Opening Atlantis is the first book of a trilogy with a thought provoking premise - what if Atlantis really existed.
It's an alternate world history by best selling author Harry Turtledove.
Told in a realistic manner, it reads more like non-fiction than fantasy.
There are no myths and legends, no images of ancient civilization - just the newly discovered land, with its unique features, to be explored and fought over.
It's the reign of Henry VI.
Edward Radcliffe is having a drink before setting sail from England.
He meets another fisherman, Breton Francois Kersauzon, who tells him a wild tale about the fabled country of Atlantis.
Edward offers one third of his catch for the secret and he actually finds the island and decides to settle there.
He comes back with his family and a group of colonists.
Now he will be his own master with no king to bow to.
The unexplored world becomes home to many settlers as well as an exiled lord who plans to rule the island.
But man's greed and unrestrained exploitation of nature may soon destroy their paradise.
The trilogy will follow the Radcliffe family as they deal with settling the new land, hunting the strange wildlife, accommodating new settlers and learning of war at home.
Turtledove's excellent imagery provides a clear picture of an eighth continent, unexplored and unspoiled.
Readers can almost feel the rock of the boats and smell the codfish as the Radcliffes sail to their new home.
The characters are well drawn and believable, if somewhat cliched.
The plot reads more like an historical novel than fantasy.
Running through the engrossing adventure is the underlying theme of man's relationship to nature and his sometimes destructive influence.
If not an exciting it is a good solid read and lays the groundwork for future books.
Publisher: ROC (December 4, 2007) ISBN: 978-0-451-46174-2 Pages: 448 Price: $24.
95
It's an alternate world history by best selling author Harry Turtledove.
Told in a realistic manner, it reads more like non-fiction than fantasy.
There are no myths and legends, no images of ancient civilization - just the newly discovered land, with its unique features, to be explored and fought over.
It's the reign of Henry VI.
Edward Radcliffe is having a drink before setting sail from England.
He meets another fisherman, Breton Francois Kersauzon, who tells him a wild tale about the fabled country of Atlantis.
Edward offers one third of his catch for the secret and he actually finds the island and decides to settle there.
He comes back with his family and a group of colonists.
Now he will be his own master with no king to bow to.
The unexplored world becomes home to many settlers as well as an exiled lord who plans to rule the island.
But man's greed and unrestrained exploitation of nature may soon destroy their paradise.
The trilogy will follow the Radcliffe family as they deal with settling the new land, hunting the strange wildlife, accommodating new settlers and learning of war at home.
Turtledove's excellent imagery provides a clear picture of an eighth continent, unexplored and unspoiled.
Readers can almost feel the rock of the boats and smell the codfish as the Radcliffes sail to their new home.
The characters are well drawn and believable, if somewhat cliched.
The plot reads more like an historical novel than fantasy.
Running through the engrossing adventure is the underlying theme of man's relationship to nature and his sometimes destructive influence.
If not an exciting it is a good solid read and lays the groundwork for future books.
Publisher: ROC (December 4, 2007) ISBN: 978-0-451-46174-2 Pages: 448 Price: $24.
95
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