Hey Jared,
I’m really enjoying these novellas! I need more of them in my life.
Title: Gods of Risk
Series: The Expanse; Novella
Author: James S. A. Corey (Pen Name)
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Futuristic, No FTL Tech
Synopsis: As tension between Mars and Earth mounts, and terrorism plagues the Martian city of Londres Nova, sixteen-year-old David Draper is fighting his own lonely war. A gifted chemist vying for a place at the university, David leads a secret life as a manufacturer for a ruthless drug dealer. When his friend Leelee goes missing, leaving signs of the dealer’s involvement, David takes it upon himself to save her. But first he must shake his aunt Bobbie Draper, an ex-marine who has been set adrift in her own life after a mysterious series of events nobody is talking about.
Recommendation: Recommended for anyone who likes The Expanse and I suggest being familiar with the series before reading.
So far this one has had the least connecting to the main series that I’ve read so far. We don’t get insight into one of the main characters or even a significant event. Instead we’re shown David Draper, Bobbie Draper’s nephew, as he navigates a hidden world beneath the surface of Mars.
The highlight was getting a glimpse at Martian culture and how they’re reacting to the crazy going on the rest of the solar system. It made them feel more real and the universe more consistent.
That said, the main character, David, didn’t do much for me. He’s mildly interesting but never felt invested in him nor his actions. The plot was ok, but again it was only mildly interesting.
In the end I’m left wondering if there was some hidden insight or meaning that I completely missed or was this really just the little human story it appeared to me. Either way, it was nice but I’m glad I didn’t buy it.
Robert
Reading Over The Shoulder 
Even though I’m a huge fan of the Expanse, this novella did not appeal to me for the reasons you stated and I did not look it up: from your review it would seem that my “book vibes” were correct once again 🙂
Although I must admit that a closer look at Martian society does have some appeal…
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