Sea of Ghosts (The Gravedigger Chronicles, #1)

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Sea of Ghosts (The Gravedigger Chronicles #1)

3.98 of 5 stars 3.98 · rating details · 169 ratings · 24 reviews

When the last of the Gravediggers, an elite imperial infiltration unit, are disbanded and hunted down by the emperor they once served, munitions expert Colonel Thomas Granger takes refuge in the unlikeliest of places. He becomes a jailer in Ethugra a prison city of poison-flooded streets and gaols in which a million enemies of the empire are held captive. But when Granger...more

Paperback, 431 pages

Published 2012 by Tor Books (first published April 1st 2011)

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Oct 11, 2012 Campbell Mcaulay rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The sea is toxic and gradually rising and the world reduced to a few isolated island archipelagoes. Society is brutal, exploitative and feudal. Thomas Granger is a hunted man and his daughter is a valuable political and scientific commodity. Read on...

I picked this up on no more than a whim after spotting it's rather striking cover art on the "recommended" section at the bookshop and, a few short days later, I put it down again, pretty much blown away. OK, so I'm no steampunk afficionado so I gu...more The sea is toxic and gradually rising and the world reduced to a few isolated island archipelagoes. Society is brutal, exploitative and feudal. Thomas Granger is a hunted man and his daughter is a valuable political and scientific commodity. Read on...

I picked this up on no more than a whim after spotting it's rather striking cover art on the "recommended" section at the bookshop and, a few short days later, I put it down again, pretty much blown away. OK, so I'm no steampunk afficionado so I guess that some who do know the genre well may ho and hum and pass it off as nothing out of the ordinary, but for me, Sea of Ghosts was a real revelation.

For a start, "steampunk" doesn't quite do it justice. The setting is alien and yet so vestigially familiar. Does it take place on a future earth? A parallel earth? An alternative earth? Nowhere on earth? I am still not entirely sure that the protagonists are even //human// and I was waiting for the twist to come where it was revealed that they were in fact three headed gorgons or highly evolved fish or something wierd like that and that the story's aliens (the magical Unmer) were in fact humans (the twist didn't happen, by the way). That is how clever the story actually is - it takes a profoundly strange environment to keep you guessing and yet weaves tantalising threads of familiarity to ensnare you.

The world is an extremely rich one despite it's apocalyptically diluvian flaw - a sort of watery Dune on steroids, where magic and science are a part of everyday life, peopled by strange monsters, strange humans and strange aliens. It is not, however, a nice story. To call it "dystopian" would be a bit like calling the The Lord of the Rings "a bit of a yarn". As I have said, the story's society is appalingly brutal and exploitative; a real "dog-eat-dog" world where, for instance, prisoners are abandoned to starve or drown in slowly flooding cells not out of cruelty but simply from neglect and apathy. Granger's first thought when discovering his daughter's talents is how he can use them to his financial advantage. Again, this is not because he is a bad person, but because he is desperate. It is a world without love, friendship, care or even hope and it is a disturbing story.

Of course, the characters' behaviours are driven by the proximity and toxicity of the sea and the imperative to avoid it. However, Sea of Ghosts is let down a little by a mildly superficial characterisation. But only a little; the problem is not as severe as you might think from other reviews. I admit to have been baffled by Granger's sudden but imperceptible shift from wanting to sell his daughter to wanting to save her. This happens with little or no explanation or cause - in one chapter she is a both a burden and an opportunity and in the next she is his flesh and blood. How did that happen? I was also a little baffled by Granger's Superman-like invulnerability and boundless ingenuity. Nevertheless, the characters are fun and some (such as Maskelyne) are also complex.

I suppose that, if you were really trrying to fing fault, you could also complain that Campbell does lapse occasionally into sci-fi/fantasy-adventure cliche and formulaic action hero high-jinks and that this jars unhappily with the strangeness and originality of the whole. You might also take issue (as I often do) with the "chuck 'em in at the deep end and see if they learn to swim" approach to stroy telling, but I do contend that these are relatively minor problems, or at least are easily overshadowed by the plentiful goodness. The writing is excellent and if you are confused by the goings-on, the complicated but unstated history and back-story, if the nature of the Unmer is unclear to you... persist! Things will become clearer (well, a bit!) as you progress.

Highly recommended and roll on Vol 2. (less)

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Jun 24, 2012 Nick Brett rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is an intriguing fantasy novel which keeps the reader guessing as to where it is going. A bit of steampunk, weird magic and fresh ideas assault the reader from almost the first page. Set in an intelligently crafted world where the sea is rising and heavily toxic, there are a number of key protagonists: a resourceful officer on the run from the Empire, a cunning treasure hunter, a witch and a young girl with some very strange abilities.

What is interesting about this is that you can see where...more

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Apr 25, 2012 Brian Steele rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: alt-history, dark-fantasy, strict-fantasy, steampunk

This book started out amazing. The first chapter alone was one of the most captivating, original, and bizarre things I've read in some time. Unfortunately, it descended into a somewhat boring tale far too quickly.

Campbell has created a unique world, a fantasy universe based more off 17th century Europe than the middle ages like we see in traditional fantasy. There is a odd, almost steampunkish element, along with the aspect of a flooded earth. Sadly, there are almost too many alien concepts thro...more

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Feb 24, 2012 Neal Asher rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The sea bottles are bubbling away under the sea, each seemingly a gateway into another world, steadily raising the sea levels with brine whose touch will turn your skin to shark skin. The artefacts of a recently fallen alchemic and magical dictatorship lie under the poisonous waters for anyone brave enough, or insane enough to retrieve them. Steamships and sorcerous weapons abound, along with other fascinating devices in a steam/punk/fantasy world. Dragons are addicted to what can only be descri...more

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Oct 14, 2012 Natasha Masunaga rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: battles-and-war-and-revolutions, dragons, fantasy, ghosts, mad-scientist, necromancy-and-zombies, pirates-and-privateers, steam-punk, witches-and-wizards-and-magicians

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Surprising how much I found myself enjoying this book as I neared the end when it had such a rocky start (for me at least) as I wasn't able to connect or even like any of the characters. If I'm to be perfectly honest, I think it was the presence of the Unmer that really snagged me (though I have to say that they make a lot of weirdly pointless weapons/knick-knacks--the contrariness of cats, that's the Unmer for you). They lured me in with the little Unmer girl in the beginning and then left me a...more Surprising how much I found myself enjoying this book as I neared the end when it had such a rocky start (for me at least) as I wasn't able to connect or even like any of the characters. If I'm to be perfectly honest, I think it was the presence of the Unmer that really snagged me (though I have to say that they make a lot of weirdly pointless weapons/knick-knacks--the contrariness of cats, that's the Unmer for you). They lured me in with the little Unmer girl in the beginning and then left me adrift until the end when the fallen Unmer were re-introduced into the story again.

I keep trying to think of ways to describe this book and I can't come up with anything satisfying. Post-apocalyptic (sort of as the Unmer were the lords of the age before this one)? Space ships (albeit it at a distance)? Bizarre conversations about parallel universes and paradoxes and the like from something like a mafia-boss-physicist-anitque-collector equivalent? An ex-soldier father on his quest to get his daughter back (perhaps not due so much to sentiment but instead more due to the principal of the thing? At least I didn't sense too much sentiment on his part unless buying them frilly dresses is supposed to indicate a wealth of caring and other fuzzy emotions)? A teenage girl with powers she doesn't quite understand (these days I guess that's not too surprising...)? Um, dragons addicted to... brine? Shark people, which is not to say they are mer-people but with shark bottoms but instead that they are shark skinned and horrible things happen to them when they are dragged out of the brine-water?

I'll happily pick up the next book if it'll reveal more about the Brutalist and prince of the Unmer. I think Ianthe may even be growing on me (at last), now that she bared her teeth in the last few chapters. I also still can't get over just how grim and unappetizing the brine concept is. I also hope to see if the concept of the Drowned are delved into more in the next book. Guess I'll just have to wait until 2013 or whenever book two is slated to come out.(less)

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Jul 15, 2012 Kirsten rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, sci-fi, read-while-at-university, owned, re-readable

I can probably sum this book up in one sentence: It was pretty bloody amazing.

Initially when I picked it up I didn’t realise that it was the start of a series. Rather stupid of me, as it says in quite big letters right in the front ‘The Gravedigger Chronicles’. Clearly I forgot what chronicles meant.

I’m pleased there’s more to come. And I can’t wait.

It was just so different from everything I’ve ever read before. I mean I’ve heard people say that you can’t have an original idea anymore, because...more I can probably sum this book up in one sentence: It was pretty bloody amazing.

Initially when I picked it up I didn’t realise that it was the start of a series. Rather stupid of me, as it says in quite big letters right in the front ‘The Gravedigger Chronicles’. Clearly I forgot what chronicles meant.

I’m pleased there’s more to come. And I can’t wait.

It was just so different from everything I’ve ever read before. I mean I’ve heard people say that you can’t have an original idea anymore, because there have been so many books, and while I’m sure there’s some truth to that statement, for me, at least, this was an entirely original read.

~~That sentence was far too long and has far too many commas in it.~~

I don’t want to give too much away because I really think people should read it themselves, but just the idea that water, in this world, has become this thing that can kill you as easily as keep you alive was fascinating. And the characters were so complex and believable. The main antagonist is not one dimensional and in a rare twist you’re allowed insight into his motives behind his actions.

The world is hideous and beautiful in equal measure.

The book managed to that remarkable thing of finishing on a bit of a cliffhanger as well as being quite well wrapped up. Which I realise makes no sense so hang on:

It was a cliffhanger because you have no idea where the main characters are going and if they’re going to be okay for any measurable amount of time. But it was also neatly wrapped up because he didn’t leave loads of unnecessarily unresolved plot holes floating around, which I have to say is a huge issue in the realm of book series.

By only complaints are that occasionally in the middle the plot became a little stagnant, not for very long, I never despaired at reading it. Then at the other end of the spectrum, towards the end of the book, there was so much happening with so many different people that it was almost difficult to keep track of where you are and who you’re with.

In short, I’ll definitely be reading the next one, and in the meantime I may be checking out Alan Campbell’s back catalogue.
(less)

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Jul 25, 2012 arjuna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Vivid, imaginative, original, unpredictable, bleak, funny - characters that grow on you slowly, but surely, and a finely drawn world that teeters on the edge of making sense but never quite gives it up to the reader... not a bad thing at all, to my mind; a bit of mystery makes it more interesting. A lovely light touch in the writing that means all the underlying stuff, quite disturbing in parts, doesn't jump on you, but simmers away in the back of your mind until you really get a chance to reali...more

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Jan 12, 2013 James rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was a massive let down. Massive. And looking back, I don't know why I was surprised. I have experienced Campbell's writing once before, and came out of it feeling distinctly 'meh'. However, from the moment I heard about this book to the moment I started reading it, I was captivated by the ideas that he presented. It's just a shame that he let it down. Three Stars.

Plot : Four Stars

In concept, this was a five star book, however it's execution felt just like that; an execution.

Set in a world...more

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Mar 24, 2011 Ranting Dragon rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: stephan

http://www.rantingdragon.com/sea-of-g...

First in Alan Campbell’s new Gravedigger Chronicles, Sea of Ghosts is a mix of different genres. The novel starts as an adventurous work of low fantasy with steampunk elements, but soon moves into completely new territories of paranormal and even epic fantasy, with scientific elements that expand to make this novel resemble something I can only describe as ‘epic science fantasy’. All the while, Sea of Ghosts reads like a marine adventure written by Clive C...more

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Dec 25, 2010 Liviu rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011_release_read, review_fbc, genre-fantasy, read_2010

I have finished the book yesterday too (full rv 2011 around publication date) and I was mixed; the writing style does not chime with me many times and the characters in the book are pure stock with no depth - eg the frightened but very powerful girl, the honor, duty, bla..., officer relegated by caricature emperor Hu to exile...

Also there are so many over the top action sequences that happen because they need to happen...

There were moments I thought the book would break out for me and become a b...more

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May 28, 2013 Jamie Gibbs rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Sea of Ghosts was a very enjoyable book with an excellent set of characters and a brilliantly thought out setting. Though things seemed to fizzle out towards the end, it was a gripping adventure with plenty of action to sink your teeth into. It's a dark, fast paced story filled with intrigue, forbidden lore and corruption, and you'll enjoy every page of it.

Read the full review at Mithril Wisdom.

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Dec 13, 2011 Peter Greenwell rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Fast-paced action, weird and wacky steampunk settings, and it is occasionally gripping material. What it also possesses is a litany of characters who never transcend cardboard, periods where the writing is pedestrian (some poor editing at play too) and as with Campbell's prior three books, his imagination gets the better of him and logical flow goes out the window.

The good outweighs the bad - just, and it is a guilty pleasure of a read.

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Feb 22, 2012 Naomi rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Stunning start to his new series. Great plot. Great fantasy world. Love all the characters. And I see Campbell has another 'Devon the poisoner'-type character which I loved from the Deepgate Codex series. He does those charming psychopaths so well. The occasional continuity error where several weeks get compressed into 24hrs, and characters survive against impossible odds, but I can forgive him for that.
Looking forward to bk.2.

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Aug 08, 2012 Babsji5 rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook, fantasy

Mr.Campbell's Deepgate Codex hasn't interested me from reading the blurbs on them, but after finishing Sea of Ghosts, I might actually have to pick them up while waiting for the sequel. And might I just say, since he left the end of the book at such a cliffhanger, he aught ta had the sequel already written, not trying to finish it as his website says.

The story has a flawed hero, a child coming into balance upsetting powers, a decadent empire, poisonous rising waters, powerful arrogant saviors, a...more

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May 24, 2013 Darvin Martin rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm going to go on and give this 5 stars. Just read the Prologue and I am hooked already. This writer is amazing. Reminds me of Mieville's early Bas Lag series. Not everyone can pull off the weird fiction/mixed world settings but Campbell does it superbly.

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Dec 14, 2012 Hans Erik rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 5-star-fantasy

Liked it a lot.
Very interesting universe and just can't wait for the sequel.
About people in a harsh world who have no elution's about better ways until our anti hero figures he will give it a try!
Brutal and dark with a shimmer of light.

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Jan 20, 2013 Tasha rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Really interesting tale of a group of soldiers who find themselves on the wrong side of the Emperor and on the run. The sea is toxic and causes serious harm brought about by a race war.

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Jun 18, 2013 Mark rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I love a dark world. and this book's setting is GRIM! Poison seas cover the earth, dooming any one even touching the brine , to a painful conversion to a sea creature and/or death. and the seas are rising! Artifacts of a defeated magical race wait under the toxic sea for anyone brave, or desperate enough to plunder search for them. a decadent empire, a militant order of telepaths, rule the remnants of a world doomed to a toxic watery death. only a disgraced soldier, an opportunistic 'trove' hunt...more

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Apr 25, 2011 Matt rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Fantastic first half with Alan Campbells' typical rich world building and jaw dropping visual set pieces. It seemed to suffer in the middle sections, as some of the previous novels, with directionless sub plots seemingly designed just to move characters around for the end game. Much like Deepgate, in Scar Night he creates a mesmerising and exciting setting - the half drowned prison city of Euthugra in this case - and then abandons it half way through. However; a brilliant climax which I wish he...more

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Jun 04, 2012 Jason Blackwell rated it 5 of 5 stars

Absolutely top notch fantasy!
Not read any Alan Campbell before bu I'll definitely go back and pick up his Deepgate Codex trilogy now!
A brilliantly imagined baroque fantasy world...with an interesting level of technology and magic far different from the usual "high fantasy clones" a great hero, good villains and a lovely lyrical use of language that kept me turning the pages...
The only downside is that I've got to wait for the next book in the sequence...
Definately one to enjoy if you liked "Prin...more

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Jan 26, 2013 Wendy Hamnett rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

just could not get into it

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Dec 29, 2011 Basil rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

this is amazing!!

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Jul 17, 2012 Rebecka rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: own

Lite seg i början men blev grymt bra sen. Vill ha näsya bok....nuuuuuu!

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Jan 26, 2011 Yagiz Erkan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really liked Sea of Ghosts. Campbell put in place a brilliant setting.
More detailed review coming soon.

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Mar 17, 2013 jessindisguise rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I particularly liked the beach of keys...

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Jun 19, 2013 Stella Milnes marked it as to-read · review of another edition

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About Alan Campbell

I was born in Falkirk, Scotland, and grew up there, before moving on to to study Computer Science at Edinburgh University. After graduating, I worked for DMA Design, Visual Sciences and Rockstar, developing video games: Body Harvest for the Nintendo 64, Formula One 2000 for the Playstation, and the Grand Theft Auto series on the PC and PS2. After we'd finished Vice City, I left to pursue a career...more

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Sea of Ghosts (The Gravedigger Chronicles #1)

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