Atom Ulvan, Left Fist of the Emperor, lived a life of power until a rival family destroyed the Meriwether Clan. Now, on the run across the galaxy, Atom must flee the death behind him and use his unique skill-set to survive. Intent on hunting down his enemies, his two-year-old daughter Margo might be the only one to stop him. Without her, nothing exists to keep Atom from an all-out war on his betrayers. Genesis is a space-western odyssey across the galaxy that forces a gun-slinging rogue to balance his life between trying to stay alive and coping with fatherhood on the fly. Hop aboard the One Way Ticket with Atom and Margo as they fly the black in search of redemption, revenge, and a little peace and quiet.
Zach Winderl’s book (the first in a series) didn’t disappoint. I quickly picked up on the Firefly-meets-The-Mandalorian vibe and fell in love. But that’s not to say that Genesis: Atom & Go copies those same tropes; it has come up with quite a few of its own.
The book tells the story of a man named Atom Ulvan and his toddler-aged daughter, Margo (Go for short). Atom is a bit of a space pirate, not afraid to do what it takes to make a little coin, but he also has to set a good example for his daughter. In fact, Margo’s well-being molds much of Atom’s decisions, but they’re not always the best decisions.
And that’s what makes Atom such a real, likable character. He’s a swindler, sure, but he also has a heart.
One interesting display of that heart is Atom’s love for his deceased wife, whose mind has been uploaded to his ship’s computer as a bit of a conscience for Atom. Yes, even in death, Atom’s wife can tell him what to do. But it’s a great dynamic that works well for this type of story.
The rest of Atom’s ship’s crew defines the phrase “rag-tag” as they all showcase their individual talents throughout their journey. Each character is either someone we know or someone we want to know.
Winderl pens an interesting space opera in Genesis: Atom & Go. I have read anything from this author before, and I really enjoyed this. The characters were interesting, raw and intense. Atom (yes, that's his name), is bent on revenge and gaining power again. His only soft spot seems to be his daughter. The story is a good pace for this type of story, and it's full of action. The environment is more than just the setting, as it plays a large part in the story. There is a great chemistry between the characters, and a depth that makes them realistic and flawed, which is why I see the story as character driven, and Atom has a lot of drive. Though it's a fantastical space opera, the characters are relatable. It's a great story to follow and try to figure out what will happen next. I have fast become a big fan of Winderl. I look forward to reading more by this author. Genesis: Atom & Go is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews.
This was a top-notch sci-fi read from start to finish. I was pulled in from the first page and I had a hard time putting it down, the well-written characters and engaging storyline left me wishing for more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.