Caliban’s War picks up the saga of The Expanse where Leviathan Wakes left off, plunging readers back into a solar system teetering on the brink of chaos. The protomolecule, an alien technology of unimaginable power, has transformed Venus into a mysterious, pulsing enigma. Humanity’s great powers—Earth, Mars, and the Belt—watch uneasily, poised for conflict but uncertain of what the protomolecule’s evolution will mean. Against this backdrop, new threats emerge, drawing together a diverse cast of characters whose fates intertwine in both personal and cosmic struggles. The novel begins with an act of horror. On Ganymede, the breadbasket moon of the outer planets, a Martian marine detachment faces a nightmare: a monstrous, inhuman soldier that slaughters trained troops with terrifying efficiency. This creature is neither human nor fully alien, but a weaponized offshoot of the protomolecule—proof that someone is experimenting with forces beyond comprehension. The attack shatters Ganymede’s fragile ecosystem, destabilizing the moon and sparking violent clashes between Earth and Mars forces stationed there. James Holden and the crew of the Rocinante—Naomi Nagata, Amos Burton, and Alex Kamal—find themselves drawn into the crisis once again. Holden, haunted by his growing reputation as a reluctant hero, struggles to balance idealism with pragmatism as the solar system lurches toward war. The Rocinante’s mission expands from survival to investigation, as they attempt to uncover who unleashed the new protomolecule horror and why. Three new central figures join the narrative, each bringing depth and perspective. Chrisjen Avasarala, a sharp-tongued, ruthless Earth politician, maneuvers through the corridors of power, trying to prevent all-out war while wrestling with the moral compromises required by her role. Gunnery Sergeant Bobbie Draper, the lone survivor of the Ganymede massacre, provides first-hand insight into the protomolecule soldier and becomes a bridge between military might and political strategy. Praxidike Meng, a botanist whose daughter has been kidnapped, becomes the emotional heart of the story, embodying the human cost of the larger conflict. His desperate search for his child becomes entwined with the Rocinante crew’s quest, reminding everyone involved that the stakes are not only galactic but also heartbreakingly personal. As political tensions mount, the investigation reveals a shadowy conspiracy. A powerful faction within the system is weaponizing the protomolecule, conducting experiments that treat human lives as expendable. Holden’s crew, working with unlikely allies such as Avasarala and Bobbie, must confront not only the conspirators but also their own differences and doubts. The action crescendos with daring space battles, political gambits, and heart-wrenching sacrifices, all while the transformation of Venus looms as a silent reminder that humanity may not be in control of its own destiny. Caliban’s War deepens the universe of The Expanse, expanding its scope while grounding the drama in intimate, character-driven arcs. It balances high-stakes political intrigue, hard science-fiction spectacle, and emotional resonance, delivering both thrilling momentum and poignant reflection. By the end, the Rocinante crew is more united than ever, but the mysteries of the protomolecule grow darker and more urgent. Humanity may have survived one crisis, but the seeds of even greater upheaval have already been sown.
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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.
Caliban's War
by James S. A. Corey
Books Like Caliban's War
If you're looking for books similar to Caliban's War, here are some recommendations based on themes, tone, and narrative style.
Leviathan Wakes
James S. A. Corey
The first book in the Expanse series that introduces Jim Holden and the complex political landscape of humanity's solar system expansion. A detective and a ship's officer uncover a conspiracy that threatens to ignite war between Earth, Mars, and the Belt. The novel blends hard science fiction with political intrigue and intense action sequences. It sets up the universe and characters that continue in Caliban's War.
Ancillary Justice
Ann Leckie
A complex space opera featuring a sentient starship AI seeking revenge in a vast interstellar empire. The novel explores themes of identity, colonialism, and political manipulation. Intricate world-building and unique narrative perspective make it a compelling read for fans of sophisticated science fiction. The story involves complex power dynamics and strategic conflicts similar to Caliban's War.
Hyperion
Dan Simmons
A complex, multi-perspective narrative about pilgrims traveling to a mysterious planet with profound implications for humanity's future. Each character's story reveals layers of a vast, intricate universe facing existential threats. The novel combines philosophical depth with intense science fiction worldbuilding. Its complex political and technological themes echo Caliban's War's narrative approach.
The Forever War
Joe Haldeman
A military science fiction novel about soldiers experiencing time dilation during an interstellar conflict. The protagonist becomes increasingly alienated from human society due to relativistic travel. The book explores the psychological and social impacts of prolonged warfare. Its examination of military conflict and human adaptation resonates with themes in Caliban's War.
Pandora's Star
Peter F. Hamilton
A massive space opera exploring human expansion and first contact with alien civilizations. Humanity has developed advanced technologies enabling interstellar travel and colonization. A mysterious stellar event triggers an investigation that could fundamentally alter human understanding of the universe. The novel's scale and political intricacies are reminiscent of Caliban's War.
Rendezvous with Rama
Arthur C. Clarke
A scientific exploration of a mysterious cylindrical alien spacecraft entering the solar system. Humans investigate the massive, enigmatic object, uncovering technological marvels and potential threats. The novel emphasizes scientific discovery and the potential implications of first contact. Its focus on technological mystery and exploration parallels elements of Caliban's War.
Old Man's War
John Scalzi
Humans recruit elderly citizens to become enhanced super-soldiers for interstellar warfare. The novel combines military science fiction with dark humor and philosophical questions about humanity's expansion into space. Soldiers are transformed and sent to fight alien civilizations in a complex galactic conflict. The book shares themes of military strategy and human adaptation with Caliban's War.
Revelation Space
Alastair Reynolds
A dark, complex space opera exploring mysterious alien civilizations and technological evolution. The narrative follows multiple characters investigating an ancient archaeological mystery that could threaten human existence. Intricate scientific details and complex political machinations drive the plot. The novel's blend of hard science and interstellar conflict resonates with Caliban's War's themes.
Startide Rising
David Brin
A science fiction novel featuring a diverse crew of enhanced dolphins on a spaceship that discovers a potentially civilization-changing secret. The story explores complex interspecies dynamics and political tensions in a galactic context. Technological innovation and strategic conflicts drive the narrative. The book shares themes of unexpected discoveries and complex political landscapes.
The Algebraist
Iain M. Banks
A sprawling space opera set in a complex galactic civilization with multiple alien species and intricate political systems. The story follows a human researcher uncovering ancient secrets that could transform interstellar politics. Sophisticated world-building and strategic conflicts drive the narrative. The novel's exploration of complex societal structures mirrors Caliban's War's political complexity.
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