The show for the Expanse is good, but when i tell you, the books…
There is like 10 of them, but it’s so worth it. It truly has everything
World building? out the wazoo
in depth and well thought out characters? Literally every single one
A believable and incredibly in depth political situation that also comments on today’s society and the effects that it may have on our future? fucking hell yeah, it’s got it
May 3, 2025
Related Recs
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So I just finished the first book in the Expanse series. It’s a more modern take on sci-fi than I usually read, (ie Dune, and previously rec’d Foundation) which means you get a little less of a science forward narrative. Don’t take that the wrong way though, this isn’t a simple little read, as the series’ name suggests, it’s expansive. Only one book in, I can tell the scale of this series is going to rival some of the greats. It’s complex and full of twists and turns. I’m excited to have a whole series to tear through. And beyond that, there’s a TV series...
Nov 2, 2021
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With the Netflix series coming out, I can't recommend the book trilogy enough.
It's the approachable sort of hard sci-fi that delves into complicated concepts without getting too deeply into the weeds. Everything is really well set up and explained, and like all the best trilogies, every book in the series gets better than the one that came before.
It was also written by a Chinese author (Cixin Liu) in the early 2000s, so it offers a unique perspective and gives you a glimpse into how someone from a country like China (the world's second largest economy, but with dramatically different economic/political processes and historical/cultural development than the US or Europe) views the realities of the present and the possibilities of the future (spoiler: its way more optimistic than a lot of Western authors... to an extent).
But most importantly, the series is full of some really interesting ideas and concepts, especially in regard to the Fermi Paradox. It makes you think, imagine, and philosophize, which is what I love about reading sci-fi. Anyway, it's definitely worth reading the series before having your idea of it tainted by the TV show, which will inevitably butcher certain aspects, and tarnish what your imagination could have dreamt up on its own.
Mar 24, 2024
An enthralling space opera that had me ravenously going back til the very end. Immaculate setpieces that I couldn't help but envision seeing in the theater. Memorable characters, absolutely meaty amounts of worldbuilding, and an incredible twist that caught me completely off guard.
The multiple perspectives and time jumps were a bit confusing for the first few chapters (Christopher Nolan's Momento comes to mind), but once I understood the flow of the novel it was easy enough to keep up with. Overall such a pleasant surprise of a debut that I’m still thinking about months later!!
Jan 24, 2024
Top Recs from @augustttg
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Hello! my name is August! Fun fact: My name has two months in it, and it's as cool as it sounds.
Besides that, my pronouns are They/Them, I'm 21 and I live in the... rather dismal... state of Georgia.
As for that make me... well, me:
-I adore hard sci-fi, such as series like The Expanse (the books & TV show), The Captives War, Island in the Sea of Time (it's a stretch to call it sci-fi, but I still regard it as such), and Children of Time.
-I occasionally browse romance novels, though, only one has ever stuck out to me, that being Bride. It is wonderfully cheesy, I love it to bits, and I'm always looking for more like it if anyone has any suggestions.
-I love fantasy maps and fantasy world building, both of which I continue to participate in to this day.
-I have a wonderful Boyfriend and a cat, both of which I love with all of my heart.
-I cannot get enough of video essays, especially when they're 4 hours long and talk about super niche topics.
I love music as well!
-My favorite music artist of all time is probably Sleep Token, though I am also a huge fan of Madilyn Mei, Cave Town, and really anything that can make me emotional.
-I listen to band and Orchestra pieces as well! my favorite piece of all time is probably First Suite in E-flat by Gustav Holst, though this is quickly followed by The Planets, Valdres Marsj, and Danzon no. 2
I am always welcome to music and book recommendations, especially if it aligns with what I've listed in this post, and its great to meet every single one of you.
(imagine I'm giving you [the reader] a high five and/or whatever physical or non-physical greeting is appropriate in your eyes.)
May 3, 2025
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It probably wasn’t a good idea, but i miss him and really would like him back in my life.
and so I shall convince myself that it will work out and inevitably be disappointed when it doesnt
May 6, 2025