Nemesis Games (The Expanse, #5) in SpecFic Buddy Reads

Mar 07, 2015 Bradley rated it it was amazing

Shelves: sci-fi, biopunk, space-opera, 2018-shelf, worldbuilding-sf

Re-Read: 10/11/18:

Shit. I said everything I wanted to say in my old review. It's still a stirring adventure for each of the characters as they split up and eventually came back together.

Truly a character-driven novel this time, though. Not much alien stuff. Just humans doing the god-awful crap they do. :)

Old review:

This was one hell of an easy read. I got sucked back into the characters as if I had never left and was delighted to see that they shone brighter than in several of the previous novel Re-Read: 10/11/18:

Shit. I said everything I wanted to say in my old review. It's still a stirring adventure for each of the characters as they split up and eventually came back together.

Truly a character-driven novel this time, though. Not much alien stuff. Just humans doing the god-awful crap they do. :)

Old review:

This was one hell of an easy read. I got sucked back into the characters as if I had never left and was delighted to see that they shone brighter than in several of the previous novels. They're back in the Solar System. The main crew got a hell of a lot of face time. If it isn't enough that this qualifies as a wonderful character-driven adventure, then rest assured. It's still all about the big ideas, big events, and big space.

The pacing is near perfect on this one. I never once had to force myself to pay closer attention. Indeed, the revelations kept everything pumping. Every character is evolving, growing older or wiser. The novel has struck a perfect balance in this. Hell, I'm just tickled pink that it turned out to be a better novel than Cibola Burn. There weren't any moments where I wondered why we were spending time on one thing or another instead of the big action. The threads in this novel were woven so nicely that I swear I saw a bow. What was inside, you ask? Oh, Bobby is back! And don't forget Fred or our absolute favorite foul-mouthed politician. It was a perfect gift for me, the reader, and I've got to shout out to Daniel and Ty: "Thank you!"

This is fifth novel in the Expanse is so very worthy, I have to say it easily nudges out the third and forth novels in being my favorites, but it does somewhat lack in the sense of grand mystery that those had developed. I mean the grand scope of mystery, the big scary objects, or the ominous death of so many intelligent species. Instead, we've got very human tragedy and a very interesting power grab in the local system, not to mention mysteries closer to home for our main characters which feel more important, somehow, than the mind-blowing ones.

I can easily say this satisfied my deep craving for truly excellent space opera. So many tend to have holes that that suck my attention into the void, requiring me to spend a ton of reaction mass to get back on track. It's a delight to have one that shows me so much love. ...more

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Nov 29, 2015 Justine rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2016-read, 2021-read, rereads

Second read: June 2021 - 4 stars
Even though it took me quite awhile to read this, I still enjoyed it probably as much as the first time through. I will say, however, that I was also coincidentally rewatching Season 5 of the show at the same time and boy was that confusing...I wouldn't recommend doing it!

I think my favourite part of this book is all the internal processing we see Naomi going through. Finally coming to terms with her choices, her image of herself as a mother, and her acceptance of ...more

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Oct 11, 2018 Trish rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The first three books took place in our solar system, some time in the future. The fourth book switched to a more outwards look thanks to the ring gates and all the pathways they had opened. Since I'm a fan of stories about galactic discovery, I LOVED the new setting and all its possibilities. Alas, we are now back in Sol.

Part of me wanted to be out in the deep black and explore, see aliens or at least find more artifacts, connecting the dots, getting closer to solving the mystery of the builder The first three books took place in our solar system, some time in the future. The fourth book switched to a more outwards look thanks to the ring gates and all the pathways they had opened. Since I'm a fan of stories about galactic discovery, I LOVED the new setting and all its possibilities. Alas, we are now back in Sol.

Part of me wanted to be out in the deep black and explore, see aliens or at least find more artifacts, connecting the dots, getting closer to solving the mystery of the builders.
Another part of me must admit that this story about the political turmoil that got started when the ring gates opened is realistic and still very interestingly executed. I mean, it would be utopic to think humanity would suddenly just get along because there are enough worlds out there for the individual factions so nobody would have to fight any longer. That would be the smart way to see it but since when have humans ever been this smart?
There is also the problem of the economies collapsing (or threatening to) as well as the different governments trying hard not to be left behind by their own subjects. *lol*
I guess it therefore comes as no surprise that there is quite the struggle in Sol and that the authors wanted to highlight that, to give the reader a bit more introspection.

Thus, the crew of the Roci are at Tyco station at the beginning, where the ship needs extensive repairs. In order to pass the time, they split up (what could possibly go wrong?) with Amos going to Earth, Alex to Mars and Naomi ... Holden stays behind with Fred Johnson and that awful reporter Monica.
However, the past that is slowing reeling Naomi back in is also threatening the entire system and soon shit really hits the fan.

As such, this more narrow perspective of events also served as a more closer look at the characters themselves. A bit more flesh on their bones so to speak. More about their pasts (for those who've read the short stories as much as for those who haven't), setting the scene for the crew to grow both in character and numbers (yep, you heard that correctly).

Some events here are truly heartbreaking, such as (view spoiler) but the authors managed to balance that heartbreak against some of the best dialogues I've ever read, mostly between Avasarala and Amos. Chrissy, you're the best. ;)

I did not, however, connect with Naomi. *lol* If anything, this has confirmed what I think about her, namely that (view spoiler)?!
Nothing new, really, and it's actually a good sign since it points to the authors sticking with how they built their characters instead of catering to the audience or making unrealistic changes.

Anyway, this was not what I had expected and except from the one massive thing happening this was on a smaller scale event-wise, but it was still written impeccably and had me enjoy every minute that I sat on the edge of my seat. To say nothing of that epilogue! Way to hook the readers! ...more

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Jan 09, 2018 Cathy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Re-read in 2021:

An interesting re-read, after having watched the TV adaptation not too long ago. Some of the most gripping parts of the TV series happen completely in the off in the book. So this time around I have nice, additional visuals in my head.

I picked up some nuances and small details that I don‘t remember from my first read. I am pretty sure I did not understand the implications of the epilogue during my first read and did not remember the scene, when I could have connected the dots in Re-read in 2021:

An interesting re-read, after having watched the TV adaptation not too long ago. Some of the most gripping parts of the TV series happen completely in the off in the book. So this time around I have nice, additional visuals in my head.

I picked up some nuances and small details that I don‘t remember from my first read. I am pretty sure I did not understand the implications of the epilogue during my first read and did not remember the scene, when I could have connected the dots in the later books. Now I am looking forward to that aha-moment, when I get to it later in the series.

+*+*+
First read in January 2018:

Fabulous. I think I have a new favourite in the Expanse series! 5 stars with a cherry on top. Some slight spoilers ahead...

All about Holden, Naomi, Alex and Amos, instead of the usual introduction of a new host of characters never to be seen again.

And Bobby is back! And Avasarala, potty-mouth and all.

This is like pure gold for the fans of the series. No distractions of getting to know other characters or slowly diving into a complicated storyline. Just our favourite crew, with their odd-ball humour, trying to survive against mounting odds in a pretty straight forward action adventure story. Don't get me wrong, the other books with their conspiracies, aliens, universe-spanning plots and amazing world building were fun, too. But this was a great joy ride in its straight forwardness and relative simplicity. And the action, twists and turns kept coming right from the start. I wanted to take breaks between chapters, but I just couldn't, I was having too much fun...

My favourite stories were those of Amos and Naomi. Holden's was fun, too, but more of a filler. Alex's story interested me the least. Each of those plots easily could have been the basis for full novels of their own.

Waiting till next month for my fellow buddy readers to pick up the next book of the series is going to be hard...

*~*~*~*
P.S.: Reading the short story The Churn beforehand is recommended, it gives background on Amos Burton's youth and characters that are relevant to this story arc. ...more

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Jan 17, 2018 Lata rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: sf-f-h, x2018-read

4.5 stars. A tense story with a shocking development. The Roci team is split up and in different locations. We get a better view into each team member's thoughts, finally, and Bobbie and Chrisjen are back, too.
People are leaving for the new unexplored planets, and that's changing things politically throughout the system, shaking up governments and making Belters very uncomfortable. Meanwhile, Naomi gets a reminder from her past. And damn! I am so glad we finally get some insight into Naomi, and ...more

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May 29, 2016 Robyn rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2016

I really liked getting into the heads of the entire crew of the Rocinante. It was a good way to get around the fact that they were separated through most of the book and still retain the feel of the closeness of the crew in the previous books. Once again, people are up to nefarious things, there are mysteries galore, and I have no idea what the Ring is up to! Really looking forward to the next one.

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Aug 01, 2017 Veronique rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read2017, favourites

"This is as good as it gets. Can’t expect everyone to be on the same page. We’re still humans after all. Some percentage of us are always going to be assholes."

Although it took me a while to get into this book (my fault, not the novel), Nemesis Games turned into one of my favourite from this series. For a while now, I had wanted to get more about the crew of the Rocinante and this instalment finally delivered! Not only do we get their back stories and how their past affects them, we also see the ...more

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May 03, 2015 Suzanne rated it it was amazing

Shelves: science-fiction

This is the best book I've read so far this year, which is saying a lot because I've read some fantastic books. It was hard to put down - and I was SO worried about all of the characters. The book focuses on the crew, and alternates between their viewpoints - each of their stories were great - it would be hard to pick a favorite. We also see some of my favorite personalities from earlier installments in the series. It may take me awhile to decompress from this one. ...more

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Jan 10, 2018 Helen rated it it was amazing

Excellent! The story was split between the four Rocinante crew who separate for differing reasons through this adventure. So much fun! At times, I literally couldn't turn off the audio and lost sleep.

I'm excited to read the next book. ...more

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Apr 02, 2016 Scott rated it it was amazing

Shelves: sci-fi, favorites

Well, not surprisingly, I absolutely loved this book. I especially liked that all four POVs were from the Rocinante crew, that's a first

I really enjoyed the moments where we got to see more of Alex, Amos, and Naomi's pasts. I've always loved their characters but this felt more intimate with them, more so than before.

The story moved at s fast clip and was totally engrossing. I'm sort of glad this one moved away from the protomolecule a bit and the villain's motivations were completely believabl ...more

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Jan 18, 2021 Christina Pilkington rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Actual rating: 4.5 stars Throughout the Expanse series, we've been been moving further and further away from Earth and the inner planets and into planets light years away.

But Nemesis Games brings our story back inside the ring this time, starting off strong with a OPA terrorist attack on a Martian base. Shortly after the gang separates, with Naomi, Amos, Alex and Holden separated for the majority of the story.

Getting more backstory on Naomi and to a certain extent Alex and Amos was pretty amazi ...more

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Jan 09, 2020 Ctgt rated it really liked it

Bit of a departure storytelling wise, individual POVs from our favorite crew members as they go off on their own while the Rocci is being repaired. Get some more back story on each character, some decent political machinations and system wide chaos.

Another strong entry.
8/10

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