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The Expanse #2.7
Drive
A Prequel to The Expanse series.
The Expanse, premiering in December 2015 on Syfy, is based on The New York Times best selling book series by James S.A. Corey. Set two hundred years in the future, where man has colonized the outer asteroid belt, The Expanse follows the case of a missing girl that brings together a hardened detective and a rogue ship captain in a race across the solar system to expose the greatest conspiracy in human history. "Drive" highlights a key moment in The Expanse universe whose ramifications set the foundation for the show.
The story is a prequel taking place approximately 150 years prior to the main series, concerning Solomon Epstein and his invention of the Epstein drive.
The Expanse, premiering in December 2015 on Syfy, is based on The New York Times best selling book series by James S.A. Corey. Set two hundred years in the future, where man has colonized the outer asteroid belt, The Expanse follows the case of a missing girl that brings together a hardened detective and a rogue ship captain in a race across the solar system to expose the greatest conspiracy in human history. "Drive" highlights a key moment in The Expanse universe whose ramifications set the foundation for the show.
The story is a prequel taking place approximately 150 years prior to the main series, concerning Solomon Epstein and his invention of the Epstein drive.
35 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 27, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,021 reviews
February 7, 2017
“Geez, Solomon. You’d have to be nuts to do a solo space flight testing that experimental engine you developed.”
“Hold my beer.”
This is a free short story set in the The Expanse series that tells us about how a Martian engineer named Solomon Epstein developed the drive system used by all the space ships. That sounds like it’d just be nerd bait for the kind of hardcore fans who look for schematics of fictional starships on the interwebs, but this actually has a couple of really solid hooks that make it something more than that.
One of the critical underlying elements of The Expanse series is the Epstein Drive. Not only is it the concept that makes constant travel around the solar system feasible, the way it functions is an integral part of the stories. The force of acceleration and what it does to the human occupants of the ships always has to be accounted for, and it’s been used to great dramatic effect repeatedly in the series.
What this story does is explain how that drive came to be, and it also acts as quick primer on how this was a key moment in The Expanse timeline that sets up all the conflicts between Earth, Mars, and the Belt that were already established in the first book.
So it’s a solid prequel set-up that sets up the structure of the series. It’s also connects emotionally by telling us about Solomon and what happened to him after he fired that engine up the first time.
And it’s free!
“Hold my beer.”
This is a free short story set in the The Expanse series that tells us about how a Martian engineer named Solomon Epstein developed the drive system used by all the space ships. That sounds like it’d just be nerd bait for the kind of hardcore fans who look for schematics of fictional starships on the interwebs, but this actually has a couple of really solid hooks that make it something more than that.
One of the critical underlying elements of The Expanse series is the Epstein Drive. Not only is it the concept that makes constant travel around the solar system feasible, the way it functions is an integral part of the stories. The force of acceleration and what it does to the human occupants of the ships always has to be accounted for, and it’s been used to great dramatic effect repeatedly in the series.
What this story does is explain how that drive came to be, and it also acts as quick primer on how this was a key moment in The Expanse timeline that sets up all the conflicts between Earth, Mars, and the Belt that were already established in the first book.
So it’s a solid prequel set-up that sets up the structure of the series. It’s also connects emotionally by telling us about Solomon and what happened to him after he fired that engine up the first time.
And it’s free!
May 15, 2020
Mini-review
3.5/5 stars
Drive is a great short story about Solomon Epstein and the invention of Epstein’s Drive.
Epstein’s Drive, despite its lack of discussion in the main series, is a very important foundation in The Expanse universe. I mean, it’s pretty much what allows the possibility of space travel in the series, and unlike Gods of Risk, which in my opinion was just awfully boring, Drive was more or less up to the standard of storytelling provided in The Butcher of Anderson Station short story. In such a short length, the authors were able to characterize Solomon Epstein and extend the lore of the series. Same as The Butcher of Anderson Station and Gods of Risk, this short story isn’t a necessity to read; you’re not missing something crucial by not reading them. However, they do exist if you want to deepen your knowledge on The Expanse universe. Plus, this short story is FREE to read here anyway: https://www.syfy.com/theexpanse/drive/
You can find the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Devin, Hamad, Joie, Mike, Miracle, Nicholas.
3.5/5 stars
Drive is a great short story about Solomon Epstein and the invention of Epstein’s Drive.
Epstein’s Drive, despite its lack of discussion in the main series, is a very important foundation in The Expanse universe. I mean, it’s pretty much what allows the possibility of space travel in the series, and unlike Gods of Risk, which in my opinion was just awfully boring, Drive was more or less up to the standard of storytelling provided in The Butcher of Anderson Station short story. In such a short length, the authors were able to characterize Solomon Epstein and extend the lore of the series. Same as The Butcher of Anderson Station and Gods of Risk, this short story isn’t a necessity to read; you’re not missing something crucial by not reading them. However, they do exist if you want to deepen your knowledge on The Expanse universe. Plus, this short story is FREE to read here anyway: https://www.syfy.com/theexpanse/drive/
You can find the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Devin, Hamad, Joie, Mike, Miracle, Nicholas.
November 18, 2017
Very nice short work. The man that started it all with the Epstein drive.
He met her ten years before. The research center at Dhanbad Nova was one of the largest on Mars. Three generations after the first colonists dug into the rock and soil of humanity’s second home, progress had pushed the envelope of human science, understanding, and culture so far that the underground city could support five bars, even if one of them was the alcohol-free honky-tonk where the Jainists and born-again Christians hung out. The other four sold alcohol and food that was exactly the same as the stuff they sold at the commissary, only with piped-in music and a wall monitor with an entertainment feed from Earth playing on it all hours of the day and night. Solomon and his cadre met up at this one two or three times a week when the work load at the center wasn’t too heavy.
December 14, 2022
I really liked this one!
Drive goes into the backstory of the creator, Solomon Epstein and how he developed the propulsion drive.
This short story is around 30 pages but it felt relevant to the series. It explains some of the technology of how ships are getting through space and in a quick manner.
It also gives the reader a brief view into Mars along with the environment and culture on the planet.
Drive goes into the backstory of the creator, Solomon Epstein and how he developed the propulsion drive.
This short story is around 30 pages but it felt relevant to the series. It explains some of the technology of how ships are getting through space and in a quick manner.
It also gives the reader a brief view into Mars along with the environment and culture on the planet.
July 22, 2025
This one tells the story of the creator of the Epstein Drive.
If you don't know, Solomon Epstein was the inventor of the drive that gave humans the ability to travel through space at the speeds needed to move beyond the inner planets. If you're a fan of the books, then you already know that, but I think you'll get a kick out of learning about the backstory of Mars & Earth before they were on even footing.
The story itself is extremely short and bittersweet. Again, if you've read the books, it has been mentioned that the inventor of the Epstein Drive is still out there, hurtling through space, simply because while he figured out how to make it go fast, he wasn't able to get it to slow down again.
And this is the story of how he ended up on an endless journey, and explains how his invention was still able to be used by humanity.
I'm not a fan of sad stories, but this wasn't that.
Recommended for fans of The Expanse.
If you don't know, Solomon Epstein was the inventor of the drive that gave humans the ability to travel through space at the speeds needed to move beyond the inner planets. If you're a fan of the books, then you already know that, but I think you'll get a kick out of learning about the backstory of Mars & Earth before they were on even footing.
The story itself is extremely short and bittersweet. Again, if you've read the books, it has been mentioned that the inventor of the Epstein Drive is still out there, hurtling through space, simply because while he figured out how to make it go fast, he wasn't able to get it to slow down again.
And this is the story of how he ended up on an endless journey, and explains how his invention was still able to be used by humanity.
I'm not a fan of sad stories, but this wasn't that.
Recommended for fans of The Expanse.
November 21, 2021
2021 reread:
Looking back at my review, I see that apparently I tried to read this series three times already. Wow, I didn't remember that at all. But it's clear that I really suck at sticking to a series.
This short story/novelette here is chronologically the first Expanse story, but was published between books two and three. Having (re)read the first two books as well this year, I can now tell you that it doesn't matter if you start with this story or with the novels. However, the authors recommend to read the series in order of publication. And that's what I'm doing this time. Until I'll once again lose interest, I suppose.
'Drive' shows us the origins of the Epstein Drive, but it's really the conversations and relationships that make this such an enjoyable story for me. I wonder why I only mentioned this as almost an afterthought in my previous review. Maybe I read it differently this time. Still easily four stars for me, though. I actually enjoyed this more than my reread of the second novel.
2018 review:
A relatively short prequel to James S.A. Corey’s The Expanse series.
This was a reread. Because I will start with the main series pretty soon. For real, this time.
The MC is a Martian colonist, who considers himself a Martian, actually. It’s unclear how much time exactly has passed since humans colonized Mars. But Solomon was born on Mars and calls it his home. He's part of the third generation of humans born on Mars, I think. So, comparatively speaking, the colony is still in its early stages and we actually see it change a little throughout this story. The narrative covers the span of 6 years.
Solomon is an engineer and he’s working on a new drive which, if successful, will highly increase the efficiency of space travel.
But he’s fed up with permissions committees and liability reports. So he decides to do some test flights on his own. Which, of course, is not only very exciting but also very dangerous.
During one of those flights something unexpected happens and this is where our story plays out.
The chapters are alternating between aboard Solomon’s ship and flashbacks to the time when he met his wife and to certain moments of their time together.
The flashbacks are sweet and I thought the dialogue to be very convincing. We also learn a little bit about the conflict that’s developing between Earth and Mars and I’m excited to find out what this all means for the first book.
This was definitely a good start.
You can read it for yourself here. (Sorry, link not working anymore.)
Looking back at my review, I see that apparently I tried to read this series three times already. Wow, I didn't remember that at all. But it's clear that I really suck at sticking to a series.
This short story/novelette here is chronologically the first Expanse story, but was published between books two and three. Having (re)read the first two books as well this year, I can now tell you that it doesn't matter if you start with this story or with the novels. However, the authors recommend to read the series in order of publication. And that's what I'm doing this time. Until I'll once again lose interest, I suppose.
'Drive' shows us the origins of the Epstein Drive, but it's really the conversations and relationships that make this such an enjoyable story for me. I wonder why I only mentioned this as almost an afterthought in my previous review. Maybe I read it differently this time. Still easily four stars for me, though. I actually enjoyed this more than my reread of the second novel.
2018 review:
A relatively short prequel to James S.A. Corey’s The Expanse series.
This was a reread. Because I will start with the main series pretty soon. For real, this time.
The MC is a Martian colonist, who considers himself a Martian, actually. It’s unclear how much time exactly has passed since humans colonized Mars. But Solomon was born on Mars and calls it his home. He's part of the third generation of humans born on Mars, I think. So, comparatively speaking, the colony is still in its early stages and we actually see it change a little throughout this story. The narrative covers the span of 6 years.
Solomon is an engineer and he’s working on a new drive which, if successful, will highly increase the efficiency of space travel.
But he’s fed up with permissions committees and liability reports. So he decides to do some test flights on his own. Which, of course, is not only very exciting but also very dangerous.
During one of those flights something unexpected happens and this is where our story plays out.
The chapters are alternating between aboard Solomon’s ship and flashbacks to the time when he met his wife and to certain moments of their time together.
The flashbacks are sweet and I thought the dialogue to be very convincing. We also learn a little bit about the conflict that’s developing between Earth and Mars and I’m excited to find out what this all means for the first book.
This was definitely a good start.
June 27, 2018
Yes!
This IS *almost* the exact same story that was aired on the second season of Expanse about the discovery of the ever-burning propulsion drive. :)
Without it, too much handwavium occurs.
Thank you, guys. :) Poignant and sweet and scary in 30 pages. :)
This IS *almost* the exact same story that was aired on the second season of Expanse about the discovery of the ever-burning propulsion drive. :)
Without it, too much handwavium occurs.
Thank you, guys. :) Poignant and sweet and scary in 30 pages. :)
June 29, 2018
This is a companion short story for the book series and was actually part of an episode in the TV show as well. Therefore, I already knew what would happen but the writing style is nevertheless superb and I found myself on the edge of my seat, completely forgetting that I already knew how this would end. *lol*
The story is about how a certain drive technology, the ever-burning propulsion drive used in the space ships we know from the books, was discovered. Without the discovery of this kind of drive, the colonisation of the Solar System wouldn't have been possible so this is a key moment in humanity's history within S.A. Corey's universe.
It was fun to see an older version of our future compared to the hundreds of years from now from the first novel and to get a feel for the "low tech". *lol* (I always find that funny in scifi.)
As I was unsure just when to read this, here is my advice: read this first. It doesn't really give anything away for the novel (other than that they have this technology) and if, like me, you know the TV show, you already know what's gonna happen anyway. However, this is a quick way to get a feel for this world and the authors' writing style. ;)
The story is about how a certain drive technology, the ever-burning propulsion drive used in the space ships we know from the books, was discovered. Without the discovery of this kind of drive, the colonisation of the Solar System wouldn't have been possible so this is a key moment in humanity's history within S.A. Corey's universe.
It was fun to see an older version of our future compared to the hundreds of years from now from the first novel and to get a feel for the "low tech". *lol* (I always find that funny in scifi.)
As I was unsure just when to read this, here is my advice: read this first. It doesn't really give anything away for the novel (other than that they have this technology) and if, like me, you know the TV show, you already know what's gonna happen anyway. However, this is a quick way to get a feel for this world and the authors' writing style. ;)
December 31, 2022
The best of the novellas within Expanse universe (imo). Recommend.
January 26, 2016
Nice little story about the creator of the Epstain Drive. Lots of feelings and a bit lyrical writing. For the fans a nice addition, for the rest not so much.
March 1, 2017
I actually read this last year but never added it to Goodreads. Seeing as today's episode of The Expanse is going to adapt this short story made it feel like a good moment to do so.
I was initially considering to give this a 5 star rating because even if short, and telling a story that is already (part of it) present in the main series, that ending made me cheer for a future I know I'll probably never see.
I was initially considering to give this a 5 star rating because even if short, and telling a story that is already (part of it) present in the main series, that ending made me cheer for a future I know I'll probably never see.
August 9, 2016
This is a free short story, marketed as a "prequel" to the Expanse. It is available here: http://www.syfy.com/theexpanse/drive/
As a prequel, I don't really find this very useful. It gives a bit of background on the Earth and Mars division and the creation Epstein drive. If this is meant for people unfamiliar with the series, this won't really give them much of a background.
However for fans of the series already, this offers some nice little tidbits of world building.
Overall this is well written like the rest, and is a super fast read. With it being available for free, if you're a fan of the series, no reason not to give it a quick read.
As a prequel, I don't really find this very useful. It gives a bit of background on the Earth and Mars division and the creation Epstein drive. If this is meant for people unfamiliar with the series, this won't really give them much of a background.
However for fans of the series already, this offers some nice little tidbits of world building.
Overall this is well written like the rest, and is a super fast read. With it being available for free, if you're a fan of the series, no reason not to give it a quick read.
December 22, 2022
3.5 stars.
This was fun to read (better than the first two novelettes). We already know about the creation of Epstein drive in book one and here we get a short story from Epstein’s pov. I didn’t care for Epstein/Caitlin stuff.
This was fun to read (better than the first two novelettes). We already know about the creation of Epstein drive in book one and here we get a short story from Epstein’s pov. I didn’t care for Epstein/Caitlin stuff.
December 15, 2022
This one was very enjoyable, and fits in well.
July 27, 2015
A very short story from the Expanse series (located here) detailing Solomon Epstein's invention of the Epstein drive, which by the time of the first novel of the series, Leviathan Wakes, has allowed full colonization of the solar system.
Solomon's story is recapped in brief in LW , but reading more details of his experience is tragic, a shot of pathos and dark humor that's oddly uplifting by the end.
Solomon's story is recapped in brief in LW , but reading more details of his experience is tragic, a shot of pathos and dark humor that's oddly uplifting by the end.
February 20, 2021
Here we get a little backstory on Solomon Epstein's invention of the drive that ultimately makes interplanetary travel realistic.
January 13, 2023
"“And you zoomed ahead without thinking about all of what it would mean. Because you’re Solomon Epstein, and you are the smartest, most rigorous and methodical man who ever made every single important choice in his life by impulse.” If there hadn’t been warmth and laughter in her voice, it would have sounded like a condemnation."
Corey is the guy responsible for the space saga called The Expanse which has been nicely turned into a video series. It is clear that Corey wants to tuckpoint his creation with short pieces that fill in the gaps in the overall narrative.
This is a nice, short, piece about the inventor of The Epstein Drive, the game-changer in the relationship between Earth and Mars.
3.5*
Corey is the guy responsible for the space saga called The Expanse which has been nicely turned into a video series. It is clear that Corey wants to tuckpoint his creation with short pieces that fill in the gaps in the overall narrative.
This is a nice, short, piece about the inventor of The Epstein Drive, the game-changer in the relationship between Earth and Mars.
3.5*
August 24, 2025
While I appreciate the bittersweetness of Solomon’s plight in this interesting flashback story, I bounced off the bantery romance material in this story pretty heavily. It reminded me of the frustrations I’ve encountered with moments in the other Expanse volumes I’ve read: there’s a glibness in some of the dialogue that grates. But I still love the thoroughly imagined and believable future that these two writers have envisioned, and I will continue reading on.
August 1, 2020
"He could go to the Jovian system and be the first person to walk on Europa and Ganymede. He isn’t going to, though. That’s going to be someone else. But when they get there, they will be carried by his drive."
Much better than the previous novella. This is the story of the Epstein drive, the end of Solomon and the beginning of Solar System colonization beyond Mars.
Much better than the previous novella. This is the story of the Epstein drive, the end of Solomon and the beginning of Solar System colonization beyond Mars.
November 23, 2015
"He’s sorry that he won’t be able to see Caitlin one more time. To tell her goodbye and that he loves her. He’s sorry he won’t get to see the consequences of his [space ship] drive. Even through the screaming pain, a calmness and euphoria start to wash over him. It’s always been like this, he thinks. From when Moses saw the promised land that he could never enter, people have been on their deathbeds just wanting to see what happens next. He wonders if that’s what makes the promised land holy: that you can see it but you can’t quite reach it. The grass is always greener on the other side of personal extinction."
I don't normally connect with short stories very much, but this was surprisingly wonderful.
I don't normally connect with short stories very much, but this was surprisingly wonderful.
February 24, 2021
***3.0***
We do have a mention about Solomon Epstein and Epstein Drive. We also know that it helped humanity to travel outside earth and colonize on other planets.
This novella gives a background on how it happened, who was Solomon etc. A very needed short novella which acts like a prequel to Expanse series.
Happy Reading!!!
We do have a mention about Solomon Epstein and Epstein Drive. We also know that it helped humanity to travel outside earth and colonize on other planets.
This novella gives a background on how it happened, who was Solomon etc. A very needed short novella which acts like a prequel to Expanse series.
Happy Reading!!!
January 31, 2016
jedna od solidnijih pričica Expanse serijala o otkriću svemirskog pogona, idealna za časopise tipa "Sirius"
već viđeno no nije loše
već viđeno no nije loše
June 18, 2018
Good short story about the invention of the Epstein drive.
March 25, 2023
An interesting background story for The Expanse completist. This is the one that they injected into the tv series as a collection of flashbacks regarding the origins of the Epstein drive. Being a short story I rated it lower than my usual Expanse reads... given that it didn't include any of the characters I have come to love having read all of the nine full novels. One of the things I love about the series is the snarky dialogue... which was missing here. The Earth/Mars tension was interesting though and the significance of Epstein's drive set the stage for everything yet to come.
I'm glad I read it though. I love their writing style - and already miss it... I will definitely read more of the novellas. 😀
I'm glad I read it though. I love their writing style - and already miss it... I will definitely read more of the novellas. 😀
![Profile Image for julia ☆ [owls reads].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1636739475i%2F5520447._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
May 2, 2021
Pretty sweet and pretty sad to read about how it all Began.
December 20, 2017
5 Stars
What an amazing novella that really kicks off this amazing series. I loved it.
What an amazing novella that really kicks off this amazing series. I loved it.
March 2, 2025
One of the things I like about The Expanse as a universe is the way it treats space travel mechanics and the limitations of human bodies in a realistic way.
In this short story, we meet Sol Epstein, the founder of the Epstein drive, which powers much of the space travel mechanics in the main body of the series. And, like many technically gifted people, he doesn't quite appreciate how personal the fallout for his invention will be.
There's some Biblical undertones to his story that the authors comment on in the note accompanying the short story, which I found interesting. Sometimes, you don't get to see the impact of the things you create. It's a dynamic authors contemplate (i.e., Jane Austen and the billion-dollar empire she never enjoyed) and I find the recurrence of this idea in James S.A. Corey's adds another dose of realism and gravitas to a well-thought out world.
In this short story, we meet Sol Epstein, the founder of the Epstein drive, which powers much of the space travel mechanics in the main body of the series. And, like many technically gifted people, he doesn't quite appreciate how personal the fallout for his invention will be.
There's some Biblical undertones to his story that the authors comment on in the note accompanying the short story, which I found interesting. Sometimes, you don't get to see the impact of the things you create. It's a dynamic authors contemplate (i.e., Jane Austen and the billion-dollar empire she never enjoyed) and I find the recurrence of this idea in James S.A. Corey's adds another dose of realism and gravitas to a well-thought out world.
December 12, 2020
Good prequel to the series, with none of the weird early protomolecule stuff that almost had me give up on it. Slice-of-life story on colonial Mars, with fraying ties to Earth. Drive engineer Solomon Epstein comes up with a good new one, way better than he was expecting. Good enough to open the System to humans. Too bad Solomon won't be there to see it....
Good old-fashioned SF. Here's where to find a copy:https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_ai...
The old link at the Syfy site doesn't work now.
Good old-fashioned SF. Here's where to find a copy:https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_ai...
The old link at the Syfy site doesn't work now.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,021 reviews