Titan Hoppers by Rob J. Hayes – Book Review

Just want to start by saying a massive thank you to Rob for sending across the e-ARC of Titan Hoppers. The synopsis makes it sound good, but this book is freaking amazing and I don’t think I was prepared for how much I was going to enjoy this. Friends have been bothering me to read some of Rob’s other books, and I’ve been meaning to and just haven’t gotten around to it. If they’re close to as awesome as Titan Hoppers is, then I should probably listen to people more!

Titan Hoppers starts as it means to go on, drama, action and a heavy focus on characters. If you’ve read a review from me before, you’ll know I value characterisation above anything else when reading. And Titan Hoppers excels in it’s characterisation. Not only in the main character, Iro, but also Iro’s sister and mother. Not only their family, but also the other trainee Hoppers, especially Emil, who is arguably the character with the best arc. And Rollo! Honestly, you’ve got to meet these characters to understand how unique they are, how their voices ring out loudly from the pages and the important part they all play in this story.

Speaking of the story… I need more of it. There’s plenty going on and Titan Hoppers does have a complete story, but also so much depth and so many little hooks to draw you into the next book. This is the problem with reading ARCs (and I say that in the nicest way possible!). The earlier you read a book, the longer you have to wait until the next one! I was so engrossed in this story, the exploration of these Titans, the mysteries of who else might have laid claim, the purpose of the Titans and so many other questions. This first book only just scratches the surface, but it does it in such a way that it’s enough information to intrigue you, but not too much to overwhelm. If I had to say one negative thing about this book, it’s that it’s almost too much build-up. I understand why Rob ended it where he did, it does feel like a natural break in the story, but it also felt like the story was just beginning to ramp up. But maybe I’m just impatient to get to the next book.

Do you know what I haven’t even mentioned yet? The idea that this book is a “progression fantasy” and it 100% is. The Hoppers are so chosen because they exhibit powers, or talents. Each Hopper generally has a class that is the same as their parents before them (if it manifests at all). They’re reasonably familiar to anyone that has read (or played) any class-based fantasy with classes like Paladin, Vanguard, Corsair and more. The talents they develop then give them abilities which aids them in “hopping” to the Titans, exploring and fighting monsters. It’s a mechanic that has it’s intricacies, but was actually remarkably easy to understand and follow whilst reading. When is there going to be an online quiz that tells you which you are? That’s got to happen, right?