Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
lukaleles's review
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
alex_ellermann's review against another edition
5.0
Many science fiction sagas slow down around the third outing. The Expanse is picking up steam.
This, third novel of nine, begins in a good place for James Holden and the crew of the Rocinante. They've averted an intrasystem war, they're making good money, and they're even getting along.
But we all know that won't last long. Before we know it, we've embarked on a high-stakes adventure that will keep us turning pages all the way through to the preview for the next novel. That said, compelling plotting and interesting characters aren't what make this book outstanding. The differentiator here is the book's thoughtful and measured approach to theology, both in the cosmic and the personal senses. It's rare for a science fiction novel to put themes front and center; it's rarer still to handle them with such care and empathy - while also writing about gunfights and 'splosions. Additionally, the novel seriously investigates the implications of having a full-blown, hyperintelligent coexisting with humans.
In other words, 'Abaddon's Gate' is both a compulsively readable sci-fi thriller and a Big Idea Novel. That it succeeds at both is remarkable. This is as good as science fiction gets, people. Do yourself a favor and read 'Abaddon's Gate.'
This, third novel of nine, begins in a good place for James Holden and the crew of the Rocinante. They've averted an intrasystem war, they're making good money, and they're even getting along.
But we all know that won't last long. Before we know it, we've embarked on a high-stakes adventure that will keep us turning pages all the way through to the preview for the next novel. That said, compelling plotting and interesting characters aren't what make this book outstanding. The differentiator here is the book's thoughtful and measured approach to theology, both in the cosmic and the personal senses. It's rare for a science fiction novel to put themes front and center; it's rarer still to handle them with such care and empathy - while also writing about gunfights and 'splosions. Additionally, the novel seriously investigates the implications of having a full-blown, hyperintelligent coexisting with humans.
In other words, 'Abaddon's Gate' is both a compulsively readable sci-fi thriller and a Big Idea Novel. That it succeeds at both is remarkable. This is as good as science fiction gets, people. Do yourself a favor and read 'Abaddon's Gate.'
literatequokka's review against another edition
4.0
This one had a little too much shooting and religious philosophizing for me.
rollie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Complicated
5.0
hbobomb's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nebular_fire's review against another edition
5.0
It took me awhile to really get into this book as once again the authors introduced 3 new character points of view to parallel our beloved Holden, but after a while they grew on me, if not to enjoy them as new characters, but because of their functions in the story, and finally having one point of view be a villain of sorts. The book built up to huge future implications, but saved the pay off for future books while keeping focus on the immediacy of the characters actions and decision. And gravity really sucks! Who'd think that with all the other "villains" to have in a story, physics killed more people in this book than any choice by a human (or protomolecule). So excited to see where the Story of the Expanse goes from here, knowing that sons things are resolved, and others are completely unanswered.
jemofabook's review
4.0
Rating: Really Enjoyed It
So I think that what I am finding about these books as I read through is that if the side-story is interesting to me, then I am super duper invested. I absolutely love the crew of the Roci, and I loved the side characters we met in Caliban's War. I wasn't quite as invested in the side plot of this book, but I still enjoyed hanging out with the crew, and I feel like this book was mainly set up to get us ready for the rest of the series.
I'm not entirely sure what to expect going forward, but I really hope to see Bobbie and Avasarla again soon. And I'm hopeful that I can spend more time with the crew of the Roci. In this one, I feel like they were together but I didn't get to spend as much time with them as a unit, which is part of what I loved so much about the last one.
Definitely enjoying this series and looking forward to continuing it!
So I think that what I am finding about these books as I read through is that if the side-story is interesting to me, then I am super duper invested. I absolutely love the crew of the Roci, and I loved the side characters we met in Caliban's War. I wasn't quite as invested in the side plot of this book, but I still enjoyed hanging out with the crew, and I feel like this book was mainly set up to get us ready for the rest of the series.
I'm not entirely sure what to expect going forward, but I really hope to see Bobbie and Avasarla again soon. And I'm hopeful that I can spend more time with the crew of the Roci. In this one, I feel like they were together but I didn't get to spend as much time with them as a unit, which is part of what I loved so much about the last one.
Definitely enjoying this series and looking forward to continuing it!
vigh3000's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Complicated
3.75
ophara's review
challenging
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0