The Expanse

The Frontiers Saga (Part 1): Discovery #7

by Ryk Brown

Episode 7

A newly repaired ship…
A willing and eager crew…
A host of new technologies…
A long anticipated return home…

The crew of the UES Aurora finally has the chance to fulfill their mission, but first they must complete a long and dangerous journey across a thousand light years of unexplored space.

“The Expanse” is a 104,000 word novel, and is the 7th episode in The Frontiers Saga.

Genres: Science Fiction, Space Opera, Military Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook, Space, Military Science Fiction

246 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 17, 2013

About the author

Born in 1960 and raised on an overdose of television, NASA, and science fiction, Ryk Brown has worked as a cook, rock guitarist, stage lighting technician, and paramedic. He currently resides in Northern California with his wife, daughter, and cat. By day he fixes computers, and by night he creates stories.
Having spent his entire life "thinking stuff up", the advent of digital publishing has finally given him an excuse to write it all down and share it with others. ("Others" meaning someone other than his poor wife and daughter.)
A long-time fan of all things science and space, his goal is to write and publish an on-going series of sci-fi adventures. To be set in his own version of humanity's future, his characters will explore the vast reaches of the galaxy, and perhaps even the universe. He invites you all to join him on this journey through his vivid imagination.

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Space Opera Sci-fi. This was a book challenge read. As I started this, I wasn't sure I would be able to finish it. It was so "science-y". I had to make a real effort to keep my eyes from glazing over. This started off at a slow crawl. I contemplated putting it down, but it took me weeks to find this one in order to check off a box for the challenge. I wasn't sure I'd find another one. So I kept at it and I am so glad I did.

Once the story got rolling, I was caught up in the sci-fi wave. I honestly can't wait to read the next one. The ending was perfect. I usually don't like cliff hangers, but this one has me excited for the next one. So 4 stars.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

At last the Aurora is on the way home to earth, fully stocked and almost a full crew. It is not a boring journey. There is experimentation with the jump drive and lots of excitement, action and suspense with a black hole. The reader keeps wondering are they going to get home?

The book is well written, the plot is well developed and new characters take a prominent role in this episode. There is lots of action and suspense and as with most sci-fi one must allow the imagination to run free. The ending is a cliff hanger.

I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Jeffrey Kafer does an excellent job narrating the story. Kafer is a stage actor, voiceover artist and an award winning audiobook narrator.

[Per Gunnar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before I start I better point out that this review do have some spoilers in it concerning the ending.

I was quite looking forward to this, the next book in The Frontiers Saga. I have to say that it did not live up to my expectations. If this was a TV-show this book would constitute the last episode with the sole purpose of preparing the viewers, or in this case the readers, for the next season. As such the ending is pretty much a huge cliff-hanger. This I guess I could live with. It was not really surprising since it was said already that the series should contain about 15 books in all.

I was hoping the Aurora would, finally, be coming back to Earth with some of that improved technology and that we would then embark on a new story arc where Earth would build up their fleet and start to defend themselves against the Jung. Instead, even though the Aurora did get back to Earth (briefly), what we really got was a last minute kind of “reboot” that throws the Aurora back as being a lone ship not really knowing what to do or where to go. This time she is at least not shot to hell but instead almost out of “fuel” for the engines. This was just so arrrrggghhhhhh! I was really not happy after the last page. It feels like we are just going on the same, or at least a similar, type of story all over again.

The rest of the book is unfortunately not very exciting either. There is little actual action. Instead a lot of the book is spent on testing the new engines and harping a lot about it, harping a lot about whether they were going to be court-marshalled when coming home, doing a detour and finding an old colony ship with a mysterious survivor.

The only action, apart from a little shootout at the end, is when the captain is devising a ludicrous scheme for sending a lone fighter into a Jung hornet’s nest which, of course, goes bad. This is my second gripe with this book. The captain is in a hurry to get home so Earth can defend itself and he carries technology that is vital for this effort. Yet he makes one ridiculous decision after another delaying and even endangering their trip home as well as endangering the technology in question to the extent that it might fall into enemy hands.

This book really felt like one of the lesser scripts in some mediocre TV-show. Not exactly what I expected. If I could have given it two and a half star I would have.

[Zack Reinman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I downloaded this thinking it was book seven of the expanse series… after the first chapter I realized it was the wrong book… but I was on a roadtrip and couldn’t download the “correct” one. While the writing isn’t quite as good, I found the linear story line refreshing.

[Stephen Eis]

Great book, one of my faves.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Aurora travels 1000 light years to cross the expanse. Going back home, to Earth. There is only one space-battle scene, which is enough for me. 3.75 stars rounded up because I felt the last chapters felt vivid. Nathan's fugue funk felt credible.

[Yoshiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Po wielu niebezpiecznych przygodach i sytuacjach, które wydawały się być bez wyjścia, wszystko zmierza w stronę szczęśliwego zakończenia. Dzielna załoga „Aurory” nareszcie ma szansę na upragniony powrót do macierzystego portu (czyli na Ziemię). Każdy jest mocno podekscytowany, nie może jednak zapomnieć o ciągle czyhającym na nich niebezpieczeństwie, którego w bezkresie kosmosu jest pełno. Ich przeszkolenie i zdobyte doświadczenie na pewno będzie przydatne. Los bowiem bywa bardzo często złośliwy i lubi rzucać nowe kosmiczne kłody pod nogi.

Poprzednie tomy serii wypełniała głównie solidna dawka widowiskowej akcji. W przypadku The Frontiers Saga #7 autor Ryk Brown, nieco zmienia jednak swoje dotychczasowe podejście do fabuły. Większą część książki wypełnia bowiem mniej dynamiczna treść. Nie oznacza to jednak, że tytuł staje się przez to mniej ciekawy. Fani cyklu znajdą tutaj sporo interesującej treści, która nie tylko ich zachwyci, ale również mocno zachęci do sięgnięcia po kolejne odsłony.

Twórca skupia się tu na szeregu różnych skomplikowanych czynności, które musi wykonać załoga Aurory. Poświęca on sporo miejsca na szczegóły techniczne i w mocno drobnostkowy sposób pokazuje przygotowania do kolejnych międzygwiezdnych skoków. Obok tego stara się on również pokazać, jak trwająca misja wpływa na żołnierzy i jak przeżywają oni powrót na Ziemię. Jeśli to jeszcze dla kogoś za mało, to ciekawą częścią historii jest również skupienie się na niektórych mieszkańcach naszej planety. Dokładniej chodzi tutaj o losy osób, które załoga statku pozostawiła na Ziemi wyruszając w bezkres kosmosu. Dawka bardziej emocjonalnej treści zaskakująco dobrze koreluje z dotychczasową widowiskową stroną dzieła. Tego typu sceny pozwalają mocniej uwypuklić „akcję”, której nie ma tutaj zbyt wiele. Wszystko jest przez autora doskonale przemyślane i czyta się z niekłamaną przyjemnością.

Odmienne podejście do kreślonej historii niesie jednak ze sobą pewne drobne wady. W niektórych momentach twórca troszkę moim zdaniem przesadza ze szczegółowością opisów. Samo w sobie nie jest to złe, jednak seria The Frontiers Saga od samego początku raczej stawiała na „prostszą” formę rozrywki sci-fi. Niekoniecznie więc miłośnicy dzieła będą musieli być zadowoleni z pewnego „skomplikowania” opowieści. Nie ma tego jednak przesadnie zbyt wiele i końcówka książki pokazuje, że kolejne odsłony powinny powrócić na swój sprawdzony „widowiskowy” tor.

https://popkulturowykociolek.pl/recen...

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

To start, this is book seven in the series - you need to start with Book 1, Ep.#1 - "Aurora: CV-01" (The Frontiers Saga) as this is not a standalone read.

What usually happens with continuations of a series is they start going downhill as the author has either exhausted his or her creativity or the story should have ended long ago. That's not the case with this series, as you have the exact opposite effect: it slowly started getting better, book #5 was a huge step forward, episode #6 was great, and in episode #7 the crew heads home. One of the better things (to me, at least) is the technology leaps are believable and didn't make you want to call a foul: you can get your arms (and head) around it without having to stop and think of the science.

The author continues to get you into the action, and you will find your pulse racing at different points in time - you feel like you are right in the middle of it as a participant. He is getting better with his character development and the characters in the book are starting to become old friends to this reader. If you're looking for a good space opera, I highly recommend this one.

[Clayton Falter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fair transition book

Better story and character side but several big science mistakes other math error - the first glaring to the layman. Black holes do not form without nova ejection event that leaves visible nebula gas cloud for quite a while. Nor does black hole formation increase mass and overall (distant) gravity field over its source star so that planets get sucked in. Planets get caught in nova immediately preceding collapse to black hole and their mass is often mostly in outbound gas cloud. Fortunately such errors have only brief effects on the story. Except the overall error "we cannot fly through solid matter" - which assumes space is perfectly empty outside obvious visible solar bodies and black holes. In reality given a path light years long would probably run in as much stellar "litter" as crossing the densest part of our asteroid belt - lots gas fist-sized rocks up to asteroids miles long.

Overall this novel is mainly setting stage for next series action segments. Well enough told except for science errors.

[Christian Leonard Quale · Rating 4 out of 5]

With The Expanse (the 7th instalment of the Frontiers Saga that is, not to be confused with the series The Expanse) this series just continues to impress me, and make me more and more hopeful for what will be coming up in the future books.

After the intensity of the previous book, this one starts out at a different, more calm, pace, in a way which kept me waiting for the inevitable twist to happen. What did happen ended up being a rare "predictable in a satisfying way" kind of thing: an almost unavoidable calamity, but one that nevertheless felt satisfying, and that was executed in the best possible way. This book also has some of the most exciting and intense pages that I've read since... Well... The Expanse (the series this time).

The Frontiers Saga has gotten to the point where I'm now incredibly glad that I started reading these books, and I'm actively looking forward to seeing what's coming up. It has gone from being a somewhat light-weight space-opera to being a thrilling series around which quite an... expansive world is developing.

[Will Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

POTENTIAL SPOILERS....................

For the most part, this is another great addition to the series. With them heading home though I think anyone following the series knew what they were going to find. That part is a bit obvious I know that Capt. Scott was thrust into the big chair and doesn't have the seasoning to have an abundance of self confidence in the job, but the little pitty party at the end, seemed out of character. I mean, we all do that from time to time, and I suppose it would be a bit natural, but it just didn't feel that way to me. I was almost hoping Vlad would kick him in the arse. LOL!

It will be interesting to see where Mr. Brown takes it from here. He has built up this amazing obstacle for the crew. He will have to walk a tight rope wire to resolve it and keep it believable. Can't wait for the next one.

[JP · Rating 4 out of 5]

After half a dozen books, the Aurora is finally back at full strength and on the way home. Their adventures in the Pentaurus Cluster were pretty cool, but it's about time to move on. All things considered, it was a crazy journey, with a black hole and a centuries old lost colony ship. A thousand light years in a book.

One thing that has been a little crazy this entire series but really comes to a head is that Nathan was charged with bringing the Aurora home. I don't begrudge many of the decisions he made to make new allies and gain new technology, but the number of times he delays and/or risks the irreplaceable Aurora and her crew is maddening.

And then after finally getting home... well, there's a reason this is only book 7 of 15. I just hope that it doesn't take them as long to refuel as it did to fix up the ship the first time...

[Peter Sidell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great saga that keeps getting better

I suspect the Frontiers Saga would still be called a cult book at this time, but that as its popularity spreads by word of mouth it will be recognized as a true classic and will be considered for a Hugo.
It’s length is a mixed blessing - it means there is more to read, but that reading it is more of a commitment.
While there are many characters in the story they are introduced slowly enough that the reader can keep them straight and get to know them.
The constant eruption of violence does begin to get a little old - to some extent this volume is a respite giving the characters time to regroup and the reader to see richer facets of their character.
For me it has been more fun than Harry Potter.

[Kandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of the characters in this book. James Holden is a very dynamic character, but I love his comradery with his crew and the fact that they're so cohesive from the very beginning.

However I also enjoy the TV show, which they change things up and there's a lot of tension in the crew and the very beginning and that seems to work to.

I think my favorite character is Amos he's very straightforward in the book and in the TV show.

Naomi Nagata she is a very strong female character and is portrayed as being extremely intelligent as well because she's the engineer of the crew.

I love how the story starts in our solar system and for the first few books in the series they start in our solar system and then they expand outward and it really encompasses the name The Expanse.

[John (JP) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun summer read full of space battles. Get this from your library. Have them buy the whole setoff 14 books. I came across this audio book by accident. I was look for The Expanse from SYFY Network. This story has it all , experimental warship, young ne'er-do-well officer thrust into the captains chair, an implacable enemy threatening Earth, and Spiral Arm, and a quest to get back to Earth before time runs out to save it. This Star Blazers the novel. If you read this or listen to it you won't get high minded ideas, or deep social commentary. You however have good time with the action and the characters.
,

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Aurora has been repaired and in many cases upgraded. Many of the crew from Corinari have chosen to stay on. Nathan now has to get the Aurora home so they can prepare a defense against the Jung. Of course nothing can go easy for the Aurora.

Despite Nathan getting the “poor me”s a couple of times this novel, this was en exceptionally good book. I really enjoyed finding a ship and a settlement. Josh and Loki’s observation run was honestly amazing.

Finally the ending, I cannot even get into it without spoiling the story but I was surprised but also not surprised at the same time. It was a really good ending and I am excited for the next book.

PG-13 - Swearing. Fighter plane battle.

[muhammedallia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked up this book randomly using my library audiobook app and thought it was Book 1 but it makes sense that it is a sub trilogy in a larger series as the characters referenced things that did not happen in the beginning of this novel. It has some exciting action but honestly one flight chase scene went on for more than 20 minutes and got a bit tedious. None of the characters are memorable enough to separate out from one another. Maybe I'll go back and find the first book in the series but I am not in a hurry.

[Arnold Rogers-Beckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The awesomeness continues!

I just finished painting, tiling and grouting the master bathroom. Weirdly, I had The Frontiers series in my mind almost the whole time. I was wondering what the crew would encounter on their way to Earth...well Ep7 did not disappoint! I finished the book still in my stinky paint stained clothes. I'm physically tired but my mind is racing. I'm fighting the urge to start Ep8. I need to get some sleep. Curse you Ryk Brown! Why did your storytelling have to be so good! :)

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the bulk of the book is enjoyable and further develops some of the characters, I can see how this book wouldn't be as enjoyable as the last being how the last installment was almost all action. That being said the last 2 chapters of this book had me on the edge of my seat and left me wanting to start the next book immediately. I'm glad I wasn't reading this when they first were published waiting for each new book.

[Beach Bum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Becoming dragged out

If you had to look up the definition of "Murphys law" this ship and crew would be used as the example. Nothing goes their way, ever
7 books and really that should be it, but we now find ourselves with another adversary and back to square one for the ship, with little in the way of supplies and no supply line
Having read all 7 one after the other. I'm going to stop and read something else. I may come back to it, but it's not a definite

[Jason Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

As this is my second time reading the first season of this series, I can safely say that this is the “furniture moving” episode of the season. We have said goodbye to the setting and most of the people that were in the first six books as the Aurora starts the journey home. They run into some issues along the way, but finally make it to Earth only to find that the Jung have already invaded and are waiting in ambush for them.

[Connie Garvie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completely Awesome!

For the previous book in this series, I wrote that it was my favorite of the series. I was very wrong. This book makes you feel proud of the people of Earth. I wanted too salute at the end, too! Thank you, Ryk Brown, for writing this book so I could enjoy it. Please continue!

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a continuation of the saga and much of the same fun that the previous books had. I felt it was a little bit slower than the previous books and a little boring at times. I expected a little bit of that based on where the characters were in this part of the story. I'm looking forward to the next one since this one set it up to be a lot more interesting.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knowing the title of the next book and having everything in the Pentaurus sector resolved in the last book, I expected this entry to be a fairly boring ride home. There is plenty going on and the mystery and action are really good. The only thing that brings it down is the whine and cheese at the end, but I'm anxious to find out what comes next. I'm hooked.

[Hakan Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think a lot of book series would skip this part being that it's mostly travel and technical stuff. However Ryk Brown has a way with details. Sure, at times it seems like he goes too deep into some of the details to the point where I just skim past. However, the character development is done so well that you find yourself invested in the details.

[Miranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know how I happened into this and I didn't realize it's like number 7 in a series and I almost gave up 30% in but then it got a little bit interesting. It kept me in and out of it in regular segments. I can only hear about spaceships and space travel so much before I get bored. I like sci Fi, kind of. This was too sci-fi for me at parts.

[Louise Pass · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than space opera but still plenty of explosions.

The series continues, bringing our heroes to the point of returning to earth, this breathing opportunity, allows the further development of the main characters, and new plot points. Read this series!

[David Syzdek · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little different, but a rollicking read

Another great "episode" by Ryk Brown. This one was a bit slower to take off and a near miss for the crew of the Aurora seemed slightly contrived, but overall this was a great book with well-developed characters and an engaging plot.

[Dale · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is nothing innately wrong with this book in the series it's just that it feels like the previous book was the final book in a series. This one is like the first episode of the second series of your favourite show. Nothing really happens because it's busy setting everything up for the adventure to come.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I wondered how interesting this book could really be, when all they are doing is jumping, recharging, and jumping again. Suffice it to say, there is a fiar bit of excitement in this book.

We learn some more background on the characters, and Nathan gets stretched even more exercising command.