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Questions tagged [the-expanse-novels]

The Expanse is a series of science fiction novels and short stories by James S. A. Corey (a pseudonym used by Ty Franck and Daniel Abraham). Please use [the-expanse-2015] for the 2015 TV series by the same name which is based on the book series.

The Expanse is a series of science fiction novels written by Ty Franck and Daniel Abraham under the joint pseudonym James S. A. Corey.

It consists of the following works:

  • Leviathan Wakes (2011)
  • Caliban's War (2012)
  • Abaddon's Gate (2013)
  • Cibola Burn (2014)
  • Nemesis Games (2015)
  • Babylon's Ashes (2016)
  • Persepolis Rising (due 2017)
  • Short stories:
    • "Drive"
    • "The Butcher of Anderson Station"
  • Novellas:
    • "Gods of Risk"
    • "The Churn"
    • "The Vital Abyss"

A TV series based on the book series, by the same name, started in 2015. Please use the tag for questions concerning the TV show.

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Is Amos actually a psychopath/sociopath?

One of the most intriguing characters in The Expanse series, to me, is Amos. While he's one of the scariest sumbitches around, yet somehow he's one of my favourites. I've been wondering what a psychologist or psychiatrist would categorise him…
Marakai
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What was the purpose of the "booby-trapped" solar system in the Expanse novels?

Warning: no idea how to word my question without being one giant spoiler for book 8, so proceed with caution ;-) A major plot point revolves around Tecoma system, which the ringbuilders (*) had apparently rigged as a sort of booby trap: the system…
Florian Echtler
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How much time passes between each novel in "The Expanse" series?

I'm reading The Expanse novels, and I'm trying to figure out how much time passes between each novel of the series. I'm currently reading Book 4, Cibola Burn; at the moment I don't remember having seen a single date explicitly written down in any…
Sekhemty
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In-universe why is this character's name funny in the Expanse?

In Persepolis Rising, book 7 of the Expanse series, there is a character named Payne Houston This name makes Drummer cough "with contempt and laughter" and say "I'm assuming that's his own choice and not what his mommy called him." What makes…
user
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Any mention of traveling around the sun in The Expanse universe?

Something I remember noticing when reading 'The Expanse' novels was the very optimal paths between planets and regions. I don't remember any mention of having to travel around the sun to reach a planet currently on the far side of the system. Is my…
SDH
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How does The Expanse solve the big problems of initially settling on Mars?

The big problems of settling on Mars are high radiation (worse than anywhere on Earth) and short period extreme radiation, moderate and extreme cold, need all basics of life and energy supply and I read its wiki and it says nothing about that. Do…
user2617804
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What does Amos mean by "Everywhere's Baltimore"?

I'm reading through Persopolis Rising and this passage confused me: Alex said. "This is Medina Station under occupation by a bunch of splinter Martian military expats. It's not Baltimore." Amos' smile was placid as always. "Everywhere's…
aslum
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Were there any interstellar probes prior to the opening of the gates?

We know that the Mormons intend to take the Nauvoo to another star, so at least the idea of interstellar travel was in the books. I'm wondering if there are any references to interstellar probes actually sending data back from another star system in…
Michael Stachowsky
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Is there some physical-universal constant that ties to frequency with which the investigator "reaches out"?

In book 4 Cibola Burn, in the 'interludes' the protomolecule construct "reaches out" 113 times per second. Is there some physical frequency multiple or fraction that corresponds? Is this 113 per second explained elsewhere? As a sort of follow up, is…
BradV
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What did trigger the explosion on Illus/New Terra in Cibola Burn?

What exactly triggered the fusion reactors explosion on the other side of the planet?
Christian Studer
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When and why were London, Beijing, and Denver evacuated?

In Persepolis Rising there is a reference to the evacuation of London, Beijing, and Denver at some unspecified point(s) in the history of The Expanse: She looked at them and saw all the other times children had been carried away from a disaster…
Null
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When in the writing of "The Expanse" book series did Abraham/Franck set the final outcome for Amos Burton?

I've read through the entire Expanse series and now re-reading (just starting book 6). In all the books I keep coming across people discussing Amos Burton as the guy you can always depend on to have your back, the guy who'll be "the last man…
BradV
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What is outside the Ring Space in The Expanse (the books)?

In the TV series, there is a blue sphere the rings are placed on, and things entering the blue don't come back and are assumed to be destroyed. But there is not such thing in the books, instead, the area between the rings is only described as being…
Gouvernathor
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In The Expanse, Book 3, what is meant by "incompetent" when referring to this character?

Not sure if this is spoilers or not, but Ashford is referred to as "incompetent" at least once. It seems, though, that he was just given a bad lot. For example, Bull was insubordinate in the sick bay and, in a normal situation, Ashford should…
Michael Stachowsky
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Metric vs Imperial Units in The Expanse

In Caliban's War, there's a scene where Bobbie is jogging on a ship during her trip to Earth. She gave her wristwatch a quick glance. Two hours. At her current leisurely pace, that meant twelve miles. Push for twenty? Her use of imperial units…
Alarion
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