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Atmosphere
When a scouting mission lands on Chara IV, they discover they mysteriously know things about the planet... they know what the lizards are hunting, that the huge bat creatures are vegetarians, and that the giant deer-like humanoids are only curious... until one grabs a crew-member and disappears into the woods.
Thus ends the first chapter of a book that stacks up mysteries like Jenga blocks. Mutation, invasive AIs, and surprisingly solid character dynamics. Atmosphere is the rare sci-fi novel that is equally pushed forward by realistic, believable characters and exciting, twist-filled plot points.
- Kyle Siemens, Writer/Filmmaker
Thus ends the first chapter of a book that stacks up mysteries like Jenga blocks. Mutation, invasive AIs, and surprisingly solid character dynamics. Atmosphere is the rare sci-fi novel that is equally pushed forward by realistic, believable characters and exciting, twist-filled plot points.
- Kyle Siemens, Writer/Filmmaker
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2020
7 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
David Scott Moyer
4 books15 followersI write to find out what happens next. Unlike many authors, I do very little outlining when I begin a book. I start with an idea and go from there, seeing where the plot and characters take me. Much of the story which happens in my head never makes it to the page. I like to leave space for the reader to imagine and fill in the blanks. As an avid reader myself, I hate being spoon-fed every detail. Part of the joy of reading is creating the world in your mind. I began this career late in life, after pursuing visual arts for four decades. I have to say, I am loving it. I hope you enjoy reading my work as much as I enjoy writing it. Remember, we are all aliens!
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 20, 2021
I surprised myself on this one. I don't usually read science fiction! But I was captured right away and fully enjoyed this playful romp through time and space. This book takes on serious issues but doesn't weigh heavy. The characters are nicely developed and there are good surprises. A fun afternoon read - but leaving you with some things to ponder!
April 24, 2021
First book by new author. Interesting premise that shows great potential. Being a retired military "scientist", I found some character traits and inter-relationships not in line with my experiences. That said I still enjoyed the story and I am looking forward to the next book.
August 30, 2023
Other world science fiction. A small "first contact" collective lands on a habitable world several light years away from Earth in hopes of discovery. What they find is a psychic planet plagued by the omnipresent All and a peoples and ecosystem exploited.
I like this genre of science fiction because it's always interesting to see what lifeforms and ecosystems the authors can come up with, and this one was no exception. The struggles of communication and connection with the crew were an ongoing theme and felt realistic as any other. Through their willingness to eventually connect with the world around them, they learn what is really driving the sentience of the planet and who is in it for keeps.
Premise wise, great. Writing wise, not so awesome. This needs proofreading, particularly in the quotes, commas, and paragraphs category. Sometimes I couldn't figure out who was talking because one of the three went missing plus the head hopping. Other vexation, the speed of the story. It plods at the start and ramps up with new events and new antagonists so rapidly towards the end that they are barely introduced before the narrative twists again. This meant I couldn't be invested in any particular character narratives outside the first few introduced by chapter 2.
The world building is intriguing. The linguistic struggles are realistic. If you're the type to be interested in a novel for those constructs, you'll be pretty happy reading this.
I like this genre of science fiction because it's always interesting to see what lifeforms and ecosystems the authors can come up with, and this one was no exception. The struggles of communication and connection with the crew were an ongoing theme and felt realistic as any other. Through their willingness to eventually connect with the world around them, they learn what is really driving the sentience of the planet and who is in it for keeps.
Premise wise, great. Writing wise, not so awesome. This needs proofreading, particularly in the quotes, commas, and paragraphs category. Sometimes I couldn't figure out who was talking because one of the three went missing plus the head hopping. Other vexation, the speed of the story. It plods at the start and ramps up with new events and new antagonists so rapidly towards the end that they are barely introduced before the narrative twists again. This meant I couldn't be invested in any particular character narratives outside the first few introduced by chapter 2.
The world building is intriguing. The linguistic struggles are realistic. If you're the type to be interested in a novel for those constructs, you'll be pretty happy reading this.
Read
December 14, 2021After landing on the distant planet Chara IV the crew of the spaceship make surprising discoveries. They start to explore a world of peace, populated by dearlike creatures who never had developed speech but communicate through telepathy among themselves and with ALL, an invisible power that seems to control their minds …
More mysteries are unraveled by deepening the contact, but this world is under threat. The plot is culminating in the Crew‘s attempt to save the planet, it‘s inhabitants and themselves from hostile aliens …
A compelling novel with well elaborated characters - I hope to be continued soon!
More mysteries are unraveled by deepening the contact, but this world is under threat. The plot is culminating in the Crew‘s attempt to save the planet, it‘s inhabitants and themselves from hostile aliens …
A compelling novel with well elaborated characters - I hope to be continued soon!
January 24, 2023
When an exploration team arrives on a far flung planet, they find an ideal society attuned to nature and their own minds. But something has already arrived before them and all is not what it seems.
Mixing environment, telepathy, artificial intelligence and hostile colonisation, the narrative is ideal for those who love an unusual first contact situation and the notion of utopian societal connection.
Mixing environment, telepathy, artificial intelligence and hostile colonisation, the narrative is ideal for those who love an unusual first contact situation and the notion of utopian societal connection.
September 6, 2021
I really enjoyed this novel. Well written, engaging. I feel like I could relate to the characters. I love a book I can lose myself in and this is definitely one. I love science fiction, however, I don't think you have to be a science fiction fan to enjoy this novel. I am eagerly awaiting the next in the series.
August 16, 2021
What a treat! The characters grabbed me from page one. I was impressed by the author's ability to keep the many characters distinct and relatable. Each character was made into someone I could see and hear as I read. I felt like I knew them.
There were plenty of details, and yet never did I find myself skimming ahead to skip over an overly expansive description, because there were none (unusual for me not to skim ahead!). All the details needed were provided, but never more than were needed. Some very important facts were dropped like Easter eggs in an open field. They were there and obvious, but the author trusted his readers to pick them up, without making a huge fuss over them.
Science fiction by its nature is a balance of suspending logic and having believable (within the suspension of logic) situations and mechanics. This book nailed it!
Having met the author randomly under a giant statue at the confluence of two rivers in what seemed like the opening of a great book itself, I was excited to buy his book. I love reading "first novels," and didn't expect it to be this GREAT! I had to double check his bio to be sure I had it right about it being his first, because this does NOT seem like a "first novel." It was more in the league of a Crichton or Koontz.
Nicely done! Now, I NEED that second book!
There were plenty of details, and yet never did I find myself skimming ahead to skip over an overly expansive description, because there were none (unusual for me not to skim ahead!). All the details needed were provided, but never more than were needed. Some very important facts were dropped like Easter eggs in an open field. They were there and obvious, but the author trusted his readers to pick them up, without making a huge fuss over them.
Science fiction by its nature is a balance of suspending logic and having believable (within the suspension of logic) situations and mechanics. This book nailed it!
Having met the author randomly under a giant statue at the confluence of two rivers in what seemed like the opening of a great book itself, I was excited to buy his book. I love reading "first novels," and didn't expect it to be this GREAT! I had to double check his bio to be sure I had it right about it being his first, because this does NOT seem like a "first novel." It was more in the league of a Crichton or Koontz.
Nicely done! Now, I NEED that second book!
October 26, 2021
After a scouting mission lands on a new planet they quickly discover they mysteriously know things about the planet... they know what the lizards are hunting, that the huge bat creatures are vegetarians, and that the giant deer-like humanoids are only curious... until one grabs a crew-member and disappears into the woods.
Thus ends the first chapter of a book that stacks up mysteries like Jenga blocks. Mutation, invasive AIs, and surprisingly solid character dynamics. Atmosphere is the rare sci-fi novel that is equally pushed forward by realistic, believable characters and exciting, twist-filled plot points.
Yes, it is self-published and there are the occasional double spaces, but don't let that deter you. This is a fantastic, multi POV story that is impressively crafted. Near the end it begins to feel like Game Of Thrones in its multi-narrative (especially when the 'bad guys' get a chapter). This method works very well here and I look forward to more in the sequels.
Atmosphere feels like LOST meets classic 70s sci-fi. It's modern enough that I could see it on Netflix while still feeling refreshingly vintage. I read it over a weekend and enjoyed it thoroughly!
Thus ends the first chapter of a book that stacks up mysteries like Jenga blocks. Mutation, invasive AIs, and surprisingly solid character dynamics. Atmosphere is the rare sci-fi novel that is equally pushed forward by realistic, believable characters and exciting, twist-filled plot points.
Yes, it is self-published and there are the occasional double spaces, but don't let that deter you. This is a fantastic, multi POV story that is impressively crafted. Near the end it begins to feel like Game Of Thrones in its multi-narrative (especially when the 'bad guys' get a chapter). This method works very well here and I look forward to more in the sequels.
Atmosphere feels like LOST meets classic 70s sci-fi. It's modern enough that I could see it on Netflix while still feeling refreshingly vintage. I read it over a weekend and enjoyed it thoroughly!
Read
January 13, 2023David Scott Moyer must have visited Chara IV, the world described so immersively in Atmosphere. After reading it, the deer people mill around benevolently in my mind. I feel a deep connection with Prithya, Mags, Dayv, Manders, Dab and Cohl, the human crew of the mission, whom have been given life histories and characters that are so real to life, so believable, yet each unique. The ambiguously malevolent "All" telepathically pervades the thoughts of every sentient being on Chara IV. The plot is sprinkled with fascinating bits of nearly accessible, aspirational astrophysics and the action keeps the reader on the edge of their seat eager to find out what happens next, simultaneously hoping not to come to the end of the story. And if that wasn't enough, a complete surprise, bombshell ending parachutes in*. Luckily, there are two more books in the series.
*P. S. The wording here in no way gives hints as to that stunner of an ending.
*P. S. The wording here in no way gives hints as to that stunner of an ending.
July 30, 2021
An Excellently Written 1st Novel I Highly Recommend to Lovers of Science-Fiction & Really Good Storytelling
This was a really enjoyable read. I found myself drawn into the story and curious to find out what would happen next, with each turn of the page. It wasnt my usual blend of mind bending science fiction but was definitely refreshing, endearing, good storytelling. The plot and characters were super well developed and consistent. Although some of the human characters felt stereotypically simple they were still fun, engaging and felt easily identified with. The author managed to pack in quite a bit of my favorite scifi themes like, exploration of new worlds, first contact, teleportation and telepathy. It's an excellently written first novel, I look forward to the sequel and highly recommend it to lovers of science-fiction and really good storytelling.
This was a really enjoyable read. I found myself drawn into the story and curious to find out what would happen next, with each turn of the page. It wasnt my usual blend of mind bending science fiction but was definitely refreshing, endearing, good storytelling. The plot and characters were super well developed and consistent. Although some of the human characters felt stereotypically simple they were still fun, engaging and felt easily identified with. The author managed to pack in quite a bit of my favorite scifi themes like, exploration of new worlds, first contact, teleportation and telepathy. It's an excellently written first novel, I look forward to the sequel and highly recommend it to lovers of science-fiction and really good storytelling.
June 2, 2025
Atmosphere is a sci-fi story that takes place on a planet light years away from Earth. Twelve humans are sent to scope it out for possible settlement. Moyer has created a whole world for them to find. He includes all kinds of details to set the stage. Maybe he has been there? There are back stories for all the humans and some of the aliens they encounter. There is history, biology, science and emotion. It is a loving environment but through the whole book there is an underlying feeling of dread. I kept thinking, something is wrong. Something is not as it appears. There must be a twist. I was constantly looking around, on edge, eager to get on to the next page. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the Trilogy.
August 16, 2023
This was a detailed and well-thought out book, following the expedition team as they experience first-hand what life on the planet Chara IV is like. The planet is steeped in a telepathic network, which is how its indigenous lifeforms communicate. But external forces are also at play, controlling these natives. The book touches on first contact issues, ethics, understanding and even greed, and of course, the all time favourite of good versus evil. There are several intriguing twists and turns, and many sudden shocks. I look forward to reading the sequel, Ocean.
June 3, 2021
Great character development and well researched details make this a fantastic, absorbing, believable adventure to delve into!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews