The Mercy of Gods

Captive's War, Book 1

By: James S. A. Corey

Narrated by: Jefferson Mays

From the Hugo Award–winning and New York Times bestselling author of the Expanse, James S. A. Corey, comes the start of a monumental new space opera series.

HOW HUMANITY CAME TO THE PLANET CALLED ANJIIN IS LOST IN THE FOG OF HISTORY, BUT THAT HISTORY IS ABOUT TO END.

The Carryx—part empire, part hive—has waged wars of conquest for centuries, destroying or enslaving species across the galaxy in its conflict with an ancient and deathless enemy.

When they descend on the isolated world of Anjiin, the human population is abased, slaughtered, and put in chains. The best and brightest are abducted, taken to the Carryx world-palace to join prisoners from a thousand other species.

Dafyd Alkhor, assistant to a prestigious scientist, is captured along with his team.

Even he doesn’t suspect that his peculiar insight and skills will be the key to seeing past their captors’ terrifying agenda.

Swept up in a conflict beyond his control and vaster than his imagination, Dafyd is poised to become humanity’s champion—and its betrayer.

This is where his story begins.

“No one builds a universe like James S. A. Corey. The Mercy of Gods is wilder and weirder than you can imagine, and when it ends, all you’ll want is … more.”—John Scalzi, New York Times bestselling author©2024 Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck (P)2024 Recorded Books

Another Universe to get lost in

I just can't get enough of their writing and when I saw it was narrated by Jeffrey Mays I was sold.

Already looking forward to book 2.

breathing

Only complaint is the narrator. I enjoy his voice but damn is the taking a breath in-between sentences hard to get used to. he narrates well and it isn't even time but it's definitely like every other time.

Exciting, imaginative. Fantastic narration.

A creative twist on alternating POVs. Gives the reader a sense of deeper insight into human & nonhuman characters--their experiences & perceptions. Surprising life forms with a varied array of norms & value. Shows us some of the structures & strictures that guide societies. Vivid description brings a complex social & biological worlds within worlds. Powerfully preformed by a skillful narrator. Hard to put down!

GOING A LITTLE DEEPER. There seemed to be an (unintentional?) background narrative about ', superiority', subjugation, colonial conquest, social hierarchy, individual value. What is it to strip away a person's identity, personal power & freedom? What does loyalty to one kin look like when your world is broken down? I'm also seeing a critique of the economic systems built on resource theft and devaluation of labor. Draws attention to the fundamentally undemocratic & dehumanizing nature the workplace (under capitalism) that oppresses workers, pits them against one another, intentionally keeping them living in fear w hardly enough, desperate to survive, knowing they could lose their position at the employers whim... We are also directed to examine the untapped potential perils & possibilities of workers recognizing their tenuous (& in some ways insignificant) position in the game of the powerful & what united efforts might bring about...

BUT ...they probably didn't do it on purpose. LOL

Excellent world building

The story is awesome. The world building is great. I can’t wait for the second book.

The narrator is amazing

Mind blowing really good. you will not be able to stop listening. I can’t wait for more.