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Titan
Colonists seek a perfect world, but utopia turns to catastrophe. Fynn will defy the leader to survive, but can he save all their lives? First book in a trilogy filled with real science and speculative possibilities. Walk under the hazy orange sky. Explore the shores of hydrocarbon lakes and climb cliffs of ice as hard as granite. Search the Saturn system for vital resources. Some scientists say Titan is the best place for a human colony, but who would settle here? And why? Real readers Dynamic story - Engaging characters - Feel like you were there - Devoured this book. Discover a riveting mix of science and society on Saturn's deadly frozen moon. If you love gripping science fiction with twists and turns, you won't want to put it down. Please note that this hardcover book is a "case laminate" edition. This means the cover artwork is applied directly on the book's hardcover, also known as a case. There is no dust jacket to get tattered or lost.
- GenresScience Fiction
369 pages, ebook
Published December 13, 2018
58 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Kate Rauner
43 books13 followersKate Rauner is a retired Cold War Warrior. She worked for over twenty years at the Rocky Flats Plant, once part of the nation's nuclear weapons complex. She helped decommission the site, which is now a National Wildlife Refuge.
Kate moved to southwest New Mexico and worked at the copper mines around Silver City, including the historic Santa Rita mine. Santa Rita has been mined since Native Americans collected copper there before the Spaniards entered Mexico.
Today she lives outside Silver City on the edge of the Gila National Forest with her husband and cat. She enjoys hiking and bird-watching, and, as a volunteer firefighter, has fought wildland and home fires. "I'm well on my way to my life's goal," Kate says. "To become an eccentric old woman."
Kate moved to southwest New Mexico and worked at the copper mines around Silver City, including the historic Santa Rita mine. Santa Rita has been mined since Native Americans collected copper there before the Spaniards entered Mexico.
Today she lives outside Silver City on the edge of the Gila National Forest with her husband and cat. She enjoys hiking and bird-watching, and, as a volunteer firefighter, has fought wildland and home fires. "I'm well on my way to my life's goal," Kate says. "To become an eccentric old woman."
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
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June 27, 2025Fynn Rupar is surprised when his sister brings him on board the Herschel – not a science vessel, as everyone was led to believe, but a colony ship destined for Saturn’s moon Titan, which his people have commandeered and stolen. Fynn is more than a little hurt that his family kept this secret 18-month one-way trip from him – but he’s spent his entire life with the Kin and is excited to contribute his skills and passion to this ambitious project when he wakes from stasis.
But setting up a colony isn’t easy, and of course, things start to go wrong. Several passengers have died en-route; systems are malfunctioning, and Fynn knows that unless they become self-sufficient, they won’t survive. The Kin’s charismatic leader, Dr Tanaka, refuses to contact the “mongrels” on Earth for assistance, and each new disaster is quickly twisted to his increasingly unhinged agenda, imposing fear and spreading mistrust amongst his fanatic followers.
What beings as a seemingly standard sci-fi tale of a group of humans attempting to colonise Titan is steadily revealed to in fact be an unnerving psychological thriller.
The author makes excellent use of the premise. The readers are as clueless as Fynn at the beginning, but we get the sense that something is off very quickly when his sister refers to “mongrels” he studied with at university, and we begin to realise that Fynn is in fact in a cult led by a man who believes in the genetic superiority of people who originated from the Indus Valley, evoking allusions to the Nazi Party.
What begins as discomfort evolves into horror as Dr Tanaka becomes more and more unhinged. His loyal followers cling to his rhetoric, while those who are beginning to question are quickly and swiftly punished, dividing the already-vulnerable colony. Friends turn on friends and family turns on family in this claustrophobic setting reminiscent of Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible”.
There are multiple POV characters – Fynn, his sister Maliah, their parents Yash Rupar and Greta Lund, and Drew, Fynn’s childhood friend. The vast cast doesn’t allow us much time to get to know the individual characters and I struggled to connect on a personal level with any of them, but through their eyes we can see the different aspects of the colony on Titan breaking down under the despotic rule of their cult leader. Some of the characters feel what we feel, dread and the unfolding breakdown of society; others get sucked even deeper into the cult’s rhetoric, blind to the problems, devoted to the delusions, and addicted to the power.
The initial pacing felt a bit rushed, but as the story progressed it became more flowing. The choice to focus less on heavy sci-fi talk and instead more on the dynamics of the society was an excellent one, which allowed for the steady build of dread with every chapter and incident. I was engaged and on the edge of my seat the entire time.
Titan has an ambitious premise, and Kate Rauner delivers with this well-constructed and tense tale of science and rational thought failing when dogma and doctrine rule. There are two more books in the series, and I look forward to seeing how Fynn’s story continues.
But setting up a colony isn’t easy, and of course, things start to go wrong. Several passengers have died en-route; systems are malfunctioning, and Fynn knows that unless they become self-sufficient, they won’t survive. The Kin’s charismatic leader, Dr Tanaka, refuses to contact the “mongrels” on Earth for assistance, and each new disaster is quickly twisted to his increasingly unhinged agenda, imposing fear and spreading mistrust amongst his fanatic followers.
What beings as a seemingly standard sci-fi tale of a group of humans attempting to colonise Titan is steadily revealed to in fact be an unnerving psychological thriller.
The author makes excellent use of the premise. The readers are as clueless as Fynn at the beginning, but we get the sense that something is off very quickly when his sister refers to “mongrels” he studied with at university, and we begin to realise that Fynn is in fact in a cult led by a man who believes in the genetic superiority of people who originated from the Indus Valley, evoking allusions to the Nazi Party.
What begins as discomfort evolves into horror as Dr Tanaka becomes more and more unhinged. His loyal followers cling to his rhetoric, while those who are beginning to question are quickly and swiftly punished, dividing the already-vulnerable colony. Friends turn on friends and family turns on family in this claustrophobic setting reminiscent of Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible”.
There are multiple POV characters – Fynn, his sister Maliah, their parents Yash Rupar and Greta Lund, and Drew, Fynn’s childhood friend. The vast cast doesn’t allow us much time to get to know the individual characters and I struggled to connect on a personal level with any of them, but through their eyes we can see the different aspects of the colony on Titan breaking down under the despotic rule of their cult leader. Some of the characters feel what we feel, dread and the unfolding breakdown of society; others get sucked even deeper into the cult’s rhetoric, blind to the problems, devoted to the delusions, and addicted to the power.
The initial pacing felt a bit rushed, but as the story progressed it became more flowing. The choice to focus less on heavy sci-fi talk and instead more on the dynamics of the society was an excellent one, which allowed for the steady build of dread with every chapter and incident. I was engaged and on the edge of my seat the entire time.
Titan has an ambitious premise, and Kate Rauner delivers with this well-constructed and tense tale of science and rational thought failing when dogma and doctrine rule. There are two more books in the series, and I look forward to seeing how Fynn’s story continues.
December 2, 2018
Well done story. The details Ms. Rauner put in her story is excellent. With a little imagination you could feel like you were there experiencing some of the accomplishments, frustrations and trials of building their first colony. There is mystery, secrets, and murder; there are characters you will wonder about their agenda. There is a major tragedy.
The group planning to claim and colonize Titan is led by Dr. Tanaka. The doctor’s genetic studies, continued from his father’s and grandfather’s studies, are what brought together these groups with specific human ancestry – they call themselves Kin. All other humans are called Mongrels.
There is some suspicious stuff going on. Such as their food supply diapering which should have been plenty to last through the initial colonizing. Dr. Tanaka, the mesmerizing leader of the Kin, acting weird that could cause serious issues. Was this behavior the result of stasis sickness?
Something as large and complicated at colonizing a frozen, barren moon half a galaxy away from the home planet and no expectations of even minimum support takes a lot of people. The primary characters are well developed. There are several supportive secondary characters.
The Epigraph is true: no matter how far you go if the troubles, problems, issues are not resolved beforehand they go with you.
The group planning to claim and colonize Titan is led by Dr. Tanaka. The doctor’s genetic studies, continued from his father’s and grandfather’s studies, are what brought together these groups with specific human ancestry – they call themselves Kin. All other humans are called Mongrels.
There is some suspicious stuff going on. Such as their food supply diapering which should have been plenty to last through the initial colonizing. Dr. Tanaka, the mesmerizing leader of the Kin, acting weird that could cause serious issues. Was this behavior the result of stasis sickness?
Something as large and complicated at colonizing a frozen, barren moon half a galaxy away from the home planet and no expectations of even minimum support takes a lot of people. The primary characters are well developed. There are several supportive secondary characters.
The Epigraph is true: no matter how far you go if the troubles, problems, issues are not resolved beforehand they go with you.
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April 14, 2019This is an a-typical new colony world building piece set in our solar system. For me the social/political scene is one not seen in a while. It's another approach to “uber alles” using those of “chosen” high caste and other forms of ‘purity' and breeding. It’s an updated “Lebensborn" in outer space.
But like all such efforts, people first bend, then listen, learn, think and in different ways fight - both pro or con. Titan is no different. Fynn, his parents Greta and Yash, sister Mailah, Dr. Tanaka and his friend Drew all hit realization in different ways at different times. No ones path is smooth and some end. The main characters are well thought out and developed, though somewhat one-dimensional in varying ways. The plot, once understood, is self-directed and consistent, with some jumping back and forth and cross currents everywhere.
It's not a stand alone novel in any sense, though could so be. There are enough clues in the last sections to lead you to the next books - so you can see if your interpretations follow the author’s storyline. Enjoy.
But like all such efforts, people first bend, then listen, learn, think and in different ways fight - both pro or con. Titan is no different. Fynn, his parents Greta and Yash, sister Mailah, Dr. Tanaka and his friend Drew all hit realization in different ways at different times. No ones path is smooth and some end. The main characters are well thought out and developed, though somewhat one-dimensional in varying ways. The plot, once understood, is self-directed and consistent, with some jumping back and forth and cross currents everywhere.
It's not a stand alone novel in any sense, though could so be. There are enough clues in the last sections to lead you to the next books - so you can see if your interpretations follow the author’s storyline. Enjoy.
December 24, 2018
Kate Rauner unrolls an all-too-real look at determined explorers, complete with personal delusions and misconceptions, rocky loyalties, and even the ability to regain some balance in a crisis. I did not want this book to end!
July 19, 2020
I think this book is mostly targeting YA readers. Psycho-social dynamic of cult is well presented with accompanying paranoia, fears, hate etc. Pace is a bit slow and clunky which is the reason for only 3 stars.
December 17, 2018
"Stong, proud and beautiful Kin."
Under the charismatic but totally despotic leadership of Doctor Tanaka, a small sect calling themselves The Kin, organize the theft of a scientific research ship to Titan, first secretly fitting it out as a colony ship. Their mission? To establish a new, pure blooded haven on Titan. They believe themselves to be the only true humans, the other of Earth's population depreciatingly referred to as mongrels (It really does have Nazi Party overtones, especially in the military style organised exercises and upward thrusting fists with cries of Kin! Kin! Kin! to install enthusiastic loyalty). Leaving behind the weak, the elderly and children, the just over 400 strong members of this master-race, arrive in Titan's orbit and wake the advance party of 36, whose job it will be to get a homestead up and running, including a greenhouse to supply fresh food, in advance of the phased waking of the other passengers still in stasis. But, despite what Tanaka might believe, not everything will go exactly to his plans.
This story is actually quite compelling as the reader is taken through the detailed stages of setting up the camp as it concerns young post-degree student, Fynn, and his best friend, Drew, who, like Fynn's mother, medical doctor in charge, Greta, had essentially been kidnapped to become part of the group of colonists. The build up is long and slow, but fascinating, spoilt only by the lack of thought about numbers - how, for example, in a place as intimate as a space dome, could someone not have known two people from only around 40 after several weeks, or possibly months, even if they had not met prior to the colonisation trip. And, after the long drawn out beginning, the ending is over far too quickly. This is a book badly in need of an editor.
Having said all of this, I did enjoy Titan and found it hard to draw myself away. The simple descriptions of the building processes were mesmerizing. I can only assume that there will be a follow on volume. Will I read it? Probably not. But I do believe that this book will stay in my memory for some time.
Under the charismatic but totally despotic leadership of Doctor Tanaka, a small sect calling themselves The Kin, organize the theft of a scientific research ship to Titan, first secretly fitting it out as a colony ship. Their mission? To establish a new, pure blooded haven on Titan. They believe themselves to be the only true humans, the other of Earth's population depreciatingly referred to as mongrels (It really does have Nazi Party overtones, especially in the military style organised exercises and upward thrusting fists with cries of Kin! Kin! Kin! to install enthusiastic loyalty). Leaving behind the weak, the elderly and children, the just over 400 strong members of this master-race, arrive in Titan's orbit and wake the advance party of 36, whose job it will be to get a homestead up and running, including a greenhouse to supply fresh food, in advance of the phased waking of the other passengers still in stasis. But, despite what Tanaka might believe, not everything will go exactly to his plans.
This story is actually quite compelling as the reader is taken through the detailed stages of setting up the camp as it concerns young post-degree student, Fynn, and his best friend, Drew, who, like Fynn's mother, medical doctor in charge, Greta, had essentially been kidnapped to become part of the group of colonists. The build up is long and slow, but fascinating, spoilt only by the lack of thought about numbers - how, for example, in a place as intimate as a space dome, could someone not have known two people from only around 40 after several weeks, or possibly months, even if they had not met prior to the colonisation trip. And, after the long drawn out beginning, the ending is over far too quickly. This is a book badly in need of an editor.
Having said all of this, I did enjoy Titan and found it hard to draw myself away. The simple descriptions of the building processes were mesmerizing. I can only assume that there will be a follow on volume. Will I read it? Probably not. But I do believe that this book will stay in my memory for some time.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews