Atlantis

TL;DR: Atlantis is a fun exploration of science, its impact on society, and how different groups view progress deftly interwoven into a clever ticking clock story.

Highlights:
* Character writing is superb. Dialogue is snappy and reads naturally, while the interactions feel genuine and can evoke real emotion.
* Pacing builds the suspense. The mystery smolders, playing fair if coquettish. When the penny does drop, the story races forward like a drag car.

Challenges:
* The slow build for the mystery might leave you frustrated if you can only read small sections at a time.
* This is sci-fi inasmuch as the story utilizes futuristic tech, but hews more to mystery conventions rather than providing crunchy sci-fi.

Content Warning: None

Full Thoughts:
Jonny Thompson has created something special with Atlantis. While the basic plot sounds at first like the synopsis of a standard mil-sci thriller, Atlantis knits this into an exploration of who technological advancement benefits, what science owes to society, and the politics of pushing the bounds of technology. Putting that together with snappy dialogue and character interactions makes this worth diving into for anyone who likes ticking-clock mysteries.

Atlantis is a story that gives you a smoldering mystery to work through with the protagonist. A Canadian special forces operator is tasked with going undercover on a extraterritorial floating city that is built on the idea that scientific advancement is its own raison d’etre. His job is to find out what is coming at the end of the charismatic leader’s 30-day countdown, but what is really going on and who is pulling the strings? Despite being a spec-ops sailor and undercover agent, our protagonist avoids the tropes and moral pitfalls that typify the superspy genre. I, for one, am glad that he was not a James Bond type with the myriad ethical difficulties that such a character brings.

The pacing is a brilliant slow burn, making you as the reader try to get a handle on the mystery alongside the protagonist. You follow him as he is put into a self-contained aquatic metropolis, encounters technology that seems just this side of magic, and builds rapport with the varied characters that make up the floating city of Atlantis. The clock ticks down as you follow him, building the tension as you and the protagonist try to grapple with his mission and the world he finds himself in. And when the mystery starts to unravel, that slow burn ignites the powder keg and the story takes off and runs at a sprint.

Without getting into spoilers (which I always avoid in a review), the story is as much about the people that create and use technology as it is about the military operation. I did not expect to get a thought-provoking discourse on the politics of scientific advancement when I started this book, but boy am I happy with I found by the end. Moreover, I appreciate that this examination of the sociopolitical ramifications of Atlantis is made a part of the plot in a clever and natural way rather than being forced or separate from the primary narrative.

The use of futuristic technology is a bit of a double-edged sword if you are looking at this strictly from a sci-fi reader’s perspective. Jonny Thompson introduces a city full of wonderous tech and gives glimpses of the scientists and engineers behind them, but does not delve into the science. The tech is treated as part of ordinary life and gets as much delving into as a cellphone in a modern-day fiction story. If you are wanting hard sci-fi, that just isn’t what Atlantis is serving.

Atlantis has an interesting location to explore, intriguing characters that interact in engaging ways, and examines the politics of science in a cool way. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a ticking-clock mystery, examinations of how science impacts society, or a soft sci-fi story that provides a little something more to think about. Ultimately, the greatest praise I can give a book is my own desire to reread it and Atlantis has me wanting to jump back in the water for another go.

[Thank you to NetGalley and Chantry Publishing House for sending this book for review consideration. This review reflects my honest personal reading experience. All opinions expressed are my own.]

Review: What is hilarious about the advanced praise for this novel, is that they were all written by the same "pay for great reviews" company, Literary Titan. Much like Kirkus reviews you pay them to pump out raving one liners for advance marketing. Did the novel measure up to the paid liars parade? Let's find out!

I really liked the premise of this novel. Floating city, cutting edge technology and the desire to move away from the normative political constructs that plague us. What sucked was the phrasing. Soft or softly was used in excess of 40x as was "wink". There were quite a few grammatical and continuity errors.

The MC is a stoopid douche bag that denies the evidence he is currently living. Is anyone that oblivious? Nah. Also, within a day he has the hot billionaire wanting to jump his bones which is really not believable. Why would she give two fuks about Navy boy?

The movement is good as are the supporting characters. The world building is what will draw you in. A solid 4-stars.

Rating: 4.1/5

I really, REALLY enjoyed this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (4.5 stars) It started out feeling like a David Baldacci novel- great, but not my style. However, I wanted to step outside my comfort zone and try something new. He COMPLETELY hooked me with the nerdy tech and underwater aquarium this city is. The basis of the book was interesting, I didn’t know what was coming next, the infrastructure of the city is fascinating, as is his invention of some crazy cool technology! Loved. Would definitely recommend, even if this isn’t your typical genre. Well done! (Maybe remove one or two of the phrase “fair enough” it’s used frequently (3x I think) within a few pages)