A Review of Tiamat's Wrath

Tiamat's Wrath by James S.A. Corey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


What a freaking ride! Set "a couple of decades" after the previous entry in the series, we find the crew of the Rocinante scattered. James Holden is a prisoner in a gilded cage; Naomi, Bobbie, and Alex are trying to hold a struggling underground together; and Amos is missing, presumed dead, after a failed mission to the Laconian capital.

A big theme here is Messing With the Unknown. Laconian science is treating the Gatebuilders technology as free pickings while acting as if the unknown force that exterminated the Gatebuilders is an enemy to be dealt with. This hubris drives the plot in several places, as the unintended consequences of Laconian actions rewrites the strategic situation. It all comes down to who can adapt faster.

I felt that the jump in time was a great move, as it allows the setting to be advanced without the need for tedious backstory. So that when we do join the plot, things are about to get rolling! And roll they do, with intrigue, palace politics, some pretty good horror, and a colossal space battle that takes your breath away. There are heroic sacrifices, reunions, good-byes, and new beginnings. Then the epilogue sets us up for what is going to be a real battle in Book 9.

Amazing stuff, as always.



View all my reviews