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Atlas and the Winds #1
Stormhaven Rising
Librarian's Note: This is an alternate-cover edition for ASIN B01DN86L2G
How far will a president go to keep a possible world-ending disaster secret, and how far can a wealthy industrialist go to make sure the truth gets out?
Facing a global catastrophe, Colton Taylor finds himself locked into a collision course with the US Government as he tries to save humanity from destruction.
Forcing himself into the arena of international politics, Taylor struggles to maneuver his corporate empire into position to give civilization a fighting chance.
Stormhaven Rising sets the foundation for the cataclysmic battle between human ego and the relentless nature of destiny... A battle where the price of failure, is no less than the end of Civilization.
Book One of Atlas and the Winds
How far will a president go to keep a possible world-ending disaster secret, and how far can a wealthy industrialist go to make sure the truth gets out?
Facing a global catastrophe, Colton Taylor finds himself locked into a collision course with the US Government as he tries to save humanity from destruction.
Forcing himself into the arena of international politics, Taylor struggles to maneuver his corporate empire into position to give civilization a fighting chance.
Stormhaven Rising sets the foundation for the cataclysmic battle between human ego and the relentless nature of destiny... A battle where the price of failure, is no less than the end of Civilization.
Book One of Atlas and the Winds
- GenresScience Fiction
431 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 11, 2016
16 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Eric Michael Craig
22 books120 followersEric Michael Craig is a "harder-edged" Science Fiction writer living in the Manzano Mountains of New Mexico. He is the former Director of Research for a private consulting laboratory in Phoenix, where he experimented with inertial propulsion and power generation technologies.
Eric is a founding member of the SciFi Roundtable. The SFRT is an active online group dedicated to supporting indie and traditional authors by networking them with other writers and professional resources.
When not writing, Eric is active in Intentional Community Design, plays guitar and bass, occasionally dabbles in art of various forms. He also owns way too many dogs.
Eric is a founding member of the SciFi Roundtable. The SFRT is an active online group dedicated to supporting indie and traditional authors by networking them with other writers and professional resources.
When not writing, Eric is active in Intentional Community Design, plays guitar and bass, occasionally dabbles in art of various forms. He also owns way too many dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 5, 2017
Hard science fiction is notoriously difficult to get right. More often times than not, authors unload their expertise and end up burdening the story. The result is a flat plot, or worse, a loss of plausibility. On the flip side, those who do it right (think The Martian by Andy Weir), manage to create worlds that are both technically sound and totally engrossing.
Stormhaven Rising by Eric Michael Craig is one such book. My appreciation of this story can be boiled down to a single word: restraint. When considering end-of-world scenarios, it's all too easy for authors to employ the Michael Bay technique, i.e. lots of ridiculous action that is entirely detached from reality. Craig shows a keen understanding of both the scientific and sociopolitical ramifications of a catastrophic event. You don't need forced conflict when a simple strategy session between the President and her aid has you on the edge of your seat.
Another aspect I appreciate is the treatment of factions as characters. Sure, there are individual protagonists (Colton Taylor is just too much fun as a Richard Branson type), but the groups they belong to represent character arcs themselves. It's a complex and thoughtful narrative that has you rooting for entire movements. I can easily recommend this book to any science fiction fan. It's a balanced, reasonable, and gripping tale that leaves you wondering just how prepared we actually are.
Stormhaven Rising by Eric Michael Craig is one such book. My appreciation of this story can be boiled down to a single word: restraint. When considering end-of-world scenarios, it's all too easy for authors to employ the Michael Bay technique, i.e. lots of ridiculous action that is entirely detached from reality. Craig shows a keen understanding of both the scientific and sociopolitical ramifications of a catastrophic event. You don't need forced conflict when a simple strategy session between the President and her aid has you on the edge of your seat.
Another aspect I appreciate is the treatment of factions as characters. Sure, there are individual protagonists (Colton Taylor is just too much fun as a Richard Branson type), but the groups they belong to represent character arcs themselves. It's a complex and thoughtful narrative that has you rooting for entire movements. I can easily recommend this book to any science fiction fan. It's a balanced, reasonable, and gripping tale that leaves you wondering just how prepared we actually are.
August 31, 2016
The world is about to end - but no one is telling
Several years ago, Carter and I circulated a plan to deflect large asteroids by using a series of timed nuclear detonations.
Stormhaven Rising is a fascinating book. It is billed as science-fiction - and it is, superb and hard 'real' science fiction where the physics stands out for being fully feasible - but it could also be quite happy sitting on a shelf next to political thrillers or even near future dystopia novels. In fact anyone who enjoys a well written, tense plot will find themselves well rewarded if they pick up this book. The book is the first in a series called 'Atlas and the Winds' - a nod, perhaps to Ayn Rand, whose John Galt may bear a passing resemblance Eric Michael Craig's Colton Taylor, but for my money this is more like Robert Heinlein meets 'House of Cards'.
The basic premise is of a meteor heading for the earth and predicted to impact smack-bang in the middle of North America. At the point where it is spotted it is still two years away. But only one observatory has spotted it and the US government moves to clamp down on the news. But one of the people from the observatory escapes to Stormhaven - a kind of futuresque city owned and run by tech magnate Colton Taylor. Stormhaven has developed incredibly high levels of science - even a space capable vessel - but no one really knows it is anything other than a corporate HQ.
There is then a massive standoff between the US government and Colton Taylor which forms the main conflict of the book. Taylor wants to launch into space believing he should be better off trying to save a handful of humanity, rather than try to get the world to join forces fast enough to find a way to defeat the meteor and the US government wants to stop him taking off. Meanwhile the world governments try to come up with a way to deal with the incoming meteor.
There is no doubt about it - this is a very well written book. The use of language is fluent and appropriate throughout. It is very easy to read and attains that essential threshold at which the words almost slip from conscious awareness leaving only the story they are telling in their wake.
The plot leaps into life from the first page - an opening scene with one of the astronomers fleeing to Stormhaven and seeking to avoid being stopped on the way. This same thriller-like pace is maintained well throughout, with some quieter moments to review the science or for a little bit of character building.
Mr. Taylor achieved financial success through the deployment of a technology colloquially known as the Broadcast Power System. Although not widely known, this device is a miniaturized generator that directly converts inertial field energy to electricity.
The world is our own, but in the near future with a few technological advances like Colton Taylor's own. The depth of characterisation varies a lot - some are here and gone so fast you barely have time to get to learn their names, some are fairly stereotypical, others are developed very deeply and well.
So what is not to like? The answer for me is 'Not a lot'. Only one thing, in fact, and that is purely a matter of personal taste. I was not a fan of the immense cast of characters through whose many eyes we get to view events. It was a bit of a distraction for me to have to shift point of view so many times - often to a character we only met that once and for a couple of pages. But there was still plenty enough time spent on those who become main characters, for me to successfully bond with the story on its human level.
Even as I write this, I have already starting on 'Prometheus and the Dragon' as I could not wait to find out the impact (pun intended) of the cliff-hanger ending and I am delighted to see the series is planned to include at least another three after that.
All in all, this is a book that is going to be enjoyed by most science-fiction enthusiasts. It is also a book for everyone who loves well-written, taut, action thrillers and political drama. It is not a book for those who want to sleep easy and not think about the possibility that a lump of rock somewhere in deep space could even now be heading our way....
Several years ago, Carter and I circulated a plan to deflect large asteroids by using a series of timed nuclear detonations.
Stormhaven Rising is a fascinating book. It is billed as science-fiction - and it is, superb and hard 'real' science fiction where the physics stands out for being fully feasible - but it could also be quite happy sitting on a shelf next to political thrillers or even near future dystopia novels. In fact anyone who enjoys a well written, tense plot will find themselves well rewarded if they pick up this book. The book is the first in a series called 'Atlas and the Winds' - a nod, perhaps to Ayn Rand, whose John Galt may bear a passing resemblance Eric Michael Craig's Colton Taylor, but for my money this is more like Robert Heinlein meets 'House of Cards'.
The basic premise is of a meteor heading for the earth and predicted to impact smack-bang in the middle of North America. At the point where it is spotted it is still two years away. But only one observatory has spotted it and the US government moves to clamp down on the news. But one of the people from the observatory escapes to Stormhaven - a kind of futuresque city owned and run by tech magnate Colton Taylor. Stormhaven has developed incredibly high levels of science - even a space capable vessel - but no one really knows it is anything other than a corporate HQ.
There is then a massive standoff between the US government and Colton Taylor which forms the main conflict of the book. Taylor wants to launch into space believing he should be better off trying to save a handful of humanity, rather than try to get the world to join forces fast enough to find a way to defeat the meteor and the US government wants to stop him taking off. Meanwhile the world governments try to come up with a way to deal with the incoming meteor.
There is no doubt about it - this is a very well written book. The use of language is fluent and appropriate throughout. It is very easy to read and attains that essential threshold at which the words almost slip from conscious awareness leaving only the story they are telling in their wake.
The plot leaps into life from the first page - an opening scene with one of the astronomers fleeing to Stormhaven and seeking to avoid being stopped on the way. This same thriller-like pace is maintained well throughout, with some quieter moments to review the science or for a little bit of character building.
Mr. Taylor achieved financial success through the deployment of a technology colloquially known as the Broadcast Power System. Although not widely known, this device is a miniaturized generator that directly converts inertial field energy to electricity.
The world is our own, but in the near future with a few technological advances like Colton Taylor's own. The depth of characterisation varies a lot - some are here and gone so fast you barely have time to get to learn their names, some are fairly stereotypical, others are developed very deeply and well.
So what is not to like? The answer for me is 'Not a lot'. Only one thing, in fact, and that is purely a matter of personal taste. I was not a fan of the immense cast of characters through whose many eyes we get to view events. It was a bit of a distraction for me to have to shift point of view so many times - often to a character we only met that once and for a couple of pages. But there was still plenty enough time spent on those who become main characters, for me to successfully bond with the story on its human level.
Even as I write this, I have already starting on 'Prometheus and the Dragon' as I could not wait to find out the impact (pun intended) of the cliff-hanger ending and I am delighted to see the series is planned to include at least another three after that.
All in all, this is a book that is going to be enjoyed by most science-fiction enthusiasts. It is also a book for everyone who loves well-written, taut, action thrillers and political drama. It is not a book for those who want to sleep easy and not think about the possibility that a lump of rock somewhere in deep space could even now be heading our way....
May 4, 2019
In Stormhaven Rising Eric Michael Craig breathes new life in the story of a massive asteroid on track to hit the earth in two years’ time. Part political thriller, part hard science, part teetering on the edges of 'space opera', the novel details the various responses to the threat of a chilling global catastrophe.
The US government wants to put a lid on the news while they scramble to come up with a solution to counteract the threat. Meanwhile, Colton (Cole) Taylor, a brilliant and innovative founder and leader of the corporate think tank, Stormhaven, harbours one of the astronomers that made the discovery from the government and fast tracks his plans to use his as yet untested spaceships (powered by a innovative inertial drive) in response to the situation. The Stormhaven community is met with government opposition which quickly esclates.
I enjoyed reading Stormhaven Rising. The science is fascinating, the high drama of the US political machine, along with the Chinese, the Japanese, the Russian and other national responses. Shapiro and his team from Homeland security provide some comic relief in a sardonic black humour sort of way. I particularly loved the technology and the sweeping scenes and dramas on the International Space Station and Moon bases. Oh, and that while the asteroid was heading for the continental USA (as most of them seem to do), Craig does give us a more than token place for the global community. Also, Stormhaven itself is an interesting concept - especially as Craig worked on the 'proof of concept' stages of the innovative technologies he describes. And there was plenty of drama and conflict along the way, with a seat-of-your-pants gripping finale.
A couple of things bugged me a bit. It did take a while to wrap up following the major excitement. And, while I understand that an asteroid of that magnitude would have disastrous impact on earth far beyond the huge size of the crater -such as continuing impact of the material injected into the atmosphere plus the screening of the sun by dust and ash with inevitable disastrous perpetual ‘Winter’ on plant, animal and human life. Not to mention the destabilisation of markets, international relationships etc. Yet, how is the moon (with no or little atmosphere, limited capacity to produce food (both moon bases and ISS are dependent on deliveries for earth), and an unforgiving environment, a safer and maybe less expensive and risky option than building some kind of protected colony on earth. I'm sure there is a reason, but I would have liked it to be discussed more.
I found Stormhaven Rising an enjoyable, gripping read with just a couple of things that niggled at me (so probably closer to four and a half stars) - but I totally enjoyed the ride and am interested in where Craig will take the story from here.
The US government wants to put a lid on the news while they scramble to come up with a solution to counteract the threat. Meanwhile, Colton (Cole) Taylor, a brilliant and innovative founder and leader of the corporate think tank, Stormhaven, harbours one of the astronomers that made the discovery from the government and fast tracks his plans to use his as yet untested spaceships (powered by a innovative inertial drive) in response to the situation. The Stormhaven community is met with government opposition which quickly esclates.
I enjoyed reading Stormhaven Rising. The science is fascinating, the high drama of the US political machine, along with the Chinese, the Japanese, the Russian and other national responses. Shapiro and his team from Homeland security provide some comic relief in a sardonic black humour sort of way. I particularly loved the technology and the sweeping scenes and dramas on the International Space Station and Moon bases. Oh, and that while the asteroid was heading for the continental USA (as most of them seem to do), Craig does give us a more than token place for the global community. Also, Stormhaven itself is an interesting concept - especially as Craig worked on the 'proof of concept' stages of the innovative technologies he describes. And there was plenty of drama and conflict along the way, with a seat-of-your-pants gripping finale.
A couple of things bugged me a bit. It did take a while to wrap up following the major excitement. And, while I understand that an asteroid of that magnitude would have disastrous impact on earth far beyond the huge size of the crater -such as continuing impact of the material injected into the atmosphere plus the screening of the sun by dust and ash with inevitable disastrous perpetual ‘Winter’ on plant, animal and human life. Not to mention the destabilisation of markets, international relationships etc. Yet, how is the moon (with no or little atmosphere, limited capacity to produce food (both moon bases and ISS are dependent on deliveries for earth), and an unforgiving environment, a safer and maybe less expensive and risky option than building some kind of protected colony on earth. I'm sure there is a reason, but I would have liked it to be discussed more.
I found Stormhaven Rising an enjoyable, gripping read with just a couple of things that niggled at me (so probably closer to four and a half stars) - but I totally enjoyed the ride and am interested in where Craig will take the story from here.
September 27, 2016
If you want a book with all the feeling of a blockbuster, then this hits the spot.
This is Big science-fiction, with a capital B, spanning a host of characters around the globe and beyond. Earth is under threat with an asteroid big enough to wipe out life on the planet tumbling through space towards our little blue orb, and this is the story of how the world responds. Does it unite as one to face the threat? Does it ever?
As different nations start to deal with the threat in different ways, a science-driven corporation, Stormhaven, home to innovations far beyond those in use by the world's governments, begins to emerge as humanity's best hope - if only humanity will let them act.
Seemlessly hopping from within the US government, to the Chinese scientists' response, to within Stormhaven, to the crew of the international space station and on to the members of an impromptu lunar colony founded as a failsafe, the story cannonballs along, as countries try their best to respond while keeping a lid on public panic.
Craig's a talented storyteller - though his story style isn't always conventional. There's no central character to focus on here, with a canvas so broad. If there's a central focus, it's on the people surrounding Colton Taylor, the enigmatic leader of the Stormhaven group, both brilliant yet internally gnawingly insecure. If you're a reader who enjoys focusing in on one character, then this isn't for you - but if you want story, story you've got.
This is a blockbuster in the style of Niven and Pournelle hits such as Lucifer's Hammer or Footfall, where the life and death of the world hangs in the balance, and wrong decisions made along the way put everyone in peril.
As for the conclusion, does the asteroid hit? Does the world succeed in fending it off? Well... that's still to come in the sequels. Don't worry, though, by the time you get to the last page, you'll be bursting to read more.
This is Big science-fiction, with a capital B, spanning a host of characters around the globe and beyond. Earth is under threat with an asteroid big enough to wipe out life on the planet tumbling through space towards our little blue orb, and this is the story of how the world responds. Does it unite as one to face the threat? Does it ever?
As different nations start to deal with the threat in different ways, a science-driven corporation, Stormhaven, home to innovations far beyond those in use by the world's governments, begins to emerge as humanity's best hope - if only humanity will let them act.
Seemlessly hopping from within the US government, to the Chinese scientists' response, to within Stormhaven, to the crew of the international space station and on to the members of an impromptu lunar colony founded as a failsafe, the story cannonballs along, as countries try their best to respond while keeping a lid on public panic.
Craig's a talented storyteller - though his story style isn't always conventional. There's no central character to focus on here, with a canvas so broad. If there's a central focus, it's on the people surrounding Colton Taylor, the enigmatic leader of the Stormhaven group, both brilliant yet internally gnawingly insecure. If you're a reader who enjoys focusing in on one character, then this isn't for you - but if you want story, story you've got.
This is a blockbuster in the style of Niven and Pournelle hits such as Lucifer's Hammer or Footfall, where the life and death of the world hangs in the balance, and wrong decisions made along the way put everyone in peril.
As for the conclusion, does the asteroid hit? Does the world succeed in fending it off? Well... that's still to come in the sequels. Don't worry, though, by the time you get to the last page, you'll be bursting to read more.
December 24, 2016
Stormhaven Rising is an engaging study of humanity in the grip of peril. With a world ending event looming dangerously near, those capable of solving the crisis are in conflict over the solution to the event. One area that really shines in the novel is how the characters contend over their ideas and solutions. With the weight of unavoidable cataclysm looming, a natural arena of thought and ego arise. I enjoy this particular element the most as it allows for great conflict and exposes character flaws. Stormhaven brilliantly contrasts the conflict of what is best for the race. Should a few be saved for certain over the chance of losing everyone? The characters and government debate while all the while a ticking clock is ever looming in the distance.
The writing style flows well and moves the action along at appropriate places. There is an abundance of characters to flesh out the story, while realistic in the sense of the actual manpower required to pull off such a plan, can feel weighty at times. I found myself rereading and checking back for certain characters and their descriptions/motivations to ensure I was connecting properly to them. I am going 4.5 stars for this slight issue, but it is hardly a knock on the overall concept and story.
I highly recommend this novel to those who enjoy tense, high-pressure situations woven nicely into the near sci-fi genre. You won’t be disappointed.
The writing style flows well and moves the action along at appropriate places. There is an abundance of characters to flesh out the story, while realistic in the sense of the actual manpower required to pull off such a plan, can feel weighty at times. I found myself rereading and checking back for certain characters and their descriptions/motivations to ensure I was connecting properly to them. I am going 4.5 stars for this slight issue, but it is hardly a knock on the overall concept and story.
I highly recommend this novel to those who enjoy tense, high-pressure situations woven nicely into the near sci-fi genre. You won’t be disappointed.
June 27, 2018
A fast-paced thrill ride. That is my four word summation of Stormhaven Rising. This science fiction thriller fuses real, cutting-edge science within a very plausible scenario; what if we discovered an asteroid – one that could threaten all life on earth – and we only have 2 years (698 days) before it strikes the Earth? What would our response be? How would people, and countries, react?
Set in a near-future astronomers at Kitt Peak Observatory make a startling discovery, an asteroid about 12 cubic miles in size that will hit the Earth in a little less than 2 years. As soon as the discovery is made a race is on to get the information to people who can do something about it. But these various groups have very different motives. The US Government, headed by President Sylvia Hutton and members of her cabinet, seizes one of the astronomers and puts a lid down on the information, trying to prevent a panic while they formulate a plan to deal with the threat. Another astronomer manages to sneak the information into the hands of Colton Taylor, a billionaire industrialist and head of Stormhaven – a community of scientists, engineers, and inventors – almost a Silicon Valley-like commune – set in the Arizona desert – who may be able to do something, if given a chance. When the government learns that Taylor and Stormhaven are holding the astronomer they send an agent from the Department of Homeland Security to arrest the astronomer and prevent the spread of the information about the asteroid. These simple events set up an armed standoff between the US Government and Stormhaven. Meanwhile, the US begins its efforts to deal with the threat using the resources of the International Space Station and their small lunar base. While the US has managed to keep information about the asteroid a secret the Chinese, peeked by the unusual activity of the US Government, discover the asteroid on their own and formulate their own plan to deal with the threat. The actions of these different groups, each with their own motives and resources, put them all on a collision course that may be more disastrous for the planet than the asteroid itself.
Eric Michael Craig knows his science, and knows how to tell a story. The action is fast-paced and holds your attention. When it is necessary to dive into the science, he weaves it around and through the story and characters so that you can understand the relevance and importance without being put to sleep or bogging down the pace of the action. There are no info dumps. Craig gets the science right, from how to best deal with an asteroid threat, to the cutting-edge technology wielded by the Stormhaven group. This is a techno-thriller in the truest sense of the genre and it was fun to be brought along for the ride.
I greatly enjoyed the characters and their motives. Each of the main characters (and there are a few of them) are fleshed out and you get a feel for who they are and why they are doing what they do. Each stays true to who they are, unless they make the decision to change their own minds. In addition, there is no real protagonist in the story (unless you count the asteroid, which I feel functions more like a McGuffin than a real protagonist) as each of the characters see themselves as doing what they feel is best not only for themselves, and their country, but for the Earth as well. I tended to “root” more for Colton Taylor and the Stormhaven people mostly out of an ingrown desire to see the maverick and underdog (in terms of political power – Stormhaven is certainly not an underdog when it comes to technology) to succeed and overcome the obstacles placed in front of them. The other story lines and characters were just as well developed (except for a story line around an evangelical pastor, which didn’t add much to the overall story – maybe he plays a bigger role in the second book), and I found all of their motivations true and compelling, but I wanted Stormhaven to “win”.
The book is long, over 400 pages in print, but don’t let that deter you. I couldn’t put the book down and had to force myself to stop each night so I could get some sleep and not be a zombie in the morning. The pace and story make you want to keep reading, to learn more and find out what’s going to happen next. There were some minor errors in editing, but I probably picked them up more because I edit a lot rather than the fact that they stood out. The book also ends on a cliff-hanger, which can be a bit annoying, but in this case it is justified because of the nature of the story. Overall, I highly recommend this book for anybody who loves hard sci-fi or a good techno-thriller. I am looking forward to reading the sequel. Stormhaven Rising is a gripping techno-thriller that delivers on all points.
Set in a near-future astronomers at Kitt Peak Observatory make a startling discovery, an asteroid about 12 cubic miles in size that will hit the Earth in a little less than 2 years. As soon as the discovery is made a race is on to get the information to people who can do something about it. But these various groups have very different motives. The US Government, headed by President Sylvia Hutton and members of her cabinet, seizes one of the astronomers and puts a lid down on the information, trying to prevent a panic while they formulate a plan to deal with the threat. Another astronomer manages to sneak the information into the hands of Colton Taylor, a billionaire industrialist and head of Stormhaven – a community of scientists, engineers, and inventors – almost a Silicon Valley-like commune – set in the Arizona desert – who may be able to do something, if given a chance. When the government learns that Taylor and Stormhaven are holding the astronomer they send an agent from the Department of Homeland Security to arrest the astronomer and prevent the spread of the information about the asteroid. These simple events set up an armed standoff between the US Government and Stormhaven. Meanwhile, the US begins its efforts to deal with the threat using the resources of the International Space Station and their small lunar base. While the US has managed to keep information about the asteroid a secret the Chinese, peeked by the unusual activity of the US Government, discover the asteroid on their own and formulate their own plan to deal with the threat. The actions of these different groups, each with their own motives and resources, put them all on a collision course that may be more disastrous for the planet than the asteroid itself.
Eric Michael Craig knows his science, and knows how to tell a story. The action is fast-paced and holds your attention. When it is necessary to dive into the science, he weaves it around and through the story and characters so that you can understand the relevance and importance without being put to sleep or bogging down the pace of the action. There are no info dumps. Craig gets the science right, from how to best deal with an asteroid threat, to the cutting-edge technology wielded by the Stormhaven group. This is a techno-thriller in the truest sense of the genre and it was fun to be brought along for the ride.
I greatly enjoyed the characters and their motives. Each of the main characters (and there are a few of them) are fleshed out and you get a feel for who they are and why they are doing what they do. Each stays true to who they are, unless they make the decision to change their own minds. In addition, there is no real protagonist in the story (unless you count the asteroid, which I feel functions more like a McGuffin than a real protagonist) as each of the characters see themselves as doing what they feel is best not only for themselves, and their country, but for the Earth as well. I tended to “root” more for Colton Taylor and the Stormhaven people mostly out of an ingrown desire to see the maverick and underdog (in terms of political power – Stormhaven is certainly not an underdog when it comes to technology) to succeed and overcome the obstacles placed in front of them. The other story lines and characters were just as well developed (except for a story line around an evangelical pastor, which didn’t add much to the overall story – maybe he plays a bigger role in the second book), and I found all of their motivations true and compelling, but I wanted Stormhaven to “win”.
The book is long, over 400 pages in print, but don’t let that deter you. I couldn’t put the book down and had to force myself to stop each night so I could get some sleep and not be a zombie in the morning. The pace and story make you want to keep reading, to learn more and find out what’s going to happen next. There were some minor errors in editing, but I probably picked them up more because I edit a lot rather than the fact that they stood out. The book also ends on a cliff-hanger, which can be a bit annoying, but in this case it is justified because of the nature of the story. Overall, I highly recommend this book for anybody who loves hard sci-fi or a good techno-thriller. I am looking forward to reading the sequel. Stormhaven Rising is a gripping techno-thriller that delivers on all points.
December 25, 2016
By its own consideration, Stormhaven Rising is a book describing “the battle between human ego and the relentless nature of Destiny where the price of failure is nothing less than the end of Civilization”. In plain text, an asteroid is planning a rendezvous with Earth. In two years. Dark scenarios abound. People in power are scared, not only for the crash, but also because they are expecting a mass hysteria, if the information about the asteroid becomes public. Plans are made. One to save Earth, the second to save the people from themselves by censoring information.
Hidden in a sparse populated area, a strange company named Stormhaven, owned by the maverick scientist and business man Colton Taylor, has its own plans to save our planet. And the meanings. In fact, the company is a science fiction story inserted in the main science fiction story: its technology is far above any other research lab has, being it space technology or AI. Sometimes, trying to make Colton too much a super hero has some unintended consequences: it makes him an amusing character in a world where everything else is dark. The only moment the reader feels Colton as human like everyone else is when his daughter is saved in the last moment.
Fast paced, the novel relies mostly on dialogue, which is very well done, creating both tension and entertainment. I will not comment on the technical qualities of the salvation plans, they may work or not; we will know for sure only when such situation arises. What we know is that – at least in this book – the government does everything bad while Stormhaven does everything good, and all the story relies, in the end, on opposing in an intelligent way the two mentioned sides, plus the cliché villains: Rusia and China.
I ended the book with a small question running in my mind: why Colton did not try to inform the government that he also has a plan and meanings to save the Earth? But that did not make the reading less enjoyable.
Hidden in a sparse populated area, a strange company named Stormhaven, owned by the maverick scientist and business man Colton Taylor, has its own plans to save our planet. And the meanings. In fact, the company is a science fiction story inserted in the main science fiction story: its technology is far above any other research lab has, being it space technology or AI. Sometimes, trying to make Colton too much a super hero has some unintended consequences: it makes him an amusing character in a world where everything else is dark. The only moment the reader feels Colton as human like everyone else is when his daughter is saved in the last moment.
Fast paced, the novel relies mostly on dialogue, which is very well done, creating both tension and entertainment. I will not comment on the technical qualities of the salvation plans, they may work or not; we will know for sure only when such situation arises. What we know is that – at least in this book – the government does everything bad while Stormhaven does everything good, and all the story relies, in the end, on opposing in an intelligent way the two mentioned sides, plus the cliché villains: Rusia and China.
I ended the book with a small question running in my mind: why Colton did not try to inform the government that he also has a plan and meanings to save the Earth? But that did not make the reading less enjoyable.
November 25, 2018
Stormhaven Rising is a well-planned novel with a large cast of players. They are presented at the beginning of the book for easy reference. The novel fits in the science-fiction genre, but seems more future feasible than fictional with a generous helping of an unfolding political thriller. The first book is called Atlas and the Winds. A second book has recently been published and is called Prometheus and the Dragon.
The story is about the discovery of a civilization ending asteroid that is heading toward Earth. It will arrive in two years and is scheduled to make a hole in the heartland of North America. The only observatory to notice it is shut down, but the news leaks to the sci-technical research facility called Stormhaven. There are a plethora of top secret operations including a spaceship befing developed there. The CEO is Colton Taylor.
The big question then is should the asteroid be stopped or should some citizens plan to go to a colony on the Moon and wait to repopulate the Earth once it is habitable.
I’ve seen plenty of movies that explore this theme. The characters even joke that they have seen the movie already. Different governments find out, but no one lets citizens know or broadcasts about it for fear of widespread panic. Governments of the US, China, and the residents of Stormhaven each have conflicting solutions for the asteroid.
I’m not that well-read in classic hard Sci-fi, but I did enjoy the novel. At first I was overwhelmed by the number of characters and the pacing seemed to bog down as the technology was related and explained. It took a few chapters for me to sort description from the story itself but once the pace picked up it was hard for me to fault the storytelling at all.
It does have a cliff-hanger end, but the next book in series is already out. It is well thought out and will delight fans of hard sci-fi or political thrillers everywhere.
The story is about the discovery of a civilization ending asteroid that is heading toward Earth. It will arrive in two years and is scheduled to make a hole in the heartland of North America. The only observatory to notice it is shut down, but the news leaks to the sci-technical research facility called Stormhaven. There are a plethora of top secret operations including a spaceship befing developed there. The CEO is Colton Taylor.
The big question then is should the asteroid be stopped or should some citizens plan to go to a colony on the Moon and wait to repopulate the Earth once it is habitable.
I’ve seen plenty of movies that explore this theme. The characters even joke that they have seen the movie already. Different governments find out, but no one lets citizens know or broadcasts about it for fear of widespread panic. Governments of the US, China, and the residents of Stormhaven each have conflicting solutions for the asteroid.
I’m not that well-read in classic hard Sci-fi, but I did enjoy the novel. At first I was overwhelmed by the number of characters and the pacing seemed to bog down as the technology was related and explained. It took a few chapters for me to sort description from the story itself but once the pace picked up it was hard for me to fault the storytelling at all.
It does have a cliff-hanger end, but the next book in series is already out. It is well thought out and will delight fans of hard sci-fi or political thrillers everywhere.
January 17, 2017
The concept of the destruction of earth because of an asteroid crashing into our planet can be traced back to 1933’s When Worlds Collide by Philip Wylie and Edwin Balmer. Since then, sci fi novels and high-octane Hollywood films have used the idea for a number of cinematic thrillrides from Armageddon to Asteroid to Deep Impact.
In When Worlds Collide, Scientist Cole Hedron built two spaceships that took survivors to a second approaching planet to give humans a second chance. It’s difficult not to think Colton “Cole” Taylor, owner of earth’s largest advanced technology corporation called Stormhaven in Stormhaven Rising, isn’t an overt nod to Hedron. Taylor too wants to take survivors from earth to the moon to give humanity a second chance.
Still, Stormhaven Rising is far more complex and believable than its literary ancestor. For one matter, the science in Stormhaven is far more credible, as when earth scientists determine trying to blast the asteroid into bits won’t work and a better strategy would be to nudge the body off its present course. But can this be done in time and can the governments of the earth put aside a host of political issues to cooperate?
For example, the government of paranoid U.S. President Sylvia Hutton is obsessed with maintaining secrecy to the point of destroying civil liberties of anyone who might know the truth. The government doesn’t want Taylor to send up any spaceships without getting proper liscences. The Chinese have their own moon-based plans. The Russians and Japanese are resentful the U.S. wants to call all the shots, notably building spaceships at the International Space Station without working with their international partners. In short, how can humanity save anything if all efforts are either bogged down in politics, bureaucratic squabbles, censorship, or conflicting schemes and goals?
With all these players on the chessboard, and all the stages on earth, on the moon, and in space, there’s no shortage of characters representing the differing interests. Some are better drawn than others, especially in Taylor’s stormhaven base and in the camp of government agents surrounding the company headquarters determined to capture an astronomer who knows about the asteroid and stop any unauthorized launches. One of those characters is the amazing computer with the feminine voice, MICA. In the midst of all this drama, we do get some light moments, as when two astronauts try their level best to enjoy some anti-grav sex on a space shuttle going, where else, around the world. In other words, Craig does a good job of creating characters that signal humanity, despite its flaws, is worth saving if it can only get out of its own way.
The final chapters include a very exciting climax and a long denouement full of both optimism and foreboding. Stormhaven Rising is the first book in a series that has already resulted in two sequels published last year (Prometheus and The Dragon, Shadows in the Flame) with two more volumes scheduled for June and December 2017 (Warlords of the Night, The Orphans of Destiny). A related short story, “Ghostmaker,” is also in the pipeline.
So Stormhaven Rising, an epic on its own terms, sets the stage for an epic series in its wake. I like such series and know I’ll be exploring the sequels very soon. If this sort of sci fi is your cup of tea, you too will likely dig into this saga in short order. It’s a ride well worth taking as Craig breathes considerable fresh air into a well-established tradition.
This review first appeared at BookPleasures.com on Jan. 17, 2017 at:
goo.gl/QzcdYL
September 25, 2017
Upon first picking up Stormhaven Rising, I read the premise and thought "Hmmm...giant asteroid about to hit Earth with an international cast of characters...must be an updated version of Lucifer's Hammer." My thought was incorrect, to say the least. The book starts with an asteroid threat, veers into theoretical physics, adds enough military intrigue for a Tom Clancy novel, and adds a layer of geopolitical suspense. I read this book every night before bed and always had to force myself to put it down and go to sleep, usually an hour or two after "bedtime." Can't wait to read the second novel. Especially proud that it was produced by a fellow local (New Mexican) author.
What was great: Great structure. Extremely fast pace. Tons of science I had never even heard of, despite considering myself fairly well-read on the subject. Novel approaches to space flight/colonization/international politics.
What wasn't so great: The main character has a bit of "Genius Dirk Pitt" about him - no matter what any other character does, the main character is always miles ahead of his opposition. Much of this is accomplished via an anthropomorphic computer that begins to serve as a magical bag of holding - any solution needed is inexplicably available via the Uber-HAL. The politics is timely, but a bit heavy-handed in its portrayal of the United States as an incompetent police state at times. A massive cast of characters makes things a bit difficult to keep track of.
The final verdict: Weaknesses aside, this is an awesome book that should be read by anyone with the slightest interest in near-future speculative science fiction. It delivers on the promise of escalating tension and character development in spades. A welcome work from author Eric Michael Craig.
What was great: Great structure. Extremely fast pace. Tons of science I had never even heard of, despite considering myself fairly well-read on the subject. Novel approaches to space flight/colonization/international politics.
What wasn't so great: The main character has a bit of "Genius Dirk Pitt" about him - no matter what any other character does, the main character is always miles ahead of his opposition. Much of this is accomplished via an anthropomorphic computer that begins to serve as a magical bag of holding - any solution needed is inexplicably available via the Uber-HAL. The politics is timely, but a bit heavy-handed in its portrayal of the United States as an incompetent police state at times. A massive cast of characters makes things a bit difficult to keep track of.
The final verdict: Weaknesses aside, this is an awesome book that should be read by anyone with the slightest interest in near-future speculative science fiction. It delivers on the promise of escalating tension and character development in spades. A welcome work from author Eric Michael Craig.
July 19, 2020
Stormhaven Rising is an apt title for a book that pits a charismatic genius and his team of brilliant engineers, scientists and artists against the US government. Eric Michael Craig has a good handle on the unfortunate reality of how competing governments will risk the extinction of the human race rather than cooperate to stop a giant asteroid from hitting the earth. While the US and China launch separate and conflicting programs, Stormhaven, led by Colton Taylor, is making plans to save a small section of humanity. Stormhaven has developed technologies that will allow them to build a Lunar colony, but the government refuses to allow them access to space flight.
As the story unfolded it pulled me deeper in with well developed characters who just want to do the right thing. However human nature prevents cooperation and it takes setbacks to the US government's plans to get them to see that Stormhaven is not the enemy. I wanted to hate President Sylvia Hutton, General Marquez, and Secretary Anderson, but I couldn't. None of them are the bad guys and just as much, none of them are heroes. They are people facing the unfathomable inevitability of extinction and doing what each of them believes is the right thing.
This book is as riveting as stories like Deep Impact and Lucifer's Hammer. I am looking forward to Prometheus and the Dragon. I can't wait to learn what happens.
As the story unfolded it pulled me deeper in with well developed characters who just want to do the right thing. However human nature prevents cooperation and it takes setbacks to the US government's plans to get them to see that Stormhaven is not the enemy. I wanted to hate President Sylvia Hutton, General Marquez, and Secretary Anderson, but I couldn't. None of them are the bad guys and just as much, none of them are heroes. They are people facing the unfathomable inevitability of extinction and doing what each of them believes is the right thing.
This book is as riveting as stories like Deep Impact and Lucifer's Hammer. I am looking forward to Prometheus and the Dragon. I can't wait to learn what happens.
February 9, 2017
Stormhaven Rising is a multifaceted story based around the prospect of an Asteroid hitting the earth at breakneck speed, and the lengths that could be taken if something like that were to happen. The story is told from several prospectives, from a political and scientific stand point.
The plot was slightly reminiscent, and please don't judge me for comparing a book to a film (or films, in this case), but it reminded me of a cross between Deep Impact and Armageddon...but only in places.
There was a fair bit of dialogue in this story, which was really well done. I love a book with a great dialogue and this one ticked all the boxes. I have to say, this is probably the longest book i've ever read, but by no means was it boring...in fact, it was the complete opposite. I found it difficult to put down, but I knew I would get the sack if I didn't XD.
Long story short, if you like epic, well written Sci-fi novels, with the odd reference to Star Trek...yes, I did notice the references =)...then you'll love this book.
Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
The plot was slightly reminiscent, and please don't judge me for comparing a book to a film (or films, in this case), but it reminded me of a cross between Deep Impact and Armageddon...but only in places.
There was a fair bit of dialogue in this story, which was really well done. I love a book with a great dialogue and this one ticked all the boxes. I have to say, this is probably the longest book i've ever read, but by no means was it boring...in fact, it was the complete opposite. I found it difficult to put down, but I knew I would get the sack if I didn't XD.
Long story short, if you like epic, well written Sci-fi novels, with the odd reference to Star Trek...yes, I did notice the references =)...then you'll love this book.
Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
June 3, 2020
Most of the reviews I had read gave this book five stars. Slow in developing, I thought and excessive use of acronyms. The author provided a glossary of terms and list of characters at the beginning, however unless you play with location numbers, it is a bit of a pain to go back and forth in a Kindle. A good powerful ending.
Ayn Rand and George Orwell would have enjoyed the bullying by big brother government.
Credit for Eric Michael Craig to include real science in the fiction.
I will go on with the sequel, because this was a two book Kindle deal.
Ayn Rand and George Orwell would have enjoyed the bullying by big brother government.
Credit for Eric Michael Craig to include real science in the fiction.
I will go on with the sequel, because this was a two book Kindle deal.
May 6, 2017
Okay. Mindbending. And so possible. Another one of those books that has you looking over your shoulder. But. Exquisitely written. I may be in love
August 19, 2018
Stormhaven Rising: A Grim But Inspiring Read
In the wake of the discovery of an asteroid on a collision course with Earth, the United States government scrambles to contain the news before it can spark a panic– but some secrets are too big to keep. Soon they aren’t the only ones rushing to devise countermeasures.
Their most viable competitors are the Chinese, and a global megacorporation to end all megacorporations: Stormhaven, founded and run by uber wealthy reclusive genius Colton Taylor. (Think Elon Musk, but considerably more altruistic and an all-around decent human being.)
Set in a near future where the US Department of Defense and NASA have only become more encumbered by bureaucratic gridlock (and in NASA’s case, insufficient funding,) private sector technologies have evolved leaps and bounds beyond that of the public sector. As such, Taylor’s Stormhaven may be the only real hope Earth has. There’s just one problem: private spaceflight is strictly forbidden, not just in the US, but on a global scale. In light of the strained political climate of impending doom, the last thing the US government wants to do is grant Stormhaven permission to reach space.
The tense and at times disastrous narrative that evolves from this situation is equal parts grim and inspiring. Stormhaven Rising represents an interesting blend of genres: part political thriller, part hard scifi, and part impending disaster. Together they make for a fun and fascinating read.
The story moves along at a brisk pace, never encumbered by long-winded technical descriptions or needless exposition. (The author has a knack for explaining complex technologies, like theoretical EM drives, in a concise manner.) The dialogue is smooth and natural, and although the narrative follows a large cast of characters, they were all so well developed that I never had trouble telling them apart. (I had too many favorites to list, and the supercomputer MICA gets an honorable mention as well.)
As plausible as the science and the politics are, there was one point that pushed the limits of credulity: the actions of Taylor himself. Eccentric billionaires are rarely such unequivocally good people, and global megacorporations are rarely so benevolent. The author seems to have recognized this, judging by a certain conversation:
“Are you saying that he wants to stop the asteroid?” Shapiro sat forward, considering the possibility for the first time.
“I don’t know, but with the technical prowess at his fingertips, is it beyond possibility?”
“I doubt it,” Marquez disagreed. “Rich men seldom have altruistic hearts.”
Well said, General Marquez, well said indeed.
Character motives aside, it’s a rare writer that can breathe new life into the “killer asteroid” premise and make it believable. Stormhaven Rising offers that and much more to potential readers: relatable characters, tension, brisk pacing, political machinations, advanced technology, and a sprinkling of gut-wrenching disasters. In all it’s a thoroughly enjoyable read, and I highly recommend it.
In the wake of the discovery of an asteroid on a collision course with Earth, the United States government scrambles to contain the news before it can spark a panic– but some secrets are too big to keep. Soon they aren’t the only ones rushing to devise countermeasures.
Their most viable competitors are the Chinese, and a global megacorporation to end all megacorporations: Stormhaven, founded and run by uber wealthy reclusive genius Colton Taylor. (Think Elon Musk, but considerably more altruistic and an all-around decent human being.)
Set in a near future where the US Department of Defense and NASA have only become more encumbered by bureaucratic gridlock (and in NASA’s case, insufficient funding,) private sector technologies have evolved leaps and bounds beyond that of the public sector. As such, Taylor’s Stormhaven may be the only real hope Earth has. There’s just one problem: private spaceflight is strictly forbidden, not just in the US, but on a global scale. In light of the strained political climate of impending doom, the last thing the US government wants to do is grant Stormhaven permission to reach space.
The tense and at times disastrous narrative that evolves from this situation is equal parts grim and inspiring. Stormhaven Rising represents an interesting blend of genres: part political thriller, part hard scifi, and part impending disaster. Together they make for a fun and fascinating read.
The story moves along at a brisk pace, never encumbered by long-winded technical descriptions or needless exposition. (The author has a knack for explaining complex technologies, like theoretical EM drives, in a concise manner.) The dialogue is smooth and natural, and although the narrative follows a large cast of characters, they were all so well developed that I never had trouble telling them apart. (I had too many favorites to list, and the supercomputer MICA gets an honorable mention as well.)
As plausible as the science and the politics are, there was one point that pushed the limits of credulity: the actions of Taylor himself. Eccentric billionaires are rarely such unequivocally good people, and global megacorporations are rarely so benevolent. The author seems to have recognized this, judging by a certain conversation:
“Are you saying that he wants to stop the asteroid?” Shapiro sat forward, considering the possibility for the first time.
“I don’t know, but with the technical prowess at his fingertips, is it beyond possibility?”
“I doubt it,” Marquez disagreed. “Rich men seldom have altruistic hearts.”
Well said, General Marquez, well said indeed.
Character motives aside, it’s a rare writer that can breathe new life into the “killer asteroid” premise and make it believable. Stormhaven Rising offers that and much more to potential readers: relatable characters, tension, brisk pacing, political machinations, advanced technology, and a sprinkling of gut-wrenching disasters. In all it’s a thoroughly enjoyable read, and I highly recommend it.
October 11, 2017
Earth is doomed! A Rhode Island sized asteroid rears its ugly head two years ahead of schedule on its collision course. The question is, what will really destroy the planet, a big rock potato or people and their politics? Enter Stormhaven! This is a secretive high tech company and planned community with a Richard Branson-ish maverick CEO and a plan that just might keep humans alive and bickering. Can Earth’s super-powers (governments, not guys in spandex) keep from tripping over one another in a race to deal with the killer asteroid? Find out for yourself.
I read Craig’s author bio when I reviewed his short story Ghostmaker, he invented stuff for “high-tech industrial projects”. So the whole time I’m reading this awesome book, I’m imagining this dude out there cashing in his royalties and really building this stuff. Spend people, spend! Clive Cussler did it! He wrote books about exploring stuff in submarines and then his book bio displays the ultimate brag! If you are out there are you love space (c’mon be honest with yourself, we ALL love space) then do the right thing and not only buy yourself this book, buy a copy for everyone you know. This could actually be humanity’s last chance for survival, depending on how deeply life actually does mirror fiction.
Anyhow, enough reading between the lines. Craig brings his background and experience to life in this hard science fiction featuring near future technology and theories that might actually be our next big leap. Hopefully we aren’t under the gun and can casually progress, like at a brunch pace. Progress in this novel had to run at a work starts in five minutes, the little guy is still in jammies, and no one has a lunch yet type of pace. Which is good, because I read stories to see someone else suffer. Don’t judge! You like it too.
I was given a free review copy at my request and have voluntarily left a review. Any review. That fact that it’s a good one is because the book is good. Which has nothing to do with how awesome I am. You’ll have to find that out for yourself at LARC-SciFi(dot)com.
People who should read this book include, but are not limited to; those who thought Affleck and Willis had it too easy in Armageddon, people that complain that Star Wars is actually not Science Fiction, other Hard Scifi fans that are not complainers, doomsday preppers who “want to see what’s coming”, regular folks that just like good books, fans of the Walking Dead who are more interested in how people treat one another than how they eat one another, and fans of disaster books and films.
I read Craig’s author bio when I reviewed his short story Ghostmaker, he invented stuff for “high-tech industrial projects”. So the whole time I’m reading this awesome book, I’m imagining this dude out there cashing in his royalties and really building this stuff. Spend people, spend! Clive Cussler did it! He wrote books about exploring stuff in submarines and then his book bio displays the ultimate brag! If you are out there are you love space (c’mon be honest with yourself, we ALL love space) then do the right thing and not only buy yourself this book, buy a copy for everyone you know. This could actually be humanity’s last chance for survival, depending on how deeply life actually does mirror fiction.
Anyhow, enough reading between the lines. Craig brings his background and experience to life in this hard science fiction featuring near future technology and theories that might actually be our next big leap. Hopefully we aren’t under the gun and can casually progress, like at a brunch pace. Progress in this novel had to run at a work starts in five minutes, the little guy is still in jammies, and no one has a lunch yet type of pace. Which is good, because I read stories to see someone else suffer. Don’t judge! You like it too.
I was given a free review copy at my request and have voluntarily left a review. Any review. That fact that it’s a good one is because the book is good. Which has nothing to do with how awesome I am. You’ll have to find that out for yourself at LARC-SciFi(dot)com.
People who should read this book include, but are not limited to; those who thought Affleck and Willis had it too easy in Armageddon, people that complain that Star Wars is actually not Science Fiction, other Hard Scifi fans that are not complainers, doomsday preppers who “want to see what’s coming”, regular folks that just like good books, fans of the Walking Dead who are more interested in how people treat one another than how they eat one another, and fans of disaster books and films.
August 28, 2016
Okay, you realistic sci-fi fanatics out there, you’re gonna love this one. I felt as though I’d been placed into the hands of a master science fiction storyteller. Real characters, (faults and all) plausible realistic plot, and exciting, descriptive setting.
A large asteroid is headed straight for earth, humans facing almost certain extinction if it hits. The government, not surprising, wants to keep the asteroid a secret, an attempt to hold off world-wide panic. But there are others, such as Colton Taylor, (a corporate sponsor for the detection program that made the asteroid discovery) who believe they have a plan that might give humans a chance to survive. But it means putting the disaster in the public eye and the government doesn’t want this.
There was a Bruce Willis movie made a while back that had this same type of plot disaster, but it had more of a comedic feel, at least in my opinion. This story sounds plausible and realistic from start to finish. I never once questioned the science involved, and no magic either. No abracadabra used to try to help explain futuristic scenarios. They discuss potential problems faced should they tried to blow up the asteroid, to attempts to somehow push it off course. I enjoy science fiction novel like this one, but often I’ll find myself feeling a bit lost, struggling to keep up with the science part, especially if it doesn’t make complete sense. Though there are technical issues galore here, I never once struggled to understand. You feel as though this asteroid is really headed our way and we need these people, real people, to come up with a way to help save us, the technology offered totally believable.
A well-deserved five out of five stars.
A large asteroid is headed straight for earth, humans facing almost certain extinction if it hits. The government, not surprising, wants to keep the asteroid a secret, an attempt to hold off world-wide panic. But there are others, such as Colton Taylor, (a corporate sponsor for the detection program that made the asteroid discovery) who believe they have a plan that might give humans a chance to survive. But it means putting the disaster in the public eye and the government doesn’t want this.
There was a Bruce Willis movie made a while back that had this same type of plot disaster, but it had more of a comedic feel, at least in my opinion. This story sounds plausible and realistic from start to finish. I never once questioned the science involved, and no magic either. No abracadabra used to try to help explain futuristic scenarios. They discuss potential problems faced should they tried to blow up the asteroid, to attempts to somehow push it off course. I enjoy science fiction novel like this one, but often I’ll find myself feeling a bit lost, struggling to keep up with the science part, especially if it doesn’t make complete sense. Though there are technical issues galore here, I never once struggled to understand. You feel as though this asteroid is really headed our way and we need these people, real people, to come up with a way to help save us, the technology offered totally believable.
A well-deserved five out of five stars.
October 19, 2016
International Politics, Governments attacking a good and noble corporation, Government suppressing free speech, and oh yeah, an asteroid is going to destroy the Earth.
First off, I loved how Eric Michael Craig handled the asteroid coming to destroy Earth. I know the asteroid destroying Earth is now a cliche, Craig breaks the cliche by not having the attempts to stop it being totally absurd. He quickly shoots down all laughable ideas Hollywood has used in an amusing way. He even does a more realistic, therefore more amusing, rephrasing of some disaster movie lines. That sub-plot was great, I wish the book was about that.
Unfortunately, it wasn't.
The book is about Capt. Awesome, I mean Cole Taylor. A genius businessman who can do no wrong, so why do all the stupid people of the planet try and stop him? If they just take him at his word the whole planet would be so much better off.
The government attacks on his compound were much like the Monty Python sketch "Bomb on the Plane", where Eric Idle goes into the Cockpit and announces there is a bomb on the plane, and the pilots react by being bored. Cole's response was basically the same, "Oh well, they are sending the Air Force. Mica, stop them without hurting them, okay."
The book was mostly a battle between Cole, who can do nothing wrong, vs. the Government, which can do nothing right. I won't spoil it by saying who won.
The book was long on the idea of inertial engines vs traditional technology, unfortunately it never seemed to gather any momentum.
First off, I loved how Eric Michael Craig handled the asteroid coming to destroy Earth. I know the asteroid destroying Earth is now a cliche, Craig breaks the cliche by not having the attempts to stop it being totally absurd. He quickly shoots down all laughable ideas Hollywood has used in an amusing way. He even does a more realistic, therefore more amusing, rephrasing of some disaster movie lines. That sub-plot was great, I wish the book was about that.
Unfortunately, it wasn't.
The book is about Capt. Awesome, I mean Cole Taylor. A genius businessman who can do no wrong, so why do all the stupid people of the planet try and stop him? If they just take him at his word the whole planet would be so much better off.
The government attacks on his compound were much like the Monty Python sketch "Bomb on the Plane", where Eric Idle goes into the Cockpit and announces there is a bomb on the plane, and the pilots react by being bored. Cole's response was basically the same, "Oh well, they are sending the Air Force. Mica, stop them without hurting them, okay."
The book was mostly a battle between Cole, who can do nothing wrong, vs. the Government, which can do nothing right. I won't spoil it by saying who won.
The book was long on the idea of inertial engines vs traditional technology, unfortunately it never seemed to gather any momentum.
July 11, 2018
Prepare yourself for a great ride with Stormhaven Rising! This novel delivers the real goods. It has a great plot, realistic characters, gripping action, and believable science.
An enormous asteroid is bearing down on Earth and the U.S. government tries to hide the news from its citizens to avoid a panic. Scientists and astronomers who want the information to be released are hunted down. Colton Taylor and the employees of Stormhaven are working on a way to save the Earth but find themselves battling the U.S. government instead. The action is non-stop as the Stormhaven crew try to find an answer to the fast-approaching disaster.
Make sure you clear the day and night and possibly the next day when you open the cover to this book. It will keep you reading into the wee hours of the night!
5 stars
An enormous asteroid is bearing down on Earth and the U.S. government tries to hide the news from its citizens to avoid a panic. Scientists and astronomers who want the information to be released are hunted down. Colton Taylor and the employees of Stormhaven are working on a way to save the Earth but find themselves battling the U.S. government instead. The action is non-stop as the Stormhaven crew try to find an answer to the fast-approaching disaster.
Make sure you clear the day and night and possibly the next day when you open the cover to this book. It will keep you reading into the wee hours of the night!
5 stars
March 6, 2017
Stormhaven Rising was a blast to read the whole way through. It shows a realistic portrayal of how Earth might react to the impending threat of annhilation by asteroid. From the political nonsense to the scientific mitigations, it really hits the nail on the head.
It isn't just a pending apocalypse book set in the modern time either - there's a corporation called Stormhaven that has technology that you'd imagine in a typical sci-fi book and the way they factor into the story is quite interesting. The author backs everything up with realistic science in a way that makes it all seem plausible.
If you're looking for a fun sci-fi ride with solid characters and an interesting political conflict, then check this book out. I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
It isn't just a pending apocalypse book set in the modern time either - there's a corporation called Stormhaven that has technology that you'd imagine in a typical sci-fi book and the way they factor into the story is quite interesting. The author backs everything up with realistic science in a way that makes it all seem plausible.
If you're looking for a fun sci-fi ride with solid characters and an interesting political conflict, then check this book out. I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
September 30, 2016
This is the best science fiction book I have read in a long time. Author Eric Michael Craig has given us a well written and compelling story with memorable characters and lots of human drama. While the plot evokes memories of Lucifer's Hammer, which I read a long time ago, the science and politics in Stormhaven Rising are what make this a standout novel. The plot unfolds across multiple intersecting story lines in a fast paced story sequence that is difficult to put down. Highly recommended!
August 3, 2016
Easily one of my favorite books lately. I've been through it about 5 times so far and each time I catch new things. It's the sort of book that could be called sci fi, but it's also political and emotional and cultural and then, of course, science. I think this is a book that just about anyone could find something to enjoy within the pages.
August 3, 2017
An asteroid-about-to-hit-Earth story with a twist, with multiple viewpoints, each one having logical motivations.
February 3, 2017
Stormhaven Rising is a hard science fiction that revolves around a dire end of-the-world theme. A massive meteor is screaming towards earth, large enough to send civilization back to using sticks and rocks (assuming they survive). Given that is is a hard science fiction, you can't expect to find much fantasy-like elements in the story. Each example of fiction is usually backed by some form of provable science. This is good in a way that it provides a sense of dark realism, and it prompts readers to ask the likelihood that an event much like this occurring in their own little world. Definitely adds a sense of thrill and relative suspense.
Having read the second book first by accident, I found many of the characters and references confusing because it was like walking into a theater an hour into the movie. I consistently asked who's this and what is that, but reading the first book (as expected) cleared much of this confusion up. The characters are very dynamic, and at times dramatic in a way that seems hyper realistic. Being able to breathe life into the characters and have them develop/ react according to important events adds to it's realism and credibility as a hard science fiction novel.
Only complaints are is the transitions from perspective to perspective is quite rigid, and sometimes don't correlate very much so the two situations are set as far apart as changing from one channel to another on the television. Maybe if the chapter endings had more of a cliffhanging effect these rigid transitions would make more sense, but they seem out of place in such a wonderfully developed story line. For this I give it personally a 4.5/5, or for setups that don't permit .5 a 4/5. I recommend this heavily to anyone who was into Ender's Game, or the Martian as it provides very much the same thrill and experience, with a unique spin on a simple plot.
Having read the second book first by accident, I found many of the characters and references confusing because it was like walking into a theater an hour into the movie. I consistently asked who's this and what is that, but reading the first book (as expected) cleared much of this confusion up. The characters are very dynamic, and at times dramatic in a way that seems hyper realistic. Being able to breathe life into the characters and have them develop/ react according to important events adds to it's realism and credibility as a hard science fiction novel.
Only complaints are is the transitions from perspective to perspective is quite rigid, and sometimes don't correlate very much so the two situations are set as far apart as changing from one channel to another on the television. Maybe if the chapter endings had more of a cliffhanging effect these rigid transitions would make more sense, but they seem out of place in such a wonderfully developed story line. For this I give it personally a 4.5/5, or for setups that don't permit .5 a 4/5. I recommend this heavily to anyone who was into Ender's Game, or the Martian as it provides very much the same thrill and experience, with a unique spin on a simple plot.
April 14, 2016
Stormhaven Rising is an apt title for a book that pits a charismatic genius and his team of brilliant engineers, scientists and artists against the US government. Eric Michael Craig has a good handle on the unfortunate reality of how competing governments will risk the extinction of the human race rather than cooperate to stop a giant asteroid from hitting the earth. While the US and China launch separate and conflicting programs, Stormhaven, led by Colton Taylor, is making plans to save a small section of humanity. Stormhaven has developed technologies that will allow them to build a Lunar colony, but the government refuses to allow them access to space flight.
As the story unfolded it pulled me deeper in with well developed characters who just want to do the right thing. However human nature prevents cooperation and it takes setbacks to the US government's plans to get them to see that Stormhaven is not the enemy. I wanted to hate President Sylvia Hutton, General Marquez, and Secretary Anderson, but I couldn't. None of them are the bad guys and just as much, none of them are heroes. They are people facing the unfathomable inevitability of extinction and doing what each of them believes is the right thing.
This book is as riveting as stories like Deep Impact and Lucifer's Hammer. I am looking forward to Prometheus and the Dragon. I can't wait to learn what happens.
As the story unfolded it pulled me deeper in with well developed characters who just want to do the right thing. However human nature prevents cooperation and it takes setbacks to the US government's plans to get them to see that Stormhaven is not the enemy. I wanted to hate President Sylvia Hutton, General Marquez, and Secretary Anderson, but I couldn't. None of them are the bad guys and just as much, none of them are heroes. They are people facing the unfathomable inevitability of extinction and doing what each of them believes is the right thing.
This book is as riveting as stories like Deep Impact and Lucifer's Hammer. I am looking forward to Prometheus and the Dragon. I can't wait to learn what happens.
October 27, 2018
What happens when a threat to all humanity is uncovered? The world’s governments close ranks to cover it up. In the United States, a secret they consider too devastating for the public to handle, must be buried using any means possible, whatever the cost.
And so politics and morality spiral out of control, with calls for bigger bombs and tougher sanctions, until a private company steps into the breach. Can Stormhaven’s unique technologies offer a way out? Is anybody listening as the big guns are brought into play? Will macho posturing and blunders lead to death and destruction, or can a quiet genius save the day?
Eric Michael Craig has created an astonishing novel, spread over several continents, many sites in the US and three locations on the Moon, to enthral and entrance. Sparkling dialogue, mind-blowing technology, and fast-paced action keep the reader on their toes right to the end. Sparkling dialogue, mind-blowing technology
I can’t wait to read the sequel. Recommended.
And so politics and morality spiral out of control, with calls for bigger bombs and tougher sanctions, until a private company steps into the breach. Can Stormhaven’s unique technologies offer a way out? Is anybody listening as the big guns are brought into play? Will macho posturing and blunders lead to death and destruction, or can a quiet genius save the day?
Eric Michael Craig has created an astonishing novel, spread over several continents, many sites in the US and three locations on the Moon, to enthral and entrance. Sparkling dialogue, mind-blowing technology, and fast-paced action keep the reader on their toes right to the end. Sparkling dialogue, mind-blowing technology
I can’t wait to read the sequel. Recommended.
August 27, 2018
Classic world building like Clarke and Anderson
Stormhaven Rising is an ambitious project, where Eric Michael Craig has looked at various aspects of science, politics, and even religion and extrapolated them from the world we know into the future.
In some ways it reminded me of across between Poul Anderson's Harvest of Stars and Arthur C. Clarke's Hammer of God.
This novel builds the world, political interactions, and how one corporation fit together like Harvest the Stars all to the backdrop of the worst possible scenario - a potentially life ending asteroid on collision course with the Earth.
How the various super powers react to each other and the one man hellbent on saving mankind make a compelling story.
The only problem is now I have to read book two to see how it all comes out.
Stormhaven Rising is an ambitious project, where Eric Michael Craig has looked at various aspects of science, politics, and even religion and extrapolated them from the world we know into the future.
In some ways it reminded me of across between Poul Anderson's Harvest of Stars and Arthur C. Clarke's Hammer of God.
This novel builds the world, political interactions, and how one corporation fit together like Harvest the Stars all to the backdrop of the worst possible scenario - a potentially life ending asteroid on collision course with the Earth.
How the various super powers react to each other and the one man hellbent on saving mankind make a compelling story.
The only problem is now I have to read book two to see how it all comes out.
December 13, 2018
Great hard sci-fi that doesn't pull any punches
This is a terrific book that treats its subject matter in a smart and thoughtful way. The premise is nothing new-there's a deadly asteroid heading straight for earth-but this threat is portrayed in the book in a realistic and thoughtful way. I found the sheer number of characters a little too much at times but nevertheless a great read, and highly recommended for sci-fi fans.
This is a terrific book that treats its subject matter in a smart and thoughtful way. The premise is nothing new-there's a deadly asteroid heading straight for earth-but this threat is portrayed in the book in a realistic and thoughtful way. I found the sheer number of characters a little too much at times but nevertheless a great read, and highly recommended for sci-fi fans.
November 27, 2017
Well done story of the earthpeople's reaction to a world wide threat. Realistic and timely topic.
December 31, 2020
If you seek realistic near-future hard Science Fiction, Eric provides an excellent read in this first book of his Atlas and the Winds series. The science is well explained and plausible as well as inspired. But Eric is not satisfied with crafting good science fiction. His writing skills have produced great human drama, an accurate portrayal of mass media frenzy, and complex political intrigue in a world that is not much different from our own. His characters are engaging and believable. No cardboard characters here!
Overall, the writing is very good: descriptive, detailed, yet fast paced for the most part.
Though the premise of an asteroid heading for collision with Earth has been around for a while, including some good and mediocre movies, Craig gives the concept strong bones and fresh treatment as well as accuracy. So if this sounds like your kind of science fiction/thriller, then you should consider this book and see if you don't get hooked into reading the trilogy.
Overall, the writing is very good: descriptive, detailed, yet fast paced for the most part.
Though the premise of an asteroid heading for collision with Earth has been around for a while, including some good and mediocre movies, Craig gives the concept strong bones and fresh treatment as well as accuracy. So if this sounds like your kind of science fiction/thriller, then you should consider this book and see if you don't get hooked into reading the trilogy.
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