Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Publication
Orbit (2016), Edition: Reprint, 576 pages
Description
"The fifth novel in James S.A. Corey's New York Times bestselling Expanse series now being produced for television by the SyFy Channel! A thousand worlds have opened, and the greatest land rush in human history has begun. As wave after wave of colonists leave, the power structures of the old solar system begin to buckle. Ships are disappearing without a trace. Private armies are being secretly formed. The sole remaining protomolecule sample is stolen. Terrorist attacks previously considered impossible bring the inner planets to their knees. The sins of the past are returning to exact a terrible price. And as a new human order is struggling to be born in blood and fire, James Holden and the crew of the Rocinante must struggle to survive and get back to the only home they have left"--… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member fancypantalons
To say this book was better than Cibola Burn would be an enormous understatement... in fact, it was a close call as to whether I would bother continuing the series after book four, but I decided to take a crack at it, and I'm very glad I did!
Nemesis Games differs from all previous books in the
Cibola Burn differs from its predecessors by also focusing on the action on a single planet, largely divorced from the wider human context of Earth, Mars, the Belt, and the rings. Unfortunately, the result is a book that felt smaller, less driving. Nemesis Games is an absolute return to form in this regard, giving us a solar system-wide conspiracy to unravel, the results of which utterly transform the series, setting the stage for subsequent books.
In short, where Cibola Burn stumbled, Nemesis Games gets the series right back on track.
Nemesis Games differs from all previous books in the
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series in the way it deals with the crew. By book four we had our crew humming along, everything seemingly comfortable and settled. Of course, comfortable and settled doesn't make for a very exciting plot, so in Nemesis Games, Corey splits the crew apart... to be honest, the individual pretexts feel a bit contrived, but it provides an opportunity to explore each of the individual characters, allowing them to grow and change outside the context of the Rocinante and her crew. This gives Corey a change to unsettled things again and create new opportunities for tension and character development, which ends up working quite well.Cibola Burn differs from its predecessors by also focusing on the action on a single planet, largely divorced from the wider human context of Earth, Mars, the Belt, and the rings. Unfortunately, the result is a book that felt smaller, less driving. Nemesis Games is an absolute return to form in this regard, giving us a solar system-wide conspiracy to unravel, the results of which utterly transform the series, setting the stage for subsequent books.
In short, where Cibola Burn stumbled, Nemesis Games gets the series right back on track.
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LibraryThing member pwaites
Nemesis Games is hands down my favorite Expanse book yet. If you’re not familiar with this space opera series, head over to my review of the first book, Leviathan Wakes.
With the opening of the Gate in Cibola Burn, humanity has begun to stream out of the solar system, to the stars beyond. But not
Nemesis Games finally gives us the other crew members of the Rocinante as perspective characters, which meant that I was incredibly invested and excited about all the POVs from the get go. Weak POV characters has been the major flaw of several past Expanse books, so I’m glad that wasn’t a problem here.
For one thing, I get chapters focusing on Naomi. And we get to know her backstory! I think it’s pretty obvious that she’s got a troubled past with plenty of secrets, and I loved having them unveiled here. Naomi’s smart, courageous, and a survivor dedicated to doing what she believes is right. She goes through some incredible hardships, and I love every second the narrative spends with her.
Nemesis Games actually splits up the crew. With the Rocinante receiving some much needed repairs, all of the crew takes some time off and Holden quickly finds himself alone on Tycho Station. He occupies himself by investigating the disappearing ships with our old friend, Monica Stuart. Meanwhile, Alex heads back to Mars to try to re-connect with his ex-wife. When she inevitably wants nothing to do with him, he finds himself hanging out with Bobbie instead! I’m so happy that Bobbie’s back, even as a supporting character and not a POV character.
Amos is also getting back to his roots. He’s found out a woman from his past has died, and he’s heading back to his old stomping grounds, Baltimore, to try and find out whether she died naturally or was murdered. If she was murdered, then a lot more people are going to die. We don’t get a huge insight into Amos’s backstory, which is left more of a sketch than a filled in picture. I think that’s okay though. And as it happened, I really enjoyed Amos as a POV character. Next to Naomi, he was probably my favorite in Nemesis Games.
In my review of Cibola Burn, I complained that it had yet another boring villain. That too is not a problem with Nemesis Games. The villain (and I won’t say much more) is probably the best we’ve seen yet. Don’t get me wrong — he’s completely terrible and I soooo hate him. But I also actually remember his name and didn’t immediately forget about him as soon as the book ended. I think he’s the most memorable villain in the whole series.
On a sort of related topic, some serious plot stuff goes down in Nemesis Games. I’m talking huge plot twists that I totally was not expecting and which gave me so many feels and left me glued to the page. What does it say about me that my favorite books are always the ones that wreck me emotionally?
Anyway, Nemesis Games = best Expanse book yet. Now let’s see if Babylon’s Ashes can live up to it.
Review originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
With the opening of the Gate in Cibola Burn, humanity has begun to stream out of the solar system, to the stars beyond. But not
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everyone’s happy about this. The mass exodus wrecks havoc on the political and social status quo, and Belters who aren’t physiologically capable of planet life worry about being left behind. A radical splinter group of the OPA forms, and it’s actions will impact humanity everywhere. Oh, and some of the ships that go through the Gate are disappearing…Nemesis Games finally gives us the other crew members of the Rocinante as perspective characters, which meant that I was incredibly invested and excited about all the POVs from the get go. Weak POV characters has been the major flaw of several past Expanse books, so I’m glad that wasn’t a problem here.
For one thing, I get chapters focusing on Naomi. And we get to know her backstory! I think it’s pretty obvious that she’s got a troubled past with plenty of secrets, and I loved having them unveiled here. Naomi’s smart, courageous, and a survivor dedicated to doing what she believes is right. She goes through some incredible hardships, and I love every second the narrative spends with her.
Nemesis Games actually splits up the crew. With the Rocinante receiving some much needed repairs, all of the crew takes some time off and Holden quickly finds himself alone on Tycho Station. He occupies himself by investigating the disappearing ships with our old friend, Monica Stuart. Meanwhile, Alex heads back to Mars to try to re-connect with his ex-wife. When she inevitably wants nothing to do with him, he finds himself hanging out with Bobbie instead! I’m so happy that Bobbie’s back, even as a supporting character and not a POV character.
Amos is also getting back to his roots. He’s found out a woman from his past has died, and he’s heading back to his old stomping grounds, Baltimore, to try and find out whether she died naturally or was murdered. If she was murdered, then a lot more people are going to die. We don’t get a huge insight into Amos’s backstory, which is left more of a sketch than a filled in picture. I think that’s okay though. And as it happened, I really enjoyed Amos as a POV character. Next to Naomi, he was probably my favorite in Nemesis Games.
In my review of Cibola Burn, I complained that it had yet another boring villain. That too is not a problem with Nemesis Games. The villain (and I won’t say much more) is probably the best we’ve seen yet. Don’t get me wrong — he’s completely terrible and I soooo hate him. But I also actually remember his name and didn’t immediately forget about him as soon as the book ended. I think he’s the most memorable villain in the whole series.
On a sort of related topic, some serious plot stuff goes down in Nemesis Games. I’m talking huge plot twists that I totally was not expecting and which gave me so many feels and left me glued to the page. What does it say about me that my favorite books are always the ones that wreck me emotionally?
Anyway, Nemesis Games = best Expanse book yet. Now let’s see if Babylon’s Ashes can live up to it.
Review originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
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LibraryThing member cissa
This is #5 out of 6, and I really do not see how the various stories can all be wrapped up in 1 more novel... but I am eager to read it!
This volume was mostly about the backstories for the Roci's crew. We've had hints, but here, in one way or another,t he crew members revisit their pasts and
There are still wheels within wheels, of course. That's one of the things I really love about this series; the politics are complex and intricate.
Add in some interesting perspectives on terrorism, and 2 psycho/sociopaths- both well-drawn- on conflicting sides, and with very different behaviors. The take-away: if being a decent person does not necessarily come naturally to one, one can still manage it via discipline... if one cares to bother.
This is an excellent SF series, incorporating many of the classic tropes to excellent effect.
But- start with #1!
This volume was mostly about the backstories for the Roci's crew. We've had hints, but here, in one way or another,t he crew members revisit their pasts and
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generally achieve some sort of resolution.There are still wheels within wheels, of course. That's one of the things I really love about this series; the politics are complex and intricate.
Add in some interesting perspectives on terrorism, and 2 psycho/sociopaths- both well-drawn- on conflicting sides, and with very different behaviors. The take-away: if being a decent person does not necessarily come naturally to one, one can still manage it via discipline... if one cares to bother.
This is an excellent SF series, incorporating many of the classic tropes to excellent effect.
But- start with #1!
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LibraryThing member debbie13410
Why did I think Alex had a kid? I thought I remember him taking about one.
LibraryThing member wordsampersand
So, so, so good.
LibraryThing member Becky_McKenna
Best book in the series to date! Loved the way the authors handled the glimpses into the crews individual pasts. It showed tremendous character growth and how much the crew has grown from their shared experiences on the Rocinante. The plot was fabulous and woven with careful detail! When things
Regarding the narration: Welcome back Jeffrey Mays! You're narration was spot on as usual! I can't imagine anyone else bringing Christjen Avasarala's larger-than-life personality to audio!
I highly recommend this series to any science fiction fan!
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began to happen, I couldn't stop listening! Regarding the narration: Welcome back Jeffrey Mays! You're narration was spot on as usual! I can't imagine anyone else bringing Christjen Avasarala's larger-than-life personality to audio!
I highly recommend this series to any science fiction fan!
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LibraryThing member macha
4 and a quarter stars and more. i really kinda love this series, and i devour them as they appear. the characters, the larger story, all delicious. and the central character, Captain Holden, remains as unassuming (and as immovable) as ever. in this one the crew goes their separate ways temporarily,
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casually, and each in their own terms discovers they don't like not being together, so they drift back in the direction of unity, mostly without a conscious attempt to do so, undeterred by the galactic apocalypse in the way. but in the meantime we learn a whole lot about them, their unknown histories and their unique ways of thinking. Amos especially is such a fascinating character, who looks and thinks of himself as very simple, changeless though differently wired, but in the course of things changes himself enormously while remaining himself, by asking himself the question 'what would Holden do?' and then doing it, effortlessly, while never changing his own view. yet he makes a momentous decision early on without even thinking about it that Holden is gonna have a whole lot of trouble with, carries it through against all odds, presents Holden at the end with the consequences like a cat offering a mouse up to his human, and settles back into the ship in perfect confidence that Holden will come round. very loose structure to this one, and no ship even till the very end, but it's a lovely thing, and still unfolding. thank god there's another season coming of the TV series to fill the gap before they get the next book written. and really, i hope the authors never stop. Show Less
LibraryThing member Gwendydd
Another fun addition to the series! This one covers many of the characters' back-stories, and brings some resolution to some of them.
LibraryThing member bness2
Well done again. This book in the series stays in the solar system, but is no less engrossing for that.
LibraryThing member Whiskey3pa
Good read. The total absence of direct alien contact/interaction was an interesting change of pace. The separation of the main group made for some different tempo and environment. The return of Bobbie was welcome. The plan ahainst earth seems suicidal stupid and short sided by the Belters. Will be
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interesting to see things continue to unfold. Show Less
LibraryThing member StormRaven
Nemesis Games is the fifth book in the Expanse series, and despite being part of a series that has seen the discovery of alien life, the opening of the gateway to the stars, and human colonization of alien worlds, this is the book in which the biggest change takes place. It turns out that not
[More forthcoming]
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everyone is happy with the changes that are happening in the universe of the Expanse, and rather than simply accept them, they have decided to take drastic action to keep the status quo, even though that status quo is one they have railed against for their entire lives. This book also structurally moves in a new direction, splitting up the crew of the Rocinante for much of its length, and using the four crewmembers as the primary viewpoint characters.[More forthcoming]
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LibraryThing member TheCrow2
After the previous volume I was worried a bit if the writers could outdo that one. I have to say, they could. First, it was a great idea to separate the protagonists and second they’ve done a plot twist no one could foresee (yes, I’m talking about that). Some missing the protomolecule and the
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aliens from the book but I don’t see it as a problem. You have to leave something for the following books... Show Less
LibraryThing member Vinjii
Finally we get to explore more points of views from the crew of the Rocinante. I especially enjoyed reading more of Naomi and found her backstory very interesting, but also Amos and Alex got an interesting and enthralling story. I even grew to like Holden!
Avasarala is my favourite character and I
I'm excited to read the next book!
Avasarala is my favourite character and I
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think my only complaint this time around was that we don't get to see as much of her as I'd like.I'm excited to read the next book!
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LibraryThing member malcrf
Not as good as the previous four in this series. As usual excellent characterisation and page-turning prose, but the story-line is weaker than usual and the book, which is really part one of a two-part story, is a little stretched. It feels like they've tried to make a 700 page story fit over two
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500 page books. Unusually for Corey it feels a bit padded. Still strong enough that I want to immediately read Book 6 to see where it goes! Show Less
LibraryThing member jmchshannon
Five books into The Expanse series and things are really starting to take off for the Roci crew and all of their acquaintances. No kidding, it is my opinion that Nemesis Games by James S. A. Corey is by far the best in the series. Everything about the story, from the Big Bad to the side stories,
One of the best things about Nemesis Games is the fact that we get to see the individual members of the Roci crew off doing their own thing. We finally get insight into each of their pre-Roci lives and learn more about what makes them tick. Their individual storylines do more to develop their characters than their actions in the previous four books, and the story only gets stronger as a result. Plus, as two of the four characters ends up going onto a planet, we get the added benefit of different settings to add some spice.
If that wasn’t enough, this book’s Big Bad is fantastic. He is everything you want in a villain – grandiose, egomaniacal, intelligent, manipulative, charismatic, etc. What he does to the universe is terrifying, and yet it is the catalyst for the story to take that next step. He might not be the most developed character to grace the page, but boy does he make things fun.
With Nemesis Games being the first book in the series I read without having seen a TV version first, I was truly impressed by everything about this book. I was even able to appreciate and admire my least-favorite character, as she does something I can’t even fathom.
One of my favorite aspects of this series is the fact that each book makes me learn a little bit more about astrophysics and aerospace engineering. I am forever bombarding my son with questions about the science or the math. If he is not available, I hit Google to get those answers. It is not that the authors behind the series make the science difficult to understand; I just want more and take the time to get it.
At 16 plus hours via audiobook, I tore through Nemesis Games in days. I did not do much other than listen because I could not tear myself away from the action. Jefferson Mays, as always, did a fantastic job narrating. By now, I find all his character inflections and nuances welcoming and can’t imagine experiencing the series in any other format.
With Nemesis Games due to become season five of the TV series, I am that much more anxious for that season to premiere. I cannot wait to see how the director chooses to show certain scenes and am SO excited to get more individual attention for my faves. I know the show is no longer in post-production, so maybe by the end of 2020? It would be a fantastic way to make this year a little better.
With Nemesis Games, I finally get a glimpse of where the overarching storyline is heading, and it makes me so excited to see it come to fruition. Plus, with the way this story ended, I am even more excited to see how the story continues.
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ups the ante on what is occurring throughout the universe and brings cohesion that was somewhat lacking in the previous stories.One of the best things about Nemesis Games is the fact that we get to see the individual members of the Roci crew off doing their own thing. We finally get insight into each of their pre-Roci lives and learn more about what makes them tick. Their individual storylines do more to develop their characters than their actions in the previous four books, and the story only gets stronger as a result. Plus, as two of the four characters ends up going onto a planet, we get the added benefit of different settings to add some spice.
If that wasn’t enough, this book’s Big Bad is fantastic. He is everything you want in a villain – grandiose, egomaniacal, intelligent, manipulative, charismatic, etc. What he does to the universe is terrifying, and yet it is the catalyst for the story to take that next step. He might not be the most developed character to grace the page, but boy does he make things fun.
With Nemesis Games being the first book in the series I read without having seen a TV version first, I was truly impressed by everything about this book. I was even able to appreciate and admire my least-favorite character, as she does something I can’t even fathom.
One of my favorite aspects of this series is the fact that each book makes me learn a little bit more about astrophysics and aerospace engineering. I am forever bombarding my son with questions about the science or the math. If he is not available, I hit Google to get those answers. It is not that the authors behind the series make the science difficult to understand; I just want more and take the time to get it.
At 16 plus hours via audiobook, I tore through Nemesis Games in days. I did not do much other than listen because I could not tear myself away from the action. Jefferson Mays, as always, did a fantastic job narrating. By now, I find all his character inflections and nuances welcoming and can’t imagine experiencing the series in any other format.
With Nemesis Games due to become season five of the TV series, I am that much more anxious for that season to premiere. I cannot wait to see how the director chooses to show certain scenes and am SO excited to get more individual attention for my faves. I know the show is no longer in post-production, so maybe by the end of 2020? It would be a fantastic way to make this year a little better.
With Nemesis Games, I finally get a glimpse of where the overarching storyline is heading, and it makes me so excited to see it come to fruition. Plus, with the way this story ended, I am even more excited to see how the story continues.
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LibraryThing member rivkat
The latest entry in the Expanse series splits up the four crewmembers of the Rocinante, each of them (somewhat improbably) with high importance in various events occurring across the system. Naomi Nagata goes to face an old wound in the Belt; Alex Kamal tries to make up with his ex-wife on Mars and
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finds that’s a bad idea, then finds his life at risk as he pokes around with Bobbi on the matter of some missing ships; Amos goes to check on an old friend on Earth, and gets caught in an enormous terrorist attack; and James Holden oversees the refitting of the ship and tries to protect Fred Johnson from internal Belter conspiracies. There’s planetary-scale death and destruction and plenty of human folly. It was very interesting to see a mother who abandoned her child portrayed as a survivor, and not just a person who deserves to be guilt-wracked forever. Show Less
LibraryThing member ChrisRiesbeck
As the fifth in a 9-part trilogy of trilogies, this book is clearly meant as an inflection point in the Expanse series. Like the first four novels, the chapters rotate in viewpoint among a handful of characters. But in the first four novels, those viewpoints were James Holden, captain of the
Recommended for fans, but only after reading the first three books. (The fourth, the most unrelentingly grim one, is optional, as far as this book goes.)
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Rocinante, and three or four others, outside the crew. This time, the other viewpoints are the other three crew members, Alex, Amos, and Naomi, and no one else. This time, none of the four characters are on the Rocinante, nor anywhere near each other. Alex, Amos, and Naomi each return to their points of origin, in unrelated cases of unfinished business. This time, the protomolecule, the driver of the series so far, plays almost no role in the plotlines. But, never fear, big and terrible things still happen, on both an individual and grand scale, and the story clips along at the same pace as previous novels, with the same mix of action, horror, and occasional humor. Recommended for fans, but only after reading the first three books. (The fourth, the most unrelentingly grim one, is optional, as far as this book goes.)
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LibraryThing member kinwolf
The team go on individual mission, related to their past, but not really. It wasn't as interesting as I thought it would be, we learned a bit more about Naomi and Amos, but not that much. Feels like a lost opportunity.
As for the Free Navy, it feels like an operation like they pulled would have
As for the Free Navy, it feels like an operation like they pulled would have
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required decades of preparation, not months like they must have really had. Weak also. 3 stars. Show Less
LibraryThing member tldegray
Trigger Warning: emotional abuse & suicidal ideation.
Wow. So many "holy shit!" moments in this book. Especially the ending because the authors like to do that.
This book had so much wonderful backstory stuff on the characters, and it was so hard sometimes, some of it, and I'm glad we got it here in
So much great political stuff, too. What happened is reshaping everything about humanity and I love how well thought out it all is. I can't wait to read more.
Wow. So many "holy shit!" moments in this book. Especially the ending because the authors like to do that.
This book had so much wonderful backstory stuff on the characters, and it was so hard sometimes, some of it, and I'm glad we got it here in
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the fifth book because I'm not sure I would have been ready for it in earlier books. But now this crew is like my family, too. (Just, aw, so much found family in this book.)So much great political stuff, too. What happened is reshaping everything about humanity and I love how well thought out it all is. I can't wait to read more.
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LibraryThing member malexmave
After the previous books left me a little disappointed, this book has really picked up the pace again. It was a real page-turner for me, the character development was interesting, the story was great, and it had some really tense scenes. So, yeah, even if you did not quite like the previous two
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books in the series, give this one a shot. Plus, the epilogue leaves me... interested to see what happens in the next book. Show Less
LibraryThing member thegreatape
Best of the series so far.
LibraryThing member libgirl69
Another fantastic instalment
LibraryThing member Guide2
VEry good 5th book in the series with lots of action fro all major characters. Best so far, can't wait to see it on TV next year!
LibraryThing member Skybalon
Maybe you've watched the series, it is still well worth the read. Hard Science Fiction with a great narrative surrounding it. Is this trilogy as good as the first? Maybe not quite, but it still very good. I'd rank this one as 1st best in the trilogy, but it really is quibbling at this point. Note
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this book takes a right turn after the story in the first book and started off in a direction that I thought would be disappointing, but ended being the best in the second trilogy. Show Less
LibraryThing member 3j0hn
When I had cause to complain about the other books in this series, it was about new POV characters that I wanted to rush through to get back to our intrepid crew. This one is all Rocinante crew POVs and it is great.
Original language
English
Original publication date
2015-06-02
Physical description
576 p.; 6 inches
ISBN
0316334715 / 9780316334716