Reviews

Caliban's War, by James S.A. Corey

Only show reviews with written explanations

whitjobo's review against another edition

5.0

I have loved reading both Leviathan Wakes and Caliban's War. The last 60 pages were completely engrossing and took me on a ride of emotions, which I usually don't experience in battle scenes.

10/10 would recommend.

floyderama's review against another edition

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adventurous dark inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

4.5

quasar728's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

smithjasont01's review against another edition

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adventurous funny tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

"It wasn't the ending of the thing that left Holden terrified. It was the prospect of something beginning that was utterly outside the human experience. Whatever happened next, no one could be prepared for it."

Book 2 of the Expanse and we pick up about a year after the end of the first one. Holden and crew running ops for the OPA, Mars and Earth on the brink of war and a bunch of kids on Ganymede have just been kidnapped. The book felt similar to the first, just replace the search for Julie with a search for Mei. But it also felt much different. We got to see much more of the political side of the universe outside of Holden's perspective by bringing in Avasarala of the UN and her new appointee Bobbie, a Martian marine who saw a new version of the protomolecule rip her squad apart on Ganymede. The story felt larger because of these characters as we spent time on Earth and not just the outer planets. There are plenty shifting alliances and maneuvers as well as the fast paced mystery that made the first book fun.

Parts of the ending did feel a bit rushed once they got to Io. It seemed like this big build up only to have certain threads wrapped up in a page.

It focused more on the broader cast, getting to flesh out members of the crew like Naomi and Amos, sorry Alex as you we relegated to pilot and never got to leave the ship. Avasarala is a fun character to follow being the foul mouthed elderly woman fighting for power in the UN against the boys club. Bobbe's character also had a fairly satisfying arc in this book with a good moment during the climax.

Overall a good follow-up to Leviathan Wakes.

csdaley's review against another edition

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5.0

Seriously, I don't think anyone is writing better science fiction right now. The only bad thing I can say about this book is that it ended and now I have to wait until June for the next one. I loved this book every bit as much as the first one. Great action, great characters, and giant story all wrapped up in a frightening alien bow. If you haven't started this series and you like science fiction it is time to start reading.

olivera420's review

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2.0

Pretty much the complete opposite of my preferences when it comes to sci-fi books, really not for me but I do think it was a great improvement on Leviathan Wakes even if it was basically the same exact formula in just about every way

pkgonzales7's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Damn, I forgot how much I love this series. I watched the show first, and enjoyed the writing style of the first but this one is even better in terms of introducing some of my fave female characters plus Prax. I’m mostly impressed by how the authors manage to paint some pressing insights about humanity through their character’s reflections and an action-heavy plot.