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Breakthrough #2
Leap
ONE OF MANKIND'S GREATEST LEGENDS HAS BEEN DISCOVERED.
SOMETHING EVERY CIVILIZATION HAS SEARCHED FOR...BUT NOT WHAT ANYONE WAS EXPECTING.
Facing the cold, clear glass, Alison Shaw stared nervously into the giant seawater tank.
It was just one year ago that she and her team of marine biologists had stunned the world with their incredible breakthrough.
And now...they were about to do it again.
But an ocean away, something strange was unfolding. Along a lonely coast in South America, an experimental Russian submarine -- long thought to have been dismantled -- has suddenly resurfaced. And the U.S. Navy has taken notice, sending officers John Clay and Steve Caesare to investigate.
The sub has been studying a group of unmarked soldiers. Disappearing into the jungle each night beneath the cover of darkness.
Something has been discovered. Something big.
Unfortunately, the soldiers are about to learn that making the find of the century is one thing. Keeping it...is another.
SOMETHING EVERY CIVILIZATION HAS SEARCHED FOR...BUT NOT WHAT ANYONE WAS EXPECTING.
Facing the cold, clear glass, Alison Shaw stared nervously into the giant seawater tank.
It was just one year ago that she and her team of marine biologists had stunned the world with their incredible breakthrough.
And now...they were about to do it again.
But an ocean away, something strange was unfolding. Along a lonely coast in South America, an experimental Russian submarine -- long thought to have been dismantled -- has suddenly resurfaced. And the U.S. Navy has taken notice, sending officers John Clay and Steve Caesare to investigate.
The sub has been studying a group of unmarked soldiers. Disappearing into the jungle each night beneath the cover of darkness.
Something has been discovered. Something big.
Unfortunately, the soldiers are about to learn that making the find of the century is one thing. Keeping it...is another.
484 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 18, 2014
7042 people are currently reading
2839 people want to read
About the author
Michael C. Grumley
18 books1,313 followersMichael C. Grumley is the author of the best-selling BREAKTHROUGH series with over two million books sold. He lives in Northern California with his two young daughters. He’s an avid reader, runner and most of all father, and dotes on his girls every chance he gets. He loves hearing from readers while he works on the next ROLLBACK book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 805 reviews
January 28, 2019
Leap is the second installment in Michael C. Grumley's Breakthrough series, and it is just as action-packed and fun as book one, Breakthrough. There's nothing abstruse or complicated about these novels; rather they are straightforward and exciting, offering characters to love and situations to transport and engross. They are precisely the "summer read" type of escape I look for when I pick up an adventure sci-fi novel.
September 16, 2023
Second in a series of action adventure novels, following scientists exploring human communication with dolphins and primates. The other primary storyline follows related adventures of two Navy Seal characters. Good adventure story.
April 23, 2021
Sticking with a strong recommendation by a dear friend, I chose to venture deeper into this series. Grumley is back with the second full-length novel in his Breakthrough series, sure to pique the interest of those who want something with a little sci-fi alongside some true action. Grumley has spent a great deal of time looking at how politics and biological issues meld together in a fast-paced book that is free from the tirade of profanity to express opinions. After a stellar series debut, Grumley returns to explore the expansion of linguistic interpretation between humans and animals, as well as something of international drama when a country is found to be secretly extracting items in the Caribbean. Grumley dishes out some wonderful storytelling and keeps the series on its toes, with a few more novels to follow.
After having relocated to Puero Rico, marine biologist Alison Shaw and her team have been taking in all the publicity they can handle. Sally and Dirk, two dolphins who are able to communicate through a piece of high-tech software, have been enjoying their time and ability to interact freely. However, there is a new challenge on the horizon and it will not be easy. As humans are closely related to gorillas, it would make sense that they communicate with one another. This has been possible through some tweaking and with new technology. Affixing a vest to the wearer, it's now possible for humans to speak with their primate cousins, something that has caught the attention of a billionaire with a mission in mind for Alison and her crew.
Down in South America, the US Navy has become alerted to an experimental submarine, part of Russia's fleet, having resurfaced off the coast of Brazil. Thought to have been dismantled, this sub is still fully functional and ready to show off what it can do. US Navy officers John Clay and Steve Caesare arrive to investigate and report back what might be going on. Clay and Caesare discover much, none of it uplifting, during their short time in the region. Clay and Caesare learn that a handful of soldiers have been disappearing into the jungle at night, using the cover of darkness to masquerade their true intentions. When a Chinese warship becomes part of the situation, it's a new level of panic for all involved. This is sure to rock the Navy as they try to determine what's next.
While Alison and her crew embark on a mission to save a fellow scientist and locate a monkey, there is more to the story than meets the eye. Technology is sometimes a richer commodity than money and its capabilities can be deadly if they land in the wrong hands. All the while, Clay and Caesare realise just how troubling new discoveries can be, particularly when they are done in secret and the scientific realities are not revealed to the general public. Some significant decisions will have to be made to fend-off what is sure to be a massive international clash in the coming days. Tensions are high, as this is something that could change the world as we know it, forever!
Michael C. Grumley has been working hard to develop this series and this book surely pulled me in a little deeper. Science fiction has never been an area of interest for me, but this book has something that I cannot explain, leaving me wanting more and needing to get to the bottom of what's going on. Grumley spins a tale and peppers it with some great science, as well as a dose of drama, all while keeping the political and international thriller angles in high gear for those who love that sort of thing.
The book is split between Alison Shaw and John Clay, whose adventures are mostly separate but do venture together on occasion. That these two have an interest in one another cannot be dismissed, but both have grown throughout this piece and the series to date. There is a great deal of character development within the pages of this book, keeping the reader curious about how they feel about Shaw and Clay. Hints of where things may lead can be found throughout, helping to enrich further development in the novels to come. I am keen to see how things transpire and where these hints will go, as well as what blossoms.
With a handful of central secondary characters, Grumley keeps the reader connected to the series throughout. There are those who have returned from the debut novel, though the new faces are just as exciting and provide the reader with more to enjoy. I found all those who made an appearance added to the story on some level, though there were some i hope never to see again, as they did little for me. Mixing the various genres in this book, the type of characters cannot be blended into one. There were some strong political characters that will surely keep things going into the forthcoming novels, but it is the science that really has me curious, especially since I am by no means well-versed with that realm.
Grumley does well to keep the reader on their toes throughout this piece, offering up some great plots and a decent collection of characters. The narrative flowed well and kept me intrigued until the very end, left to guess in which direction things would develop. Strong characters pushed the piece along, using wonderful dialogue to keep me learning as I forged deeper into the piece. A mix of chapter lengths had me rushing to learn more on some occasions, while I was pulled into the story with the more detailed sections as well. I am surprised to be so interested in this series, since this is not a genre to which I flock regularly. That being said, you can never judge a book by its cover, or dust jacket blurb..
Kudos, Mr. Grumley, for another captivating piece! I cannot wait to see what’s to come.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
After having relocated to Puero Rico, marine biologist Alison Shaw and her team have been taking in all the publicity they can handle. Sally and Dirk, two dolphins who are able to communicate through a piece of high-tech software, have been enjoying their time and ability to interact freely. However, there is a new challenge on the horizon and it will not be easy. As humans are closely related to gorillas, it would make sense that they communicate with one another. This has been possible through some tweaking and with new technology. Affixing a vest to the wearer, it's now possible for humans to speak with their primate cousins, something that has caught the attention of a billionaire with a mission in mind for Alison and her crew.
Down in South America, the US Navy has become alerted to an experimental submarine, part of Russia's fleet, having resurfaced off the coast of Brazil. Thought to have been dismantled, this sub is still fully functional and ready to show off what it can do. US Navy officers John Clay and Steve Caesare arrive to investigate and report back what might be going on. Clay and Caesare discover much, none of it uplifting, during their short time in the region. Clay and Caesare learn that a handful of soldiers have been disappearing into the jungle at night, using the cover of darkness to masquerade their true intentions. When a Chinese warship becomes part of the situation, it's a new level of panic for all involved. This is sure to rock the Navy as they try to determine what's next.
While Alison and her crew embark on a mission to save a fellow scientist and locate a monkey, there is more to the story than meets the eye. Technology is sometimes a richer commodity than money and its capabilities can be deadly if they land in the wrong hands. All the while, Clay and Caesare realise just how troubling new discoveries can be, particularly when they are done in secret and the scientific realities are not revealed to the general public. Some significant decisions will have to be made to fend-off what is sure to be a massive international clash in the coming days. Tensions are high, as this is something that could change the world as we know it, forever!
Michael C. Grumley has been working hard to develop this series and this book surely pulled me in a little deeper. Science fiction has never been an area of interest for me, but this book has something that I cannot explain, leaving me wanting more and needing to get to the bottom of what's going on. Grumley spins a tale and peppers it with some great science, as well as a dose of drama, all while keeping the political and international thriller angles in high gear for those who love that sort of thing.
The book is split between Alison Shaw and John Clay, whose adventures are mostly separate but do venture together on occasion. That these two have an interest in one another cannot be dismissed, but both have grown throughout this piece and the series to date. There is a great deal of character development within the pages of this book, keeping the reader curious about how they feel about Shaw and Clay. Hints of where things may lead can be found throughout, helping to enrich further development in the novels to come. I am keen to see how things transpire and where these hints will go, as well as what blossoms.
With a handful of central secondary characters, Grumley keeps the reader connected to the series throughout. There are those who have returned from the debut novel, though the new faces are just as exciting and provide the reader with more to enjoy. I found all those who made an appearance added to the story on some level, though there were some i hope never to see again, as they did little for me. Mixing the various genres in this book, the type of characters cannot be blended into one. There were some strong political characters that will surely keep things going into the forthcoming novels, but it is the science that really has me curious, especially since I am by no means well-versed with that realm.
Grumley does well to keep the reader on their toes throughout this piece, offering up some great plots and a decent collection of characters. The narrative flowed well and kept me intrigued until the very end, left to guess in which direction things would develop. Strong characters pushed the piece along, using wonderful dialogue to keep me learning as I forged deeper into the piece. A mix of chapter lengths had me rushing to learn more on some occasions, while I was pulled into the story with the more detailed sections as well. I am surprised to be so interested in this series, since this is not a genre to which I flock regularly. That being said, you can never judge a book by its cover, or dust jacket blurb..
Kudos, Mr. Grumley, for another captivating piece! I cannot wait to see what’s to come.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
August 16, 2014
I have to tell you - read this book. But read the first one in the series first - "Breakthrough." Now I've read some comments about "move over Michael Crichton and Dean Koontz," but that's not fair. This author, one Michael C. Grumley is SO much better it isn't even funny. I don't normally care for books in this "genre." (I don't like the word genre as it creates so many misunderstandings, but call it action/adventure/scifi/suspense... whatever... that has never been my thing. In fact I had to force myself to finish some that everyone raves about. This book? Just a few pages into it I was hooked. I read both books in two days. And I will read them again, as well as anything else he writes.
It is a great feeling when you accidentally find a really good book (or two) and take the chance, buy it, and LOVE the book!! It doesn't happen often but it sure did here. His writing just contains no flaws; the plot lines were perfectly balanced; each chapter ended and started in exactly the right place; the characters were real; what more can anyone want?
I have to state, so you get the significance, that I just don't give out five stars. Call me a literary snob but I save the five-stars for classics and exceptional contemporary literature. But I could not in good conscience give less. There needs to be two categories of ratings - how on earth can you compare "Jane Eyre" or "The Count of Monte Cristo" with anything contemporary? Can't be done.
Just read them. Remember how stingy I am with my "stars" on ratings. And be glad you discovered this author as well. I know you won't regret it!!
It is a great feeling when you accidentally find a really good book (or two) and take the chance, buy it, and LOVE the book!! It doesn't happen often but it sure did here. His writing just contains no flaws; the plot lines were perfectly balanced; each chapter ended and started in exactly the right place; the characters were real; what more can anyone want?
I have to state, so you get the significance, that I just don't give out five stars. Call me a literary snob but I save the five-stars for classics and exceptional contemporary literature. But I could not in good conscience give less. There needs to be two categories of ratings - how on earth can you compare "Jane Eyre" or "The Count of Monte Cristo" with anything contemporary? Can't be done.
Just read them. Remember how stingy I am with my "stars" on ratings. And be glad you discovered this author as well. I know you won't regret it!!
June 11, 2017
This is turning into a really fun series. You can't help liking the cast of characters and their animal companions. Its all a bit 'boys own adventure' but its hugely entertaining and a lot of fun. Despite there being nothing terribly dark in these stories, the characters must face many dangerous challenges and solve numerous puzzles. Their values are also frequently tested.
I like a serial killer thriller as much as the next person but, for a break from all that, this breakthrough series is just the ticket. Action, romance, danger, aliens, conspiracies and some pretty cute animals make for a heartwarming action adventure.
I like a serial killer thriller as much as the next person but, for a break from all that, this breakthrough series is just the ticket. Action, romance, danger, aliens, conspiracies and some pretty cute animals make for a heartwarming action adventure.
May 11, 2017
So, the saga continues, and now we have progressed (leaped) from chatting with dolphins to gossiping with gorillas. Before doubts pop up in the mind of anyone reading this review allow me to point out a couple things most of us know. Ignoring Mr. Pavlov and his drooling dogs, consider this. Dogs respond to commands by the owner they form a bond with. Cats respond to some degree but ignore the bonding thing, cows come when called, hogs rush to the feed trough when called, and I have heard of hunters luring ducks or turkeys with certain “calls” crafted purposely for luring them closer. I know of a person whose mimic of a whippoorwill lured that bird to the yard and then kept the residents up most of the night with a constant barrage of its unique call. Studies of various animals have determined that indeed some animals do have communication abilities. But aside from all that this book tells an intriguing tale of the humans involved. As they chase certain people of interest and items sought by those persons. Fast paced action and some feats I don’t buy into and plenty of computer speak which is an alien language to me. And oh yes, there are some aliens. This series rivals those of many great authors I have read but will not mention. Mystery thriller fans should find great gobs of entertainment among these pages and I now jump right into book three of this four book series.
May 26, 2018
This is a sequel and while the first book isn't required it introduces all the characters. In this book the baddies are even badder; we have a national security threat as the Chinese military is removing a mysterious substance from Guyana. The dolphins and the scientists have moved from Miami to Puerto Rico and been joined by a gorilla specialist who is working with a 3 year old gorilla to learn the animal's language.
There will be much action, much adventure and aliens.
Here is something that started to bug me... the humans named the Dolphins Dirk and Sally, Once the dolphins were understood they were still Dirk and Sally. Don't they have dolphin names? Isn't it species-ist for us to refer to them by names we gave them?
There is a lot of stupidity in this book, the taking the talking Gorilla (Hello estate of Michael Crichton) to find a missing person (Congo). It is even more absurd because the technology is very new and there is almost no investigation into the background of the mysterious billionaire (its called Google FFS)
There will be much action, much adventure and aliens.
Here is something that started to bug me... the humans named the Dolphins Dirk and Sally, Once the dolphins were understood they were still Dirk and Sally. Don't they have dolphin names? Isn't it species-ist for us to refer to them by names we gave them?
There is a lot of stupidity in this book, the taking the talking Gorilla (Hello estate of Michael Crichton) to find a missing person (Congo). It is even more absurd because the technology is very new and there is almost no investigation into the background of the mysterious billionaire (its called Google FFS)
March 10, 2017
One word comes to mind: "Wow!"
My only regret in reading this book, is that I didn't re-read "Breakthrough" prior to reading this book. The author has shown, once again, that he has mastered his genre. The character development was very well done and the story was full of page-turning suspense. I did find a few typos, but they took nothing from the story. If you enjoy a combination of suspense, science, philosophy and science fiction, this is your book!
My only regret in reading this book, is that I didn't re-read "Breakthrough" prior to reading this book. The author has shown, once again, that he has mastered his genre. The character development was very well done and the story was full of page-turning suspense. I did find a few typos, but they took nothing from the story. If you enjoy a combination of suspense, science, philosophy and science fiction, this is your book!
July 17, 2018
2,5 Sterne
Leider weit schwächer als der erste Band. War mir viel zu langatmig und konnte mich nur stellenweise wirklich überzeugen. Das letzte Viertel macht aber dennoch neugierig auf den finalen Teil.
Leider weit schwächer als der erste Band. War mir viel zu langatmig und konnte mich nur stellenweise wirklich überzeugen. Das letzte Viertel macht aber dennoch neugierig auf den finalen Teil.
May 2, 2018
In Breakthrough Michael Grumley created a few characters I really liked, however, I felt he took too many liberties with 1) pushing the sci-fi envelop too far for me, and 2) leaving too many cliff hangers, thus basically making the reader buy the next book in the series. Well, I bought the next book, Leap. I still liked the characters and the new antagonists - but see points 1 and 2 above...thus my 2 star rating.
Slight Spoiler Alert:
Regarding point 1, pushing the sci-fi believability factor too far, here is a quote in Leap that actually made me laugh out loud. While a couple of the wicked smart characters are speculating how some alien life could have possibly delivered to earth the advanced technology they have discovered, Borger says "It's possible it was a round trip, but the probabilities and physics are hugely against it. Regardless of what kind of propulsion system they used. That's assuming we're not talking about some make-believe technology like on TV. No Energy source is free from mathematics or economics"
Ha- Ha. The whole premise of Grumley's Breakthrough series is exactly that - "some make-believe technology like on TV" (or like in a Grumley novel). Time for me to walk away from this series, even though I'm left hanging on several unanswered/unresolved scenarios.
I guess I should stick with other genres because it is rare that an author of Science Fiction gets the formula right for me. I am also not a fan of Super Hero or Action Adventure movies.
Slight Spoiler Alert:
Regarding point 1, pushing the sci-fi believability factor too far, here is a quote in Leap that actually made me laugh out loud. While a couple of the wicked smart characters are speculating how some alien life could have possibly delivered to earth the advanced technology they have discovered, Borger says "It's possible it was a round trip, but the probabilities and physics are hugely against it. Regardless of what kind of propulsion system they used. That's assuming we're not talking about some make-believe technology like on TV. No Energy source is free from mathematics or economics"
Ha- Ha. The whole premise of Grumley's Breakthrough series is exactly that - "some make-believe technology like on TV" (or like in a Grumley novel). Time for me to walk away from this series, even though I'm left hanging on several unanswered/unresolved scenarios.
I guess I should stick with other genres because it is rare that an author of Science Fiction gets the formula right for me. I am also not a fan of Super Hero or Action Adventure movies.
November 12, 2014
Michael C Grumley does it again.
This is the sequel to Breakthrough. To that end I don't want to give too much away in case you haven't read Breakthrough. All I can say is you seriously need to! These are thrillers at their very best.
In "Leap" we once again meet naval investigators John and Steve. This time they are investigating the sighting of a strange submarine off the coast of Brazil. And why is there a Chinese war ship in Guyana with the crew making strange visits to a remote mountain during the hours of darkness every night. And what can Alison and her crew discover when they take Dirk and Sally out to do translation tests in the open sea?
Michael C Grumley has (in my opinion) got a natural talent for sucking you right in to his stories. The characters are believable. The plots are believable. The events and outcomes are believable. You find yourself reading the stories and thinking "my God this could actually happen". Then there is the sci-fi angles he writes about which again could possibly happen. One particular portion of this book got me thinking about the way mankind neither appreciates nor makes the most of what we have. Do others outside our universe look at us with disgust or envy? Or both? I can't wait for the next installment to find out and see where this story takes us next.
Absolutely 5 stars all the way!
This is the sequel to Breakthrough. To that end I don't want to give too much away in case you haven't read Breakthrough. All I can say is you seriously need to! These are thrillers at their very best.
In "Leap" we once again meet naval investigators John and Steve. This time they are investigating the sighting of a strange submarine off the coast of Brazil. And why is there a Chinese war ship in Guyana with the crew making strange visits to a remote mountain during the hours of darkness every night. And what can Alison and her crew discover when they take Dirk and Sally out to do translation tests in the open sea?
Michael C Grumley has (in my opinion) got a natural talent for sucking you right in to his stories. The characters are believable. The plots are believable. The events and outcomes are believable. You find yourself reading the stories and thinking "my God this could actually happen". Then there is the sci-fi angles he writes about which again could possibly happen. One particular portion of this book got me thinking about the way mankind neither appreciates nor makes the most of what we have. Do others outside our universe look at us with disgust or envy? Or both? I can't wait for the next installment to find out and see where this story takes us next.
Absolutely 5 stars all the way!
March 10, 2017
This second book in the series was as interesting as the first book, and I really enjoyed the surprising twisty-turns. Am excited to continue with book #3,
but will take a little break with a couple of diversion books first, so I don't get burnt out with the series.
There is scattered cursing in both books, including religious swears, no "F" bombs, however.
but will take a little break with a couple of diversion books first, so I don't get burnt out with the series.There is scattered cursing in both books, including religious swears, no "F" bombs, however.
April 2, 2015
Awesome!
This book was so good, I recommend Breakthrough and Leap, Michael is a very good storyteller! Can't wait to read more of his books!
This book was so good, I recommend Breakthrough and Leap, Michael is a very good storyteller! Can't wait to read more of his books!
September 12, 2015
This was an amazingly fun read from start to finish. I thoroughly enjoyed. Probably should have read the first book before this but this was still great.
May 15, 2018
Da ich bereits vom 1. Teil “Breakthrough” so begeistert war, stand es natürlich außer Frage, dass ich auch die Fortsetzung lesen werde. Ich habe in anderen Meinungen zu dem Buch mehrfach gehört, dass man es auch unabhängig vom 1. Teil lesen könnte. Dem stimme ich nicht ganz zu, da sich doch einige Gegebenheiten auf Dinge im 1. Teil beziehen, wenngleich die Handlung des Buches eine eigene Story ist. Manche Sachen werden durchaus auch nochmal erklärt, aber für ein wirkliches Verständnis empfehle ich wirklich, die Reihe als ein Ganzes anzusehen.
Im 2. Teil treffen wir wieder auf vertraute Charaktere, wie Alison, Clay und Cesare. Bei Alison folgen wir wieder dem vertrauten Handlungsstrang um die Delfine Dirk und Sally. Besonders erfreulich fand ich, dass ich diesem Buch noch mehr Aufmerksamkeit auf die beiden gelenkt wird. Das bekannte Sprachsystem kommt wieder zum Einsatz, was ich wirklich beeindruckend finde. Als Neuerung haben wir dieses Mal noch eine weitere Frau, die das Sprachsystem auf eine Gorilladame umfunktioniert hat.
Unsere beiden Ermittler Clay und Cesare kommen natürlich auch wieder zum Einsatz. Die beiden befinden sich zu Beginn auf einer Mission, um herauszufinden, warum ein lange verschollenes U-Boot plötzlich wieder auftaucht, und vor allem warum es an einer ganz besonderen Stelle auftaucht. Hieraus ergibt eine wirklich brisante Geschichte, die man wahrlich als “Science-Thriller” bezeichnen kann.
Im ersten Teil hatte ich noch etwas Schwierigkeiten mit den Hauptpersonen, jetzt jedoch bin ich weitaus vertrauter mit ihnen. Auch wenn man natürlich noch nicht von wirklichem Tiefgang reden kann, denn für mich liegt der Fokus eindeutig auf der Story. Die Story ist auch hier wieder sehr bildgewaltig und erinnert stark an einen Hollywoodblockbuster. Nicht aufgrund von irgendwelchen Ähnlichkeiten, sondern weil ich mir die Story verfilmt einfach gigantisch vorstelle!
Die Story war für mich eine gelungene Mischung aus Wissenschaft, Abenteuer und Action. Einzig die manchmal recht langen technischen Passagen über die U-Boote und Schiffe fand ich etwas schwierig, aber vielleicht auch einfach weil mir da das technische Verständnis fehlt. Es gab keine langatmigen Actionszenen, die mich schnell mal stören können, und auch die politischen Verwicklungen waren in einem guten Verhältnis zur Story eingebaut.
Für mich ist “In der Tiefe” eine gelungene Fortsetzung des Auftakts und für mich steht fest, dass ich definitiv weiterlesen möchte. Das Ende des Buches deutet bereits an, dass uns im dritten Teil eine sehr interessante Story erwartet.
Im 2. Teil treffen wir wieder auf vertraute Charaktere, wie Alison, Clay und Cesare. Bei Alison folgen wir wieder dem vertrauten Handlungsstrang um die Delfine Dirk und Sally. Besonders erfreulich fand ich, dass ich diesem Buch noch mehr Aufmerksamkeit auf die beiden gelenkt wird. Das bekannte Sprachsystem kommt wieder zum Einsatz, was ich wirklich beeindruckend finde. Als Neuerung haben wir dieses Mal noch eine weitere Frau, die das Sprachsystem auf eine Gorilladame umfunktioniert hat.
Unsere beiden Ermittler Clay und Cesare kommen natürlich auch wieder zum Einsatz. Die beiden befinden sich zu Beginn auf einer Mission, um herauszufinden, warum ein lange verschollenes U-Boot plötzlich wieder auftaucht, und vor allem warum es an einer ganz besonderen Stelle auftaucht. Hieraus ergibt eine wirklich brisante Geschichte, die man wahrlich als “Science-Thriller” bezeichnen kann.
Im ersten Teil hatte ich noch etwas Schwierigkeiten mit den Hauptpersonen, jetzt jedoch bin ich weitaus vertrauter mit ihnen. Auch wenn man natürlich noch nicht von wirklichem Tiefgang reden kann, denn für mich liegt der Fokus eindeutig auf der Story. Die Story ist auch hier wieder sehr bildgewaltig und erinnert stark an einen Hollywoodblockbuster. Nicht aufgrund von irgendwelchen Ähnlichkeiten, sondern weil ich mir die Story verfilmt einfach gigantisch vorstelle!
Die Story war für mich eine gelungene Mischung aus Wissenschaft, Abenteuer und Action. Einzig die manchmal recht langen technischen Passagen über die U-Boote und Schiffe fand ich etwas schwierig, aber vielleicht auch einfach weil mir da das technische Verständnis fehlt. Es gab keine langatmigen Actionszenen, die mich schnell mal stören können, und auch die politischen Verwicklungen waren in einem guten Verhältnis zur Story eingebaut.
Für mich ist “In der Tiefe” eine gelungene Fortsetzung des Auftakts und für mich steht fest, dass ich definitiv weiterlesen möchte. Das Ende des Buches deutet bereits an, dass uns im dritten Teil eine sehr interessante Story erwartet.
October 16, 2015
Clay, John Clay
Move over, James Bond, there's a new hero in town! I have just finished reading Breakthrough and Leap by Michael C. Grumble. These books are fascinating. The characters are real, emotional, caring, truly bringing life to the pages. Once I started reading book one, I could not stop. The energy just flowed from the pages, the action was very fast paced. I would enjoy reading more books about these same characters.
Steve Caesare with his humorous way of looking at world
John Clay, well who wouldn't want to fall in love with a man who remembers everything a girl says?
Alison Shaw: intelligent, beautiful, and she gets to swim with dolphins!
These are great books and I do look forward to more. Thank you, Mr. Grumley
Move over, James Bond, there's a new hero in town! I have just finished reading Breakthrough and Leap by Michael C. Grumble. These books are fascinating. The characters are real, emotional, caring, truly bringing life to the pages. Once I started reading book one, I could not stop. The energy just flowed from the pages, the action was very fast paced. I would enjoy reading more books about these same characters.
Steve Caesare with his humorous way of looking at world
John Clay, well who wouldn't want to fall in love with a man who remembers everything a girl says?
Alison Shaw: intelligent, beautiful, and she gets to swim with dolphins!
These are great books and I do look forward to more. Thank you, Mr. Grumley
May 10, 2015
Believably futuristic
I had not read "Breakthrough" before reading "LEAP". There were a few references to the first book but those references did not interfere with my enjoyment of this book. The characters are well developed and consistent. This plays a major part in allowing the reader to stay involved with a plot line that takes one into a future we have not experienced yet plants the seeds of wonder that we could someday. The ending is satisfying as the characters chose to make choices for the good of others. All in all a good read that leaves the reader uplifted and not disappointed.
I had not read "Breakthrough" before reading "LEAP". There were a few references to the first book but those references did not interfere with my enjoyment of this book. The characters are well developed and consistent. This plays a major part in allowing the reader to stay involved with a plot line that takes one into a future we have not experienced yet plants the seeds of wonder that we could someday. The ending is satisfying as the characters chose to make choices for the good of others. All in all a good read that leaves the reader uplifted and not disappointed.
October 30, 2015
I can't wait for the next one
Having just finished this thrilling book that combined military, scientific, and science fiction so seamlessly I now must wait a month to see the third book in this series. I can't wait! I'm definitely addicted to this author and so glad I found him. Go Michael!!!!
Having just finished this thrilling book that combined military, scientific, and science fiction so seamlessly I now must wait a month to see the third book in this series. I can't wait! I'm definitely addicted to this author and so glad I found him. Go Michael!!!!
June 7, 2016
Blah. Closer to 2.5 because it's somewhat unique and well written, but the story and characters are just kind of there.
March 2, 2021
Ein neuer Einsatz für Sally und Dirk, das muntere Delfin-Pärchen – ja, richtig gelesen, auch im zweiten Band von Michael C. Grumleys "Breakthrough"-Reihe gehören zwei überaus fidele Meeressäuger zur Riege der Charaktere. Und wer den ersten Teil noch nicht kennt, auf den wartet hier noch eine weitere Überraschung, denn Sally und Dirk sind nicht nur schmückendes und stummes Beiwerk, sondern können mit ihren menschlichen Mitstreitern auch "sprechen". Möglich macht dies ein ausgeklügeltes technisches Kommunikationssystem (mit dem etwas unvorteilhaften Namen "ISIS"), dass es der Meeresbiologin Alison Shaw und ihrem Team ermöglicht, mit den intelligenten Delfinen einfache Gespräche zu führen und auf diese Weise mehr über das Verhalten der Tiere zu lernen.
In "In der Tiefe" wird dem fröhlichen Delfin-Duo aber ein wenig die Show gestohlen, denn mittlerweile ist ISIS so weit fortgeschritten, dass es auch auf andere Spezies angewendet werden kann – so rückt die Gorilla-Dame Dulce diesmal in den Fokus der Geschichte, die von der Wissenschaftlerin DeeAnn Draper betreut wird. Fans von Sally und Dirk müssen jedoch nicht auf ihre Lieblinge verzichten, die Erweiterung der Story um eine weitere tierische Hauptfigur sorgt aber für willkommene Abwechslung.
Auch der weitere Cast des Vorgängers ist hier wieder mit von der Partie, wobei die weiblichen Figuren wie Alison und DeeAnn wieder vorrangig für den wissenschaftlichen Teil zuständig sind und die männlichen Vertreter wie die beiden Navy-Sonderermittler John Clay und Steve Cesare erneut die eher militärischen Außeneinsätzen übernehmen – eine etwas klischeehafte Rollenverteilung, die aber nicht wirklich negativ aufstößt, weil sich die jeweiligen Kompetenzen im Ernstfall recht gut vermischen und jeder seine Stärken ausspielen darf.
Abwechslung ist auch durch die drei verschiedenen Handlungsstränge geboten, die sich wie folgt aufteilen: Meeresbiologin Alison will das ISIS-System in die nächste Phase bringen und die Anwendung im offenen Meer erproben, ihre Kollegin DeeAnn begibt sich mit Gorilla-Weibchen Dulce auf eine brisante Rettungsmission im brasilianischen Dschungel und Clay und Cesare untersuchen das rätselhafte Auftauchen eines verschollen geglaubten russischen U-Boots in Südamerika. Jede Story für sich ist dabei interessant und spannend, zudem werden die verschiedenen Stränge auch geschickt miteinander verwoben.
Natürlich ist auch "In der Tiefe" in erster Linie leicht bekömmliche Unterhaltung. Der wissenschaftliche Anspruch eines "Science-Thrillers" scheint zwar immer wieder durch, wie man an "sprechenden" Delfinen und Gorillas aber bereits erahnen kann muss man nun wahrlich keinen Biologie-Abschluss mitbringen, um der Geschichte folgen zu können – die Action steht hier ganz klar im Vordergrund. Dabei bedient sich der Autor allerdings der immer wieder gern genommenen amerikanischen Klischees von den bösen Russen und Chinesen, was vorsichtig formuliert nicht gerade originell ist und vielleicht kreativer hätte gelöst werden können.
Dennoch ist auch der zweite "Breakthrough"-Band insgesamt ein durchweg unterhaltsamer Action-Thriller mit sympathischen Figuren, atmosphärischen Schauplätzen und drei außergewöhnlichen tierischen Protagonisten, die auch diesmal wieder viel frischen Wind in die Geschichte bringen. Dazu kommt dann noch ein Hauch Science Fiction, der in seiner Ausführung vielleicht Geschmacksache ist, aber der Handlung eine weitere interessante Note verpasst. Alles in allem also eine gelungene Fortsetzung, die Lust auf die weiteren Teile der Reihe macht.
In "In der Tiefe" wird dem fröhlichen Delfin-Duo aber ein wenig die Show gestohlen, denn mittlerweile ist ISIS so weit fortgeschritten, dass es auch auf andere Spezies angewendet werden kann – so rückt die Gorilla-Dame Dulce diesmal in den Fokus der Geschichte, die von der Wissenschaftlerin DeeAnn Draper betreut wird. Fans von Sally und Dirk müssen jedoch nicht auf ihre Lieblinge verzichten, die Erweiterung der Story um eine weitere tierische Hauptfigur sorgt aber für willkommene Abwechslung.
Auch der weitere Cast des Vorgängers ist hier wieder mit von der Partie, wobei die weiblichen Figuren wie Alison und DeeAnn wieder vorrangig für den wissenschaftlichen Teil zuständig sind und die männlichen Vertreter wie die beiden Navy-Sonderermittler John Clay und Steve Cesare erneut die eher militärischen Außeneinsätzen übernehmen – eine etwas klischeehafte Rollenverteilung, die aber nicht wirklich negativ aufstößt, weil sich die jeweiligen Kompetenzen im Ernstfall recht gut vermischen und jeder seine Stärken ausspielen darf.
Abwechslung ist auch durch die drei verschiedenen Handlungsstränge geboten, die sich wie folgt aufteilen: Meeresbiologin Alison will das ISIS-System in die nächste Phase bringen und die Anwendung im offenen Meer erproben, ihre Kollegin DeeAnn begibt sich mit Gorilla-Weibchen Dulce auf eine brisante Rettungsmission im brasilianischen Dschungel und Clay und Cesare untersuchen das rätselhafte Auftauchen eines verschollen geglaubten russischen U-Boots in Südamerika. Jede Story für sich ist dabei interessant und spannend, zudem werden die verschiedenen Stränge auch geschickt miteinander verwoben.
Natürlich ist auch "In der Tiefe" in erster Linie leicht bekömmliche Unterhaltung. Der wissenschaftliche Anspruch eines "Science-Thrillers" scheint zwar immer wieder durch, wie man an "sprechenden" Delfinen und Gorillas aber bereits erahnen kann muss man nun wahrlich keinen Biologie-Abschluss mitbringen, um der Geschichte folgen zu können – die Action steht hier ganz klar im Vordergrund. Dabei bedient sich der Autor allerdings der immer wieder gern genommenen amerikanischen Klischees von den bösen Russen und Chinesen, was vorsichtig formuliert nicht gerade originell ist und vielleicht kreativer hätte gelöst werden können.
Dennoch ist auch der zweite "Breakthrough"-Band insgesamt ein durchweg unterhaltsamer Action-Thriller mit sympathischen Figuren, atmosphärischen Schauplätzen und drei außergewöhnlichen tierischen Protagonisten, die auch diesmal wieder viel frischen Wind in die Geschichte bringen. Dazu kommt dann noch ein Hauch Science Fiction, der in seiner Ausführung vielleicht Geschmacksache ist, aber der Handlung eine weitere interessante Note verpasst. Alles in allem also eine gelungene Fortsetzung, die Lust auf die weiteren Teile der Reihe macht.
January 6, 2020
If you liked Breakthrough, you'll also like this sequel. As sequels go, it's a solid continuation of the adventure and intrigue from book 1. I was hesitant to pick it up for a good long while after reading the first book and I think it's because this series is really good - but it doesn't have that wow factor I wanted. Don't get me wrong, the series so far is really good sci-fi adventure with a lot of gunfights and twists and interesting junk science. Fascinating junk science, in fact.
I don't think I'll take as long this time to continue the series. The focus changed in this book for the characters and if that continues, it will just make the series all the better.
Scott Brick is great on the audiobook. He's such a pro.
I don't think I'll take as long this time to continue the series. The focus changed in this book for the characters and if that continues, it will just make the series all the better.
Scott Brick is great on the audiobook. He's such a pro.
June 2, 2017
This sequel to Breakthrough is set a year on, with Alison's team having progressed their mammalian language translation program so they can now talk to gorillas too. Meanwhile Clay and Caesare are looking into the mysterious presence of a Chinese warship and a Russian submarine off South America, apparently up to no good. Then a billionaire philanthropist asks Alison's colleague to take Dulce their gorilla on a rescue mission into the jungle, which just happens to be the same general area the Chinese are interested in...
Like the previous book, this had a lot of ridiculous non-science to bamboozle the reader into accepting the preposterous plot holes, virtually super-human heroes saving the day in the nick of time, and Ann outrageous Deus ex machina appearance of characters from the last book to save the day. It is however all jolly good fun with lots of action and likeable characters if you're willing to suspend disbelief and just enjoy the story.
My kindle version had the same annoying lack of paragraph breaks which confuse the narrative as the last book, at least I was aware of it from the start this time.
Like the previous book, this had a lot of ridiculous non-science to bamboozle the reader into accepting the preposterous plot holes, virtually super-human heroes saving the day in the nick of time, and Ann outrageous Deus ex machina appearance of characters from the last book to save the day. It is however all jolly good fun with lots of action and likeable characters if you're willing to suspend disbelief and just enjoy the story.
My kindle version had the same annoying lack of paragraph breaks which confuse the narrative as the last book, at least I was aware of it from the start this time.
January 21, 2018
Damsels in distress
The storyline would be better if every woman in the book wasn’t so one dimensional. All of them are gorgeous with amazing bodies. For professional scientists at the top of their game, they seem too focused on their love lives and being naive and vulnerable. The two main women both needed rescued in two separate occasions and of course the love of their life, navy seals, saved them. Where the women seem naive and weak, the men can do it all! Spy, assassinate, pilot helicopters, subs, boats, you name it! They waltz in and out of countries like there’s no such thing as borders. The premise would be so much better if the characters were less stereotyped.
The storyline would be better if every woman in the book wasn’t so one dimensional. All of them are gorgeous with amazing bodies. For professional scientists at the top of their game, they seem too focused on their love lives and being naive and vulnerable. The two main women both needed rescued in two separate occasions and of course the love of their life, navy seals, saved them. Where the women seem naive and weak, the men can do it all! Spy, assassinate, pilot helicopters, subs, boats, you name it! They waltz in and out of countries like there’s no such thing as borders. The premise would be so much better if the characters were less stereotyped.
March 1, 2017
"Beware Of The Leap"
In this book, something very strange is happening off the coast of South America. There is a Russian submarine of a class which had long been dismantled, and has risen with a live crew. The U.S. Navy is sending officers John Clay and Steve Caesare to investigate. Author Grumley has a unique way of presenting more than one adventure in each of his books. And they all come together in the end which leaves you gasping! His stories are eye-openers, amazing, and keep you intrigued from cover to cover. Give this series a try, you'll be very impressed!
In this book, something very strange is happening off the coast of South America. There is a Russian submarine of a class which had long been dismantled, and has risen with a live crew. The U.S. Navy is sending officers John Clay and Steve Caesare to investigate. Author Grumley has a unique way of presenting more than one adventure in each of his books. And they all come together in the end which leaves you gasping! His stories are eye-openers, amazing, and keep you intrigued from cover to cover. Give this series a try, you'll be very impressed!
June 15, 2017
Book two in the Breakthrough Series: Another fun, exciting read,
Like the first book, Breakthrough, the author starts out with separate storylines for the characters and you wonder how they relate. The journey to the point where the stories converge sets off on a fast, fun pace. Interesting premises for the separate storylines. Even though some of the characters are a bit formulaic, I liked them a lot. This is a great book to read while sitting on the patio enjoying the summer!
Like the first book, Breakthrough, the author starts out with separate storylines for the characters and you wonder how they relate. The journey to the point where the stories converge sets off on a fast, fun pace. Interesting premises for the separate storylines. Even though some of the characters are a bit formulaic, I liked them a lot. This is a great book to read while sitting on the patio enjoying the summer!
June 9, 2018
This was a 4.5 rounded to 5. My biggest complaint in the first book was the lack of character development. This one finally lets us get to know them more so that we care what happens to them. This was a quick and fun read. His descriptions are vivid, the plot action packed, and the storyline original. A few cliches and expository dialogue bogged it down in a couple of places, but nothing too bad. As with the last book, you have to be willing to suspend your disbelief and not get caught up on the reality of things. But that is pretty easy to do because the action keeps it flowing.
October 16, 2018
The characters are well-developed and who wouldn't love to communicate with animals? However, the author doesn't seem to really understand molecular biology or microbiology or even mammalian erythrocyte production. I still enjoyed the book even though it was totally implausible. The characters and their relationships with the animals were still compelling.
March 5, 2018
Das Buch ist das erste Buch des Autors, welches ich jetzt gelesen habe. Angesprochen von dem wirklich spannenden Klappentext wollte ich es unbedingt lesen. Leider kann jetzt nach Beendigung sagen, dass es nicht ganz so spannend war, wie ich gewünscht hätte.
Der Beginn mit den sprechenden Delfinen und den dazugehörigen Erklärungen fand ich wirklich sehr interessant, aber je weiter ich gelesen habe, desto mehr Handlungsstränge haben sich ergeben und ich muss leider sagen, dass es mir dann doch stellenweise etwas zu viel war. Es ja so, dass man auch noch die Aufklärung des U – Bootes verfolgen, aber auch hier tauchen plötzlich sehr viele Personen auf und so wurde es mir dann doch etwas anstrengend.
Das Setting, besonders Costa Rica hat mir gut gefallen und fand ich wirklich klasse. Die Abschnitte in Brasilien fand ich allerdings auch wunderbar gelungen. Es gibt nämlich während der Handlung so einige Ortswechsel und man muss echt aufpassen, dass man nichts vergisst.
Das Ende war jetzt sehr überraschend und auch etwas seltsam, aber mehr will jetzt hier nicht verraten.
Alison war mir eine sympathische Hauptprotagonistin. Besonders ihre Arbeit mit den Delfinen fand ich sehr interessant und richtig toll detailliert beschrieben. Allerdings wirkte sie während der Handlung jetzt eher eintönig.
Auch die Nebencharaktere fand ich recht gut beschrieben. Es gab aber so eine Vielfalt an Personen, dass ich hier jetzt gar nicht mehr ins Detail gehen kann.
Der Schreibstil war recht flüssig und das Buch hat sich wirklich gut lesen lassen. Ich fand die Handlung gut nachvollziehbar und gerade die wissenschaftlichen Details fand ich gut erzählt und wirkten auf mich auch gut recherchiert. Richtig toll.
Das Cover gefällt mir und ich finde es wirkt sehr mysteriös, sodass es gut zur Handlung passt.
Zum Autor:
Michael C. Grumley arbeitet in der Informationstechnologie in Nordkalifornien, wo er auch mit seiner Familie lebt. Er ist ein begeisterter Leser und träumt seit Jahren davon einen Science-Thriller zu schreiben, der eine einzigartige Geschichte erzählt. Breakthrough ist der Auftakt zur Science-Fiction-Serie von Michael C. Grumley.
Quelle: Verlag
Fazit:
3 von 5 Sterne. War nett, aber nicht so wirklich nach meinem Geschmack.
Der Beginn mit den sprechenden Delfinen und den dazugehörigen Erklärungen fand ich wirklich sehr interessant, aber je weiter ich gelesen habe, desto mehr Handlungsstränge haben sich ergeben und ich muss leider sagen, dass es mir dann doch stellenweise etwas zu viel war. Es ja so, dass man auch noch die Aufklärung des U – Bootes verfolgen, aber auch hier tauchen plötzlich sehr viele Personen auf und so wurde es mir dann doch etwas anstrengend.
Das Setting, besonders Costa Rica hat mir gut gefallen und fand ich wirklich klasse. Die Abschnitte in Brasilien fand ich allerdings auch wunderbar gelungen. Es gibt nämlich während der Handlung so einige Ortswechsel und man muss echt aufpassen, dass man nichts vergisst.
Das Ende war jetzt sehr überraschend und auch etwas seltsam, aber mehr will jetzt hier nicht verraten.
Alison war mir eine sympathische Hauptprotagonistin. Besonders ihre Arbeit mit den Delfinen fand ich sehr interessant und richtig toll detailliert beschrieben. Allerdings wirkte sie während der Handlung jetzt eher eintönig.
Auch die Nebencharaktere fand ich recht gut beschrieben. Es gab aber so eine Vielfalt an Personen, dass ich hier jetzt gar nicht mehr ins Detail gehen kann.
Der Schreibstil war recht flüssig und das Buch hat sich wirklich gut lesen lassen. Ich fand die Handlung gut nachvollziehbar und gerade die wissenschaftlichen Details fand ich gut erzählt und wirkten auf mich auch gut recherchiert. Richtig toll.
Das Cover gefällt mir und ich finde es wirkt sehr mysteriös, sodass es gut zur Handlung passt.
Zum Autor:
Michael C. Grumley arbeitet in der Informationstechnologie in Nordkalifornien, wo er auch mit seiner Familie lebt. Er ist ein begeisterter Leser und träumt seit Jahren davon einen Science-Thriller zu schreiben, der eine einzigartige Geschichte erzählt. Breakthrough ist der Auftakt zur Science-Fiction-Serie von Michael C. Grumley.
Quelle: Verlag
Fazit:
3 von 5 Sterne. War nett, aber nicht so wirklich nach meinem Geschmack.
December 11, 2024
The sequel to Breakthrough was insane!! A lot happened in what felt like a short amount of time. The pacing may have been so slow, but there was so much to unpack and unravel. Again, my favorite part was the dolphins. They literally make everything better! I love the improvement the IMIS has made with translation. It even helped with the chimps. The amount of information discovered, destroyed, and then discovered again was insane. I'm loving this series. Loving the characters, the animals, science, and ecological discoveries. I can't wait to finish this series!!
August 18, 2018
I read Breakthrough first and have Catalyst in the queue! This was a slower start for me, took a bit to get rolling but what a fabulous end! I just loved it! Hence, all stars! Looking forward to catching up with my characters in the next book! Thank you Michael Grumley. Well written and fun!
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