Babylon’s Ashes marks a pivotal moment in James S. A. Corey’s The Expanse, capturing the aftermath of catastrophic upheaval and the fragile struggle to rebuild order in a galaxy thrown into chaos. The Free Navy, under the ruthless leadership of Marco Inaros, has shattered Earth with devastating asteroid strikes, killing billions and plunging the planet into ecological and social collapse. As famine spreads and governments falter, the balance of power across the solar system has shifted—leaving humanity fractured, traumatized, and desperate. At the center of this turmoil are the Rocinante’s crew—James Holden, Naomi Nagata, Amos Burton, and Alex Kamal—who once again find themselves thrust into the heart of history. Marco Inaros, celebrated by many Belters as a liberator, continues to wage war on Earth and Mars, using stolen Martian ships and the ring gates as leverage. His control over the Free Navy makes him one of the most powerful figures humanity has ever faced. Yet his leadership is riddled with cracks: internal rivalries, ideological splits, and the sheer weight of holding together a fleet built on fear and propaganda. Naomi’s personal stakes are profound. Marco is not only her former lover but also the father of her son, Filip, who has become entangled in the Free Navy’s cause. Naomi must reconcile her guilt and grief with her determination to stop Marco, even if it means facing her son across the battlefield. Her struggle embodies the novel’s emotional core: the conflict between family, loyalty, and the greater good. Holden, as ever, tries to chart a path that avoids both vengeance and surrender. His idealism clashes with the brutal realities of war, but his steady moral compass remains a source of hope for those around him. Amos and Alex bring their own strengths to the fight, grounding the crew with courage, humor, and the resilience that has kept them alive through countless crises. Together, the Rocinante becomes both a symbol of resistance and a practical weapon in the escalating conflict. Meanwhile, across the solar system, factions scramble to seize power amid the collapse of old orders. Earth and Mars attempt to mount a coordinated defense while struggling with internal devastation. The Transport Union emerges as a potential stabilizing force, proposing to regulate access to the ring gates and prevent further chaos. Yet questions of authority, legitimacy, and survival loom large, and the alliances formed are fragile at best. The novel builds toward a sprawling confrontation between the Free Navy and the combined forces of Earth, Mars, and their allies. Battles rage in space and in politics alike, as Marco’s charisma begins to unravel under the weight of his failures and his inability to deliver the utopia he promised the Belt. Filip, caught between idolizing his father and confronting his crimes, faces a choice that will shape both his destiny and the fate of those around him. In the end, Babylon’s Ashes is not simply a tale of battles won or lost—it is about the cost of survival, the pain of rebuilding after catastrophe, and the possibility of forging unity out of destruction. Humanity’s divisions remain stark, but the seeds of cooperation are sown, laying the foundation for what comes next in the saga.
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About the author
James S. A. Corey
Author
James S. A. Corey is the pen name used by collaborators Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, authors of the science fiction series The Expanse. The first and last name are taken from Abraham's and Franck's middle names, respectively, and S. A. are the initials of Abraham's daughter. The name is also meant to emulate many of the space opera writers of the 1970s. In Germany, their books are published under the name James Corey with the middle initials omitted.
Babylon's Ashes
by James S. A. Corey
Books Like Babylon's Ashes
If you're looking for books similar to Babylon's Ashes, here are some recommendations based on themes, tone, and narrative style.
Nemesis Games
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The fifth book in The Expanse series, preceding Babylon's Ashes. Explores the personal histories of the Rocinante's crew and a massive solar system-changing event. Deepens the political and technological conflicts introduced in earlier novels. Sets up the revolutionary context of Babylon's Ashes. Essential reading for understanding the broader narrative arc.
Leviathan Wakes
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The first book in The Expanse series that introduces the complex solar system politics and the crew of the Rocinante. Follows Jim Holden and detective Miller as they uncover a massive conspiracy threatening human civilization. Blends space opera, political intrigue, and hard science fiction with compelling character dynamics. Establishes the epic narrative and technological backdrop of the series. Perfect for fans of complex, large-scale science fiction narratives.
Hyperion
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A complex science fiction epic with multiple narrative perspectives exploring humanity's future among the stars. Features intricate world-building and a diverse cast of characters on a mysterious pilgrimage. Combines philosophical depth with intense action and technological speculation. Explores themes of human survival and transformation similar to The Expanse. Offers a rich, multilayered narrative for readers who enjoy sophisticated space opera.
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Revelation Space
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A dark, complex space opera exploring archaeological mysteries and advanced technological civilizations. Presents a gritty, realistic approach to interstellar conflict and exploration. Features intricate world-building and complex political systems. Combines hard science fiction elements with philosophical speculation. Offers a similar tone of technological complexity and human struggle.
Red Rising
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A revolutionary science fiction novel set in a stratified solar system society. Follows a low-born hero fighting against a oppressive social hierarchy through rebellion and infiltration. Combines intense action with complex political maneuvering. Features high-stakes conflict and systemic revolution similar to Babylon's Ashes. Offers a gripping narrative of resistance and transformation.
Consider Phlebas
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The first novel in the Culture series, exploring a complex interstellar civilization and ongoing galactic conflict. Features sophisticated world-building and philosophical exploration of technology and society. Presents a nuanced view of war, politics, and cultural transformation. Offers epic-scale narrative with multiple perspectives. Provides a rich, complex approach to space opera storytelling.
Seveneves
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An epic science fiction novel about human survival after a catastrophic lunar event. Explores technological innovation, human adaptation, and species survival. Features complex scientific speculation and large-scale societal transformation. Provides a detailed, scientifically grounded approach to human space exploration. Offers a similar sense of human resilience and technological challenge.
Rendezvous with Rama
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A classic science fiction novel exploring humanity's first encounter with an alien spacecraft. Focuses on scientific exploration and the mystery of an enormous cylindrical object entering the solar system. Emphasizes technological speculation and human curiosity. Provides a methodical, scientifically grounded approach to space exploration. Captures the sense of wonder and unknown present in The Expanse.
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
Becky Chambers
A character-driven space opera focusing on the diverse crew of a spaceship. Explores interpersonal relationships and cultural differences in a richly imagined future. Provides a more optimistic but equally nuanced view of human space exploration. Features strong character dynamics reminiscent of the Rocinante's crew. Offers a warm, humanistic approach to science fiction storytelling.
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