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Titan
By the year 2032, the U.S. federal debt has surpassed $50 trillion. The American empire is on the verge of collapse. An entrepreneur named Kade Kapur has an idea for rescuing the debt-ridden United the government will issue stock in a company with exclusive mining rights to an asteroid whose orbit will soon bring it near Earth. The asteroid, which contains $10 trillion in valuable minerals, is officially called 2015 RK 16 Maimonides, but it soon comes to be known by another Mammon.
Fortunes are made and America seems to have avoided an economic collapse. But when the plan to capture the asteroid goes awry, the sky will fall....
Fortunes are made and America seems to have avoided an economic collapse. But when the plan to capture the asteroid goes awry, the sky will fall....
- GenresScience Fiction
508 pages, Hardcover
Published November 4, 2021
79 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
Robert Kroese
70 books632 followersRobert Kroese's sense of irony was honed growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan - home of the Amway Corporation and the Gerald R. Ford Museum, and the first city in the United States to fluoridate its water supply. In second grade, he wrote his first novel, the saga of Captain Bill and his spaceship Thee Eagle. This turned out to be the high point of his academic career. After barely graduating from Calvin College in 1992 with a philosophy degree, he was fired from a variety of jobs before moving to California, where he stumbled into software development. As this job required neither punctuality nor a sense of direction, he excelled at it. In 2009, he called upon his extensive knowledge of useless information and love of explosions to write his first novel, Mercury Falls. Since then, he has written 18 more books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
November 21, 2022
A crypto libertarian wet dream.
I was kind of sad about this book.
The author has written a number of books I’ve enjoyed in the past. Although it could be that Mr. Kroese is merely writing from deep research into the mindset of the crypto anarchists, I am left with the impression that he’s not writing *about* them, but is instead writing with them, crafting the crypto believer’s economic apocalypse version of the “Left Behind” Christian apocalypse. He certainly paints the most dire outcome imaginable if every bad thing that this community believes were to indeed come to pass.
While such a thing isn’t impossible, he ignores all the criticisms of crypto that could be equally leveled. As with any fiat currency, crypto is only worth as much as somebody is willing to give it give you for it. And the computing capability required to run the crypto blockchains wouldn’t survive the physical systems apocalypse that is described in the book. Even if the computers survive, the human factors of how (fully digital) crypto works would prevent it from being exchangeable. All in all, crypto’s potential to be a fiat currency alternative could collapse just as quickly as the hated dollar.
I think more harm is done by “opening the minds of people“ to this scenario in such a way that it could become a self fulfilling prophecy. It’s a lot like the January 6 riots in DC: Make something seem inevitable, and influenceable minds will begin to believe it is inevitable. Call me an ostrich, but I don’t think this is as likely as the author paints it to be.
I don’t plan on reading the second book because I don’t intend to reward the effort. This is sad, because I have enjoyed this author in the past.
I was kind of sad about this book.
The author has written a number of books I’ve enjoyed in the past. Although it could be that Mr. Kroese is merely writing from deep research into the mindset of the crypto anarchists, I am left with the impression that he’s not writing *about* them, but is instead writing with them, crafting the crypto believer’s economic apocalypse version of the “Left Behind” Christian apocalypse. He certainly paints the most dire outcome imaginable if every bad thing that this community believes were to indeed come to pass.
While such a thing isn’t impossible, he ignores all the criticisms of crypto that could be equally leveled. As with any fiat currency, crypto is only worth as much as somebody is willing to give it give you for it. And the computing capability required to run the crypto blockchains wouldn’t survive the physical systems apocalypse that is described in the book. Even if the computers survive, the human factors of how (fully digital) crypto works would prevent it from being exchangeable. All in all, crypto’s potential to be a fiat currency alternative could collapse just as quickly as the hated dollar.
I think more harm is done by “opening the minds of people“ to this scenario in such a way that it could become a self fulfilling prophecy. It’s a lot like the January 6 riots in DC: Make something seem inevitable, and influenceable minds will begin to believe it is inevitable. Call me an ostrich, but I don’t think this is as likely as the author paints it to be.
I don’t plan on reading the second book because I don’t intend to reward the effort. This is sad, because I have enjoyed this author in the past.
October 21, 2021
I am not one to get scared by horror novels or movies, but this book scared me because our world and this nation are headed in this direction, faster than even this author's timetable. This book is the first in a series about a man who dreams of getting off this world. Unfortunately he has to make a deal with a corrupt government, the United States of America. After his dream is sabotaged, the government looks for a fall guy. There is also a subplot of his first girlfriend trying to escape as the country starts to collapse. Very riveting and frightening.
October 13, 2021
Couldn't Put it Down
The most important thing in this novel is that it grabs you in the first few pages. From the first chapter, I was well and truly hooked.
The power of science fiction is that it uses new technologies to make us see our own world in a different way. As our civilization matures and new ideas are used up, it becomes harder and harder to do this. The result is science fiction that is still fun to read and educational at a human scale, but less and less ground-breaking. Kroese's gift is that he sees our world in new ways, and he is thus one of the few able to do science fiction in the old style. This book is both illuminating and frightening in the all-too-real vision it presents underneath the new technologies it portrays. I loved all of the main characters and always wanted to know what they were doing. This is a terrific start to a new series, and I eagerly await the sequels.
The most important thing in this novel is that it grabs you in the first few pages. From the first chapter, I was well and truly hooked.
The power of science fiction is that it uses new technologies to make us see our own world in a different way. As our civilization matures and new ideas are used up, it becomes harder and harder to do this. The result is science fiction that is still fun to read and educational at a human scale, but less and less ground-breaking. Kroese's gift is that he sees our world in new ways, and he is thus one of the few able to do science fiction in the old style. This book is both illuminating and frightening in the all-too-real vision it presents underneath the new technologies it portrays. I loved all of the main characters and always wanted to know what they were doing. This is a terrific start to a new series, and I eagerly await the sequels.
March 20, 2022
I loved the first half of this book -- an amazing story of someone inspiring and pro-science saving the world. Maybe lacking in dramatic tension if it had continued with that direction, but there was plenty of "men vs. the world" potential. Unfortunately, about halfway through, it took a turn and became a more political/economic diatribe-heavy, prepper-post-apocalypse story with more "thriller" intrigue. Still good, but not something exceptional or inspiring. Hopefully book 2 and 3 in the series will return to the more inspiring and interesting arc.
February 24, 2022
Holy crap.
February 26, 2022
Nice idea, failed math, way to antiCalifornia
Crypto good, dollar bad. Blames a capital crash on federal reserve act. Blames guilibity on masking, will not continue series
Crypto good, dollar bad. Blames a capital crash on federal reserve act. Blames guilibity on masking, will not continue series
August 11, 2022
Interesting characters and a reasonable plot get lost in the constant editorializing.
March 15, 2022
This is a 4-star review which is a fair representation of my experience with this book.
There are a lot of moving pieces to this book. Our protagonist, Kade Kapur, dreams of starting an aerospace company to help humanity make the jump from Earth to the stars. He is in turn driven, charming, and a techno-geek hesitantly feeling his way through the world.
Unlike past generations of world-changing titans of industry, Kade comes of age at a time when the last free (or at least semi-free) nation is slowly tightening the regulatory and taxation vise that stifles innovation. He is a modern John Galt adapting as quickly as possible; slithering through the closing gap of government interference like Indiana Jones escaping an ancient, trapped tomb.
The story includes native elements about electronic currencies, blockchain systems, privacy concerns, and space mining technologies. The primary characters are engaging and fully realized. Some of the secondary characters are mildly two-dimensional.
The primary reason why this didn't get 5-stars is the economics treatises that get info-dumped in the middle of the story. Most of these come in the form of monologues from an 18-year old prodigy. At some point, the dense economic info-dumps coming from an unlikely source turn into a case where the sub-text supersedes the text. The ideology displaces the story.
The preaching upstages the entertainment.
This was largely an enjoyable read. I look forward to reading the next installment at some point.
There are a lot of moving pieces to this book. Our protagonist, Kade Kapur, dreams of starting an aerospace company to help humanity make the jump from Earth to the stars. He is in turn driven, charming, and a techno-geek hesitantly feeling his way through the world.
Unlike past generations of world-changing titans of industry, Kade comes of age at a time when the last free (or at least semi-free) nation is slowly tightening the regulatory and taxation vise that stifles innovation. He is a modern John Galt adapting as quickly as possible; slithering through the closing gap of government interference like Indiana Jones escaping an ancient, trapped tomb.
The story includes native elements about electronic currencies, blockchain systems, privacy concerns, and space mining technologies. The primary characters are engaging and fully realized. Some of the secondary characters are mildly two-dimensional.
The primary reason why this didn't get 5-stars is the economics treatises that get info-dumped in the middle of the story. Most of these come in the form of monologues from an 18-year old prodigy. At some point, the dense economic info-dumps coming from an unlikely source turn into a case where the sub-text supersedes the text. The ideology displaces the story.
The preaching upstages the entertainment.
This was largely an enjoyable read. I look forward to reading the next installment at some point.
October 27, 2021
This book has an Atlas Shrugged meets Lucifer's Hammer sort of vibe. The idea of capturing an asteroid was presented very plausible, well, to a non-aerospace engineer or physicist it seemed plausible anyway. I had not trouble getting hooked into this great story. There are some scientific leaps you have to make, it is fiction after all, but the story is told in a way that I believed the scenario 'could' happen. The book is also an interesting take on what the country (the world) is going to look like if we continue on the path of increasing government control of economic policies. The story's point of view (Libertarian maybe?) is not often represented in pop-science fiction. Actually, there seems to be more explaining of the outcome of current and future economic policy than there is of explaining hard science, so maybe econ-fi is a better category than sci-fi. As with the science, the economics of it all seemed very plausible (to a non-economist anyway). It's fiction, so some leaps need to be made, but I believed the scenario 'could' happen. The book also seemed to be shooting for an anti-woke agenda, which again, is a point of view not heavily represented in pop science fiction these days. I suppose this could be a turn off for some, but science fiction has a long history of making commentary on current social issues with aliens, moon colonies, etc. In most cases, the author made it work. For example, when Jian was explaining why things were playing out the way they were after the event happened (intentionally vague to not give too much away), it seemed natural for this kid who was into the unfiltered message boards to explain things the people who were stuck with government controled media couldn't understand. When Kade explained economics or the challenges of working with the government, it was of course for the reader, but it made sense for the character to say it. Those things fit the story. Other cases, however, the anti-woke felt forced. Early in the book Kade and his father had a debate about white privilege. I suppose it helped to explain the father and build Kade's character, but the conversation didn't seem to add to the story. It had the feeling of checking an agenda item off the list. The good news is those examples are few and far between. Overall it is a great read and solid story that will not only entertain but make you think. Looking forward to book 2.
January 24, 2022
This one hits a little too close to home to be as fun as The Dream of the Iron Dragon series: Taking place on Earth in the not-too-distant-future, government incompetence in handling spiraling debt leads to disastrous consequences.
The story centers on Kade Kapur, a brilliant Silicon Valley type (think Musk) who lights on the idea of bringing a meteor into close-earth orbit where it can be mined for its vast wealth. Much like John Law's Mississippi (see Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds), the resultant excitement creates a financial bubble which allows Kade the freedom to work toward his (much less avaricious goals).
Of course, things oft gang awry, and for me, the most gripping part of the tale is a cross-country journey undertaken by the heroine (and I presume Kapur's future love interest) in the midst of hyper-inflation. It's riveting and dramatic in that apocalyptic way with the added oomph of being something that not only requires no science-fiction or fantasy element, but seems almost inevitable at this point, down to the government's reflexively stupid handlings of its monetary problems (print more money! price controls! criminalize the free market! lockdowns!).
It's hard science-fiction, so (as with the "Iron Dragon") a lot of attention has been paid to the engineering aspects of getting the meteor into orbit, and Kroese has a sure hand with those details. First of a trilogy, I believe, of planned books.
||
Yep, the last two hundred pages of this book is grueling and, sadly, probably prophetic.
The story centers on Kade Kapur, a brilliant Silicon Valley type (think Musk) who lights on the idea of bringing a meteor into close-earth orbit where it can be mined for its vast wealth. Much like John Law's Mississippi (see Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds), the resultant excitement creates a financial bubble which allows Kade the freedom to work toward his (much less avaricious goals).
Of course, things oft gang awry, and for me, the most gripping part of the tale is a cross-country journey undertaken by the heroine (and I presume Kapur's future love interest) in the midst of hyper-inflation. It's riveting and dramatic in that apocalyptic way with the added oomph of being something that not only requires no science-fiction or fantasy element, but seems almost inevitable at this point, down to the government's reflexively stupid handlings of its monetary problems (print more money! price controls! criminalize the free market! lockdowns!).
It's hard science-fiction, so (as with the "Iron Dragon") a lot of attention has been paid to the engineering aspects of getting the meteor into orbit, and Kroese has a sure hand with those details. First of a trilogy, I believe, of planned books.
||
Yep, the last two hundred pages of this book is grueling and, sadly, probably prophetic.
April 5, 2025
(audible. free w/ +catalogue. dropped it 1st time around & only went back cuz sister liked it)
Assuming you lived through early covid; Have you seen (pic) of guy at checkout with cart overfilling with toilet paper (during emergency) & thought to yourself "That is a very smart (admirable) person. I want to hear story of that guy's wet dream, through his eyes." ? This is that book. I hope the author only used his imagination to paint this picture. Instead of thinking like this himself.
Yeah, it might be worth the listen, but as a hate read + to later reflect & look up the reasons why all these characters & ideas are flawed.
As for writing / why i dropped it & once done feel justified in not liking it: I like stories that are more focused on the main plot. This one introduces too many characters & their predictable experiences. +Preachy: from dialogue of a side character /\(TP shopper type)/\: "If you remove the penalty for overspending or laziness, by giving people more money when they run out, you incentivize bad behavior." Only picked this quote cuz came up @ time of me writing this. If you dont see the problem with this in argument & think gubmint stopping /\(TP purchase)/\ is conspiracy worthy, you will enjoy this book.
Assuming you lived through early covid; Have you seen (pic) of guy at checkout with cart overfilling with toilet paper (during emergency) & thought to yourself "That is a very smart (admirable) person. I want to hear story of that guy's wet dream, through his eyes." ? This is that book. I hope the author only used his imagination to paint this picture. Instead of thinking like this himself.
Yeah, it might be worth the listen, but as a hate read + to later reflect & look up the reasons why all these characters & ideas are flawed.
As for writing / why i dropped it & once done feel justified in not liking it: I like stories that are more focused on the main plot. This one introduces too many characters & their predictable experiences. +Preachy: from dialogue of a side character /\(TP shopper type)/\: "If you remove the penalty for overspending or laziness, by giving people more money when they run out, you incentivize bad behavior." Only picked this quote cuz came up @ time of me writing this. If you dont see the problem with this in argument & think gubmint stopping /\(TP purchase)/\ is conspiracy worthy, you will enjoy this book.
February 15, 2022
My only regret is that I didn't know this is a to-be-continued book. Othwise, I loved it. It's a page-turner with just enough of a current events sensibility to spice it up. It's political message--US decadence and financial collapse--is reminiscent of The Mandibles: A Family, 2029–2047 but this one has the far superior plotting and character design. Highly recommended
February 23, 2023
This book is terrible; essentially sci fi for incels or qanon nutters.
It was so ridiculous I had to stop reading a quarter plus way through.
So, the interesting sci-fi bit is set in 2036 but a good chunk of the story flashes back to when the protagonist was young, read 2020.
So the writer makes all kinds of ridiculous claims about living in America. Can't have a rock in California because it's a lethal weapon. In the 2024 elections the democrats declare themselves officially as the "Democratic Socialists." On and on.
So the writer clearly has a slanted view of the world. And, if he were presenting it as satire or dystopia it might actually be entertaining.
But the character seems modeled after Elmo Musk and it really feels to me like some kind of bizarre qanon fantasy, where musk saves the world because even the republicans are socialists by 2036 by capturing an asteroid and mining it to take humanity to space.
Hard pass for me. I would give it a negative rating if I could.
It was so ridiculous I had to stop reading a quarter plus way through.
So, the interesting sci-fi bit is set in 2036 but a good chunk of the story flashes back to when the protagonist was young, read 2020.
So the writer makes all kinds of ridiculous claims about living in America. Can't have a rock in California because it's a lethal weapon. In the 2024 elections the democrats declare themselves officially as the "Democratic Socialists." On and on.
So the writer clearly has a slanted view of the world. And, if he were presenting it as satire or dystopia it might actually be entertaining.
But the character seems modeled after Elmo Musk and it really feels to me like some kind of bizarre qanon fantasy, where musk saves the world because even the republicans are socialists by 2036 by capturing an asteroid and mining it to take humanity to space.
Hard pass for me. I would give it a negative rating if I could.
November 3, 2024
Realistic, entertaining, and frightening look at a possible near future
If you hate cryptocurrency, space tech, entrepreneurs, innovators, or pragmatists this book probably isn't for you. If instead, you would like to read about relatable, inspiring heroes attempting to do technically challenging things in politically and socially hostile environments with huge stakes you'll probably love it. This story has not only character development but also sweeping world development, as character actions reshape society. Pacing is good and multiple perspectives interact over time and space. I read all three main books in the series before posting this review. While I probably enjoyed this first one most, the entire series is written and delivered consistently, like one large novel. It's just characters and events that change as the story takes its natural course. And you'll probably want to keep reading as there are major cliffhangers.
If you hate cryptocurrency, space tech, entrepreneurs, innovators, or pragmatists this book probably isn't for you. If instead, you would like to read about relatable, inspiring heroes attempting to do technically challenging things in politically and socially hostile environments with huge stakes you'll probably love it. This story has not only character development but also sweeping world development, as character actions reshape society. Pacing is good and multiple perspectives interact over time and space. I read all three main books in the series before posting this review. While I probably enjoyed this first one most, the entire series is written and delivered consistently, like one large novel. It's just characters and events that change as the story takes its natural course. And you'll probably want to keep reading as there are major cliffhangers.
October 23, 2022
Audiobook. Excellent performance. Masterfully done story. Totally believable near future tale. Less predictable than I thought. Obs you know something will go wrong but I was kept on my toes all the way through. Listened straight through once I started. I will definitely be adding this title to my list of books to be inserted into book conversations and recommendations. If you like Neal Stephenson, Larry Correia, George Orwell, and Ayn Rand you need to pick up this book. Don't bother if you're a far left liberal with socialist leanings. You'll get too offended in the first couple chapters to continue. Although you'd probably learn a lot of you can stay with it. See one star reviews of Larry Correia's Tom Stranger to get a feel for how a socialist will view this book.
November 30, 2022
Terribly plausible economic and political SF: A very near-future tech billionaire (comparisons to Elon Musk are inevitable, if inaccurate) creates a public/private partnership with the U.S. government to trap a mineral-rich asteroid in earth orbit; the promise of future riches floats the unsustainable American federal government for a handful of years, until the entire project comes crashing down through a combination of corporate espionage, sabotage, and short-sighted government interference.
There are a couple of places where the economic conversations become talking-head lectures, but it's still an eminently readable example of good libertarian SF.
There are a couple of places where the economic conversations become talking-head lectures, but it's still an eminently readable example of good libertarian SF.
October 29, 2023
I was so hopeful at the concept. Semi hard SF series about capturing an asteroid for mining. Then the author proceeded to beat the reader over the head with this right wing conservative/libertarian nonsense. Goes on about the leftist socialist government, denies white privilege exists by giving the worst definition of it I've ever heard.🤮
I'd read a couple of his other books and some of the politics seemed sketchy but this one... whew.
I grew up reading Robert Heinlein and I'd have to think this guy would consider RAH some kind of pinko commie.
On the other hand if you're part of the maga crowd or a republiQKlan then you'll probably love this series.
I'd read a couple of his other books and some of the politics seemed sketchy but this one... whew.
I grew up reading Robert Heinlein and I'd have to think this guy would consider RAH some kind of pinko commie.
On the other hand if you're part of the maga crowd or a republiQKlan then you'll probably love this series.
June 17, 2024
Insightful, Entertaining, Instructive
An Elon Musk type creates a cellphone satellite network . . . and even wants to go to Mars. But first, he wants to boost the economy by harnessing an asteroid and maneuvering it into Earth orbit . . . for mining rare minerals. Need government partnering? What could go wrong?
Where Atlas Shrugged created a light science fiction adventure featuring the causes of social collapse, this Mammon series cleverly updates the situation for today's developments. Full of surprises. How could a modern America disintegrate along with an international economic collapse? What would it look like? How to survive?
An Elon Musk type creates a cellphone satellite network . . . and even wants to go to Mars. But first, he wants to boost the economy by harnessing an asteroid and maneuvering it into Earth orbit . . . for mining rare minerals. Need government partnering? What could go wrong?
Where Atlas Shrugged created a light science fiction adventure featuring the causes of social collapse, this Mammon series cleverly updates the situation for today's developments. Full of surprises. How could a modern America disintegrate along with an international economic collapse? What would it look like? How to survive?
December 18, 2023
It's fine, the story works but is really just a thinly veiled crypto-libertarian book about government, big business, monetary policy, intervention into the market; there were several sections which were basically the author expositing his beliefs into the narrative. I agree with a good chunk of it, but wish it had been weaved into the story better. The author didn't use humor in this story as much as I am used to from his other works, though the tonal shift works with the story; the usual humor would have been out of place. Undecided on moving on to the next book in the series.
December 28, 2021
In the near future, the US is drowning in debt and social stagnation. Although the government passes a series of increasingly draconian measures in an attempt to generate revenue and stabilize the economy, it takes the vision of Kade Kapur to halt the slide. Kapur's childhood dream, for humanity to expand into space, captures the imagination of the world. People from all over become invested in his plan to capture a huge asteroid, mine it in space, and use the resources to jump-start the colonization of the stars; however, an insidious plot threatens not only Kade's dream, but global survival.
This book is very engaging and Kroese does a great job of spreading the story over contrasting characters. Where he really shines, though, is breaking down complex physics and economics into language and metaphor that readers understand and relate to. The dystopia he creates is terrifyingly believable, which really had me rooting for Kade and his company. I'm on the edge of my seat for book 2.
This book is very engaging and Kroese does a great job of spreading the story over contrasting characters. Where he really shines, though, is breaking down complex physics and economics into language and metaphor that readers understand and relate to. The dystopia he creates is terrifyingly believable, which really had me rooting for Kade and his company. I'm on the edge of my seat for book 2.
November 7, 2022
A really fun story but way too short. Time to spill a few bucks for part 2. I love Kroese's books even through he won't follow me on Twitter. I got spoiled by some of his other work or else this would have been a 5 stars.
Oh what the hell, I'm changing it to a 5 star even though it's more of a 4.6.
Kroese is an anti-woke author so his work isn't distracted by a bunch of xer xem BS. Read his Viking series though, it's incredible.
Oh what the hell, I'm changing it to a 5 star even though it's more of a 4.6.
Kroese is an anti-woke author so his work isn't distracted by a bunch of xer xem BS. Read his Viking series though, it's incredible.
December 29, 2021
Right on the mark!
This ripped-from-the-headlines page turner is far too close to current reality for comfort. Kroese shines a fact-based light into the darkest corners of our current condition, and reveals the true dangers of falling for the narrative we’re force-fed on a daily basis. Luckily, in the process, he tells a riveting story in the best tradition of true sci-fi. Bravo, sir!
This ripped-from-the-headlines page turner is far too close to current reality for comfort. Kroese shines a fact-based light into the darkest corners of our current condition, and reveals the true dangers of falling for the narrative we’re force-fed on a daily basis. Luckily, in the process, he tells a riveting story in the best tradition of true sci-fi. Bravo, sir!
May 14, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. Too often I've read books where the author blames everything on right-wing extremists whereas this book looks at the policies that lead to economic collapse and instead blame politicians (more so left than right).
I was hoping for a bit more science fiction but can't complain overall!
I was hoping for a bit more science fiction but can't complain overall!
June 14, 2023
This is a review of this whole series. Mr. Kroese has done remarkable things here. Even while Michael Crichton was still writing I was looking for other writers of his guild, and in R.K. I have found. R.K. writes with the grip of Crichton, but with a broader scope and often more depth. Thank you, R.K. and everyone helping you, for clearly much hard work and great education within!!!
July 14, 2023
I'm going to wait until I finish the second in the series before I do a longer review. I like the overall story, but there was a LOT of lecturing expository dialogue in this. Even though I agreed with the subject matter, it got tedious as the book went on. I hope that won't be the case in the second book.
October 11, 2025
Not much sci-fi here, sadly. I really like a lot of Kroese's writing, which can be top-notch sci-fi (The Saga of the Iron Dragon) or laugh-out-loud satire (Rex Nihilo).
But this was mostly a libertarian manifesto under the veneer of what was an interesting near-future premise. I was quite disappointed.
But this was mostly a libertarian manifesto under the veneer of what was an interesting near-future premise. I was quite disappointed.
December 6, 2025
For a science fiction novel, it has a lot of economic disasters and close to real life turmoil when the economy of a nation is depending on the possibility of mining revenues from an asteroid. This book does well in explaining these in a way that make sense. Great job, and looking forward to the rest of the books!
November 24, 2021
Great read!
I was turned off at first by the heavy sermonizing about wealth taxes being evil, and the bashing of the idea of white privileged. But I kept reading and this is a great story. The characters are believable, and the plot is audacious. Now I can’t wait for book two.
I was turned off at first by the heavy sermonizing about wealth taxes being evil, and the bashing of the idea of white privileged. But I kept reading and this is a great story. The characters are believable, and the plot is audacious. Now I can’t wait for book two.
January 13, 2023
Libertarian disaster porn that moves along nicely until the actual disaster hits (figuratively) about two-thirds into the book. At that point it becomes pages and pages of characters explaining inflation and banking in unrealistic monologues that would bore John Galt.
December 7, 2021
When I hit the 50% mark I couldn't stop. Talk about fast and furious. Great read; waaaay too much like reality.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews