Tiamat's Wrath
2018
- fiction
- science fiction
- general
- nyt:hardcover-fiction=2019-04-14
- fiction, science fiction, general
- interplanetary voyages
- life on other planets
- space warfare
- imaginary places
- imaginary wars and battles
The story
Tiamat's Wrath is a science fiction novel by James S. A. Corey, the pen name of Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, and the eighth book in their series The Expanse. Following the series' tradition of referring to ancient mythology in its titles, the book's title references the Babylonian goddess Tiamat who took part in the creation of the universe.
What it’s like
Cold, practical hard science fiction: grimy ship corridors, humming reactors, the flat blue-white glow of instrument panels, and the black of space as a vast, indifferent backdrop. Tight dialogue scenes in cramped cabins alternate with sweeping fleet-scale sequences, so the reading builds a restless, mounting pressure, like a long tense night on a crowded watch. Sound comes through procedural texture: hatches clanking, comms crackling, alarms, and the quiet between maneuvers. The prose is brisk and plain, moving between a large ensemble of weary, competent, morally compromised people, each on a slow arc toward trust, grief, or reluctant responsibility. The vibe is tense and cold-sharp, with a stubborn warmth in the crew's loyalty. Violence is frequent and sometimes graphic: ships torn apart in battle, deaths both sudden and drawn out, and body-horror touches from alien material at the edges. Sexual content is brief and not central. It suits a long commute, a late-night reading session, or a fan returning to the series. It is for readers who want high political stakes and procedural detail with a crew they care about, and who can handle a steady dose of war.
More books like Tiamat's Wrath
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved Tiamat's Wrathand we’ll explain which ones fit you.
