Babylon's Ashes

James S. A. Corey

Dec 2016 · The Expanse Book 6 · Sold by Orbit

About this eBook

The sixth book in the NYT bestselling Expanse series, Babylon's Ashes has the galaxy in full revolution, and it's up to the crew of the Rocinante to make a desperate mission to the gate network and thin hope of victory. Now a Prime Original series.

HUGO AWARD WINNER FOR BEST SERIES
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A revolution brewing for generations has begun in fire. It will end in blood.

The Free Navy -- a violent group of Belters in black-market military ships -- has crippled the Earth and begun a campaign of piracy and violence among the outer planets. The colony ships heading for the thousand new worlds on the far side of the alien ring gates are easy prey, and no single navy remains strong enough to protect them.

James Holden and his crew know the strengths and weaknesses of this new force better than anyone. Outnumbered and outgunned, the embattled remnants of the old political powers call on the Rocinante for a desperate mission to reach Medina Station at the heart of the gate network.

But the new alliances are as flawed as the old, and the struggle for power has only just begun.

Babylon's Ashes is a breakneck science fiction adventure following the bestselling Nemesis Games.

The Expanse
Leviathan Wakes
Caliban's War
Abaddon's Gate
Cibola Burn
Nemesis Games
Babylon's Ashes
Persepolis Rising
Tiamat's Wrath
​Leviathan Falls

Memory's Legion

The Expanse Short Fiction
Drive
The Butcher of Anderson Station
Gods of Risk
The Churn
The Vital Abyss
Strange Dogs
Auberon
The Sins of Our Fathers

Ratings and reviews

As opposed to the other installments, this one does not drastically change up the setting, following right after Nemesis Games. In line with previous books it's full of excellent world building with 2-3 gripping set prices. The characters are endearing (or psychopathic in the case of Marcos) and each have their own unique voices. This book is a bit different in that it has about 13 PoV characters, but they're grouped into 3-5 story lines at any one moment, so it's still crystal clear what's going on.

Can't wait for more. Very happy the authors are able to put sequels out about every year. Overall the series is a great story and doesn't get into techno babble or long scientific explanation. I enjoy that too but sometimes having the focus on story telling and building characters like this series does is refreshing.

Great continuation to the narrative and wrap up of a lot of loose threads that should allow the next set of books in the series to focus more tightly on a smaller braided narrative. The characters are generally believable and fun, appealing and, if they're unrealistically competent across the board, you still feel good about rooting for them. The world building is, as always, top notch and I'm really looking forward to the next installment!

About the author

James S. A. Corey is the pen name of Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck. In addition to writing the novels and short stories of The Expanse, they wrote and produced the television series of the same name. Daniel lives with his family in the American southwest. Ty will tell you where he lives when and if he wants you to come over.