Journey to the Comet: A Fantastical Adventure

by Simon Madine

Edinburgh, 1904. When a celebrated astronomer announces that a comet is on a collision course with Earth, panic sweeps through the scientific establishment. But Dr Nathaniel Malmborough, a young researcher at the Royal Observatory, discovers a flaw in the calculations. His own figures tell a very different story—and they catch the attention of the enigmatic explorer Sir A. Armstrong Armitage.

Within days, Nathaniel is swept into the most audacious expedition in human a voyage to the comet itself aboard a modified diving bell, launched from the volcanic plains of Iceland. Joined by the formidable Professor Garamond and Sir A.'s brilliant sister, Tandy—whose extraordinary engineering makes the impossible merely improbable—the crew must survive sabotage, betrayal, and the unforgiving emptiness of space. But as Earth dwindles to a blue marble behind them, they discover that reaching the comet was only the beginning of their adventure.

Told through Nathaniel's journal, Journey to the Comet is a thrilling scientific adventure in the grand tradition of Jules Verne, blending Victorian ingenuity with boundless imagination. A tale of discovery, courage, and the irresistible urge to venture beyond the horizon.

150 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 20, 2026

About the author

Simon is an Edinburgh-based author and illustrator whose stories celebrate curiosity, exploration and impossible ideas taken just seriously enough.

Inspired by writers such as Jules Verne, H. G. Wells and Arthur Conan Doyle, he enjoys creating adventures that capture the optimism and wonder of classic scientific romance where explorers are impossibly competent, scientists are alarmingly enthusiastic, and the impossible is usually only a few pages away.

Reviews

[N.L. Mayers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to BookSirens for a copy of this wonder. If you love Jules Verne, this book will...put you over the moon!

I now understand how enthralled Victorian readers must have been as they sat by lamp and candlelight, thrilled with the works of H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. “Journey to the Comet” is a wonder, its “scientific” facts so fantastic that they would be laughable if the skilled author hadn’t made them so believable. Yes, I began to believe that a modified diving bell could travel to a distant comet, be shot from the hole of an Icelandic volcano to escape the atmosphere of Earth, and be tethered to the comet's surface by a harpoon gun. It seemed plausible for the astronauts to communicate via Telemessage machines. To drink tea in hammocks. To wear tweed suits beneath their diving-space suits. Yes… it could happen. Yes, it could!

While the influence of Wells and Verne was well utilized, the voice of Sir Author Conan Doyle appeared from time to time with sentences like, “I am not at liberty to identify the gentleman for whom I work and my own identity is of little consequence.”

“Journey to the Comet” was like meeting again with old friends and discovering that they had hidden manuscripts that had not yet been released.

Loved every word.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Robbie Newell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Book Sirens for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very interesting read.

While I have yet to read Jules Verne etc, I imagine that this is the style the author was trying to emulate and it works really well.

Set in 1904 Scotland, this book is told in epistolary form by a junior astronomical researcher, who just happens to be in the right place at the right time to “join” the aforementioned journey to a comet- a comet that some say will bring the apocalypse to Europe while others (such as our research) say it’ll miss the Earth.

For a short novella of 130ish pages, this excels in giving us a gripping yard with fully formed characters who all get a time to shine- also what’s great is the author lets things play out and we are shown the action rather then told.

This really held my attention and if you’re looking for a shorter reader, grab this book- it’s a solid read and a ripper good yarn

[Denise Steinbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Journey to the Comet. It's a lovely book of fantastical adventure fiction that combines Victorian-era scientific curiosity, eccentric characters and classic expedition storytelling. As a scientist myself, I was deeply invested in following the story of the young astronomer, Dr Nathaniel Malmborough, who attempts the impossible: to travel to space to a supposedly catastrophic comet heading toward Earth. The book's greatest strengths are its sense of fun and its success in creating a convincing period-adventure atmosphere.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Engel Dreizehn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I can very safely say this is a good read especially if one loves verne-ian style of adventure of fantastical voyages, and vintage era scientific problem solving with explanations included. I found it interesting that the protagonist seem to doubt himself and wonder why would he be on the mission yet it is present, he is right for the job and he has heart as emphasized by the scene where he sees earth from space and muses about the moment.

[Simeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Journey to the Comet is an imaginative and captivating adventure that combines classic scientific exploration with the wonder of fantastical storytelling. Simon Madine pays tribute to the spirit of timeless adventure novels while creating a fresh and exciting journey that inspires curiosity, courage, and the desire to explore the unknown.

[Lins007Booktok · Rating 5 out of 5]

An ARC read for BookSirens. This is a rare kind of book that appeals to the sense of wonder in readers of all ages. It is a stunning exploration of discovery, determination, and the beauty of the unknown. If you are looking for a story that inspires, moves, and entertains all at once, look no further. Highly recommended!

[Moontale · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very adventurous and wonderful book! The characters played their parts well. I really enjoyed it and it had a dreamlike quality.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.