The Expanse Series Takes a Disappointing Dive
add_circle Pros
- Engaging storyline
- Well-developed characters in the first two books
- Immersive world-building
- Thought-provoking themes
- Good pacing in the first two books
- Strong start to the series
remove_circle Cons
- Too little focus on the alien species
- Too much emphasis on the division between humans
- Lack of resolution and tying up loose ends
- Unnecessary plot twists
- Disappointing character development in the third book
- Pacing issues in the third book
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Editor's Summary
I went into the third book in James S. A. Corey's Expanse series with incredibly high expectations, having loved the second book just as much as the first. Unfortunately, I was thoroughly let down. The story picks up right where the second book left off, with our heroes on the spaceship Rosinante continuing to explore the galaxy and take on various missions. But just as things are getting really interesting, the plot takes a turn for the worse. The characters that I had grown to love in the previous books start to make some questionable decisions that left me scratching my head. The third book just didn't live up to my expectations, and I was disappointed by the lack of resolution and the introduction of new plot threads that felt forced.
Specifications
I went into the third book in James S. A. Corey's Expanse series with incredibly high expectations, having loved the second book just as much as the first. Unfortunately, I was thoroughly let down. I'll explain why in a minute, but first, here's a brief summary for those who don't want spoilers or haven't read the first two books:
The story picks up right where the second book left off, with our heroes on the spaceship Rosinante continuing to explore the galaxy and take on various missions. But just as things are getting really interesting, a mysterious ring appears, which may be a portal or gateway to somewhere else. I was hooked, expecting a thrilling adventure through space and encounters with other intelligent beings. Not what I got, though. Instead, the crew of Rosinante, after stumbling upon the ring, proceeds to do what they've always done - fight each other. The authors continue to focus on humanity's biggest problem: division. And that's what most of the book is about.
Imagine it: a massive spaceship with scientists, soldiers, and spiritual leaders on board, entering a new, uncharted part of the galaxy, and what do they do? They start a competition to chase after Holden, have shootouts, rebellions, and battles. They're putting not only their own existence but possibly the entire solar system at risk. The politics, negotiations, plans for power grabs, and intrigue are so exhausting that I just wanted to take a spare ship and leave them all behind to go explore on my own. The main storyline, concerning protomolecules, goes nowhere.
I want to tell the authors: 'I get it, humanity's not ready for the unknown, but can we at least take a peek?' I mean, who doesn't want to explore the unknown, right?
On the plus side, we still have well-developed characters, unexpected plot twists, a massive storyline (too bad it stalled), and great formatting and narration.
I'm not sure if I'll continue with the series. Stretching an interesting storyline across nine books is a tall order. And to make matters worse, the authors are bogging down the story with politics, intrigue, and human conflicts. Until they can deliver a compelling narrative that fits within a couple of books, I'm taking a long break from the series. Maybe it'll never end.
