My new year’s reading is coming along (very) slowly, but I’m still chipping away at my review backlog. Today’s reviews are space operas read in 2022: Warlady by Jo Graham and Under Fortunate Stars by Ren Hutchings.
James S A Corey
Laconia rules the galaxy, harnessing the resources of thirteen hundred systems. The resistance has gone underground, isolated and limited to tactical actions. But the true enemy has unimaginable powers. United or divided, humanity may not stand a chance…
I had decided not to read The Expanse – until a SFFReadalong was announced last year (willpower: I’ve heard about it), which I just couldn’t resist (I like reading with friends, okay?). And I’m ever so glad I let the gang’s enthusiasm drag me along, as it’s now one of my all-time favourite space operas. I turned the tables for SciFiMonth and dragged Lisa and M into debating the Big Question with me: sure, the tv show is good, but was the book better?
Earth has almost recovered from the Free Navy’s genocidal attack. The Alliance have nearly rebuilt their depleted navies. The Belters’ Transport Union controls traffic to all the colonies beyond the Gates …except one. Now the Gate to Laconia is about to re-open. Mars’s wayward children are ready to return, and they have their own vision for the future of humanity…
The fall out just keeps on falling out as rocks continue to shower the Earth, and shaky alliances begin to crumble. While billions starve and the few control the future of the many, will anyone realise that – against all odds – humanity may not be the only threat to its own survival?
Unexpected saviours of Ilus, the crew of the Roci scatter for a well-earned break. But old feuds die hard. As humanity streams through the Gates to colonise new worlds, the Solar System is ripped apart by unexpected violence on an unimaginable scale. Can Alex, Amos, Jim and Naomi survive alone?
The Gates are open and humanity is headed for the stars. When Belter refugees colonise Ilus first, they’re not prepared to make way for the official corporate mission that follows – the Rocinante is sent to keep the peace – with Miller determined to come along for the ride.
In the outer reaches, the protomolecule has built a gate to… somewhere else. It’s the last place a haunted Jim Holden wants to go, but a determined young woman with a vendetta against him holds all the cards. Leaving human space may be the only way the Rocinante can escape her well-laid plans…
Six months after Eros, the solar system still hovers in uneasy peace as it watches Venus to see what the protomolecule will do next. Can UN Deputy Undersecretary of Executive Administration Chrisjen Avasarala keep the nervy planets focused on the greater threat?
There’s a secret being kept in the outer reaches of the Belt – a secret worth killing for. Soon a washed-up detective from Ceres and a ramshackle salvage crew will find themselves at the heart of a system-wide conspiracy that could shatter the uneasy peace between Earth, Mars and the Belt. If only they could stop asking awkward questions…
Separated by the Gate and a terrifyingly dangerous spaceship, the dissidents aboard Medina and the final fleet of the Solar System prepare to bring the fight to the Laconians. But Holden is in enemy hands…
Everything comes at a price. As Saba and the resistance put Bobbie’s plans into action, Singh tries to reconcile his authoritarian instincts with his idea of the man he is – and who he would like to be. Meanwhile, Drummer and the coalition must try to contain the Heart of the Tempest – and its terrifying weapon.
The Laconian heel is firmly on the back of Medina’s neck this week, as Governor Singh flexes his authoritarian muscles and the Belters’ reflexively push back. Holden and Naomi must decide what to do with their future now their options have narrowed dramatically; whilst Drummer gets unexpected advice on securing a future for all of humanity…
Humanity has settled the stars. Earth has almost recovered from the Free Navy’s genocidal assault. The Alliance have nearly rebuilt their depleted navies. The Belters’ Transport Union controls traffic to all the colonies beyond the Gates. Except one. And the Gate to Laconia is about to re-open. Mars’s wayward children are ready to return, and they have their own vision for the future of humanity…
All eyes are on Medina, the Free Navy-held station blocking the way to the gates and the colonies beyond them. Can the alliance find a way to open up the stars – or will Marco Inaros complete his revenge against Earth and bring down the entire solar system?
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