The Expanse – Book 6: Babylon’s Ashes – By James S. A. Corey

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , ,

Jared,

It’s taken 3 months to finally get this bad boy……Which is way too long for me personally. It taunts me and then I have to rush and get the book finished before the library loan expires.

babylonsashesTitle: Babylon’s Ashes
Series: The Expanse; Book 6
Author: James S. A. Corey (Pen Name)
Genre: Science Fiction, Space Opera
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Futuristic, FTL Gates
Synopsis: A revolution brewing for generations has begun in fire. It will end in blood. The Free Navy – a violent group of Belters in black-market military ships – has crippled the Earth and begun a campaign of piracy and violence among the outer planets. The colony ships heading for the thousand new worlds on the far side of the alien ring gates are easy prey, and no single navy remains strong enough to protect them. James Holden and his crew know the strengths and weaknesses of this new force better than anyone. Outnumbered and outgunned, the embattled remnants of the old political powers call on the Rocinante for a desperate mission to reach Medina Station at the heart of the gate network. But the new alliances are as flawed as the old, and the struggle for power has only just begun.
Recommendation: I strongly recommend this book to mature audiences only. (Late teens or adult.) This is due to the quantity and detail of the violence.

Mind = blown!

Seriously, these books are getting better and better. I did have some trouble getting into it but I’m pretty sure it was just me. Too long since I read the last one and I was a bit distracted.

The setting is so vast and yet so real it’s captivating. I also really enjoyed how it addressed current social issues without being overt or preachy. We’re shown the world and it’s inhabitants and are allowed to draw our own conclusions.

Bobby Draper is probably my new favorite character. She’s so real and complex and I can’t help but relate to her…..You know because I’m a big female martian marine who kicks ass and takes names.

James Holden is probably my least favorite mostly because I can’t relate to him.

The rest of the characters are amazing too. Absolutely amazing. Probably better than the last one.

Plot was good. Again I had a slow start but the middle and ending were top notch, no doubt. It built well, resolved dozens of loose ends, and set up so much more. I get the feeling that this was the end of many many story arcs. So while I’m less excited for the next book, I’m far more curious where things will go. The possibilities are extensive. I’ve got suspicions but none I’m willing to voice yet.

So that’s it for this review. It’s a very solid addition to the series and I’m very happy with where everything is left at the end of this one.

Robert

Links

The Expanse – Book 6: Babylon’s Ashes – By James S. A. Corey

7 thoughts on “The Expanse – Book 6: Babylon’s Ashes – By James S. A. Corey”

  2. Probably the BEST space opera series of the last few years, indeed. And one that holds up well on the re-read I’m doing while keeping pace with the tv show.
    I agree with your comment about tying up many narrative threads: the third book in the series ended with the opening of new pathways, and this sixth volume does the same, and I’m not worried about what awaits us next, because these authors have shown time and again that they will deliver on their promise. šŸ™‚

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  3. Love this series. This was another great installment, but Nemesis Games is still my favorite I think. Babylon’s Ashes was a nice follow up to ease us back down from that bombshell of a book, but it had some unexpected twists too šŸ™‚

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