So, we’ve got a network of gates that gives humanity access to literally thousands of new, colonizable worlds. Plenty of space for everyone, right? Wrong. Because what we do is basically start fighting over the first one at hand. A very realistic assumption, if you ask me.
And who do we send as a mediator to this messy situation? James Holden. That really looks ridiculous, but it’s just old Avasarala pulling the strings behind the curtains, except Holden is unpredictable and things may as well blow up on her face.
So, plot in “Cibola burn” is as good as it was in the previous novels, and writing is too. If I have to complain about something, it’s the new characters introduced, Basia, Elvi and Havelock. They didn’t click for me. Didn’t empathize with them like I did for Bull or Anne in the previous novel. Elvi in particular seemed to me like she was there just to explain the science stuff to the average reader. But maybe it’s just me.
On the other hand, we have some of the best “first alien world colonization” scenario I’ve had the pleasure of reading. With the right amount of writer research behind it, enough to make everything feel realistic, but no too much to have the reader get bored.
I will definitely continue reading the Expanse saga.