Book Tour: At the Sharp End of Lightning by N R Bates

Title: At The Sharp End of Lightning (Oceanlight #1)

Author: N.R. Bates

Publisher: N.R. Bates Publishing 

Pages: 444

Date of Publication: October 2015

Genre: Fantasy / magic realism / Science Fiction

Rating: 4/5

My Review:

Coping with change is a fundamental theme throughout the story. This includes changes in ocean ecology and climate, their impact on life for all organisms and dangers inherent in such changes but it also includes changes in interpersonal relationships, especially within families, and the impact of coping with any changes in abilities and skills for individuals within them. The detailed research and knowledge which has obviously contributed to this fictional story shines through the whole story.

Initially the story seemed disjointed as two stories unfold, seemingly unrelated to each other. I admit to finding that confusing to start with but it turns out to be important as links between the two are slowly and carefully revealed. The author skilfully portrays the multiple worlds, their characters and their explorations revealing the “thinness” through which the worlds are linked and through which characters can move to other worlds. The characters are complex, well developed, with definite personalities and easy to relate to and generally young adults. The author writes in an emotive manner, making it easy to relate to and empathise with them.

The alternate worlds are superbly described, the author using words to paint pictures in the imagination of the reader, bringing them to life in their mind. The plot is somewhat complicated but worthwhile persevering with as more is revealed but there isn’t really a definitive ending – we’ll need to read the next book in the series to find out more!

I was invited to read and review this novel by iRead Book Tours and was intrigued by the information regarding it. Now I usually enjoy fantasy and science fiction novels and studied Ecology as part of my first degree so I was definitely interested in taking a look and seeing how I got on – and I’m so glad I did! This is not a cosy, light read. The choice of language is exemplary and the subject matter serious but it is all woven together to create an intriguing, enthralling story.

Synopsis:

AT THE SHARP END OF LIGHTNING. The interwoven fantastical tale of family, of loss and sacrifice, of unexpected gifts and coping with disability and new abilities set against the backdrop of climate change occurring across parallel worlds. In Oceanlight, Yalara Narika, a winged Sea Sprite, searches for her lover over immense seas only to find catastrophe and realization that her world is in turmoil.

Meanwhile in the safe suburban normality of North Wales, Einion Morgan Alban, a restless youth afflicted by a disease of the blood, is nearly murdered by a man in a white suit. Yalara and Einion must discover the causes of their near-deaths and their as yet unrevealed connections as they both face upheaval to their lives and their worlds.

This book is available from a variety of sources including

amazon.co.uk           amazon.com          barnes and noble

US/Canadian readers only – Click on this link to access the Rafflecopter Giveaway on the iRead tour site –
Win 1 of 5 print copies of At the Sharp End of Lightning – one winner will also receive a $30 Amazon gift card (open to USA & Canada only)

Meet the author:  

NR Bates was born in London, grew up in Wales, and lived in Canada and Bermuda. He shares his life with his wife and his house with seven cats, one dog and the subtropical wildlife of lizards, wolf spiders and ant colonies that seek out a better life indoors.

He is an oceanographer and scientist, and has published more than one hundred and thirty scientific papers on ocean chemistry, climate change and ocean acidification. He is a Senior Scientist at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences and Professor of Ocean Biogeochemistry at the University of Southampton, UK.

His novels focus on epic fantasy and magic realism, and inspired by his deep love of the ocean and environmental sciences. He has also recently published a small book of short-stories set in Paris, entitled “The Fall of Icarus (The Elevator, The Fall of Icarus, and The Girl)”.

Connect with the author:  Website   Twitter   Facebook

Tour Schedule:

Jan 4 –   misty103 @ HubPages – review

​Jan 4 –   Splashes Into Books – review

Jan 4 –   Drako’s Den – review

Jan 5 –   T’s Stuff – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway

Jan 6 –   The Autistic Gamer – review

​Jan 7 –   fundinmental – review

Jan 8 –   A Mama’s Corner of the World – review / giveaway

Jan 11 – Book and Ink – review / giveaway

Jan 12 – Beauty Book Blog – review / giveaway

Jan 13 – Room With Books – review / guest post / giveaway

​Jan 13 – Metro Reader – review

Jan 14 – Cheryl’s Book Nook – book spotlight / giveaway

Jan 14 – Book Reviews Nature Pictures and anything in between  – review

Jan 15 – Heidi’s Wanderings – review / giveaway

Jan 18 – Jaquo Lifestyle Magazine – book spotlight / author interview

Jan 19 – Book Fanatic – review

Jan 20 – Library of Clean Reads – review / giveaway

Jan 21 – #redhead.with.book – book spotlight / giveaway

Jan 22 – Amie’s Book Reviews – review / author interview / giveaway

Jan 25 – Sahar’s Blog – review

Jan 26 – Svetlana’s Reads and Views – review

Jan 27 – Pen and Paper – review

Jan 28 – Bookworm for Kids – review / giveaway

Thanks to iRead Book Tours for inviting me to read and review this novel in exchange for my honest review and participation in this tour.