quellcristkell's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
wildbillbourbon's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Fast paced action thrill ride. Game of thrones in space.
g_a_denholm's review against another edition
3.0
I know that I am hitting the end of a sci-fi hyperfixation. It might be my idolization of Chambers currently, but I find myself less impressed with Corey.
1) I will not forgive him from dropping Avasarala's POV. 2) I feel like this is the 3rd book in a row that the biggest enemy and threat to man is man. I know that is the larger theme of the genre, but the pattern of Corey's books are becoming even more repetitive.
1) I will not forgive him from dropping Avasarala's POV. 2) I feel like this is the 3rd book in a row that the biggest enemy and threat to man is man. I know that is the larger theme of the genre, but the pattern of Corey's books are becoming even more repetitive.
allanvdh's review against another edition
5.0
Jefferson Mays narration gets more intense with each book and the characters’ voices he plays are amazing.
The book is as nail biting as ever and the last 2 hours I could not put aside as they were so intense and edge of seat listening/reading. I’m already starting the next in series.
The book is as nail biting as ever and the last 2 hours I could not put aside as they were so intense and edge of seat listening/reading. I’m already starting the next in series.
chumchucka's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
lhirl's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
jazin's review against another edition
5.0
Another great book with fantastic characters by James s.a. Corey.
pjonsson's review against another edition
2.0
I do not think I have read a book series before which have gone from really great to really disappointing in one go like this one just did. There is nothing wrong with the writing itself. It is as good as before. It is the content, the story itself, which is simply disappointing as far as I am concerned.
Apart from Holden and his crew all the nice characters from the previous book like Bobby and the likable bitch Avasarala are gone. The new ones introduced are nowhere near those that we lost in terms of interest and often downright annoying. Miller was brought back but he is not really the old Miller, not surprisingly, and more of a tool than an interesting character.
I was hoping that we would get more into the mystery of the protomolecule device and of course it plays an important part in the story but more as a piece of background or a prop than the centerpiece that I hoped it would. The events in the book are, at least initially, driven by a crazy and fanatical relative to the bad guy Mao from the previous book and who wants to both kill and discredit Holden for revenge. I was not too crazy about that from the start. Once her plan get going things goes bad rather quickly.
As if this revenge business was not bad enough the author drags in a useless as well as volatile and half-crazy captain, appointed for pretty much nothing but political reasons, and a whole bunch of more or less fanatical religious people. The latter was really dragging down the book for me.
Unfortunately the religious fanatics play a big role in the events in the latter half of the book and, not surprisingly, they cause things to go from bad to worse. Even the good ones of these priests and clerics is really ruining the book with their constant nonsensical preaching about how there were still some good in person x and person y etc. etc. and how we should try to talk to him instead of using violence. The maniac(s) are on the verge of, possibly, exterminating the human race for Christ sake! Just push the f-ckers out of a bloody airlock and be done with it.
I have to say that I am probably not really capable of giving a un-biased, possibly not even a fair, review of this book since I am so disappointed with it, especially given how much I liked the previous ones. It is a well written book. Those of you who liked the previous ones should probably have a go at this one as well. I did not like it but that is because of personal taste more than anything.
Apart from Holden and his crew all the nice characters from the previous book like Bobby and the likable bitch Avasarala are gone. The new ones introduced are nowhere near those that we lost in terms of interest and often downright annoying. Miller was brought back but he is not really the old Miller, not surprisingly, and more of a tool than an interesting character.
I was hoping that we would get more into the mystery of the protomolecule device and of course it plays an important part in the story but more as a piece of background or a prop than the centerpiece that I hoped it would. The events in the book are, at least initially, driven by a crazy and fanatical relative to the bad guy Mao from the previous book and who wants to both kill and discredit Holden for revenge. I was not too crazy about that from the start. Once her plan get going things goes bad rather quickly.
As if this revenge business was not bad enough the author drags in a useless as well as volatile and half-crazy captain, appointed for pretty much nothing but political reasons, and a whole bunch of more or less fanatical religious people. The latter was really dragging down the book for me.
Unfortunately the religious fanatics play a big role in the events in the latter half of the book and, not surprisingly, they cause things to go from bad to worse. Even the good ones of these priests and clerics is really ruining the book with their constant nonsensical preaching about how there were still some good in person x and person y etc. etc. and how we should try to talk to him instead of using violence. The maniac(s) are on the verge of, possibly, exterminating the human race for Christ sake! Just push the f-ckers out of a bloody airlock and be done with it.
I have to say that I am probably not really capable of giving a un-biased, possibly not even a fair, review of this book since I am so disappointed with it, especially given how much I liked the previous ones. It is a well written book. Those of you who liked the previous ones should probably have a go at this one as well. I did not like it but that is because of personal taste more than anything.
deb_entwistle's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
righteousridel's review against another edition
3.0
Serious Funny Business?
I've had a complex relationship with The Expanse series, disliking its TV series and yet giving it a second chance via the novels. Abaddon's Gate has a lot of what I like about the series: the action is excellent, and it has a decent mystery (though not a police procedural) that adds a thrill to the times when the guns aren't firing. Holden is the glue that keeps the series anchored, and while he's an enjoyable presence, I'm also happy that his flaws are called out in-universe.
And yet... none of these books have been stand-out hits for me.
Abaddon's Gate is just serious enough to give the universe a sense of gravitas. But it never fully commits to either being serious business or a fun, easy read for the evening. The series is filled with high stakes (the fate of human civilization) and plenty of treacherous moments. I get a sense of loss, and the scope of what's going on doesn't allow me to turn off my brain, but the moment the going gets tough, we hit a patch of comic relief. Nowhere is this more obvious than the recurring joke about how Amos is a cold-blooded murderer but at least he's on our side.
Humor is fine, but the series is already short of dramatic tension. It's been a long time since Shed's demise, and nothing since then has made me worry for our heroes in the slightest. The antagonists in this series rarely appear on-screen, and if they do appear, are impotent. A constant stream of new POV characters allows us to stay emotionally uninvolved. When all these elements come together, I'm left with a novel that was entertaining, but forgettable.
Recommended with reservations.
Not including Avasarala in this novel was a mistake. That single-handedly drops it another star.
I suspect a major problem is that new POV characters in each novel means that I never develop long-term feelings for any character and their support group. We lose both Sam and Bull in this novel, and the former hits harder because we know about her from the previous novel, even though Bull is a main character! And despite how bloody the 3rd Behemoth mutiny (ha) ends up being, way too many main characters live through those firefights. Offing red-shirts and a single one-novel-and-done main character does not build tension, sorry James Corey.
Also Mao's heel-face turn was thoroughly unconvincing, and yet obviously telegraphed ever since Anna sat down to speak with her in a glorified meat locker. It was great that there was an antagonist plotline finally, but then we water it down and ultimately have her repenting for her sins! :eyeroll:
That and ultimately all the big twists just feel like the author dragging the story forward. The gate leading to interstellar space travel is... sure, I guess it's a big deal. But does it really hit me emotionally? As a reader, I don't care that this fake universe has FTL now. It's just another way to tell a story. What about the tension that should occur between Mars, Earth and the OPA? Didn't tens of thousands die in peer naval combat just last year? Yet only Holden is hated by Mars marines and everyone is friendly and constantly cooperating with each other on-screen during the events of the Slow Zone.
There's just something missing here.
I've had a complex relationship with The Expanse series, disliking its TV series and yet giving it a second chance via the novels. Abaddon's Gate has a lot of what I like about the series: the action is excellent, and it has a decent mystery (though not a police procedural) that adds a thrill to the times when the guns aren't firing. Holden is the glue that keeps the series anchored, and while he's an enjoyable presence, I'm also happy that his flaws are called out in-universe.
And yet... none of these books have been stand-out hits for me.
Abaddon's Gate is just serious enough to give the universe a sense of gravitas. But it never fully commits to either being serious business or a fun, easy read for the evening. The series is filled with high stakes (the fate of human civilization) and plenty of treacherous moments. I get a sense of loss, and the scope of what's going on doesn't allow me to turn off my brain, but the moment the going gets tough, we hit a patch of comic relief. Nowhere is this more obvious than the recurring joke about how Amos is a cold-blooded murderer but at least he's on our side.
Humor is fine, but the series is already short of dramatic tension. It's been a long time since Shed's demise, and nothing since then has made me worry for our heroes in the slightest. The antagonists in this series rarely appear on-screen, and if they do appear, are impotent. A constant stream of new POV characters allows us to stay emotionally uninvolved. When all these elements come together, I'm left with a novel that was entertaining, but forgettable.
Recommended with reservations.
Spoiler
The following is in spoiler tags, and I say so since some Goodreads clients may not respect it. You've been warned:Not including Avasarala in this novel was a mistake. That single-handedly drops it another star.
I suspect a major problem is that new POV characters in each novel means that I never develop long-term feelings for any character and their support group. We lose both Sam and Bull in this novel, and the former hits harder because we know about her from the previous novel, even though Bull is a main character! And despite how bloody the 3rd Behemoth mutiny (ha) ends up being, way too many main characters live through those firefights. Offing red-shirts and a single one-novel-and-done main character does not build tension, sorry James Corey.
Also Mao's heel-face turn was thoroughly unconvincing, and yet obviously telegraphed ever since Anna sat down to speak with her in a glorified meat locker. It was great that there was an antagonist plotline finally, but then we water it down and ultimately have her repenting for her sins! :eyeroll:
That and ultimately all the big twists just feel like the author dragging the story forward. The gate leading to interstellar space travel is... sure, I guess it's a big deal. But does it really hit me emotionally? As a reader, I don't care that this fake universe has FTL now. It's just another way to tell a story. What about the tension that should occur between Mars, Earth and the OPA? Didn't tens of thousands die in peer naval combat just last year? Yet only Holden is hated by Mars marines and everyone is friendly and constantly cooperating with each other on-screen during the events of the Slow Zone.
There's just something missing here.