I’ve read the first two books and enjoyed them both. I enjoyed the TV series. But I see there are nine novels and eight novellas in the series, and I know the book series goes on longer than the TV series. I’m curious: is the quality fairly consistent or, like a lot of longer book series, does it degrade over time?
Edit: Thanks everyone! Sounds like the vast majority of folks enjoyed all of the books - enough that I’ll probably read them all. I have other books on my reading list, so I might take breaks and read some of those in between.
I really appreciate all the responses. Thank you all. Upvotes all around!
Having read all of them, I think of these books as three different sets:
- Books 1-6 of the main series basically cover the same time period as the TV show. If you enjoyed the first two books, it’s extremely likely that you will enjoy books 3-6. The primary story arc started in book 1 comes to a very satisfying conclusion in book 6, broadly the same as it did in the show.
- Books 7-9 are more like a sequel series than a direct continuation of book 1-6. The primary characters return but it’s really a new story arc. Personally I read book 7 at release, then later bounced off book 8 when it came out however many months later. It was only when I came back to reread the entire series that books 7-9 clicked for me. For my money everything came to a satisfying conclusion in book 9, with answers to most of the bigger mysteries behind the entire series (i.e. who built the rings, how did they build them, who killed the ring builders, etc.).
- The novellas and short stories focus on backstories and side characters. I particularly liked that they reveal where certain side characters eventually ended up; not naming any names for spoiler reasons. Memory’s Legion collects all of these into a single book-length collection, which is probably the best way to get them.
TL;DR book 1-6 for sure for sure, books 7-9 probably, novellas if you go through books 1-9 and still want more.
I read them all at once and it’s been a while but overall I enjoyed them. Definitely felt like it went on longer than maybe it needed to which is probably why I didn’t bother with the short stories. I would still recommend the books.
Read them all, with the novellas where the tin says they belong. It’s just unrelentingly good.
Yes, and I loved the end of the series.
Yes, absolutely.
@AFKBRBChocolate Yes.
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I’ve read all the novels and they are all good. The last one I remember as not quite as good as the others, or maybe I just had enough of the series.
Just finished last month and it’s one of the best series I’ve ever read. I haven’t read the novellas so after some time I will reread the series with them included.
Could not set them down… except the last one. Jumping 25 years into the future was a strange choice and, for me, less entertaining.
Spoiler warning maybe?
That’s not a spoiler
Feels like one to me. When I get into a series I prefer to know as little about the final entry as possible. Didn’t know that was such a hot take around here.
It’s not the last book. It’s how the seventh book, Persepolis Rising, starts.
As others have said, yes. Oh I’m so jealous of you right now!
I know i just want to read those books for the first time again. Second and third runs are nice, but not as great as the first one where your brain just explodes.
oh heck yes it is a great series.
The Expanse if the best books series I have read in years and might be the best science fiction series I’ve ever read. The quality does not diminish (in my opinion), and I am glad I didn’t watch the show beyond the first season before reading the books. But there is a lot more than the show covers. I think you can come back to the Novellas later if you like. They are great but you don’t need to read them alongside the main novels unless you are so inclined.
Yes, it’s all very good.
I think the first half of book 4 dipped a bit in quality due to some weaker characters, but the bonkers second half more than made up for it (and the TV version improved on that particular book, IMO).
The show ends on book 6, which means you miss out on pretty much the entire third act of the series. I’d say it’s worth finishing just to get some closure on some of the unresolved loose ends.
Reading book 8 right now. They’re very, very good.
I’m in the middle of book 7 and holy what a shift. I’m in the part where it’s so overwhelming, you can’t even begin to imagine how this will get resolved. Very excited to read the last two books.
The only regret about any of that is the show didn’t do the last 3 books any justice. Otherwise, you are in for a treat.
After you enjoy the experience, try Alastair Reynolds’ Revelation Space series. If you liked Amos and Bobbie, you’ll be rooting and cheering for Scorpio and Nevile Clavain in no time.
@DaMonsterKnees @AFKBRBChocolate They didn’t do the last three books at all really. That particular set of book events was beginning to be set up, but involves a significant time jump. If The Expanse returned as a series later, it could be done with the original cast, but seems highly unlikely now.
Highly worth the effort. What they managed to finish was done well enough.
