I have no feelings towards this book. It’s a decent story but the ending didn’t quite fit. I’m sure in the greater scheme of the books it will make more sense but as book one it seemed a bit of a switch. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters and even the possible twist wasn’t that shocking.

The book reminded me of Star Trek in some capacities while also having some very original pieces too. Malcom is an okay main character but he seems a little too surly and stuck in his ways. Zhaff on the other hand is all process and procedure with zero personality making it hard to connect with him on the whole.

The chasing down of a rebel cause in a new space exploration seems like something I’d truly enjoy. I liked Red Rising and this could be a little similar but I’m unsure if I will ever read further into this series. I do encourage you to try the book out of the synopsis captures you. It’s still worth the read and maybe you’ll want to see the adventure further.

Happy reading!!

I received this ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

Ive posted a full review on Goodreads, I'm looking forward to reading more from this author

This was a fun scifi mystery set on far off Titan. Humanity has spread itself among the stars and big corporations run the galaxy. Our maybe-hero, Malcolm, is working for one of these corporations and he’s set up against the terrorist organization known as the Children of Titan. He’s been paired up with Zhaff, a Cogent Initiate, which is kind of like an autistic cyborg. I was hooked on the story but really grew fascinated with it when Zhaff walked in.

The atmosphere of the story reminds me a bit of Blade Runner because it’s dark and grimy for much of it. Disease is a major problem for the far flung outposts like Titan. Even with all the microbial checkpoints in play, there are plenty who are ill and not getting the treatment they need. Others spend most of what they make on immunizations. The Children of Titan are pushing for better working conditions and healthcare. In this sense, the story could be taken as social commentary on modern-day USA. However, I chose to stay in the scifi world created, and not thinking too hard on the possible deeper meanings.

The one weakness of the story for me was the science bits. I think it would be far cheaper for the corporations to provide immunizations for the population instead of upkeep for all the microbial checkpoints, which obviously aren’t working. Plus, I think the basic science of diseases and how they spread wasn’t realistically represented in this story. If you can ignore the fiction in science fiction in this one area, the story is pretty good. However, my inner biologist had a hard time putting on the blinders.

I really liked Ryla, the info broker at the bar. Some intense scenes there. Really great! I think she could be a real force in the story, if allowed in later books. Malcolm and Zhaff are a great team, but I had to question if they were working for the right side… but then, is there a right side? And that aspect of the story really kept me guessing and I loved it. The tale does end on a big cliff hanger! Luckily, the next book is right there waiting. 4/5 stars.

The Narration: R. C. Bray is always a joy to listen to. In fact, that is why I picked this book up. He makes an excellent Malcolm, an older man of questionable morals in a tough position. I also liked his voice for Zhaff, a younger but more stand-offish man. Bray’s female voices work and he has a variety of voices for all characters. The pacing is perfect & there are no technical issues with this recording. 5/5 stars.

Note for Netgalley: The version I was given here was an ebook but I was suffering from a rare & serious medical condition back in 2016 and dropped the ball on this book. However, since then I have enjoyed the audiobook version and wanted to share that review here.

I'm not quite sure what to make of this book. On the one hand, I was drawn in by the characters and the initial action of the story. On the other hand, it become rather obvious - almost a cliché of the adventure/sci-fi genre.

We're a few centuries in the future and a meteor strike on Earth has wiped out a good section of the planet and humans have moved out into space and colonized nearby celestial bodies such as Mars and the moon Titan. Titan is a pretty hostile place and those born there have developmental issues and so the term "Titanborn" comes as negative slang.

Enter Malcolm Graves, a 'collector' (ie: bounty hunter). There's a rebellion going on, of 'Titanborn' - a group who are descendant from the first settlers. Graves is being paid to squash this rebellion. But he has to take along his new partner, Zhaff - an emotionally unresponsive character who brings humor to the story by his being not so funny.

The characters were quite fun. The contrast between Graves and Zhaff made for playful creativity and it's quite recognizable as the classic 'unwanted partner' type trope (think the original <em>Lethal Weapon</em> movie). Still, with the lovable rogue Graves (think Han Solo or Malcolm Reynolds) and the annoyingly by-the-book professional Zhaff, we had some nice contrasts and each was able to get the other out of jam simply because of their style.

The plot was serviceable. It got us from point A to point B but really this is about Malcolm Graves and how he reacts and interacts with those he comes in contact with.

I had a lot of fun here, even if the story isn't particularly memorable - this is not the sort of book that will stick with the reader for a long time afterward. And sometimes that's all you want from a book - to be entertained for the time that you're reading it. But in this sort of book, you want a complete story. Beginning, middle, and end. Unfortunately, we don't really get the end here because the desire is to make the reader want to get the next book. Know that, if you should decide to read this.

Looking for a good book? <em>Titanborn</em> by Rhett C. Bruno is a fun, lively book, playing on a lot of obvious tropes, that could be good for a quick sci-fi fix, but the ending is left open to force the reader into the next volume.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

A cleverly constructed tale of inter-planetary politics and terrorism with more than a touch of noir thriller (mash-up Maltese Falcon and Blade Runner maybe?). Romps along at a decent pace without leaving the reader adrift and comes to a fine twisty, leave 'em hanging ending...

Having read scifi for a great many years, it is a pleasure to read a book that, although it had a modern slant, was a good traditional story. There was a good mix of scifi, crime, thriller, action, and yet brought up to date. I wish it had been longer, and I wish it was the first of a series. The ending had me in tears. I had a review copy, but would happily have paid for this.