Abaddon's Gate

Abaddon's Gate

Author	James S. A. Corey
Original title	Dandelion Sky
Cover artist	Daniel Dociu
Country	United States
Language	English
Series	The Expanse
Genre	Science fiction
Published	June 4, 2013
Publisher	Orbit Books
Media type	Print Audiobook E-book
Pages	539
Awards	2013 Goodreads Choice Awards, Best Science Fiction (Nomination), 2014 Locus Award, Best Science Fiction Novel (Won)
ISBN	978-0-316-12907-7
Preceded by	Caliban's War
Followed by	Cibola Burn

Abaddon's Gate is a science fiction novel by James S. A. Corey (pen name of Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck). It is about a conflict in the solar system that involves Earth, Mars, and the Asteroid Belt (colonies of people living on asteroids, referred to as "Belters"). It is the third title of The Expanse series and is preceded by Leviathan Wakes and Caliban's War. The series is continued in Cibola Burn. The book was released on 4 June 2013,^[1] as well released as an audiobook by Audible, narrated by Jefferson Mays.^[2]

Prelude

James Holden and his crew on the salvaged Martian warship Rocinante played a role in two major events in human history: saving the Earth from the first direct proof of alien technology discovered in our solar system, and saving as many people as they could when a new form of the technology appeared on Jupiter’s moon Ganymede. As part of the first incident, the alien technology crashed on Venus, where it churned for months doing something unknown while the solar system watched. When complete, the semi-intelligent collection of chemicals flew away from Venus and built what could best be described as a star gate, called the ring, beyond the orbit of Uranus.

Plot

James Holden and his crew have been successful in their ship-for-hire business, cashing in on their celebrity and Rocinante’s power when needed. As the solar system prepares to mount its first large-scale exploration of the ring, Holden’s interaction with the alien consciousness in the form of an old friend named Miller convinces him that he wants to be as far away from the ring as possible. Greater forces have other plans, however, and the crew finds themselves at the ring with fleets of Earth, Mars, and Outer Planets Alliance (OPA) ships.

Clarrissa Mao, daughter of a multi-planet corporation president brought down by James Holden, wants revenge through discrediting and killing him. She has spent her entire fortune to change her name and put the wheels in motion. In a well-planned scheme, she sabotages one ship, then sets a broadcast to come from Rocinante claiming the ring for the OPA and responsibility for the sabotage. Even after capture, she remains dangerous.

Carlos c “Bull” de Baca is a former warfighter and friend to Fred Johnson. He’s given the job of third in command of the Behemoth, the OPA’s salvaged and repurposed warship. Fred knows that Bull is the best of the command crew, and asks Bull to “make it work.” When the broadcast comes from James Holden claiming responsibility for the sabotage, Bull understands the full implications and what needs to happen next. The OPA joins other vessels in firing on the Rocinante, forcing the ship to travel into the gate as an attempt to escape.

Annushka Volovodov is a Methodist pastor from Europa who joined the expedition as part of a UN delegation of religious figures and artists selected to witness the start of a new epoch of human history. Her ship joins others following Rocinante into the gate, and she tries to pull fragile strings of common interest together against the gales of politics, self-interest, and madness driving others in the expedition.

Miller’s consciousness continues on in disembodied form, now part of the vast protomolecule matrix and used for his investigative capabilities. Talking to and trying to work with James Holden, he has limited insight into the actions taken by the gate, and knows there is a vast tapestry of opportunity and danger associated with it and those who built it, because someone destroyed them.

Reception

Abbadon's Gate won the 2014 Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel.^[3] Publishers Weekly gave Abaddon's Gate a starred review saying "series fans will find this installment the best yet.".^[4]

References