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Breaking Orbit
Sign on for the deadliest job in the Solar System. 200 years in the future humanity is no longer a victim of gravity and circumstance. Earth's children have realized their birthright and colonized the Solar System. Mars, the moons of Jupiter, the asteroids … but none of those fantastic worlds is as welcoming as Earth. To warm the frozen surface of Mars humans look into their past and employ internal combustion technology to blanket the red planet in heat-trapping greenhouse gasses. In this future where Earth has become an ecological utopia there is only one place in the Solar System that has the hydrocarbons Mars desperately needs: the moon Titan. Join the crew of the mining ship Krakken as she embarks on her three-year journey into the depths of Solar space -- far from other people, far from other ships, far from help.
232 pages, Paperback
First published October 21, 2016
About the author
Robert C. Murray
20 books16 followersBorn and raised in the rolling foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Robert C. Murray spent his childhood exploring every corner of his back yard inventing worlds from the shrubs and stones. When not outside or ankle-deep in Lego bricks (more worlds to invent) he had his nose in a book: fiction, non-fiction, reference, the occasional thick menu. Much like Hemingway, he used a toy typewriter (and his cub reporter sister) to pioneer independent publishing with a homemade newspaper.
RCM has made your hamburger at McDonald's, filed your HR paperwork, fixed your computer more times than anyone cares to admit, and plays a variety of brass and percussion instruments even when people ask him to stop.
For the curious, his alter ego "AK Moray" is what happens when he decides to explore the Human Condition absent supernatural monsters and ray guns.
RCM has made your hamburger at McDonald's, filed your HR paperwork, fixed your computer more times than anyone cares to admit, and plays a variety of brass and percussion instruments even when people ask him to stop.
For the curious, his alter ego "AK Moray" is what happens when he decides to explore the Human Condition absent supernatural monsters and ray guns.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 13, 2025
Ni ce old fashioned space opera.
All the science and fiction you would want. A new ship with an interesting crew going from Mars orbit to Titan. A quick read you don't want to stop. Almost wish there were 1950s illustrations to go with it. Engage........
All the science and fiction you would want. A new ship with an interesting crew going from Mars orbit to Titan. A quick read you don't want to stop. Almost wish there were 1950s illustrations to go with it. Engage........
August 19, 2021
I just finished reading Breaking Orbit by Robert C. Murray. This is the first short novel in the Titan Run Trilogy, and is a great read for a lazy weekend.
The story follows the lives of Hugh, Ann, and Dalton as they each face crossroads in their lives that set them on a path toward the unknown. Hugh and Dalton, lives entwined with each other, face sudden separation as Dalton gains a promotion opening a door to an opportunity he can't pass up. For Hugh, dealing with recent trauma in his own career, having the one he loves leave to captain a space ship throws his own world into chaos. Determined not to let Dalton's absence hinder his own life, Hugh signs on to a different ship to experience space for himself. Meanwhile, Ann, dealing with the loss of her mother, after years of helping her mother through severe illness, finds herself desperate for a new start, all while fighting the ghosts of her past.
Breaking Orbit is a fast and easy read set on Mars with humanity scattered across the solar system. This first book in the trilogy sets the stage for these three people and their shipmates as they prepare for and embark on a lengthy trip to Titan.
What I like about this book is that it was an easy read. It didn't get so bogged down in the science that I felt like I needed to break out a dictionary to understand what I was reading. It also didn't get so bogged down in the how-to's of science and space travel that any portion of it was unbelievable or boring. There are elements and portions of this book that reminded me of a cross between the Star Trek franchise and Red Planet. (The movies) I enjoyed the pictures this book painted of Mars, the efforts to transform it, and the way of life the people of Mars experienced. Overall, the book was light and airy in the sci-fi department as the author focused on introducing the main characters.
However, I was not as much a fan of the overall arc of the main characters, or the introduction to some of the supporting characters. Some of the relationships had implied pasts that clearly affected current personal and professional relationships, and maybe the author intends to lay those out more fully in the following books, but I was left asking questions that there are no answers to in this first book. Makes me feel like some things shouldn't be mentioned at all if there is no point in the current book that it can be explained in better detail. In that regard, the development of those numerous supporting characters started off soooo good, but then felt abrupt and rushed. For the main characters, the author worked hard to make them relatable, but sadly, even they fell a little flat.
In the end, I did enjoy Breaking Orbit, and feel caught up in the adventure enough that I will be reading the next books as well. This is a good book for new and old fans of the sci-fi genre.
The story follows the lives of Hugh, Ann, and Dalton as they each face crossroads in their lives that set them on a path toward the unknown. Hugh and Dalton, lives entwined with each other, face sudden separation as Dalton gains a promotion opening a door to an opportunity he can't pass up. For Hugh, dealing with recent trauma in his own career, having the one he loves leave to captain a space ship throws his own world into chaos. Determined not to let Dalton's absence hinder his own life, Hugh signs on to a different ship to experience space for himself. Meanwhile, Ann, dealing with the loss of her mother, after years of helping her mother through severe illness, finds herself desperate for a new start, all while fighting the ghosts of her past.
Breaking Orbit is a fast and easy read set on Mars with humanity scattered across the solar system. This first book in the trilogy sets the stage for these three people and their shipmates as they prepare for and embark on a lengthy trip to Titan.
What I like about this book is that it was an easy read. It didn't get so bogged down in the science that I felt like I needed to break out a dictionary to understand what I was reading. It also didn't get so bogged down in the how-to's of science and space travel that any portion of it was unbelievable or boring. There are elements and portions of this book that reminded me of a cross between the Star Trek franchise and Red Planet. (The movies) I enjoyed the pictures this book painted of Mars, the efforts to transform it, and the way of life the people of Mars experienced. Overall, the book was light and airy in the sci-fi department as the author focused on introducing the main characters.
However, I was not as much a fan of the overall arc of the main characters, or the introduction to some of the supporting characters. Some of the relationships had implied pasts that clearly affected current personal and professional relationships, and maybe the author intends to lay those out more fully in the following books, but I was left asking questions that there are no answers to in this first book. Makes me feel like some things shouldn't be mentioned at all if there is no point in the current book that it can be explained in better detail. In that regard, the development of those numerous supporting characters started off soooo good, but then felt abrupt and rushed. For the main characters, the author worked hard to make them relatable, but sadly, even they fell a little flat.
In the end, I did enjoy Breaking Orbit, and feel caught up in the adventure enough that I will be reading the next books as well. This is a good book for new and old fans of the sci-fi genre.
November 29, 2020
“Breaking Orbit” introduces the readers to the crews of the Krakken and the Phoenix before they board their ships for prolonged trips in space. You are introduced to two very different ships with crews just as diverse as their ships. Some of the more interesting and relatable characters are Hugh & Dalton (a married couple on the verge of separation- one the Captain of the Phoenix and the other a first time crew member of the Krakken); Ann (a young woman looking for a life change after having to make a difficult decision with her ailing mother); Max & Mac (a married couple that both make their living on the Krakken); Rich (a husband and father of two who has decided to make this his last run) - I could keep going but these were my favorites.
The story is character-centric, and not your typical action-packed sci-fi adventure. It does a great job of introducing you to ALOT of characters while making them each stand out on their own. If you have ever been away from or had a loved one leave for an extended period of time, you know that familiar pull of heartache and you feel it in this book. I do wish there had been more resolution of the individual story. After reading “Breaking Orbit” I felt as though I had merely peeked into these characters’ lives.
Overall, I enjoyed this character-centric voyage into space!
I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The story is character-centric, and not your typical action-packed sci-fi adventure. It does a great job of introducing you to ALOT of characters while making them each stand out on their own. If you have ever been away from or had a loved one leave for an extended period of time, you know that familiar pull of heartache and you feel it in this book. I do wish there had been more resolution of the individual story. After reading “Breaking Orbit” I felt as though I had merely peeked into these characters’ lives.
Overall, I enjoyed this character-centric voyage into space!
I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review.
August 16, 2026
Excellent beginning to a series
Mr. Murray begins his series with believable stories and characters that you feel you know already upon meeting them. The dialogue, Interactions and stories have a lived-in feel, comfortable and familiar, as though it were friends telling you their adventures rather than a top down 'heavy' narrative. The science is lightly applied but everything seems to hang together in a believable paradigm.
If I have one criticism its the book ends so abruptly that I wondered if I'd missed something i.e. skipped pages accidentally etc. It definitely had me going, "wait...there's got to be more, he just got this all set up!"
In all other regards this is great read, and one worthy of your time.
Mr. Murray begins his series with believable stories and characters that you feel you know already upon meeting them. The dialogue, Interactions and stories have a lived-in feel, comfortable and familiar, as though it were friends telling you their adventures rather than a top down 'heavy' narrative. The science is lightly applied but everything seems to hang together in a believable paradigm.
If I have one criticism its the book ends so abruptly that I wondered if I'd missed something i.e. skipped pages accidentally etc. It definitely had me going, "wait...there's got to be more, he just got this all set up!"
In all other regards this is great read, and one worthy of your time.
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April 27, 2026I got this book for free.
This book was nice but also kind of borring. I spend a big part of the book wondering when would the story really start. When would the adventure begin. It never did.
It was nice and cute and I wouldn't have been mad if this book was just the first part of a 600 pages book. Except it isn't. This is suppose to be an independante book but nothing really happens. We meet the characters, we spend some time with them and that's all.
If you like "slice of life" books, you might enjoy this one. But if you want big adventures in space, this is not it
This book was nice but also kind of borring. I spend a big part of the book wondering when would the story really start. When would the adventure begin. It never did.
It was nice and cute and I wouldn't have been mad if this book was just the first part of a 600 pages book. Except it isn't. This is suppose to be an independante book but nothing really happens. We meet the characters, we spend some time with them and that's all.
If you like "slice of life" books, you might enjoy this one. But if you want big adventures in space, this is not it
April 5, 2026
As the first book in Robert C. Murray's Titan Run Trilogy, Breaking Orbit sets the stage for the rest of the series. We meet a variety of characters from two distinctly different spaceships. The Krakken, a privately owned and operated mining ship, boasts a vibrant crew of industrious individuals, each possessing their own personal narrative. Next is the Phoenix, a gleaming exploration vessel undertaking a shakedown mission with a crew driven by career aspirations. The distinct ships provide an effective contrast for the large cast, and the narrative develops from there.
Breaking Orbit is a slow burn that builds to each crew getting underway. The story features rich world-building and convincing science that doesn't dominate. Readers who prefer less 'sci' in their science fiction will appreciate the story's focus on characters with emotional depth. Just be prepared to dive into the second book immediately, as right when things begin to pick up, the novel ends. I don't consider that a bad thing, as it drives the reader into the next two stories that are much bigger in scope. Breaking Orbit is short, easy to digest, and primes the reader for the deep-space voyages that follow.
The story and its two sequels were enjoyable, and I found that many of the characters, particularly the motley crew of the Krakken, lingered in my thoughts after I finished the books. If you enjoy the style of Becky Chambers, The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, and similar science fiction that emphasizes characters, you'll likely appreciate Robert C. Murray's Titan Run Trilogy.
Breaking Orbit is a slow burn that builds to each crew getting underway. The story features rich world-building and convincing science that doesn't dominate. Readers who prefer less 'sci' in their science fiction will appreciate the story's focus on characters with emotional depth. Just be prepared to dive into the second book immediately, as right when things begin to pick up, the novel ends. I don't consider that a bad thing, as it drives the reader into the next two stories that are much bigger in scope. Breaking Orbit is short, easy to digest, and primes the reader for the deep-space voyages that follow.
The story and its two sequels were enjoyable, and I found that many of the characters, particularly the motley crew of the Krakken, lingered in my thoughts after I finished the books. If you enjoy the style of Becky Chambers, The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, and similar science fiction that emphasizes characters, you'll likely appreciate Robert C. Murray's Titan Run Trilogy.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews