Homo Cosmicus 2: Titan: A Science Fiction Novel

Homo Cosmicus

by Todor Bombov

2nd Book in Sci-Fi Series Is Set on Saturn’s Moon

Homo Cosmicus-2: Titan is a sci-fi novel, sui generis, a sequel to the first Homo Cosmicus novel. It’s something like Arthur Clarke’s Odysseys, which, after his words, are not direct continuations one to the other.

The action takes place mostly on Titan, Saturn’s satellite, in 2069. The Earth’s civilization rises to the dawn of a type-II civilization on the Kardashev scale, a civilization having full use of its solar system’s planets and satellites.

Titan turns out to be the mankind’s golden mine. Interplanetary trade relies exclusively on Titan as the key hub. From here, massive deliveries of hydrogen and nitrogen depart to the colonies on Mars, Venus, the asteroids, and Jupiter’s and Saturn’s satellites. The settlements on them accelerate their rates together with the exploring expeditions there.

The private corporation CSC and NASA have launched 10 scientists on a mission to Titan. They get their inspiration from their own discoveries which the wrapped in dusk and mystery satellite conceals. And at that moment, all of a sudden, deaths begin to occur one after another. Are they murders or just accidents? One by one, the mission’s members die ominously and mysteriously. The things coarsen more and more until the moon inhabitant Dr. Eddie Roberto disentangles the tangle of crimes. The weird deaths follow fix sequence, the sequence of a minstrel song known to us from Agatha Christie.

And what will Earth with its new civilization of GMO men, cyborgs, and androids look like? What kind of civilization it is? What is its future?

About the Author: Todor Bombov is a customs officer with 30 years’ service in the pearl of the Black Sea, the historic city of Varna, Bulgaria, which has had a highly developed culture for over 6,500 years. This is his fourth book.

Genres: Drama, Novels, Contemporary, Book Club, Science Fiction

152 pages, Paperback

First published April 5, 2022

About the author

Todor Bombov a native of Bulgaria has been writing for many years, so many he himself finds it hard to recall the exact number. From writing in his spare time to having two publications in United States, a sci-fi story "Of Rats and Men" as well as an economic and political analysis of ex -socialism in Eastern Europe and USSR "Socialism Is Dead! Long Live Socialism!" he now brings his forward thinking wayward words to the Western World. But Are they ready to accept?!

A 25 year Veteran Customs officer Mr Bombov also enjoys Astrology, the Black Sea and holds a degree in Economics and Computer Technology.

Of Rats and Men reserved for those with an Open Mind!
Socialism Is Dead! Long Live Socialism! reserved for the Clever Thinking Men!

Fun Facts:
Of Rats and Men was inspired by a 1990's Magazine article depicting Moscow's Underground Rat Infestation.
Socialism Is Dead! Long Live Socialism! was inspired inside the sham socialism searching the truth and a better, humane society.

Publisher's website: http://sbpra.com/TodorBombov

Reviews

[Pamela Jaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Agatha Christie in space? Why not, if you do it well. Todor Bombov has done it very well in his latest sci-fi novel TITAN.

An exploration team of astronauts on Saturn’s moon Titan starts losing members, one by one, to odd accidents or outright murder. And, personalized messages appear that reference Agatha Christie’s “Ten Little Indians” story, striking fear as to who’s going to be next.

But who – or what – is doing the killing?

As the clues mount up and the tension rises, how much can the humans trust their AI? Or each other?

A fast-paced plot, unique individuals, developing relationships, unpeeling mysteries…it all contributes to an urgent need to get off Titan, now!

Todor Bombov’s sci-fi novel TITAN is very engaging, mysterious, dangerous, full of contemporary relevance, full of warnings about what deleterious things can happen if we keep going the way we are with science, technology, exploration, and unchecked exploitation. Yet it does offer threads of hope for what might come about if humanity learns to evolve.

It is certainly a message we all need to hear these days. And it is presented in an entertaining yet dark way, which is quite appropriate for the nature of this story.

Bombov’s writing is smart but always accessible. His references to ancient times, mythology, literary works, current science and media are fun if you know them, inspire you to look them up if you don’t, but they never intimidate or slow down the story-telling.

I hope that more and more people will not only enjoy this novel, but also come to see the wisdom of his words and begin to apply them in their own lives, their societies, and their systems. We so need it!

[Réal Laplaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Homo Cosmicus 2: Titan, by Todor Bombov, is an existential science fiction thriller with deep threads of technology built into the story. The story surrounds a team of scientists on Titan, one of Saturn's moons, who, in 2069, are on a mission financed by a corporation to explore its resources, when suddenly, members are mysteriously dying. News of the deaths undulate back to Earth and elsewhere, touching the lives of those affected, and sending one man, the father of one of the surviving team members, into an investigation to find the illusive murderer. While that story plays out, the author has built in a tremendous amount of detail which is interspersed in the storyline; such as the backdrop on how mankind colonized the solar system, how large corporations became the giants of space exploration and have seized the opportunity to harvest resources from planets and asteroids, and how, in just a matter of decades leading up to this story, mankind permitted Earth to become a scarred remnant of its once beautiful self, with most animal and plant life dead, oceans laid waste, and disease and death spread to the point where it became necessary for science to play god with the genetic matrix of humanity, creating new versions of man who could withstand the toxicity and harsh conditions of not only Earth, but the rigors of space life. The story has broad and rapid leaps, and the bridges between one scenario to the next can be abrupt, but as a whole, this book opens up our perspective to a very real future facing us, both in terms of space colonization, and the fate of Earth and our race if we do not halt the destruction of our planet.

[Soochi Sandhiya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, Homo Cosmicus 2: Titan, is the second part of the series, and you would need a few details if you were reading it, but if you haven't read the first part, then don't worry; the author has given enough to connect with the story. Most of the incidents are situated in a whole new "Scifi-Scenario" created in 2069 on Titan, which is one of Saturn's satellites. You would get to know many sci-fi facts grafted in this story, like Earth being part of a type II civilization, as it has full utilization of the solar system and other satellites. You would know about the interplanetary trade of various gases and minerals for the survival of life in other parts of this solar system. Although the story is fictional, the author has made it realistic in terms of imagination, with all the possible intricate details. This shows well-detailed research and an art of telling. The novel is uniquely engaging with its scenario of different worlds. As you turn the pages, you will be part of a different world.  

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Homo Cosmicus 2 by Todor Bombov, much like the first book in the series it leaves you with lots to think about. 10 scientist show up on Titan in slowly but surely they’re disappearing the only clue they get is a message from Agatha Christie’s book little Indians everyone is suspicious and eventually it will be of everyone else but should they be looking outside of their little group or is someone they brought to tighten a murderer. This book ultimately gives you lots to think about they say where there is money there is power and that money is the root of all evil but what drives this murderer is totally something different and that includes the way they murder. I found this book so interesting and although I enjoyed the first book by Todor Bombov, Homo Cosmicus I can honestly say the second book although heavy in scientific terms was so much more interesting. From the five robots to life on the moon there is a lot more to this book than just murders“ from Agatha Christie’s book it is a clever plot with intelligent world building in likable characters and that includes the robots. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it if you love sci-fi and alternative whirls you’ll definitely enjoy this one. Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[MerrinBoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Homo Cosmicus 2: Titan, is a well thought out concept with a great storyline to go with it. The characters are engaging and very likable. The book is very fast paced and gets you hooked and engaged very quickly.
If you like science fiction that’s action packed and a bit bonkers, this is for you. If you like stories with interesting, well developed characters, this also has that. If you want excitement and a thrilling plot, here you go.
The author obviously has a knack for creating a totally engrossing story that makes you keep on turning pages, its like a wild ride through a science fiction theme park, where every ride makes you question the universe, and why we can’t just get along with our robot overlords. Definitely recommended.

[DaveyCart · Rating 4 out of 5]

”Homo Cosmicus 2: Titan" is the second book of a series. This book was so interesting to read and I’ve learned many new facts throughout, due to Todor Bombov’s seamless transition to a new sci-fi world. It is clear he did his research due to the scientific terminology used, and paired with his vivid characters and setting descriptions, it brought the story to life. It is a very thought provoking book and it got me considering themes such as power, money and corruption, and the state of the world we’re living in now. It is full of danger, mystery and excitement, and although at times it was intense with the science side of the story, I enjoyed it thoroughly. Looking forward to reading more of his work in the future!

[Christina F · Rating 4 out of 5]

Homo Cosmiscu 2: Titan, is the second book in a series. It takes place in the year 2069 on Titan, Saturn’s satellite. I really enjoyed learning about the colonies that were established on Titan that have both people and robots. The writing is so well done and so descriptive that I feel like I am on Titan myself. It was so interesting how there were floating cities, a flying disc for traveling, all four seasons, and much more on Titan.

The book follows various astronauts that go to visit Titan from Earth. Something mysterious begins to happen- one by one Titan starts to lose some of its members. At first it seems like an accident but as they start to add up people start to wonder are these murders? Things become tense as people wonder if something will happen to them and as they try to determine what happened to the others.

The colonies rely on AI for quite a bit and as the deaths and the investigation into them continue the astronauts begin to wonder about the reliability of AI. It makes you think about our current world and how much AI is being used and if it can be trusted. A well done book!

[DuckyEGG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humanity’s Expansion - This story presents the future of humanity in space, where they are now living on the moon Titan, a trade post hotspot. It explores the potential, along with the challenges, of making use of the resources available in the solar system. It seemed like a fantasy situation, but with Todor Bombov’s clear understanding of both economics and technology, it became more of a possibility the more I read.
Mystery - Unexplained deaths begin to occur throughout the story, creating tension. It kept me on the edge of my seat, and added a lot of depth to the plot on top of the already brilliant world building. The mystery behind the deaths (murder? accidents?), along with the unknown territory of the galaxy setting that I was thrown into, made this a thrilling Sci-Fi read.
Human Ingenuity and Survival - This book is a testament to our ingenuity and determination to survive. Even in the face of the unknown, we as a species always push forward with new inventions, explorations, and more. Bombov conveys his belief in our ability to not only overcome obstacles, but thrive. I have a newfound appreciation for how far we’ve come, and how far we have yet to go.

[Derik · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book called "Homo Cosmicus 2: Titan" is the second part of the interwoven sci-fi series. As a result of Todor Bombov's deft shift to a brand-new science fiction setting, readers would certainly get a lot of new information while reading this engaging novel. His in-depth research is evident in the correctly used technical jargon , which, when combined with his vivid and intricate descriptions of the characters and surroundings, has brought the novel to life. The sub-plots are woven around the common concepts of power, money, corruption, and some more thought-provoking current situations around the globe. A few times, the readers might feel overwhelmed with the scientific world and new knowledge, but with each page, this would be useful. This aids in developing a gradual grip on the reader and makes it a more free-flowing read. This was one among a few of my sci-fi read and i was fascinated by the details, description and author's dedication.

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Things here are a far cry from Earth” – An exhilarating outer space sci-fi novel

Bulgarian author Todor Bombov earned his degree in Economics and Computer Technology and has served as a Veteran Customs Officer. His books to date – OF RATS AND MEN, SOCIALISM IS DEAD! LONG LIVE SOCIALISM, HOMO COSMICUS, and now HOMO COSMICUS 2: TITAN.

With fluid, well-paced, informed writing, Bombov has created a science fiction novel that captures imagination with wit, candor and creative finesse. With space launches now a focus of media coverage and indeed our lives, the author further underscores credibility with this novel. Appropriately, he opens with ‘Arrival’ in which we learn, ‘The navigator skillfully guided the flying disc among the dense orange-yellow blanket of clouds in the upper atmosphere that they had just entered. Some of the clouds were touched with a brownish hue at the edges. The rest of the pilots gazed curiously and intently outwards while taking their seats. The flying saucer descended slowly, the navigator’s actions exhibiting confidence…’ And so we encounter Titan, Saturn’s largest satellite – in the year 2069.

The synopsis distills the action well: ‘Earth’s civilization rises to the dawn of a Type-II civilization on the Kardashev scale, one having full use of its solar system’s planets and satellites. Titan turns out to be mankind’s gold mine. Interplanetary trade relies exclusively on Titan as its key hub. From here, massive deliveries of hydrogen and nitrogen depart to the colonies on Mars, Venus, the asteroids, and Jupiter’s and Saturn’s satellites. The settlements on them go on accelerated rates, together with their exploring expeditions. The private corporation CSC along with NASA have launched ten scientists on a mission to Titan. They get their inspiration from their own discoveries, which the wrapped-in-dusk-and-mystery satellite conceals. And at that moment, all of a sudden, deaths begin to occur. Are they murders or just accidents?’

Bombov writes with such skill and depth of knowledge about space exploration and interplanetary commerce that this intriguing story simply takes flight! Add mystery to the plot and most readers will make this a full evening’s excursion. Very highly recommended.

[Grymm Gevierre · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is very creative; Bombov did a great job creating the world and researching necessary areas to present well in this book. I did have trouble connecting to the characters, but that could be because, though it’s a great sci-fi story with good lore and setting, it can be dense, and there are pockets of deep technical passages. The casual reader may get lost, and I don’t read as much sci-fi as I’d like.  The mystery and investigation behind the deaths is done well, and Bombov did an exceptional job ensuring the series can thrive in the next book without leaving frustrating loose ends. Overall, this is a good sci-fi book, so if you are really into mystery, space, and well-researched science, this book is for you (make sure to check out the first one, too!)

[Brenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Swati Tanu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a really cool sci-fi story, and it's a follow-up to another book.

Most of the story happens on Titan, a moon of Saturn, in the year 2069. It talks about how Earth is getting more advanced, becoming what's called a type-II civilization. Titan becomes super important for trading between planets. There's a mission to Titan led by a company called CSC and NASA, with ten scientists. But then, people start dying in strange ways, and it's up to Dr. Eddie Roberto, who lives on Titan, to figure out why.

It's a mix of a thrilling adventure and a mystery, kind of like Agatha Christie's stories. If you like sci-fi and mysteries, you'll enjoy this book!

You might like to wander through a few artistic journals — they’re full of sparks and surprises.