Atlantis lies between Europe and the East Coast of Terranova. For many years, this land of opportunity lured dreamers from around the globe with its natural resources, offering a new beginning for those willing to brave the wonders of the unexplored territory.
It is a new world indeed: ripe for discovery, for plunder, and eventually for colonization?but will its settlers destroy the very wonders they had journeyed to Atlantis to find?
| Opening Atlantis is an intriguing book that pretty much takes a reimagining of the settlement of the Americas and throws it on this island. All for a third of a boatload of cod. Either way, this book covers a whole lot of ground, picking up three specific time periods primarily following the Radcliffe family as they first sail over from England, then defend their new home. I do like that we do get some of those historic themes like slavery and nationalistic loyalty, but some of the individual character motivations leave a lot to be desired.
For those of you who like reading alternative history, with a little bit of speculative ideas thrown in, then you should check out this read. Just be sure to be in the mindset to do so, or else the read will be slow going. |
Ok. This book is divided up into three sections. The first one take place in the 1400s, where we first start getting settlers on Atlantis. The biggest struggle that they have is the sudden arrival of a Duke, which kills the English settler’s patriarch, and sets up a minor war. The second section takes place in the 1600s, and it’s a small war between “family” (using that term loosely here as they are distant cousins), and the last one takes place in 1700s, where we get a war before different nationalities. And this section is where my problem lies.
Yes, I get that is more speculative than alternative, but still. This is more or less taking the overarching themes of the development of the United States, and throwing them into this new and uncharted world. But we get one of the strangest characters in Roland Kersauzon, a descendant of the original Kersauzon that settled their part of Atlantis. He doesn’t like the English because he thought that his ancestor was a fool for trading the location of Atlantis to the English for a massive amount of fish? Doesn’t quite sit well with me for that. I could see that of a great-grandson that has a wild hair up his butt…but for someone 300 years down the line? Feels kinda forced to me.
All criticism aside, this is a story that those who are interested in alternative/speculative history should check out. I had a hard time getting into the book, and even though that might have been burnout talking, there were some days where I didn’t want to read this book because I just wasn’t into it. But, it might be for you. Just don’t get seasick along the way over.
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