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Sphere Rising #1
Hydrosphere Rising
The year is 2120 and sea levels have risen five metres in the last hundred years. The coast is now also lashed by superstorms. Owen is a teenager who grew up on the flooded coastline of Australia. He sets out on a journey to find a missing marine biologist but is about to come up against powerful forces that will push his mind and body beyond their limits. Owen must solve the mystery of Evelyn’s disappearance before those forces change the ocean forever and threaten the future of the entire planet.
Owen likes writing poetry (or he used to) but he’ll need to revive every last one of his poetic skills to find the clues that will guide him. Time is running out but why is poetry suddenly so important?
This book uses the latest topographic maps and climate science to imagine what Australia could really be like in a hundred years. It also explores the human response to these changes. What are the implications for the rest of the world?
Owen likes writing poetry (or he used to) but he’ll need to revive every last one of his poetic skills to find the clues that will guide him. Time is running out but why is poetry suddenly so important?
This book uses the latest topographic maps and climate science to imagine what Australia could really be like in a hundred years. It also explores the human response to these changes. What are the implications for the rest of the world?
286 pages, Paperback
Published May 16, 2021
3 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Philip J. Rutherford
2 books9 followersPhilip J. Rutherford is a Sydney-based writer living on Darug land who studied creative writing with Australian poet, Dorothy Porter, at the University of Technology, Sydney. He is also a software engineer with a Bachelor of Science who founded a collaborative publishing software company, and has a keen interest in nature, technology, social justice and how communities can create better futures. Most of all he enjoys the poetry of a single moment when you experience something that can't be described.
His debut novel Hydrosphere Rising was published in 2021 and his second novel Lithosphere Rising was published in 2024.
For giveaways and more descriptions of the indescribable follow him on Goodreads, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter @philipjru or Instagram @philipjru.
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His debut novel Hydrosphere Rising was published in 2021 and his second novel Lithosphere Rising was published in 2024.
For giveaways and more descriptions of the indescribable follow him on Goodreads, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter @philipjru or Instagram @philipjru.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNFF...
https://www.facebook.com/philip.ruthe...
https://www.instagram.com/philipjru
https://twitter.com/philipjru
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 17, 2021
By 2120 sea levels have risen five meters. The coast is lashed by superstorms. Eighteen-year-old Owen lives on the flooded coastline of Australia where his parents run a marine salvage business. When his older sister's professor and mentor, Evelyn, goes missing, Owen sets off on an adventure to find her. It won't make up for the death of his sister, but it's a start.
Through poems that Evelyn posts on a poetry site, Owen is able to track the missing marine biologist. His boat journey up the coast from Sydney to Brisbane and beyond tests Owen's intelligence, nerve, and humanity.
I loved the storyline and the world-building is genuinely good. I stumbled over some of the amateur writing... Too much telling instead of showing, physical descriptions of characters like a laundry list instead of woven into their actions, etc. But overall, a good read.
Through poems that Evelyn posts on a poetry site, Owen is able to track the missing marine biologist. His boat journey up the coast from Sydney to Brisbane and beyond tests Owen's intelligence, nerve, and humanity.
I loved the storyline and the world-building is genuinely good. I stumbled over some of the amateur writing... Too much telling instead of showing, physical descriptions of characters like a laundry list instead of woven into their actions, etc. But overall, a good read.
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August 3, 2021From Bookstagrammer @bmichie31 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Set in 2120, Hydrosphere Rising is a dystopian adventure that had my heart racing and kept me enthralled from beginning to end. . . . I really enjoyed the character of Owen, his resilience, adventurous spirit, natural curiosity and courage to do what he knows is right, were inspiring and captivating.
For me the most impactful parts of the book were seeing familiar Australian landmarks, such as the Sydney Opera House, that were now either underwater, or damaged by superstorms. This is a book I would highly recommend to anyone who loves dystopian fiction. Although aimed at a YA audience, there is plenty to appeal to readers of all ages."
"Set in 2120, Hydrosphere Rising is a dystopian adventure that had my heart racing and kept me enthralled from beginning to end. . . . I really enjoyed the character of Owen, his resilience, adventurous spirit, natural curiosity and courage to do what he knows is right, were inspiring and captivating.
For me the most impactful parts of the book were seeing familiar Australian landmarks, such as the Sydney Opera House, that were now either underwater, or damaged by superstorms. This is a book I would highly recommend to anyone who loves dystopian fiction. Although aimed at a YA audience, there is plenty to appeal to readers of all ages."
October 23, 2021
Overview.
This book has a serious message within an exciting story. It is set in the future when, because we have failed to act quickly enough on climate change, the seas have risen by 5 metres and devastated the coastline of Australia, where the story is set.
Blurb
The year is 2120 and sea levels have risen five metres in the last hundred years. The coast is now also lashed by superstorms. Owen is a teenager who grew up on the flooded coastline of Australia. He sets out on a journey to find a missing marine biologist but is about to come up against powerful forces that will push his mind and body beyond their limits. Owen must battle both internal and external monsters to solve the mystery of Evelyn’s disappearance before these forces change the ocean forever and threaten the future of the entire planet.
Owen likes writing poetry (or he used to) but he’ll need to revive every last one of his poetic skills to find the clues that will guide him. Time is running out but why is poetry suddenly so important?
This book has used the latest topographic maps and climate science to imagine what Australia could really be like in a hundred years if climate change continues. It also explores the human response to these changes. What are the implications for the rest of the world?
Story
Owen is haunted by the disappearance of his older sister, and blames himself, although he was not in anyway at fault. This guilt leads him to go in search of his sister’s teacher who has disappeared.
What he thought was a straightforward adventure turns out to be something far more serious and threatening to the whole world.
Characters
The character of Owen is well-drawn. He is a young man of eighteen, with all the adventurous spirit of one of that age. He is a little lacking in confidence, though, due to the guilt he feels over his sister’s disappearance. It is because of this that he sets off to find Evelyn, her teacher. His character develops through his adventures, and at the end he has changed.
Owen is the main character, and there are few others as Owen is mainly alone on his boat.
Writing
Although nothing grammatically wrong with the writing, except for a few typos, I felt that it could be made so much better and stronger. With some tweaking here and there, we would feel much closer to Owen and the action.
Conclusion
I enjoyed reading this story. It kept me guessing all through as to where, or if, he would find Evelyn, and what he would discover when he did. I enjoyed the poetry, which gave the story an extra dimension, and turned out to be important in the end.
The twist at the end surprised me.
I give it 4* for the story, losing 1* for the writing.
This book has a serious message within an exciting story. It is set in the future when, because we have failed to act quickly enough on climate change, the seas have risen by 5 metres and devastated the coastline of Australia, where the story is set.
Blurb
The year is 2120 and sea levels have risen five metres in the last hundred years. The coast is now also lashed by superstorms. Owen is a teenager who grew up on the flooded coastline of Australia. He sets out on a journey to find a missing marine biologist but is about to come up against powerful forces that will push his mind and body beyond their limits. Owen must battle both internal and external monsters to solve the mystery of Evelyn’s disappearance before these forces change the ocean forever and threaten the future of the entire planet.
Owen likes writing poetry (or he used to) but he’ll need to revive every last one of his poetic skills to find the clues that will guide him. Time is running out but why is poetry suddenly so important?
This book has used the latest topographic maps and climate science to imagine what Australia could really be like in a hundred years if climate change continues. It also explores the human response to these changes. What are the implications for the rest of the world?
Story
Owen is haunted by the disappearance of his older sister, and blames himself, although he was not in anyway at fault. This guilt leads him to go in search of his sister’s teacher who has disappeared.
What he thought was a straightforward adventure turns out to be something far more serious and threatening to the whole world.
Characters
The character of Owen is well-drawn. He is a young man of eighteen, with all the adventurous spirit of one of that age. He is a little lacking in confidence, though, due to the guilt he feels over his sister’s disappearance. It is because of this that he sets off to find Evelyn, her teacher. His character develops through his adventures, and at the end he has changed.
Owen is the main character, and there are few others as Owen is mainly alone on his boat.
Writing
Although nothing grammatically wrong with the writing, except for a few typos, I felt that it could be made so much better and stronger. With some tweaking here and there, we would feel much closer to Owen and the action.
Conclusion
I enjoyed reading this story. It kept me guessing all through as to where, or if, he would find Evelyn, and what he would discover when he did. I enjoyed the poetry, which gave the story an extra dimension, and turned out to be important in the end.
The twist at the end surprised me.
I give it 4* for the story, losing 1* for the writing.
December 22, 2021
Hydrosphere Rising is truly an incredible book. It combines realistic scientific scenarios with an exciting storyline and well-drawn characters. I really loved this combination of science and storytelling!
The book describes all the events that lead to the current sea level rise including the Greenland Ice Sheet melt and IPCC projections. It also talks about other factors that go along with the sea level rise and climate change: Mainly the high number of jellyfish, as well as other environmental challenges, including pollution, overfishing and biodiversity loss. The story further covers society and adaptation to sea-level rise including failed adaptation measures and the need for civilization to adapt in other ways. They currently live either high up on land or on the water in moving ship settlements, which I found really interesting. The book also addresses socio-economic issues such as housing shortages, poverty, hunger, failing state authorities and parastates.
Another aspect I really loved is the humour Philip Rutherford plays with. He jokes about the irony of humans complaining about and suffering from the climate crisis while still not changing the causes or addressing the real problems. He also adds new sayings like "Son of a cyclone" or "for typhoon's sake" in the daily language of the characters which is very interesting and kind of funny.
Besides the humorously written character and storylines, he also addresses the physical and psychological challenges of living in a world marked by climatic catastrophes and losses. However, the book never fails to touch upon the beauty of nature which still exists even in a shattered, flooded world.
I read the book for a climate change project which is why my review is a little bit focused on that part of the book, but I recommend it to everyone who enjoys an eventful reading experience.
The book describes all the events that lead to the current sea level rise including the Greenland Ice Sheet melt and IPCC projections. It also talks about other factors that go along with the sea level rise and climate change: Mainly the high number of jellyfish, as well as other environmental challenges, including pollution, overfishing and biodiversity loss. The story further covers society and adaptation to sea-level rise including failed adaptation measures and the need for civilization to adapt in other ways. They currently live either high up on land or on the water in moving ship settlements, which I found really interesting. The book also addresses socio-economic issues such as housing shortages, poverty, hunger, failing state authorities and parastates.
Another aspect I really loved is the humour Philip Rutherford plays with. He jokes about the irony of humans complaining about and suffering from the climate crisis while still not changing the causes or addressing the real problems. He also adds new sayings like "Son of a cyclone" or "for typhoon's sake" in the daily language of the characters which is very interesting and kind of funny.
Besides the humorously written character and storylines, he also addresses the physical and psychological challenges of living in a world marked by climatic catastrophes and losses. However, the book never fails to touch upon the beauty of nature which still exists even in a shattered, flooded world.
I read the book for a climate change project which is why my review is a little bit focused on that part of the book, but I recommend it to everyone who enjoys an eventful reading experience.
April 11, 2022
In this near-future YA sci-fi story, 18-year-old Owen Pilgrim sails off into what he thinks will be a cool adventure to find Evelyn Zara-Watson, a missing marine biologist who also happens to have been his sister’s favorite university professor.
Elements I liked:
The setting is very well conceived and it’s clear the author extensively researched what that part of the Earth could be like with risen sea levels. The inclusion of poetry containing clues to the mysteries Owen uncovers was a great touch. The vivid descriptions of the locations Owen sails to and the creatures he encounters in his adventure really helped give a sense of what this projected future world could be like. I loved how the characters’ emotional exclamations and curses, as well as some greetings and farewells, were based around water, storms, and staying dry. A brilliant detail!
Elements I struggled with:
I didn’t really connect well with Owen - it felt like the narration kept me at a distance from him. The chunks of the history of the climate change and connected changes to the world were very interesting, but at the same time they acted to slow the story’s pace and pull me out of the adventure.
Overall:
This is an entertaining and interesting read, full of twists and discoveries, showing what the Earth could be like with higher sea levels. The tale seems like it should appeal to its anticipated YA audience.
Elements I liked:
The setting is very well conceived and it’s clear the author extensively researched what that part of the Earth could be like with risen sea levels. The inclusion of poetry containing clues to the mysteries Owen uncovers was a great touch. The vivid descriptions of the locations Owen sails to and the creatures he encounters in his adventure really helped give a sense of what this projected future world could be like. I loved how the characters’ emotional exclamations and curses, as well as some greetings and farewells, were based around water, storms, and staying dry. A brilliant detail!
Elements I struggled with:
I didn’t really connect well with Owen - it felt like the narration kept me at a distance from him. The chunks of the history of the climate change and connected changes to the world were very interesting, but at the same time they acted to slow the story’s pace and pull me out of the adventure.
Overall:
This is an entertaining and interesting read, full of twists and discoveries, showing what the Earth could be like with higher sea levels. The tale seems like it should appeal to its anticipated YA audience.
July 1, 2022
I found this book both interesting and thought provoking. I followed the main character, Owen on an amazing adventure to solve the mystery of the whereabouts of someone very important to him. The majority of the story is told from the waters of Australia one hundred years in the future. The world is very different due to the effects of climate change and the advances of artificial intelligence. The author painted a very good picture as I found myself clearly imagining the changed world he described so well. The creatures in the story were very imaginative and the character dialogue was clever and even funny in some scenes. The action scenes were top notch with plenty of danger and suspense. The main character, Owen is very likeable and he cares so much about others, even ahead of himself at times. I enjoyed seeing his own character growth develop throughout his journey as he wrestled with the pain, sorrow and guilt of his past. The ending of the story left me wanting more.
September 10, 2021
What a journey Owen takes us on! A futuristic treasure hunt with intriguing clues hidden in scraps of poetry, monsters to dodge and countless challenges along the way.
Only one hundred years into the future, the shape of the east coast of Australia is barely recognisable as rising sea levels and storms have changed the world as we know it. Owen is a likeable character who uses all his resourcefulness and skills to overcome the challenges on his quest to find a missing scientist and protect our oceans.
The book was cleverly constructed to lead the reader on by building suspense and providing captivating descriptions of the altered landmarks and hybrid monsters. I loved the people Owen met along the way and the riddles he had to solve.
I am really looking forward to the sequel (?!?) and I can even imagine it being made into a movie!
Only one hundred years into the future, the shape of the east coast of Australia is barely recognisable as rising sea levels and storms have changed the world as we know it. Owen is a likeable character who uses all his resourcefulness and skills to overcome the challenges on his quest to find a missing scientist and protect our oceans.
The book was cleverly constructed to lead the reader on by building suspense and providing captivating descriptions of the altered landmarks and hybrid monsters. I loved the people Owen met along the way and the riddles he had to solve.
I am really looking forward to the sequel (?!?) and I can even imagine it being made into a movie!
June 20, 2021
After reading this book I will never travel up the coast from Sydney without imagining what the future would look like in those beautiful places.
There are great descriptions of what it could look like and it feels very real. It's frightening and a big warning about the devastating consequences of climate change.
The use of poetry helped not only to keep track of what was going on but also provided clues and suspense.
Very clear and beautiful descriptions of places, actions, feelings...
In the midst of scaring happenings there is some humour which helps to entertain and make it more real.
It also shows that there is hope in the way people adjust to how the world has changed and that kindness is the main thing that help us to survive.
The end of the story is it the end?
There are great descriptions of what it could look like and it feels very real. It's frightening and a big warning about the devastating consequences of climate change.
The use of poetry helped not only to keep track of what was going on but also provided clues and suspense.
Very clear and beautiful descriptions of places, actions, feelings...
In the midst of scaring happenings there is some humour which helps to entertain and make it more real.
It also shows that there is hope in the way people adjust to how the world has changed and that kindness is the main thing that help us to survive.
The end of the story is it the end?
August 4, 2021
Fans of the Jurassic Park or King Kong franchises will love this book. In a world consumed mostly by water, Owen is following clues left in the form of poetry to find a missing person. What he doesn't know, is those clues will lead to a much larger mystery, that could threaten the world he knows.
The pacing of this books was really well done, and I sped through it! The various creatures we see in this book were really well described, and I love how Rutherford used a first person point of view to immerse the reader in the emotions of what was happening.
At times, the characters did feel a bit 2-dimensional, but this was soon forgotten about in the face of such a compelling plot.
Thank you Philip J. Rutherford for sending me a copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
The pacing of this books was really well done, and I sped through it! The various creatures we see in this book were really well described, and I love how Rutherford used a first person point of view to immerse the reader in the emotions of what was happening.
At times, the characters did feel a bit 2-dimensional, but this was soon forgotten about in the face of such a compelling plot.
Thank you Philip J. Rutherford for sending me a copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
August 26, 2021
I spent a very enjoyable day following the adventures of the intrepid Owen. Once I started I couldn’t wait to see what came next. I really felt I was stepping into Owen’s shoes and my heart was racing as he faced one danger after another.
At its heart this book has a serious message told through one vision of our possible future. We all have heard the science which we blithely ignore while we carry on polluting the planet. But maybe when we place ourselves in the shoes of what future generations will have to face we will finally start to own up to our responsibilities here and now. This book might just help us do that.
At its heart this book has a serious message told through one vision of our possible future. We all have heard the science which we blithely ignore while we carry on polluting the planet. But maybe when we place ourselves in the shoes of what future generations will have to face we will finally start to own up to our responsibilities here and now. This book might just help us do that.
August 26, 2021
Imagine a future where sea levels rise with devastating results, with increased water temperatures. The book takes you on a journey of hope, full of suspense, intrigue, incredible imagery and clever use of poetry that's delightful. Owen the main character is truly a remarkable young man who makes it his mission to save the oceans from an inconceivable threat. Although this is fiction, the story is hugely relatable in terms of it's message and the locations where it takes place. As events unfold, it becomes immensely compelling and meaningful at the same time.
August 3, 2021
Hydrosphere Rising was put together really well and reminded me of a jigsaw puzzle where all the pieces interlock together. It contained lots of possible future facts about the environment and lifestyles which were very interesting and featured strongly throughout the book.
The story was full of suspense and adventure which would engage the mind of those who enjoy that genre. The main character was believable and basically good natured which I liked. He was smart and creative as he searched for the clues he needed to complete his journey. The book left me considering the role technology could have in years to come and the problems that could occur with more of it operating in our lives which is the way we are headed.
It was easy to read, full of fast packed action segments that gave great variety of pace and drew me in to see where the story would go. It was enjoyable, well written and intriguing. As I know the areas along the east Australian coast quite well it was great to see into the future like looking into a crystal ball which revealed eye opening possibilities.
The story was full of suspense and adventure which would engage the mind of those who enjoy that genre. The main character was believable and basically good natured which I liked. He was smart and creative as he searched for the clues he needed to complete his journey. The book left me considering the role technology could have in years to come and the problems that could occur with more of it operating in our lives which is the way we are headed.
It was easy to read, full of fast packed action segments that gave great variety of pace and drew me in to see where the story would go. It was enjoyable, well written and intriguing. As I know the areas along the east Australian coast quite well it was great to see into the future like looking into a crystal ball which revealed eye opening possibilities.
August 3, 2021
Wow! Had to read this twice as there are so many plausible and interesting climate change concepts.
Weaving this framework into Owens life makes them tangible and matter of fact, as he works within the extremes to find beauty in his surroundings.
There is a level of mystery and suspense that is carried throughout, and the boys-own adventure is enhanced by some sci-fi creatures that may just be fantasy...or one day not!
Can’t wait for Owen’s next quest in our future world.
Weaving this framework into Owens life makes them tangible and matter of fact, as he works within the extremes to find beauty in his surroundings.
There is a level of mystery and suspense that is carried throughout, and the boys-own adventure is enhanced by some sci-fi creatures that may just be fantasy...or one day not!
Can’t wait for Owen’s next quest in our future world.
May 31, 2021
This book has a very unique and interesting plot. I really like the inclusion of real life topography and projections of what Australia might look like in 100 years. It makes the book feel like a real life scenario. I’m very excited to read it and can’t wait till it gets here!
June 27, 2021
Hydrosphere Rising is a thrilling read, packed with adventure and suspense but also with an important message at its core. It's a clever imagination of a world we could be heading for, with some interesting twists and a few riddles thrown in to let the reader be part of the story.
June 29, 2021
Fun, easy read taking you up the east coast of Australia - despite the setting being many years after we've ignored the warnings about ocean acidification and sea levels rising.
July 29, 2021
A very enjoyable read with an important message. It makes interesting predictions about our future and is full of mystery and adventure.
August 3, 2021
Hydrosphere Rising is about the journey taken by eighteen-year-old Owen as he searches for a missing scientist along the east coast of Australia. The coast is a dangerous place, ravaged by climate change and full of mysterious occurrences.
I really liked the description of the landscape with its dangerous storms, flooded cities, pirates and people trying to survive. Most of all I loved the amazing creatures that roamed this landscape. The way the mystery unfolds and the discoveries that Owen makes were very enjoyable. I particularly liked the character of Jack who was really cool and provided comic relief from the suspense. The nomadic river people were also interesting.
The mystery, suspense and the twists always kept me wanting to read the next chapter. The climate change science and issues are also very relevant. This was a very fun and interesting read!
I really liked the description of the landscape with its dangerous storms, flooded cities, pirates and people trying to survive. Most of all I loved the amazing creatures that roamed this landscape. The way the mystery unfolds and the discoveries that Owen makes were very enjoyable. I particularly liked the character of Jack who was really cool and provided comic relief from the suspense. The nomadic river people were also interesting.
The mystery, suspense and the twists always kept me wanting to read the next chapter. The climate change science and issues are also very relevant. This was a very fun and interesting read!
August 3, 2021
I really enjoyed this dystopian novel - it was a true page-turner with twists and turns and lots of action and suspense. The world the book imagines is off-kilter, filled with drowned cities, monsters and a fractured civilisation. The main character is likeable and and has a sense of justice and curiosity that drives him forward and the reader along with him. He is also a contemplative soul who is interested in poetry, so it is up my street! The issues explored in the book are ones we need to pay urgent attention to - artificial intelligence, genetics and climate change and their effect on our society.
March 28, 2023
This book was a great read. Full of adventure in a world that is to come if we don't do something. It's fun and makes you think.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews