Why You Should Read: The Expanse by James S.A. Corey (Spoiler-Free)

Mike talks about his love for the science-fiction space opera series The Expanse by James S.A. Corey and why you should read (and watch) it.
You can purchase Leviathan Wakes here: amzn.to/2W7uPHZ
You can purchase The Expanse books 1-3 here: amzn.to/3cGLCXT
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#TheExpanse #Expanse #MikesBookReviews

[@somatraseng]

Your intros are fantastic. I'm glad you do them because it gives a glimpse of what is in the books.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks! I try to capture how I felt while reading them.

[@OB.x]

DUDE! I've been saying this is like "Game of Thrones in space". had no clue it was written by someone who worked with RR Martin.

[@RueRyuzaki6]

And he finished his entire series before George RR Martin could finish the winds of winter.

[@DiscoFinalBoss]

I find it a bit of an insult to this series comparing it to game of thrones but I understand why. That said, I’m getting all of these books.

[@MCal715]

Just want to throw it out there that the audio books for this are amazing. Great Narrator.

[@mikesbookreviews]

So I’ve heard.

[@JonP1245]

is it on audible?

[@bht96]

Yes, definitely! The audiobook narrator did an amazing job. I’m only in the middle of Leviathan Wakes (the first book). Yes, its on audible and can sync the audio to the Kindle version. This is one great example of an audiobook that you should really consider while you read along.

[@smorrow]

@@JonP1245 It's on KZbin

[@LordOfNihil]

you cannot ruin the show by reading ahead. its just that good. having read all 8 of the books that are currently out could not kill the hype i had for season 4.

[@mikesbookreviews]

A friend of mine that's current said something similar. He said the show is just different enough that it still feels surprising.

[@turtlecomicreviews7599]

What i love about TV/Movies is that it can introduce you to books you may never had heard of before.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Absolutely. I never would have picked these up if not for the show.

[@turtlecomicreviews7599]

@@mikesbookreviews I am gonna get the HC box set of the first three books. This looks pretty awesome!

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@turtlecomicreviews7599 I had to just because I knew if I waited they would be gone and then on eBay a year from now for like $50 a pop.

[@turtlecomicreviews7599]

@@mikesbookreviews Yeah! I need to get them pay day, cause cheap on Amazon right now and dont want them to be outrageously priced.

[@PinkKitten002]

I still laugh thinking about how these two were able to pump out an incredible scifi masterpiece 9 books long in the time it's taken martin to write 1 book, I love ASOIAF but honestly the expanse is better overall imo after reading both series, it's funny fantasy is my thing typically, the expanse and red rising are the first scifi series I've actually read Oh and hands down Amos is my favorite book character I think♥️

[@alexanderrose1556]

They managed to finish the entire series in the time it STILL havent taken for Martin to finnish a single one

[@agalah408]

Been watching & reading sci fi for 40 years. A criticism of most sci-fi, particularly Disney sci-fi, is its predictability. Midway through any scene you can pretty much guess what's coming next. This tends to kill the vibe. I tried doing this with the Expanse, telling the room what I think is going to happen - and I'd be wrong. Every time. The story would go sideways in a fresh creative direction. I've given up trying to guess and just ride the bumpy waves. Refreshing storytelling.

[@Eureka123-p6i]

Man, you are costing me money. I know no better book salesman, added to the TBR.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ha ha, I love spreading the gospel about great series. Book collecting is a complicated business.

[@helloim3j]

The entire series was on sale on Google Books last week. Picked up the first 7 books for like $30.

[@Eureka123-p6i]

@@helloim3j thank you, waiting for the ebooks to go sale.

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@helloim3j IMO, Kindle books should be about that price. There's no reason digital books need to cost as much as the physical copies. But, basic business dictates that if people will pay a certain amount for your product, why change it?

[@WMax-rm3ue]

so true! Mike is really good at selling all these books!

[@joeymarchesi]

Mike! My brother let me borrow the box set of the first 3 novels & im in love & so disappointed that I haven’t heard of it earlier! 😭 Interstellar is my favorite movie & ever since I saw that when I was younger, it set the course of my life & now I work in the science world. Reading Leviathan Wakes now & I love it soo much & I love the horror aspect of it as well! It’s just perfect. I love watching your videos to hype up to go back into reading for the rest of the day! 🙏🏼💛

[@MrMoogle]

Definitely going to have to read the books. The show left me with so many questions unanswered! Thank goodness the books are available to continue the story.

[@rickfranzen9318]

I love the conversation, and not a cutcutcutcutcutcut sceane like some other book guys do! Keep it up Mike

[@mikesbookreviews]

The quick cut thing annoys me. I like to use a couple of notes and just talk. No need for crazy amounts of post production. Thanks so much for saying so.

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@alexnieves Podcasting for about a decade before making this channel helped with that. You should have heard me back in 2009 or so. I couldn't do anything without saying "uhh" every other word.

[@timeff5418]

Amazing show, great books. Believable science, awesome plotlines, cool alien tech/ancient lore, relatable characters that you become extremely attached to. Can't wait for season 5. Also, keep in mind they thought they were getting cancelled after season 3 so they sped through book 3 in that season. Book 3s plot is way bigger. Lol. 🤘 Beltalowdaaa 🤘

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah, I figured they knew they were getting canceled and they wanted to give it a semi-ending and that's why they did that.

[@apachedisco]

Amos is the most likable monster in recent memory.

[@Dra3000]

I'm a expanse show watcher and amos irritating me but then I started to love him his loyalty is unmatched everyone needs an amos frfr

[@DanClapp]

You're telling me that this is better than Battlestar Galactica? Galactica is one of my favorite series of all time, if not my favorite so Expanse would have to be truly amazing to rise above it in my mind. But hey, I'll take your word for it and give it a shot. I'm a little hesitant to watch the show first instead of reading the books, but if you say it's better to do it the other way around then that's the approach I'm gonna take.

[@baoxuan6898]

So what's the result

[@DanClapp]

@@baoxuan6898 The show is good, but it's not nearly as good as Battlestar Galactica. My issues with The Expanse are two of the main characters: Holden, and especially Naomi. Maybe it's just the casting, or maybe they're actually written that way, but Holden always has the same stupid look on his face and only shows one, maybe two emotions. He started to grow on me as the series progressed, but when it comes to Naomi... she was just insufferable the entire time. She always makes the dumbest decisions, and when she talks she mostly has a British accent, except for when she talks to other belters she starts talking like a belter and it it just makes her seem super fake. Basically I lost interest after 4 seasons and just stopped watching it. The plot was super interesting, and I plan to read the books eventually but I think the casting just wasn't very good for those two particular characters. Everyone else did a fantastic job, especially detective Miller and Alex who pilots the Roci. However, when it comes to that crew-family dynamic I think Firefly did a much better job.

[@OnYourSquare]

The Expanse is my favorite show of all time. Bar none. It isn't perfect, no show is. Yeah, Naomi was unbearable the first season. But all of these individual, well told elements that come together and build here and cause issues there. It was just captivating TV! Like Bobbie and Cotyar using their individual talents to protect the under-secratary and escape Jules ship. Best show hands down.

[@sjkrum320]

I'd like to see you do a series of videos where you go through the books and TV show side by side and talk about the major plot points and similarities and differences.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I definitely will once I start individual reviews for each book.

[@dellieborton]

I watched the show this summer and just bought Laviathan Wakes! Soooooo excited!

[@mkgnlgt]

Great vid Mike! It’s difficult not to gush like a delirious fan boy when it comes to The Expanse ( me, guilty, yup ) It’s personal, visceral, important: extraordinary story telling is what it is, the pages turn themselves I just finished book seven, Persepolis Rising, and just, wow... ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

[@mikesbookreviews]

Glad to hear it stays good. Most fans have told me book 5 & 6 is their favorite in the series.

[@mkgnlgt]

Mike's Book Reviews that’s funny, book five was my least favourite! That’s what’s good about a series, the truly great ones have a different take, theme or feel from book to book. The Expanse does this so well

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@mkgnlgt Reminds me of MCU discussions. I think why it has been so successful is because almost everyone has a different Top 10 list for it.

[@JacksonSchrenk]

Just started Cibola Burn today, waiting to watch the show. Bought the entire series including Memory’s Legion after reading Leviathan Wakes. Great series!!

[@AmethystTravis]

Thank you Mike. You have convinced me to read this amazing series. I am now on book 2 Caliban’s War

[@PinkKitten002]

When I read the series after watching the show I was super happy when it was explained why belters talk with their hands at least half the time like "omfg ohhhh that makes sense, derp"

[@SwipeSide19]

This channel is pretty cool, subscribed

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks for jumping on board!

[@SwipeSide19]

@@mikesbookreviews thanks for the great content :)

[@AmandaPelland]

Thank you Mike. With your video and some research into the books, I bought the whole series. I'm looking forward to reading it!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Awesome! Happy reading.

[@olstar18]

Actually the game of thrones in space is much more accurate than you give credit for. It isn't just that characters die but their conflicts are realistic in that you have the overall conflict between the governments and then you have the conflicts of the individuals with their own goals within their government and how that affects the overall conflict between the governments. So hard to describe it without getting into spoiler territory.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I can see it, for sure, I've just seen that tag applied to EVERY series lately due to the show's popularity.

[@Weeping_Somnambulist]

Virtually porn-free though.

[@Miclpea]

Thank you, Mike!!!

[@WorkingManReads]

It was really cool watching this video. I am a little late to the party with this series. But I started watching the show on Amazon and I'm So into the show that I picked up the first book and I've been reading it off and on at work. So I am almost watching the show and reading the book at the same time. Definitely a different experience than I have ever done with a series

[@Twitchingeagle]

I'm so late to this but the expanse reminds me of the Black Fleet Saga. In that series we have gone interstellar and Earth is derided as a backwater that everyone abandoned during the later stages of a climate crisis. Different political spheres of Earth formed interstellar conclave. There's an Asianic Union, New America, Britannia and others. It's super cool! That is a backdrop to an existential threat to humanity but the politics are very neat. The author tries to make interstellar travel as believable as possible by taking modern science and extrapolating that and seeing how that would go in the future.

[@mikedignum1868]

I love the tv series, so now I'm going through the audiobooks. Lots of background info and some changes in the characters from the tv series. I find that i can close my eyes while listening to the audio and match at least 90% to the visuals of the tv version.

[@mikesbookreviews]

There are definitely some differences. Some subtle, some huge. But I feel both mediums are top notch.

[@simonsaheen5900]

Great series, epic stuff with surprisingly good psychological insight, and lots of humor!

[@christopherarcand2614]

Don't forget the novellas. You can read Gods of Risk and The Churn before you go into Abaddon's Gate. I think you can read The Vital Abyss before Cibola Burn.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I have the novellas on my Kindle.

[@bygoneera9521]

Christopher Arcand where do I find how to put them in order, including novella?

[@karthikeyan-pp1jd]

Please make why you should read it for Dune, i love to watch from you

[@mikesbookreviews]

I’ll be doing Dune content closer to the release of the new movie

[@LINKedup101]

They write by alternating chapters for the first draft, then they go through them together for editing and polish

[@mr1zog]

Well said kopeng, spot on 😊🤘

[@ujrox666]

I stumbled upon The Expanse randomly but ended up it being my favorite and best TV show ever. About a month ago I planned going to the cinema to watch Avata 2 with my wife but started watching the last season of The Expanse, in the morning as the movie was in the afternoon. Even while watching the Cameron's visual mastery, I wanted to go back home quickly and finish the rest of the season.

[@OnYourSquare]

You and I both! I read an article somewhere, but it said "The best hard science show ever!!". This was just as Amazon picked the show up. Binged season 1 and it became my favorite show all time from that point forward!

[@jyriolenius4584]

Did not know it was a book. I'll be sure to pick this one up. Speaking of realistic sci-fi reminded me of the Mars trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson. It's considered a classic, and rightly so. Aside failing to predict the internet it is utterly plausible future history of Mars. Although I would still recommend The Quantum Thief by Hannu Rajaniemi over that by virtue of being a kick-ass adventure. It is truly about humanity transformed in a way that is both scary and compelling and it completely blew my mind. The author also has a doctorate in physics, so...

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm always down to try new sci-fi. Thanks for the recs!

[@widget3672]

I concur, I started watching this as a series but after season 3 ended and the wait for season 4 began after amazon picked it up, I just had to read ahead and so I got Cibola Burn and got about half way through it before the season came out (I only started about a week before the season started to be fair - I was still reading Solaris, having borrowed that from a friend - so I didn't want to hold on to it and start a new book - also wanted to get him into The Expanse too so I gave him a copy of Leviathan Wakes) and I was disappointed to see the entire Havelock storey was cut from the season. There where bits missed but others hit and in all fairness, no adaptation can be perfect and while the story as a book goes is just awesome - the season played to it's strengths with some immaculate visuals and beautiful sounds. I am constantly impressed with how the production of that show and the love the actors have for the books is something I feel in every scene (especially scenes with Amos - Wes Chatham is perfect in so many ways - even his nickname... *Murder Cuddles*

[@mikesbookreviews]

I can't wait to read Abaddon & Cibola in 2020.

[@michaelkiggins3090]

Oh, murder cuddles. 😍

[@DadbrosGarage]

I agree with you so much here. THe Expanse is the best show I have seen in a long time. I wish I had the time to sit and read the books. I drive a semi so the audible books are perfect for me

[@emosongsandreadalongs]

I was pretty lukewarm on book #1. Just finished book #2 and it was awesome. Really made me want to continue with the series

[@mikesbookreviews]

Finished the series this year. Totally worth the investment.

[@DLT797]

Just starting. Bit confusing but listening to you I’ll hang in there with it.

[@JosephPAbate]

I have never seen/ read a sci fi story that leads to so many possibilities, I just finished watching season 5 and now I want to dive in to the books and subsequent novellas

[@yensid4294]

I wanted to read the books when the show hit certain events in Season 2 & 3. I just felt that what was going on with Holden & proto Miller & also Clarissa Mao would probably be clearer in the novel. Same for book 4, The Investigator chapters just couldn't really be adapted well. I sort of understand the comparisons to GOTs since in both series you have factions fighting amongst themselves for political/military dominance while an existential threat is looming but ignored. The Expanse also had a lot of characters with POVs & complex interactions/personal motivations with other characters. Add to that intrigue, betrayals, new alliances of old enemies, etc. So yeah, as far as storytelling goes, there are some similarities. I really like that the show managed to incorporate a few of the novellas into the main story of the show. But no, it isn't just GOTs in space. And luckily for us the writers of this series will actually finish it.

[@KWard120]

Up to Nemisis Game as I just finished season 4 and need to know what happens next. I know once I finish I'll go back and read Leviathan Wakes.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Most fans of the books say Nemesis Games/Babylon’s Ashes are their favorite in the series.

[@bork_games]

I’ve just finished the TV series, which is on its 6th (and it seems final) season. I don’t know what I’m going to do without more of it, so I think I’m going to have to read the books

[@antikotocerepa]

The Expanse blew me away. In an era that lost its ambitions regarding space exploration the Expanse provides the necessary pop-cultural backdrop to renew humanity's faith in itself while also showing how we will remain flawed despite any "technological terror" we build.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yes! You nailed my feelings exactly. Super futuristic stories are fun, but this one feeling like a near distant future made it pop so much more for me. "The Stars Are Better Off Without Us" rings so true.

[@christopherarcand2614]

Don't forget the novellas. You can read Gods of Risk and The Churn before you go into Abaddon's Gate. I think you can read The Vital Abyss before Cibola Burn. I really like The Churn which is the Amos origin story.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I have the novellas on my Kindle. Only read Butcher of Anderson Station thus far.

[@lmamakos]

I don't think reading the book really spoils the TV show. In many ways, it helps you gain appreciation for TV adaptation as you'll take note of things that foreshadow future events. And the TV show vs. books have broadly similar major plot points, but there's some differences that are appropriate for the medium. I think of it as being similar to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, where the books and the radio show recordings are not exactly the same. (And we won't speak of the movie version..) If you can't help yourself, don't fight it and read ahead. It just get better and better. If nothing else, you should read some of the novellas that help with some character development. "The Churn" really provides a lot of insight on Amos and why he is like he is. I think he's actually one of the most interesting characters in the book, and so deep and layered as you noted. He's not (just?) some random sociopath behaving some some undirected way. The casting for Amos in the TV show is just spot-on! Wes just nailed that character!

[@mikesbookreviews]

If I didn't have a TBR list that was miles long, I'd probably go ahead and read all of them in time for the release of the final book. Also, I really wish they'd try an adaptation of Hitchhiker's Guide again. But faithfully.

[@Courier_Eris]

I've really been going back and forth now that I have finished the show for the 2nd time, if I want to start reading the books from the start of pick up around the end of the show....

[@akhansar]

Best. Show. On. Television. So good. The characters are real, the situations are real. The culture is real. The politics is real. Everything just works. When I watched the first episode and the first scene was two people having sex in microgravity I was worried that they were going to bastardize the series I loved so much. Thankfully they moved away from that and I’m grateful.

[@mikesbookreviews]

And I never would have given it a shot if you hadn't sold me on how good the books were. I agree on all of this. Even the really cringe zero G sex scene.

[@Ulmo90]

Really want to watch and read this after I've read Light Bringer

[@harmanbeing]

Agreed, the best show on TV!

[@mikesbookreviews]

It really is.

[@rittermitfahrer]

I disagree. Read the books first. Always. This is the best series I’ve read in a long time! Eagerly awaiting book 9. That said, the series does flesh out some of the characters a little more than the books do and the series does follow the story really well.

[@mikesbookreviews]

The friend who recommended I try the show is current on the books and he's been quite happy with the adaptation. Having only read the first 2, I see the changes and I've been fine with them. Especially having Avasarala in the show from go.

[@TealJosh]

Generally I agree. But with The Expanse I recommend watching the first season before diving into the books. The quality between the books and the live adaptation is almost perfect. The big thing in doing this is also that you don't get spoiled the ending of the first book.

[@mikesbookreviews]

GTpcGaming Right. I felt like reading the book before knowing the ending of Leviathan Wakes on the show was rough.

[@rittermitfahrer]

Just finished season 4 on Prime and it spoils some things you don't find out about until Nemesis Games. It depends on how you want to be spoiled I guess as to what to watch/read first. - They are both excellent however...

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@rittermitfahrer Ah, that's okay. Having a little bit of flowover doesn't change a ton for me. I just hated knowing all the big moments in advance. We're through the first 5 episodes. Going to watch more tonight after Mandalorian.

[@rj5485]

It's been awhile since I've enjoyed a series! I want them to finish S6 and adapt a S7.

[@warrenwise8798]

Torn between this and Dark Tower as my next big series...tough one. Leaning Dark Tower based on it being finished, but I’ve never read Stephen King, so I don’t know.

[@LJ-qh5ni]

I'm a month late, so you probably made your pick already. :) Anyway, it really comes down to what you like. I've read The Dark Tower series. I feel like it peaked at book 2 and 3, but 4 was a drag to me. I've heard a lot of people mention that 4 is the last really good book in the series. Although that is a matter of personal opinion, of course. Many people say the first is the worst because it's all so vague, but I actually found that very intriguing. Also, I don't think this series is anything like King's other work. I actually like it a lot better. As is usually the case, I think King really shines when not writing straight up horror stories. Both The Expanse and The Dark Tower are epics, but I think the similarities stop there. The tone is completely different. The Expanse is pretty hard sci-fi with a lot of other elements mixed in (as mentioned in this review.) It leans closer to A Song of Ice and Fire, with its political intrigue and pov chapters. Meanwhile, The Dark Tower is more of a dark fantasy/western/horror blend with occassional glimpses into our own world, which is also pretty awesome. Another note: The Expanse was brought to the screen brilliantly, while The Dark Tower's film adaptation is absolute rancid garbage.

[@elroykez]

Love your videos. Can you do a video on the totally of the series? No rush. I'm on book 3

[@LINKedup101]

Have you also read the novellas that they've wrote? I love the extra meat they give to the universe of the books

[@EZ1977]

If you decide to read ahead, don't forget the novellas; they're great.

[@coyo7e]

Mike you are my spirit animal lol exact same vibes and thought

[@jrich749]

Its closer to 350 years in the future.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I couldn't recall if it was ever specified or not.

[@laguy8181]

I’ve been wanting to watch this series for awhile and now I want to watch it and read it

[@mikesbookreviews]

Both the show and the books are great. Hope you try them out!

[@laguy8181]

@@mikesbookreviews started watching season one tonight and I had to stop at episode five to go to bed. Stupid work lol thanks again Mike

[@MrTofy1974]

I'm in a Goodread book club called Big Ass Book Club.....the January book will be Leviathan Wakes and I cannot wait to read this.....my question to you is what is better...Dune? or the Expanse?

[@mikesbookreviews]

Dune is going to be the answer from me in that question vs any opponent. But they're very different.

[@boyfromoz7]

Season 4 of the show is book 4 AND part of book 5... AND the novella Gods of Risk... (so that's 3 different books) so it make it difficult to avoid spoilers.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I’m okay with that. I just didn’t want to have every big surprise in a new season spoiled.

[@boyfromoz7]

@@mikesbookreviews Unfortunately, I think the biggest spoiler for book 5 is at the end of the 4th season of the show. Either way... no matter which way you consume this story , its really good. Books spoiler the show or show spoilers the book. Don't care, watch all the seasons more than once and many of the books also (via audio while driving) and its still great. Actually, the guy reading the audio-books is really really good and worthwhile for anyone who isn't the biggest reader.

[@deanryanmartin]

I'm sold with everything you said, Mike. Just finished Leviathan Wakes yesterday night and I can't help but wonder how old Holden and the other characters are. Time in outer space is slower than Earth time, right? Therefore, we can guess Holden is probably more than 120 years old with an active sex life. What can you say?

[@PinkKitten002]

He's supposed to be early 30s, I don't recall where it was said in leviathan wakes (likely early on) And time might be *slightly* slower in deep space but not by much really, they aren't moving at light speed ,(or faster) constantly nor chilling around black holes, Holden is around 30🤷‍♀️

[@chazkhaira4690]

I’m going to watch this

[@mikesbookreviews]

The show? You won't regret it.

[@GoogleAccount-zu8yp]

This review went up around the first weeks I heard about Covid.

[@MrTofy1974]

My journey into the Expanse begins.....this sounds like Yoon Han Lee's Machineries of Empires

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yes! Enjoy, my man.

[@alexandruteodor3585]

I have only watched the TV show and Mrs. Avasarala, Bobbie Draper and Camina Drummer are my favourite characters :) .

[@ryanng754]

The expanse is one of the best, yet, the lost starship also great.

[@merakeengames]

I tried reading this book two or three times, but I just couldn't continue. I was reading it because of the cover. (Yes, I read books with nice covers only... or mainly). Anyway, I tried, but because I was reading it in English, I couldn't get certain ideas. But the story seemed so interesting. It is just, there were other more interesting books I think hehehe.

[@mikesbookreviews]

The covers really are slick. Make me think of old Isaac Asimov novels. I can see how it isn't for everyone, for sure. It just clicked with me immediately.

[@merakeengames]

@@mikesbookreviews Actually I liked the story, but reading it in English (not my mother tongue) makes my reading a bit slower. And there are expressions that I just don't get. But I really want to commit to finish it. It is just... There are always more and more books to be read too hehe

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@merakeengames That makes sense. The only books I've read from a translation is The Witcher and even that has a few things where I'm not sure if it's Sapkowski's lore or something I'm missing via the translation.

[@merakeengames]

@@mikesbookreviews Oh yes, they have to adapt certain things, depending on the language. What I mean to say is, that when you have to read a book in a second language is difficult sometimes. I speak spanish, so when I read in English, I don't know every word, so I am not sure if I am reading an invented word or just an English word that I don't know, heheh. But the real problem is some expressions and idioms.

[@fredrikgranstrom6743]

sounds real interesting.

[@mikesbookreviews]

It really is. I think it's approachable sci-fi for first timers as well as seasoned veterans.

[@IamROSO]

Awesome series one of my favourite sci-fi this decade. I like the TV series but IDN books are just better ;-). This, Red Rising and Bobiverse are my comfort audioblanket if starving for something good to listen (i have boring job and three little girls, audiobooks are blessing )

[@mikesbookreviews]

I still say books are always going to be better, especially if you read them first. I have the Bobiverse series and will dive into that one day soon. As most know, I'm a huge Red Rising fan.

[@PaulSaether]

In what way did this author "Work under GRRM"? Co-plotter? Researcher? Did he actually write parts of GOT with GRRM polishing his ideas?

[@rj5485]

I want to know if anyone would be kind enough to SAVE EINSTEIN! The genius behind the drive!! Someone please go get him! I known he died but dang!

[@Tortuosit]

Wait. U.N. in book 1? Isn't there just Holden crew and Miller?

[@mikesbookreviews]

Sure, but this video was to sell folks on the series overall, including the TV series.

[@evanwalker3782]

I’ve been reading book 1 for almost a month. This book is good, but it’s taking me a while to finish. Is it worth the continue read, or is best to just watch the series?

[@maikokirana]

I have read all the books in the series and watched all episodes of season 1-4 on tv. All I can say is you won't be disappointed for both. The series are not that much different from the books (which grossly under rated in my opinion). I really hope that they will keep being faithful to the source materials and keep it that way. It won't end up like GOT since the last book will come out in 2020 (I hope!), and there are still several books in between season 4 (Cibola Burn) and the last book. Hopefully season 5 would be taken from Nemesis Game (book 5), which I think one of the most characters driven book in the series, albeit the Belters and Inners (Earther and Martians) alike. Not only are things still going strong at book 5, they also just keep getting better and better.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I think both Franck and Abraham writing a lot of the episodes for TV helps keep it mostly faithful. I wish more series that are adapted had the author(s) as heavily involved.

[@meostafford]

you used astro physics as a non elective? damn son, that's some serious love of sci fi, lol

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ha ha, I've always had an interest in the cosmos, I just wish there hadn't been so much math.

[@wizflame9960]

Its so confusing to follow, currently in the first few chapters

[@traceybuckenmeyer]

Has anyone else muttered “my very educated mother just served us nine pickles” trying to figure out where all the action was taking place? Loll

[@lookyan9743]

i read series "The Expanse", but it doesn't makes any sense because tv show is better. I did not expect this, but it is so

[@mikesbookreviews]

Really? Some things I like better in the books and other things I feel we’re much more coherent on screen.

[@jacobestes]

Should try making the music even louder and the speaking even quieter.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Should try making more passive aggressive comments.

[@ZanyZoboomafoo]

I’m willing to rewatch it, but how many episodes should I give it? I was 3 in and not completely hooked

[@IlijaBossrock]

Most people get hooked after episode 4

[@patrickw123]

I didn't get hooked until end of episode 9. I understand when people say they can't get into it because I didn't really like season 1 but I loved the remaining seasons.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I always tell me that if they aren’t hooked after episode 4 it might not be for them. But it’s a show you can’t scroll your phone while watching. You have to give it your 100% undivided attention or you’ll miss something. Every scene matters.

[@mikesbookreviews]

CQB was the episode that made me realize this was something different.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I feel like it gets better every season.

[@Tortuosit]

Believeable, but likely wrong. E. g., their phones. I remember Stanislaw Lems Solaris, where his believeable future evolution of tape drives were... very small tape drives. 😁

[@isabelleb7318]

I've read all of the books and love them. I have not seen season 4. I thought the book 4 was the weakest of the series (though is was still good) and I'm quite curious, if they managed eliminate these weaknesses when they transferred it into an other medium. I hope you do not consider this rating of book 4 a spoiler.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I do not. The friend that got me into this series told me the same about Cibola Burn.

[@ChipMatthews]

Season 4 is a pretty condensed adaptation of Cibola Burn. It rolls in one of the Novellas about Bobbie Draper, adds an Avasarala plot line, and does quite a bit to set up Nemesis Games with Drummer and Ashford, all in only ten episodes. I enjoyed every minute of it (I also enjoyed book 4).

[@itstartedinmud]

The Expanse got me to read Don Quixote, so that's weird.

[@JamesI88]

Don Quixote is great!

[@itstartedinmud]

@@JamesI88 The satirical parts were good and I get it's importantance in that arena, but hell, most of it was boring. Still glad I read it because now I can use quixotic in causual conversation and not be a complete douche... anyway, it's cool how it relates to Holden in that he is self aware of how he must seem to others.

[@joseph_b319]

I saw this book at BN. I was like nah not right now. The book was 19 dollars. Then I saw it in the bargain section for 3 dollars marked as from the SyFy series. I figured why not. Just more stuff to add to the TBR pile.

[@mikesbookreviews]

It’s excellent

[@cap-tavating5862]

Protagonists aren’t heroes. Characters can be evil but are the protagonist because that’s who we follow. The antagonist could be good but pushes against the protagonist

[@calimerohnir3311]

What if Game of Thrones and The Martian had a baby

[@mikesbookreviews]

An apt description.

[@Ramseyreadsandreviews]

Battlestar Galactica was awesome. I'm starting this early January.

[@mikesbookreviews]

SO SAY WE ALL!

[@stevenjilcott527]

The Dagger and the Coin is the only Daniel Abraham series worth reading. The Long Price Quartet and the more recent Kithamar books are really, really bad. Boring as heck. I think his co-author on the Expanse series is the one responsible for actually making it good.

[@benjaminmolina3456]

Red Rising or this? My wallet can only take so much.

[@mikesbookreviews]

If you want hard, fact-based sci-fi, go Expanse. If you want Star Wars style sci-fi where they don't hit you in the face with the physics all the time, go Red Rising.

[@cl9826]

You pay for books? Lol

[@rickrandom6734]

If you like literature equal to brainless action movie, Expansion is for you. Not serious thought provoking issues. Characters are paper thin caricatures speaking in witty one-liners. Kind of Starship Troopers movie feeling without dark satire. I have not read Heinleins book. LOTS of pages for more roalty money. Could have said same things with less writing. Set in Dystopian future few hundred years from now, but feels like it is kind of 90.s society gone seriously wrong in space.

[@SonOfTerra92]

My Book 7 Review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5arp5ydmNKCmKc

[@Tortuosit]

But... Holden. Nobody really LOVES Holden. He's just as annoying as John Snow. I'm also reading books after the show.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Holden is probably my least favorite of the Roci but I still like him.

[@KWard120]

Love Holden and Snow although they are similar as characters. They are the moral centre of the story which I like who are needed in a series as big as GoT and Expanse.

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@KWard120 I look at Holden as the "glue" that holds the Roci crew together.

[@arifulalam16]

Congratulation. You convinced me..👉👌

[@Floar]

The TV series is so great I cannot justify reading the books. Only in case it gets cancelled a second time before finishing. Syfy has so itchy trigger finger on good series...

[@mikesbookreviews]

I always knew SyFy would pull the plug. Good thing Bezos is a fan of the books or we wouldn’t have gotten season 4 and 5.

[@adrianreinstein1154]

So it IS a book... I tried finding it... But I guess I can't do google searches... (I used to be a reporter... This is embarrassing...)

[@mikesbookreviews]

I believe (I didn't fact check this) it's because the series was named The Expanse after it became a series? When it was just one book, it was just known as "Leviathan Wakes." Which is, obviously, book #1.

[@adrianreinstein1154]

Mike's Book Reviews ahhhh... Gotcha! Thx

[@elroysez8333]

The series will end with 9 amazing books and several novellas.

[@subaidedwarder286]

When it was revealed that amos is actually a trans that wants to transition back, i was blown away! I never seen that coming!