. When Eva and Kade are shipwrecked together, they will be forced to rely on each other to survive. But it's not just the two of them on the island. Mysterious forces, harsh weather, deadly animals, and the villainous Raiders stand between them and their survival.
In a perfect mashup between fantasy and science fiction, I'm compelled by both main characters Eva and Kade. They both have a strong, compelling, nearly single-minded purpose. In the beginning, we learn that Kade's and Eva's missions are at odds with the other's. And then they meet. When will they discover what the other is hiding and how will that turn out when they are slowly becoming more and more reliant and trusting of each other? I couldn't put the book down until the inevitable happened. The build-up to that end was a slow burn of constant tension that kept me at the edge of my seat frantically turning pages.
It annoyed me that Kade could quiet down the force that propelled him to his mission at all costs when he didn't believe he was laser-focused on the end goal. He knew he was getting sidetracked by Eva. I didn't believe him when he tried to persuade the force that what he was doing would ultimately serve the end goal. I'm waiting to see how this force and Kade's free will ultimately clash.
My favorite character, though, was the conflicted Rowan of the Raiders. We see him through Eva's story as he doesn't have his own narrative. One of Eva's first encounters with him shows that he is not who he appears to be. This mystery pulled me to the end almost as much as the tension between Eva and Kade and the survival story that ties the characters together.
I'm excited to see where this story goes next and what is going to happen to Rowan, Eva, Kade, and Zolaya.
Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this story in exchange for my honest review.
"Never judge based on appearances. Sometimes the most unassuming can be the deadliest." (Page 114, ebook).
Eva is a protector. Even when she fails in her duty and is captured, her loyalty and determination do not falter. Kade is a hunter on a mission. When Eva and Kade are shipwrecked together, they will be forced to rely on each other to survive. But it's not just the two of them on the island. Mysterious forces, harsh weather, deadly animals, and the villainous Raiders stand between them and their survival.
In a perfect mashup between fantasy and science fiction, I'm compelled by both main characters Eva and Kade. They both have a strong, compelling, nearly single-minded purpose. In the beginning, we learn that Kade's and Eva's missions are at odds with the other's. And then they meet. When will they discover what the other is hiding and how will that turn out when they are slowly becoming more and more reliant and trusting of each other? I couldn't put the book down until the inevitable happened. The build-up to that end was a slow burn of constant tension that kept me at the edge of my seat frantically turning pages.
It annoyed me that Kade could quiet down the force that propelled him to his mission at all costs when he didn't believe he was laser-focused on the end goal. He knew he was getting sidetracked by Eva. I didn't believe him when he tried to persuade the force that what he was doing would ultimately serve the end goal. I'm waiting to see how this force and Kade's free will ultimately clash.
My favorite character, though, was the conflicted Rowan of the Raiders. We see him through Eva's story as he doesn't have his own narrative. One of Eva's first encounters with him shows that he is not who he appears to be. This mystery pulled me to the end almost as much as the tension between Eva and Kade and the survival story that ties the characters together.
I'm excited to see where this story goes next and what is going to happen to Rowan, Eva, Kade, and Zolaya.
Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this story in exchange for my honest review.
September 11, 2024
OMG, this was a magnificent story that kept me enchanted from beginning to end!!
The characters were amazing. I loved getting to know Kade, Eva and Rowan. I wanna be like Eva when I grow up. She is the bravest character throughout this story. She was the driving force to keep me reading.
The storyline was incredible and very well written. The feelers within this story was a rollercoaster of a ride but it was a beautiful magical story. I can't wait to see where these character's journey will take them. It's a page turner that is not disappointing and I highly recommend it!!
The characters were amazing. I loved getting to know Kade, Eva and Rowan. I wanna be like Eva when I grow up. She is the bravest character throughout this story. She was the driving force to keep me reading.
The storyline was incredible and very well written. The feelers within this story was a rollercoaster of a ride but it was a beautiful magical story. I can't wait to see where these character's journey will take them. It's a page turner that is not disappointing and I highly recommend it!!
June 18, 2024
Excited!!
January 26, 2025
Literally could not stop reading this book. I was pulled into the world and Eva will forever be on my mind. A thrilling storyline.. cannot wait for the next adventure. A true masterclass book!
March 17, 2025
writing style threw me off a bit but the plot was honestly really intriguing and i’m excited to see where this is gonna go!!
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August 7, 2024I am so excited to share with you the first book in my new series, Atomica! I had so much fun writing this and delving into the fantasy/science fiction genre with a story near and dear to my heart. This book certainly was a labor of love and I hope you enjoy it!
Cheers, and happy reading!
Heather
Cheers, and happy reading!
Heather
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews