This novella is a snapshot in the life of David Draper, teenage nephew of Gunny Draper from Caliban’s War.
The story is all right, but nothing special. Mostly interesting as color if you’re reading The Expanse books.
The Butcher of Anderson Station (The Expanse ½) – James S.A. Corey
This novella fills in the blanks on how Fred Johnson became The Butcher of Anderson Station, and later the leader of the Outer Planets Alliance.
The story is solidly written, but there’s not much here if you haven’t read at least Leviathan Wakes.
Caliban’s War (The Expanse II) – James S.A. Corey
Caliban’s War is set one year after the events of Leviathan Wakes. The crew of the Rocinante is on contract from the Outer Planets Alliance to hunt pirates. Meanwhile, on Ganymede, the daughter of research botanist Praxidike Meng is abducted just prior to an unexplained assault by both Mars and Earth fleets. Turns out that the deadly protomolecule is loose again. But who set it loose? The Solar System is on the verge of war. Once again, the Rocinante finds itself in the center of things.
This book was fully as good as the first; perhaps even a touch better. The action is excellent and the prose beautiful. The attention to detail regarding the effects of living in the Asteroid Belt or on a moon of Jupiter are wonderfully thought out. For example, Belters nod with one hand since a head nod is not often visible when wearing a helmet. Both the old characters and the new ones stand out in their characterizations, with well-written arcs propelling them forward in the story.
