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The Butcher of Anderson Station
(The Expanse #1.5)
by
A new story set in the world of The Expanse. One day, Colonel Fred Johnson will be hailed as a hero to the system. One day, he will meet a desperate man in possession of a stolen spaceship and a deadly secret and extend a hand of friendship. But long before he became the leader of the Outer Planets Alliance, Fred Johnson had a very different name. The Butcher of Anderson S
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Kindle Edition, 40 pages
Published
October 17th 2011
by Hachette Book Group
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Elyse
Chronologically the events of the novella happen before Book 1. So it should be #0.5.
Community Reviews
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Start your review of The Butcher of Anderson Station (The Expanse, #1.5)
Mini-review
Well, it seems like I’m going to read all the short stories and novellas in this series too.
The title of this short story says it all already, The Butcher of Anderson Station is a short story that reveals the details behind the truth of Fred Johnson’s infamous nickname. This was a good read, in my opinion. Leviathan Wakes has shed light and gave hints on what happened, but it was great to read what actually happened. Although it took less than an hour for me to read, I do think it’s ...more
Well, it seems like I’m going to read all the short stories and novellas in this series too.
The title of this short story says it all already, The Butcher of Anderson Station is a short story that reveals the details behind the truth of Fred Johnson’s infamous nickname. This was a good read, in my opinion. Leviathan Wakes has shed light and gave hints on what happened, but it was great to read what actually happened. Although it took less than an hour for me to read, I do think it’s ...more
SO. It's been obvious from our first introduction in LEVIATHAN WAKES that Fred Johnson, the butcher of Anderson Station, isn't a stone cold killer . . . You don't walk away from the military you've served your whole life when following orders led to the slaughter of "terrorists" if you've got an empty chest cavity.
If you've watched THE EXPANSE, then you already know this story, what really happened that day, why the Belters of Anderson Station led a revolt.
It is heartbreaking. But even if you ...more
If you've watched THE EXPANSE, then you already know this story, what really happened that day, why the Belters of Anderson Station led a revolt.
It is heartbreaking. But even if you ...more
FULL REVIEW TO COME
Just finished another Accountant Buddy Read with The Amazing Kayla! I loved this novella even more than The Churn, which I also gave 5 stars to! "The Expanse" already has the potential of becoming one of my favorite series just from how much I enjoyed these two novellas. I can't wait to get the main books of the series off my TBR shelf and into my currently reading piles now!
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Just finished another Accountant Buddy Read with The Amazing Kayla! I loved this novella even more than The Churn, which I also gave 5 stars to! "The Expanse" already has the potential of becoming one of my favorite series just from how much I enjoyed these two novellas. I can't wait to get the main books of the series off my TBR shelf and into my currently reading piles now!
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Abraham (Corey) is just such an amazing story teller. Being able to tell such a complete and compelling story in such as short work is amazing. He as usual makes you feel the characters issue so vividly.
The three prequel novellas completed....bring on the main event.
The three prequel novellas completed....bring on the main event.
Definitely a must for any Expanse fan, especially for those who are fans of Fred. I am. I think he's pretty damn cool.
But even for completionists, it's worth it. Why? Because Fred is a conflicted character for also being a relatively steadfast and rational friend to adventurers in need. His story may not be the most epic or the most emotional of the bunch, but for me, he has a certain mystique. :)
Also, this short story is REALLY short. :) ...more
But even for completionists, it's worth it. Why? Because Fred is a conflicted character for also being a relatively steadfast and rational friend to adventurers in need. His story may not be the most epic or the most emotional of the bunch, but for me, he has a certain mystique. :)
Also, this short story is REALLY short. :) ...more
In space no one can hear you commit a war crime.
While I’ve read all of The Expanse books and love the TV series I hadn’t gotten around to checking out all the tie-in short stories, and this first one fills in the backstory of Fred Johnson. Since Fred is a former military officer from Earth who left all that behind to become one of the key leaders of the Belters he’s been something of an enigma so it was nice to get this story that explains why Fred turned his back on Earth and exactly what happe ...more
While I’ve read all of The Expanse books and love the TV series I hadn’t gotten around to checking out all the tie-in short stories, and this first one fills in the backstory of Fred Johnson. Since Fred is a former military officer from Earth who left all that behind to become one of the key leaders of the Belters he’s been something of an enigma so it was nice to get this story that explains why Fred turned his back on Earth and exactly what happe ...more
I knew about this prequel story even before of reading "Leviathan Wakes", however, I decided to read before the actual first book on the series since I was afraid that in just 40 pages, it won't be possible to establish the literature universe of the series to really get this short story.
I think that I chose the right decision. It was a good introductory story to the character of Fred Johnson, who is a supportive but key character in the development of the story in "Leviathan Wakes". Even you ge ...more
I think that I chose the right decision. It was a good introductory story to the character of Fred Johnson, who is a supportive but key character in the development of the story in "Leviathan Wakes". Even you ge ...more
Kind of sad. But too short to make any lasting impression.
Another background story for one of the characters in the Expanse novels. This time, it's about Fred Johnson, now leader of the OPA (Outer Planets Alliance).
Like Amos, Fred originally comes from Earth. Unlike Amos, Fred even served in the UN Navy and made a name for himself as "The Hero of Anderson Station". However, it's not like he's proud of it. Because his other nickname is "The Butcher of Anderson Station". It all depends on your point fo view, which might hinge on how much insider informat ...more
Like Amos, Fred originally comes from Earth. Unlike Amos, Fred even served in the UN Navy and made a name for himself as "The Hero of Anderson Station". However, it's not like he's proud of it. Because his other nickname is "The Butcher of Anderson Station". It all depends on your point fo view, which might hinge on how much insider informat ...more
I have low expectations for novellas because I have a hard time connecting with the story in such a small amount of pages, and don't ever expect to go higher than a 4 star rating. The Butcher of Anderson Station skirts that problem since it is about a character and an event that were introduced in Leviathan Wakes, so we go into it already familiar with what's going on. It's a satisfying narrative that reads just like an extension of the previous book and fills in an important character who deser
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I've been meaning to read this ever since I read the first book several years ago. That's where we're first introduced to Fred Johnson, leader of the OPA, who was once (and still is) known through the solar system as the Butcher of Anderson Station. This short story elaborates on the brief hints of how he got that name that we got in Leviathan Wakes, and also shows how Fred got involved with the OPA to boot. More importantly, it doesn't just show us how he got that name, but what he did with it,
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Solid short story that lays out Fred's infamous command and his eventual meet up with Anderson Dawes.
Although chronologically this takes place before Leviathan Wakes, the story will have much more meaning if read after that book. ...more
Although chronologically this takes place before Leviathan Wakes, the story will have much more meaning if read after that book. ...more
Expanse fans have all heard of Fred Johnson's pseudonym, and this novella offers a chance to learn more about how he earned the title. You can see how events in this novella shaped Fred's actions throughout the series, which makes it worth reading in it's own right. Although I enjoyed it, and in fact was looking forward to it most out of all the novellas, it's also the one I came away with the least from. It's a solid "I liked it" rating, but not the one I'd hand to you if you were only going to
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3.5/5
A quick story detailing Fred Johnson's past and the events that gave him the moniker of "The Butcher of Anderson Station"
I did feel like I already knew most of what was going to happen from conversations in Leviathan Wakes, so there were no major revelations. Still, gaining insight into what motivates Fred was pretty neat. ...more
A quick story detailing Fred Johnson's past and the events that gave him the moniker of "The Butcher of Anderson Station"
I did feel like I already knew most of what was going to happen from conversations in Leviathan Wakes, so there were no major revelations. Still, gaining insight into what motivates Fred was pretty neat. ...more
This spin-off short story from the Expanse series details the backstory of Fred Johnson, the infamous OPA leader that was introduced in the first book, Leviathan Wakes. It's a short and quick read that goes deeper in detailing why the massacre at Anderson Station changed him forever. But because many characters have talked about the event in the main books, I wish that the story went even further with adding more to the world-building, inspiring readers to see the story in a different light. Bec
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A superb back-story to Fred Johnson from The Expanse series. The author has written back-stories to most of the main characters, and each of them is wonderful and insightful.
A must-read if you love The Expanse.
A must-read if you love The Expanse.
Good story and important background on Fred "The Butcher of Anderson Station" Smith who plays a supporting yet critical role in the series.
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4 Stars
I am a huge fan of the Expanse series and decided now would be a great time to read the tiny novellas. The Butcher of Anderson Station is an important back about the big Boss Fred. Can't say much more without spoilers but it is worth a read. A cool insight piece into Fred's past.
The Expanse series is one of my very favorite ongoing series today.
The Expanse is now an awesome show on Syfy and it has already been renewed for a second season. ...more
I am a huge fan of the Expanse series and decided now would be a great time to read the tiny novellas. The Butcher of Anderson Station is an important back about the big Boss Fred. Can't say much more without spoilers but it is worth a read. A cool insight piece into Fred's past.
The Expanse series is one of my very favorite ongoing series today.
The Expanse is now an awesome show on Syfy and it has already been renewed for a second season. ...more
If you're curious on why Fred aka the titular character became what he was in Leviathan Wakes etc, then you should read this story.
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Oh, Fred. ♥
4.0 stars.
A short novella on Fred Johnson and how he got the name "Butcher of Anderson Station". We get to know some stuff about this in Leviathan Wakes and this one is the backstory on the same. Maybe because he will come again in the second book "Caliban's War" as a stronger character for which this novella was introduced.
It was a short and easy- interesting read. Good for the people who are planning to read the series..
Happy Reading!! ...more
A short novella on Fred Johnson and how he got the name "Butcher of Anderson Station". We get to know some stuff about this in Leviathan Wakes and this one is the backstory on the same. Maybe because he will come again in the second book "Caliban's War" as a stronger character for which this novella was introduced.
It was a short and easy- interesting read. Good for the people who are planning to read the series..
Happy Reading!! ...more
For the men and women on the ground, in war there are no winners and losers - only victims and victims...
After the events of Anderson Station, Colonel Frederick Lucius Johnston, the poster boy for disproportional response, reaches a fork in the road - nihilism or redemption...
After the events of Anderson Station, Colonel Frederick Lucius Johnston, the poster boy for disproportional response, reaches a fork in the road - nihilism or redemption...
A solid short story set in the timeline before the events of Leviathan Wakes. It gives some psychological background to Fred Johnson's character, and this is interesting perhaps to those who like the main sci-fi series. But a short story needs a spectacular ending, some big final reveal to make it a truly satisfactory read, and I thought this one did not deliver on that. Still, nice enough.
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Nice to know a little more background on Fred and what happened at Anderson Station.
A well-conceived and well-written short story which apparently sets up a great series. This is a good way to set the hook: a self-contained story which introduces the setting and perhaps the characters of the greater tale. The reader know what she is, and isn’t, getting.
“Centuries of warfare in the electronic age …”
That said it reads as if it takes place late in this century, not two hundred years or more into the future. The weapons are current or under development. The technology and electroni ...more
“Centuries of warfare in the electronic age …”
That said it reads as if it takes place late in this century, not two hundred years or more into the future. The weapons are current or under development. The technology and electroni ...more
“They made me a butcher.”
True that.
This is not just the story of how he became The Butcher, it's also the story of how the OPA recruited him after that. There's no much to say without spoiling the whole thing. This is what really happened back then. A must-read for The Expanse fans.
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True that.
This is not just the story of how he became The Butcher, it's also the story of how the OPA recruited him after that. There's no much to say without spoiling the whole thing. This is what really happened back then. A must-read for The Expanse fans.
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As the TV series gave a look into how Fred became known as 'the butcher' I thought I would read this short to fill in the blanks. Turns out there was more to this incident behind the scenes than covered by the episode in the TV series.
Very short so well worth reading somewhere after the middle of Book 1. ...more
Very short so well worth reading somewhere after the middle of Book 1. ...more
A short story prequel if you will to the expanse series. Provides some significant backdrop to the storyline that was actually covered in the TV series. Makes Fred less of an ass-hat and more down to earth human like the rest of us.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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This I also read last year, so I don't have much to add, maybe just that I remember this making me hope to see more Dawes in Babylon's Ashes...which happened (I'll take credit for that).
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| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beyond Reality: The Expanse--The Butcher of Anderson Station, Expanse #1.5 Short Fiction | 3 | 13 | May 14, 2018 07:04AM | |
| The Sword and Laser: LW: The Butcher of Anderson Station | 10 | 264 | Aug 02, 2012 03:48AM |
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“Fred’s vacuum-rated armor protected him from the smell of viscera, but it reported it to him as a slight increase in atmospheric methane levels. The stench of death reduced to a data point.”
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“Every now and then a green dot shifted to yellow. A soldier down, their armored suits detecting the injuries or death that rendered them combat ineffective. Combat ineffective. Such a nice euphemism for one of his kids bleeding out.”
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