The Comet's Curse

Jun 08, 2011 Flannery rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Flannery by: Random find

Shelves: i-want-to-go-to-there, swords-and-lasers, ya-space-quest-o-mine, young-adult-teen, read-in-2011, reviewed-2011

I can pinpoint the start of my obsession with space stories to a date: January 17-24, 1988. I was not even 5 yet but I remember watching Earth Star Voyager, a miniseries presented by The Wonderfuld World of Disney. We taped it and watched it over and over until the VHS started to get all crappy--well, crappier quality than VHS tapes already were. No worries, though, because mon frère got all of his sisters DVD copies off of ebay a few years back so I can watch it over and over as an adult. Anywa...more I can pinpoint the start of my obsession with space stories to a date: January 17-24, 1988. I was not even 5 yet but I remember watching Earth Star Voyager, a miniseries presented by The Wonderfuld World of Disney. We taped it and watched it over and over until the VHS started to get all crappy--well, crappier quality than VHS tapes already were. No worries, though, because mon frère got all of his sisters DVD copies off of ebay a few years back so I can watch it over and over as an adult. Anyway, I love space. And YA. I will watch any show that features teenagers in space and I’ll read any book of the same variety.

Earlier this year, I started reading Across the Universe. I thought it rather interesting to start out but I got bored and passed it to a friend (are you reading this? Read it and give it back, jerk). After reading this book, I feel like AtU wasn’t as original as I had initially thought. I’m happy that more YA authors seem to be hopping on the space wagon, (visual image: space wagon) especially because the genre is not yet saturated. Oldie but goodies Ray Bradbury, Robert Heinlein, Marion Zimmer Bradley, and Connie Willis have added quite a bit to the collection but newer stuff? There isn’t a ton. (I know there’s some) Most recently, I’ve read Academy 7 and continued with OSC’s Enderverse books—but I like my space to be minus religion, heavy political strategy discussions, and with strong female characters who don’t go baby-crazy and turn whackadoo. (I’m talking to you, Petra Arkanian)

So, the other day I had a few Goodreaders over to my house. I took them to a local bookstore and went downstairs to peruse a small branch of my library. (Two things: (1) Crazy that the library is downstairs from a bookstore, right?; and (2) Way to go me for trying not to spend money!) I looked at the YA shelves and saw a book that said, “251 TEENS ARE SENT INTO SPACE TO SAVE MANKIND. WILL THEY SUCCEED?” Okay, I’m frakking sold. Then I found out it was number 4 in a series and they didn’t have #1. Screw you, library! But they had it at the bookstore upstairs. (and I put the rest of them on hold and picked them up the next day. I was just kidding about being angry at the library. King County Library System is the shit.)

Fun, fun, fun. This book is set in a future wherein a comet flew extremely close to Earth’s atmosphere and yadda, yadda, yadda, the comet’s particles create a deadly disease that is slowly killing most of the population. (Plausible? I didn’t really care.) A few scientists pitch the idea of building a spaceship and sending 15/16 year olds off to colonize somewhere new in the galaxy. (adults are more susceptible to the disease and no one under 18 has developed it but they make the cutoff lower to be sure) The spaceship design is strikingly similar to that in Across the Universe or really, the opposite is true. The narrative style was interesting, as it shifted from first person (the hilariously snarky ship computer that retains the personality of its creator) to third person, covering several of the primary council members. We learn the backstories of the characters as well as the history of how the project was developed and implemented. Oh, happy day! Nearly every time I had a question, Dom Testa answered it. Spoiler Gripes:(view spoiler)

The first installment of the series follows the crew as they head out and encounter a saboteur in their midst during the first week. The way each of them dealt with the situation and how they interacted with each other made me really excited to continue with the series. This book was exactly what I wanted to read at that moment and I hope the following installments will entertain me as much. I don’t know if this will be as much of a homerun for regular YA readers, but for those who, like me, enjoy both traditional sci-fi and YA (there is some romance going on), this series is for us. NERDS UNITE!

3.5-4 stars.
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Jul 12, 2012 Beverly rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: 13-16 year olds

Recommended to Beverly by: Indie Nex List/indiebound.org

Shelves: good-girl-books, good-reads-for-reluctant-readers

A space ship of 251 teenagers, and no adults, headed to an unexplored planet. What a perfect setting for a YA novel series. The Comet's Curse has something for every YA reading taste. It's a sci-fi that reads more like realistic fiction, a spooky mystery is one of the conflicts, and it has a couple of budding romances. It is also a quick read that disappoints on some levels. It reads more like the introduction to the rest of the series, than a stand alone novel. To explain the background for th...more

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Jan 13, 2012 InkBitten rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: gabby

Judged By The Cover: Something I have never seen before

Many, many covers have a girl or guy with thier heads cut off, but this book actually has heads! Plus it has two people on the cover! Which is different from many covers that have that girl or guy with there heads cut off. I also like the angle of the characters on the cover, whom I assume to be the characters of Triana (Tree) and Gap. All in all, the cover has this science-fiction aura to it, but in a way that is the genre of the book. In m...more

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Jul 18, 2011 Tammy Dahle rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

My thoughts:
This science fiction thriller is set 200 years into the future. A comet has swept by Earth leaving deadly particles behind that are killing adults. Mankind's future lays in the hands of 251 teenagers that have agreed to man a space shuttle and travel to the great unknown. What a premise!
The Comet's Curse is the first book in a planned six part series. The story wastes no time introducing us to a cast of characters we are sure to hear more about in books to follow. The constant shifts...more

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Oct 07, 2010 Margaret rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ya

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The sci-fi novel takes place in the not-so-distant future, after the tail of Comet Bhaktul has passed through Earth's atmosphere. Particles from the comet are killing off everyone over 18 on Earth, so a decision is made to blast 251 teenagers into space, as a last hope that humanity will survive. But once they've taken off, it becomes clear that there's a saboteur on board.

Testa intersperses the scenes on board with flashbacks to the discovery of the comet and the decision to launch the ship. Th...more The sci-fi novel takes place in the not-so-distant future, after the tail of Comet Bhaktul has passed through Earth's atmosphere. Particles from the comet are killing off everyone over 18 on Earth, so a decision is made to blast 251 teenagers into space, as a last hope that humanity will survive. But once they've taken off, it becomes clear that there's a saboteur on board.

Testa intersperses the scenes on board with flashbacks to the discovery of the comet and the decision to launch the ship. This helps explain the big reveal comes at the end, but slows the action down as the book begins. And while it's not a new sci-fi premise, it is an intriguing one. Once the pace picked up, you do get caught up the hunt for the stowaway, and concerned for the fate of the mission. The book is the first in a series, and I confess wanting to check out the next few to see what happens.

The idea of teens running their own society will certainly be appealing to YA readers - there are no adults here to tell you what to do. And the issues of leaving home, losing loved ones, having to make friends in a new situation are universal.

I did have a few issues with the novel. One thing that started to grate was that I didn't feel like these kids were actually acting like teenagers - - they're all happy to go to school, do their work on board, get regular exercise so they stay healthy. No one resents that 5 of the 251 are fixed to be leaders while everybody else has to rotate duty shifts. No one says "I want to sleep late, and not go to work." No one is sneaking off to have sex in the dark corridors. When they suspect the stowaway is hiding in the secret storage compartments the kids aren't allowed to enter, they reject the idea of breaking in, because, well, they're not supposed to enter them. It's a function of the plot that these are the most reliable, mature teenagers in the world, that's why they were chosen, but it started to seem a bit unrealistic.

The writing is also a bit weak in several places, mainly because Testa has ignored the classic "show don't tell" rule. When the leader Tree is stressed over a crisis, the on-board computer (which acts as a parental figure and teacher to the passengers) tells her that by the end of the voyage "you’ll hardly recognize the person you are now. And you'll find that friendships will change, too. People you are very close to now will not be so close down the road. On the other hand, some people that you barely know now will turn out to be your best friends. That's not unique to Galahad. It happens to every young person as they mature." (page 54). Excellent advice. But lying just flat out like that makes the book sound like an after-school special.

What to Read Next: Kids who like this will probably want to check out the other books in the series. I could also see a match with Ender's Game, or Asimov's Foundation Series.

Book talk: The comet Bhaktul has flown past the Earth, splashing its tail into the planet's atmosphere. And that's what caused the problem: a disease that's quickly killing off the population, at least everyone over 18. A ship with 251 teenagers on board is shot into space - humanity's last hope for a future. But now there are disturbing signs that something, or someone, doesn't want the mission to succeed.
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Jul 20, 2010 Julie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: any YA or advanced mid-level readers

Recommended to Julie by: Mom (via giving me the ARC of book 2)

Shelves: 2010, from-library, science-fiction, young-adult

Recently, I came into possession of an ARC copy of The Web of Titan, by Dom Testa. Finding that it was actually book two of the Galahad series, I searched out book one at the library.

Boy, was this a fun ride. It's not often you see YA sci-fi in the first place, but to find one as interesting and smoothly written as this is probably even more rare. I liked Testa's characters, the plotline was interesting, and I enjoyed getting the perspective of not only the kids on the ship, but the scientists a...more

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Jan 10, 2010 Paige Y. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: z-2010-books-read, z-2010-ya-fiction

At first it was just an interesting spectacle – a comet coming close enough to Earth to be seen clearly, its tail passing through Earth’s atmosphere. But then, mysteriously, adults on Earth begin to sicken and die. It’s soon determined that the tail contained a mysterious virus, a virus that only affected adults but that was deadly. It looked as though all of mankind was doomed. But then a scientist decides that the way to save the human race was to send 251 teenagers off to another planet where...more

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Jun 05, 2012 Dragon Queen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: astronomy, coming-of-age, mental-health, romance-adult-ya-teen, science-fiction, science, survival, terrorists, utopia-dystopia

Even though I hate this cover, this book turned out to be a gem. In my highschool, they were selling it for $3 but no one wanted to buy it. So in the end, they ended up giving it away for free. I did not want it but a friend, Rachel, bless her heart, recommended it to me and I just took one.

After reading it, it only took me a short period of time, well given the times I had time to read it. It had a great plot, awesome and relatable characters and I felt like I was in the ship with them. It was...more

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May 14, 2012 Rachel rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

After back-to-back rough reads, "The Comet's Curse" was a breath of fresh, cosmic air. Hooray for interesting YA reads. "The Comet's Curse" takes place years in the future after a comet grazes the atmosphere and leaves an infectious disease which attacks human once they reach maturation (meaning all adults are at risk). The disease proves to be incurable and people all over the world are dying. In the absence of a cure, scientists create a fully-loaded spaceship called Galahad that will transpor...more

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May 05, 2009 Brandi Rae rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult-fiction

Two hundred fifty one souls. None of whom is over sixteen years old. They are mankind’s final hope for survival.

The very existence of all mankind is at stake after the tail of the comet Bhaktul contaminates Earth’s atmosphere, infecting everyone over the age of eighteen. When he and his colleagues are unable to develop a cure, renowned scientist Dr. Zimmer proposes a radical plan: select and 251 of the world’s brightest, strongest and bravest teens and train them to undertake the dangerous missi...more

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Apr 15, 2011 Christina (A Reader of Fictions) rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The story is told from the point of view of the super advanced computer, nicknamed Roc. This storytelling device really didn't work for me. For one thing, he (I know he's an it, but whatevs) wasn't present for everything he describes, which can be explained by people having told him later but would have worked better in a normal omniscient narrator scenario (especially since Roc makes sure to point out that he can't be everywhere and see everything). The other problem with Roc is that, much as a...more

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Jul 30, 2010 Debbie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A comet passing by Earth has deposited particles in the atmosphere which cause death in adults over age 18. Scientists race against time to send 251 teens into space on the Galahad to save mankind by colonizing a habitable planet 5 years away. Shortly after the launch a saboteur is suspected and the crew lead by a 5 member council must deal with the problem. I really liked this book. The plot revealed alternately by flashbacks and real time is good but takes a while to develop laying the groundw...more

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Jul 05, 2009 Thomas rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"The Comet's Curse: A Galahad Book" is about what happens when the particles of a comet causes all of the people on earth to start experiencing sickening symptoms... and eventually wither away and die. It affects people that are over the age of eighteen. So, after two years of extensive training, 251 teenagers are chosen to go aboard Galahad, a space ship that will be launched to re-locate the human race at a different planet. Among the main characters are Triana, the confident leader, Gap, the...more

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May 25, 2012 Krystle rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This has such a fun concept! Who wouldn’t be freaked out if some comet brought along some alien particles from the deepest hearts of the universe and became the destructor of the human race? Neat! Then to save us all by sending young teens to a far off planet for future survival there? Awesome-tastic.

Okay, let me be frank here. Although this is a sci-fi book is pretty light on the details, so don’t go expecting a whole lot here and come out amazed. The characters are sort of surface developed bu...more

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Jul 16, 2010 Mike rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I’ve been on something of a YA kick of late. Having plowed through Catching Fire and put away the penultimate volume of Percy Jackson and the Olympians on audio (The Battle of the Labyrinth) I remembered Dom Testa’s entertaining talk as part of the Science Fiction and Fantasy: Informing the Present by Imagining the Future
event hosted by Tor and LITA at ALA 2010 the swag bag for which contained the first of Testa’s Galahad books: The Comet’s Curse.

Perhaps my favorite aspect of The Comet’s Curse i...more I’ve been on something of a YA kick of late. Having plowed through Catching Fire and put away the penultimate volume of Percy Jackson and the Olympians on audio (The Battle of the Labyrinth) I remembered Dom Testa’s entertaining talk as part of the Science Fiction and Fantasy: Informing the Present by Imagining the Future
event hosted by Tor and LITA at ALA 2010 the swag bag for which contained the first of Testa’s Galahad books: The Comet’s Curse.

Perhaps my favorite aspect of The Comet’s Curse is the initial premise: an event of awe and wonder that is transformed into one of horror an destruction. The idea being that a comet skimming Earth’s atmosphere, a beautiful and awe-inspiring event, leaves behind mysterious and unidentified elements in the atmosphere that soon cause widespread and ultimately fatal disease amongst the adults of Earth. A testament to both the beauty and randomness of the universe that marks a neat twist to the end-of-the-world scenario.

The book chronicles the trials and tribulations of the teenaged crew of the Galahad spacecraft. Each of the brilliant teens were picked to colonize a far off world and are entrusted with the future of humanity. The chapters alternate between the current crisis aboard the Galahad spacecraft, the hunt for a mysterious and unknown saboteur, and the story behind the training and details for the Galahad mission. This structure is both a boon and detriment to the novel. While it adds depth and gravity to the proceedings it, in some cases, prevents us from getting in the heads of the people on the mission. Alternatively, through highlighting some of the history of the crew-members it helps us get to know them a bit better. Overall, I think that the structure is beneficial though I still would have liked to spend more time getting to know the saviors of humanity.

The book utilizes the computer, a self-aware AI named Roc, as sort of a Greek Chorus. A snarky, occasionally self-important Greek Chorus. For the most part this technique works giving the reader and frequently humorous bit of insight into the world and the characters and, at the novel’s conclusion, a bit of tease for what the future holds for our heroes. My favorite moment with Roc was during a game he played with council-member Hap. Roc’s chiding of his human opponent and willingness to stack the odds in its own favor gave the computer a particularly human cast that makes him feel like part of the crew rather then some cold, nigh-omniscient, watchdog.

Testa focuses his attention on the gravity of the mission and extraordinary capabilities of the crew. He does a splendid job of capturing the doubts and concerns of the council chosen to lead the mission, particularly Triana the nominal leader of the group whose leadership capabilities and decisive nature are frequently obscured by a tendency towards isolation and withdrawn emotional state due to the loss of her father. Her somewhat reserved nature is contrasted nicely by the confrontational Bon whose overt criticism and frequent provocation of Triana are less signs of distrust or dislike and seem more like a means to draw her out of her shell. Again, this is all wonderfully subtle work that never delves into the melodrama that could potentially infect any teen-based narrative.

The tension in The Comet’s Curse seems to mount with very little effort and Testa never goes overboard in depicting the emotional strain that mysterious saboteur has on the crew. The final confrontation with the villain is frightening, shocking, and a little sad. Testa utilizes the threat of violence and the inherent tension there rather than any actual physical violence, a nice change of pace after the violence in Catching Fire, but I was a bit disappointed in the sort-of Bond Villain the preceded the big climactic finale.

The Comet’s Curse is a meaty read. Fast-paced and exciting yet filled with many elements that could be used to provoke some excellent discussion which given Testa’s stance as an education advocate for middle school through high school readers is entirely appropriate. Testa even offers a wealth of educational material through his website. While the YA fantasy scene to flurishing, one might argue over-saturated, I’ve always found that the YA science fiction to be surprisingly sparse. While the adult science fiction can be weighed down by lengthy tomes that might intimidate younger readers Testa has created something that manages to capture both the excitement of that genre but also espouse the sci-fi genre’s ability to makes us think. Well worth a look by adult and teen readers. I for one look forward to seeing what the future holds for the crew of the Galahad.(less)

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Mar 28, 2011 Michelle rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have to admit, I was more than a little skeptical about the premise of this book. A giant ship filled with fifteen and sixteen year olds sent out into space in an effort to save the human race wasn’t high up there on the plausibility scale. But it’s fiction after all and I like me some good escapism so I dove in with both feet.

I can tell you with confidence that I’m glad I did. Testa created a compelling story filled with an engaging cast of characters. It was difficult not to get sucked in qu...more I have to admit, I was more than a little skeptical about the premise of this book. A giant ship filled with fifteen and sixteen year olds sent out into space in an effort to save the human race wasn’t high up there on the plausibility scale. But it’s fiction after all and I like me some good escapism so I dove in with both feet.

I can tell you with confidence that I’m glad I did. Testa created a compelling story filled with an engaging cast of characters. It was difficult not to get sucked in quickly. Oh and was I ever sucked in! The Comet’s Curse was a page-turner I found hard to put down. Dare I even say that it’s up there with Marsden’s Tomorrow series for me? Cause it kinda is. Though set in space there are some definite similarities and comparisons to be drawn. Specifically strong teen characters taking charge of their lives in an effort to overcome tragic circumstances that are out of their control.

Descriptively written Testa created a well-balanced story that volleyed not only between the various characters but also between present and past. The majority of time is spent focusing on the current state of affairs on the Galahad. During this time each of the council members (the teens put in charge of the ship) is introduced and the reader follows the stories about how they came to be part of the crew. There is also a good deal of focus on the adults who championed and crafted the Galahad and the role they continue to play in influencing the teen’s further decisions and actions.

I appreciated that there was a well rounded picture of the origin of each character to accompany the vision of their current lives. It made sense to me that I was given some perspective on who they were before and how it influences where they are now. These vignettes into the past were strategically placed, didn’t detract from the current story and weren’t of large quantities. I guess my point is, that it didn’t feel disjointed and I never felt like things went off track in one time period so as to focus on another.

The above also enhanced character development and growth. There are definite changes in these kids (as one would expect given the circumstances). Thankfully they were still kids though, Testa did a wonderful job of not turning these teens into older versions of themselves. They fought each other, were spiteful and manipulative at times. They had their crushes and giggled over them too. It was just that they also dealt with these extraordinary circumstances of manning a ship into space in the hopes of saving the human race.

Usually I struggle with stories that tend to sport a great deal of prose and explanation at the expense of dialogue. But in this case it worked really well. Delving into the minds of these kids as well as seeing and feeling their surroundings brought a realism to a story based on the fantastical. I sped right through it navigating the different emotions (fear, loss, hope) right along with the crew. I also felt the cool steel of the ship that surrounded them. It was mechanical and sparse as one would expect but still had flourishes of home that gave small respites of comfort.

There was an abundance of characters in this story but Testa handles it with great skill. Heavy on diversity (bravo!) each is not only different from the physical and geographical perspective but their personalities manage to give each the ability to stand out from the crowd. I don’t think there was a character that I didn’t find interesting or enjoyable. Even the main foe was well drawn — this person was diligently crafted to allow for that love to hate relationship. There was even a talking computer. Roc adds snark and levity to a pretty heavy and dire situation. The tone of his personality is one that fits perfectly with idea of an older man trying to be “hip” by using pop culture references and slang. He was much needed, well written and greatly appreciated.

This brings me to some of the plot elements. I liked the overall concept of the teens saving the human race, it was interesting. But what the story was built on was the interpersonal relationships and the mystery. Boy was there mystery! I thought throughout that I had pinpointed who the stowaway saboteur was but nope…I was wrong in the end. I will say, however, that when revealed this person made total sense and I could go back through what I read and see how it all came together in the end. Testa has also built in the beginnings of a love triangle. It was a small part of the book (which I thought was appropriate given the material) but I suspect it will take on a more prominent role in subsequent books in the series. I personally like the romantic elements when done right so it gives me more to look forward to and encourages me to pick up the second book sooner than later.

This is a great book for readers young and old. While it’s science fiction based it’s not heavy on that element so that shouldn’t discourage those who may not enjoy that particular genre from giving Comet’s Curse a try.(less)

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Jun 27, 2010 Lexie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-owned, book-type-tradepaperback

Prelim review: In a lot of ways this book was filled with more 'telling' than 'showing'. The chapters alternate between the 'present' (that is the Galahad traveling through space) and the 'past' (the years leading up to the departure) until they finally converge to one time in the last few chapters.

Interspersed is commentary from the ship's computer core 'Roc', who is acting as the container for this message. In many ways these aren't teenagers; they act and behave and rationalize in a way that...more

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Apr 04, 2012 TheBookSmugglers rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: apocalypse-dystopia-keepers, science-fiction-awesomeness, notable-reads-of-2012

Originally Reviewed on The Book Smugglers: http://thebooksmugglers.com/2012/03/b...

Review Note: This review is for both THE COMET'S CURSE and THE WEB OF TITAN (spoiler-free).

In the not-too-distant future, a rogue comet is spotted by a group of amateur stargazers, one that would pass and just miss the Earth’s orbit by a few hundred thousand kilometers. The world watched in marvel as the tail of comet Bhaktul lit up the sky as it burned through the Earth’s atmosphere, causing a global light show o...more Originally Reviewed on The Book Smugglers: http://thebooksmugglers.com/2012/03/b...

Review Note: This review is for both THE COMET'S CURSE and THE WEB OF TITAN (spoiler-free).

In the not-too-distant future, a rogue comet is spotted by a group of amateur stargazers, one that would pass and just miss the Earth’s orbit by a few hundred thousand kilometers. The world watched in marvel as the tail of comet Bhaktul lit up the sky as it burned through the Earth’s atmosphere, causing a global light show of unparalleled beauty. Soon after the comet’s passage, however, people all over the planet start to exhibit flu-like symptoms, followed by respiratory distress and ultimately death. After months of the strange global pandemic, researchers discover that it was particles from the tail of Bhaktul that are responsible for the mounting deaths.

This earth-shattering discovery is followed by even grimmer news – there is no cure for Bhaktul’s wake, and there is no escape. The particles from the comet’s tail have permeated the global atmosphere, and it is only a matter of time – scant years – before everyone dies. The only exception to the illness? An inexplicable immunity in children under the age of 18. In a last ditch effort to save the human race, mankind unites in a project of incredible scope and daring vision – the creation of a space ship, called the Galahad, to shuttle 251 teens to a new home around a distant star. The best and the brightest from around the globe are selected for the mission, each groomed with specialties in different areas, from agriculture to fitness and nutrition, and after three years of preparation, the Galahad makes its historic launch and leaves Earth behind forever.

In The Comet’s Curse follows the launch of these 251 teens as they embark for the stars. Completely on their own for a mission of five years is no easy feat, but with a leader like Triana and a team of razor-sharp witted council members like Lita, Gap, and Bon, as well as with the help of a superintelligent navigational computer named Roc (with a wicked sense of humor), the journey is in good hands. That is…until shortly after launch, and one startled teen says he saw a man on the ship. And then the messages start – ominous notes left for the teens, acts of vandalism that threaten the safety and integrity of the ship. Someone has stowed away on The Galahad, and it’s up to the intrepid crew of teens to figure out who and stop him before it’s too late.

In Book 2, The Web of Titan, the crew of the Galahad has survived their stowaway encounter and have moved along their trip to the ringed gas giant Saturn, four months into their journey. Slingshotting around the planet, the crew also picks up a payload that has been left behind by a human research outpost studying moon Titan. The teens know nothing about Titan and the researchers there, just that the crew mysteriously lost contact with the Earth before the launch of the Galahad. Hannah, one of the science and math minded of the Galahad crew, notices an anomaly in the data emitting from Titan that must have something to do with the payload – a strange, but undeniable beam of energy that has been focused on the Galahad. When the crew intercept the pod left behind by Sat33, though, things aboard the ship are in danger once again. Some of the crew start to report migranes, followed by a period of coma and then awaken with bizarrely glowing eyes. The ship’s systems begin to malfunction, threatening the life support systems on the ship and the 251 souls aboard it. With time running out, it is up to the intrepid crew to discover the truth of the Sat33 team, and how the Galahad can avoid its fate.

Well folks, color me happy. I truly, honestly loved the first two books in this series and think I have a new obsession to burn through (hence this double review, since I couldn’t stop myself from reaching for The Web of Titan once I had finished The Comet’s Curse).

As far as apocalyptic scenarios go, astronomical disasters are my favorite flavor of the end of the world. I loved that Bhaktul’s particular brand of apocalypse means the end of the world, not through a dramatic impact of the planet, but through a slow killing disease from which there is no escape or cure, except off the Earth itself. The twin themes of these books are those of hope, and that is so damn cool in a post-apocalyptic novel. Essentially, the Galahad books are post-apocalyptic and incredibly sad – the Earth and all those souls on her surface have been obliterated. All vestiges of human civilization and its vast history and cultures will be lost forever as no one is safe from Bhaktul’s reach. But the efforts of humanity to preserve some memory of itself and to give children a chance at a future? That is awesome and shamelessly optimistic, and I’m not ashamed to say it warmed my jaded, science fiction loving heart. In The Comet’s Curse we flash back and forth between realtime on the Galahad as the teens leave earth behind and the past, as human adults squabble with politics and the reality of selecting a crew and preparing them for their journey. The time and perspective jumping technique is wonderfully effective, building tension and providing insight to the selection process and rationale behind the Galahad mission. In The Web of Titan, the narrative is linear and regularly structured, but every bit as engaging as the first novel as the stakes are upped and real danger faces our crew of heroes and heroines. Common to both books is the interspliced narration of Roc, the artificial intelligence that pilots and regulates the ship; a supercomputer with a lighthearted, wisecracking personality. To steal from a review of the series from Booklist on the jacket copy, Roc’s narration essentially is our Greek Chorus, adding narrative and thematic insight to the story (in an undeniably fun and slightly zany way).

Beyond the plotting, the actual science behind the story is engaging though on the lighter side, as actual technical aspects of space travel and technology are not fully explained. We know that this version of humanity can build a super spaceship capable of making it to the distant stars without too much trouble, and in just five years these teens will arrive at a distant solar system using a combination of ion engines and solar sails to get there, slingshotting around the large planets in the solar system to aid the speed at which the Galahad travels through space. There are talking supercomputers, artificial gravity devices, and so on, and the myriad problems of space travel (the slow reality of travel via propulsion engines, the atrophy effects of living in low gravity, the effects of prolonged exposure to radiation, the micrometeoroids that could pepper and devastate a ship) are handily ignored. That said, I actually like and appreciate the line that The Comet’s Curse and The Web of Titan straddle, not completely ignoring science, but implementing mysterious technologies that acknowledge and explain away any of those pesky issues that hamper space travel today.

And then, there are the characters. I *love* our diverse cast of crew members aboard the Galahad, both in terms of their widely different personalities, and with regard to their backgrounds and ethnicities. It makes sense that a last ditch group of humans should be from as diverse a genetic pool as possible, and the crew of the Galahad reflects that conscious choice, with characters from different parts of the world of different cultures, races, and creeds. My favorite of the crew is of course Triana (Tree), the leader of the Galahad mission, as she struggles with the burden of caring for her fellow shipmates. Of course, a ship full of teenager also means that there are romantic entanglements afoot, and I can’t help but also love Gap, the engineer Council member hopelessly in love with Tree (though he’s afraid to say anything to betray his feelings to the girl who is always in charge, cool and collected). Adding to the cast is the bubbly Channy (head of nutrition and well-being, urging everyone on the ship to stick to a strict exercise regimen), the quietly contemplative Lita (head of medical on the ship), and the surly Bon (agricultural leader with an attitude problem, and interestingly, one side of the inevitable love triangle between Triana and Gap). I love ensembles when they are done well, and the crew of the Galahad has the hallmarks of a great group cast. My only concern is that with such a large group of characters, time with each of them is brief, especially as the story expands to secondary and tertiary members. Over the six books of the series, however, I hope that we get to spend more time with each of the characters.

Overall, I really, really enjoyed this series, and I cannot wait to continue with the rest of the books. Absolutely recommended – if you haven’t heard of the Galahad books (or like me were momentarily thrown by the series covers), you should check it out.(less)

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Aug 09, 2010 Kelly rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010, psc, seattle

In the not-too-distant future, a comet passing near earth has released a microbe that is infecting everyone in the world over the age of 18. In a desperate bid to save humanity, 251 teenagers are chosen to carry on the species by boarding a life boat headed for an Earth-like planet five years away. Chapters alternate between the present, beginning when the ship Galahad has just launched, and two years prior, at the beginning of the Galahad project. The read is a little slow due to the alternatin...more

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Jul 23, 2012 Julia rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adventure, ya, sci-fi, science, series, characters-of-color

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jun 10, 2012 Katie Joiner rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Well-writeen, light, and witty, this is a book that's both fun and interesting to read.
I loved all of the characters as well as the conflict. I guessed the perpetrator fairly quickly, but it didn't detract from the book at all. The action was just as meaningful as the romance. I was grateful that the latter wasn't central to the story, but that it was present.
If I were smarter, I'd totally sign up for GALAHAD. In fact, I might sneak aboard to be part of something so awesome...
Don't expect deep...more

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Apr 22, 2009 Suzanne rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm giving this one a four more because I think it will speak to a nice audience of the sci-fi or action/adventure loving teen and tweens than because I personally adored reading it.

It has a hard-to-suspend-disbelief premise that I think kids can buy: a disease caused by a meteor's near brush with Earth eventually kills off everyone who gets it--and that all adults. A plan is hatched to build a massive space ship to be manned by the best and brightest teens from around the world. Several years l...more

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Feb 23, 2010 Cheryl Clark rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was much better than I thought it would be. It has a great plot. A comet passes near the Earth shedding a bacteria that causes illness in adults. To save the human race, scientists decide to send a spaceship full of teenagers into the galaxy to settle a new planet. Tension is created almost as soon as the spaceship launches and the teens discover someone is onboard who shouldn't be there, someone with sabotage on the brain. The characters are likable, too, but I would have liked more c...more

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Sep 30, 2009 Cornmaven rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: middle-school

I gave this 3 stars because the story/premise was good, but the guy really needed an editor. The words coming out of the teenagers' mouths were just not real - way too wordy, way too philosophical. I loved, loved, loved the passages by the ship's computer. Exciting, enjoyable, a little flippant and sarcastic. If he had done the whole book like that it would have been wonderful. I think he should have had the ship's captain be the principal narrator, rather than do it in 3rd person.
Another probl...more

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Feb 14, 2013 Caleb Gerbig rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jul 23, 2011 Lori rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sci-fi, yal

I did not think I would like this book because it was science fiction, but Dom Testa changed my mind in regards to the genre!

A killer virus spreads across the world and infects only human beings above the age of 18. So it only makes sense to send a spaceship with 251 young people no older than the age of 16 into the universe to re-establish life elsewhere. Triana is the head of the council and a lot like Katniss from "Hunger Games." I was excited to learn that "The Comet's Curse" is a series an...more

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Apr 11, 2012 Jessica rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: own, favorite

I feel the need to have a slight fan girl moment. I've always been a big fan of the science fiction genre. The sad part is that it's tough to find younger aged science fiction that is appropriate but doesn't speak down to its fans. This, my friends, is great young adult science fiction. It is young adult science fiction that is engaging, unique, and so well written! I had only just picked up The Comet's Curse to skim the first page, and I found myself completely enthralled. A little over an hour...more I feel the need to have a slight fan girl moment. I've always been a big fan of the science fiction genre. The sad part is that it's tough to find younger aged science fiction that is appropriate but doesn't speak down to its fans. This, my friends, is great young adult science fiction. It is young adult science fiction that is engaging, unique, and so well written! I had only just picked up The Comet's Curse to skim the first page, and I found myself completely enthralled. A little over an hour later I set the book down and finally had a chance to breathe. Let me tell you, Dom Testa has my heart now.

Now that I have that out of my system, let's talk about the book. The Comet's Curse shows us a world that is suffering in the aftermath of a deadly virus. What's different about this story is that no human engineered this virus, nor was it a result of animals. No, it is a simple comet that has brought about the end of mankind. As the story opens, scientists are scurrying to find a way to preserve what is left of the population (the teenagers) before they too meet an untimely end. If that isn't a great way to start a book that will keep your interest, I don't know what is. Unless of course you add in the fact that the plan is to send these teens into space. Now do I have your attention?

What I loved most about this book, truly, was the characters. Each one of them was so real and deep. Dom Testa allows his characters minds of their own and, love them or hate them, the characters in this book act and think like real teens would. Triana (Tree) was without a doubt my favorite. Without any adult interaction, it falls to Tree to be the sound of reason during the mission. I just couldn't fathom having that much responsibility, no matter how smart she really was. I loved her resilience, her honesty, and most of all the way she sometimes just felt lost. I don't know how you could be millions of miles away from your planet and not feel that way. It's real, and it's wonderful.

As I was falling in love with the characters, I was also introduced to life aboard the ship. The descriptions are vivid, and there were points where I felt like I was actually there. When things took a turn for the creepy, I was pulled right on in. Personally I just adored being able to close my eyes and envision the setting. There is also a lot of room for the reader to think really heavily about what they would do in the situation that these characters are in. Sure, there is a certain amount of improbability to some of the story, but I think to enjoy science fiction you have to let go of reality and just get lost.

I'm rambling I know. I could go on for days about the cute romance that doesn't at all overshadow the story line. Or about the awesome technology that is created. I could even tell you about Roc, the coolest computer ever. However I'll leave that to you to find out when you pick up a copy of The Comet's Curse. Suffice it to say that this is a series that I know I'm going to love! Lucky for me I already have the next book in the series handy, because I'll be diving back in as soon as I can.(less)

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Apr 27, 2012 Becky rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book would be a lot better, if I could get passed all the problems I had with the plot. The writing was good. I liked the characters. But, I just had too many problems with elements of the story to make it believable for me. I am going to talk about some of them, but some are spoilers, so read at your own risk.

1. This maybe a small thing, but the teenagers on the ship, which is set at least 50 yrs into our future, check their email and use email as the primary method of communicating with e...more This book would be a lot better, if I could get passed all the problems I had with the plot. The writing was good. I liked the characters. But, I just had too many problems with elements of the story to make it believable for me. I am going to talk about some of them, but some are spoilers, so read at your own risk.

1. This maybe a small thing, but the teenagers on the ship, which is set at least 50 yrs into our future, check their email and use email as the primary method of communicating with each other. This does not even happen now. I have a teenager, who has not checked his email in months. They text each other. The tweet each other. The skype each other. But they do not check their email. I can not see this become more so in the future. One of the problems with a book using current technology in it.

2. Would it really only take 251 teenagers to save the entire species? Somehow, I think it would take more. And while we are at it, why an odd number? Is someone expected not to have kids? Seems pretty stupid to include them on a mission to SAVE THE SPECIES if they are not going to have kids. I'm just saying.

3. If the disease does not attack until someone is 18 or 19 at the earliest, wouldn't there be all kinds of different projects to save the human race, like shifting the culture to marrying around 14 and having kids ASAP like it was in the middle ages. And teaching these kids as much about current society and science so they can carry on, not just sending 251 (again why an odd number?) to a distant planet. What about everyone else? More will be left than will go, so why not focus on them? Convince me if I am wrong.

4. Wouldn't every country capable be working on this same mission? Or working on something to make more kids able to go? Or working on making cryogenics to take thousands of people? Just doesn't seem possible to me.

So, it is almost a week after I finished the book and still these questions keep coming up for me. I just hope the next book is better.(less)

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Feb 14, 2013 Chloe.mills rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I thought the book was very good and had a good story line. The summary of the book is that the people on earth are getting very ill and there is no cure. One brave scientist proposed the idea that he would take a ship to space full of kids 12-16 . Many people were opposed to this idea. Bit it happened anyway. When they got onto the ship and went to space about a week later and they were all spooked. Many incidents after that happened. You will have to read the book to find out the rest. I reco...more

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Jun 23, 2011 Irvington Public Library Teens rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: middle-school-summer-suggested-titl

A comet leaves particles that slowly kills adults, so people on the Earth decide to send teens into space to keep our species alive. Pretty quickly, things start to go wrong, as the crew and Roc (the ship's computer that's embedded with adult human traits and a sense of humor that's quirky) try to figure out what's really happening. The novel focuses on the leaders who were chosen by adults before leaving Earth, and the teens wonder if they "have what it takes" to be leaders! Imagine 251 teens h...more

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The Comet's Curse: A Galahad Book (Galahad #1)

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