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A review by yevolem
Nemesis Games by James S.A. Corey
4.0
This was definitely better than the third or fourth books, and may even be right ahead of or just behind the second in terms of my enjoyment. Others reasonably consider the best of the series thus far. The POVs this time are the crew of the Rocinante, who finally each have their own perspective. Holden is tied for the least chapters of the four. He's avoiding trying to understand himself as an individual, rather than as someone defined those who he's with. He has problems with boundaries, which is why he shares everything, but he's also been becoming increasingly Miller-like, which can't possibly be worrisome for his longevity. Alex tries to come to terms with his past, which may be a midlife crisis, and to accept himself for who he is. Amos returns to his past to verify whether a life was amicably resolved, and if not, to ensure a summary resolution for all involved. Naomi faces the past she sacrificed so much to break away from and may have to sacrifice even more get away from again. I liked Naomi's the least because I feel like there's something off about both how the book and TV series characterize her. I don't quite know what it is though.
As compared to the previous book, which was plot focused, this one is much more character focused. Everyone must face the consequences of their past. Although it is about each individual character it's also about who they are together and realizing that when they're together they compensate for the dysfunctions of each other. They're not functionally whole when they're apart. These struggles are also represented at an interplanetary level. The reactions to new discoveries bring multigenerational grievances to the fore and the costs may be beyond imagining. A reckoning for oppression is at hand, but do the oppressed seek liberation or annihilation?
The relative shallowness and ambiguity of anything in the background of The Expanse is definitely one of its greatest weaknesses for me, but I think it's mostly covered up well and keeps the reader distracted from it. None of it holds up well under scrutiny, which is disappointing, but as I've written more than a few times, when possible it may be better to turn a blind eye to some flaws for the sake of own's enjoyment. Even so, this weakness is what holds me back from rating this series any higher than I already have.
As the middle book in the series with four behind it and four yet to come, I've started to consider its overall trajectory. It may never be what I want it to be, but that's alright. As long as what it is, is enjoyable enough, that's all that really matters. The previous book was a misstep, though its footing was regained with this one. The next book covers the rest of what I know, and may be similarly enjoyable, though considering the shortened final season it could well also have a considerable amount that I don't know.
As compared to the previous book, which was plot focused, this one is much more character focused. Everyone must face the consequences of their past. Although it is about each individual character it's also about who they are together and realizing that when they're together they compensate for the dysfunctions of each other. They're not functionally whole when they're apart. These struggles are also represented at an interplanetary level. The reactions to new discoveries bring multigenerational grievances to the fore and the costs may be beyond imagining. A reckoning for oppression is at hand, but do the oppressed seek liberation or annihilation?
The relative shallowness and ambiguity of anything in the background of The Expanse is definitely one of its greatest weaknesses for me, but I think it's mostly covered up well and keeps the reader distracted from it. None of it holds up well under scrutiny, which is disappointing, but as I've written more than a few times, when possible it may be better to turn a blind eye to some flaws for the sake of own's enjoyment. Even so, this weakness is what holds me back from rating this series any higher than I already have.
As the middle book in the series with four behind it and four yet to come, I've started to consider its overall trajectory. It may never be what I want it to be, but that's alright. As long as what it is, is enjoyable enough, that's all that really matters. The previous book was a misstep, though its footing was regained with this one. The next book covers the rest of what I know, and may be similarly enjoyable, though considering the shortened final season it could well also have a considerable amount that I don't know.