Atlas

Atlas Series

By: Isaac Hooke

Narrated by: Rhett Samuel Price

Length: 13 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's Summary

Rade Galaal enrolls in the hardest military training known to man to become a member of the MOTHs, the most elite fighting unit in the galaxy. MOTHs are tacticians, corpsmen, snipers, astronauts, and commandos rolled into one. They also happen to pilot the atomic-powered ATLAS mechs, specialized military hardware that brings new meaning to the phrase "one-man-army".

When Special Warfare Command orders MOTH Team Seven on a covert operation beyond the furthest reaches of explored space, Rade realizes he's signed up for more than he bargained for.

©2013 Isaac Hooke (P)2014 Isaac Hooke

One of My Facorote Military Sci-Fi Stories Ever.

I originally read ATLAS as a kindle book, and I really looked forward to it in audio form, and I was not disappointed. The narrator has his own unique style, which once I got used to it after 10 minutes or so, I really enjoyed. Isaac Hooke has written a novel that is, in my opinion, in the same league as Starship Troopers, The Forever War and Terms of Enlistment. Deep world building and excellent characterization are part of it, but for me, the sheer feeling of "I could see this really happening in the future", which I feel is an important part of any military sci-fi, is plainly apparent. The characters are sympathetic, with motivations that make sense, and the tech is excellent and realistic. I can't wait for ATLAS 2 in December. This author is one to watch!

Atlas has potential for its action and space

If you like military novels set in the future, you will likely be drawn to Atlas. More than half of the book is spent showing the intense military training of the main character, first through basic, then Special Forces. Along the way he stays with his friends and a girlfriend he met in basic training. The world is set 2500 years in the future, with the earth divided into two halves, one side rich and lazy and the other poor and violent. Most of the military is conscripted from illegal immigrants breaking into the rich size. Wars are not fought on earth, but in proxy wars in space between those with epicanthic folds and those without (Asians vs. Westerners).

There is nothing very new about the idea of this book and story line is pretty basic and predicable. Much of the grueling military training is entertaining, but the listener wonders why they do so much cold water training if they are fighting in space. The writer also seems to lack imagination with regard to the weapons of the future, basic 20th Century machine guns and rocket launchers. When the main character gets in trouble during a battle, he takes morphine for the pain, making him drowsy enough to fall asleep, but later gets most of his intestines replaced by a 3-D printer. These odd lapses will be frustrating for hard Sci-Fi fans.

Rhett Price narrates the story with his deep rumbling baritone. His voice is interesting and appealing, but his delivery leaves a lot to be desired. Price often reads dialogue very slowly making the characters sound stupid and his accents are awful; the friend from Mexico sounds like he’s a Spanish speaking Nigerian. Much of this might be forgiven or overlooked, but the constant fumbling and mispronunciation of common words is cringe worthy.

Atlas has potential for its action and space military theme but trips over itself from a limited imagination of the future and flat characters. If this is your favorite Sci-Fi genre, give a try, going in with an open mind. Hard Sci-Fi fans should probably look elsewhere.

Audiobook provided for review by the author.

Please find this complete review and many others at audiobookreviewer dot com

[If this review helped, please press YES. Thanks!]

Promising!

This Author shows a lot of promise! I expect his work will get much better as he goes along, but already the basic ideas he presents will hold your attention.

The Narrator got on my nerves to begin with, but as I listened and learned his "Style", I actually kinda enjoyed his voice... It's very low and sometimes "Gravely", but during the action scenes it really brings out the "Grit" in the Situation, especially while officers and troops are barking orders, or fighting... Give him a chance and you will probably soon get used to his style...

Since I like the "Mech Armor" genre, I came VERY close to giving the book four Stars, but I decided to go with three stars and mention in the review that I considered it more of a "High Three Stars Book"... Again, I expect the Author will improve as he gets more books under his belt... I'll be watching for more from him.

Not for me

So, I didn't like this audiobook at all. I found myself pacing back and forth in frustration while listening to it; I was so poorly invested in the characters that I was bored out of my mind during moments that should have been the most engaging. Combat, romance or whatever, I just wanted to get it done and over with.

In addition I thought the narration was terrible. I am not actually sure if it even is the narrator or if they did something strange to the audio during the editing. I have nothing against a gruff whiskey voice, but this seemed like a parody of one to me.

Small plus for taking genuine Navy SEAL training and using that as an inspiration for a scifi novel, I think that’s a great idea. I just don’t feel like the book holds up regardless. I would instead recommend Old Man’s War, Armor, Fire with Fire, The Warrior’s Apprentice, Altered Carbon just to name a couple of different Scifi books off of the top of my head.

great Sci fi

it holds you to the seat not wanting to put it down. I'm glad I read it on a weekend with nothing to do or else I would have been angry pausing it every time. If you like military Science fiction this book is definitely for you has tons of action and the narrator does a great job. he hold the suspense where needed and speeds up during action. he puts you into the book like it's your story, you are rage. that is why I like this book the author and the narrator did an amazing job.

Great Syfy book

Would you consider the audio edition of Atlas to be better than the print version?

Just as good. The audio made the book come alive for me.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Atlas?

When Rade was unable to save his friend his mentor, Alejandro and at the funeral for all of his fallen brothers "MOTH"

Have you listened to any of Rhett Samuel Price’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No this was the first time. I like his style I will look for other books that he is Narrating Oh

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, when he realized that Shaw was the one that was leaving and the one-way mission she was on.

Any additional comments?

Atlas was an exciting Book. Syfy at it's best.

Defiantly a freshman book but do it any way!

Any additional comments?

This book seems to be a first for the author. not as smooth as i would like, good action, good characters. character have a good sense of right and wrong and sacrifice. a good little love story in there. just what you think a person might be in a future service.

All around great

This whole book is great. As Rade and his friends go thru their training you feel like your there. There's action thru all that and on to their missions. It keeps you listening and wanting to hear more. The only character that gave me problems was Shaw..I just could not like her...
The narrator created the voices that so matched all the characters perfectly. Mr. Price has become one of my favorite narrators.
This audio was given to me free at my request & I made this review voluntarily.

Great read

very engaging could not put it down. Sat in car listening after I arrived did not want to stop.

gripping sci-fi

Anyone who has been through boot can relate to this. I found this looking for a great way to keep my Titan fall excitement up, and this went beyond my expectations. Now I will be reading the series.