the_pale_woman's Reviews (542)

I read this after I read book six, and I wish I hadn't. I think I might have enjoyed book six more if I had read this first. It is not that important to the plot of book six. It's important to what's happening during a certain period of time in this series. It also adds a mystery that the last couple of books in the series were getting away from. 

At first, I was a bit put off by the change of perspective but quickly found that it was a perfect choice for the story. Give it a chance. It's short but a great addition to the overall world of expanse. I wouldn't say that about all the expanse novellas I've read so far.

This is satisfying in its own way. I liked it and will continue in the series, but I just feel like it's broken away from the original story or at least the parts I enjoyed the most. The plots have become more political. While I love having Avasarala around, I would rather learn more about long dead aliens. Maybe even some more crazy old alien tech causing havoc on all these new worlds. Or proto molecules doing something... anything. 

Don't get me wrong. I did like it. I'm just a little disappointed and hopeful the next book is better.

I feel like this works so much better than it did in the show. It was a nice change of scenery to have each member of the crew out on their own adventure. There's a quick pace created by just switching POVs. You don't have to hear about any one thing for too long. Keeps it interesting.

However, I want to know more about the aliens. Or the Miller bot. Or the 1300 new world's beyond the ring. I like where the political storyline is going, but I just wish there more going on in the ring. 

On a side note, there are too many repeated phrases in this book. It was getting on my nerves. Not so much that it hurt my reading experience but enough that it was noticeable.

This was just sloppy. It only gets a two because I'm feeling generous, and it's only a novella. When I view it just as extra content, I don't feel as offended by it. 

This falls into the same complaint I've had about a previous expanse novella. I'm just not getting the perspectives I want. I'm fine with the story, but I don't really care about these side characters. I don't need to see how they viewed events. 

Speaking of perspective... the way it jumps around in this story is jarring. This needed more polish and an editor.

Okay, so I liked this book. I'm not going to say I didn't enjoy it or that it wasn't entertaining. But... I have so many questions, and there are so many events and characters that irritated me. 

First, where is this planet in the universe? Is it in the Milky Way? If not, do all the gates lead to different galaxies as well as habital systems? You could learn so much just by looking. It would extend the boundaries of the observable universe. That is no small thing. I believe it should have been addressed. 

Next, Elvi and Murtry bother me. Watching Elvi hardcore crush and then snap out of it after getting laid was cringe. Murtry was a good bad guy, but I just needed him to have better motivation. I also wish we had witnessed more fight between him and Amos. I feel like Murtry is exactly what Amos wants to avoid being. So, I think it would have been more cathartic if they had it out without Holden around. Murtry shooting Amos in the back doesn't count. 

Finally, if a corporation really did lay claim to a planet. They would send more than one ship. Even at the end, they talk about over a thousand ships heading to the ring. How was no one already halfway there by the time Holden and his crew get to the planet? Might not have changed anything, but it would have been more believable. Actually, what would have been more believable is if there were incidents like this happening in a dozen gates all at the same time.

These are only a few of the objections rattling around in my brain. Nothing that affects my enjoyment, but they're there. Hope I can keep that enjoyment as the series progresses. 

I wasn't that excited by the plot or characters at first. It seemed a little unnecessarily over worded and dry, and while that may still be the case, slowly the story really gripped me and I found myself fond of the emperor and wanted him to succeed in his endeavors. The book has a slice of life vibe mixed with a political drama. Very British, almost civilized fantasy. There's only minimal catharsis and satisfaction. I can tell it wouldn't be for everyone, but it clicked with me. I would love to continue the emperor's story. There's a couple of books out following the witness of the dead. I'm confused if that is considered the sequels to this, or is this one going to get a direct sequel?

I read for enjoyment. I do not enjoy reading a story that is pure disgusting misery. Starts out way too childish. Reading a child's perspective is only fun if it's a harry potter vibe. Then it gets serious with the child abuse. It's simple and matter of fact but way too graphic. I find that type of shock value unimpressive. It's not what I thought this story was going to be. Disappointed and disturbed.

I love multiple generational stories. This was tragic and sad but not overly so. I appreciate the lack of redemption and juctice. I also like how characters interact with each other in a realistic way. I'm going to be thinking about this one for a while. Serious book hangover.

Not as good as the first two but solid. 

I love this series like I love a good cup of hot tea. Not for any one reason but for the whole experience. I can't say that I'm happy with all the characters fates but that didn't hinder my enjoyment reading this book. I appreciate all the detail and distinctive charm woven into these stories. It's practically whimsical. Comforting.