To continue or not continue, that is the question. I only own this first one because I wasn’t completely sold on this from the jump. But, I do love me some Expanse, and I do like fantasy, so why not give it a go, right?

Thankfully, I was warned that this is a slow burn, character focused story, so I was able to take it in its stride. Motivations are very well fleshed out, the plot is secondary, but serviceable. It’s clearly more intelligent than the typical chaff the genre churns out.

However. My largest gripe is with the writing style. It is… generously, unobtrusive. It was difficult to picture the setting or the movements of the characters because those aspects lack all specificity. Coupled with the fantastical aspects, it makes a very odd dichotomy that really bothered me. I really am uncertain whether I want to continue with it.

3.5 rounded up for character work and originality