Strange Dogs

By: James S. A. Corey

Narrated by: Jefferson Mays

Length: 2 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's Summary

From New York Times best-selling author James S. A. Corey...

Like many before them, Cara and her family ventured through the gates as scientists and researchers, driven to carve out a new life and uncover the endless possibilities of the unexplored alien worlds now within reach.

But soon the soldiers followed, and under this new order, Cara makes a discovery that will change everything.

Set in the hardscrabble world of the Expanse, Strange Dogs deepens James S. A. Corey's acclaimed series.

The Expanse (now a major television series)

Leviathan Wakes
Caliban's War
Abaddon's Gate
Cibola Burn
Nemesis Games>
Babylon's Ashes

Coming Soon:

Persepolis Rising

The Expanse Short Fiction

The Butcher of Anderson Station
Gods of Risk
The Churn
The Vital Abyss
Drive

©2017 James S. A. Corey (P)2017 Hachette Audio

An Excellent Expanse Novella

Wow. As a passionate fan of the series, this Expanse novella didn't disappoint. Unlike THE CHURN or GODS of RISK (also recommended for fans of the series), STRANGE DOGS does not fill in backstory for one of the 'all stars' in cast of the Expanse. But it does something that I found very exciting; it takes you to Laconia.

The name of that planet ought to set off alarm bells for anyone familiar with the latter books of the Expanse. Especially as the release of book 7, Persepolis Rising, is right around the corner, I was grateful for this sneak peak at the 'home base' of what has been established as a major hub for the series' new shadow antagonist -Admiral Winston Duarte. Who makes a brief but poignant appearance in Strange Dogs, establishing him as a thoughtfully dimensional 'villain'.

Overall, Strange Dogs is not military in tone though. The story is told from the perspective of a young girl who has never known a home other than Laconia. Imagine following a day in the life of Basia's daughter, from Cibola Burn (book 4), and you start to get the picture. Like Ilus, Laconia is teeming with alien life. And the mysterious machinations of the protomolecule abound. Cara, through whom we experience Laconia, is innocent. And that innocence leads to a truly remarkable confrontation with the extant life forms of Laconia. The awe and terror evoked by that communion with the unknown is quintessential Expanse magic.

If there is anything to complain about here, it's that the novella's arc is somewhat predictable. But sometimes knowing roughly where a strange journey is going to land makes that descent to a final destination all the more intense. Do not expect big answers to the biggest questions asked by The Expanse, but rather anticipate more questions that ought to raise the hair on your neck. I feel more primed than ever for book 7!

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Different...

Fans of the mainline Expanse books know the novellas fill in interesting aspects of the story. This one is a different style. While the content fits the Expanse universe the story is essentially a YA plot. It's a bit dark -- call it PG-13 for violence, adult language, and adult themes. We'll see how (if) it fits in the big picture when the next Expanse novel comes out later this year.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

The Expanse is way beyond what you'd expect.

I was not expecting the Expanse to become the greatest Sci Fi series I've ever read, watched or listened to. But it is. It is simply: the best. You can't go wrong by downloading the entire series and binging. If this is your first time... I envy you.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Jefferson mays saves this novella.

I bought this novella having read the other 2 expanse novellas. I was really disappointed in the story though. I stuck with it even as I was disliking it because J. Mays is such a great performer. However, the story really lacked everything I've loved about the expanse series. The other two Novelas had characters you could relate to from the series. This had new characters, not bad but novellas being short, they could not develop. The ending was just a stop with know completion and it was odd at that. If we discovered some ability of the proto-molecule that may have been a better tie-up.
Still I can't wait for the tv series to start up again and I look forward to more work from these writers.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

An excellent piece of short science fiction

Strange Dogs, while the universe is the same, is a story extracted from the primary story arch of The Expanse series.

It follows a young girl, and her exploration and discovery of the strange life forms that inhabit the only planet she's ever known.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Needs more answers

Yeah it had me drawn in but it was too short, too much left unanswered, nothing is explained... I enjoyed it while i listened but when i finished i knew id never recommend it to anyone.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Brilliantly written and performed!

I wasn’t sure at first of the perspective this book was so interestingly written in but soon found myself drawn to to the narrative. Seated so well in the universe this series has painted, this story is fantastic!

And then, what?

Holy cow THAT went in a strange direction.... Someday I hope we hear more about the "dogs" and the "stick moons" because that planet is gonna shake things up.

A snippet that enriches the storyline

Thanks for a believable child protagonist. These authors are so good at imagining characters in situations that seem alien to us but who react in very human ways, for better or worse. I hope we meet her again (haven't read book 6 yet).

whet her appetite

Great story appetizer if you are an Expanse fan.
I hope these elements are included in the next book directly rather than just alluded to