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The Muto Chronicles #1
RHATS!: A Takamo Universe Novella
Kerry Nietz, the award-winning science fiction author of Amish Vampires in Space and A Star Curiously Singing brings you RHATS!
The story of Frohic, a young muto rhat, a cross between a human and a Terran rat, trying to survive in a family that sometimes forgets he exists. His mother is always pregnant, his siblings swarm over every available surface, and his father makes plan after plan to send them all away. Their hovel is crowded, and the food is sparse, yet it is home, but when tragedy strikes, Frohic is forced to take his brother’s berth on a smuggling starship with a crew full of rhats and sinister looking Silent Company operatives. They are bound for the Hilican star system. The "Silents" are looking for something there. Something bad.
The story of Frohic, a young muto rhat, a cross between a human and a Terran rat, trying to survive in a family that sometimes forgets he exists. His mother is always pregnant, his siblings swarm over every available surface, and his father makes plan after plan to send them all away. Their hovel is crowded, and the food is sparse, yet it is home, but when tragedy strikes, Frohic is forced to take his brother’s berth on a smuggling starship with a crew full of rhats and sinister looking Silent Company operatives. They are bound for the Hilican star system. The "Silents" are looking for something there. Something bad.
124 pages, ebook
Published April 9, 2018
About the author
Kerry Nietz
37 books177 followersKerry Nietz is an award-winning science fiction author. He has over a dozen speculative novels in print, along with a novella, a couple short stories, and a non-fiction book, FoxTales.
Kerry’s novel A Star Curiously Singing won the Readers Favorite Gold Medal Award for Christian Science Fiction and is notable for its dystopian, cyberpunk vibe in a world under sharia law. It has over a hundred 5-star reviews on Amazon and is often mentioned on “Best of” lists.
Among his writings, Kerry's most talked about is the genre-bending Amish Vampires in Space. AViS was mentioned on the Tonight Show and in the Washington Post, Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly. Newsweek called it “a welcome departure from the typical Amish fare.”
Kerry is a refugee of the software industry. He spent more than a decade of his life flipping bits, first as one of the principal developers of the database product FoxPro for the now mythical Fox Software, and then as one of Bill Gates's minions at Microsoft. He is a husband, a father, a technophile and a movie buff.
Kerry’s novel A Star Curiously Singing won the Readers Favorite Gold Medal Award for Christian Science Fiction and is notable for its dystopian, cyberpunk vibe in a world under sharia law. It has over a hundred 5-star reviews on Amazon and is often mentioned on “Best of” lists.
Among his writings, Kerry's most talked about is the genre-bending Amish Vampires in Space. AViS was mentioned on the Tonight Show and in the Washington Post, Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly. Newsweek called it “a welcome departure from the typical Amish fare.”
Kerry is a refugee of the software industry. He spent more than a decade of his life flipping bits, first as one of the principal developers of the database product FoxPro for the now mythical Fox Software, and then as one of Bill Gates's minions at Microsoft. He is a husband, a father, a technophile and a movie buff.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 22, 2018
After reading the epic description on Amazon, I had to pick up this book, especially since the main character is an alien.
The book is fast-paced, and follows the character through his time working on a smuggling ship and hunting through ancient battlefields.
I really enjoyed the fast-paced style, which made the book impossible to put down. There were a few things that seemed a bit random, but I believe that may be because this book takes place in a large universe, and my only contact with the universe is this book, so I missed any easter eggs.
I also enjoyed the Muto culture and seeing how their view of family and death is quite different from humans, so they weren’t just humans in different bodies. (I never thought I’d say this, but someone really needs to give the main character’s mother some birth control.)
Overall, it was a fast paced read that I couldn’t put down, probably my favorite book that Kerry Neitz has written. (I’ve read A Star Curiously Singing and Amish Vampires in Space.)
I highly recommend this book for any fans of Kerry’s other books, or generally anyone who is into sci-fi, aliens, or loves rats.
The book is fast-paced, and follows the character through his time working on a smuggling ship and hunting through ancient battlefields.
I really enjoyed the fast-paced style, which made the book impossible to put down. There were a few things that seemed a bit random, but I believe that may be because this book takes place in a large universe, and my only contact with the universe is this book, so I missed any easter eggs.
I also enjoyed the Muto culture and seeing how their view of family and death is quite different from humans, so they weren’t just humans in different bodies. (I never thought I’d say this, but someone really needs to give the main character’s mother some birth control.)
Overall, it was a fast paced read that I couldn’t put down, probably my favorite book that Kerry Neitz has written. (I’ve read A Star Curiously Singing and Amish Vampires in Space.)
I highly recommend this book for any fans of Kerry’s other books, or generally anyone who is into sci-fi, aliens, or loves rats.
August 6, 2022
Surprisingly Good
Even though it ended quickly, it was still a great read. Kerry is an excellent writer and knows how to keep you interested and coming back for more. I wasn't prepared to be as into this as I ended up being. Highly recommended for anyone even remotely interested in this genre!!
Even though it ended quickly, it was still a great read. Kerry is an excellent writer and knows how to keep you interested and coming back for more. I wasn't prepared to be as into this as I ended up being. Highly recommended for anyone even remotely interested in this genre!!
Read
July 23, 2024I reeeeeally wanted to love this book. The concept was fun and the world was interesting and I feel like this could have been such a great story. But between the absence of character development, meandering plot, and clunky writing, I just couldn’t connect with it.
June 16, 2022
Absolutely fantastic novella. I had no prior exposure to the Takamo universe, but Mr Nietz had no problems pulling me in, especially to the world of the Mutos. Definitely going to be picking up the other Muto books by Mr Nietz and perhaps other books on the Takamo universe.
June 1, 2022
Great fun read!
The characters were quirky and thoroughly enjoyable. So engaging that I finished it by reading at least a few pages every day and immediately bought the sequel!
The characters were quirky and thoroughly enjoyable. So engaging that I finished it by reading at least a few pages every day and immediately bought the sequel!
July 11, 2019
In the novella Rhats, by author Kerry Neitz, this Reviewer found an interesting side story to the online, real world Takamo Universe. Seen through the character of Frohic, a Muto, he seems like a side character in the overall Takamo Universe setting. Frohic is not a leader, an adventurer, doctor, nor a great philosopher, but a smuggler, hired for the purpose through a contract set up by his father.
However, the neat thing about this story is the idea of mutos—a mammalian race resembling a genetic cross between a human and a Terran rat—a disgusting idea, but an interesting concept. Muto females are constantly pregnant, producing numerous babies with each litter, and therefore, producing the drive to kick out the older children when they are old enough to hold down jobs. Made to take the place of his older brother Deav—who on the morning before his departure, got taken as a meal by a malstus, a winged beast twice the size of a full-grown muto, having a thick and thorny body, and an omnivorous appetite. To avoid breaking the business contract, Frohic’s father made him take the place of Deav on the smuggler’s ship.
Frohic has several adventures on board the vessel as the ship moves from one backwater planet to another. Released onto the surface at each landing site to search for trinkets of Uman (human) manufacture—tidbits of left over mechanisms from battles held long ago—Frohic and his co-smugglers search for anything the Umans consider valuable. Even information, apparently, as after one such adventure Frohic learns something the Uman smugglers do not know—earning his trip pay and his return home.
Only 95 or so pages in length, Rhats is a pleasant glimpse into a small fraction of the online Takamo Universe. Family friendly and a fun read, I highly recommend this story.
However, the neat thing about this story is the idea of mutos—a mammalian race resembling a genetic cross between a human and a Terran rat—a disgusting idea, but an interesting concept. Muto females are constantly pregnant, producing numerous babies with each litter, and therefore, producing the drive to kick out the older children when they are old enough to hold down jobs. Made to take the place of his older brother Deav—who on the morning before his departure, got taken as a meal by a malstus, a winged beast twice the size of a full-grown muto, having a thick and thorny body, and an omnivorous appetite. To avoid breaking the business contract, Frohic’s father made him take the place of Deav on the smuggler’s ship.
Frohic has several adventures on board the vessel as the ship moves from one backwater planet to another. Released onto the surface at each landing site to search for trinkets of Uman (human) manufacture—tidbits of left over mechanisms from battles held long ago—Frohic and his co-smugglers search for anything the Umans consider valuable. Even information, apparently, as after one such adventure Frohic learns something the Uman smugglers do not know—earning his trip pay and his return home.
Only 95 or so pages in length, Rhats is a pleasant glimpse into a small fraction of the online Takamo Universe. Family friendly and a fun read, I highly recommend this story.
February 11, 2022
This is not the first Takomo Universe story I've read; it's the second. I may not have read this one except it's written by one of my favorite authors. And it did not disappoint.
This is just a novella. It's great for a weekend read; I found it hard to put down. Also, while short, I felt it ended at a good stopping point. To me, it created interest in reading the full length sequel.
Those familiar with the story of Nietz' classic "Amish Vampires In Space" will know he thought someone else should write it because the title sounded like pure camp and Nietz wrote serious sci fi. For me, this story is more camp than "Vampires" was. But if you've read Nietz and enjoy his story telling, you'll enjoy this, just as I did.
This is just a novella. It's great for a weekend read; I found it hard to put down. Also, while short, I felt it ended at a good stopping point. To me, it created interest in reading the full length sequel.
Those familiar with the story of Nietz' classic "Amish Vampires In Space" will know he thought someone else should write it because the title sounded like pure camp and Nietz wrote serious sci fi. For me, this story is more camp than "Vampires" was. But if you've read Nietz and enjoy his story telling, you'll enjoy this, just as I did.
December 31, 2019
Delightful Read
Excellent world building, plot, and character development. Delighted the author could write from an alien point of view and still make it all understandable and accessible.
Also, a good ripping SF yarn where the author was more interested in storytelling than using his prose as a philosophical/social bully pulpit.
I am eagerly looking toward Part 2.
Excellent world building, plot, and character development. Delighted the author could write from an alien point of view and still make it all understandable and accessible.
Also, a good ripping SF yarn where the author was more interested in storytelling than using his prose as a philosophical/social bully pulpit.
I am eagerly looking toward Part 2.
January 9, 2020
A fun science fiction tale about an alien "rat" finding himself an unwilling crew member on an "uman" space ship.
Some interesting world building for the muto species and all set against the backdrop of the Takamo universe.
A satisfying quick read that leads nicely into the next book.
Some interesting world building for the muto species and all set against the backdrop of the Takamo universe.
A satisfying quick read that leads nicely into the next book.
Read
January 11, 2020I think you need to have read more in the Takamo Universe to understand this. I thought it was standalone but the ending didn't make sense to me. Hopefully, that's just a consequence of coming into the story in the middle. Not going to rate this because I was lost. Mea culpa.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2022
Great sci fi adventure
The worldbuilding is excellent, and the Mutos are believable and well-wriiten. Frohic is a great narrator and likeable. This universe is rather dark, but I have enjoyed the stories set in it.
The worldbuilding is excellent, and the Mutos are believable and well-wriiten. Frohic is a great narrator and likeable. This universe is rather dark, but I have enjoyed the stories set in it.
August 16, 2024
Great Little Book
I love Kerry’s books. They are always entertaining. Not a long book but it has a lot of greatness within it. Onto book two!
I love Kerry’s books. They are always entertaining. Not a long book but it has a lot of greatness within it. Onto book two!
October 1, 2019
After reading the epic description on Amazon, I had to pick up this book, especially since the main character is an alien.
The book is fast-paced, and follows the character through his time working on a smuggling ship and hunting through ancient battlefields.
I really enjoyed the fast-paced style, which made the book impossible to put down. There were a few things that seemed a bit random, but I believe that may be because this book takes place in a large universe, and my only contact with the universe is this book, so I missed any easter eggs.
I also enjoyed the Muto culture and seeing how their view of family and death is quite different from humans, so they weren’t just humans in different bodies. (I never thought I’d say this, but someone really needs to give the main character’s mother some birth control.)
Overall, it was a fast paced read that I couldn’t put down, probably my favorite book that Kerry Neitz has written. (I’ve read A Star Curiously Singing and Amish Vampires in Space.)
I highly recommend this book for any fans of Kerry’s other books, or generally anyone who is into sci-fi, aliens, or loves rats.
The book is fast-paced, and follows the character through his time working on a smuggling ship and hunting through ancient battlefields.
I really enjoyed the fast-paced style, which made the book impossible to put down. There were a few things that seemed a bit random, but I believe that may be because this book takes place in a large universe, and my only contact with the universe is this book, so I missed any easter eggs.
I also enjoyed the Muto culture and seeing how their view of family and death is quite different from humans, so they weren’t just humans in different bodies. (I never thought I’d say this, but someone really needs to give the main character’s mother some birth control.)
Overall, it was a fast paced read that I couldn’t put down, probably my favorite book that Kerry Neitz has written. (I’ve read A Star Curiously Singing and Amish Vampires in Space.)
I highly recommend this book for any fans of Kerry’s other books, or generally anyone who is into sci-fi, aliens, or loves rats.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews