Reviews with content warning for Violence - Caliban's War

Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Caliban's War by James S.A. Corey

28 reviews

bickleyhouse's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This is the second book in the series of The Expanse, written by Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, under the pseudonym James S.A. Corey. Just like its predecessor, this 600 page book doesn't feel that long. Granted, there is a blank page between most of the chapters but that only accounts for just over fifty of the pages. What I'm saying is that this book reads fast. It holds my interest and it, for the most part, doesn't dawdle.

I love this series, so far. I've seen several seasons of the TV show, so I'm still playing catch-up with the books, but they seem to have followed the story fairly closely in the show. I will say that I like Amos a lot more in the books than I do in the TV show.

In this book, we are introduced to Sargeant Roberta Draper, who likes to be called "Bobbi" or "Gunny." She is a Martian soldier, and she is huge, compared to Earthers. At the beginning of the story, she and her squad mates are faced with a monster that is composed of the protomolecule that James Holden and company faced on Eros in the first book. Bobbie Draper is the only survivor. She winds up meeting the assistant to the undersecretary of executive administration of the UN, Chrisjen Avasarala. I absolutely love this character. I liked her in the TV show (I think she was perfectly cast), and I like her even more in the books.

We are also dealing with a situation on Ganymede, where a doctor's child (Mei) has been kidnapped because of an immunity disorder that she has. A number of other children were kidnapped, as well. Her father, Praxidike (we just call him Prax), is looking for her, and hires Holden and company to help him.

That's as far into the plot as I will go, here. But the writing continues to be engaging, and, as I said, it doesn't feel like a 600 page book at all. These guys have done a marvelous job of crafting a great science fiction story. I look forward to reading more.

There is some great humor in this story, as well. The interactions between the characters makes me laugh frequently, especially when we are focused on James Holden, Naomi, Alex (the pilot) and Amos. The banter between them is reminiscent of the banter that flows between the Soobs on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

There is one thing I may have missed, though. I don't get the reference to the title. Who, or what, is Caliban?? It's very possible I just glossed over it, while reading.

I recommend this book, this series, to any lover of planetary science fiction.

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arkane's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional 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? It's complicated

4.5

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cursed10fold's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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? Yes

3.5

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anntharai's review against another edition

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adventurous dark reflective sad fast-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? No

5.0

Okay so hear me out - book 1 is a *better book* than book 2, but I *enjoyed* book 2 more. That fckn cliffhanger tho.

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geekmom's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

4.0

A well-paced and engaging read! These guys don’t have a clue how to write women but this is easy to just laugh at and ignore because the story is so interesting (and kudos to them for including so many women at all and for giving them meaningful roles in the story!)

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