Here we are on the fifth book of what is arguably one of the most popular ongoing space based science fiction series, set to become even more popular with an impressive looking TV show being launched. The previous installment, Cibola Burn, was very much a game changer, in terms of the scope of the story. Here in Nemesis Games, James S.A. Corey changes the script again, by breaking up the crew of the Rocinante into its individual parts: Alex Kamal, Naomi Nagata, Amos, and James Holden. Not only that, a good portion of the narrative takes place on Earth, so in many ways, Nemesis Games is a risk. Worry not, though: the powerful storytelling and engaging characterization from previous volumes are shining through as The Expanse continues to reshuffle the deck with each installment.
After returning from the planet Ilus at the far end of the Galaxy through the gate the protomolecule opened, Holden and crew go on shore leave in search for a bit of respite. Each has some affairs to settle or loose ends requiring tying up from prior to the series events. Naomi wants to reconnect with her son, Alex initially wants to make amends with his ex-wife, and Amos wants to settle up with a woman from his days as “Timmy” on the streets of Baltimore. Meanwhile, Holden is tasked by Fred Johnson, leader of the Outer Planets Alliance, with tracking down missing space vessels.
Each member is sort of going along on their own business when a major terrorist attack shatters the Earth. As such, we see the story through each of their personal lenses with all POV chapters from a member of the Rocinante. Each member of the crew is affected dramatically by their circumstances away from Rocinante, with Naomi a “guest” of her former lover, and Amos near one of the ground zeroes of the impact of the attack. Alex and Holden, have their own life-threatening issues to deal with after the attack, too. We’ve seen glimpses of the other characters in Holden’s presence, but never separated like this. At five books into the series, splitting the characters is a genius move to make the crew of the Rocinante still seem fresh with plenty of room to breathe and develop. We knew them, sure, but we didn’t know them completely and only had glimpses or hints of their past. (At least in the novels.)
If finding a new habitable planet on the other side of giant portal (let alone 1,000 planets) wasn’t game changer enough, what Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck do to Earth is well…earth shattering. A terrorist attack, unfortunately, is something resonates all too well in this day and age (Goddamn it, as I write this there was a terrorist attack on a Mosque in California) and there is some very introspective and pointed charged discussion between Naomi and her former lover Marcus surrounding the attack (Chapter 33). It is one of those central moments in a novel where so much of the ideological confrontations throughout the series seem to be nearly exemplified in one conversation.
There is of course, a great deal of action in the novel, too. Seemingly, for every intense discussion between characters (Amos and some of his old “colleagues” in Baltimore, Alex and the welcoming return of Bobbie Draper), there is equal heart-pounding adventurous narrative passages. With the splitting of the characters, the novel is almost like four different stories woven seamlessly together. A wonderfully balanced novel that hits every button imaginable.
Of course, when the main characters of a book are split apart, the expectation is that by novel’s end these characters will be reunited. Despite being a fifth book, I still felt a great deal of nervousness about the survival chances of some of these characters. What Corey does so well not only in reuniting these characters by conclusion of Nemesis Games is to weave together political and thematic threads that have been dangling apart in the previous four novels.
I say this with every installment of The Expanse, but it remains true. This is the best space-based science fiction series on the shelves with a perfect balance of entertainment and thought-provocation. Each novel changes the game while still managing to remain true to the heart of the series.
Highly, highly recommended.
© 2015 Rob H. Bedford
Book Five of The Expanse
http://www.the-expanse.com
Published by Orbit Books
Hardcover 978-0316-21758-3
Review copy courtesy of the publisher
Previous reviews: Cibola Burn | Abaddon’s Gate | Caliban’s War | Leviathan Wakes
Well said, Rob. Agree with what you say, especially regarding the anxiety on the life expectancy of each of these characters. just shows how well the authors have allowed us to get to know on certain levels these individuals that we begin to care for them i guess. Oddly enough I purchased the digital release on day 1 but just didn’t feel like reading it in that format. So was happy to get it last Friday on paper. i was going to save it for the pending holidays but once I opened the first page I was hooked again and now up to Chapter 7.
I’ve seen a few reviews where some readers would have preferred them on a mission together, but i’m loving the exposition we’re getting in book five on each of the team, and what they can do and react to in a different environment and situation without relying on each other. I’m loving the individual dynamics and the story so far.
Rocinante, btw – remember how Holden chose that name? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocinante
Perhaps I continue with reading only every second book, sounds great. It started when local Audible managed to get no. 3, 1, 4 in that order.
Thanks for the pickup, Thomas. Now corrected!