The Atomic Sea: Volume One

The Atomic Sea #1

by Jack Conner

Epic adventure in a strange world by bestselling author Jack Conner. A thousand years ago, the sea began to change, and the change spread. Now the boiling, toxic, lightning-wreathed Atomic Sea has encompassed every ocean on the planet, and the creatures that live in it have become mutated and unnatural. The sea's taint can infect any human who comes in contact with it or with unprocessed seafood, killing them . . . or altering them. No one knows why the sea has become this way or what it portends, only that it's irrevocably changed the world. Meanwhile, world war has erupted, and the small country of Ghenisa, like many others, is tottering on the brink of collapse under the onslaught of the Empire of Octung. Dr. Francis Avery, a middle-aged widower, is aboard a military whaling ship far out on the Atomic Sea when a series of murders onboard propels him down the rabbit-hole of danger and terror unlike any other. Soon he becomes aware of a spy on the ship, but that's just the beginning. With the help of the grizzled whaler Janx and a mysterious woman named Layanna, he will embark on an epic quest to save Ghenisa from Octung and unravel the secrets of the Atomic Sea. This is the opening volume of a multi-volume saga of adventure and high stakes in an awe-inspiring world unlike any you've ever seen before. Welcome to the world of the Atomic Sea

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Steampunk, Adventure, Fiction, Ebooks, Amazon

297 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2014

About the author

Raised in Austin, Texas, Jack Conner is the bestselling author of the Black Tower Trilogy. He's an ardent fan of fantasy, horror and weird fiction, and writes them all. He's lived all over the United States and has traveled across the world, but recently he's moved back to his beloved Austin.

Reviews

[✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Believe me when I tell you that you have never read a book like this one. The blurb describes it as "an epic adventure in a strange world." Epic adventure? Definitely. Strange world? The world Conner has created is beyond strange. And it's pretty amazing. There is no way to describe it really. It made me think of both Jules Verne and the 1930s/1940s adventure movies I used to love watching as a kid.

The Atomic Sea is a crazy mix of fantasy, adventure, mystery, espionage and warfare. Throw in acidic waters, mutants, naval battles, deathly lobsters, hot lard, monsters, otherworldly beings, a bit of alchemy, revolutions past, deities, advanced technologies, dirigibles, whaling, a sect, giant snails and decadent, god-worshipping lords and you get this very weird but highly entertaining wild ride of a read.

The plot is simply impossible to summarize so I won't even try to do it here. Suffice it to say that what starts out as a seemingly conventional story about countries at war, murder and poisoned waters quickly becomes a truly epic adventure tale in a world that defies imagination.

Conner has created a fantastic cast of characters: complex, intriguing, very likeable, awe-inspiring, none of them without flaws… Every single character, even the most insignificant one, is well-crafted and adds substance to the story. What I particularly love here is the way Avery's character evolves throughout the book. He appears submissive at first but becomes quite the adventurous (albeit reluctant) hero as the story unfolds. I like power-hungry Sheridan (a big thank you to Conner for putting a woman in a position of power for once!) and mysterious Layanna. Janx, Hildra and Muirblaag make a very lovable gang of misfits and I love their interactions with Avery.

The Atomic Sea is one of the most entertaining and original books I have read in a long time. The craziest mix ever… but it works! The adventure is only just beginning and I can't wait to find out what Conner has in store for Avery & friends!

ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Gary Allen, PhD · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review is more about what this book is missing. It is missing background material. Like how did this planet get so environmentally unfriendly, why are the bad guys trying to take over the world, who are the good guys, and on and on and on. Reading this book is like coming into the theater half way through the movie. OK this was a free download from Amazon so that just goes to prove the old adage - you get what you pay for.

[Bogdan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you`re interested in a Lovecraft fantasy adventure set in a toxic and dark future this will be a perfect reading for you.

Great, great, work...

There is more to this book than Jules Verne and Lovecraft inspiration...if you love China Mieville`s, Perdido Street Station or the Tales of the Ketty Jay series by Chris Wooding, then this is for you...

I absolutely enjoyed every minute of it...

Maybe the start is kinda slow but, the writing has what it takes to keep the flame alive until the end...

Some of the characters maybe aren`t so well developed but it`s a common thing with the first book from a serie. The Ketty Jay first novel, Retribution fall, had the same thing missing... But after that it gets better and better.

I hope it will be the same with this one, too.

[Adrian · Rating 2 out of 5]

My rating: 2.5 stars
Audiobook narrator Ray Greenley rating: 3.5 stars

This audiobook was gifted to me by the narrator in order to receive an honest review. This fantasy book certainly paints an interesting world of giant creatures, mutants, and a bleak war-torn nation. There were many parts of the book that I did enjoy, but I could not really get into it for some reason. I think there were too many characters initially which confused me and certain elements were not well defined.

I enjoyed the narrator and thought he was spot on for the main character. I did not like his voice too much for Captain Sheridan (it confused me when she was speaking) but he did a good job of changing his voice for different characters (something we do not see much these days in narrators).

I personally am giving this book altogether a 2.5 star rating. I usually round up in GoodReads for my half-star ratings but, for this book, I am rounding down because I did not like how the book ended. I know that the book is broken into three volumes but I was hoping there would be some wrapping up at the end and hoping that it could be read as stand-alone. I will not read the second (or third) book in this series.

Thank you Ray for letting me read (listen to) this book!

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great mix of fantasy, science fiction, steampunk, murder mystery, action adventure, religion and a dash of post apocalyptic.

It is full of action, fast paced and mysteries.

I would have like it more with less religious stuff.

[Christian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The atomic sea is an adventure story of the most classical sense. It was entertaining had plenty of action and left room for further growth, if i sow this correctly on goodreads for 9 further books. The world is strange, hostile and foreign, and trat is by design. The author believes, that the reader should discover the rich history of this world in small doses and on their own, and here I disagree with his approach. To much that would ne defining for the characters way of living is kept from the reader, only slowly revealing crucial things. Especially when it comes to the political landscape of this world.

[American Andriod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goood

Goood is the morning I have a to get a good to get it to my house and get to my

[adrian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh the ending was kinda meh i was first interester in the worldbuiliding but now i lost all interest maybe if they explored more cosmic horror i would be into it more

[113 · Rating 4 out of 5]

good

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Atomic Sea Vol. 1 by Jack Conner In a future Earth, the seas have become tainted with a mix of radiation, mutated dangerous sea life, and who knows what else. This taint can affect humans who eat affected seafood or fall into the oceans. Small nations of humans survive, but war is imminent. Dr. Avery, aboard a Ghenisian military whaling ship, stumbles upon espionage and perhaps something more when a mysterious unconscious woman is brought aboard.
This was a crazy cool mix of mutated sea beasties, military fiction, a touch of murder mystery, and espionage. The Cthulu spawn coupled with the dark, imminent danger atmosphere of this book had me hooked from the beginning. As a biologist, I was geeking out over the mutated sea life but also the chemical and/or biological weapons the Octung enemies kept throwing at Ghenisia. Later in the story, we have some human diseases, even mutations, brought about by eating tainted sea food, and the wicked biologist in me enjoyed that as well.
Dr. Francis Avery is an interesting man as well. He is not your typical hero. He’s an alcoholic, middle years, balding, not so sure of himself, and for part of the story, he is a little easy to  manipulate. All this made him a very interesting character. He has the remnants of some high ideals, as much as the world he lives in will allow him, but by the end those once pristine black & white areas have all gone grey for him.
Captain Sheridan is also interesting. She was hard for me to guess what side of things she stood on and I very much enjoyed that. Dr. Avery spends quite a bit of time trying to figure her out as well. She is also a woman accustomed to getting her way in nearly everything, including the bedroom (which Avery well knows). I liked that the sex between them wasn’t all mushy but was completely focused on release of tension and lust. After all, this is a hard world and it breeds hard people, men and women alike.
The mysterious woman Layanna was brought up out of the sea unconscious. She poses a quandary as she is unblemished and remains that way while in sick bay. Perhaps she is some human genetic experiment gone right – making it possible for humans to remain untouched by the tainted sea. Perhaps she is a myth, something higher than humanity. At any rate, she is an item the Octung want and the Ghenisia government will want once they know about her.
Then we have all this cool espionage stuff going on in the background. Who aboard the Ghenisian whaler is dropping secret messages overboard? Who can Dr. Avery trust? Who killed those two sailors? So many questions for him to resolve!
Toss in big brawling Janx with his rag tag mutant, tattooed friends and you have quite the story! Indeed, I really enjoyed this book.
I was provided this audiobook at no charge from the author via theGoodReads Audiobooks Group in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks!
The Narration: Ray Greenley did an amazing job with this book. He really brought the characters to life and made them all distinct. He had believable female voices. I especially liked his voice for Janx and that of Janx’s buddy (who he fights in an organized match). 

[Amie's Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE ATOMIC SEA: Volume One

Author: Jack Conner

Type of Book: Audiobook - Unabridged

Narrator: Ray Greenley

Length: 6 hours, 40 minutes

Genre: Science Fiction

Release Date: April 6, 2015

Publisher: Jack Conner

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

THE ATOMIC SEA is a very unique and interesting audiobook.

Dr. Avery is a medical doctor on board a Navy whaling ship that travels the Atomic Sea.

The Atomic Sea is exactly what it sounds like. The water is toxic and humans cannot even be exposed to the air or they will die. Any time someone needs to be on the deck of the ship they must wear an "environment suit."

A thousand years ago, the sea started to change. Now the waters are boiling and toxic. These changes have happened to every ocean on the planet.

The creatures that live in these toxic waters have become mutated. For example, many have extra limbs and even extra eyes located in strange places on their bodies. These creatures are inedible unless a person wishes to risk mutation or even death.

Meanwhile, there is a world war being fought. The small country of Ghenisa, is on the brink of collapse under the continuous barrage of attacks by the Empire of Octung.

Dr. Francis Avery is aboard a military whaling ship out on the Atomic Sea, when two murders occur over a two week span. the second murder victim had been a friend of his and he vows to find the murderer.

Avery becomes aware that there is an Octung spy on the ship, but that's just the beginning.

With the help of a huge and fierce whaler named Janx, a mysterious woman named Layanna, and a band of misfits, he finds himself on an quest to save Ghenisa from Octung.

This is the first book in a series that promises lots of twists and turns along with a cast of interesting characters.

The author has done an amazing job of world-building with this audiobook. His attention to detail (whether big or small) is readily apparent.

The only thing I did not like about this audiobook was the cliffhanger ending. I would have liked an ending that was a bit neater and did not leave the reader hanging.

The narrator, Ray Greenley, was wonderful. His voice was clear and his words were concise. There was no mumbling or stumbling over words. Also, his voice somehow adds an extra element to the story and draws the listener in. This allows the listener to fully engage with the audiobook. I give the narration 5 out of 5 stars.

* I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

To read more of my reviews, visit http://amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com

[Robert Defrank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tentacles ahoy!

I wanted to give this book five stars, but some minor quirks of style knocked it down to four.

I started reading and found I had consumed this book almost before I knew it. I was swept along so completely by the momentum and the pacing, with each new chapter shedding a little more light on this strange world. From the opening pages where we are introduced to our hero, Dr. Frances Avery, on a whaling ship in the Atomic Sea, we are fed tantalizing morsels of backstory. About the strange nature of the sea and the horrors that lurk beneath the waves, to the war that grips this fantastic world as the free nations battle the empire of Octung, a realm enslaved by eldritch beings from beyond and being used as a tool to facilitate their dark purposes.

For some reason, the sea is cursed, but that curse carries a strange blessing: the whales that people hunt are a key to amazing technology and survival: the energy stored in their blubber operating as a power source for fantastic machines that are mankind’s only defense from the abominations from beyond and their theocratic empire of human worshippers.

Looking back, one of the most enjoyable aspects of the book was the melding of the strange and the familiar. These characters seem real. Their reactions, and the actions and reactions of humanity in general, seem real, no matter what oddities they encountered, whether mutant fish men, bio-engineered weapons that kill with a sound, and horrific and godlike beings incarnated in human flesh live side by side with human grief, struggle and exploration. The merging of backstory with the main plot is seamless.

The action and the tension never lets up in this story. Even between the pitched battles the reader is treated to Avery’s exploration and bumbling spycraft as he finds it necessary to investigate and unmask a horrific conspiracy. The conflict builds to an ending that will leave you hungry for more. I sincerely hope the author keeps it up in the next books, because he managed to hit the most important note with this first entry: I need to know what happens next.

Enthusiastically recommended.

[Marie Michaels · Rating 4 out of 5]

(disclaimer: I entered a giveaway and received an e-book copy of this book)

This book is a bit uneven, but what it does well it does quite well. The setting is quite original--quasi-fantasy, quasi-steampunk, quasi-urban, quasi-nautical. The Atomic Sea alone is such a cool concept; I'd read another book just on the origin of that. There's clearly a lot of thought that's gone into the world-building, and while the info dumping gets a bit heavy, it's interesting enough that I didn't mind. The world conflict is interesting, as is the question of how the bad guys are managing to steamroll every other society. It's almost too stuffed with crazy stuff happening, but it's tons of fun.

The plot (or plots, rather) are engaging, with espionage, questionable loyalties, close shaves, crazy tech, battles, and generally a lot of danger. Although the pacing is a little odd, the plot generally moves quickly with unexpected detours, characters and dangers for our heroes.

It may be partly because I was reading this on a Kindle, where it's harder to have a sense of progress through a book, but the pacing was a little weird. The set-up takes longer than set-up usually does, and there's a sudden transition to almost a different story altogether. Either the set-up should be shorter, or it should be expanded into another book (with the Atomic Sea and badass whalers, I'd totally read it).

The MC had some strong points but wasn't wholly satisfying as a lead character. His main flaw I didn't find entirely convincing, and I was utterly baffled that his partner in a loveless affair (not a spoiler, this is established pretty early on) calls him a great lover when it seems from his POV that he doesn't actually do much besides lay there and let his partner have her way atop him.

[Tom Leeland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Review i wrote fo author Jack Conner

rhl "rtleeland" (This review is from: The Atomic Sea: Volume One: An Epic Fantasy / Science Fiction Adventure (Kindle Edition)

Yet another well told, vibrant and detailed world created and written into a easy flowing tale by Jack Conner. Not once have i a been let down by this authors descriptive, imaginative and world encompassing ability to tell a story. This tale serves up a delicious platter of characters that I was able to devour and care about. This cast of characters made up a social band of misfits that were natural and believable who worked together in a world wide conflict against unbearable odds. The story starts out like a Clive Cussler novel, I immediately felt like I was at sea. Bad guys chasing the good guys, swashbuckling antics and being surrounded by your own suit and helmet because the sea is poisoned. A whole world at war, spies can be everywhere and the poor doctor trying to treat his patients at sea with limited resources and staff, while at the same time suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and still dealing with the loss of his family. A murder mystery at first that balloons into a world wide tale of espionage. This is a brave new world for the reader, new sea born environment along with whales and other sea life but at the same time twisted and larger. The readers wanting something new that they have never read before, that is this book.

[Andrew Fear · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmm, Lovecraft meets steampunk with a bit of Castle Wolfenstein thrown in for good measure. This is a rather disjointed book and be warned - it doesn't come to a conclusion. I suppose we should all be used to trilogies (or more...) by now, but I still feel every part should be a whole in itself and this simply isn't. Effectively we have a concatenation of the standard cliches of fantasy literature. Some are quite well done, but there is nothing new here. We have the quest, the bereaved, the evil threat (depressingly cliched as Germanic) to the world which our heroes must defeat, the obligatory Masque of the Red Death orgy scene etc etc. The characters are quite interesting, but rather 2D. The romance element, I'm afraid, just seems silly and again to be there more to tick a box than develop the plot. Some of the side ideas were good, but sadly the parts were greater than the whole.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a strange world and even stranger characters Mr. Conner has created for this book. Sometimes you'd think you were on earth but in the next sentence or paragraph you'd suddenly realize there's no way this could be taking place on earth. A world with giant mutated whales, flying octopi and about every kind of mutant you could imagine. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the 2nd volume.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was wildly imaginative, fantastical. Set in a new world polluted by extra dimensional beings to survive after they destroy their own world. They in turn pollute Docs world, turning people and animals into mutants. Animals and bugs are big, scary, and insane. People turn into fish people. One big adventure. Can't wait for Volume TWO.

[Carl Schoonover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Radiation creates hellish world for human existence.

Jack Conner has used his vast imagination to create a nightmarish world formed from a topically contaminated sea which has mutated a vast number of the populace of the planet. Vivid imagery relates the adventures of a doctor and a small group of humans and mutants as they attempt to bring an end to a war that the re atened

[Sean McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating!

The author delivered an interesting and fascinating world with bold and memorable characters. I found the writing compelling, a real page turner.

[Melody Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

Lots of action, a bit of mystery and some sort of romance. I have got to say it's a great read. Already on the second book.

[Bill Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This tale would have been more enjoyable if the author cut out the superstitious religious crapola.

[Karl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't going to be a very long review. Since this is merely part 1 of a much longer series, complete with cliffhanger endings, I can't really judge the story as a whole. Obviously it doesn't have an ending and thus a huge chunk of the story is missing. As for what is there, it's... okay, I guess?

I'm not a big fan of fantasy stories. And while the urge to label this sci-fi is strong, it bears all the hallmarks of a fantasy story; a strange world filled to the brim with fantastical creatures, countries waging war, a magical empire with technology beyond anything else, a ragtag team of adventurers chancing upon the thing that can stop the war and bring peace to the world, a journey across the dangerous world. Ignore the extradimensional techno babble and attemps at scientific explanations, and it's a fantasy story. Just replace dragons with mutated rays and you get the idea.

For the most part it's well written but the editing really needed to be stepped up a bit. A lot of strange sentences and a bunch of spelling mistakes, not to mention the apparent conviction to using little known words to complicate matters, it can be a slog to read. But the shape of a story is there and the world on its own is fascinating. I'm definitely gonna continue reading this at some point but it'll be on kindle and in a good, long while, I fear.

[Scooby Doo · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 44%
For a free Amazon book, this was on its way to being a 3 star rating, which is pretty good, AND THEN, in the middle of a crucial fight scene, one character whips out a completely magical and hitherto unintroduced weapon that completely changes the outcome, and I'm so disappointed I can't read anymore.

I enjoy reading fantasy and sci-fi to see how characters manage in a different world than ours. A new world is introduced, with all its rules and structures, and then we get to see how the characters cope with the restraints and challenges this world presents. In a well written story I am identified with the characters and subconsciously comparing their responses to my own. When the hero is cleverly able to turn a constraint into an opportunity, I cheer for him or her.
But when a character solves a problem not by wit or strength or perseverance but via introduction of a magic weapon then the author has defeated the point of the entire exercise. If the author gets to invent whatever magic solution at any point in the story then there is never any real challenge for the characters to solve and no reason to care about what happens to them.

Also, the story would be more compelling if we knew more backstory. Why are the bad guys trying to take over the world? How did the atomic sea become atomic?

I'm done, and not coming back.

[hipposelect · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely astounding dystopian novel. The seas are so toxic no one can go on them without a hazmat suit. The world is being terraformed by an alien species who use inter dimensional weaponry that is horrifying and mind boggling. The mutations, both on land and sea are terrifying. These aliens use mile-long flying manta rays as attack aircraft and dirigibles as a means of transportation. This book is filled with things that you've never seen before and...never want to see. There are horrible acts of violence and predation beyond imagination and while the fate of the world hangs in the balance our hero, a mild-mannered physician, is tasked with leading an almost certainly suicidal expedition to deliver a beautiful, sensuous, sexual, and horrifying interdimensional being who holds the secret of the world's last gasp. Their small band takes off across country encountering all manner of nasty beings and while being pursued by the inexorable planet conquerors. It's an exhausting read and, I must say, not for the faint of heart as there is vicious carnage everywhere. If that is your cup of tea, then enjoy, but I use the term loosely. I was absolutely captivated by it, but am kind of glad it's over and doubt that I'll continue the saga.

[Johann · Rating 5 out of 5]

What A Rush!!

Francis is a doctor that lives in an insane world. A country bent on world domination has caused many other countries to fall. This domineering country has insane other dimensional weapons that do horrible things to those they are aimed at. All seems lost until Francis rescues what seems to be a beautiful woman from the sea. She tells Francis one thing that changes his life forever. She says she has the ability to end the war.

This is an adventure that mixes the Cthulhuesque Mythos with steampunk elements and it will blow your mind. This insane world never stops being insane. Just when you think you can grasp it's reality another insane scenario takes place. The action also never stops!!
Highly recommend!!!

[Patrick · Rating 1 out of 5]

Finally finished this book.
Hated it.
Characters were one dimensional even the ones that lived in multi dimensional forms.
Could not visualize the locals or weird species of once humans now crustaceans/ fish mutants or the locations.
The story has cars , airplanes , dirigibles, weapons of all kinds from ray guns to light guns to current firearms as well as knives and swords.
And all this is possible by rendering down the fat from mutant whales.
Except it isn’t because there are great electric machines that also provide whatever the author wants at that moment.
Will not purchase any other in this series

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like something a bit different? This is a steampunk /fantasy novel set in a world where a war is going on, where they are using overwhelming force and secret arcane practices to defeat and often destroy all enemies. It is full of zepellins, and steam driven machines. I enjoyed the excellent storyline. I was able to read this as a promotion by the author. I will be reading more of his books in the future.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author created an interesting mythos that combines Dungeons and Dragons with the World War II era technology. However at times he's overly descriptive to the point that the story drags and I found myself wishing he'd get to the point. The epilogue at the end was unnecessary and actually detracted from suspense he created at the end of last chapter. I don't plan on seeking out the remaining volumes to see how the story ends.

[Michael · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn’t finish the book

I’m completely baffled as to how this author is a New York Times bestselling author. It wasn’t that the writing was bad - it was passable. It was the poorly contrived world building. Example: no Navy ship would ever be outfitted to be both a whaling ship and a ship of war. Once that little nugget had been revealed, I knew the author had done zero research on Navy vessels.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great, evocative worldbuilding, but I knocked two stars off for bad characterization and shallow emotional development, and pretty terrible writing of women and sex. Also, it was so action-packed that I was actually rather bored for a good part of the book, pacing could have been much better and if done right could have lead to actually getting to know the ensemble characters more. As it is, I was hardly phased by any of the deaths because no connection had been formed.