Babylon's Ashes

By: James S. A. Corey

Narrated by: Jefferson Mays

With over 10 million copies sold, The Expanse has become one of the biggest science fiction phenomenons of the decade.

The sixth book in the New York Times bestselling Expanse series, Babylon's Ashes has the galaxy in full revolution and it's up to the crew of the Rocinante to make a desperate mission to the gate network and thin hope of victory. Now a Prime Original series.

A revolution brewing for generations has begun in fire. It will end in blood. The Free Navy—a violent group of Belters in black-market military ships—has crippled the Earth and begun a campaign of piracy and violence among the outer planets. The colony ships heading for the thousand new worlds on the far side of the alien ring gates are easy prey, and no single navy remains strong enough to protect them.

James Holden and his crew know the strengths and weaknesses of this new force better than anyone. Outnumbered and outgunned, the embattled remnants of the old political powers call on the Rocinante for a desperate mission to reach Medina Station at the heart of the gate network. But the new alliances are as flawed as the old, and the struggle for power has only just begun.

Babylon's Ashes is a breakneck science fiction adventure following the bestselling Nemesis Games.

"Interplanetary adventure the way it ought to be written." —George R. R. Martin

Hugo Award Winner for Best Series

The Expanse
Leviathan Wakes
Caliban's War
Abaddon's Gate
Cibola Burn
Nemesis Games
Babylon's Ashes
Persepolis Rising
Tiamat's Wrath ​
Leviathan Falls
Memory's Legion

The Expanse Short Fiction
Drive
The Butcher of Anderson Station
Gods of Risk
The Churn
The Vital Abyss
Strange Dogs
Auberon
The Sins of Our Fathers​

Critic reviews

This is a high-octane continuation of a series that has quickly become the biggest thing in science fiction.—The B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog on Babylon's Ashes

"The science fictional equivalent of A Song of Ice and Fire...only with fewer beheadings and way more spaceships."—NPR Books on Cibola Burn

"Combining an exploration of real human frailties with big SF ideas and exciting thriller action, Corey cements the series as must-read space opera."—Library Journal (Starred Review) on Cibola Burn

"The Expanse series is the best space opera series running at full tilt right now, and Cibola Burn continues that streak of excellence."—io9 on Cibola Burn

"Corey's splendid fourth Expanse novel blends adventure with uncommon decency."—Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) on Cibola Burn

"A politically complex and pulse-pounding page-turner.... Corey perfectly balances character development with action... series fans will find this installment the best yet."—Publishers Weekly on Abaddon's Gate

"It's been too long since we've had a really kickass space opera. Leviathan Wakes is interplanetary adventure the way it ought to be written, the kind of SF that made me fall in love with the genre way back when, seasoned with a dollop of horror and a dash of noir. Jimmy Corey writes with the energy of a brash newcomer and the polish of a seasoned pro. So where's the second book?"—George R. R. Martin on Leviathan Wakes

"An excellent space operatic debut in the grand tradition of Peter F. Hamilton."—Charles Stross on Leviathan Wakes

"High adventure equaling the best space opera has to offer, cutting-edge technology, and a group of unforgettable characters bring the third installment of Corey's epic space drama (after Caliban's War and Leviathan Wakes) to an action-filled close while leaving room for more stories to unfold. Perhaps one of the best tales the genre has yet to produce, this superb collaboration between fantasy author Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck should reawaken an interest in old-fashioned storytelling and cinematic pacing. Highly recommended."—Library Journal on Abaddon's Gate

"Literary space opera at its absolute best."—io9.com on Abaddon's Gate

"[T]he authors are superb with the exciting bits: Shipboard coups and battles are a thrill to follow."—Washington Post on Abaddon's Gate

"Riveting interplanetary thriller."—Publishers Weekly on Leviathan Wakes

The book that rights the broader story arc

I was critical of the last book, how the story made the Expanse series the size of a personal grudge and not holding up to such a grande name of The Expanse. This book bridges the gap and finally puts the broader story arc on the footing it needs to be on. Ties it up nicely, the Sol system is now yesterday and the Expanse is tomorrow. I look forward to the next book in the series with anticipation.

Lost plot

With each book in this series, a little more of what made it initially appealing is lost: i. e. the proto molecule threat: Detective Miller, etc.
Now, it seems to be more a series of silly lectures about whst the Authors vision of the future should be, ad nauseum.
Hope the TV shows don't go the ssme route.

Standard of Excellence Met

Outstanding edition to the series... I love how the series continues to evolve and remains fresh, while doling out some great science, accompanied by fascinating and insightful social perspectives and viewpoints... Anyone having begun the series will of course pick this up no matter what I say;). Those that haven't, what's the holdup? You're missing out on some of the best SF the past couple of decades... The narration is superior, and I cannot imagine a better narrator for the voice and mood of the story... One downside, even though there may be a couple of strings dangling, this sure felt like an end to the series:( Hope I'm wrong!!!

Too much filler

Lots of great action and dialog but with some boring interlude filler. Overall, I enjoyed the story but dragged in parts. Guess the authors want to do a lot of character devlopment. Great narrator.

Satisfying!

Really enjoyable continuation of The Expanse series with great characters and fast paced action...and philosophy about sharing the universe.