In Ascension: Winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award 2024

In Ascension is my first by Martin Macinnes and an absolutely brilliantly book. Sometimes one reads exhaustive plots diving deeper with every word-every page; immersing in the plot rather than reading it; Martin Macinnes has created a book that breathes and is alive and thriving making the reading journey through the book a live experience. Leigh Hasenbosch, a young marine biologist, finds solace and meaning in the expansive deep sea, an escape to the discomforting environment of her home due to her father’s volatile temper and her inability to escape it while she lives in Rotterdam with her family. She joins an expedition in the Atlantic Ocean where an extremely deep trench and chemical vent has been discovered that probably contain clues about the beginnings of life on Earth. This journey is an adventure one embarks on with Leigh and can’t be described in mere words. The plot has explores diverse themes but primarily they include science, nature and psychology. Martin Macinnes is an author I hold in high regard for delivering a masterpiece that is complex, surreal, empathetic yet calming. Though extensive, this book never lets the reader lose interest. Verdict: This book is incredible, don’t miss it!

This novel traced the journey of Leigh from the bottom of the Ocean to the Outer space. There is a fair amount of space technology here that you may or may not get. I didn't. Also a lot about genesis of life & the cycle of it reforming. Ultimately I didn't quite understand what the author is trying to convey.

An excellent novel full of twists and turns. Entertaining. Holds your attention. Ending a bit complicated though! Maybe there is a sequel .

If you like a book that ends with all of the threads neatly sewn into a distinguishable knot or pattern, this is not your story. If you want to be challenged, to finish a story that leaves a gnawing sense of displacement and a frightening sense of being dwarfed by the cosmos, then read on brave soldier. The story was engrossing to the point that throughout the latter pages I felt completely displaced. I'm left with more questions than answers and a sense that I need to engage in normal, simple activities in order to find the ground under my feet. I don't love what it made me feel, which is precisely why I recommend reading it. The best stories are those that make us think about who we are and why we are here. There are no neat answers here. I strongly related with Leigh, likely due to my own neurodivergent makeup. Her difficulties in achieving normal closeness and her inability to perceive the motivations and intentions of others is breathtaking; she felt more real to me than I am comfortable with. I'm left disquieted but in such a way that I felt compelled to write a review if for no other reason than to discuss with someone - anyone - the thoughts and feelings floating in the wake of finishing the story. This was a tremendous read and such good food for the brain.

The author seems to have written two novels, one about a dysfunctional family, and one a fairly conventional space opera, and then cobbled them together. The basic plot is not very original - unseen aliens summon us to a distant rendezvous, we go there but find ... what? (see Contact, 2001). This rather thin plot is fleshed out with long sections about the astronaut's childhood and parents, which are well-written but become tedious.

really nice, fast paced, unusal in agood way, loved every minute of it!

This was Book 10 of my Booker prize long list readathon this novel deals with a science-fiction potential future why humans have suddenly become aware of a technology that will allow interstellar space travel. There is a link between this and the research that the narrator is carrying out on single celled organisms that she has collected from a newly discovered deep sea trench in mid ocean. It’s all a little unclear to begin with exactly what the link is and I found this rather unsatisfactory for awhile. There is a lot of technical detail which does tend to become a little dull at times . The author’s writing reminded of the writing of Andy Weir but I felt that whilst Andy Weir’s science is just about believable if you stretch your imagination, a little bit there that this science in this novel really was a step too far for me. I didn’t believe it for a minute and this really did affect my enjoyment of the novel. The author has a lyrical writing style, which is a pleasure to read. There was some sentences that I felt I had to highlight, for example “ A family is a group of strangers, with a destructive desire, for common nostalgia “ Much of the novel is a journey which to me never seem to get anywhere. I did however like the ending, which for some reason I hadn’t predicted , it was pleasingly circular and made me smile. The novel is published in the UK By Atlantic books This review will appear on Goodreads, NetGalley, UK, Amazon, UK and on my book, pro bionicsarahsbooks.WordPress.com

Wonderful book, a top three of 2023-4 for me. It's a hopeful tale. Special. There is so much beauty in it, I was angry when it ended, as I just wanted more and more of its brilliance.Having strong, beautiful Characters that you invest in, a lot. From the intimacy of hurtling through Space, all the practices in a huge Pool to the actual depths of the Pacific. The Ocean sub-plot will pay off in a big way upon completion of this wonderful Space Drama. It actually left me stunned as I whispered the last word on the last page then into a "BRAVO!"; for how MacInnes pulled this off. Urgently recommended. - Benway