In Ascension: Winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award 2024 Paperback – 1 Feb. 2024

In Ascension by Martin MacInnes is an intriguing sci-fi novel that delves into both the depths of the ocean and the expanse of outer space, weaving them together in an enthralling journey across time.While the story occasionally delves into unnecessary details, particularly regarding the protagonist’s personal growth and her relationship with her sister, the core of the narrative remains compelling. The exploration of the deep sea and space travel is captivating, enhanced by the clever use of time loops that create an engaging hypothesis of life’s cycle akin to the “chicken and egg” dilemma.MacInnes displays impressive storytelling skills, crafting a narrative that is both believable and imaginative. Despite occasional departures from established scientific principles, the novel stays true to its sci-fi roots, seamlessly blending science with fantasy. Although there are a few loose ends in the plot, they do not significantly detract from the overall story progression.

This was Book 10 of my Booker prize long list readathonthis 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 UKBy Atlantic booksThis review will appear on Goodreads, NetGalley, UK, Amazon, UK and on my book, pro bionicsarahsbooks.WordPress.com

As a piece of prose this is competently written. The characters are good and the general story certainly filled with intrigue and interest. Pacing is strong and the general scientific details used throughout are reasonable enough, aside from a few minor inaccuracies.The biggest issue I had with the book is that it ultimately doesn't feel like it leads anywhere and the ending is incredibly uninspired. To end up at a situation where a bootstrapping is implied is very unsatisfying and this is made worse by MacInnes's tendency throughout the novel to pepper in some bigger questions with respect to the origin of life, the purpose of Earth's history, it's place in the universe and then the prospect of extraterrestrial life.These are all incredibly interesting threads when they are delivered, but the way in which they are simply left or moved over means that the ending of the story is ultimately hollow and follows a well worn sci-fi trope. Given the nature of how the book concludes, it sadly gives the impression that MacInnes is including all these tantalising possibilities purely to give the story more importance than it ultimately has. The book would have been stronger if many of the aspects covered - the deep trenches, the hints of engineered life, the propulsion system coming from Datura, the mystery of Voyager I, Datura itself - were explored to see if a novel and interesting revelation could be proposed. Many of these aspects are skipped over, forgotten or written around which results in an unsatisfying conclusion.In many ways, I consider this book something of an inverse to The Dark Forest by Cixin Liu. The Dark Forest contains some poorly written characters, a tendency towards misogynistic portrayals, some unsatisfying threads and is overly long. Yet, the profoundness of what is implied by the conclusion is astounding. It is captivating and expertly woven into many puzzling questions we are faced with today. In Ascension is the opposite - the characters are brilliant, the threads are well handled but, by the end, the inability of any of the tantalising threads to be expanded on in a manner that isn't a well worn conclusion to many sci-fi stories lets the book down.An enjoyable read in the moment, but there is nothing to keep a reader engaged or pondering after the final words

Original and creative topic, and set out in a way that intrigues.It kept me up long after I should have fallen asleep.

Perhaps a bit long winded in parts. Good unusual story line though. Overall really enjoyed it.

I adored this book! Really surprised to read some of the other reviews. It was beautifully written, intelligent, great characters and incredibly imaginative. Not every story has to end with an Agatha Christie ending! I’d read it again for the pleasure of MacInnes’ writing style and the strange beauty of the story.

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 science parts of this book appeals, but for this Boomer, a lot of the ideas in this story are similar to 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Abyss.

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.

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.

The science is hopeless. Leaving the solar system you don’t pass the planets one by one like they’re on a string. Flight surgeons don’t work on rocket propulsion systems. The author seems to think that big words and indecipherable language equate to great literature. No story, no science, not much substance and endless pointless fluff. A Donald Trump speech makes more sense.