Now clearly I've read Leviathan's Wake and Caliban's War, I just had to get that out of the way before I start delving into my review here. I'm not just starting in medias res with the series. I've watched the show, I've read the first couple books, and I also have my copy of Osiris Reborn pre-ordered. I've done some expansive homework on this topic. Okay, that's the only dad joke I'll put in here, I promise.
Abaddon's Gate is a continuation of the science fiction story that the duo known as James S.A. Corey have laid out in the first two books. The protomolecule has already had a lasting impact on the solar system and life as we know it. Nevertheless, Protogen is shut down and Mao is in the slammer, Holden and his crew have been running missions for the OPA for months, Avasarala is doing what she does best behind the scenes, and Bobbie Draper... well, I guess we have to watch the show to find her relevance in this installment. It ain't here in the novel.
The book itself largely focuses on the immediate aftermath of the ring's construction. If you don't know what the ring is... then I suggest you go back and read the previous 2. In this aftermath, we see the OPA, Earth, and Mars all scrambling to be the first of humanity to cross some barriers and explore whatever riches or dangers the ring possesses. A fool of a belter is the first to cross the line, slingshotting himself into oblivion and setting off whatever alarms the ring's internal processors have. Once that happens, though, it's game on. On top of that, Clarissa Mao has taken on a new identity in an attempt to get as close as she can to Holden and his crew in order to punish the man for exposing her father's criminal activities. After an elaborate scheme to take him down by portraying Holden as an OPA extremist, the crew of the Rocinante find that their only option is to cross into the ring themselves and get some breathing room away from the three factions clustered just outside the gate. The problem, as always, is that they never learn to mind the doors and corners.
The Good
Abaddon's Gate is a decent 3rd entry in the series. It tells a compelling story and involves some new characters that we grow attached to throughout.
We get to see what life is like on the other side of the ring, and the possibilities therein, with this book. In so doing, we get to experience some internal politics and power struggles amongst the powers that be within particular ships. So instead of seeing the grand picture and what is happening across the entire solar system, we instead are homed in on specific conflicts with religious groups, factions, and the small-time politics just within a major ship's guts. These are the concepts that work particularly well for Abaddon's Gate.
The characters are another aspect of the book that shine. Holden is just as goody-two-shoes as ever in the beginning, but his arc begins to show as he learns that maybe there's a little bit more nuance to receiving information than just echoing it out at the top of his lungs. He has Miller, or at least his construct, in his head and being able to see the porkpie-hat-wearing detective give Holden some grief is always a good time. Naomi, Alex, and Amos do good turns in their secondary roles, but I think the real stars of the book are found in Anna and Bull. Anna, a preacher with a penchant for adventure, gives us the civilian outlook during the tumultuous time in the ring. Bull, on the other hand, shows us the flaws within Belter politics on the Behemoth and you can't help but root for him as he does his damnedest to fix those issues.
The Bad
I think that my main issue with the book also stems off the stuff from The Good. The fact that the story is so closed off from the rest of the solar system almost makes Abaddon's Gate feel like it could be something of a spin-off. And if that was the case, it certainly did not need to be nearly as long as it ended up being. I know that the writers making up James S.A. Corey like to tell long-winded tales, and even studied at the foot of George R. R. Martin, but I still think that some fat could have been trimmed off of this novel. It's actually kind of astounding to me how little actually happened in the grand scheme of the series. I think that's why it kind of gets lumped into the 3rd season of the show along with a lot of the happenings of Caliban's War. The fact that Osiris Reborn is going to take place in the timeframe leading up to this event is a good call by Owlcat. Keep the solar system, and everything in it, at the forefront of the storytelling.
The fact that some of the characters from previous entries are missing is also a bit of a letdown. I wanted to see Avasarala. I wanted to see Bobbie Draper. Instead, I'm stuck with Ashford and his idiotically nonsensical decisions in a bubble. That makes for some decent suspense, I'll give you, but I still think that we missed out by not having some fan favorites along for the ride.
The Takeaway
Overall, it was pretty good. I'm still eager to see what happens next for the crew of the Rocinante, especially as it compares to season 4 in the show, but I think I might take a break for a little bit. In terms of the narrative, I believe that this one might just be the weakest entry thus far. Without keeping close to some great characters, or at least trimming some of the fat, Abaddon's Gate goes back and forth between being a suspenseful joy ride and mucky slog.
7/10
Good Enough
To check out my thoughts on other projects in The Expanse, look no further.
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