I thought I would enjoy this because of it's discussion around climate change which is extremely relevant now, but this felt quite alienating to read. It was very science-heavy in a way that felt too much for me to comprehend. Granted, I am not a STEM based person, but this didn't feel very accessible.
On top of this it was a very slow-moving book, and felt like reading a text book.

When I first started this book, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but once I really got into it my attention was rapt and I found many aspects of the novel so interesting. I never really made the connection between life in the water and space the way this novel does and I also learned a lot through this content. Both of these environments are settings for this novel at different points and both settings provide dramatic scenes that kept me turning the page. There are also different themes woven in that give this novel a human-side as well. I can see why this book was Booker longlisted and I'm surprised it hasn't ended up on more lists so far.

3.5 stars. This hybrid of science fiction and literary fiction didn't bring the wonder until the final Mobius loop closed. But it failed to pull me in, since the pacing was glacial, and the first two-thirds really dragged. MacInnes's real strengths lie in characterization and prose style: Leigh, our marine biologist protagonist, was a three-dimensional human dogged by childhood trauma, driven to explore the depths of the sea and the outermost edge of the Oort Cloud. There's a much shorter, tighter, more exciting novel in here.

In Ascension takes readers on a mind-bending journey through the unknown, blending elements of science fiction, philosophy, and mystery into a captivating narrative. Martin MacInnes weaves a complex tapestry of ideas that challenge conventional storytelling norms, inviting readers to explore the depths of human consciousness and the mysteries of the universe.

One of the most compelling aspects of the book is its richly developed characters, each grappling with their own existential questions and personal demons. From the enigmatic protagonist to the eclectic ensemble cast, MacInnes crafts a diverse array of personalities that add depth and nuance to the narrative.

The prose is poetic and evocative, immersing readers in vividly depicted landscapes and surreal encounters. MacInnes masterfully balances intricate world-building with moments of introspection, creating a sense of wonder and intrigue that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

While In Ascension may not be a book for everyone, those willing to embrace its unconventional approach will find themselves rewarded with a thought-provoking and unforgettable reading experience. MacInnes pushes the boundaries of genre fiction, offering readers a tantalizing glimpse into the mysteries of existence.

Overall, In Ascension is a mesmerising journey into the unknown, destined to linger in the minds of readers long after the final page is turned. Highly recommended for fans of literary fiction and speculative storytelling.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an advance copy of this title in exchange for honest feedback.

2.5 stars. Looking at the reviews, readers have definitely been split into two camps—those that liked it and those that didn’t. Unfortunately, I am in the latter camp. Lots of long drawn out discussion about the beginning of life (and algae) and the main character’s childhood abuse and dysfunctional family relationships (and algae). Some of the science was interesting but many unexplained situations (and algae). Not much action . . . and the ending??? (more algae).

In Ascension by Martin McInnes is a captivating blend of science fiction and personal exploration. We follow Leigh, a marine biologist drawn to the ocean as a child to escape a difficult home life. Her fascination with the underwater world fuels her scientific pursuits, leading her to explore deep sea trenches and ultimately, a discovery that challenges our understanding of life's origins.

The novel transcends its thrilling plot, weaving in themes of resilience and the human desire to unravel the universe's mysteries. Leigh's journey is both internal and external, as she grapples with her past while venturing to the furthest reaches of human exploration. MacInnes's prose is vivid, transporting readers to the depths of the ocean and the unimaginable vastness of space.

In Ascension is not just a sci-fi adventure; it's a thought-provoking meditation on humanity's place in the cosmos. It leaves you pondering the universe's unknowns and the enduring human spirit that strives to understand them.

Leigh is hired as a doctorate student in microbiology to take part in the expedition. She finds herself on this huge boat, living alongside dozens of other specialists, all bent on exploring what this discovery has to offer. She finds out the depths of the ocean are just as mysterious as the endless stretches of space, but this is only the first step of her journey. I loved the philosophical side and the overall atmosphere of longing for something else. If you enjoy the intersection of science and exploring the infinite, if you like your science to have some poetry and philosophy to it, then I encourage you to pick this book up.

Thank you Netgalley for this eARC!

In Ascension was a completely enthralling read. It made me feel cosmically small, with its large scale space and ocean exploration, and how both relate to the beginning and end of human kind.

Following Leigh, a microbiologist, the book first introduces the stakes of the current day planet. Truly a climate change sci-fi, this book, while technically not taking place that far into the future, left me thinking about how much worse environmental conditions may become. For a long time, In Ascension doesn't give you an exact date as to when things are happening, which to me was part of the suspense.

In Ascension is divided into chapters, each containing a chunk of Leigh's experiences, whether on a deep-sea exploration vessel, her childhood, or her working for a space research company. I will say that I found the sections on her childhood relatively weak, and I honestly preferred Leigh more as a character serving the big-scale plot to me. That's a personal preference, because I don't typically view science fiction as a genre where I expect intense character work. Her sister, Helena, and her mother, Fenna, do play important roles in her adult life, and I enjoyed those explorations.

I know very little about microbiology, prokaryotes, and space travel, which made understanding the more technical language in this a bit challenging. The book is also just over 500 pages, so I fully understand why this wouldn't be for everybody. I think MacInnes did a fine job of combining scientific language with the plot, though, and I felt like I had a good understanding of what was happening. Around the 80% mark, I started feeling nervous, (in a good way), anticipating what I thought was going to happen. I think I was partly right, but the outcome of the space exploration was still so genuinely haunting!

A good science fiction book will entertain you with science that doesn't yet exist and adventures with little stakes. But a great one, like In Ascension, will make you squirm as you come to realizations, causing your heart to sink, hope for humanity questioned and restored.

This book has such an interesting, thought provoking, poignant message but unfortunately it is buried in hundreds of watered down, overly descriptive scene setting and scientific speak, which I don’t always have a problem with (big fan of Blake Crouch, loved Project Hail Mary). If this had just been edited down a bit, if there had been more character development, maybe I couldve been swept away and had some momentum. Sadly, that was not the case.

Epic literary science fiction that scours the solar system's furthest regions and the ocean's deepest trenches. Microbiologist Leigh, the protagonist, wrote a thesis on algae and its resemblances to early living forms. Owing to her skill, she is hired to work on the submarine Endeavour, which explores the ocean floor and is studying a thermal vent that is deeper than any known vent. Their exposure to the enigmatic flashing lights causes negative effects, including loss of consciousness. At first, they are informed that they are examining potential mining opportunities, but it quickly becomes clear that their research is focused on the origins of life. The plot also describes Leigh's upbringing in a troubled Rotterdam household with her sensitive mother and younger sister Helena.

The author skillfully strikes a balance between the story's several moving elements. The space exploration section incorporates elements of the seafaring narrative. In both settings, elements of her family's history are relevant. This book should appeal greatly to anyone who like science fiction with a lot of scientific content. In addition to the potential for extraterrestrial life, there is futuristic technology, astrophysics, ecology, biology, and botany. Other themes are the search for meaning and purpose in life, interpersonal relationships, and loneliness.

IIt is brilliantly worded and put together. It acts as a prompt to take good care of our home planet. A couple unexpected twists at the finish gave it a depth I did not anticipate. I heartily thank both Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for this e-arc that I loved.

So, I’ve been craving a book with a female scientist main character. Ideally, I yearned for an introspective character who is in awe of nature and its web of interconnectedness. A character who is created and undone by all the mysteries around her. A person who dedicates their life to the scientific pursuit of those mysteries. A person who, in this pursuit, faces their past, their spirit, their limits, and their strengths. In Ascension gave me all this and more! I am absolutely floored.

In Ascension’s female scientist (Leigh) is a marine biologist who experienced childhood trauma. Once she reaches adulthood, her connections with family suffer due to this. Yet, she finds immense comfort in the ocean biome. Within these pages, she embarks on so many quests as her career unfolds. These quests bring her to unbelievable depths and heights, I found it incredibly thrilling to tag along.

The only things that were missing for me was a closer connection to other characters. Leigh has a tendency for isolating herself with her thoughts and research, but the first portion of the book did a much better job of constellating her in a network of fellow science-driven individuals. The Endeavor portion of the book (in the beginning) felt so ennervatingly alive for me. The wonder, the vastness of the great mystery Leigh and the crew encounter, the companionship with the others aboard Endeavor…this was all startlingly visceral for me. I felt I was spending time with Amy and the rest of the crew, too!

When the book takes its turn to the expanses of the universe beyond Earth, I definitely missed the interpersonal portion of the narrative. There were so many people to potentially make a deeper connection with: lab mates, Tyler, Karius, etc. Considering what happens later in the book, I do feel disappointed that the connection between Leigh, Tyler, and Karius didn’t feel as tangible as the one between Amy, Endeavor’s captain, and Leigh earlier. The relationship between Uria and Leigh was the closest to acheiving this for me, which felt odd. I needed there to be deeper comraderie elsewhere. I feel this would have made the ending’s impact land even more thoroughly, more poignantly. Not to say the ending wasn’t poignant. God! The imagery in this book is absolutely panoramic, alive, and immersive. There is a stunning circular (oval-er??) effect to this novel that makes me feel emotional. (Tho…if I’m going to be extremely nit-picky…sorry…I dooooo wish the circular effect of this novel wasn’t as human-centric as it ended up being. Gosh, this novel tackles infinity, tackles the beginning of life, the ending of life, endless depth and endless height! I was hoping for all this to culminate in something beyond the human. Portraying it this way was absolutely beautiful, but I feel like I was longing to be humbled more at the end. But, goodness. I’ll take Macinnes’ breathtakingly drawn ending too. It is very satisfying when a novel is circular. It made me want to turn to the beginning and begin again.

I walk away from this novel with these images: swimming in endless water, the unfurling of bountiful green algae, the flashing comet in Geert’s eyes, and a mass migration of turtles.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher. This is my honest review.

This book starts out slow, with its main character, Leigh, unhappily growing up in water-logged Rotterdam with a volatile water-engineer father who repeatedly beats her. Leigh’s Mom who checks out and offers no protection to Leigh, instead escaping to her work as a university math professor or claiming long lasting migraines. Leigh’s younger sister draws none of the abuse, and neither her sister or Mom ever want to talk with Leigh about the abuse, even as her sister and Leigh reach adulthood.

Leigh, entranced from childhood by the water that surrounds Rotterdam and its undersea world, pursues university studies in marine biology, and goes on to specialize studying ancient creatures in all the world’s seas. When a deep vent gets discovered in the bottom of the Atlantic ocean, Leigh joins the scientific investigatory team hoping to glean insights into some of earth’s earliest life forms.

Suddenly the novel jumps into high gear, changing from a morose biography into a sci-fi thriller. Next thing you know, Leigh’s at a secret space facility in the desert working at a high-funded lab to figure out how to grow sea algae on a spaceship as a backbone food supply for astronauts.

While I found the space exploration story fascinating, I wearied of the constant internal angst and unresolved ruminations by Leigh about her father’s abuse that she never finds a way to talk about with her mother or sister or even a therapist.

The sci-fi part of the ending left me thinking a hard about what it all meant! A great thing!

Thanks to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

Far out at sea, something has been found. Leigh is hired as a doctorate student in microbiology to take part in the expedition. She finds herself on this huge boat, living alongside dozens of other specialists, all bent on exploring what this discovery has to offer. She finds out the depths of the ocean are just as mysterious as the endless stretches of space, but this is only the first step of her journey.
This book grabbed me and I happily let myself fall under its spell. At first it reminded me of Sophie Griselle’s Into the Deep, a book I really enjoyed in 2022 (2021?). Of course, the two novels take very different directions, otherwise it wouldn’t be fun. Martin MacInnes chooses to explore the deep sea and beyond as well as the depth of human consciousness and the way memories shape us and our relationships with family, friends and colleagues. I didn't love the way the theme of domestic violence was treated but I can’t pinpoint what bothered me. However I loved the philosophical side and the overall atmosphere of longing for something else. I loved how the author made me feel the exhilarating process of research and also the frustrations that come with the job. I also loved how he takes the readers further and further, but always showed the characters trapped in one way or another. This contrast worked really well.
I can’t really say much more because I think it’s better not to know too much about the story and its scope. But if you enjoy the intersection of science and yearning for the infinite, if you like your science to have some poetry and philosophy to it, then I encourage you to pick this book up.
Rep : sapphic MC.
CW : mentions of domestic violence on children.

In Ascension is obviously written by someone with great talent. The pacing was too slow for me and, while I was very interested in the ideas promised by the description, I found myself bogged down by the main character's backstory.

I will probably come back to this book in the future and give it another try. Right now I just have too many other books to read and this isn't gripping me. I read about 25% of the book. I gave it a 1 star rating because I didn't finish it.

The book synopsis drew me in, talking about a trench in the Atlantic, a marine biologist and exploration, so I was tempted enough to ask for the Netgalley. I was also apprehensive, because this sounded like literary fiction — not a genre I enjoy. And I really struggled with the glacially slow pace in the beginning and all those introspective musings that felt so superfluous to me. But the plot kept me interested enough and I am glad that I read it.

Leigh, our main character, grows up in Rotterdam, in an unhappy home with a physically violent father. Not something that I like to read about but it was vague and not graphic. Her mother does not help her and Leigh finds excuses for her. Her sister luckily remains safe from her father. Leigh finds escape through swimming in the sea and becomes a marine biologist. She joins a exploration team to a newly discovered Atlantic trench. Their ROV discovers that the trench is of unprecedented depth. For reasons never explained Leigh and her colleagues go on scuba dives in the surface waters above the trench and subsequently succumb to an illness, potentially caused by microorganisms living in the trench. There is a strange addiction.

Part two takes us and Leigh to a mysterious research station two years after the events of the marine exploration. And Part three — well, that would be giving too much away. Think of Peter Schätzing‘s The Swarm morphing into Carl Sagan‘s Contact. I quite like the SF story and even Leigh‘s family backstory has its merits, I just didn’t like how that part was told.

The writing style was not my thing. As mentioned, there is a lot of reminiscing that didn‘t move the story forward and didn‘t really add much depth. At the end it made me question how much of a reliable narrator Leigh actually was. Maybe that was intentional. I guess this is exactly the kind of prose that gets you long-listed for the Booker Prize.

Despite the slow pace and those mental ramblings, on the strength of the plot, I give this 4 of 5 green things…

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher or author through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to give a positive review.

Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you, NetGalley and publishers.

In Ascension is one of the most unique books I’ve ever read. It was on the Booker Prize list for 2023. At heart it is speculative fiction, on a scientist’s journey to eventually become one of the first humans to journey outside of our solar system, but also about the family and world she left behind, and ultimately life itself, in all its ugliness and beauty.

If you liked Arrival, you'll enjoy this literary sci-fi, which is as much about human relationships as it is about space exploration. I do feel like this book lagged a bit in the middle, but the beautiful, somewhat ambiguous ending made the journey more than worth it.

As John Steinbeck once wrote, referring to the unity shared by all life, "it is advisable to look from the tide pool to the stars and then back to the tide pool again." Martin MacInnes’s novel “In Ascension” is the first piece of writing since then to fully embody this sense of universal awe.

Maybe it's just the right book at wrong time, I've decided to DNF this book at 20%. I really did find the writing style beautiful, but for some reasons felt like the plot is a little stale and I kept having to force myself back into the story. Thank you so much for the publisher for sending the arc my way. Really appreciate it. Hopefully, I will find my way back to the story sometime soon.