Challenge Corner discussion

Humanity has colonized the solar system—Mars, the Moon, the Asteroid Belt and beyond—but the stars are still out of our reach.

Jim Holden is XO of an ice miner making runs from the rings of Saturn to the mining stations of the Belt. When he and his crew stumble upon a derelict ship, the Scopuli, they find themselves in possession of a secret they never wanted. A secret that someone is willing to kill for—and kill on a scale unfathomable to Jim and his crew. War is brewing in the system unless he can find out who left the ship and why.

Detective Miller is looking for a girl. One girl in a system of billions, but her parents have money and money talks. When the trail leads him to the Scopuli and rebel sympathizer Holden, he realizes that this girl may be the key to everything.

Holden and Miller must thread the needle between the Earth government, the Outer Planet revolutionaries, and secretive corporations—and the odds are against them. But out in the Belt, the rules are different, and one small ship can change the fate of the universe.

I've begun - a mix of reading and audio.

Prologue - Chapter 10: (view spoiler)[ Honestly, I probably didn't need to use a spoiler for these first chapters. I've read this before (although I'm not certain how long ago), but it's interesting to me how there are things I don't remember well, and others that are quite clear in my memory. Isn't it odd what sticks with you?

I haven't seen the series, but with every description of a Belter vs and Earther, I can't help but wonder how the show handled the physical differences - or if they bothered at all. After reading all the books, I may have to watch the show. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 11 - 20: (view spoiler)[ Early on in the book, I definitely preferred Holden's chapters to Miller's. I still like Holden's part of the story, but I'm enjoying Miller's more than I was. They're both lost souls of a sort. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 21-30:(view spoiler)[ I recall most of these chapters pretty well - or, at least, I did once I started reading them. I remember this process of warming to Miller. He's so flawed, but he's interesting - compelling, even.
The whole geneic mutataion - people melding with tech - alien tech tropes have been popular for a long time. I love how it's not clear at this point what's going on - how it's being thought of as a disease, an ailment, the Phoebe Bug. Very nicely done. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 31-48: (view spoiler)[ Oh Miller - he's goes from not particularly appealing to tugging on my heartstrings. I felt for him when Holden told him to catch his own ride home, particularly after Miller's joy when Holden called him one of his crew. Naomi later helps Holden understand Miller better, but it's a bit late. Holden, of course, is so completely straightforward that it's no wonder all of his commanding officers found him to be a pain. And even though Holden has unintentionally triggered so many of the events in the book, he's 'righteous,' as his crew calls him and stubborn in his beliefs. Naive, maybe, but don't we need at least some people to be that way? (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 49-Epilogue: (view spoiler)[ Oh yeah, that was good. I love that Miller finds Julie - well, a version of Julie - and joins her. Crashing into Venus is epic! Holden makes a great hero, but Miller is fascinating.
i read an interview at the end of the book in which the author(s) state that they have a three book deal - which, of course, turned into 9 plus a book of short stories. I can't help but wonder if they always had the full nine book plotline in reserve.
I also have to wonder about the tv series. There are some many things that they simply cannot move form the page to the screen, but I find myself curous to see what they manage. I won't watch until I've finished the books, though.
I'll definitely keep going. (hide spoiler)]

Truitt_T wrote: "

I've begun - a mix of reading and audio.

Prologue - Chapter 10: Honestly, I probably didn't need to use a spoiler for these first chapters. I've read this be..."

I'm listening on audio, and I'm finding it pretty complicated/confusing to be honest! I think I need to do dedicate some time to listening more intently. I'm enjoying it but it's very... masculine? I'm not sure if that's what I mean, but something like that. I know Julie is a main character but she's not really if you know what I mean, and then there's only Naomi. I wonder if there are other female MCs in the other books in the series?

Prologue - Chap 10 (view spoiler)[ I know what you mean! I didn't realise until I started listening but I've read the beginning before and didn't even remember until I got a few chapters in. Someway, it was very unmemorable... Not sure what that's about *shrugs* It's quite dramatic, so I think I just have a crap memory (hide spoiler)]

Chap 10 - 27 (view spoiler)[
I agree they're both lost souls, but I keep getting their bloody names the wrong way round! I don't know why - I think maybe I'm sleep deprived because I am finding this a bit like hard work.

I'm interested to know more about the Phoebe bug, I assume I'll know more pretty soon...

Finding Julie dead felt inevitable to me, but I think it was done really well. I agree that both characters are interesting - I'd go with compelling as well as nuanced. I just wish I'd made some notes as I went along because my brain is in a fug :( (hide spoiler)]

Started book 1 tonight.



Prologue - Chapter 11
(view spoiler)[
The opening of this is pretty interesting. Who attacked Julie's ship? Where did they all go? And what in the world was that thing around the reactor?

I'm really enjoying Holden's chapters so far, I like the interactions between the remaining crew. The destruction of the Cant was crazy and now they're on a Martian ship that's under attack. Shed abruptly dying at the end there was unexpected. Like damn, he's just gone.

Miller's chapters are a bit less interesting but they're starting to pick up. Him being ordered to find Julie is an interesting development and I'm looking forward to seeing what comes of that. The belter dialogue is a bit confusing but I think I'm getting the hang of it.
(hide spoiler)]

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Truitt_T wrote: "

I've begun - a mix of reading and audio.

Prologue - Chapter 10: Honestly, I probably didn't need to use a spoiler for these first chapters. I..."

It is on the complicated side - I'm not sure how I would have done listening to it if I hadn't read it before, however long ago.

I read so much fiction (particularly science fiction, fantasy, and mystery) by female authors and/or with female MCs that it is odd to read a book from one of those genres so very much from a male perspective. I think that may change, though - in later books, I mean.

Melanie wrote: "Started book 1 tonight.



Prologue - Chapter 11

The opening of this is pretty interesting. Who attacked Julie's ship? Where did they all go? And what in the wor..."

The authors don't hesitate to (view spoiler)[knock people off, (hide spoiler)] do they?

Melanie wrote: "Started book 1 tonight.



Prologue - Chapter 11 (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]
The opening of this is pretty interesting. Who attacked Julie's ship? Where did they all go? And what in the wor..."

Don't worry Melanie, Miller's chapters get a whole lot more interesting!!

Truitt_T wrote: "Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Truitt_T wrote: "

I've begun - a mix of reading and audio.

Prologue - Chapter 10: Honestly, I probably didn't need to use a spoiler for the..."

Yeah, I'm now doing a mixture of audio and reading it (because I can't give the audio back as I got it ages ago and it's been sitting there for me to listen so I might as well use it lol) - and I'm finding it much easier now. I'm also used to listening to books on 1.7-2.0 speed, and I was stubbornly sticking to that to start with *facepalm* DID NOT WORK.

It is interesting; other than 'classic' sci-fi, I've mostly read female author sci-fi as well. It definitely has a different feel to it. I also forgot that this is co-written - did one author write each character, does anyone know? I'm just interested.
Also will be interested if there's more of a gender balance in the sequels...

(and I just found out that one of them is George RR Martin's editor which is interesting!)

Chapters 27-31 (view spoiler)[
I know what you mean - Miller is such a... I don't know! One minute you think he's a shite and then he just tugs at your heartstrings completely! His hallucinations of Julie are - dare I say it? - kind of sweet? He's not as bad a person as he makes himself out to be.

I was finding Holden pretty annoying at this point tbh. The whole 'righteous' thing, but another way of putting it is that he is stubborn and refuses to see anyone else's point of view. I get that the crew can put trust in him because he's so certain all the time - but there is NO ROOM in that man's head for compromise. He needs a slap lol. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 31-50 (view spoiler)[

This book does not give you a space to breathe does it?? It's just ACTION ACTION ACTION - which is not something I'm used to if I'm honest. I like/tend to read character driven books, and this is most definitely plot driven. I think that's been one of my problems throughout; it's just very different to my normal reads. I'm glad to read something so different though!

Miller staying on Eros just might have saved them all, right? Even though it was meant to be a glorious suicide, turns out they need him! I did think Holden was - again - totally uncompromisingly down on Miller for shooting Dresden. I mean, I'm 100% pacifist and anti-guns, and I can get why he did it!

That's another thing that's weird in this book; as a pacifist, when you're reading fantasy, the violence somehow feels at a further remove. I don't know why. Possibly because guns are such physical and (to me) viscerally unpleasant things, but also because the violence is on such a HUGE scale.

It's kind of hard to see where they're going to go after this - is the whole of sentient life going to be in danger in every book?? Can you keep that going for nine books? We'll see... (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 12-22
(view spoiler)[
Damn, that was quite the escape for Holden and co. Their time on Tycho was definitely a change of pace for them. I'm glad they're getting back into the middle of things though.

Miller's chapters are starting to grow on me. He just couldn't let the Julie thing go even though it cost him his job. I'm looking forward to his storyline intersecting with Holden's now that they're going to be in the same place.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 23-33
(view spoiler)[
I'm so glad Miller and Holden's storylines have merged, they're both a lot more interesting now (not that they weren't before). Miller fits in well with the Roci crew in my opinion. I like how him and Holden bonded while escaping Eros.

Also, that thing on Eros? Super creepy. What kind of bioweapon is this thing? It's crazy what it did to Julie.
(hide spoiler)]

Glad you're enjoying it more Melanie! I forgot to add my final thoughts.

Chapters 50 - end

(view spoiler)[ Wow, that was such a roller coaster. Like I said, I've never really read an action book before so this was a new experience. I'm... unconvinced lol. It did have me turning the pages and I do want to read the next one BUT I'm going to return to my character driven books for a while!

I agree with you Truitti - Holden is your classic hero, but Miller is just so much more interesting as a character! Crashing into Venus was completely epic - but also seems pretty final, which is disappointing as I'd like Miller to continue in the other books. They might find a way, I'm not ruling it out...

I didn't realise this had started out as a three book deal; I only knew it as a nine book series! I hope they don't stretch it further than it was meant to be, if you know what I mean.

I'm intrigued by the Prime adaptation but I don't think I'll actually watch it - too much violence and gore for me lol. But having to scale this into something understandable for a series must've been a mammoth job. I wonder if the writers were involved much?

I will read book two, but with a break for some more people-centred books. (hide spoiler)]

Finished the first book tonight.



Chapters 34-44
(view spoiler)[
The protomolecule is pretty interesting. So it's something left behind by an alien race and now Protogen is trying to figure out how to use it.

Miller was so happy to be part of the Roci crew, he finally fit in somewhere. Then Holden kicked him to the curb after he killed Dresden which was heartbreaking. But the thing is, Miller wasn't entirely wrong to do it. He's right that Dresden would have ultimately gotten away with everything. I love his plan to knock Eros into the sun and using the Nauvoo to do it. Fred's comment about the Mormon's being pissed made me laugh.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 45 - Epilogue
(view spoiler)[
Miller sacrificing himself on Eros was a fitting end for him. I love that he figured out Eros was being piloted by a form of Julie and that he managed to find her and save Earth.

I'm interested to see what happens with Venus now that the protomolecule is building something on it.
(hide spoiler)]

I really enjoyed this one and will definitely be picking up book 2 in a few days.

I've got my hands on Caliban's War, but I've got several things I've got to read first. I'll be piciing it up soon, though.

I finally finished some other reads so I'll be picking up book 2 tomorrow.

Melanie wrote: "I finally finished some other reads so I'll be picking up book 2 tomorrow."

Ooh, I'm so behind on buddy reads I might take a bit longer - sorry! But I'll get to book 2 asap

Life got in the way, so I just finally started book 2 tonight.



Prologue - Chapter 11
(view spoiler)[
I'm enjoying this so far. I wonder why Strickland took Mei and the other kids? And what does the blue person/thing have to do with it? Hopefully they're all ok after the mirror collapsing and destroying parts of the station.

I'm really liking Bobbie's character so far. The fight against the blue thing was intense and it decimated the soldiers on both sides. I'm glad Bobbie's suit caught what happened as Mars Command definitely didn't believe her at first.

Avasarala is fantastic, I love how she puts people in their place. She also seems to have a handle on when people are lying which should be useful with everything going on.

I'm happy to be back with the crew of the Roci and that they're in the thick of things on Ganymede. Now that Prax has found them, I'm interested to see how they help him find Mei.
(hide spoiler)]

Melanie wrote: "Life got in the way, so I just finally started book 2 tonight.



Prologue - Chapter 11

I'm enjoying this so far. I wonder why Strickland took Mei and the other k..."

I will get to this at somepoint but I can't promise it will be anytime soon tbh :( very behind on buddy reads...

Chapters 12-22
(view spoiler)[
Ok so Strickland taking the kids has something to do with what's happening on Ganymede. I wonder what he wants them for? Are they somehow connected to the protomolecule stuff?

Bobbie and Avasarala teaming up is fantastic and I love that Bobbie immediately recognized that Avasarala was the one in charge at the UN meeting. I'm interested to see what the two do now that Bobbie is working for her.

The Roci crew have such a knack for finding themselves in the worst situations. I'm glad they're helping Prax but it definitely turned out to be more complex than they thought. Naomi is right though that Holden has no proof Fred is behind Ganymede and I think he's just paranoid after Eros.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 23-33
(view spoiler)[
Still loving these Bobbie and Avasarala chapters. These two are just great together and I like that Bobbie pushes back on her crap. I'm curious how they'll get out of this situation they've found themselves in now that they're stuck on Mao's ship.

So that was an intense bit with the thing ending up on the ship. It definitely wasn't looking good for them a few times there and I'm glad Prax came up with a plan.

It's so nice that the Roci crew is still going to find Mei and that Prax was just blown away by that. He thought it was too big of an ask but he's basically family now to them and you don't leave them behind. Speaking of which, I hope Holden fixes things with Naomi. Even if their relationship doesn't work, the crew is family and I can't imagine them not all being together.
(hide spoiler)]

Finished book 2 tonight.



Chapters 34-44
(view spoiler)[
Bobbie and Avasarala's chapters continue to be my favorites. I just love their interactions. It's interesting now that they're on the Roci and the dynamic has changed. Avasarala is still determined to run the show though and to be honest, she's not usually wrong. It's fun seeing the Roci crews' reactions to them and I'm happy their plots have merged.

Now that the Martians have shown up to help the Roci after UN ships tried to kill them, I'm curious to see how things will play out. And with everyone on the way to Io, things are sure to get messy if there are more of the protomolecule monsters running around.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 45 - Epilogue
(view spoiler)[
So much went down in these last chapters. The fight to get Mei out of Io was intense and I liked that everyone had their own piece to play out.

Avasarala was able to oust the people who were behind what happened (at least the ones she knows about). But now she has a higher up job that she doesn't actually want. I'm interested to see how she adapts to working directly for the secretary general.

Also, what was that ending with Detective Miller showing up? Did Holden get infected or is this something else?
(hide spoiler)]

I'll be starting book 3 after I finish a few off a couple of other books.

I will finally be starting book 3 this weekend.

Realized there were a couple of novellas before the third book, so I picked one of those up.



13%
(view spoiler)[
I like that we're getting info on how everything is set up on Mars. I wondered how everyone moved around between the cities and the tube system makes sense. But what is this fifteen year old kid doing cooking up drugs?
(hide spoiler)]

40%
(view spoiler)[
I loved that little bit with Avasarala there on TV. Bobbie is smarter than you think kid, you should probably listen to her. I wonder what trouble his friend is in?
(hide spoiler)]

60%
(view spoiler)[
It's rough seeing Bobbie so lost after everything that happened in Caliban's War.
(hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[
I'm glad the kid straightened out in the end. Bobbie coming in and wrecking that guy was great. She is not someone you want to mess with. I'm interested to see what she does next.
(hide spoiler)]

Picked up the next novella.



13%
(view spoiler)[
He's taking this surprisingly well. I would have freaked out a bit more by now. But I guess since he has no idea what he's just invented, he doesn't know to worry yet.
(hide spoiler)]

43%
(view spoiler)[
"Everything’s running perfectly. That’s the problem. That’s what’s killing him." That made me laugh. Normally it'd be the opposite.
(hide spoiler)]

69%
(view spoiler)[
The drive he's created really is incredible and it's going to change so much about how space travel works.
(hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[
It was interesting hearing about the places that have come up in the series so far as unexplored places. Definitely a big change.
(hide spoiler)]

Finally picking up book 3!

Got distracted with other buddy reads so finally getting back to this.

I am still working on this one.

For book 3.



Prologue - Chapter 10
(view spoiler)[
This is interesting so far. Melba's character intrigues me the most, her wanting revenge on Holden for what happened to her family is understandable but I feel like she must not know everything that happened.

The fact Mars wants the ship back isn't a complete surprise, I'm honestly surprised it took them this long. The crew on the Roci definitely got lucky for a while, but it seems to be running out.

The whole Ring thing is interesting and I wonder what's going on with that? And how is the apparition of Miller connected to it all? I will say it's nice to see him again even if it's not the real Miller.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 11-20
(view spoiler)[
Anna's character is intriguing me a lot, she seems to have a pretty good understanding of everything going on. I'm interested to see what will happen now that she's heading into the Ring.

Holden and the rest of the Roci crew are in a bad spot here. But at least they made it into the Ring alive so they'll be able to clear their names. I'm curious though what is going on with where they're stuck.
(hide spoiler)]

Finished book 3.



Chapters 21-30
(view spoiler)[
Well that little trip to the station did not go well. I'm surprised Holden made it out of there although he did so as a prisoner of Mars now. But now people know it was Melba behind the ship exploding and not Holden so hopefully that will fix things?
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 31-40
(view spoiler)[
Ashford taking control again is going to be very bad for everyone else on the Behemoth. Thankfully the Roci crew is in hiding and hopefully they all make it through ok.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 41 - Epilogue
(view spoiler)[
So much happened in these last chapters. Anna's involvement went way further than I was expecting and she was definitely instrumental in making sure everyone got out alive. I'm curious about what will happen with Clarissa now. And the gates being open will certainly make things interesting going forward with all those new worlds.
(hide spoiler)]

I'll be picking up the next book in a few days.

Read the next novella tonight.



20%
(view spoiler)[
I'm sorry but their relationship is just messed up.
(hide spoiler)]

48%
(view spoiler)[
Man this kid is dense.
(hide spoiler)]

78%
(view spoiler)[
This kid is going to try and kill Burton, I don't see that ending well.
(hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[
Damn, that was a surprise. I wondered at the start why Burton's description didn't match the one we knew and now I know why.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 1-10: (view spoiler)[I am a bit confused honestly with all the belter stuff mostly, Holden's chapters are easy to understand but on the other hand, I still haven't gotten a hang of what Miller is supposed to be. Mostly I am just looking forward to how these two would meet which is inevitable imo and what role does Julie play in everything. I am surprised that Holden and crew haven't come across her yet considering they even checked out Scopuli. I wonder why Julie was kept captive in the first place and who is the bad guy here (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11-22: (view spoiler)[Holden and his crew find themselves in one problem and then the next constantly, I can't believe they have narrowly escape death not once but twice now. I am really curious to find out who is blowing up these ships and why. They were so clever to be able to start a full on war between the Martians and the belters. I wonder who these people calling themselves a part of OPA are and how is it related with Julie. Miller losing his job over everything sucked but I was impressed by his ability to identify Holden's ship among thousands of entries. I am excited for their paths to finally cross! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 23-34: (view spoiler)[This Phoebe bug, the bioweapon created by Protogen is creepy as hell, it's so difficult to believe that a security firm might be behind this war and be using it just as a cover for their more sinister plot. The hunger for power has made people do some pretty fucked up things imo and what happened at Eros simply broke my heart. I am loving the bond developing between Holden and Miller and I can't wait to see how these two togther manage to thwart the enemy's plans and save the human population (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 35-45: (view spoiler)[The protogen is so evil with it's plans to alter humanity i order to be superior or something, I am honestly on Miller's side on this one - Dresden needed to die - and it annoys me that Holden kicked him out of the crew because of it. I don't like that there's a sort of animosity between them now. Miller talking to imaginary Julie sometimes makes me sad because it's an indication of how lonely he really is. He came up with an intelligent plan to deal with Eros and I am excited to see whether it works or not (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[Well I really enjoyed this one. I was so amazed when Eros moved and turned itself into a ship. I bet no one could have seen it coming. Miller stayed back on Eros as a way to kill himself but he ended up saving all of humanity which is kind of cool. It was amazing that he figured out Julie was commandeering the ship, i guess he really did know her after all and then literally detouring towards venus like Holden said was kind of funny! I wish he had survived though :( It would be quite interesting to see what the protomolecule does next on venus. (hide spoiler)]

Prologue-Chapter 10: (view spoiler)[The protomolecule is back already and this time in the way of a monster, the attack was honestly terrifying, no wonder Bobbie is traumatised. I am still holding out hope for Miller, maybe he'd make an appearance out of Venus. Out of all the new characters, I like Bobbie and Prax enough but the lady Avasarala is getting on my nerves by the way she puts people down. I wonder what Dr. Strickland's connection is to all this and why did he specifically kidnap all the immunocompromised children. I hope Prax is able to reunite with Mei soon, also didn't understand why her teacher accepted the strange woman as her mom. How did their faces match in the system? I wasn't expecting everyone to recognize Holden, he is is trouble for sure considering Avasarala has ordered his arrest when he tries to leave the moon (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11-21: (view spoiler)[This protomolecule pops up everywhere. I guess since Fred was the only one with the sample, this is why Holden suspects that he might be the one behind its harvesting on Ganymede. But then how is Dr. Strickland connected to it and why does he need the children with autoimmune disorder? I am really curious to unravel the mystery behind it all. I am warming up a bit to Avasarala, it's just that she has the kind of personality that can be off putting if one doesn't take everything she says in good humor. Her partnering up with Bobbie was so sudden, I loved it (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 21-32: (view spoiler)[I am glad that the Roci's crew decided to look for Mei and even brought back Prax to Tycho. Somehow I don't believe that Fred might be behind the protomolecule attack on Ganymede. Avasarala's theory makes much more sense but where would Erinwright must have gotten the sample? Avarsala and Bobbie make good partners especially as Bobbie seems to push back on her crap and handles the criticisms quite well. Soren tried hard but Avasara was quick and smart at figuring out his plan. Naomi and Holden's relationship is in turmoil now though, I hope it gets fixed. Holden getting fired is only sure to enrage her further (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 33-43: (view spoiler)[Poor Mei, I really hope the crew reaches Io before Carlos is able to turn her into that protomolecule monster. I am still wondering how they got the sample to begin with. Avasarala is one intelligent woman no doubt, the way she took control of Mao's ship and got to Roci with Bobbie amazed me to no ends. Now that they have joined forces, it is sure to get much more interesting. Asking Mars for help to save themselves from the UN Navy was a bold move and I was surprised that it worked. Holden had some major character development and it made me really happy (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[They finally got Mei out, Strickland was so evil pretending to have been forced into doing all these things but no one fell for his act. I liked that all of them played a critical role in the mission and it didn't end up being a one man job. Bobbie is going home but I get a feeling she will be accepting the job Avasarala offered. It was great that she was able to unmask almost everyone behind this particular attack but definitely someone else might be remaining she has no knowledge of. Miller showing up during the epilogue gave me the biggest shock, I am wondering what it means (hide spoiler)]

Will be reading the third book shortly.

Prologue - Chapter 10: (view spoiler)[It is good to be back in Jim's world. I am glad to see that the crew is doing well since going independent and they got jobs lined up. However, Jim seeing Miller's ghost(?) is kinda weird. I am curious to see what scientifc explanation the authors comes up with to explain this phenomenon. The OPA wanting their ship back after Jim quit makes sense but i was not expecting for them to serve a legal notice of any kind. I am wondering what skeletons would the journalist aboard Roci unearth about the whole crew. Melba wanting revenge on Jim for what happened to her family is understandable but I feel she would listen to reason when it comes to it. Can't figure out what role would Reverend Anna play in all of this, maybe she'd act as some kind of peacemaker? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11-21: (view spoiler)[Julie orchestrating the events of the present when she has been dead for so long is freaking creepy. She really put Jim and the crew in a tight spot and it would be interesting to see how Jim gets them out from this one. Or maybe it was Melba using Julie's name to do so? Melba killed Ren and the way she dissolved his body to take him to the Thomas Prince made me feel so uncomfortable. I am wondering if Anna would enter the ring too. It's clear Captain Ashford isn't capable of making decisions in the face of adversity and Bull is going to take charge however it would be difficult with so many in his own crew against him. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 22-32: (view spoiler)[OOf Jim has really landed himself in a pickle in this one, the trip to the station didn't yield much and he is now a prisoner to the martians, curious to see how he frees himself. I feel bad for Melba, she isn't necessarily bad but just misguided. Her father really did a number on her. I do not really like the inclusion of religion in the plot honestly, not my preferred twist. I did not expect Melba to attack Roci or Anna to become the saviour so the book is surprising me quite often tbh. Now that Melba is in prison on the Behemoth, I am curious to see how what the future has in hold for her (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 33-44: (view spoiler)[Yikes Cortez teamed up with Ashford and has taken control of Behemoth again. This is bad. I did not expect them to kill Sam in such cold blood, maybe I just put too much hope on everyone making it to the end alive and well. Poor Bull, he must be feeling so guilty. I hope Roci's crew is able to take down the antagonists. I thought that Anna was starting to get through to Clarissa but her joining Ashford was so disappointing. Anna talking about how Cortez wasn't a bad person and the talk of faith and religion annoys me. I hope it isn't a part of the next book honestly (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[This is the second science fiction series I loved that has involved God in the plot in some way and I am furious. Why can't things just be without the interference of something divine. Apart from this one little hiccup, I enjoyed the book for what it's worth and am looking forward to what Jim and crew would be upto next. I really hope Clarissa becomes a part of the Roci crew and doesn't end up in a jail on Luna. I feel bad for her. I wish Bull had made it out alive as well but I am learning things can't be all sunshine and rainbow all the time. Just glad that everyone on Roci is ok (hide spoiler)]

Prologue - Chapter 11: (view spoiler)[I am finding this new planet of Ilus/New Terra so interesting and I am excited to explore more of it along with Jim and the crew. It's just so exactly like humans to lay claim to anything new discovered. Since the belters reached their first, one could argue that it's really them that have the right to the resources. But then , they also didn't wait for the examination of the atmosphere to be over before bursting throught the gates. Basia being one of the main characters in this book came as a surprise to me, I wonder if we would get other characters from book 2 making an appearance here as well. Murtry really sounds like a jerk to me and although everyone who has died till now has been a part of the RCE crew, I am guessing things might escalate soon if Holden doesn't take control soon (hide spoiler)]

Interlude - Chapter 18: (view spoiler)[Jim as a mediator is kinda entertaining. Murtry killing Coop was so brutal and I am glad that Basia realised he cannot stay with the violent group and protect his family at the same time, he is a good man at heart. Him agreeing to send Felcia to Ceres was a good decision but I don't think their ship would get to leave anytime soon. Murtry bugged the entire town, that was simply insane. I am curious to learn more about these creatures or robots or whatever these things are lurking on Ilus. Since no one is ready to evacuate, It would be interesting to see how Jim manages to save the planet from turning into another Eros (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 19-28: (view spoiler)[I liked Elvi's theory of something not being right with them not being able to see the creatures waking up right on the planet of Ilus. Havelock needs to release Naomi and soon tbh before Jim loses his patience because like she said, although he is on a peacekeeping mission, he is not above stirring things up to keep his crew safe. I am liking Basia more and more with every chapter. He really was just dealt the wrong hand of cards and I hope he gets to reunite with his family. I wonder what the explosion that Alex and Basia witnessed was and if everyone on Ilus is safe from it. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 29-37: (view spoiler)[Damn even though the explosion was on the opposite side of the planet of everyone was, to see that they still were affected so deeply is scary. I am intrigued to find out more about these creatures on Ilus that can sense high energy and have made the reactors go offline. Havelock is annoying me with his insistence on keeping Naomi locked up even though she might be the only one who could save the ships from crashing. I am wondering if Jim is immune from the eye flora because he has cancer. If so, who knows what Elvi would come up with to prevent everyone from going blind. Elvi and Fayez getting involved was an interesting development. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 38-47: (view spoiler)[UGH Murtry is so selfish, I am glad Havelock finally saw the error of his ways and helped Naomi escape Israel and get back to Roci, this is really their best chance at survival. I was amazed by how quickly Elvi managed to find a cure for the blindness and start the treatment. She is one intelligent scientist no doubt. Fayez is very insecure in his relationhip with her , that sometimes irritates me. Murtry is a selfish bastard, he doesn't care about anyone but his own selfish goals. I hope he doesn't sabotage Holden in any way. I am curious to see where Miller is leading him to and how he manages to shut down the alien technology on Ilus (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[That really was one hell of a book and the best in the series till now imo, I loved Elvi and her scientist mind. She did end up playing a more important role than I had pegged she would back when she was first introduced but it honestly couldn't have been better. Holden and Naomi were reunited and they let Basia go which was sweet, honestly they won't have survived without his doctor wife, Lucia. The epilogue frightened me though. I was basking in the glory of Holden having saved the planet too when it all came crashing down with Avasarala explaining why it would have been better if Holden had not brought peace at Ilus. Really, there are quite a many factors at play here. Next book is going to be explosive with Avasarala and Bobbie making a comeback! (hide spoiler)]

Prologue - Chapter 9: (view spoiler)[I do not like the fact that the Rocinante crew is essentially all separated in this one and I just want them to get back together asap although since they are all at different planets atm, I find it a bit improbable that it would happen so easily. I don't even know why Alex thought his ex would forgive him so easily. Curious to learn more about Amos' past. Naomi has a son! That was the biggest shock so far and I am curious to see if she'd come clean with Jim about this. The mystery of where the spaceships keep disappearing to sounds interesting (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10-19: (view spoiler)[So Monica and Jim are definitely on the right track if someone was spooked enough to go as far as kidnapping Monica. I am so curious to see who the OPA traitor is, Fred isn't going to forgive them for sure. Amos' past is shady and I hope he doesn't find himself in a pickle while on earth, Charles seems good enough for now. Bobbie and Alex are making progress too considering she was attacked because of the investigations. Naomi has landed herself in trouble with OPA radicals and it will be interesting to see how Jim comes to her rescue since he doesn't know anything about it so far (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 20-30: (view spoiler)[Those attacks were way too coordinated and precise and I am wondering if the radical OPA members are organised enough to do damage on such a large scale. I am glad that Amos and Clarissa are together and they work so well with each other, definitely increased the chances of both their survivals. Curious to see how they make it back to Luna. Bobbie and Alex are with the Martian Prime Minister and I am afraid it'd be a bit tricky for them to get back to the crew. Naomi is in the most dire situation of them all, I am guessing the crew would save her AND Filip from Marco's grudges and he will become a member of the Rocinante crew (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 31-40: (view spoiler)[Naomi is a hero honestly, she isn't sitting around wating for Jim to come and rescue her but is looking for ways to save herself, her son has been brainwashed to such a great extent by his father though that he is not ready to listen to anything at all. Alex and Bobbie look like are developing some kind of romantic relationship. Jim and Fred are so close to defeating the enemy and I am happy to see great changes in Jim's personality, he now thinks before he acts. Amos, Clarissa and Erich are an odd group but I have to doubt they'd repair the ship and be on Luna in no time (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ Whoooo the crew was reunited at last I really hated them all being at different places throughout the book but am just glad that everyone made it back safely. I was right about Marco, he wasn't organised enough to be able to steal the protomolecule and the real villain hasn't been caught yet. The ship that disappeared in the epilogue sounded like was quite an important one. I am excited to see how Jim and the crew manage to get themselves out of this pickle. The protomolecule is gone and will surely wreak havoc in the next book. the banter between Avasarala and Amos stole the show in this one and it's crazy home much she has grown on me (hide spoiler)]

Will be continuing this in a week or so!

(view spoiler)[Getting to read about Fred's past was an interesting take since he is one of my favourite characters in the series and this sort of portrayed a new side to him, back when he used to be a completely different person. His guilt regarding being the Butcher of Anderson Station was eating him out alive so meeting Dawes was kind of a rebirth for him and to think he went on to become a leader for the OPA is nothing short of admirable. (hide spoiler)]

Not in the mood to read sci-fi, will continue this series at a later date.

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RESTARTING JUNE 25th, 2025

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Thanks Jessica :)