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PIERCING THE CELESTIAL OCEAN: The Saga of the Cerulean Universe Begins
AN EPIC TALE, A CLASH OF TWO UNIVERSES
Disgraced scientist, Captain Anton Ekels, seizes the opportunity for redemption he recognizes in the Endeavor’s near-collision with an alien stasis pod. Expelled from the mouth of a remote wormhole, the capsule—once taken onboard the deep space research vessel--reveals clues that the captain believes may link its female humanoid occupant to an alternate reality. A student of Earth’s space exploration history, Ekels quickly recognizes a plaque similar to that attached to the twentieth century’s Pioneer space probes--but the universe described is potentially unlike anything ever encountered by the Intragalactic Science Consortium.
SIX-HUNDRED YEARS EARLIER
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORMHOLE
Grand Master G’lea and her assistant, Master T’reau, aim their innovative celestiscope skyward and make a heretical discovery. Suppressed and warped by influential P’nesian Clerics, this startling revelation further secures the dominance of the Grand Conclave, enhances the mystery of the Heavenly Visitors and seals the fate of G’lea and T’reau.
Despite the best efforts of the Grand Conclave the legend of the Grand Master and her assistant lives on in hand-copied, forbidden books, the furtive whisperings of radical academics and the tall tales of drunken sailors on the island of Lolus.
Hundreds of years later, on this oft-denigrated island, unique circumstances unite a sea captain raised on those whispered tall tales with the estranged son of the powerful P’nesian Archcleric. Aboard the Vagus, A’zra and G’regor begin an adventure that not only challenges entrenched religious beliefs, but eventually inspires a much greater scientific leap—towards the Celestial Ocean and beyond.
PIERCING THE CELESTIAL OCEAN
THE SAGA OF THE CERULEAN UNIVERSE BEGINS
Disgraced scientist, Captain Anton Ekels, seizes the opportunity for redemption he recognizes in the Endeavor’s near-collision with an alien stasis pod. Expelled from the mouth of a remote wormhole, the capsule—once taken onboard the deep space research vessel--reveals clues that the captain believes may link its female humanoid occupant to an alternate reality. A student of Earth’s space exploration history, Ekels quickly recognizes a plaque similar to that attached to the twentieth century’s Pioneer space probes--but the universe described is potentially unlike anything ever encountered by the Intragalactic Science Consortium.
SIX-HUNDRED YEARS EARLIER
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORMHOLE
Grand Master G’lea and her assistant, Master T’reau, aim their innovative celestiscope skyward and make a heretical discovery. Suppressed and warped by influential P’nesian Clerics, this startling revelation further secures the dominance of the Grand Conclave, enhances the mystery of the Heavenly Visitors and seals the fate of G’lea and T’reau.
Despite the best efforts of the Grand Conclave the legend of the Grand Master and her assistant lives on in hand-copied, forbidden books, the furtive whisperings of radical academics and the tall tales of drunken sailors on the island of Lolus.
Hundreds of years later, on this oft-denigrated island, unique circumstances unite a sea captain raised on those whispered tall tales with the estranged son of the powerful P’nesian Archcleric. Aboard the Vagus, A’zra and G’regor begin an adventure that not only challenges entrenched religious beliefs, but eventually inspires a much greater scientific leap—towards the Celestial Ocean and beyond.
PIERCING THE CELESTIAL OCEAN
THE SAGA OF THE CERULEAN UNIVERSE BEGINS
207 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 26, 2020
10 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Kip Koelsch
16 books30 followersAward-winning author Kip Koelsch got his start writing “books” with crayons in Mrs. Cook’s second grade class in Leonardo, NJ. Koelsch's love of dolphins started early as well--nurtured by The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau, National Geographic Magazine and the family's trips to the beach at Anna Maria Island, Florida.
In all of his writing, Koelsch draws on his "variety of life experiences"--from time as a collegiate rowing coach to a stint as an adjunct professor in Environmental Studies and from adventure racing in Borneo to dragging a dolphin carcass behind his kayak while a marine mammal stranding network volunteer.
An on-again, off-again freelance magazine writer, Koelsch currently blogs about writing, critical thinking, outdoor adventure sports, paddling and his work in progress. He is working hard on the sequel to Wendall's Lullaby while occasionally scribbling random notes for other future fiction ideas.
Koelsch has an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Media from Rutgers University in NJ and a Master’s Degree in Humanities and American Studies from the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL. In the past he has taught policy and culture-oriented Environmental Studies courses at Eckerd College, Ringling College of Art and Design, and the University of South Florida.
Currently, Koelsch resides in Dunedin, FL, with his wife and three cats.
In all of his writing, Koelsch draws on his "variety of life experiences"--from time as a collegiate rowing coach to a stint as an adjunct professor in Environmental Studies and from adventure racing in Borneo to dragging a dolphin carcass behind his kayak while a marine mammal stranding network volunteer.
An on-again, off-again freelance magazine writer, Koelsch currently blogs about writing, critical thinking, outdoor adventure sports, paddling and his work in progress. He is working hard on the sequel to Wendall's Lullaby while occasionally scribbling random notes for other future fiction ideas.
Koelsch has an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Media from Rutgers University in NJ and a Master’s Degree in Humanities and American Studies from the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL. In the past he has taught policy and culture-oriented Environmental Studies courses at Eckerd College, Ringling College of Art and Design, and the University of South Florida.
Currently, Koelsch resides in Dunedin, FL, with his wife and three cats.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 14, 2021
Thank you Kip Koelsch and Goodreads for a free copy and the opportunity to review it.
"Piercing The Celestial Ocean" by Kip Koelsch is pure old fashion science fiction for the most part. It has a very "Star Trek" feel, even down to borrowing Captain Picard's catch phrase, "Make it so" with the captain in this novel. What I think was a unique angle to the story was more of an island setting than a space one and a religion vs science angle.
The book opens with a scientist on a ship coming upon a body of a human he suspects may be a humanoid of some kind coming through a wormhole, and after that brief opening chapter, we are immediately thrown back 600 years earlier.
We first went on a short religious journey which felt more fantasy than science fiction, then later on in another period of time to a crew of scientists coming upon the remains of that journey. The crew finds out there may be a scientific basis to long standing religious beliefs, and tries to set up a mission to go underwater and prove the heavenly beings this religion believes in are actually organic beings.
The two main characters on the mission are , A’zra and G’regor, with a hinted romantic relationship, and with A'Zra taking charge and being the one to go down in the depths of the ocean.
This novel is hard science fiction, and very well imagined, but more dense than your run of the mill popular science fiction so don't expect a straight page turner, yet it is also an adventure novel so it has that going for it too. There were some times in the book I got a bit confused with the plot, and who was who, and who was dating who, when it came to the little parts with the personal lives of the crew. I've read dense science fiction before, but can tell you, they make for very thoughtful and detailed reads but not for page turning reads with a ton of emotional asides. This is true for this book too.
Overall, I liked the novel a lot and it was an overall solid science fiction novel that poses questions about science vs spirituality, and how far one should go for their ideals. It felt a little disjointed in parts, but overall, at the end, it ties together really well. Three stars.
Three stars
"Piercing The Celestial Ocean" by Kip Koelsch is pure old fashion science fiction for the most part. It has a very "Star Trek" feel, even down to borrowing Captain Picard's catch phrase, "Make it so" with the captain in this novel. What I think was a unique angle to the story was more of an island setting than a space one and a religion vs science angle.
The book opens with a scientist on a ship coming upon a body of a human he suspects may be a humanoid of some kind coming through a wormhole, and after that brief opening chapter, we are immediately thrown back 600 years earlier.
We first went on a short religious journey which felt more fantasy than science fiction, then later on in another period of time to a crew of scientists coming upon the remains of that journey. The crew finds out there may be a scientific basis to long standing religious beliefs, and tries to set up a mission to go underwater and prove the heavenly beings this religion believes in are actually organic beings.
The two main characters on the mission are , A’zra and G’regor, with a hinted romantic relationship, and with A'Zra taking charge and being the one to go down in the depths of the ocean.
This novel is hard science fiction, and very well imagined, but more dense than your run of the mill popular science fiction so don't expect a straight page turner, yet it is also an adventure novel so it has that going for it too. There were some times in the book I got a bit confused with the plot, and who was who, and who was dating who, when it came to the little parts with the personal lives of the crew. I've read dense science fiction before, but can tell you, they make for very thoughtful and detailed reads but not for page turning reads with a ton of emotional asides. This is true for this book too.
Overall, I liked the novel a lot and it was an overall solid science fiction novel that poses questions about science vs spirituality, and how far one should go for their ideals. It felt a little disjointed in parts, but overall, at the end, it ties together really well. Three stars.
Three stars
July 20, 2020
In this multifaceted and rewarding novel, Koelsch has created a world which features some of the most ambitious aspects of SF: faster-than-light travel, alternate reality, multiple universes, and artificial intelligence among other intergalactic scientific elements.
When Captain Anton Ekels, a disgraced scientist, happened to witness the near-collision of the space travel vessel Endeavor with an alien stasis pod, he had no idea the discovery would leads to two different civilizations’ aspirations of piercing the unfathomable Celestial Ocean and beyond.
Koelsch’s vivid characterization is a knockout, but his great strengths, though, are his depiction of the P’nesian society with its influential Clerics and their oppressing ways as well as understanding of people’s deeply rooted, unshakable beliefs. Though the plot is heavy on hard SF concepts, Koelsch’s prose is accessible, and the story never loses its momentum.
With its intriguing politics, well-drawn, realistic characters, and absorbing storyline, the novel makes for a compelling hard SF read.
This is a standout!
When Captain Anton Ekels, a disgraced scientist, happened to witness the near-collision of the space travel vessel Endeavor with an alien stasis pod, he had no idea the discovery would leads to two different civilizations’ aspirations of piercing the unfathomable Celestial Ocean and beyond.
Koelsch’s vivid characterization is a knockout, but his great strengths, though, are his depiction of the P’nesian society with its influential Clerics and their oppressing ways as well as understanding of people’s deeply rooted, unshakable beliefs. Though the plot is heavy on hard SF concepts, Koelsch’s prose is accessible, and the story never loses its momentum.
With its intriguing politics, well-drawn, realistic characters, and absorbing storyline, the novel makes for a compelling hard SF read.
This is a standout!
October 30, 2020
A well-imagined and carefully constructed science fiction world gives rise to a story of love, sacrifice, adventure and rebellion.
What I liked: The main group of characters is thoughtfully portrayed, giving each one their own individuality and personality. The story builds a satisfying drama that becomes more intriguing as the pages turn.
What I didn't like: Slower pace than I enjoy in a story. The cut-away from the first part to a single character's experience which leaves little room for action. This part of the story dragged for me. Then another cut-away to other characters and another introduction to them which also slowed the pacing a bit.
The above criticisms are not to detract from the story, but to convey my experience. I understand that there are more stories in this series, so it makes sense to have a book which lays the groundwork for the rest of the story.
Recommend for fans of science fiction lovers who like Avatar, Star Wars, high-fantasy sci-fi.
What I liked: The main group of characters is thoughtfully portrayed, giving each one their own individuality and personality. The story builds a satisfying drama that becomes more intriguing as the pages turn.
What I didn't like: Slower pace than I enjoy in a story. The cut-away from the first part to a single character's experience which leaves little room for action. This part of the story dragged for me. Then another cut-away to other characters and another introduction to them which also slowed the pacing a bit.
The above criticisms are not to detract from the story, but to convey my experience. I understand that there are more stories in this series, so it makes sense to have a book which lays the groundwork for the rest of the story.
Recommend for fans of science fiction lovers who like Avatar, Star Wars, high-fantasy sci-fi.
July 13, 2021
An immense imagination fell in love with science, and this story had been born.
From the very beginning, it was a magical, logical and mentally challenging adventure full of cruelty, truth oppression and power of politics. But also, the story shows us the unimaginable power of human curiosity, love and determination to change the Old World Order.
Life stories of G'lea and T'reau intertwined with the lives of whole generations after them is something very visible from the start and author is very careful not to overwhelm you with it.
At some places in the book I really enjoyed the dynamics and simmiliarity with my own planet.
Giving 5 stars because I experienced truly magnificent reading experience and started to thinking about possibilities of wormhole travelling.
From the very beginning, it was a magical, logical and mentally challenging adventure full of cruelty, truth oppression and power of politics. But also, the story shows us the unimaginable power of human curiosity, love and determination to change the Old World Order.
Life stories of G'lea and T'reau intertwined with the lives of whole generations after them is something very visible from the start and author is very careful not to overwhelm you with it.
At some places in the book I really enjoyed the dynamics and simmiliarity with my own planet.
Giving 5 stars because I experienced truly magnificent reading experience and started to thinking about possibilities of wormhole travelling.
May 2, 2021
There are books that I read quickly, anxious to find out what happens at the end, and there are books that I spend days thinking through a few lines and taking all in. Piercing the celestial ocean is among the latter. The story is rich in imagination but brings some sense of reality rather than mystery through its adept application of science. That is not to say that it wants for mystery, it is a wild ride of both imagination and science. If you need a book that you can savor and remember forever, pick this one up. If you want a book that gives you satisfaction at each chapter rather than only at the end pick this one up. Congratulations to the author for a profoundly thought provoking piece.
July 24, 2020
Politicians agendas lovers mysteries. Worlds of scientific calculations.
Space travel and celestial oceans. Intrigue.
This story started off giving me questions about what was going on. Then it went backwards in time to explain how we got this point and things were explained. Quite a tale indeed. My heart is attached and needs the questions I still have to be answered.
The characters each involved have their own reasons for doing what they did and keep doing.
What a story.
Space travel and celestial oceans. Intrigue.
This story started off giving me questions about what was going on. Then it went backwards in time to explain how we got this point and things were explained. Quite a tale indeed. My heart is attached and needs the questions I still have to be answered.
The characters each involved have their own reasons for doing what they did and keep doing.
What a story.
February 18, 2021
For me, "Piercing the Celestial Ocean" is a superb mix of sci-fi and fantasy. It is such an immersive tale that it's a hard book to put down. I loved the writing, the characters are incredibly well-written, and the story is one I will remember for a long time. I can't wait to read "Beyond the Pale Blue Sun" and get back to this world!
My thanks to the author and Booktasters. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
My thanks to the author and Booktasters. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
December 27, 2020
I was raised on Star Trek. So for me, this book evoked a strong sense of nostalgia. Intertwined in this narrative are the philosophical, scientific and theological debates that have been raging for centuries on Earth.
I see G'lea's story as an allegory of our own journey leading up to the Age of Enlightenment.
The science babble, as we call, is quite heavy in this book but not in a way that detracts from the story.
I was also quite invested in A'zra's and Victoria's relationship. That was something that old Trek didn't give us.
There's really a lot I love about this book, but one thing that did irk me slightly was the pace. It was a *tad* monotonous.
I'll be tuning in for the next one in the series, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of these fantastic characters and the brilliant new worlds Koelsch has built.
I see G'lea's story as an allegory of our own journey leading up to the Age of Enlightenment.
The science babble, as we call, is quite heavy in this book but not in a way that detracts from the story.
I was also quite invested in A'zra's and Victoria's relationship. That was something that old Trek didn't give us.
There's really a lot I love about this book, but one thing that did irk me slightly was the pace. It was a *tad* monotonous.
I'll be tuning in for the next one in the series, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of these fantastic characters and the brilliant new worlds Koelsch has built.
April 26, 2022
This is one of those cases where the book just wasn't for me. I am not a huge fan of following different timelines, especially when one of them has a more fantasy bent. The writing is decent and the characters are far from the worst I've ever read. Again, for the right reader this will hit nicely. I just wasn't the right reader.
August 23, 2020
An interesting multi-POV tale spanning different times and alternate universes, as well as an exploration of cultures and their need to control narrative. I appreciated the nods to Star Trek, as well as the author's meticulous and descriptive prose to build characters and conflicts.
December 24, 2020
This book was a lot of fun with an interesting world, fascinating cultures and believable characters. I would totally recommend thius book.
March 9, 2021
This novel is an exciting oceanic tale preferably for sci-fi lovers. Characters of this novel is well defined and storyline is well written. Enjoyed reading it.
July 16, 2021
A great book Kip. I enjoyed every bit of it
September 12, 2020
Kip builds an interesting world with complex politics. The spin on a nautical world and space is creative. I look forward to hearing what happens next as the story enters our world.
July 10, 2020
Riveting
Another exciting oceanic tale to enthrall and entertain Sci-fi readers. Follow this author. You won't want to miss anything he writes as Kip meticulously weaves science and fiction into an intriguing tale from the deep.
Another exciting oceanic tale to enthrall and entertain Sci-fi readers. Follow this author. You won't want to miss anything he writes as Kip meticulously weaves science and fiction into an intriguing tale from the deep.
February 3, 2021
This is another good read by Kip Koelsch. The message of science being discredited was very timely.
September 29, 2020
Piercing The Celestial Ocean by Kip Koelsch earns 4 out of 5 Star Systems. The only wormhole was the lack of change of pace: the action sequences unfold at the same speed as the regular dialogue, as do the introspective moments. Koelsch's amazing story neatly knits multiple worlds & would only benefit from tighter action sequences & more lyrical reflective scenes. These modulations will undoubtedly come as Koelsch ventures further into his Saga of the Cerulean Universe series, his first voyage into the sci-fi galaxy. 👽
Congratulations to Kip Koelsch for an excellent novel, a refreshing treatment of time-tested trends. i look forward to the release of the next in the series & encourage all sci-fi fans to check out Piercing The Celestial Ocean by Kip Koelsch. peace *{*
by patrick johnson
Congratulations to Kip Koelsch for an excellent novel, a refreshing treatment of time-tested trends. i look forward to the release of the next in the series & encourage all sci-fi fans to check out Piercing The Celestial Ocean by Kip Koelsch. peace *{*
by patrick johnson
July 19, 2023
Wow!
A truly unique sci-fi story within a story, with truly spectacular world-building and genuinely exciting plot.
Koelsch's love for all things oceanic and cetacean permeates 'Piercing the Celestial Ocean'. The framing of the story, too, is both clever and effective.
I don't want to give too much away, but there is some great exploration of religion and science here, as well as the triumph and disaster which accompany adventure and discovery.
I thoroughly recommend this to all sci-fi fans. Truly brilliant read.
A truly unique sci-fi story within a story, with truly spectacular world-building and genuinely exciting plot.
Koelsch's love for all things oceanic and cetacean permeates 'Piercing the Celestial Ocean'. The framing of the story, too, is both clever and effective.
I don't want to give too much away, but there is some great exploration of religion and science here, as well as the triumph and disaster which accompany adventure and discovery.
I thoroughly recommend this to all sci-fi fans. Truly brilliant read.
May 11, 2021
Most definitely out there, but most definitely NOT in a bad way. Loved that even though the book was a bit spacey (no pun intended), you included a stable plot/story line. Definitely original, which I like originality. I don't want to be reading a book and it obviously ripping off an award-winning novel, which this should be award winning, if it isn't already. Again, another five stars. I am currently reading "Beyond the Pale Blue Sun," and am currently not disappointed by any mile!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews