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Children of Titan
Interview for the End of the World
The apocalypse is coming. There's only one way off Earth.
When a small-moon-sized asteroid is discovered hurtling toward Earth, billionaire-scientist Darien Trass must deal with the hardships of finding the select few who will join him on his voyage to escape the apocalypse and rekindle civilization on another world. But is he even worthy of the trip?
From the USA Today Bestselling author of The Circuit Saga comes this Nebula Award Nominated short story set in his Children of Titan Universe. If you found yourself curious about how the Ringers first came to settle Titan, you won't want to miss this!
From the USA Today Bestselling author of The Circuit Saga comes this Nebula Award Nominated short story set in his Children of Titan Universe. If you found yourself curious about how the Ringers first came to settle Titan, you won't want to miss this!
30 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 18, 2019
9 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Rhett C. Bruno
70 books648 followersRhett is happy to hear from his fans and can be reached at rcbruno44@outlook.com. Please subscribe to his newsletter for exclusive access to updates about his work and the opportunity to receive limited content and ARCs.
http://rhettbruno.com/newsletter/. Or join his facebook reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Rhett...
Rhett Bruno grew up in Hauppauge, New York, and studied at the Syracuse University School of Architecture where he graduated cum laude.
He has been writing since he can remember, scribbling down what he thought were epic short stories when he was young to show to his parents. When he reached high school he decided to take that a step further and write the “Isinda Trilogy”. After the encouragement of his favorite English teacher he decided to self-publish the “Isinda Trilogy” so that the people closest to him could enjoy his early work.
While studying architecture Rhett continued to write as much as he could, but finding the time during the brutal curriculum proved difficult. It wasn’t until he was a senior that he decided to finally pursue his passion for Science Fiction. After rededicating himself to reading works of the Science Fiction author’s he always loved, (Frank Herbert, Timothy Zahn, Heinlein, etc.) he began writing “The Circuit: Executor Rising”, The first part of what he hopes will be a successful Adult Science Fiction Series.
Since then Rhett has been hired by an Architecture firm in Mount Kisco, NY. But that hasn’t stopped him from continuing to work on “The Circuit” and all of the other stories bouncing around in his head. He is also currently studying at the New School to earn a Certificate in Screenwriting in the hopes of one day writing for TV or Video Games.
http://rhettbruno.com/newsletter/. Or join his facebook reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Rhett...
Rhett Bruno grew up in Hauppauge, New York, and studied at the Syracuse University School of Architecture where he graduated cum laude.
He has been writing since he can remember, scribbling down what he thought were epic short stories when he was young to show to his parents. When he reached high school he decided to take that a step further and write the “Isinda Trilogy”. After the encouragement of his favorite English teacher he decided to self-publish the “Isinda Trilogy” so that the people closest to him could enjoy his early work.
While studying architecture Rhett continued to write as much as he could, but finding the time during the brutal curriculum proved difficult. It wasn’t until he was a senior that he decided to finally pursue his passion for Science Fiction. After rededicating himself to reading works of the Science Fiction author’s he always loved, (Frank Herbert, Timothy Zahn, Heinlein, etc.) he began writing “The Circuit: Executor Rising”, The first part of what he hopes will be a successful Adult Science Fiction Series.
Since then Rhett has been hired by an Architecture firm in Mount Kisco, NY. But that hasn’t stopped him from continuing to work on “The Circuit” and all of the other stories bouncing around in his head. He is also currently studying at the New School to earn a Certificate in Screenwriting in the hopes of one day writing for TV or Video Games.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 26, 2019
Oof, I'm sorry, I didn't much care for this short story. I'm probably holding it to a higher standard because it was nominated for a Nebula award this year, but even without that I can't see giving it more than 3 stars. Review first posted (in a slightly different form) on Fantasy Literature:
This short story is a prequel to Rhett Bruno's CHILDREN OF TITAN series (of which I read the first book, Titanborn). A huge asteroid is about to collide with Earth and is likely to kill everyone and everything on the planet. A wealthy inventor-industrialist, Darien Trass, has built a spaceship to start a human colony on Titan, but it's very strictly limited to 3,000 people. Trass is interviewing the final people to join his group and escape Earth on his ship, concentrating on those who are the very best and brightest in their fields ... and, by the way, have no spouses or children, are of child-bearing years, and healthy.
Outside of the fortified compound where Trass is interviewing people and where the ship waits, there's a mob of disappointed and desperate people. As Trass and his people - including his now-adult adopted daughter and personal assistant, Kara - make their final preparations to get away just hours before the asteroid hits (nothing like cutting it close), a couple of things go wrong. VERY wrong.
This story has a very retro feel to it and the plot is interesting on first read, if suspiciously familiar. But at the same time I was also noticing the clunkiness of the writing, beginning with the second sentence: “I quickly downed the remnants of a glass of lukewarm whiskey in my liver-spotted hand to calm my mind …” The insertion of “liver-spotted” gave me the giggles and set a new standard in my mind for awkward adjectives. At another point Trass thinks about how he originally adopted Kara when she was a child as a publicity stunt, but “then I fell in love with her.” My first thought was ew, yuck!, but I’m going to give Trass (and Bruno) the benefit of the doubt here and assume he meant fatherly rather than romantic love. The text really should have made that more clear, though.
“Interview for the End of the World” is both superficial and implausible, but it didn’t plumb the depths of awfulness that I personally require before I slap a one star rating on a story. If you like your SF simple and straightforward, like 1940's style-SF, you'll probably enjoy this story. Still, it’s a prime example of the lack of critical analysis that went into the “not a slate” list of suggested Nebula nominees that was circulated by the 20Booksto50K indie authors group to its members. If you don't know about that, check out the summary and links in my review of "Going Dark" (another slate-ish nominee) on FanLit, at the same link above or in my GR review of that story. It's sort of like the rebirth of the Rabid/Sad Puppies, only with an indie author's group trying to game the system.
This short story is a prequel to Rhett Bruno's CHILDREN OF TITAN series (of which I read the first book, Titanborn). A huge asteroid is about to collide with Earth and is likely to kill everyone and everything on the planet. A wealthy inventor-industrialist, Darien Trass, has built a spaceship to start a human colony on Titan, but it's very strictly limited to 3,000 people. Trass is interviewing the final people to join his group and escape Earth on his ship, concentrating on those who are the very best and brightest in their fields ... and, by the way, have no spouses or children, are of child-bearing years, and healthy.
Outside of the fortified compound where Trass is interviewing people and where the ship waits, there's a mob of disappointed and desperate people. As Trass and his people - including his now-adult adopted daughter and personal assistant, Kara - make their final preparations to get away just hours before the asteroid hits (nothing like cutting it close), a couple of things go wrong. VERY wrong.
This story has a very retro feel to it and the plot is interesting on first read, if suspiciously familiar. But at the same time I was also noticing the clunkiness of the writing, beginning with the second sentence: “I quickly downed the remnants of a glass of lukewarm whiskey in my liver-spotted hand to calm my mind …” The insertion of “liver-spotted” gave me the giggles and set a new standard in my mind for awkward adjectives. At another point Trass thinks about how he originally adopted Kara when she was a child as a publicity stunt, but “then I fell in love with her.” My first thought was ew, yuck!, but I’m going to give Trass (and Bruno) the benefit of the doubt here and assume he meant fatherly rather than romantic love. The text really should have made that more clear, though.
“Interview for the End of the World” is both superficial and implausible, but it didn’t plumb the depths of awfulness that I personally require before I slap a one star rating on a story. If you like your SF simple and straightforward, like 1940's style-SF, you'll probably enjoy this story. Still, it’s a prime example of the lack of critical analysis that went into the “not a slate” list of suggested Nebula nominees that was circulated by the 20Booksto50K indie authors group to its members. If you don't know about that, check out the summary and links in my review of "Going Dark" (another slate-ish nominee) on FanLit, at the same link above or in my GR review of that story. It's sort of like the rebirth of the Rabid/Sad Puppies, only with an indie author's group trying to game the system.
March 4, 2019
So this is the famous Trass, hero of the Titanborn.
Yes, this short story is part of the Titanborn universe. It is a prequel that tells of humanity finding out about the asteroid that's going to strike Earth, leading to the exodus that triggers the colonization of Titan.
We thus follow Mr. Trass, an industrial titan (see what I did there? ;P) and his project to ensure the survival of the human race. It's pretty clear that those staying on Earth have almost zero chance of survival and while several governments apparently attempt to build space stations and habitats on the moon, Mr. Trass also knows that their selection criteria will be different, that there will be overpopulation, and that their plans might therefore fail. The man knows his science.
Nevertheless, the selection process is hard and takes an emotional toll on our MC, as it should.
Considering I'm not too much of a fan of the Titanborn from several generations later as they've degraded into raging terrorists, I was surprised to find out how much I liked Mr. Trass. Sure, people were desperate and therefore didn't understand why only 3000 could go to Titan or why certain applications had been denied, but it did make sense. It's also not too much of a surprise to see the real man as opposed to the legend he has become on Titan, how the differ. I think it's happened with a lot of historical figures over the centuries.
Yes, this short story is part of the Titanborn universe. It is a prequel that tells of humanity finding out about the asteroid that's going to strike Earth, leading to the exodus that triggers the colonization of Titan.
We thus follow Mr. Trass, an industrial titan (see what I did there? ;P) and his project to ensure the survival of the human race. It's pretty clear that those staying on Earth have almost zero chance of survival and while several governments apparently attempt to build space stations and habitats on the moon, Mr. Trass also knows that their selection criteria will be different, that there will be overpopulation, and that their plans might therefore fail. The man knows his science.
Nevertheless, the selection process is hard and takes an emotional toll on our MC, as it should.
Considering I'm not too much of a fan of the Titanborn from several generations later as they've degraded into raging terrorists, I was surprised to find out how much I liked Mr. Trass. Sure, people were desperate and therefore didn't understand why only 3000 could go to Titan or why certain applications had been denied, but it did make sense. It's also not too much of a surprise to see the real man as opposed to the legend he has become on Titan, how the differ. I think it's happened with a lot of historical figures over the centuries.
March 5, 2019
Short, emotional, and hard-hitting.
Rhett Bruno's zeal for the Titanborn series shows here in a diamond-bright focus on the day of the meteor strike.
Yes, it takes place 300 years before the rest of the series, but knowing where all the later settlers came from and what kind of people they were led by is quite a treat. Does it foreshadow quite a bit to come? Yep.
But more importantly, does it stand on its own as a short-sharp-shock?
I think so. :)
Yes, it also relies on the appeal of the rest of the series, but that's okay. Popularity *is* a thing. I don't feel ashamed at all for enjoying my continued investment. :)
Rhett Bruno's zeal for the Titanborn series shows here in a diamond-bright focus on the day of the meteor strike.
Yes, it takes place 300 years before the rest of the series, but knowing where all the later settlers came from and what kind of people they were led by is quite a treat. Does it foreshadow quite a bit to come? Yep.
But more importantly, does it stand on its own as a short-sharp-shock?
I think so. :)
Yes, it also relies on the appeal of the rest of the series, but that's okay. Popularity *is* a thing. I don't feel ashamed at all for enjoying my continued investment. :)
February 23, 2019
I’m a big fan of Rhett Bruno’s Titan series already, so I snapped up this short prequel as soon as I became aware of its existence.
Fans of the series will definitely not be disappointed with this short story as it fills in an important part of the timeline and does it with style. Don’t worry if you’re new to this world, though, as this short story serves as either a great jumping on point or a great standalone SF short story in its own right.
I’m obviously not the only one who thinks so, either, as this tale has just been nominated for a Nebula award! I’ll be honest; I’d be properly chuffed if it won.
Fans of the series will definitely not be disappointed with this short story as it fills in an important part of the timeline and does it with style. Don’t worry if you’re new to this world, though, as this short story serves as either a great jumping on point or a great standalone SF short story in its own right.
I’m obviously not the only one who thinks so, either, as this tale has just been nominated for a Nebula award! I’ll be honest; I’d be properly chuffed if it won.
November 17, 2020
This prequel to Rhett C. Bruno’s Children of Titan series was nominated for a Nebula Award for Best Short Story.
I’ve not read Titanborn or its follow-ups. So, I was interested to see if this story will be able to stand on its own. The answer to that is a yes.
Will it be more fun if you’re already a fan of the series, though? The answer to that very likely is a yes as well.
I don’t know. From a story that’s about the apocalypse coming by way of an asteroid and that starts with „142 Hours Until Impact“ I was expecting a little more excitement, I guess. I probably might have gotten that if I’d already known the characters.
This is about the selection process for the ark, so to say. Who’s worthy of getting a place aboard the space ship and leave for Titan before disaster strikes? Who’s valuable to the goal of rekindling civilization on another world? How does one make that decision? The narrator is the one that has to decide. And it takes its toll on him. Which is to be expected. As are the riots.
On the whole there are not that many surprises here and I fail to see what makes this story worthy of an award nomination.
Was it entertaining to read, though? Yes, it was. But the big impact didn’t happen for me, emotionally.
3 stars – and some interest in reading the books.
_________________
Best Novel
• The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal (Tor)
• The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang (Harper Voyager US; Harper Voyager UK)
• Blackfish City by Sam J. Miller (Ecco; Orbit UK)
• Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik (Del Rey; Macmillan)
• Witchmark by C.L. Polk (Tor.com Publishing)
• Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse (Saga)
Best Novella
• Fire Ant by Jonathan P. Brazee (Semper Fi)
• The Black God’s Drums by P. Djèlí Clark (Tor.com Publishing)
• The Tea Master and the Detective by Aliette de Bodard (Subterranean)
• Alice Payne Arrives by Kate Heartfield (Tor.com Publishing)
• Gods, Monsters, and the Lucky Peach by Kelly Robson (Tor.com Publishing)
• Artificial Condition by Martha Wells (Tor.com Publishing)
Best Novelette
• The Only Harmless Great Thing by Brooke Bolander (Tor.com Publishing)
• The Last Banquet of Temporal Confections by Tina Connolly (Tor.com 7/11/18)
• An Agent of Utopia by Andy Duncan (An Agent of Utopia)
• The Substance of My Lives, the Accidents of Our Births by José Pablo Iriarte (Lightspeed 1/18)
• The Rule of Three by Lawrence M. Schoen (Future Science Fiction Digest 12/18)
• Messenger by Yudhanjaya Wijeratne and R.R. Virdi (Expanding Universe, Volume 4)
Best Short Story
• Interview for the End of the World by Rhett C. Bruno (Bridge Across the Stars)
• The Secret Lives of the Nine Negro Teeth of George Washington by Phenderson Djèlí Clark (Fireside 2/18)
• Going Dark by Richard Fox (Backblast Area Clear)
• And Yet by A.T. Greenblatt (Uncanny 3-4/18)
• A Witch’s Guide To Escape: A Practical Compendium Of Portal Fantasies by Alix E. Harrow (Apex 2/6/18)
• The Court Magician by Sarah Pinsker (Lightspeed 1/18)
Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy
• Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (Henry Holt; Macmillan)
• Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi (Rick Riordan Presents)
• A Light in the Dark by A.K. Du Boff (BDL)
• Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman (Random House)
• Dread Nation by Justina Ireland (Balzer + Bray)
• Peasprout Chen: Future Legend of Skate and Sword by Henry Lien (Henry Holt)
I’ve not read Titanborn or its follow-ups. So, I was interested to see if this story will be able to stand on its own. The answer to that is a yes.
Will it be more fun if you’re already a fan of the series, though? The answer to that very likely is a yes as well.
I don’t know. From a story that’s about the apocalypse coming by way of an asteroid and that starts with „142 Hours Until Impact“ I was expecting a little more excitement, I guess. I probably might have gotten that if I’d already known the characters.
This is about the selection process for the ark, so to say. Who’s worthy of getting a place aboard the space ship and leave for Titan before disaster strikes? Who’s valuable to the goal of rekindling civilization on another world? How does one make that decision? The narrator is the one that has to decide. And it takes its toll on him. Which is to be expected. As are the riots.
On the whole there are not that many surprises here and I fail to see what makes this story worthy of an award nomination.
Was it entertaining to read, though? Yes, it was. But the big impact didn’t happen for me, emotionally.
3 stars – and some interest in reading the books.
_________________
2018 Nebula Award Finalists
Best Novel
• The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal (Tor)
• The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang (Harper Voyager US; Harper Voyager UK)
• Blackfish City by Sam J. Miller (Ecco; Orbit UK)
• Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik (Del Rey; Macmillan)
• Witchmark by C.L. Polk (Tor.com Publishing)
• Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse (Saga)
Best Novella
• Fire Ant by Jonathan P. Brazee (Semper Fi)
• The Black God’s Drums by P. Djèlí Clark (Tor.com Publishing)
• The Tea Master and the Detective by Aliette de Bodard (Subterranean)
• Alice Payne Arrives by Kate Heartfield (Tor.com Publishing)
• Gods, Monsters, and the Lucky Peach by Kelly Robson (Tor.com Publishing)
• Artificial Condition by Martha Wells (Tor.com Publishing)
Best Novelette
• The Only Harmless Great Thing by Brooke Bolander (Tor.com Publishing)
• The Last Banquet of Temporal Confections by Tina Connolly (Tor.com 7/11/18)
• An Agent of Utopia by Andy Duncan (An Agent of Utopia)
• The Substance of My Lives, the Accidents of Our Births by José Pablo Iriarte (Lightspeed 1/18)
• The Rule of Three by Lawrence M. Schoen (Future Science Fiction Digest 12/18)
• Messenger by Yudhanjaya Wijeratne and R.R. Virdi (Expanding Universe, Volume 4)
Best Short Story
• Interview for the End of the World by Rhett C. Bruno (Bridge Across the Stars)
• The Secret Lives of the Nine Negro Teeth of George Washington by Phenderson Djèlí Clark (Fireside 2/18)
• Going Dark by Richard Fox (Backblast Area Clear)
• And Yet by A.T. Greenblatt (Uncanny 3-4/18)
• A Witch’s Guide To Escape: A Practical Compendium Of Portal Fantasies by Alix E. Harrow (Apex 2/6/18)
• The Court Magician by Sarah Pinsker (Lightspeed 1/18)
Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy
• Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (Henry Holt; Macmillan)
• Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi (Rick Riordan Presents)
• A Light in the Dark by A.K. Du Boff (BDL)
• Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman (Random House)
• Dread Nation by Justina Ireland (Balzer + Bray)
• Peasprout Chen: Future Legend of Skate and Sword by Henry Lien (Henry Holt)
April 29, 2024
Will they make it....
August 3, 2022
Highly recommended!
If you know the Children of Titan world, this is unmissable. It is only a short story, but fills in a gap in our knowledge, brilliantly.
If you haven’t read the other books, but want either a quick intro or just a great short scifi story, then this is also a good read.
If you know the Children of Titan world, this is unmissable. It is only a short story, but fills in a gap in our knowledge, brilliantly.
If you haven’t read the other books, but want either a quick intro or just a great short scifi story, then this is also a good read.
February 28, 2019
So Good it's up for an Award
It takes a particular talent to write a short story and after already doing so well with the Long Vigil i had no qualms with reading this.
This can be read as a standalone or it can be read as part of his Children of Titan series .
Either way the enjoyment will be the same as this is a particularly touching story, and it does make you ask the question. What would you do if you were put in a simliar position and what shows our true humanity.
A great intro to R Brunos works.
It takes a particular talent to write a short story and after already doing so well with the Long Vigil i had no qualms with reading this.
This can be read as a standalone or it can be read as part of his Children of Titan series .
Either way the enjoyment will be the same as this is a particularly touching story, and it does make you ask the question. What would you do if you were put in a simliar position and what shows our true humanity.
A great intro to R Brunos works.
March 1, 2019
Not a bad little aside about how various people would deal with staring down the end of the world.
I enjoyed Trass' character, and while the story tended to veer into overt sentimentality and melodrama, it was still well executed and told in a complete arc.
Personally, I love the idea of building ark ships and heading out to colonize another world, so this story was a no-brainer for me to enjoy.
I enjoyed Trass' character, and while the story tended to veer into overt sentimentality and melodrama, it was still well executed and told in a complete arc.
Personally, I love the idea of building ark ships and heading out to colonize another world, so this story was a no-brainer for me to enjoy.
May 1, 2019
As an asteroid hurtles toward Earth, dooming the planet's inhabitants, a very wealthy industrialist, Darien Trass, interviews hopefuls for the Titan Project. The goal of the project is to recruit the best and brightest of Earth, 4000 of them, to colonize Titan, a moon of Saturn. As he's finishing the interviews however, things don't go exactly according to plan and the Titan Project's future is in question.
This wasn't as bad as Going Dark but I struggled to maintain interest in it. There's a lot of awkward, unnecessary descriptions of some of the characters that underscore why I often don't read indie authors unless they're recommended by friends. As another reviewer has said, this story felt like a classic sci fi, colonization story and while it wasn't awful, it also wasn't anything I'd particularly recommend.
This wasn't as bad as Going Dark but I struggled to maintain interest in it. There's a lot of awkward, unnecessary descriptions of some of the characters that underscore why I often don't read indie authors unless they're recommended by friends. As another reviewer has said, this story felt like a classic sci fi, colonization story and while it wasn't awful, it also wasn't anything I'd particularly recommend.
June 10, 2019
This was my favorite short story in this series. It's also a very sad story. Interview for the End of the World is the story of Darien Trass and the difficult choices he had to make in selecting only 3000 people to board his ship for Titan before the Earth is struck by an asteroid. He is left with the ultimate choice of who lives or most likely dies. Great addition to this series! Sadly, I prejudged this book because it had a different narrator. Greg Tremblay did not disappoint. He was the perfect voice for Mr Trass.
May 3, 2024
Love This Series
This was just a teaser in regard to the series, which is fantastic imo. One of the best Sci-Fi/ Apocalyptic book series I have read and listened to. Rhett C Bruno is a very good writer and I generally know that I will end up liking whatever I pick up from him. I hope you all enjoy this as much as I did.
This was just a teaser in regard to the series, which is fantastic imo. One of the best Sci-Fi/ Apocalyptic book series I have read and listened to. Rhett C Bruno is a very good writer and I generally know that I will end up liking whatever I pick up from him. I hope you all enjoy this as much as I did.
February 22, 2019
I enjoyed this book right up to the end of the book; although, I had the ending all figured out way before the end.
I was ready for more. Rhett's writing flows so easy, I love it.
I was ready for more. Rhett's writing flows so easy, I love it.
March 5, 2019
This was a thirty minute read as a prequel to the Titan Born where we get a short story about when the space craft left earth before the meteor struck. Great to read about the beginning having read the previous books in the series about the Titan Born
March 3, 2019
This short story presents backstory behind the reason a colony of humans came to be established on Titan. The further adventures of the colony are described in Rhett Bruno's 'Children of Titan' stories, none of which I have previously encountered.
I'm not likely to bother based on this short story. The writing is pedestrian, dwelling too much on superfluous adjectives and irrelevant minutiae, all of which detract from impact in the shorter form. The need to flee the impending destruction of Earth by a stray asteroid has been better addressed many more times than I can recall.
The 'surprise' twist at the conclusion is entirely predictable, though I guess no need for surprise to fans of the series. Fans who would like to become completists of the series might enjoy this extra piece of the history, but others needn't bother.
Nominated for the 2018 Nebula Awards in the short story category.
I'm not likely to bother based on this short story. The writing is pedestrian, dwelling too much on superfluous adjectives and irrelevant minutiae, all of which detract from impact in the shorter form. The need to flee the impending destruction of Earth by a stray asteroid has been better addressed many more times than I can recall.
The 'surprise' twist at the conclusion is entirely predictable, though I guess no need for surprise to fans of the series. Fans who would like to become completists of the series might enjoy this extra piece of the history, but others needn't bother.
Nominated for the 2018 Nebula Awards in the short story category.
February 25, 2019
I could think of several other ways that the problem could have been solved without requiring such extreme measures. I though it was a little slow. The main character basically employed someone, walked past a fence to a ship, then got off the ship he just got on. oh, and he drank, and doesn't know how to pour bourbon. He tended to pour like this:
https://binged.it/2Nto64p
https://binged.it/2Nto64p
December 21, 2019
What a wonderful story depicting the background story of the man and his attitude that started this story in reference to the Circuit series that follows.
I enjoyed every minute of it and plan on having it read to me again.
Thank you Rhett for your endless talent.
EDIT:
After having had this short but powerful story read to me a second time, it occurred to me that I needed to remind everyone just how brilliant and insightful Rhett Bruno is.
It’s really a shame he elected to be an author instead of a scientist or a leading edge surgeon/doctor or even a politician who could speak common sense to so many politicians that have none, zero.
This story was of a man who struggled with his conscience, with every decision, with every life n his hands. In the end he decided to join the masses, the ones who would eventually suffer from his conscientious decisions.
Does that sound familiar?
Isn’t that what our president should do? Isn’t that what every elected official should do, instead of vying for power and riches?
I mean how rich is enough?
There’s a time when there’s a job to do. For the people, for the constituents.
Being elected to office isn’t a “whew, I got here, now let’s have some fun!” ticket.
Sacrifice is what it takes, just like Mr. Darien Trass sacrificed himself.
I’m not saying throw yourself on your sword, just do the job you were meant to.
President
Congress
House
Senate
It’s not too late!
I apologize Mr. Bruno if I’m reading more into your story than you intended, just like I did long ago with “The Roach”, but whether you intend to consciously or not, you write strong messages.
To everyone else, this is a very short story that reads really long.
Please read it. Experience it more than once like I was able too.
Thank you Mr. Bruno for being one of few authors that I know of that are capable of just about anything.
I enjoyed every minute of it and plan on having it read to me again.
Thank you Rhett for your endless talent.
EDIT:
After having had this short but powerful story read to me a second time, it occurred to me that I needed to remind everyone just how brilliant and insightful Rhett Bruno is.
It’s really a shame he elected to be an author instead of a scientist or a leading edge surgeon/doctor or even a politician who could speak common sense to so many politicians that have none, zero.
This story was of a man who struggled with his conscience, with every decision, with every life n his hands. In the end he decided to join the masses, the ones who would eventually suffer from his conscientious decisions.
Does that sound familiar?
Isn’t that what our president should do? Isn’t that what every elected official should do, instead of vying for power and riches?
I mean how rich is enough?
There’s a time when there’s a job to do. For the people, for the constituents.
Being elected to office isn’t a “whew, I got here, now let’s have some fun!” ticket.
Sacrifice is what it takes, just like Mr. Darien Trass sacrificed himself.
I’m not saying throw yourself on your sword, just do the job you were meant to.
President
Congress
House
Senate
It’s not too late!
I apologize Mr. Bruno if I’m reading more into your story than you intended, just like I did long ago with “The Roach”, but whether you intend to consciously or not, you write strong messages.
To everyone else, this is a very short story that reads really long.
Please read it. Experience it more than once like I was able too.
Thank you Mr. Bruno for being one of few authors that I know of that are capable of just about anything.
January 26, 2021
This was a good story but a little predictable... for me. I had the sense that I was experiencing a theme similar to that in "When Worlds Collide". I liked that book, so I naturally liked this story.
The story: An Earth-killing asteroid is heading for Earth so various governments and industries mobilize to evacuate as many people as they can from Earth... pitifully few... but the best they can do. Darien Trass's company seems to stand the best chance of getting something like 3,000 people off of Earth and heading toward Titan (the major moon of Saturn). Trass's job is to interview each and every applicant who meets the criteria for a seat on his space ship. (He is drinking a lot.)
Any problems with this story? As I said before, it reminded me too much of the book "When Worlds Collide". Also, I found it difficult to imagine how they would launch 3,000 people from Earth's surface all at once. I also had a problem understanding... After all, they were in the middle of nowhere with plenty of room (and fences).
Any modesty issues? None that I recall.
I'm not sure I'll read this story again, but it did spur interest in me to read the Children of Titan series.
The story: An Earth-killing asteroid is heading for Earth so various governments and industries mobilize to evacuate as many people as they can from Earth... pitifully few... but the best they can do. Darien Trass's company seems to stand the best chance of getting something like 3,000 people off of Earth and heading toward Titan (the major moon of Saturn). Trass's job is to interview each and every applicant who meets the criteria for a seat on his space ship. (He is drinking a lot.)
Any problems with this story? As I said before, it reminded me too much of the book "When Worlds Collide". Also, I found it difficult to imagine how they would launch 3,000 people from Earth's surface all at once. I also had a problem understanding... After all, they were in the middle of nowhere with plenty of room (and fences).
Any modesty issues? None that I recall.
I'm not sure I'll read this story again, but it did spur interest in me to read the Children of Titan series.
October 19, 2022
3.75 Stars
This is a very short novella or actually, a prequel for a popular series by this author (from what I have read) called the Children of Titan series or TitanBorn. This prequel takes us to the very beginning of the circumstances that occur when an asteroid is on course to hit the Earth and it is going to be the end of the world/planet as we know it.
Apparently, there is one individual in charge of selecting the 3000 people that will be given the privilege of escaping from this oncoming disaster and becoming passengers on a space ship whose purpose is to find another planet to escape to that is capable of life in order to save the human race. That man is Darien Trass and he is a billionaire scientist.
This is a VERY short story - 50 minutes long - and it is narrated by Greg Tremblay. I enjoyed the narrator. I was VERY surprised that for such a short story, that it packs quite a punch, both in the actual story told and in the insight that we get into the character of this one man.
I went and looked to see if I had ever read anything by this author in the past and discovered that I had read one story and it was also a short story. Based on my reaction to this prequel, I definitely WOULD be very interested to continue onward with this series to find out what happens to these people and how the efforts and actions of one man impacted their future. The fact that it peaked my interest and made me curious says quite a lot.
That is quite the feat for a 50 minute short story.
This is a very short novella or actually, a prequel for a popular series by this author (from what I have read) called the Children of Titan series or TitanBorn. This prequel takes us to the very beginning of the circumstances that occur when an asteroid is on course to hit the Earth and it is going to be the end of the world/planet as we know it.
Apparently, there is one individual in charge of selecting the 3000 people that will be given the privilege of escaping from this oncoming disaster and becoming passengers on a space ship whose purpose is to find another planet to escape to that is capable of life in order to save the human race. That man is Darien Trass and he is a billionaire scientist.
This is a VERY short story - 50 minutes long - and it is narrated by Greg Tremblay. I enjoyed the narrator. I was VERY surprised that for such a short story, that it packs quite a punch, both in the actual story told and in the insight that we get into the character of this one man.
I went and looked to see if I had ever read anything by this author in the past and discovered that I had read one story and it was also a short story. Based on my reaction to this prequel, I definitely WOULD be very interested to continue onward with this series to find out what happens to these people and how the efforts and actions of one man impacted their future. The fact that it peaked my interest and made me curious says quite a lot.
That is quite the feat for a 50 minute short story.
March 10, 2019
Billionaire-scientist Darien Trass faces a situation when an asteroid is hurtling towards Earth of selecting who will join him on the voyage on his spaceships to escape the impending apocalypse and start a new human civilisation on another world. Is he up to the task and is he himself worth saving?
I loved this prequel to the Titan Universe series written by the author. This book looked at the challenges involved in selecting people to save as well as the repercussions of not selecting people. It was nice to see him struggle with the responsibility and the humanity involved in some of the decisions he makes at the end. A great introduction to the series as well as a good story to help fill a hole in knowledge from reading the series in isolation from this book. Well written and very enjoyable.
I loved this prequel to the Titan Universe series written by the author. This book looked at the challenges involved in selecting people to save as well as the repercussions of not selecting people. It was nice to see him struggle with the responsibility and the humanity involved in some of the decisions he makes at the end. A great introduction to the series as well as a good story to help fill a hole in knowledge from reading the series in isolation from this book. Well written and very enjoyable.
July 20, 2024
Interview for the End of the World
Sci-Fi
Rhett C. Bruno
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
• ʟᴏᴠᴇ • ᴅᴇꜱᴘᴇʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ • ꜱᴀᴄʀɪꜰɪᴄᴇ •
I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting to see how Darien was able to create his rocket ship in order to save as many people as possible before the asteroid wiped out all life on Earth.
The writing style was very good and I liked how things were described in detail without using info dumps.
The pacing was just right. There was a sense of urgency with the countdown to the collision and how much work still had to be done but it never felt rushed or too slow.
I didn't see the plot twist at the end and I found it a little sad that Darien chose to make the ultimate sacrifice for his daughter.
I'll definitely be reading more books by this author and hopefully, more books set in this world
Sci-Fi
Rhett C. Bruno
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
• ʟᴏᴠᴇ • ᴅᴇꜱᴘᴇʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ • ꜱᴀᴄʀɪꜰɪᴄᴇ •
I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting to see how Darien was able to create his rocket ship in order to save as many people as possible before the asteroid wiped out all life on Earth.
The writing style was very good and I liked how things were described in detail without using info dumps.
The pacing was just right. There was a sense of urgency with the countdown to the collision and how much work still had to be done but it never felt rushed or too slow.
I didn't see the plot twist at the end and I found it a little sad that Darien chose to make the ultimate sacrifice for his daughter.
I'll definitely be reading more books by this author and hopefully, more books set in this world
March 11, 2025
Pretty decent story that uses minimal futuristic dialogue or descriptions, despite it being very clear that it is in the future but leaves the reader feeling like it could happen, maybe in the next year or two. I like how he focused on a topic never dealt with in other tales of this subgenre. Usually, the criteria used to choose people for selection in a story like this one is mentioned and then we are introduced to the selectees, totally skipping over the troublesome selection interviews and subsequent bad behavior and even revenge from the rejected. This story successfully realizes its hope to take a different path to telling this often told tale in an even more dramatic way than humanity's last resort barely blasting off into the safety of space before an asteroid smashes into our planet, I liked it.
June 12, 2020
"142 hours before impact..."
Drayton is just one of the candidates to reach a final interview to be offered a place on the Trass ship heading for Titan. Grass himself has the final choice, just 3,000 people can be offered the hope of surviving an incoming astronoid heading for earth by leaving for a new home, Titan.
I first read this short story when it appeared in the anthology, Bridge Across the Stars, and have read it again subsequently. This was my third reading - and as enjoyable as the first.
An excellent introduction to how the Titanborn began.
Drayton is just one of the candidates to reach a final interview to be offered a place on the Trass ship heading for Titan. Grass himself has the final choice, just 3,000 people can be offered the hope of surviving an incoming astronoid heading for earth by leaving for a new home, Titan.
I first read this short story when it appeared in the anthology, Bridge Across the Stars, and have read it again subsequently. This was my third reading - and as enjoyable as the first.
An excellent introduction to how the Titanborn began.
January 24, 2023
Not what I expected, but it was even better!
On a whim I decided to listen to Interview for the End of the World while I went for a walk. What n awesome decision. I had expected it would be a postapocalyptic story, but I hadn’t expected it to be a sci-fi/space centered story. I’ve previously read and listened to several other Rhett Bruno stories, but none of the Titan Universe stories. That’s a mistake I intend on correcting sooner than later. Greg Tremblay does an excellent job delivering the story and creating voices for the three main characters.
On a whim I decided to listen to Interview for the End of the World while I went for a walk. What n awesome decision. I had expected it would be a postapocalyptic story, but I hadn’t expected it to be a sci-fi/space centered story. I’ve previously read and listened to several other Rhett Bruno stories, but none of the Titan Universe stories. That’s a mistake I intend on correcting sooner than later. Greg Tremblay does an excellent job delivering the story and creating voices for the three main characters.
October 11, 2023
Really cool little story. Wish the ending didn’t feel so rushed. I didn’t want it to end. Wondering if Bruno (author) ever took this idea and ran with it because there’s def a foundation for a full-length novel here in my humble opinion. This story is DEF worth your time! I listened as I was just down to bed and it was perfect.
May 6, 2019
I'm glad this was so short because it was so boring. I've read much better end of the world books where they have to chose who gets to leave earth on spaceships. The one that instantly comes to mind is On The Edge of Gone by Corinne Duyvis. It's really good and you should go read that.
March 2, 2019
Nice read. Like to see how the Titan Universe began.
March 18, 2019
Nice glimps into the background for the Titan books. It's pretty short, but fills in some details that the books talk about.
March 21, 2019
A quick glimpse what brought the people of earth to Titan
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