Contemporary Authors

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Mari, Christopher

WORK TITLE: Ocean of Storms
WORK NOTES: with Jeremy K. Brown
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE:
CITY: Queens
STATE: NY
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:

https://bibliosanctum.com/2016/12/20/book-review-ocean-of-storms-by-christopher-mari-and-jeremy-k-brown/ * http://www.thebigthrill.org/2017/01/ocean-of-storms-by-christopher-mari-and-jeremy-k-brown/

RESEARCHER NOTES:

PERSONAL

Born in Brooklyn, NY; married; children: two.

EDUCATION:

Attended Fordham University.

ADDRESS

  • Home - Queens, NY.

CAREER

Writer and editor.

WRITINGS

  • (With Jeremy K. Brown) Ocean of Storms (novel), 47North (Seattle, WA), 2016
  • The Beachhead (novel), 47North (Seattle, WA), 2017
  • NONFICTION
  • (Editor) Space Exploration, H.W. Wilson (New York, NY), 1999
  • (Editor) Global Epidemics, H.W. Wilson (New York, NY), 2007
  • (Editor, with Paul McCaffrey) The American Presidency, H.W. Wilson (New York, NY), 2008
  • (Editor) The Next Space Age, H.W. Wilson (New York, NY), 2008
  • U.S. National Debate Topic 2011-2012: American Space Exploration and Development, H.W. Wilson (New York, NY), 2011

Contributor to periodicals, including America, Current Biography, Citizen Culture, and U.S. Catholic.

SIDELIGHTS

Christopher Mari is a Brooklyn-born writer and editor. He attended Fordham University. Mari has written articles that have appeared in periodicals, including America, Current Biography, Citizen Culture, and U.S. Catholic.

The Next Space Age

Mari is the editor of several nonfiction books published by H.W. Wilson. Among the books’ titles are Space Exploration, Global Epidemics, The American Presidency (which he coedited with Paul McCaffrey), The Next Space Age, and U.S. National Debate Topic 2011-2012: American Space Exploration and Development.

In The Next Space Age, Mari includes articles detailing the latest developments in space travel and predicting what space exploration will look like in the near future. Organizations are planning to build a permanent space station on the moon, which would allow spacecrafts to more easily access Mars. The Chinese government has recently made more successful efforts in achieving space travel, while private companies in the U.S. and elsewhere are planning to allow private citizens to experience space flights.

Ocean of Storms and The Beachhead

Mari collaborated with Jeremy K. Brown to write the novel, Ocean of Storms. In the book, the U.S. tries to beat China to the moon to investigate an entity there that caused a destructive electromagnetic event on Earth. The volume received mixed reviews. A Publishers Weekly critic suggested: “The writing is mostly solid … but some distracting lapses and the well-worn plot are discouraging.” A contributor to the Bibliosanctum website commented: “Oceans of Storms was a damn fun read … even if its execution was a bit off and the science was a little flimsy.” A writer on the For Winter Nights—A Bookish Blog website remarked: “There’s a good chunk of Ocean of Storms that fulfils its promise. The beginning is thrilling and the momentum is maintained as America works to put together its mission to the Moon. … It felt believable as well as tense.” However, the same writer added: “The second half didn’t live up to the first.” A reviewer on the Luxury Reading website asserted: “Ocean of Storms is like Armageddon, Independence Day, and The Core all wrapped up into a novel. The explosive action and political intrigue help make this novel a fast, enjoyable read, but don’t expect anything here to provoke any deep thought.” The same reviewer described the book as “a ridiculous, improbable, and fun science fiction summer beach read.”

The Beachhead, written solely by Mari, tells the story of Kendra and John, two very different people who come together to protect their colony. Reviewing The Beachhead on the Publishers Weekly website, a critic commented: “The characters and plot points lack originality, and their story is dull.”

BIOCRIT

PERIODICALS

  • Publishers Weekly, October 24, 2016, review of Ocean of Storms, p. 62.

  • Reference & Research Book News, August, 2011, review of U.S. National Debate Topic 2011-2012: American Space Exploration and Development.

  • School Library Journal, April, 2009, review of The Next Space Age, p. S49.

  • SciTech Book News, March, 2009, review of The Next Space Age.

ONLINE

  • Bibliosanctum, https://bibliosanctum.com/ (December 20, 2016), review of Ocean of Storms.

  • Big Thrill, http://www.thebigthrill.org/ (January 31, 2017), author interview.

  • For Winter Nights—A Bookish Blog, https://forwinternights.wordpress.com/ (November 21, 2016), review of Ocean of Storms.

  • Luxury Reading, http://luxuryreading.com/ (April 17, 2017), review of Ocean of Storms.

  • Publishers Weekly Online, https://www.publishersweekly.com/ (February 27, 2017), review of The Beachhead.*

  • Space Exploration H.W. Wilson (New York, NY), 1999
  • Global Epidemics H.W. Wilson (New York, NY), 2007
  • The American Presidency H.W. Wilson (New York, NY), 2008
  • The Next Space Age H.W. Wilson (New York, NY), 2008
1. The next space age LCCN 2008036936 Type of material Book Main title The next space age / edited by Christopher Mari. Published/Created New York : H.W. Wilson Co., 2008. Description ix, 187 p. : ill. ; 26 cm. ISBN 9780824210823 (alk. paper) 0824210824 (alk. paper) Links Table of contents only http://www.loc.gov/catdir/toc/ecip0826/2008036936.html CALL NUMBER TL790 .N45 2008 Copy 1 Request in Jefferson or Adams Building Reading Rooms CALL NUMBER TL790 .N45 2008 FT MEADE Copy 2 Request in Jefferson or Adams Building Reading Rooms - STORED OFFSITE 2. The American presidency LCCN 2008026303 Type of material Book Main title The American presidency / edited by Christopher Mari and Paul McCaffrey. Published/Created New York : H.W. Wilson Co., 2008. Description viii, 215 p. ; 26 cm. ISBN 9780824210816 (alk. paper) 0824210816 (alk. paper) Links Table of contents only http://www.loc.gov/catdir/toc/ecip0821/2008026303.html CALL NUMBER JK516 .A68 2008 Copy 1 Request in Jefferson or Adams Building Reading Rooms CALL NUMBER JK516 .A68 2008 Copy 2 Request in Jefferson or Adams Building Reading Rooms 3. Global epidemics LCCN 2007001533 Type of material Book Main title Global epidemics / edited by Christopher Mari. Published/Created New York : H.W. Wilson Co., 2007. Description viii, 189 p. : ill. ; 26 cm. ISBN 9780824210687 (pbk. : alk. paper) Links Table of contents only http://www.loc.gov/catdir/toc/ecip078/2007001533.html CALL NUMBER RA649 .G56 2007 FT MEADE Copy 2 Request in Jefferson or Adams Building Reading Rooms - STORED OFFSITE 4. Space exploration LCCN 99025424 Type of material Book Main title Space exploration / edited by Christopher Mari. Published/Created New York : H.W. Wilson Company, 1999. Description ix, 157 p. ; 26 cm. ISBN 082420963X CALL NUMBER TL791 .S65 1999 Copy 1 Request in Jefferson or Adams Building Reading Rooms CALL NUMBER TL791 .S65 1999 FT MEADE Copy 2 Request in Jefferson or Adams Building Reading Rooms - STORED OFFSITE
  • Ocean of Storms - 2016 47North,
  • The Beachhead - 2017 47North,
  • Amazon -

    CHRISTOPHER MARI was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and educated at Fordham University. His award-winning writing has appeared in America, Citizen Culture, Current Biography and U.S. Catholic, among other magazines. The Beachhead, his new novel, was published to critical acclaim in March 2017. Ocean of Storms, the bestselling sci-fi thriller he wrote with Jeremy K. Brown, debuted in 2016.

  • Big Thrill - http://www.thebigthrill.org/2017/01/ocean-of-storms-by-christopher-mari-and-jeremy-k-brown/

    Ocean of Storms by Christopher Mari and Jeremy K. Brown
    January 31, 2017 by ITW
    10 0

    In the not-so-distant future, an explosion on the moon generates a world-crippling electromagnetic pulse. Tensions between the US and China mount to an all-time high, as the two countries begin a renewed space race to discover what tore a huge gash into the moon’s surface. Renegade archeologist Dr. Elias Zell and his protégé, Alan Donovan, join NASA astronauts and train for the trip that could finally answer the question of whether we are alone in the universe. International conspiracy and intrigue force cooperation between the superpowers to give the mission any shot at success. For Donovan, completing the mission will give him closure with his father, a disgraced former astronaut from the Apollo program, as well allowing him to be first on an earth-shattering discovery that will change mankind forever. This fast-paced read will keep readers engaged to the final twist and turns as the conspiracy unfolds. Mari and Brown’s first SF collaboration is a good pick for those new to the genre as well as more seasoned readers.

    Authors Christopher Mari and Jeremy K. Brown recently spent some with The Big Thrill discussing their novel, OCEAN OF STORMS:

    What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

    Christopher Mari: The fact that people have in the past and can in the future work together to successfully complete ambitious projects. We did it before—in abolishing slavery, in World War II, in curing polio, during the Civil Rights movement, landing on the Moon. And I genuinely believe we can do great things again if we set clear goals and apply ourselves.

    Jeremy K. Brown: I second what Chris said and would add that the book is a reminder that we are all in this together. From coming together to return humans to the Moon to facing the future together with hope, optimism and a better plan for humanity, the book illustrates that we are all united and this little ball of mud and rock is all we’ve got. So we’d better make our stand here and make it count.

    How does this book make a contribution to the genre?

    Christopher Mari: For whatever reason, I tend to think of sci-fi and thrillers as separate genres. Hopefully this book helps to show that they can be complimentary and compatible.

    Jeremy K. Brown: I think this book presents some incredible thrilling moments as well as the twists and turns you might expect from a thriller, but also offers a little something to think over when it’s all said and done. Once all the conspiracies are revealed, the key players unmasked and the central plot resolved, there is still plenty for our characters, and hopefully the reader, to mull over and consider.

    Was there anything new you discovered, or surprised you, as you wrote this book?

    Christopher Mari: I had no idea that a human being could survive being exposed to the vacuum of space for a short period of time.

    Jeremy K. Brown: I think everything about evolution and our human history, where we came from, how we got here, what our shared ancestry may be. Delving into that subject and really learning as much as we did about it was a surprising and rewarding experience.

    No spoilers, but what can you tell us about your book that we won’t find in the jacket copy or the PR material?

    Christopher Mari: That there may be more to human history than we know…

    Jeremy K. Brown: From the moment the signal is received until the final revelation, nothing is what it seems.

    What authors or books have influenced your career as a writer, and why?

    Christopher Mari: Walt Whitman showed me that it was possible to write with complete joy. Ernest Hemingway modeled how to write a clean sentence. Ray Bradbury’s books gave me my first literary experience with wonder. Philip K. Dick blew my mind and put it back together in a way that made me see the world from a different point of view.

    Jeremy K. Brown: Stephen King is probably the writer who first made me want to try and do this for a living. Even though this isn’t a horror story, King showed how extraordinary events can happen to ordinary people and in ordinary places, and I drew on that when working on this story. That was a big help in making the events of this book feel real and grounded. Additionally, King has a very visual and epic style that brings the book vividly to life. Someone somewhere once described him as having “a projector I his head,” and I take the same approach to writing by using words to create large sequences and moments that would feel just as at home on a movie screen as they do on the page. Also, Arthur C. Clarke’s “Space Odyssey” books were a huge influence as well, blending hard science with incredible, wondrous imagery about what may await humanity in space. I also love Frank Herbert, Ursula K. Le Guin and especially J.R.R. Tolkien for their world-building abilities. To create a place like Middle Earth and have it feel completely real is truly awe-inspiring. Tolkien always said his books were meant to be read as a pre-history to our own history, and to me, that’s exactly how they feel.

    *****

    Christopher Mari was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and was educated at Fordham University. He has edited books on a wide variety of topics, including three on space exploration. His writing has appeared in such magazines as America, Current Biography, Issues and Controversies, and US Catholic. His next novel, The Beachhead, will be published by 47North in 2017. He lives with his family in Queens, New York.

    Jeremy K. Brown has authored several biographies for young readers, including books on Stevie Wonder and Ursula K. Le Guin. He has also contributed articles to numerous magazines and newspapers, including special issues for TV Guide and the Discovery Channel, and recently edited a collector’s issue on Pink Floyd for Newsweek. Jeremy published his first novel, Calling Off Christmas, in 2011 and is currently at work on another novel. He lives in New York with his wife and sons.

QUOTED: "The writing is mostly solid ... but some distracting lapses and the well-worn plot are discouraging."

Ocean of Storms
263.43 (Oct. 24, 2016): p62.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/

Ocean of Storms

Jeremy K. Brown and Christopher Mari. 47 North, $14.95 trade paper (410p) ISBN 978-1-5039-3877-9

Stock characters in a stock setting will disappoint readers of this near-future thriller. The entire Earth is rocked by a devastating electromagnetic pulse that kills thousands and creates global panic. After electrical systems come back online, scientists determine that the EMP was caused by something beneath the Moon's surface, probably the product of alien intelligence. The U.S. and China race to get there first and investigate. There are predictable setbacks along the way for the American effort, indications that not all Americans are on board with the plan, and escalating tensions between the two countries over Taiwan. The astronauts' discovery of what's on the Moon will feel anticlimactic to anyone familiar with the genre. The writing is mostly solid, suggesting that given a less derivative story the writers could produce a more satisfying novel, but some distracting lapses and the well-worn plot are discouraging. (Nov.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Ocean of Storms." Publishers Weekly, 24 Oct. 2016, p. 62. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA468771820&it=r&asid=ef637f97685007c8b39bbaa5d3099273. Accessed 4 July 2017.

Gale Document Number: GALE|A468771820
Mari, Christopher, ed.: The Next Space Age
55.4 (Apr. 2009): pS49.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2009 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

MARI, Christopher, ed. The Next Space Age. 187p. H. W. Wilson. 2008. Tr $50. ISBN 978-0-8242-1082-3. LC 2008036936.

Gr 10 Up--Looking at the future of military space capabilities and unmanned probes, the privatization of space efforts, and the search for extrasolar bodies, these scholarly essays address the complex challenges facing a continued interest in space exploration. Reprinted from science journals, the selections present able students with current thinking on these topics, aided by thoughtful chapter introductions and appended resources. B
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Mari, Christopher, ed.: The Next Space Age." School Library Journal, Apr. 2009, p. S49. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA201494275&it=r&asid=117c00bca05ae6113bb73bc9c469d9aa. Accessed 4 July 2017.

Gale Document Number: GALE|A201494275
U.S. national debate topic 2011-2012; American space exploration and development
26.4 (Aug. 2011):
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2011 Ringgold, Inc.
http://www.ringgold.com/

9780824211097

U.S. national debate topic 2011-2012; American space exploration and development.

Ed. by Christopher Mari.

H.W. Wilson Company

2011

181 pages

$55.00

Paperback

The reference shelf; v.83, no.3

TL789

Reprinted articles take various positions on the topic of the National Forensic League's 2011-12 National High School Policy Debate Topic: the revival of the US space program after its scheduled end in 2011. The 27 articles are presented in sections on the laudable past and muddled present of the space program, whether NASA should be overhauled, whether private companies should lead US spaceflight, whether we should return to the moon, and whether we should to straight to Mars. Only names are indexed.

([c]2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"U.S. national debate topic 2011-2012; American space exploration and development." Reference & Research Book News, Aug. 2011. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA263163717&it=r&asid=e83f364edc68485853feef888cfce8fc. Accessed 4 July 2017.

Gale Document Number: GALE|A263163717
The next space age
(Mar. 2009):
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2009 Ringgold, Inc.
http://www.ringgold.com/

9780824210823

The next space age.

Ed. by Christopher Mari.

H.W. Wilson Company

2008

187 pages

$50.00

Paperback

The reference shelf; v.80, no.5

TL790

We are going to see what is out there, and judging from this preview of projects underway around the globe, we can do so using straightforward, conversational language. With a new set of players among nations and private industry, it is clear the tradition set by the US and the former Soviet Union will continue, albeit with new technologies and motivations. The contributors examine the shift toward the scientific and away from the military in NASA's plans to bring Americans back to the Moon, the planned permanent colony there as a springboard to Mars, a new space race with China's accomplishments and aspirations, the commercialization of the cosmos by private industry, space tourism, the continuing exploration of Mars, unmanned probes, the search for new planets, and the ever-present hopes that someday, someone will encounter extraterrestrial life.

([c]2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"The next space age." SciTech Book News, Mar. 2009. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA195025919&it=r&asid=6e4ea379e9cc46c6b3be831be00eaf8b. Accessed 4 July 2017.

Gale Document Number: GALE|A195025919

"Ocean of Storms." Publishers Weekly, 24 Oct. 2016, p. 62. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA468771820&asid=ef637f97685007c8b39bbaa5d3099273. Accessed 4 July 2017. "Mari, Christopher, ed.: The Next Space Age." School Library Journal, Apr. 2009, p. S49. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA201494275&asid=117c00bca05ae6113bb73bc9c469d9aa. Accessed 4 July 2017. "U.S. national debate topic 2011-2012; American space exploration and development." Reference & Research Book News, Aug. 2011. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA263163717&asid=e83f364edc68485853feef888cfce8fc. Accessed 4 July 2017. "The next space age." SciTech Book News, Mar. 2009. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA195025919&asid=6e4ea379e9cc46c6b3be831be00eaf8b. Accessed 4 July 2017.
  • Bibliosanctum
    https://bibliosanctum.com/2016/12/20/book-review-ocean-of-storms-by-christopher-mari-and-jeremy-k-brown/

    Word count: 953

    QUOTED: "Oceans of Storms was a damn fun read ... even if its execution was a bit off and the science was a little flimsy."

    Book Review: Ocean of Storms by Christopher Mari and Jeremy K. Brown

    I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

    ocean-of-stormsOcean of Storms by Christopher Mari and Jeremy K. Brown

    Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

    Genre: Science Fiction

    Series: Stand Alone

    Publisher: 47North (December 1, 2016)

    Length: 400 pages

    Author Information: Christopher Mari | Jeremy K. Brown

    Impending apocalypse. A heart-pounding Space Race. Political thrills. Oceans of Storms has all this and more, and it is also a story made up of many different parts. With scenes and situations reminiscent of movies like Independence Day, Armageddon, or Jurassic Park, the book also felt to me a lot like a Hollywood summer blockbuster in prose form. Indeed, looking back at the notes I took while reading, the thing that kept cropping up in my comments and descriptions was the word “cinematic”.

    It all began with the moon. But of course, when the massive electromagnetic pulse ripped across Earth, knocking out power globally, no one knew the cause. It wasn’t until later that scientists determined that the EMP originated from our planet’s closest neighbor, where a powerful explosion had exposed something buried deep beneath the lunar surface. Based on early findings and analysis, at the bottom of this newly created fissure is an extremely large and technologically advanced object that has been on the moon for at least two million years. Which means whatever it is, it couldn’t have been placed there by human beings. Moreover, the discovery was accompanied with a message: coordinates to a location somewhere on the vast lunar mare called the Ocean of Storms.

    Not surprisingly, the news causes worldwide chaos and panic. In response, the US vows to launch a manned mission to the lunar coordinates to investigate the source of the power surge. Problem is, budget cuts over the years have gutted NASA’s space program, putting them far behind where they need to be to make that possible. Meanwhile, the Chinese are way ahead, sending rockets to survey the moon from orbit, though they lack the lander technology—technology that the US has. To prevent further widespread unrest, the two countries’ space programs have no choice but to team up amidst the burgeoning cold war between their governments because the answers on the moon are too important to let politics get in the way. Knowing as well that they might find the remnants of an ancient civilization, two American archaeologists and a Chinese forensic anthropologist also join the team in the hopes of finding out who or what might have been responsible for the mysterious signal.

    Before I begin, I have a confession to make. Archaeology and Anthropology are my pet subjects and my college specializations so as soon as I saw that a couple of “maverick archaeologists” were among the main characters of this book, I knew I had to read it. Relatively speaking though, neither the scientific or technological aspects were really all that weighty here, but there’s certainly enough to tickle readers’ interests. I also found the story easy to get into, and I very much enjoyed the mashup of sci-fi elements together with the thrills and suspense.

    I think if the authors had stayed on this course, the book would have been even more compelling. I loved how things started with a bang, and that burst of momentum was continued by the mystery of the discovery on the moon. As I mentioned before, there was also a cinematic quality to the story that I really enjoyed. Sure, the characters might not be all that deep, and the overall premise might be too farfetched or unconvincing, but I have I to say I didn’t mind too much. I picked up this book for the same reason millions flock to see the big-budget, special-effects laden films that dominate the box office every year—to be entertained. And for the most part, I think Ocean of Storms succeeded. Without giving away any spoilers, I would say the book only stumbled in the second half, when the story shifted away from the big action and suspense to focus instead on convoluted government conspiracies, dubious physics, and going a little too overboard with paleoanthropological theory.

    To the book’s credit though, I never once found it boring. Suffice to say, I think the authors wanted Ocean of Storms to be the literary equivalent of the “big-budget, special-effects laden blockbuster” and had a boatload of great ideas to make it so, but ultimately they might have taken it a little too far. There’s just not enough room to make all these pieces fit together coherently, so while the end result is certainly captivating, it unfortunately also feels somewhat disjointed.

    Still, in spite of my complaints, Ocean of Storms was a damn fun read and I do not regret the time I spent with it. I loved the concept, even if its execution was a bit off and the science was a little flimsy. Let’s just say you aren’t likely to be bowled over by its literary merits, but if you’re simply looking to kick back with an entertaining, high-octane sci-fi thriller, then you’ve come to the right place. Overall a really enjoyable, if at times flawed, read.

    3-5stars

  • For winter nights – A bookish blog
    https://forwinternights.wordpress.com/2016/11/21/ocean-of-storms-by-christopher-mari-and-jeremy-k-brown/

    Word count: 572

    QUOTED: "There’s a good chunk of Ocean of Storms that fulfils its promise. The beginning is thrilling and the momentum is maintained as America works to put together its mission to the Moon. ... It felt believable as well as tense."
    "The second half didn’t live up to the first."

    Ocean of Storms by Christopher Mari and Jeremy K. Brown
    Leave a reply

    Ocean of Storms | Christopher Mari and Jeremy K. Brown | 2016 (1 December) | 47North | 410p | Review copy | Buy the book

    Ocean of Storms by Christopher Mari and Jeremy K BrownIn the near future, a single moment changes everything. A catastrophic and mysterious event splits the surface of the Moon, opening a massive torn vent. The force of the explosion hits the Earth in the form of an enormous electromagnetic pulse that stops everything in its tracks – no power, no communication, nothing. Planes fall from the sky, people are isolated and frightened, everybody expects the worst. A cold war between America and China is about to reach the point of no return, with warships ready to strike, missiles armed, their targets selected. For a moment, as the lights turn back on, hostilities take a back seat as both nations try to find out the cause of the catastrophe but, when a signal from the moon suggests that forces neither natural nor human were behind it, a new space race is initiated as both countries compete to land on the Moon first.

    In these uncertain days, nothing goes quite as planned, and it is soon clear that an uneasy, united mission is the answer to the problem of how to reach the Moon quickly and in one piece. But the crew comprises more than astronauts, there are archaeologists, too. Understanding what it is that has torn the Moon open will take all their skills. And all the time, an Earth on the brink of war watches and waits.

    The moment I heard about Ocean of Storms I was so excited to read it. It sounded just like the kind of science fiction novel that I love, combining first contact, a mission into space and the hint of something apocalyptic on the horizon. And there’s a good chunk of Ocean of Storms that fulfils its promise. The beginning is thrilling and the momentum is maintained as America works to put together its mission to the Moon. I really enjoyed the detail of this. It felt believable as well as tense. The sections on the Moon are also excellent and intriguing as well as exciting.

    However, this is a novel of two halves and, for me, the second half didn’t live up to the first as the science fiction fell away and we are left with a rather plodding and implausible conspiracy thriller, mostly based very firmly on Earth. This did feel a bit of an anti climax. The care that had been spent during the first half to make us empathise and understand the characters also falls away and the baddie, as this second half demands one, isn’t as interesting as the mystery of what lay on the Moon. As this is a novel with two authors, it makes me wonder how this affected the structure of the book. Nevertheless, I enjoyed a sizeable chunk of Ocean of Storms and parts of it are irresistible.

  • Luxury Reading
    http://luxuryreading.com/review-ocean-of-storms/

    Word count: 644

    QUOTED: "Ocean of Storms is like Armageddon, Independence Day, and The Core all wrapped up into a novel. The explosive action and political intrigue help make this novel a fast, enjoyable read, but don’t expect anything here to provoke any deep thought."
    "a ridiculous, improbable, and fun science fiction summer beach read."

    Review: Ocean of Storms by Christopher Mari & Jeremy K. Brown
    Rating:

    ocean of storms book coverReviewed by Marcus Hammond

    If you think about what makes your favorite summer blockbuster movie so much fun you’ll probably realize that a sound, well-developed plot and unquestionable logic aren’t the dominating attributes. Fast-paced, eye-popping action that defies all common sense intended to distract from reality is probably the more likely description. This second description is exactly what we get in Ocean of Storms by Christopher Mari and Jeremy K. Brown. This political sci-fi thriller grabs you by the eye sockets from the first 30 pages, slaps you around until you’ve forgotten what science is, and leaves you wanting more.

    The story revolves around a worldwide EMP blast that knocks planes out of the sky, causes massive destruction on roadways, and sends the world into a general panic. The source of the EMP ends up coming from the Moon and in turn inspires a classic 1950’s style space race between the United States and China. Once on the Moon, the story takes a weirder move into the science fiction realm, as time-travel becomes the key to understanding what’s going on. We are then taken back to Earth for a heavy dose of political conspiracy and an explanation for mankind’s evolution.

    The plot is very large in scope and really misses the mark on the logic behind the details, but its fast pace and explosive delivery makes you completely forget your common sense. Throughout the story there are details like the world recovering from a global EMP blast within hours, and humans from the distant future screwing up their calculations (twice) to change the past that make the reader really scratch their heads. Even if the reader is well aware that even if a global EMP blast were possible, such an event would take decades to recover from, but Mari and Brown cover up any scientific inaccuracies with explosions and political tension.

    Character development isn’t really a strong point in the story either. There’s a fairly large cast of both major and minor characters, and there’s not really one that shines more than the other. Character development isn’t really an important aspect when the cast is being blasted into space in a hastily built rocket to uncover the mysteries of space and end up faced with a fairly convoluted “superior” race trying to change the future through time-travel. The story might seem less like the downward slope of a roller coaster for 400+ pages and benefit from some actually depth if the backgrounds of a few of the major characters where better developed.

    Ocean of Storms is like Armageddon, Independence Day, and The Core all wrapped up into a novel. The explosive action and political intrigue help make this novel a fast, enjoyable read, but don’t expect anything here to provoke any deep thought. Pop some popcorn, grab a beverage, and get ready to read your way into a ridiculous, improbable, and fun science fiction summer beach read.

    Marcus spends his days writing and developing content for a local financial institution. When he’s not on an adventure with his wife and son, he reads, enjoys pop culture, and is constantly amazed at what is considered vintage.

    Review copy was provided free of any obligation by 47North. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

  • Publishers Weekly
    https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-5039-4262-2

    Word count: 216

    QUOTED: "The characters and plot points lack originality, and their story is dull."

    The Beachhead
    Christopher Mari. 47North, $14.95 trade paper (331p) ISBN 978-1-5039-4262-2

    In his solo debut, Mari attempts to wedge a philosophical pamphlet into an SF adventure. John Giordano is a military officer in a young colony whose mythological origins are based on the Book of Revelation. Kendra McQueen is a scout with a secret that could shatter the religious underpinnings of their society. United in their effort to protect their people from the dangers beyond the colony walls, they risk themselves to seek answers when their structured way of life begins to crumble. Mari creates endless mysteries but makes no attempt at satisfying resolutions. Physical and spiritual threats arise, but are then rendered harmless by shortcuts that rob characters of interest and the opportunity for growth. Idealism replaces characterization, only to be abandoned without revealing a purpose. In this low-stakes work there is neither the thrill of adventure nor the pleasure of understanding. The characters and plot points lack originality, and their story is dull. Agent: Jennifer Lyons, Jennifer Lyons Literary. (Mar.)
    Reviewed on: 02/27/2017
    Release date: 03/01/2017
    Compact Disc - 978-1-5366-1531-9
    MP3 CD - 978-1-5366-1532-6