That was a fun and funny review that turned unexpectedly profound at the end. I enjoyed reading this for your wit and for the trip down memory lane to my high-school D&D games (way back when it was first invented). But I’m also grateful, because my son loves the show The Expanse, and now I have idea of what he’s talking about.
Incidentally, I totally identify as a Belter: “Belters tend to be tall and lean and completely unsuited to Earth’s comparatively punishing gravity.”
Thanks for a clear review. I watched a few episodes of the show and felt in media res. With your review it now looks to make sense. Maybe FdB doesn't like SF, but this was great. He should give more than one top award!
Definitely winner of the Honorable Mention Book Review contest! Trite as this sounds, you really are a damn good writer.
"character and plot work together rather than one suiting the other’s aims": I guess most good novels do this to some degree, but it sounds like the authors were uniquely deliberate and systematic about it, making the story iteratively more complex through combination and recombination of basic elements. Some of your descriptions almost sounded like those Choose Your Own Adventure books if the reader didn't actually get to choose their own adventure.
Even if I never get around to the book it definitely makes me want to check out the TV series.
Oh man!! This makes so much of the show make sense to me!!
There are so many moments I’m thinking of where I’m like, “This makes sense if these events included checks for success that the characters could fail”! I love your analysis of it and I think, on consideration, that it’s a strength of the narrative.
This is perhaps the most interesting review I've read of this series! I've never really tried it, because I haven't ever really figured out a way into it, but this D&D class system approach to the characters might help! Thanks for posting it!
Thanks Ian! To be honest I took a more antagonist approach for the sake of the review than I really felt while reading. I never thought the writing was bad or the characters flawed beyond interest, but I amped up my initial criticisms to match what I’ve seen other people criticize about the book for the sake of steelmanning.
Very interesting! I think my biggest problem trying to get into the series so far is that no one seems to talk about the characters, the most important part of a story for me. But you have done a great job with them, so I think I might have a way in!
A) I feel like I enjoyed it more than you (?); and
B) I didn't know it was only Holden and Miller! I kept waiting for more perspectives and they didn't come so that actually was a spoiler.
I really enjoyed both of the main characters which is a surprise because I didn't like TV Miller. He feels more pathetic in the book. Holden is also interesting because I normally don't sympathize with characters who have motivations beyond getting money. TV Holden is also less righteous. But somehow I found myself rooting for him in the book. So I really liked both book characters!
Unfortunately I can't have this discussion as much as I want to but I'm incredibly intrigued by how the character roster grows. At first I really disliked the lack of an Inner perspective (like in the TV show through Avasarala) but the claustrophobia made the plot more propulsive.
I actually loved it. I played up the “things people have objections to” for the sake of the review. One book reviewer, for instance, really disliked Miller and considered giving up on the book.
Great review Erin! Very well-written. I knew nothing about any of this (I've never seen The Expanse or heard of this book. Didn't even know how D&D works, though I've heard it mentioned many times) but now I'm intrigued.
Pretty sure I first heard of it through Noah, since sci-fi wasn’t a genre I gravitated toward growing up. But I love it! And as I said, this is a very accessible version of the genre.
That was a fun and funny review that turned unexpectedly profound at the end. I enjoyed reading this for your wit and for the trip down memory lane to my high-school D&D games (way back when it was first invented). But I’m also grateful, because my son loves the show The Expanse, and now I have idea of what he’s talking about.
Incidentally, I totally identify as a Belter: “Belters tend to be tall and lean and completely unsuited to Earth’s comparatively punishing gravity.”
The show deviates from the books somewhat as one might expect for an adaptation, but I also love the show!
Thanks for a clear review. I watched a few episodes of the show and felt in media res. With your review it now looks to make sense. Maybe FdB doesn't like SF, but this was great. He should give more than one top award!
I agree!
Definitely winner of the Honorable Mention Book Review contest! Trite as this sounds, you really are a damn good writer.
"character and plot work together rather than one suiting the other’s aims": I guess most good novels do this to some degree, but it sounds like the authors were uniquely deliberate and systematic about it, making the story iteratively more complex through combination and recombination of basic elements. Some of your descriptions almost sounded like those Choose Your Own Adventure books if the reader didn't actually get to choose their own adventure.
Even if I never get around to the book it definitely makes me want to check out the TV series.
Thanks so much Chris! I endorse both the books and TV series, but mostly I'm grateful for your time and attention.
Oh man!! This makes so much of the show make sense to me!!
There are so many moments I’m thinking of where I’m like, “This makes sense if these events included checks for success that the characters could fail”! I love your analysis of it and I think, on consideration, that it’s a strength of the narrative.
Thank you! As the books progress the story takes some turns where characters clearly roll low. It’s not all improbable wins.
Yes! Honestly I love the points of cascading failure. It feels daring to let the heroes hit that much rock bottom.
This is perhaps the most interesting review I've read of this series! I've never really tried it, because I haven't ever really figured out a way into it, but this D&D class system approach to the characters might help! Thanks for posting it!
Thanks Ian! To be honest I took a more antagonist approach for the sake of the review than I really felt while reading. I never thought the writing was bad or the characters flawed beyond interest, but I amped up my initial criticisms to match what I’ve seen other people criticize about the book for the sake of steelmanning.
Very interesting! I think my biggest problem trying to get into the series so far is that no one seems to talk about the characters, the most important part of a story for me. But you have done a great job with them, so I think I might have a way in!
Glad I didn't read this because:
A) I feel like I enjoyed it more than you (?); and
B) I didn't know it was only Holden and Miller! I kept waiting for more perspectives and they didn't come so that actually was a spoiler.
I really enjoyed both of the main characters which is a surprise because I didn't like TV Miller. He feels more pathetic in the book. Holden is also interesting because I normally don't sympathize with characters who have motivations beyond getting money. TV Holden is also less righteous. But somehow I found myself rooting for him in the book. So I really liked both book characters!
Oh and the other perspectives will come, in future books!
Unfortunately I can't have this discussion as much as I want to but I'm incredibly intrigued by how the character roster grows. At first I really disliked the lack of an Inner perspective (like in the TV show through Avasarala) but the claustrophobia made the plot more propulsive.
Oh that perspective will come!
I actually loved it. I played up the “things people have objections to” for the sake of the review. One book reviewer, for instance, really disliked Miller and considered giving up on the book.
Great review Erin! Very well-written. I knew nothing about any of this (I've never seen The Expanse or heard of this book. Didn't even know how D&D works, though I've heard it mentioned many times) but now I'm intrigued.
Pretty sure I first heard of it through Noah, since sci-fi wasn’t a genre I gravitated toward growing up. But I love it! And as I said, this is a very accessible version of the genre.
I have - on your recommendation - begun to read this book. Should I wait to read the review or do it now?
Hmm. If you find yourself feeling iffy about the book, then read the review. If not, read through the book THEN read the review.
Okay, then I refuse to read it until I’m done the book. Don’t be angry at me for my lack of commenting until then!
I will consider this a valid comment until such time as you finish it.