On a luxury spaceship’s maiden voyage from Earth to Mars, apprentice engineer Celeste and privileged passenger Dominic are thrust together when ancient alien specimens escape, turning the journey into a deadly fight for survival that erases class boundaries. Exploring themes of social inequality, trauma, and resilience, the story blends sci-fi horror with sharp commentary on privilege and the human cost of progress, culminating in a tense cliffhanger.

Reader Review Summary

Set on the maiden voyage of the luxury spaceship Titan, the story follows Celeste, an apprentice engineer from a working-class background, and Dominic, the privileged adopted son of one of the ship’s creators, as they travel from Earth to Mars. The ship is divided by class, with opulent upper decks for the wealthy and cramped, utilitarian quarters for laborers and crew. The narrative explores themes of class disparity, trauma from ecological disaster (notably a massive earthquake in Canada called the Rupt), and the consequences of corporate and political power. The plot escalates when ancient alien specimens, discovered under melted ice caps and displayed as a scientific curiosity, are released due to sabotage, unleashing horror and chaos that disregards social status. The book is written in alternating perspectives, primarily between Celeste and Dominic, and incorporates elements of science fiction, horror, and thriller, with a focus on survival, social commentary, and found family dynamics. The story ends on a cliffhanger, setting up for a sequel.

Readers praised the book’s atmospheric setting, particularly the claustrophobic and detailed depiction of the Titan spaceship and its class-divided structure. The horror elements, especially the tension and dread once the aliens are released, were frequently highlighted as effective and engaging. Many found the dual perspectives of Celeste and Dominic compelling, appreciating the contrast and parallels between their backgrounds and motivations. The exploration of class, survival, and the aftermath of disaster resonated with readers, as did the nuanced depiction of parent-child relationships and the emotional arcs of the main characters. The pacing, especially in the second half, and the vivid, cinematic action sequences were also noted as strengths. Several reviewers enjoyed the Canadian setting and the inclusion of LGBT representation.

A common criticism was the book’s length, with many readers feeling it was too short to fully develop its characters, world-building, and horror elements. Some found the pacing uneven, with a slow build-up and a rushed resolution, and felt that the suspense and alien encounters could have been more fully realized. The romance subplot was described by some as underdeveloped or forced, with the short timeline making the emotional connection less convincing. A few readers struggled to connect with certain characters, particularly Celeste, or found the large cast difficult to follow. There were also comments about info-dumping, repetitive exposition, and, in some cases, issues with the ARC’s formatting and editing. Some readers felt the story leaned too heavily on its “Titanic meets Alien” premise, resulting in predictability and a lack of surprise, while others noted that the horror and gore elements were either too mild or not as prominent as expected.

The book is positioned as the first in a series, with an open-ended conclusion and a clear setup for a sequel. It blends multiple genres—YA, science fiction, horror, and thriller—and includes international and LGBT elements. The narrative is set primarily in a Canadian context, with references to real-world locations and disasters. The story features a mix of first- and third-person perspectives and includes both action-driven and character-driven scenes. The book has received a moderate average rating from early readers, with a range of responses reflecting both enthusiasm for its premise and execution and reservations about its depth and pacing.