Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
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:
Yes
I really really loved the beginning of the book, but by golly I kept falling asleep in the last few chapters for some reason. Splitting the main party felt dramatic, but I appreciated that the various POVs, done in the usual style, aligned much faster because of it.
Well I thought the ending that first was a nice feel good situation. And that last chapter really threw me. Of course things are horrible now. Excited to read the next book.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This fourth installment of the Expanse had everything it should have needed to pop off: new planet, big questions about a new planet, and Holden playing referee in a settler-vs-corporate tug-of-war. But while the stage was massive, the emotional punch? Meh.
Here’s the thing: the core four being split up worked for me. Watching Amos and Holden deepen their bond? Chef’s kiss. Alex and Naomi’s dynamics and friendship? Loved that. But when it came to the new players on the board, it didn't quite work. No one brought the same spark or dimension we got from early characters. And Murtry? Budget store-brand antagonist. You know exactly who he is from the jump, and he doesn’t surprise you once.
Plot-wise, it felt like the authors had some killer moments but weren’t quite sure how to glue them all together. There’s great world-building (as always in The Expanse), but the story threads tug in different directions. The result? A narrative that feels less like an arc and more like a sprawl.
At this point, it’s still a solid entry; the prose hums, the science sings, and the stakes are galaxy-sized. But it’s also my least favorite so far. Abaddon's Gate had some of the same issues, in my opinion, but I found it a touch more cohesive and interesting. This one felt more like necessary table-setting for whatever chaos is coming next.
Still, I’m in for the long haul. Let’s see what happens when the ring doors stay open.
Here’s the thing: the core four being split up worked for me. Watching Amos and Holden deepen their bond? Chef’s kiss. Alex and Naomi’s dynamics and friendship? Loved that. But when it came to the new players on the board, it didn't quite work. No one brought the same spark or dimension we got from early characters. And Murtry? Budget store-brand antagonist. You know exactly who he is from the jump, and he doesn’t surprise you once.
Plot-wise, it felt like the authors had some killer moments but weren’t quite sure how to glue them all together. There’s great world-building (as always in The Expanse), but the story threads tug in different directions. The result? A narrative that feels less like an arc and more like a sprawl.
At this point, it’s still a solid entry; the prose hums, the science sings, and the stakes are galaxy-sized. But it’s also my least favorite so far. Abaddon's Gate had some of the same issues, in my opinion, but I found it a touch more cohesive and interesting. This one felt more like necessary table-setting for whatever chaos is coming next.
Still, I’m in for the long haul. Let’s see what happens when the ring doors stay open.
(2.5)
Found this one to be a real drop in quality!
It's a space western plot dealing with a new frontier, which is quite unique, but the plot drags a lot. It's also the most 'Hard Science' of the Expanse series so far, with long biology explainers than leave me absolutely clueless.
A real shame that the PoVs just aren't consistent, aside from our main character, from book to book. I understand it allows us to tell a variety of semi-standalone stories from book to book (which I like, especially when it plays with different genres) but I'd just much rather read some of the best PoVs like Anna or Avasarala rather than the new ones we got here (though the 'interlude' pov has some very very unique and extremely well written chapters).
Found this one to be a real drop in quality!
It's a space western plot dealing with a new frontier, which is quite unique, but the plot drags a lot. It's also the most 'Hard Science' of the Expanse series so far, with long biology explainers than leave me absolutely clueless.
A real shame that the PoVs just aren't consistent, aside from our main character, from book to book. I understand it allows us to tell a variety of semi-standalone stories from book to book (which I like, especially when it plays with different genres) but I'd just much rather read some of the best PoVs like Anna or Avasarala rather than the new ones we got here (though the 'interlude' pov has some very very unique and extremely well written chapters).
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A page turner. Excellent sci-fi. Best I've read since the 1960s.
Not the most scintillating of this series and felt a little like a chore by the end, but "she's not stupid, but she's learning to fake it" is an elite Avasarala line
James Holden Makes All the Wrong Choiced
I know this book is good bc I am fully invested in the characters and their decisions. Several times I had to put the book down bc I was angry or annoyed at people who do not exist. Shout out to the authors bc this series has me in a chokehold!
I know this book is good bc I am fully invested in the characters and their decisions. Several times I had to put the book down bc I was angry or annoyed at people who do not exist. Shout out to the authors bc this series has me in a chokehold!