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ARC: Titanic in Space
Space scavenger Kees DeWet is seduced by the tragic story of the voyagers who boarded the ARC.The Alliance posts a bounty on his head to silence him.Kees risks his life to tell that story, and now you can read it for yourself.
What readers are “I loved this book. From the very first the reader is immersed in a future that is Deep space in 2180.” M. Hernandez“I chuckled, I gritted my teeth, I teared up, and I was sorry when the book was over.” Wendy in the Midwest“Riveting from beginning to end.” Robin SurfaceThe In the deep reaches of space, an unlikely hero is about to risk his life for a doomed culture’s legacy.
Kees DeWet, a hardened space adventurer, comes upon the ARC, every scavenger’s dream discovery. What should be an easy case of turning scrap into profits is complicated by the compelling video message left by Ishmael, the final passenger aboard the generational ship that was Earth’s last hope for the survival of humanity.
Problem is, the ship itself embodies secrets that the Consortium needs to keep hidden and they’re willing to kill anyone and everyone who threatens to reveal the truth.
Scroll up now and grab your copy of what one Amazon reader calls "The best writing I've come across in years."
What readers are “I loved this book. From the very first the reader is immersed in a future that is Deep space in 2180.” M. Hernandez“I chuckled, I gritted my teeth, I teared up, and I was sorry when the book was over.” Wendy in the Midwest“Riveting from beginning to end.” Robin SurfaceThe In the deep reaches of space, an unlikely hero is about to risk his life for a doomed culture’s legacy.
Kees DeWet, a hardened space adventurer, comes upon the ARC, every scavenger’s dream discovery. What should be an easy case of turning scrap into profits is complicated by the compelling video message left by Ishmael, the final passenger aboard the generational ship that was Earth’s last hope for the survival of humanity.
Problem is, the ship itself embodies secrets that the Consortium needs to keep hidden and they’re willing to kill anyone and everyone who threatens to reveal the truth.
Scroll up now and grab your copy of what one Amazon reader calls "The best writing I've come across in years."
- GenresScience Fiction
271 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 3, 2020
About the author
Dirk Walvoord
17 books9 followersDirk grew up in a minister’s family, watching each week as Chris, his father, shaped what he believed was a divinely inspired message. The Lord never gave Chris all the details, just the basic “message” and it was dad’s job to craft that gospel into a persuasive, engaging twenty minute homily—every week. Little wonder Dirk has a life-long fascination with words and their power. Both of Dirk’s sisters are published authors.
Dirk was an actor throughout high school, much of college and one season of summer stock. Trained as a choral music teacher, he taught in public schools for several years after earning his MS Music degree at the University of Illinois.
While earning his livelihood trading for his own account on the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade for eighteen years, Dirk continued to write: songs, of course, but also stories. When Dirk sold his seat in 1998 he turned his full-time attention to screenwriting.
In late 2011 Dirk began work on ARC, his first novel. Upon finishing ARC, Dirk turned his attention to the backstory of two of ARC’s characters: Andy and Adrienne. Thus was spawned the television mini-series/ novella collection titled “The Andy Series: Season One,” all the parts of which are available now in the summer of 2020.
Dirk lives in Evanston, Illinois with his gorgeous wife of forty-seven years. He has two beautiful sons, one living in N. Carolina and the other on Chicago’s north side. Life is good.
Dirk was an actor throughout high school, much of college and one season of summer stock. Trained as a choral music teacher, he taught in public schools for several years after earning his MS Music degree at the University of Illinois.
While earning his livelihood trading for his own account on the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade for eighteen years, Dirk continued to write: songs, of course, but also stories. When Dirk sold his seat in 1998 he turned his full-time attention to screenwriting.
In late 2011 Dirk began work on ARC, his first novel. Upon finishing ARC, Dirk turned his attention to the backstory of two of ARC’s characters: Andy and Adrienne. Thus was spawned the television mini-series/ novella collection titled “The Andy Series: Season One,” all the parts of which are available now in the summer of 2020.
Dirk lives in Evanston, Illinois with his gorgeous wife of forty-seven years. He has two beautiful sons, one living in N. Carolina and the other on Chicago’s north side. Life is good.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 23, 2023
Its an odd beast this, the story of a generation ship that goes wrong is, at its heart, an ode to male mediocrity and corporate malfeasance. It runs two timelines simultaneously, that of the ship going wrong, and that of the salvage team being sabotaged to hush up the original crimes. It is broadly quite clunky, but there is something about its mid-book twist into utopianism that saves it. Even though it is obsessed with classic writers and fiction, and yet seems to only have film references from the most popular action movies (don't do this people - it never works). And almost a point off for its last line baby shoes gag.
December 14, 2022
ARC: Titanic in Space (EXCELLENT)
ARC: Titanic in Space is one of the best stories I've read. In telling the story, author Dick Walvood expertly creates a wide variety of characters and personalities. He is then able to bring them to life. Both good and bad players are revealed while the reader watches as their lives and the subsequent events unfold aboard the ARC.
ARC is a multi-generational "Noah's Ark"-type vessel designed to enable humankind to survive until they reach a distant world.
Many years later, a salvage team discovers a large derelict spacecraft. As they prepare to cut the ship into scrape, the captain of the salvage vessel decides to investigate the ghost ship. It becomes apparent that this is the ARC. The discovery creates a lot of questions and may provide many uncomfortable answers as to its failure.
There are two tales being told in this book. Initially, the events related to the discovery and planned salvage. However, the author takes us back to the beginning. The reader is able to experience the ARC community from the excitement to the realization that they will never reach their destination.
ARC: Titanic in Space is one of the best stories I've read. In telling the story, author Dick Walvood expertly creates a wide variety of characters and personalities. He is then able to bring them to life. Both good and bad players are revealed while the reader watches as their lives and the subsequent events unfold aboard the ARC.
ARC is a multi-generational "Noah's Ark"-type vessel designed to enable humankind to survive until they reach a distant world.
Many years later, a salvage team discovers a large derelict spacecraft. As they prepare to cut the ship into scrape, the captain of the salvage vessel decides to investigate the ghost ship. It becomes apparent that this is the ARC. The discovery creates a lot of questions and may provide many uncomfortable answers as to its failure.
There are two tales being told in this book. Initially, the events related to the discovery and planned salvage. However, the author takes us back to the beginning. The reader is able to experience the ARC community from the excitement to the realization that they will never reach their destination.
January 30, 2024
I am not sure where the author was taking us with this one, but as a reader, I couldn't quite get there. This narrative may have been more suitable for a shorter format.
A couple of ideas could have been written into compelling short stories or even a novella. The premise of the ark's transition into a more agrarian society as technological advancements begin to fail and the changes that would have on that society's political dynamics is intriguing in itself. The ethical dilemma surrounding the preservation, potential erasure, and rewriting of history could have made for an interesting parallel to what is currently going on in the world today, as well as salvage versus preservation.
Mr. Walvoord demonstrates adeptness in managing multiple storylines in multiple timelines while retaining reader engagement for the most part. However, the writing style occasionally presents challenges. As pointed out by another reviewer, the use of pigeon English--or "pirate" speak-- is disconcerting and inconsistent, and the inclusion of pop culture references disrupts the narrative's flow. Superfluous sexual references also prove distracting and do not contribute to the overarching storyline. Cows and chickens and sexbots are not as interesting a combination as one would think initially.
Additionally, the use of the present tense made this a more difficult read than it needed to be. Ideas and characters appear to be hastily introduced and subsequently abandoned or hurried through, rendering them more filler than necessary to the story.
This is not a "Titanic in Space" as much as it is a watered-down "Noah's Ark in Space." If you are looking for an iceberg, it is not here. Definitely a one-time read for me, but I appreciate the effort.
A couple of ideas could have been written into compelling short stories or even a novella. The premise of the ark's transition into a more agrarian society as technological advancements begin to fail and the changes that would have on that society's political dynamics is intriguing in itself. The ethical dilemma surrounding the preservation, potential erasure, and rewriting of history could have made for an interesting parallel to what is currently going on in the world today, as well as salvage versus preservation.
Mr. Walvoord demonstrates adeptness in managing multiple storylines in multiple timelines while retaining reader engagement for the most part. However, the writing style occasionally presents challenges. As pointed out by another reviewer, the use of pigeon English--or "pirate" speak-- is disconcerting and inconsistent, and the inclusion of pop culture references disrupts the narrative's flow. Superfluous sexual references also prove distracting and do not contribute to the overarching storyline. Cows and chickens and sexbots are not as interesting a combination as one would think initially.
Additionally, the use of the present tense made this a more difficult read than it needed to be. Ideas and characters appear to be hastily introduced and subsequently abandoned or hurried through, rendering them more filler than necessary to the story.
This is not a "Titanic in Space" as much as it is a watered-down "Noah's Ark in Space." If you are looking for an iceberg, it is not here. Definitely a one-time read for me, but I appreciate the effort.
February 1, 2021
ARC: Titanic in Space by Dirk Walvoord is incredible! A future society tries to secure a future for generations to come by creating a spectacular space ship and jettisoning it into the heavens. They call it the ARC. Humans and animals number more than two of each species, but not all species are represented. Walvoord deftly floats between the story of that ancient society and the "present" day that exists on the ship. The only things that marred the read for me were a rape scene (which is becoming too prevalent in novels these days) and the fact that the book is written in present tense. Although many authors feel that present tense adds to the excitement and feeling of the text, I am not one of them.
Walvoord clearly has a great grasp of literature and language, making many allusions that are rewarding to find. I chuckled, I gritted my teeth, I teared up, and I was sorry when the book was over.
February 17, 2022
"In that light a man could almost wish for obstacles to be hurdled, catastrophes to be averted..."
This done in one book carefully, and cleverly, unfolds the story of a generational ship from Earth that never reached its destination, presumed all lives lost.
As the story of that ship, ARC, unfolds we get two stories, that of the ship being found/scavenged for what remains of value, and the discovery of what really happened to those aboard.
A surprisingly delightful and thoughtful story that explores what holds value, how societies operate, and how we find purpose, this is a wholly self-contained stand alone story that has some interesting opportunities for companion stories. An interesting world exists within these pages, and I'll be looking to see if there are any more stories specifically tied to the ARC.
This done in one book carefully, and cleverly, unfolds the story of a generational ship from Earth that never reached its destination, presumed all lives lost.
As the story of that ship, ARC, unfolds we get two stories, that of the ship being found/scavenged for what remains of value, and the discovery of what really happened to those aboard.
A surprisingly delightful and thoughtful story that explores what holds value, how societies operate, and how we find purpose, this is a wholly self-contained stand alone story that has some interesting opportunities for companion stories. An interesting world exists within these pages, and I'll be looking to see if there are any more stories specifically tied to the ARC.
June 2, 2022
DNF at 51%. Gender and boredom in space. Annoying use of pidgin english in dialogues. The plot is a convoluted mess that can´t decide what it wants to be: a screenplay as at the start of the story? a conspiracy story about scavengers? a preposterously sexistic gender drama about a doomed generation ship? a bore-you-to-death story about the only and last child born on the ship describing him boozing, being lazy and playing squash all the time?
July 11, 2023
Not Good. This book is all over the place. There are loads of holes in the story, it’s pacing is awful, it jumps from one situation to another quite randomly, it will refer to quite random characters who you cannot remember anything about, the list is long. However, it does have it’s moments and I somehow I quite enjoyed some bits of the story. Overall it is not the best and I would not recommend it.
December 11, 2021
I didn't get on with this book.
Just couldn't get past the first few chapters. The concept sounded quite good, but I couldn't relate to any of the main characters. Perhaps I didn't give it enough of a chance, but it felt like I was reading something written in the 1950s, and that's just not my cup of tea.
Just couldn't get past the first few chapters. The concept sounded quite good, but I couldn't relate to any of the main characters. Perhaps I didn't give it enough of a chance, but it felt like I was reading something written in the 1950s, and that's just not my cup of tea.
January 26, 2022
Awesome
One of the best si fi. Stories I have read in years. The characters in the story are so real that you feel as if you know them. The description of the arc leads one to believe in the possibility it could actually be an event in the near future,hopefully with better outcome for the first passengers.
One of the best si fi. Stories I have read in years. The characters in the story are so real that you feel as if you know them. The description of the arc leads one to believe in the possibility it could actually be an event in the near future,hopefully with better outcome for the first passengers.
October 3, 2023
Interesting take on a 'generation' starship
Although a little light on the science part of SF it still tells an interesting take on how people would react given the huge challenge they encounter in this book.
Characters are developed well enough to make their stories interesting. A solid 4 stars.
Although a little light on the science part of SF it still tells an interesting take on how people would react given the huge challenge they encounter in this book.
Characters are developed well enough to make their stories interesting. A solid 4 stars.
July 12, 2022
Excellent!!
The story telling was spot on. It took me quite a while to realize what was going to happen with the ARC. What a splendid ending and journey to get there. I will read it again to make sure I took in all the sensations of the book.
The story telling was spot on. It took me quite a while to realize what was going to happen with the ARC. What a splendid ending and journey to get there. I will read it again to make sure I took in all the sensations of the book.
March 12, 2023
Failure in life, success in death
Good story with many subplots keeping readers interest. Book point is what will anyone legacy become, who will tell it, and could it become more important than the actual life lived.
Good story with many subplots keeping readers interest. Book point is what will anyone legacy become, who will tell it, and could it become more important than the actual life lived.
October 1, 2022
wonderful, moving story
Couldn’t put it down! Amazing, captivating, tragic generational sci-fi story of an immense starship in search of a new home.
Couldn’t put it down! Amazing, captivating, tragic generational sci-fi story of an immense starship in search of a new home.
June 14, 2023
Enjoyed reading this one from start to finish. Great story split between two eras but easy to follow with interesting concepts.
July 12, 2023
incredible storytelling
Intensely satisfying investigation of the human condition, with good and I’ll, cleverly narrated in split timelines. Pure SF with soul.
Intensely satisfying investigation of the human condition, with good and I’ll, cleverly narrated in split timelines. Pure SF with soul.
December 6, 2023
An interesting story but the telling of it in the present tense grated on me for some reason, especially since the story involved 2 separate timelines. I'm sure others are fine with it.
March 10, 2023
A great read
Very enjoyable book. Good plot and character design development. Premise was believable. I recommend this book to all sci-fi fans.
Very enjoyable book. Good plot and character design development. Premise was believable. I recommend this book to all sci-fi fans.
November 11, 2020
The Scavenger glides through space toward a scattered cluster of eleven power cell cylinders. Captain Kees DeWet checks the radiation level and they back off somewhat to a safer distance. One of the cells is missing, none are operating, so where is the radiation coming from? Kees prepared to go over and board. When ARC launched back in 2091, she represented the hopes of a Terran world that had lost all hope. All of Earth’s dreams and aspirations were projected onto this vessel and the passengers who shipped out on her. But she disappeared and in every corner of the galaxy, the question asked is what happened to her? And very soon, he will have that answer.
There are no blast marks and the structure appears sound. As he approaches, he finds the twelfth power cell cobbled onto the far end with a human figure drifting near it. On the Observation Deck, the body of an old man sits, ready to click on the mouse. So Kees clicks to see what he wanted them to see. It starts giving the history of the Andromeda Expedition, Earth's early attempts to colonize habitable planets. They had all failed. “And so was born the Andromeda Repopulation Consortium, whose acronym—A, R, C—is of course the name with which this ship was christened.” Twenty-seven months into the voyage, the cowls of the Steenmeyer J-26 fuel cells were found to be defective due to cost-cutting by the Consortium. The women on board who were to provide future generations of children were all sterile. The playback broke up and the screen went dark. Kees headed to Engineering . . . what would he find there?
This was an intriguing story that captures the reader’s imagination from the first page! The mystery and intrigue will keep some readers continuing to find out more. Others may need to take frequent breaks to calm the nerves as Kees tries to find out what happened here. The story rolls out in the present time and as flashbacks to the past when the disaster was unfolding. The characters are well-portrayed and feel realistic as the reader sees them react. This story was very well done and maintains that tension that keeps the reader alert and invested in what is going on. Grab your copy and have a safe journey to the past as the fate of the ARC is revealed!
There are no blast marks and the structure appears sound. As he approaches, he finds the twelfth power cell cobbled onto the far end with a human figure drifting near it. On the Observation Deck, the body of an old man sits, ready to click on the mouse. So Kees clicks to see what he wanted them to see. It starts giving the history of the Andromeda Expedition, Earth's early attempts to colonize habitable planets. They had all failed. “And so was born the Andromeda Repopulation Consortium, whose acronym—A, R, C—is of course the name with which this ship was christened.” Twenty-seven months into the voyage, the cowls of the Steenmeyer J-26 fuel cells were found to be defective due to cost-cutting by the Consortium. The women on board who were to provide future generations of children were all sterile. The playback broke up and the screen went dark. Kees headed to Engineering . . . what would he find there?
This was an intriguing story that captures the reader’s imagination from the first page! The mystery and intrigue will keep some readers continuing to find out more. Others may need to take frequent breaks to calm the nerves as Kees tries to find out what happened here. The story rolls out in the present time and as flashbacks to the past when the disaster was unfolding. The characters are well-portrayed and feel realistic as the reader sees them react. This story was very well done and maintains that tension that keeps the reader alert and invested in what is going on. Grab your copy and have a safe journey to the past as the fate of the ARC is revealed!
January 27, 2021
A monstrous space ship sets out to colonize a new planet. It has everything. Land to run farms, all useful animals and a large number of people. It is effectively a small travelling world with a complete ecosystem. It will take at least three generations to get to the new planet, so those who set out will never see it, nor will their children, who equally will never see anything off the ship. Then there is a minor problem. The energy pods exterior to the ship emit radiation, which sterilizes all mammalian and avian reproduction. Oops! As you might imagine, this is something of a disaster since all the farm animals will die out, and only one child has been born. The people on board have to live out their lives in this depleted ecosystem and eventually die out. A hundred years later this ship is found by a group of scavengers, who want to cut the ship up, but the Captain sees a different opportunity. Then, trouble.
The story is well-written, it flows well, with the two stories (the ship and the scavengers) in segments that are interspersed through the book. The descriptions are clear, the characters well-presented, and the overall scenario somewhat chilling. Well worth reading.
The story is well-written, it flows well, with the two stories (the ship and the scavengers) in segments that are interspersed through the book. The descriptions are clear, the characters well-presented, and the overall scenario somewhat chilling. Well worth reading.
January 26, 2021
This book is so much better that the title suggests. It jumps around in time and location, with no notation when we’ve changed time or location. I was going to ding a star on that account alone. But by the end, I realize that I wasn’t lost after the first few chapters. And I can’t say that I wouldn’t have enjoyed it less if the writer had followed a more linear story line.
Again, in the early chapters, this seemed to be a cynical tale of human failings. I was rolling my eyes and contemplating a 3 star review. By the end, I realized that it is a beautiful story of triumph. Hope wins over selfish desires. It’s the story of a story. People who’s future is taken from them decide to leave the legacy of a beautiful story and acceptance of an ending for whom ever finds it.
This is a fantastic book that I highly recommend.
Again, in the early chapters, this seemed to be a cynical tale of human failings. I was rolling my eyes and contemplating a 3 star review. By the end, I realized that it is a beautiful story of triumph. Hope wins over selfish desires. It’s the story of a story. People who’s future is taken from them decide to leave the legacy of a beautiful story and acceptance of an ending for whom ever finds it.
This is a fantastic book that I highly recommend.
January 28, 2021
This is a great futurist novel. It was recommended by a friend of mine. There´s been a while since I read the last sci-fi novel, so I am grateful for that recommendation. I really appreciated the originality of the main plot and the intrigues around the event itself. I did not quite like the way the dialogues are established, they were not easy to follow or comprehend. However, the character development during the story is fantastic, the main character, Kees DeWet, is an inspiring person and he feels very realistic to me.
I would recommend this book for those who enjoy intriguing science fiction stories with action and original creatures; because I think it caught my attention remarkably as I was reading it.
I would recommend this book for those who enjoy intriguing science fiction stories with action and original creatures; because I think it caught my attention remarkably as I was reading it.
January 30, 2021
“ARC: Titanic in Space” is a novel which perfectly combines two stories, and intermingles them in its chapters in a captivating way.
The first story follows a crew that was developing a project to populate another planet and gets killed by radiation. After this terrible event, the ship is left abandoned in space. A hundred years later, the ship is found by a captain and his men, who have the order of destroying it. But here is when the problems start and the novel becomes epic. The captain sees the real potential of keeping the ship and redeveloping the old project.
I found this book very interesting. I loved stories that are set in the future but this one exceeded my expectations. With a combination of science fiction and action, this book hooked me until its last page.
The first story follows a crew that was developing a project to populate another planet and gets killed by radiation. After this terrible event, the ship is left abandoned in space. A hundred years later, the ship is found by a captain and his men, who have the order of destroying it. But here is when the problems start and the novel becomes epic. The captain sees the real potential of keeping the ship and redeveloping the old project.
I found this book very interesting. I loved stories that are set in the future but this one exceeded my expectations. With a combination of science fiction and action, this book hooked me until its last page.
November 6, 2020
This was a very interesting story! You are not sure where it is going, except on a space voyage. In the end it turns out to be so much more than that. There is mystery and intrigue that will keep you reading wanting to find out more. It shows the many faucets of human behavior and the paths taken by different minds. I loved the story, it was well written and paints a sad and triumphant story. I will have to look into more books by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 12, 2020
The start of the book was a bit slow but after that I was totally hooked.
The ARCans behaviour is totally believable, esp. Timms. I cannot imagine how they would have felt when the housing/casing problem became apparent.
Adrienne brings some levity as Kees and Cutter realize the dream but there are also moments when I cried for the ARCan dream.
All up it's a powerful, moving and thought-provoking read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The ARCans behaviour is totally believable, esp. Timms. I cannot imagine how they would have felt when the housing/casing problem became apparent.
Adrienne brings some levity as Kees and Cutter realize the dream but there are also moments when I cried for the ARCan dream.
All up it's a powerful, moving and thought-provoking read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 9, 2020
A superb story full of tragedy and intrigue, beautifully constructed, the story is told both in the real time and in flashback which gives it great strength and extra depth. The characters are beautifully written and really come alive as the story unfolds. A real pleasure to read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews