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4.49 AVERAGE
4.49 AVERAGE
4.75/5.00
"The stars are still there," she said. "We'll find our way back to them."
That was the ending that I have been waiting for. A total blockbuster of a conclusion to one of science fiction's finest space operas. The Expanse is hardly the most perfect or profound stories of this genre, but it is unquestionably quintessential. The story of James Holden and Naomi Nagata was f-ing perfect. The story of Alex, Amos and the Rosinante is everything we could wish for in this tale.
The ending moved me to tears and I wasn't expecting it after losing steam with this series in the last trilogy. The expanse has always portrayed realistic human conflict brilliantly. But the third trilogy's main plotline is not my favorite part of this series. This main conflict felt silly and seemed like a concept that has been beaten to death by other sci-fi, and done better too. I still stand by this assessment, that the main conflict in the last trilogy is the weakest part of the series.
The strength of this series is of course, in its characters, the sci-fi quagmires and ethical dilemmas that are posed, but mostly, the characters. Jim and Naomi might just be my favorite SFF couple. A dance between very different people in the most romantic of adventures while living in the imaginable future.
"You are the central fact of my life", he said. "Knowing you. Waking up next to you. It's been the most meaningful thing I've done. And I am profoundly fucking grateful that I got that."
"Yes, I have paid a price for letting someone add headstrong and impulsive as you matter so very much to me. But I'd do it again."
Jim's character arc, and this central theme of how people don't really change, but can still grow to be better with other people who also do not change is the concept that landed perfectly in this series. Surprisingly, the star of this book, I think, is Alex. I really enjoyed his emotional journey coming to a cathartic conclusion in this book. Tanaka wasn't bad either.
The overarching protomolecule plot of The Expanse is pretty good. This is what interested me the most in this series, apart from the characters and the blockbuster action. I do however think that this overarching plot was thinner than I expected and could have used more focus through the books. The whole Laconia thing was largely unnecessary in my opinion.
It is truly a shame that the TV show didn't make it to the epic conclusion, but I do think the whole Laconia thing being untold is a good thing.
We are all belters, we are all of mars and earth, we will find our way back to each other.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A good ending. I just wish the dark being beyond the ring space was explained.
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-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
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Okay so I enjoyed this ending to the series but I’m giving it three stars because I was disappointed by a lot of aspects. I felt that the sudden death of so many key characters was too much at once - I wish it would’ve been spread out over two or three books. I really don’t understand this strange twist with Amos becoming an immortal alien intelligence conduit - that was a weird choice. Bobby’s death was anticlimactic I felt - I didn’t think it was for real because it sort of went on without dwelling on it at all. Even Clarissa got a better send off. I also felt like the whole arc with Holden and the god king emperor guy was strange and a little overdone, particularly how it was resolved. “Oh we can stop the big bad guy of the whole series if we just destroy the gates rather than turning them off.” Kinda lame I felt. Honestly I think this series should’ve gone until 10 books, to give proper send offs to each character and better introduce and resolve the big big bad guys.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A pretty satisfying conclusion to the series.
It's going to be hard to say goodbye to all the characters. But after 9+ books they have earned their retirement.
It's going to be hard to say goodbye to all the characters. But after 9+ books they have earned their retirement.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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