Cibola Burn (#4) by James SA Corey

[anarresa]

Cibola Burn
by James S.A. Corey
3 stars

Expanse series #4. Once the rings were opened in the last novel a ship of survivors from Ganymede snuck through to settle a habitable planet. A year or so later a ship of scientists and security arrive with a charter from the UN to settle the same planet, the same spot, the same rich vein of lithium. Tensions rise and the OPA and UN agree that Holden, with his love of absolute transparency, would be the best person to mediate... and the most expendable to both sides.

Most of the book was with or about Holden (and his personal travel companion, Miller.) In a multi-universe coincidence Miller's old partner Havelock is on the UN ship, with a fairly small part. The settlers are represented by Basia, by coincidence again the father of a child lost to the protomolecule. That loss drives his protection of his remaining family, and their new planet. Scientifically brilliant and socially simple xenobiologist Elvie takes on the role of all science. The simplest of them all is the near sociopathic villain Murtry, head of UN security.

I was attracted to the inter-planetary politics and protomolecule mystery of the first novel or two, this was far less creative (yet somehow as long.) Still readable and action-packed, but less engaging. The preview of the next novel looks like we're going back to that tension, and hopefully back to some of the great Earth and Mars characters.

[Jason]

I'm enjoying this series. Miller. We need more Miller. I definitely enjoy the protomolcule storyline best, but the inter-planetary politics are interesting and needed.

Are you reading the short stories and novella in between the book also?