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sangloup's review
5.0
Book #152 in the year 2020
Ok... I just have to say that at first I wasn't sure I was going to like this series. In book 1 I kind of got invested in a few of the characters and had to start book 2 just to see what happened. However, I really think I've come to like this series so far. ROC is my favorite character by far. I do believe he is the one I am most in love with. Leave it to me to fall in love with a computer!! LOL.
I can't wait to pick up the next book and see what is in store for our brave kids of Galahad.
Ok... I just have to say that at first I wasn't sure I was going to like this series. In book 1 I kind of got invested in a few of the characters and had to start book 2 just to see what happened. However, I really think I've come to like this series so far. ROC is my favorite character by far. I do believe he is the one I am most in love with. Leave it to me to fall in love with a computer!! LOL.
I can't wait to pick up the next book and see what is in store for our brave kids of Galahad.
theartolater's review
3.0
I am not fond of the first book in this series, which is really just a 200 page extended setup to this book, which is much, much better. It still has a lot of flaws, but the teenage space survival story is at least in full swing here, and the teenagers actually sound and act like teenagers.
The flaw, again, is how little happens. A lot of mystery doled out over a long period of time without enough reason to keep going. I almost wish that the first book was condensed into about 25 pages and we just dove in here to get to the meat of things.
Overall, still a pass, but less so than with the first book.
The flaw, again, is how little happens. A lot of mystery doled out over a long period of time without enough reason to keep going. I almost wish that the first book was condensed into about 25 pages and we just dove in here to get to the meat of things.
Overall, still a pass, but less so than with the first book.
stelaloryn's review
4.0
The characters have grown the situations are more serious and space is unrelenting. I can't wait to see how the rest of the series plays out.
mzpolarbear's review
4.0
The second book the Galahad Series and I have to say, I liked it better than the first one! The first book was setting the stage, introducing the characters, and in general laying the ground work for the coming books.
The Web of Titan jumps in to the story, assuming you have a basic idea of what has come before and who these characters are. This books focuses on the core characters, with a few secondary characters. I found that this focus made the story feel more connected, I had "people" to connect with, to route for, and to care for. By far the best character is Roc, the snarky computer, but the human characters are more developed, more fleshed out, and more complete, making the contest for best character tighter.
I like how the science of this voyage, the moon of Titan, and Saturn are incorporated into the story. It does not feel like a science lecture, but it makes me want to go out and learn more about the moons of Saturn, see the pictures of Titan.
The concept of alien life in our solar system is intriguing...and one that is so vastly different than humans is not only logical, but the way Mr Testa describes the Cassini makes the reader really think about why we as humans assume that other intelligent life must be similar in form and function to ourselves.
As the crew of the Galahad work together to advert yet another disaster, they learn more about themselves and it starts to really sink in that they really are the only ones left...and what happens next is all up to them. As they leave our known solar system, we the reader know that there will be more challenges ahead for our crew...but how many will be from an outside force and how many will be from the interpersonal dynamics of having 251 teenagers (plus one cat) living in one space.
And now that the Cassini know about the plague back on earth...will they do anything to assist? If so, will there be any way to let those on the Galahad know? Will that change the future of the Galahad's mission?
The Web of Titan jumps in to the story, assuming you have a basic idea of what has come before and who these characters are. This books focuses on the core characters, with a few secondary characters. I found that this focus made the story feel more connected, I had "people" to connect with, to route for, and to care for. By far the best character is Roc, the snarky computer, but the human characters are more developed, more fleshed out, and more complete, making the contest for best character tighter.
I like how the science of this voyage, the moon of Titan, and Saturn are incorporated into the story. It does not feel like a science lecture, but it makes me want to go out and learn more about the moons of Saturn, see the pictures of Titan.
The concept of alien life in our solar system is intriguing...and one that is so vastly different than humans is not only logical, but the way Mr Testa describes the Cassini makes the reader really think about why we as humans assume that other intelligent life must be similar in form and function to ourselves.
As the crew of the Galahad work together to advert yet another disaster, they learn more about themselves and it starts to really sink in that they really are the only ones left...and what happens next is all up to them. As they leave our known solar system, we the reader know that there will be more challenges ahead for our crew...but how many will be from an outside force and how many will be from the interpersonal dynamics of having 251 teenagers (plus one cat) living in one space.
And now that the Cassini know about the plague back on earth...will they do anything to assist? If so, will there be any way to let those on the Galahad know? Will that change the future of the Galahad's mission?
juliemawesome's review
3.0
Some teen love angst, some mysteries that weren't mysteries, and all mysteries took rather too long to resolve. But all in all, it wasn't bad. I may or may not keep reading the series.
reader_fictions's review
2.0
I read and reviewed The Comet's Curse, the first book in this series, last week. Check out my review here. For once, I don't actually have all that much to say. This book is much like the first, so, if you loved that one, The Web of Titan will not disappoint. The same relationship drama is here, only with a couple of new players. No real progress is made on that front of course.
As for the plot of this novel, it is less interesting than the last. While the previous novel had the interesting dystopian aspects to keep it going and of getting started, this one is entirely dependent on the tension provided by the beam. That really just didn't cause me to feel anything but boredom. The problem is that it's so obvious Testa does not have any plans to kill anyone off, not to mention the whole ship worth of kids. Knowing that, there is no doubt that they will survive the crisis, making it not feel so much like a crisis.
This series is okay, but nothing special. Next up is book three, The Cassini Code. Hopefully, it will prove me wrong.
As for the plot of this novel, it is less interesting than the last. While the previous novel had the interesting dystopian aspects to keep it going and of getting started, this one is entirely dependent on the tension provided by the beam. That really just didn't cause me to feel anything but boredom. The problem is that it's so obvious Testa does not have any plans to kill anyone off, not to mention the whole ship worth of kids. Knowing that, there is no doubt that they will survive the crisis, making it not feel so much like a crisis.
This series is okay, but nothing special. Next up is book three, The Cassini Code. Hopefully, it will prove me wrong.
prationality's review
4.0
In my review of the first book, The Comet’s Curse, I mentioned wanting to be shown more of what life on the Galahad was like and wanting less of the author telling us about it. Guess who delivered?
Four months after the incident with the stowaway, the crew of the Galahad is preparing for a last-minute addition to their schedule. As they jet past Saturn, they’re to pick up a pod sent planet-side from a team of scientists studying the planet for signs of life. Sounds routine enough. Of course, that doesn’t account for the mysterious message that Lita, who’s in charge of Medical, receives from Earth. Or the lack of tangible data about what the group of 30 scientists were studying. Or even the strange illness affecting a couple dozen crew members, including Bon.
By this point the crew has fallen into a sense of normalcy. There is no longer a collective feeling of grief settling on their shoulders, but one of determination. The Council members–Lita, Bon, Gap, Triana and Channy–have worked hard to keep things running smoothly for the ship. And as predicted, interpersonal relationships have developed, which is perfectly normal in any group of teenagers, let alone those who will be living together in relatively small space for five years.
I had definite moments of irritation with Triana; she would begin to worry over a new threat to the ship and then just begin brooding over Bon. Since their emotional embrace four months earlier, the two have avoided each other in every way but the most professional. This upsets her and makes her feel at a loss. Add to it Gap has put a distance to her as well (though she doesn’t know he saw her and Bon hugging), and she’s all over the place in terms of emotional need.
Lita and Channy are given more to do in this book than the last; Lita is busy trying to figure out the mysterious illness that has sprung up for no logical reason, while Channy is busy trying to keep the Council together as a whole. I don’t know whether it’s a conscious thing or not for her, but she doesn’t like seeing tensions and does her best to mitigate those moments with humor and chatter.
Adding to the mix is Hannah, a girl from Alaska who is a genius (literally) with science. She’s the one who first notices the strange correlations between the events on board and the events on Saturn with the scientists. She notices that more is happening to the ill crew members than simple space sickness. She also gives them a solution. I liked her immensely; in a quiet way she insinuated herself in the group and became a real asset.
The ramifications of what happens in this book are hinted at by Roc, the AI who runs the ship’s computer and autonomic functions, in his commentaries. Testa cut back on his observations quite a bit from the first book, but Roc stills makes his presence known and supplies hints and details in a clever, amusing way.
The next book due out is The Cassini Code in November, and book four is due out next March, currently titled The Dark Zone (I’m sure it has no relation whatsoever with the Canadian sci-fi comedy romp Lexx). From the descriptions it sounds as if there’s a reckoning and tough decisions ahead that could make or break this troop.
Four months after the incident with the stowaway, the crew of the Galahad is preparing for a last-minute addition to their schedule. As they jet past Saturn, they’re to pick up a pod sent planet-side from a team of scientists studying the planet for signs of life. Sounds routine enough. Of course, that doesn’t account for the mysterious message that Lita, who’s in charge of Medical, receives from Earth. Or the lack of tangible data about what the group of 30 scientists were studying. Or even the strange illness affecting a couple dozen crew members, including Bon.
By this point the crew has fallen into a sense of normalcy. There is no longer a collective feeling of grief settling on their shoulders, but one of determination. The Council members–Lita, Bon, Gap, Triana and Channy–have worked hard to keep things running smoothly for the ship. And as predicted, interpersonal relationships have developed, which is perfectly normal in any group of teenagers, let alone those who will be living together in relatively small space for five years.
I had definite moments of irritation with Triana; she would begin to worry over a new threat to the ship and then just begin brooding over Bon. Since their emotional embrace four months earlier, the two have avoided each other in every way but the most professional. This upsets her and makes her feel at a loss. Add to it Gap has put a distance to her as well (though she doesn’t know he saw her and Bon hugging), and she’s all over the place in terms of emotional need.
Lita and Channy are given more to do in this book than the last; Lita is busy trying to figure out the mysterious illness that has sprung up for no logical reason, while Channy is busy trying to keep the Council together as a whole. I don’t know whether it’s a conscious thing or not for her, but she doesn’t like seeing tensions and does her best to mitigate those moments with humor and chatter.
Adding to the mix is Hannah, a girl from Alaska who is a genius (literally) with science. She’s the one who first notices the strange correlations between the events on board and the events on Saturn with the scientists. She notices that more is happening to the ill crew members than simple space sickness. She also gives them a solution. I liked her immensely; in a quiet way she insinuated herself in the group and became a real asset.
The ramifications of what happens in this book are hinted at by Roc, the AI who runs the ship’s computer and autonomic functions, in his commentaries. Testa cut back on his observations quite a bit from the first book, but Roc stills makes his presence known and supplies hints and details in a clever, amusing way.
The next book due out is The Cassini Code in November, and book four is due out next March, currently titled The Dark Zone (I’m sure it has no relation whatsoever with the Canadian sci-fi comedy romp Lexx). From the descriptions it sounds as if there’s a reckoning and tough decisions ahead that could make or break this troop.
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