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Galahad #2
The Web of Titan
When the tail of the comet Bhaktul flicks through the Earth's atmosphere, deadly particles are left in its wake, and mankind is confronted with a virus that devastates the adult population. A renowned scientist proposes a bold plan: to build a ship that will carry a crew of 251 teenagers to a home in a distant solar system. Two years later,Galahad and its crew is launched. If their mission fails, it will be the end of the human race…
After triumphing over a saboteur bent on destroying Galahad, Triana and her Council are eager to avoid any further complications. But as Galahad swings around the ringed planet Saturn, they encounter a mysterious metal pod orbiting the moon of Titan. The teens prepare to bring the pod and its contents aboard, only to be faced with a another crisis: an illness that is beyond their medical experience. Dozens of crew members fall into a comatose state, only to awaken with strangely glowing eyes. To make matters worse, the systems of Galahad begin to fail. With time running out, can Triana and her shipmates escape the Web of Titan?
272 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2005
8 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
About the author
Dom Testa
34 books92 followersI write fiction and nonfiction, and I publish under a variety of pen names.
My latest is "Let It Be Good: Simple Insights for a Satisfied Life."
Also:
The Eric Swan series of spy thrillers
The Galahad series of young adult sf, published under the name Tyber North
Middle-grade fiction under the pen name Buster Blank
Trivia/fun fact books under the name Billy B. Good
See almost all of it at DomTestaBooks.com.
My latest is "Let It Be Good: Simple Insights for a Satisfied Life."
Also:
The Eric Swan series of spy thrillers
The Galahad series of young adult sf, published under the name Tyber North
Middle-grade fiction under the pen name Buster Blank
Trivia/fun fact books under the name Billy B. Good
See almost all of it at DomTestaBooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
May 26, 2011
While not quite as fast paced and interesting as the first book, I did enjoy this one and will definitely read the next one. I think part of the lack for me was the disconnection with Earth and the missing physical immediacy of the danger. Otherwise, the adventure was fairly solid and the science fiction aspect fascinating.
I loved the fact that the author obviously researched enough to make things believable, but didn't bog down the story with detailed descriptions that didn't fit in with the rest of the plot. It was excellent that he chose to make the aliens not only non-humanoid, but non-human in their behavior as well. It would give away too much if I went into a lot of detail, but the Cassini are very obviously not at all like the human race and thus don't think like us. It's very difficult to write about aliens especially without either providing too much or too little information about their background and history, but the author does an excellent job with this race.
The biggest issue I had was the romantic tension between Bon, Triana and Gap. I don't remember Bon and Triana doing more than hugging at a critical moment in the last book. That could have been an entirely friendly gesture and needn't have set off all the angst that Gap and Triana were displaying at different stages in the book. Bon does exhibit some uncertainty about the state of his relationship with Tree as well, which given his character and what he goes through in the book, was a bit forced to me. In truth, the author seems to be trying to insert a romance where one isn't naturally appearing while he is writing. The stuff with Gap's new interest later in the book works fairly well, although still a bit awkward, but Triana and Bon just feels thrown together for the sake of plot.
Again, I don't remember any cursing. There's even less violence in this one although there is the threat of them blowing up. There's a kiss or two, but nothing more than that. I think the hints about what teens might get up to in space alone were even mostly absent.
I loved the fact that the author obviously researched enough to make things believable, but didn't bog down the story with detailed descriptions that didn't fit in with the rest of the plot. It was excellent that he chose to make the aliens not only non-humanoid, but non-human in their behavior as well. It would give away too much if I went into a lot of detail, but the Cassini are very obviously not at all like the human race and thus don't think like us. It's very difficult to write about aliens especially without either providing too much or too little information about their background and history, but the author does an excellent job with this race.
The biggest issue I had was the romantic tension between Bon, Triana and Gap. I don't remember Bon and Triana doing more than hugging at a critical moment in the last book. That could have been an entirely friendly gesture and needn't have set off all the angst that Gap and Triana were displaying at different stages in the book. Bon does exhibit some uncertainty about the state of his relationship with Tree as well, which given his character and what he goes through in the book, was a bit forced to me. In truth, the author seems to be trying to insert a romance where one isn't naturally appearing while he is writing. The stuff with Gap's new interest later in the book works fairly well, although still a bit awkward, but Triana and Bon just feels thrown together for the sake of plot.
Again, I don't remember any cursing. There's even less violence in this one although there is the threat of them blowing up. There's a kiss or two, but nothing more than that. I think the hints about what teens might get up to in space alone were even mostly absent.
April 4, 2012
Originally Reviewed on The Book Smugglers: http://thebooksmugglers.com/2012/03/b...
Review Note: This review is for both THE COMET'S CURSE and THE WEB OF TITAN (spoiler-free).
In the not-too-distant future, a rogue comet is spotted by a group of amateur stargazers, one that would pass and just miss the Earth’s orbit by a few hundred thousand kilometers. The world watched in marvel as the tail of comet Bhaktul lit up the sky as it burned through the Earth’s atmosphere, causing a global light show of unparalleled beauty. Soon after the comet’s passage, however, people all over the planet start to exhibit flu-like symptoms, followed by respiratory distress and ultimately death. After months of the strange global pandemic, researchers discover that it was particles from the tail of Bhaktul that are responsible for the mounting deaths.
This earth-shattering discovery is followed by even grimmer news – there is no cure for Bhaktul’s wake, and there is no escape. The particles from the comet’s tail have permeated the global atmosphere, and it is only a matter of time – scant years – before everyone dies. The only exception to the illness? An inexplicable immunity in children under the age of 18. In a last ditch effort to save the human race, mankind unites in a project of incredible scope and daring vision – the creation of a space ship, called the Galahad, to shuttle 251 teens to a new home around a distant star. The best and the brightest from around the globe are selected for the mission, each groomed with specialties in different areas, from agriculture to fitness and nutrition, and after three years of preparation, the Galahad makes its historic launch and leaves Earth behind forever.
In The Comet’s Curse follows the launch of these 251 teens as they embark for the stars. Completely on their own for a mission of five years is no easy feat, but with a leader like Triana and a team of razor-sharp witted council members like Lita, Gap, and Bon, as well as with the help of a superintelligent navigational computer named Roc (with a wicked sense of humor), the journey is in good hands. That is…until shortly after launch, and one startled teen says he saw a man on the ship. And then the messages start – ominous notes left for the teens, acts of vandalism that threaten the safety and integrity of the ship. Someone has stowed away on The Galahad, and it’s up to the intrepid crew of teens to figure out who and stop him before it’s too late.
In Book 2, The Web of Titan, the crew of the Galahad has survived their stowaway encounter and have moved along their trip to the ringed gas giant Saturn, four months into their journey. Slingshotting around the planet, the crew also picks up a payload that has been left behind by a human research outpost studying moon Titan. The teens know nothing about Titan and the researchers there, just that the crew mysteriously lost contact with the Earth before the launch of the Galahad. Hannah, one of the science and math minded of the Galahad crew, notices an anomaly in the data emitting from Titan that must have something to do with the payload – a strange, but undeniable beam of energy that has been focused on the Galahad. When the crew intercept the pod left behind by Sat33, though, things aboard the ship are in danger once again. Some of the crew start to report migranes, followed by a period of coma and then awaken with bizarrely glowing eyes. The ship’s systems begin to malfunction, threatening the life support systems on the ship and the 251 souls aboard it. With time running out, it is up to the intrepid crew to discover the truth of the Sat33 team, and how the Galahad can avoid its fate.
Well folks, color me happy. I truly, honestly loved the first two books in this series and think I have a new obsession to burn through (hence this double review, since I couldn’t stop myself from reaching for The Web of Titan once I had finished The Comet’s Curse).
As far as apocalyptic scenarios go, astronomical disasters are my favorite flavor of the end of the world. I loved that Bhaktul’s particular brand of apocalypse means the end of the world, not through a dramatic impact of the planet, but through a slow killing disease from which there is no escape or cure, except off the Earth itself. The twin themes of these books are those of hope, and that is so damn cool in a post-apocalyptic novel. Essentially, the Galahad books are post-apocalyptic and incredibly sad – the Earth and all those souls on her surface have been obliterated. All vestiges of human civilization and its vast history and cultures will be lost forever as no one is safe from Bhaktul’s reach. But the efforts of humanity to preserve some memory of itself and to give children a chance at a future? That is awesome and shamelessly optimistic, and I’m not ashamed to say it warmed my jaded, science fiction loving heart. In The Comet’s Curse we flash back and forth between realtime on the Galahad as the teens leave earth behind and the past, as human adults squabble with politics and the reality of selecting a crew and preparing them for their journey. The time and perspective jumping technique is wonderfully effective, building tension and providing insight to the selection process and rationale behind the Galahad mission. In The Web of Titan, the narrative is linear and regularly structured, but every bit as engaging as the first novel as the stakes are upped and real danger faces our crew of heroes and heroines. Common to both books is the interspliced narration of Roc, the artificial intelligence that pilots and regulates the ship; a supercomputer with a lighthearted, wisecracking personality. To steal from a review of the series from Booklist on the jacket copy, Roc’s narration essentially is our Greek Chorus, adding narrative and thematic insight to the story (in an undeniably fun and slightly zany way).
Beyond the plotting, the actual science behind the story is engaging though on the lighter side, as actual technical aspects of space travel and technology are not fully explained. We know that this version of humanity can build a super spaceship capable of making it to the distant stars without too much trouble, and in just five years these teens will arrive at a distant solar system using a combination of ion engines and solar sails to get there, slingshotting around the large planets in the solar system to aid the speed at which the Galahad travels through space. There are talking supercomputers, artificial gravity devices, and so on, and the myriad problems of space travel (the slow reality of travel via propulsion engines, the atrophy effects of living in low gravity, the effects of prolonged exposure to radiation, the micrometeoroids that could pepper and devastate a ship) are handily ignored. That said, I actually like and appreciate the line that The Comet’s Curse and The Web of Titan straddle, not completely ignoring science, but implementing mysterious technologies that acknowledge and explain away any of those pesky issues that hamper space travel today.
And then, there are the characters. I *love* our diverse cast of crew members aboard the Galahad, both in terms of their widely different personalities, and with regard to their backgrounds and ethnicities. It makes sense that a last ditch group of humans should be from as diverse a genetic pool as possible, and the crew of the Galahad reflects that conscious choice, with characters from different parts of the world of different cultures, races, and creeds. My favorite of the crew is of course Triana (Tree), the leader of the Galahad mission, as she struggles with the burden of caring for her fellow shipmates. Of course, a ship full of teenager also means that there are romantic entanglements afoot, and I can’t help but also love Gap, the engineer Council member hopelessly in love with Tree (though he’s afraid to say anything to betray his feelings to the girl who is always in charge, cool and collected). Adding to the cast is the bubbly Channy (head of nutrition and well-being, urging everyone on the ship to stick to a strict exercise regimen), the quietly contemplative Lita (head of medical on the ship), and the surly Bon (agricultural leader with an attitude problem, and interestingly, one side of the inevitable love triangle between Triana and Gap). I love ensembles when they are done well, and the crew of the Galahad has the hallmarks of a great group cast. My only concern is that with such a large group of characters, time with each of them is brief, especially as the story expands to secondary and tertiary members. Over the six books of the series, however, I hope that we get to spend more time with each of the characters.
Overall, I really, really enjoyed this series, and I cannot wait to continue with the rest of the books. Absolutely recommended – if you haven’t heard of the Galahad books (or like me were momentarily thrown by the series covers), you should check it out.
Review Note: This review is for both THE COMET'S CURSE and THE WEB OF TITAN (spoiler-free).
In the not-too-distant future, a rogue comet is spotted by a group of amateur stargazers, one that would pass and just miss the Earth’s orbit by a few hundred thousand kilometers. The world watched in marvel as the tail of comet Bhaktul lit up the sky as it burned through the Earth’s atmosphere, causing a global light show of unparalleled beauty. Soon after the comet’s passage, however, people all over the planet start to exhibit flu-like symptoms, followed by respiratory distress and ultimately death. After months of the strange global pandemic, researchers discover that it was particles from the tail of Bhaktul that are responsible for the mounting deaths.
This earth-shattering discovery is followed by even grimmer news – there is no cure for Bhaktul’s wake, and there is no escape. The particles from the comet’s tail have permeated the global atmosphere, and it is only a matter of time – scant years – before everyone dies. The only exception to the illness? An inexplicable immunity in children under the age of 18. In a last ditch effort to save the human race, mankind unites in a project of incredible scope and daring vision – the creation of a space ship, called the Galahad, to shuttle 251 teens to a new home around a distant star. The best and the brightest from around the globe are selected for the mission, each groomed with specialties in different areas, from agriculture to fitness and nutrition, and after three years of preparation, the Galahad makes its historic launch and leaves Earth behind forever.
In The Comet’s Curse follows the launch of these 251 teens as they embark for the stars. Completely on their own for a mission of five years is no easy feat, but with a leader like Triana and a team of razor-sharp witted council members like Lita, Gap, and Bon, as well as with the help of a superintelligent navigational computer named Roc (with a wicked sense of humor), the journey is in good hands. That is…until shortly after launch, and one startled teen says he saw a man on the ship. And then the messages start – ominous notes left for the teens, acts of vandalism that threaten the safety and integrity of the ship. Someone has stowed away on The Galahad, and it’s up to the intrepid crew of teens to figure out who and stop him before it’s too late.
In Book 2, The Web of Titan, the crew of the Galahad has survived their stowaway encounter and have moved along their trip to the ringed gas giant Saturn, four months into their journey. Slingshotting around the planet, the crew also picks up a payload that has been left behind by a human research outpost studying moon Titan. The teens know nothing about Titan and the researchers there, just that the crew mysteriously lost contact with the Earth before the launch of the Galahad. Hannah, one of the science and math minded of the Galahad crew, notices an anomaly in the data emitting from Titan that must have something to do with the payload – a strange, but undeniable beam of energy that has been focused on the Galahad. When the crew intercept the pod left behind by Sat33, though, things aboard the ship are in danger once again. Some of the crew start to report migranes, followed by a period of coma and then awaken with bizarrely glowing eyes. The ship’s systems begin to malfunction, threatening the life support systems on the ship and the 251 souls aboard it. With time running out, it is up to the intrepid crew to discover the truth of the Sat33 team, and how the Galahad can avoid its fate.
Well folks, color me happy. I truly, honestly loved the first two books in this series and think I have a new obsession to burn through (hence this double review, since I couldn’t stop myself from reaching for The Web of Titan once I had finished The Comet’s Curse).
As far as apocalyptic scenarios go, astronomical disasters are my favorite flavor of the end of the world. I loved that Bhaktul’s particular brand of apocalypse means the end of the world, not through a dramatic impact of the planet, but through a slow killing disease from which there is no escape or cure, except off the Earth itself. The twin themes of these books are those of hope, and that is so damn cool in a post-apocalyptic novel. Essentially, the Galahad books are post-apocalyptic and incredibly sad – the Earth and all those souls on her surface have been obliterated. All vestiges of human civilization and its vast history and cultures will be lost forever as no one is safe from Bhaktul’s reach. But the efforts of humanity to preserve some memory of itself and to give children a chance at a future? That is awesome and shamelessly optimistic, and I’m not ashamed to say it warmed my jaded, science fiction loving heart. In The Comet’s Curse we flash back and forth between realtime on the Galahad as the teens leave earth behind and the past, as human adults squabble with politics and the reality of selecting a crew and preparing them for their journey. The time and perspective jumping technique is wonderfully effective, building tension and providing insight to the selection process and rationale behind the Galahad mission. In The Web of Titan, the narrative is linear and regularly structured, but every bit as engaging as the first novel as the stakes are upped and real danger faces our crew of heroes and heroines. Common to both books is the interspliced narration of Roc, the artificial intelligence that pilots and regulates the ship; a supercomputer with a lighthearted, wisecracking personality. To steal from a review of the series from Booklist on the jacket copy, Roc’s narration essentially is our Greek Chorus, adding narrative and thematic insight to the story (in an undeniably fun and slightly zany way).
Beyond the plotting, the actual science behind the story is engaging though on the lighter side, as actual technical aspects of space travel and technology are not fully explained. We know that this version of humanity can build a super spaceship capable of making it to the distant stars without too much trouble, and in just five years these teens will arrive at a distant solar system using a combination of ion engines and solar sails to get there, slingshotting around the large planets in the solar system to aid the speed at which the Galahad travels through space. There are talking supercomputers, artificial gravity devices, and so on, and the myriad problems of space travel (the slow reality of travel via propulsion engines, the atrophy effects of living in low gravity, the effects of prolonged exposure to radiation, the micrometeoroids that could pepper and devastate a ship) are handily ignored. That said, I actually like and appreciate the line that The Comet’s Curse and The Web of Titan straddle, not completely ignoring science, but implementing mysterious technologies that acknowledge and explain away any of those pesky issues that hamper space travel today.
And then, there are the characters. I *love* our diverse cast of crew members aboard the Galahad, both in terms of their widely different personalities, and with regard to their backgrounds and ethnicities. It makes sense that a last ditch group of humans should be from as diverse a genetic pool as possible, and the crew of the Galahad reflects that conscious choice, with characters from different parts of the world of different cultures, races, and creeds. My favorite of the crew is of course Triana (Tree), the leader of the Galahad mission, as she struggles with the burden of caring for her fellow shipmates. Of course, a ship full of teenager also means that there are romantic entanglements afoot, and I can’t help but also love Gap, the engineer Council member hopelessly in love with Tree (though he’s afraid to say anything to betray his feelings to the girl who is always in charge, cool and collected). Adding to the cast is the bubbly Channy (head of nutrition and well-being, urging everyone on the ship to stick to a strict exercise regimen), the quietly contemplative Lita (head of medical on the ship), and the surly Bon (agricultural leader with an attitude problem, and interestingly, one side of the inevitable love triangle between Triana and Gap). I love ensembles when they are done well, and the crew of the Galahad has the hallmarks of a great group cast. My only concern is that with such a large group of characters, time with each of them is brief, especially as the story expands to secondary and tertiary members. Over the six books of the series, however, I hope that we get to spend more time with each of the characters.
Overall, I really, really enjoyed this series, and I cannot wait to continue with the rest of the books. Absolutely recommended – if you haven’t heard of the Galahad books (or like me were momentarily thrown by the series covers), you should check it out.
August 8, 2022
In my review of The Comet’s Curse, I identified my issues with Roc: His humor is forced, and his monologues tend to over-explain everything (so, tell vs. show). This is continued in The Web of Titan. Furthermore, there’s a serious issue of repetition; it feels like every other sentence in the first half of the book mentions how much of a mystery the pod is. The reader does not need to be told it’s a mystery over and over again.
But though there are several flaws, I’ll always hold a special place in my heart for the Galahad series. And just like with The Comet’s Curse, The Web of Titan captivated me all the way through, so much so that I read it in one day.
But though there are several flaws, I’ll always hold a special place in my heart for the Galahad series. And just like with The Comet’s Curse, The Web of Titan captivated me all the way through, so much so that I read it in one day.
October 29, 2020
Book #152 in the year 2020
Ok... I just have to say that at first I wasn't sure I was going to like this series. In book 1 I kind of got invested in a few of the characters and had to start book 2 just to see what happened. However, I really think I've come to like this series so far. ROC is my favorite character by far. I do believe he is the one I am most in love with. Leave it to me to fall in love with a computer!! LOL.
I can't wait to pick up the next book and see what is in store for our brave kids of Galahad.
Ok... I just have to say that at first I wasn't sure I was going to like this series. In book 1 I kind of got invested in a few of the characters and had to start book 2 just to see what happened. However, I really think I've come to like this series so far. ROC is my favorite character by far. I do believe he is the one I am most in love with. Leave it to me to fall in love with a computer!! LOL.
I can't wait to pick up the next book and see what is in store for our brave kids of Galahad.
December 30, 2016
A little predictable, but still a good, young adult story. Clean.
April 29, 2016
The Web of Titian is the second book in the Galahad series. It continues with the story in the first book, The Comet’s Curse, with the continuation of 251 teenagers on their five-year journey to a new planet to start a new life. The book leaves off of the teen’s first problem on their ship, The Galahad, which is one of the scientists trying to sabotage the ship. After the ship is back in order, the story starts with the kids on their last stretch of seeing the last sign of humans after leaving earth from the deadly Bahktul disease. The teens are now on their way out of the solar system and to pass Titian, one of Saturn’s moons. The kids then learn that everybody in the satellite orbiting Titian are now dead, and the mystery starts. The book is full of surprises and twists around every corner, until the teens learn what is occurring on the Web of Titian.
The story takes place about 200 years in the future, after a comet as passed next to Earth and polluted the atmosphere with the deadly Bahktul disease. The only catch is that anybody under the age of 18 are immune to the disease, and so they entire world sends a ship full of 251 teenagers to colonize a distant planet, much like our own. The Web of Titian takes place in space between Earth and Saturn, just before the ship is about to leave the solar system after their first incident in the first book with one of the scientists that helped with the ship. The main characters of the book are a group of kids that is in charge of the ship. The issues that the characters face in the story start when the ship passes by the one of Saturn’s moons, Titian, and some of the passengers start becoming mysteriously ill. The leaders of the ship must find out what is causing this illness, before it is too late.
After more and more people have to the illness, the crew starts taking a closer look at why the satellite orbiting Titian got shut down. They then discover messages left by the crew of the satellite that tell something is up with the moon, and something may happen to the ship, if the problem is not handled with soon enough.
I will have to say, that I liked this book very much, but had a rough time getting through it. You would think that with a mystery going on and the subtle clues given out, that it would be easy to get through. This was not this case for my. I do not know if it was the fact that a odd love story kept coming up, or that we had pointless parts like discussions in the cafeteria. The good thing that was a huge plus to the story was the fact that it kept getting better and better the more I read. One thing that I must say is that the story is in no way predictable because of the large randomness factor that is thrown in. This may be a good thing or may be a bad thing considering it is a little too random and somewhat hard to believe. Even though all of this randomness factor is thrown into the book, I do believe that it ended in a very proper and exciting way.
I believe that I would not recommend this book to another student. Before I read this book, I had finished the first in the series, The Comet’s Curse, and was very pleased about how amazing that book was. To this day that is one of my favorite books, and I was very excited to read the second, until I actually read it and was not as enthusiastic about how the story went. I was more disappointed than excited about reading this one. Even though I have said enough bad things, I would still give it a 4-star rating just because of the first book wanting me to read on, and the funny factors of the book, like the fact that there was a cat in an escape pod that landed on their ship. Something like that is too funny to not rate it good.
The story takes place about 200 years in the future, after a comet as passed next to Earth and polluted the atmosphere with the deadly Bahktul disease. The only catch is that anybody under the age of 18 are immune to the disease, and so they entire world sends a ship full of 251 teenagers to colonize a distant planet, much like our own. The Web of Titian takes place in space between Earth and Saturn, just before the ship is about to leave the solar system after their first incident in the first book with one of the scientists that helped with the ship. The main characters of the book are a group of kids that is in charge of the ship. The issues that the characters face in the story start when the ship passes by the one of Saturn’s moons, Titian, and some of the passengers start becoming mysteriously ill. The leaders of the ship must find out what is causing this illness, before it is too late.
After more and more people have to the illness, the crew starts taking a closer look at why the satellite orbiting Titian got shut down. They then discover messages left by the crew of the satellite that tell something is up with the moon, and something may happen to the ship, if the problem is not handled with soon enough.
I will have to say, that I liked this book very much, but had a rough time getting through it. You would think that with a mystery going on and the subtle clues given out, that it would be easy to get through. This was not this case for my. I do not know if it was the fact that a odd love story kept coming up, or that we had pointless parts like discussions in the cafeteria. The good thing that was a huge plus to the story was the fact that it kept getting better and better the more I read. One thing that I must say is that the story is in no way predictable because of the large randomness factor that is thrown in. This may be a good thing or may be a bad thing considering it is a little too random and somewhat hard to believe. Even though all of this randomness factor is thrown into the book, I do believe that it ended in a very proper and exciting way.
I believe that I would not recommend this book to another student. Before I read this book, I had finished the first in the series, The Comet’s Curse, and was very pleased about how amazing that book was. To this day that is one of my favorite books, and I was very excited to read the second, until I actually read it and was not as enthusiastic about how the story went. I was more disappointed than excited about reading this one. Even though I have said enough bad things, I would still give it a 4-star rating just because of the first book wanting me to read on, and the funny factors of the book, like the fact that there was a cat in an escape pod that landed on their ship. Something like that is too funny to not rate it good.
March 29, 2016
In my review of the first book, The Comet’s Curse, I mentioned wanting to be shown more of what life on the Galahad was like and wanting less of the author telling us about it. Guess who delivered?
Four months after the incident with the stowaway, the crew of the Galahad is preparing for a last-minute addition to their schedule. As they jet past Saturn, they’re to pick up a pod sent planet-side from a team of scientists studying the planet for signs of life. Sounds routine enough. Of course, that doesn’t account for the mysterious message that Lita, who’s in charge of Medical, receives from Earth. Or the lack of tangible data about what the group of 30 scientists were studying. Or even the strange illness affecting a couple dozen crew members, including Bon.
By this point the crew has fallen into a sense of normalcy. There is no longer a collective feeling of grief settling on their shoulders, but one of determination. The Council members–Lita, Bon, Gap, Triana and Channy–have worked hard to keep things running smoothly for the ship. And as predicted, interpersonal relationships have developed, which is perfectly normal in any group of teenagers, let alone those who will be living together in relatively small space for five years.
I had definite moments of irritation with Triana; she would begin to worry over a new threat to the ship and then just begin brooding over Bon. Since their emotional embrace four months earlier, the two have avoided each other in every way but the most professional. This upsets her and makes her feel at a loss. Add to it Gap has put a distance to her as well (though she doesn’t know he saw her and Bon hugging), and she’s all over the place in terms of emotional need.
Lita and Channy are given more to do in this book than the last; Lita is busy trying to figure out the mysterious illness that has sprung up for no logical reason, while Channy is busy trying to keep the Council together as a whole. I don’t know whether it’s a conscious thing or not for her, but she doesn’t like seeing tensions and does her best to mitigate those moments with humor and chatter.
Adding to the mix is Hannah, a girl from Alaska who is a genius (literally) with science. She’s the one who first notices the strange correlations between the events on board and the events on Saturn with the scientists. She notices that more is happening to the ill crew members than simple space sickness. She also gives them a solution. I liked her immensely; in a quiet way she insinuated herself in the group and became a real asset.
The ramifications of what happens in this book are hinted at by Roc, the AI who runs the ship’s computer and autonomic functions, in his commentaries. Testa cut back on his observations quite a bit from the first book, but Roc stills makes his presence known and supplies hints and details in a clever, amusing way.
The next book due out is The Cassini Code in November, and book four is due out next March, currently titled The Dark Zone (I’m sure it has no relation whatsoever with the Canadian sci-fi comedy romp Lexx). From the descriptions it sounds as if there’s a reckoning and tough decisions ahead that could make or break this troop.
Four months after the incident with the stowaway, the crew of the Galahad is preparing for a last-minute addition to their schedule. As they jet past Saturn, they’re to pick up a pod sent planet-side from a team of scientists studying the planet for signs of life. Sounds routine enough. Of course, that doesn’t account for the mysterious message that Lita, who’s in charge of Medical, receives from Earth. Or the lack of tangible data about what the group of 30 scientists were studying. Or even the strange illness affecting a couple dozen crew members, including Bon.
By this point the crew has fallen into a sense of normalcy. There is no longer a collective feeling of grief settling on their shoulders, but one of determination. The Council members–Lita, Bon, Gap, Triana and Channy–have worked hard to keep things running smoothly for the ship. And as predicted, interpersonal relationships have developed, which is perfectly normal in any group of teenagers, let alone those who will be living together in relatively small space for five years.
I had definite moments of irritation with Triana; she would begin to worry over a new threat to the ship and then just begin brooding over Bon. Since their emotional embrace four months earlier, the two have avoided each other in every way but the most professional. This upsets her and makes her feel at a loss. Add to it Gap has put a distance to her as well (though she doesn’t know he saw her and Bon hugging), and she’s all over the place in terms of emotional need.
Lita and Channy are given more to do in this book than the last; Lita is busy trying to figure out the mysterious illness that has sprung up for no logical reason, while Channy is busy trying to keep the Council together as a whole. I don’t know whether it’s a conscious thing or not for her, but she doesn’t like seeing tensions and does her best to mitigate those moments with humor and chatter.
Adding to the mix is Hannah, a girl from Alaska who is a genius (literally) with science. She’s the one who first notices the strange correlations between the events on board and the events on Saturn with the scientists. She notices that more is happening to the ill crew members than simple space sickness. She also gives them a solution. I liked her immensely; in a quiet way she insinuated herself in the group and became a real asset.
The ramifications of what happens in this book are hinted at by Roc, the AI who runs the ship’s computer and autonomic functions, in his commentaries. Testa cut back on his observations quite a bit from the first book, but Roc stills makes his presence known and supplies hints and details in a clever, amusing way.
The next book due out is The Cassini Code in November, and book four is due out next March, currently titled The Dark Zone (I’m sure it has no relation whatsoever with the Canadian sci-fi comedy romp Lexx). From the descriptions it sounds as if there’s a reckoning and tough decisions ahead that could make or break this troop.
November 18, 2020
"These are oceans of liquid methane. But bubbling around in that poisonous soup are a lot of the building blocks that eventually led to life on Earth billions of years ago."
Proving once again that books can be both fun and informative! LOL But, seriously, I love the way the author balances interesting stories and compelling characters with real science.
And, being honest, real science fiction, because we actually start dealing with aliens in this book and I'm super excited as to what that means for the rest of the series.
The scientist had insisted that Galahad embrace a culturally diverse crew, and Gap appreciated it more every day. Kaya not only possessed a razor sharp mind, but also had a talent for painting vivid mental images of her people's way of life.
Much like the first book, no matter how compelling and readable the plot is, the characters are what make it for me. I like all five of the main characters and haven't had a bit of problem with anyone else.
The diversity is great. So many of the characters are POC and where they're from actually has bearing on who they are. The characters are all different and they are certainly products of where/how they grew up.
But, there's also signs of a character that has OCD which I think is an absolutely brilliant inclusion!
Her tray, covered with remnants of a lunch that was mostly picked over, was lined up flush to the side of the table. Her work pad, covered with scribbled figures and hastily added notes, was aligned squarely with the front edge.
These are also characters that are oddly aware of how crazy certain things are.
And now the love triangle - a corny expression, she admitted, but the only one that seemed to fit the circumstances - was exposed in a way that prevented her from escaping.
I won't say this book was perfect - and, in fact, one of the guys annoyed me painfully for most of the book. But my issues seemed almost irrelevant to how much I enjoyed this story. And, yes, it might not have been perfect, but it was perfect for me to read at that time.
(Originally posted on my blog: pagesofstarlight.blogspot.com)
Proving once again that books can be both fun and informative! LOL But, seriously, I love the way the author balances interesting stories and compelling characters with real science.
And, being honest, real science fiction, because we actually start dealing with aliens in this book and I'm super excited as to what that means for the rest of the series.
The scientist had insisted that Galahad embrace a culturally diverse crew, and Gap appreciated it more every day. Kaya not only possessed a razor sharp mind, but also had a talent for painting vivid mental images of her people's way of life.
Much like the first book, no matter how compelling and readable the plot is, the characters are what make it for me. I like all five of the main characters and haven't had a bit of problem with anyone else.
The diversity is great. So many of the characters are POC and where they're from actually has bearing on who they are. The characters are all different and they are certainly products of where/how they grew up.
But, there's also signs of a character that has OCD which I think is an absolutely brilliant inclusion!
Her tray, covered with remnants of a lunch that was mostly picked over, was lined up flush to the side of the table. Her work pad, covered with scribbled figures and hastily added notes, was aligned squarely with the front edge.
These are also characters that are oddly aware of how crazy certain things are.
And now the love triangle - a corny expression, she admitted, but the only one that seemed to fit the circumstances - was exposed in a way that prevented her from escaping.
I won't say this book was perfect - and, in fact, one of the guys annoyed me painfully for most of the book. But my issues seemed almost irrelevant to how much I enjoyed this story. And, yes, it might not have been perfect, but it was perfect for me to read at that time.
(Originally posted on my blog: pagesofstarlight.blogspot.com)
July 23, 2010
The second book the Galahad Series and I have to say, I liked it better than the first one! The first book was setting the stage, introducing the characters, and in general laying the ground work for the coming books.
The Web of Titan jumps in to the story, assuming you have a basic idea of what has come before and who these characters are. This books focuses on the core characters, with a few secondary characters. I found that this focus made the story feel more connected, I had "people" to connect with, to route for, and to care for. By far the best character is Roc, the snarky computer, but the human characters are more developed, more fleshed out, and more complete, making the contest for best character tighter.
I like how the science of this voyage, the moon of Titan, and Saturn are incorporated into the story. It does not feel like a science lecture, but it makes me want to go out and learn more about the moons of Saturn, see the pictures of Titan.
The concept of alien life in our solar system is intriguing...and one that is so vastly different than humans is not only logical, but the way Mr Testa describes the Cassini makes the reader really think about why we as humans assume that other intelligent life must be similar in form and function to ourselves.
As the crew of the Galahad work together to advert yet another disaster, they learn more about themselves and it starts to really sink in that they really are the only ones left...and what happens next is all up to them. As they leave our known solar system, we the reader know that there will be more challenges ahead for our crew...but how many will be from an outside force and how many will be from the interpersonal dynamics of having 251 teenagers (plus one cat) living in one space.
And now that the Cassini know about the plague back on earth...will they do anything to assist? If so, will there be any way to let those on the Galahad know? Will that change the future of the Galahad's mission?
The Web of Titan jumps in to the story, assuming you have a basic idea of what has come before and who these characters are. This books focuses on the core characters, with a few secondary characters. I found that this focus made the story feel more connected, I had "people" to connect with, to route for, and to care for. By far the best character is Roc, the snarky computer, but the human characters are more developed, more fleshed out, and more complete, making the contest for best character tighter.
I like how the science of this voyage, the moon of Titan, and Saturn are incorporated into the story. It does not feel like a science lecture, but it makes me want to go out and learn more about the moons of Saturn, see the pictures of Titan.
The concept of alien life in our solar system is intriguing...and one that is so vastly different than humans is not only logical, but the way Mr Testa describes the Cassini makes the reader really think about why we as humans assume that other intelligent life must be similar in form and function to ourselves.
As the crew of the Galahad work together to advert yet another disaster, they learn more about themselves and it starts to really sink in that they really are the only ones left...and what happens next is all up to them. As they leave our known solar system, we the reader know that there will be more challenges ahead for our crew...but how many will be from an outside force and how many will be from the interpersonal dynamics of having 251 teenagers (plus one cat) living in one space.
And now that the Cassini know about the plague back on earth...will they do anything to assist? If so, will there be any way to let those on the Galahad know? Will that change the future of the Galahad's mission?
February 18, 2010
Life on Galahad has calmed down considerably since the saboteur was defeated. As the teenagers settle in on their voyage, they quite naturally begin to think and talk about romance. But things are not destined to remain calm. Galahad is close to Saturn where they are asked to pick up a pod from a research station orbiting the planet. They have no idea about what’s in the pod, or about what happened to the people in the research station who mysteriously stopped transmitting to Earth at approximately the same time Galahad left the planet.
When they get the pod in the ship they discover an empty cryogenic chamber and a smaller chamber with a cat inside. They revive the cat, but can’t help but wonder what happened to the human who was obviously meant for the other chamber. In addition, strange things are beginning to happen on board Galahad. Some crewmembers are reporting excruciating headaches, eventually becoming unconscious and then waking up with glowing eyes. And systems aboard the ship are mysteriously malfunctioning, threatening the ship’s survival. Without help from Earth, the crew has to figure out what happened to the original research station in order to try and save their ship.
I really enjoyed the first book of this series, The Comet’s Curse, and I also enjoyed this installment. I especially like the characters – they are diverse both culturally and personality. It will be interesting to see how these characters develop as they progress on their journey. That said, this is a series book and it reads like one. It doesn’t stand alone and you are left waiting for the next installment. I know that the romances on board are important to the development of the characters but I hope that Testa will concentrate on the adventures they will have as they travel to their new home.
When they get the pod in the ship they discover an empty cryogenic chamber and a smaller chamber with a cat inside. They revive the cat, but can’t help but wonder what happened to the human who was obviously meant for the other chamber. In addition, strange things are beginning to happen on board Galahad. Some crewmembers are reporting excruciating headaches, eventually becoming unconscious and then waking up with glowing eyes. And systems aboard the ship are mysteriously malfunctioning, threatening the ship’s survival. Without help from Earth, the crew has to figure out what happened to the original research station in order to try and save their ship.
I really enjoyed the first book of this series, The Comet’s Curse, and I also enjoyed this installment. I especially like the characters – they are diverse both culturally and personality. It will be interesting to see how these characters develop as they progress on their journey. That said, this is a series book and it reads like one. It doesn’t stand alone and you are left waiting for the next installment. I know that the romances on board are important to the development of the characters but I hope that Testa will concentrate on the adventures they will have as they travel to their new home.
December 30, 2010
Dom Testa has once again created a story that leaves us wanting more. The second book in the Gallahad series kept me on the edge of my seat as much as the first one. Nothing will every go completely right in life. Because of the problems he has created for his characters the story is very believable. The relationships that are developing between the teens on the ship are right on target as well. I say this because I teach kids around this age. I kept trying to problem solve for the teens as I read the book. I am glad that they are a lot smarter than I am in the area of science. One thing I absolutely love about these books is the Reader's Guides at the end of each book. It is every teacher's dream to have critical thinking questions that require the student to do more than just read and regurgitate a few multiple choice answers. The fun thing is I find myself doing the work. I always want to set a good example for my students. I will have my work in a notebook as an example for students. If I had one wish, I would want to have ROC, the computer who helps run the ship as a partner in my classroom. His humor is so human like. Of course if you don't know what I am talking about then you need to read the books. The research that has gone into these books make it one of my favorite series. I have already pre-ordered the next book in the series "The Cassini Code", due out in November. I am excited to get back to school to recommend this book to my students.
Make sure you read the first book in the series, “The Comet’s Curse”.
Make sure you read the first book in the series, “The Comet’s Curse”.
May 18, 2012
The 251 teens sent away from a dying Earth to inhabit a life-sustaining planet five light-years away run into another snag as they approach Saturn. I appreciate sci-fi and to find an engaging, appropriate, well-written series for a YA audience just plain exciting! Testa has created believable characters and situations that are plausible...meaning that as a reader, I can buy into his world. There are insertions from Roc, the computer, which are a little goofy sometimes but it is all good. I found myself really wondering about the science behind what exists on Titan, Saturn's moon, and wondered why Testa didn't expand more. But, hey, it's a YA book! I find myself judging YA books from an adult reader perspective but I need to remember, I'm NOT the intended audience. That being said, Testa had just enough science and details to keep a YA reader hooked (or an adult one!) but the emphasis of the book is on the relationships and emotions of the teenagers. Since adolescence is an emotionally-charged time of life, I think Testa does a good job of reflecting that in his book. Testa writes an original and engaging story. I decided to purchase the whole series for my 7th grade Language Arts classroom and I can't wait to read the next one.
End Note: It's supposed to take 5 yrs. for the journey to be finished. Book one takes us to month #4 and book two goes to month #7. I know the series wraps up with six books so I am curious as to how Testa will make up time...
End Note: It's supposed to take 5 yrs. for the journey to be finished. Book one takes us to month #4 and book two goes to month #7. I know the series wraps up with six books so I am curious as to how Testa will make up time...
April 28, 2011
I read and reviewed The Comet's Curse, the first book in this series, last week. Check out my review here. For once, I don't actually have all that much to say. This book is much like the first, so, if you loved that one, The Web of Titan will not disappoint. The same relationship drama is here, only with a couple of new players. No real progress is made on that front of course.
As for the plot of this novel, it is less interesting than the last. While the previous novel had the interesting dystopian aspects to keep it going and of getting started, this one is entirely dependent on the tension provided by the beam. That really just didn't cause me to feel anything but boredom. The problem is that it's so obvious Testa does not have any plans to kill anyone off, not to mention the whole ship worth of kids. Knowing that, there is no doubt that they will survive the crisis, making it not feel so much like a crisis.
This series is okay, but nothing special. Next up is book three, The Cassini Code. Hopefully, it will prove me wrong.
As for the plot of this novel, it is less interesting than the last. While the previous novel had the interesting dystopian aspects to keep it going and of getting started, this one is entirely dependent on the tension provided by the beam. That really just didn't cause me to feel anything but boredom. The problem is that it's so obvious Testa does not have any plans to kill anyone off, not to mention the whole ship worth of kids. Knowing that, there is no doubt that they will survive the crisis, making it not feel so much like a crisis.
This series is okay, but nothing special. Next up is book three, The Cassini Code. Hopefully, it will prove me wrong.
August 28, 2011
After a catastrophic epidemic on Earth that wiped out most of the population, 251 remarkable teenagers from around the world who are immune to the disease were chosen to start over on another planet. They are trained and sent off on the spacecraft Galahad. With the help of a computer named Roc, they are off on an adventure in space. The teens have survived an attack from an intruder in the first book and are now approaching Saturn's moon, Titan, and new dangers. Plus, they are growing up and new feelings are complicating matters.
This is # 2 in the series. It's exciting and interesting, there is enough information that the story stands alone, but I'm sure it would help to have read the first. Although the teens are 16-17, this is clearly aimed at middle school readers as well. No profanity, no sex, just some good suspenseful sci-fi that's not too complicated or intricate. A good, quick read.
This is # 2 in the series. It's exciting and interesting, there is enough information that the story stands alone, but I'm sure it would help to have read the first. Although the teens are 16-17, this is clearly aimed at middle school readers as well. No profanity, no sex, just some good suspenseful sci-fi that's not too complicated or intricate. A good, quick read.
January 2, 2012
The adventure continues for Triana, Bon, Gap, Channy, and Lita. This second book in the Galahad series deepens the relationships between the main characters and adds mystery of an alien race.
The pacing is fast and there is the added depth of how the main characters are relating to one another. Other reviewers on Amazon have noted the deepening of characterization in Triana, Bon, and Gap and that ROC comes into his own without over utilization of ROC's creator.
The alien race, Cassini, brings to mind many, many other SF advanced aliens. What is most similar is the unknowable abilities of the civilization from 2001. The novelization by Arthur C. Clarke really gave more detail as to TM1-A's creators and how they became "metaphysical". There is the same awe that is invoked in the reader by the Cassini.
A good read for couple of hours!
The pacing is fast and there is the added depth of how the main characters are relating to one another. Other reviewers on Amazon have noted the deepening of characterization in Triana, Bon, and Gap and that ROC comes into his own without over utilization of ROC's creator.
The alien race, Cassini, brings to mind many, many other SF advanced aliens. What is most similar is the unknowable abilities of the civilization from 2001. The novelization by Arthur C. Clarke really gave more detail as to TM1-A's creators and how they became "metaphysical". There is the same awe that is invoked in the reader by the Cassini.
A good read for couple of hours!
December 4, 2012
Galahad, the Web of Titan by Dom Testa is a science fiction book where a comet passes through Earth’s atmosphere and infects and kills every one over 18. The only hope for humanity is a space ship called Galahad carrying 251 teens to a new planet. Mysteries wait at Saturn, specifically its largest moon, Titan. The crew must pick up a pod launched by some scientists from a research station around Titan, but all communication with these scientists went silent 4 months ago. Strange things have also been happening aboard the Galahad. What could be causing these odd disterbences?
I would defiantly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys sci-fi. It is a very entertaining, sort read that all ages will enjoy.
I would defiantly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys sci-fi. It is a very entertaining, sort read that all ages will enjoy.
April 29, 2012
Loved Web of Titan. It's the 2nd in a series of books about 251 teens sent into space after a comet passes the earth, bathing it in a virus that kills off the adults.
Lots of books out their about getting rid of the adults, you know? but this series is a little different. There's enough time to plan for a ship and a path and to get together the kids most likely to survive in an environment like that.
It isn't high literature, by any means, but it does what it sets out to do: keep you amused and tightly glued to the book until you're done. That's all I want during my free play time!
There are 6 books in the series and I am looking forward to reading them all!
Lots of books out their about getting rid of the adults, you know? but this series is a little different. There's enough time to plan for a ship and a path and to get together the kids most likely to survive in an environment like that.
It isn't high literature, by any means, but it does what it sets out to do: keep you amused and tightly glued to the book until you're done. That's all I want during my free play time!
There are 6 books in the series and I am looking forward to reading them all!
December 27, 2015
I am not fond of the first book in this series, which is really just a 200 page extended setup to this book, which is much, much better. It still has a lot of flaws, but the teenage space survival story is at least in full swing here, and the teenagers actually sound and act like teenagers.
The flaw, again, is how little happens. A lot of mystery doled out over a long period of time without enough reason to keep going. I almost wish that the first book was condensed into about 25 pages and we just dove in here to get to the meat of things.
Overall, still a pass, but less so than with the first book.
The flaw, again, is how little happens. A lot of mystery doled out over a long period of time without enough reason to keep going. I almost wish that the first book was condensed into about 25 pages and we just dove in here to get to the meat of things.
Overall, still a pass, but less so than with the first book.
Read
September 25, 2010A few months after the stowaway fiasco people are starting to settle down. They are approaching Saturn, the last planet they will pass before heading to the asteroid belt. Yet strange things are starting to happen once again. As they near Saturn and it's moon Titan they receive orders to pick up a capsule that was sent out by researchers who were studying Titan, and who have ceased to make any contact since the ejection of the package, also, as they approach Saturn's moon a strange beam, emitting from Titan, follows them.
Read
July 20, 2014I know something is wrong with me. How can I love book number 1 and not even be able to finish the second one? All I know is there was this great build up and it turned out to be a cat. A cat. I even thought I should give it another chance but then I remembered there are too many great books to waste time on a good one. I bet the series is great if your not a freak who likes to cross books of their list. And worries they will never be able to finish that list because there are always new books coming out. I did mention something is wrong with me right?
March 10, 2011
I liked this one maybe even a little better than the first - probably because the characters are all knowns. In this installment, the teens have been gone for four months and are about to pass Titan, a moon of Saturn, where they are scheduled to pick up a pod from a research party that has been mysteriously silent for months. The teens find the pod but it only brings more questions and seems to have attracted the attention of something that could destroy their mission.
February 7, 2012
Again, it was the same as the first one. It didn’t wow me, but I was still impressed that these books still keep me reading until the end. I guess the way how they described how some teen are abducted by alien kinda creep me out, with their orange eyes and saying nonsense word...or message. Although, I ‘m glad that Gap had finally find love “peace” with different girl. Now... time to read the 3rd book...
June 10, 2012
Great second book. I'm always nervous for second books (and any after) because they always seem to fall short. This one did not. Even though I didn't think anything was "wrong" with the first, I feel like this one definitely "improved" and was just a slight bit better. And that's a good thing! You should always aim for your series to get better and better, not worse :)
Definitely a very good, quick read and I recommend it if you're into space travel books!
Definitely a very good, quick read and I recommend it if you're into space travel books!
January 8, 2010
It was a heck of a pain to get a hold of this book (God bless - world cat) the book had to come all the way from Colorado (across the blessed US) but it was well worth it. A nice follow up to the first novel and if you can get your hands on it, it's a great read. If you can wait it is coming out with a second edition (hopefully one that won't cost north of $100).
July 27, 2010
Another enjoyable entry in the Galahad series, although I found it to be slightly less enjoyable than the first. I haven't really concluded why that is, exactly. I would still highly recommend it for anyone interested in YA sci-fi.
My copy was an ARC given to me by my mother, who got it at some kind of librarian convention (or something of the sort).
My copy was an ARC given to me by my mother, who got it at some kind of librarian convention (or something of the sort).
December 31, 2010
This is the first e-book I ever read - great experience. This series isn't really top-shelf science-fiction; however, I'm a sucker for the plot-line. The depth of characterization is lacking. The teen-angst is a touch grating. And yet, it's still a good read.
I'll probably start on the next book in a week or so.
I'll probably start on the next book in a week or so.
Read
July 27, 2011I am enjoying this series but I am not enjoying the long breaks inbetween books. This is one of the reasons that I normally start reading a series when there are already several books in the series. I will be waiting with bated breath for the next one in this series. While I don't feel alot is happening in each of the books I am in love with the premise.
August 18, 2008
This is the 2nd book in the Galahad series by Dom Testa. It continues the story of 251 teenagers and their travels toward a new home 5 years away in space. As they pass by Saturn and the moon Titan, mysterious things begin to happen to Galahad and to several of the passengers.
December 31, 2010
Not as good as the first one but still excellent! This installment of the Gallahad saga is more like a Star Trek episode with teens. I had to get this ILL but I read it the first day I got it so that I can request #3!
January 9, 2011
Really liked first book of this series but this one- not so good. Skimmed a lot. I had figured out the big mystery of the "key" very early on [SO obvious!] There was some development of relationships but rather ho-hum and no-where near as interesting a view of life on the ship.
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