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As Oceans Fall: Tau Effect: Volume One
When Andrew Gaeta is questioned in connection to a geological disaster in the Pacific Ocean, he fears that painful hallucinations and coded messages he has kept hidden since childhood may be catching up with him. A uniquely devolving narrative contrasts Andrew's bright and adventurous youth with the stark alternate-present. Cerebral and empathetic, this Puzzle Thriller will keep you guessing to the end. AS OCEANS FALL is the first volume of the Tau Effect series . While the primary plot arc of AS OCEANS FALL is resolved, the secrets of Andrew's past, present, and future will continue to unfold amid his ethically evocative world, in the upcoming second THE MANTLE STIRS. "Birkland’s As Oceans Fall is compelling in its pacing, jumping in and out of suspenseful situations. Those who like novels somewhere between science fiction and suspense with a sprinkle of spirituality will find As Oceans Fall to be a page turner." 4/5 Star Clarion Rating - ForeWord Reviews Full Critic "A mystery, a musing on ethics, and a character study, AS OCEANS FALL poses complicated questions in a complicated world." -IndieReader @BraveYoungTitan
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 27, 2016
37 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 7, 2020
Going in I thought it would be standard dystopian fare like hunger games, divergent, etc., but it's very very different. Much more subtlety. This reads much more like a Michael Crichton, Dan Brown or John Grisham read than the current wave of dystopian which to me reads as teen fiction. It's alternate present, but the weird dystopian things happening are really back seat to the story of the guy and his girlfriend looking for these little plastic messages. It's tragic but sometimes comical (especially into #2) how things get in the way of their relationship.
If you're looking for an easy to follow, light and fluffy futuristic adventure (hunger, potter, twilight etc), this is definitely not for you. I won't say it requires critical thinking to get it, but you'll be thinking about it when you put it down. Every chapter ends with you wanting to know something more. If you want an epic mystery with intriguing things that are JUST outside of reality, this is a modern masterpiece. It's presented in such a way that you wonder "wait, what if that DID happen?" Think about Jurassic Park - there's a little science to explain how the things are possible, but the book isn't about science - it's about people getting chased around by dinosaurs.
For me it really works.The characters and plot keep getting deeper and deeper, and I'm officially hooked.
If you're looking for an easy to follow, light and fluffy futuristic adventure (hunger, potter, twilight etc), this is definitely not for you. I won't say it requires critical thinking to get it, but you'll be thinking about it when you put it down. Every chapter ends with you wanting to know something more. If you want an epic mystery with intriguing things that are JUST outside of reality, this is a modern masterpiece. It's presented in such a way that you wonder "wait, what if that DID happen?" Think about Jurassic Park - there's a little science to explain how the things are possible, but the book isn't about science - it's about people getting chased around by dinosaurs.
For me it really works.The characters and plot keep getting deeper and deeper, and I'm officially hooked.
September 24, 2018
Interesting story, but with lots of weird, possibly made up, science.
March 21, 2020
I had a bit of difficulty getting into the story. However, the cleverly veiled messages compelled me to go on to the conclusion that unfortunately let me down.
I know this is only Volume 1, and the cryptic ending was no surprise yet it tried to beckon me to move into the next book in the series. I have given that second thoughts though.
I have to admit there were too many obstacles to climb over that made the reading more difficult than warrented. There was too much science jargon that I tended to skip over. Reading several messages in a row was highly annoying and exasperating and though they were a huge import to the story were just left lying there as something unimportant at the end. That was something I wanted closure on. I was not impressed with Andrew and Lydia's decision to wait to be together until everything was cleared up (several years in fact) though they were clearly into each other. It sounded more like an ad for teenage celibacy and seemed so unrealistic. Little things like that slowed the reading down. I'm not sure I'm invested enough to continue into the next book.
I know this is only Volume 1, and the cryptic ending was no surprise yet it tried to beckon me to move into the next book in the series. I have given that second thoughts though.
I have to admit there were too many obstacles to climb over that made the reading more difficult than warrented. There was too much science jargon that I tended to skip over. Reading several messages in a row was highly annoying and exasperating and though they were a huge import to the story were just left lying there as something unimportant at the end. That was something I wanted closure on. I was not impressed with Andrew and Lydia's decision to wait to be together until everything was cleared up (several years in fact) though they were clearly into each other. It sounded more like an ad for teenage celibacy and seemed so unrealistic. Little things like that slowed the reading down. I'm not sure I'm invested enough to continue into the next book.
December 27, 2016
Excellent story from start to finish!
I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. It was very well written and the way the author moved forward and flashed back throughout the story it really kept me wanting to read and find out what happens next. The subject matter was not typical for what I normally read but I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. It was very well written and the way the author moved forward and flashed back throughout the story it really kept me wanting to read and find out what happens next. The subject matter was not typical for what I normally read but I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews