Nightmares and Dreamscapes discussion

This is the Buddy Read for Persepolis Rising by James S.A. Corey, Book 7 in the Expanse Series.

Goodreads Choice AwardNominee for Best Science Fiction (2018)
In the thousand-sun network of humanity's expansion, new colony worlds are struggling to find their way. Every new planet lives on a knife edge between collapse and wonder, and the crew of the aging gunship Rocinante have their hands more than full keeping the fragile peace.

In the vast space between Earth and Jupiter, the inner planets and belt have formed a tentative and uncertain alliance still haunted by a history of wars and prejudices. On the lost colony world of Laconia, a hidden enemy has a new vision for all of humanity and the power to enforce it.

New technologies clash with old as the history of human conflict returns to its ancient patterns of war and subjugation. But human nature is not the only enemy, and the forces being unleashed have their own price. A price that will change the shape of humanity -- and of the Rocinante -- unexpectedly and forever...

Enjoy! As always, use spoiler tags when necessary!

I’ll be joining. With this book, I’ll finally be in uncharted territory. Woohoo!

I'll catch up ... I'll catch up ... I promise .... 😎😎😎

Looking forward to this book.

After Strange Dogs, I’m very curious to see where this book takes us now.

Graeme wrote: "I'll catch up ... I'll catch up ... I promise .... 😎😎😎

Looking forward to this book."

Glad you’re still with us Graeme. I definitely appreciate what you said on the other thread about making the time work.

Ginger wrote: "I’ll be joining. With this book, I’ll finally be in uncharted territory. Woohoo!"

Woohoo!

Terry wrote: "After Strange Dogs, I’m very curious to see where this book takes us now."

Me too. It’s a great short story to get us curious about what’s going to happen with the protomolecule!

I will be starting this mid-late month.

I’ve gotten started on it and am up to ch8. So, what does everyone think about (view spoiler)[ the time jump? I wasn’t expecting such a big one. And now, this talk about Holden and Naomi retiring? I wasn’t ready for that considering we have three books to go counting this one. (hide spoiler)]

I’m up to ch15. At this point, it feels like (view spoiler)[ this is the biggest threat yet. A crazy human with the proto-molecule modified weapons would seem to be unstoppable. And I had to laugh at the idea of Avasarala as a crazy, grumpy old lady! 😂 (hide spoiler)]

I got to chapter 6 last night so I should be able to catch up in a few days and read your spoilers.
I’m not sure where this one is going and I love that! 😉🤣

Terry wrote: "After Strange Dogs, I’m very curious to see where this book takes us now."

I loved Strange Dogs! It felt like a horror novel.

Just started this one today. Only in chapter 2 and moving at my usual snail’s pace, but I am going to try and keep up at least a little better this month!

Terry wrote: "I’ve gotten started on it and am up to ch8. So, what does everyone think about [spoilers removed]"

Right now, I’m not a fan of (view spoiler)[of their possible retirement. I can understand that they’re tired and over it but it will feel super weird not having Holden & Naomi on the Roci!

And I was not prepared for such a huge time jump too. It will be interesting to see where they take this. I feel like it’s a whole new plot theme from the last books, especially with having alien protomolecule technology mixed in with the original space ships. Woah! (hide spoiler)]

Kristen wrote: "I loved Strange Dogs! It felt like a horror novel...."

Me too! I thought the same on that one. It had a great (view spoiler)[Pet Sematary feel to it. Fantastic stuff! (hide spoiler)]

Ginger wrote: "Terry wrote: "I’ve gotten started on it and am up to ch8. So, what does everyone think about [spoilers removed]"

Right now, I’m not a fan of ..."

Yup, that’s how I felt too.

I am about 50% into this now and I agree with you guys and your spoiler comments. It was a strange way to start this book off, but the story is developing nicely, as expected, so I don't mind it so much now. :)

Denis (deez_bookish_adventures) wrote: "I am about 50% into this now and I agree with you guys and your spoiler comments. It was a strange way to start this book off, but the story is developing nicely, as expected, so I don't mind it so..."

Great to hear Denis! I’m glad the book is picking up and the story is developing. I thought this started a bit slow.

Ginger wrote: "Great to hear Denis! I’m glad the book is picking up and the story is developing. I thought this started a bit slow."

Same here, I felt (view spoiler)[.. a bit robbed of 20 years worth of story, but what can you do?.. (hide spoiler)]

Denis (deez_bookish_adventures) wrote: "Ginger wrote: "Great to hear Denis! I’m glad the book is picking up and the story is developing. I thought this started a bit slow."

Same here, I felt [spoilers removed]"

Yes! That’s exactly how I felt when I started this. 😂🤣

After ch27, all I can think to ask is (view spoiler)[ how in the world does Holden get them out of this?? The Laconians seem utterly unstoppable this time. (hide spoiler)]

Terry wrote: "I’m up to ch15. At this point, it feels like [spoilers removed]"

I’m moving along slowly but surely - up to chapter 21 now. I agree about the (view spoiler)[ time jump. I was not expecting that. I thought something would develop with Naomi and Filip and I haven’t seen him mentioned. Fast forwarding 30 years is still feeling weird to me. I feel like we’ve missed so much of the relationships on the Roci with the newer additions like Bobbie and Clarissa. I’m getting used to it though and I’m super into this story. I agree, this one seems like the biggest threat they’ve faced and I’m dying to see how they get out of this.

And Terry I totally agree with Avasarala. I was laughing out loud when she first speaks in the book because I knew it was her before they said her name and I was so happy she is still involved! (hide spoiler)]

Terry wrote: "After ch27, all I can think to ask is [spoilers removed]"

I got some reading on the plane yesterday and I totally agree.

I have no idea how (view spoiler)[they are going to stop them. Even Drummer trying to figure out how to protect Belters/Mars/Earth coalition. I just don't know how they are going to fight these massive ships with this type of protomolecule technology. They are literally f'ed right now. (hide spoiler)]

Kristen wrote: "I’m moving along slowly but surely - up to chapter 21 now. I agree about the..."

It was the same for me too Kristen. It took me a bit of time to settle in this one for all of the thoughts you mentioned in your spoiler.
Now that I'm halfway through, I feel like this book is finally making some progress and I'm not bummed about (view spoiler)[20-30 years in the future and they're all old! LOL

I was a bit shocked with how Avasarala was when she first pops up in this. She's in a wheelchair?!! Where's my badass lady? Oh she's still there, just with white hair. :D hahaha (hide spoiler)]

Ginger wrote: "Kristen wrote: "I’m moving along slowly but surely - up to chapter 21 now. I agree about the..."

It was the same for me too Kristen. It took me a bit of time to settle in this one for all of the t..."

Me too. Felt cheated at first but I’m settled into the story now. I can understand why they had to do that if this was going to be the storyline now. They needed the time. I am very curious how this resolves and I hope (view spoiler)[ that we get more proto-molecule storyline, or maybe some other alien tech as I find that part of the story so fascinating. (hide spoiler)] (And this spoiler is just up to ch21. )

I’ve made it up to ch39. In ch38 (view spoiler)[ I was hoping we would get to learn more about the aliens that stopped the protomolecule makers. Hoping for more! (hide spoiler)]

At the end of ch48. (view spoiler)[ I have to say I wasn’t very surprised by the way that all went down with Clarissa, but it was a great scene. I was definitely reading it with tears in my eyes by the end. (hide spoiler)]

I’m enjoying this one a lot, just like the other books!

Terry wrote: "I’ve made it up to ch39. In ch38 [spoilers removed]"

Me too!! I find it fascinating that Laconia in a way(view spoiler)[ woke up a sleeping giant with using this technology. Like what in the heck is on the Tempest? A giant black hole?! lol

I mean, it serves them right and I ain’t mad about it if the protomolecule takes them all out. 🤷🏼‍♀️😂 (hide spoiler)]

Just finished up Chapter 39. Woah! Having (view spoiler)[Amos and Babs go at it was brutal. They should never fight again but I get why this chapter was needed. Amos is like a live wire of walking death and like he said, “He wanted something for the first time. For Clarissa to die the way she should, with family.” (hide spoiler)]

This chapter was intense and I loved it.

Ginger wrote: "Just finished up Chapter 39. Woah! Having [spoilers removed]

This chapter was intense and I loved it."

I loved the way that all went down. Such good storytelling.

I ended up finishing this one this morning! So good!

Terry wrote: "I ended up finishing this one this morning! So good!"

Nice!! I’m excited to see how this one ends and hope to finish up in the next few days.

Terry wrote: "At the end of ch48. [spoilers removed]

I’m enjoying this one a lot, just like the other books!"

I also wasn’t surprised by that but I (view spoiler)[loved that she went out like that, dying as a fighter! It was a fantastic and sad chapter. (hide spoiler)]

I ended up finishing tonight. What a crazy ending and I have no idea (view spoiler)[how they are going to defeat Laconia unless they can make the black hole “thingy” that killed the protomolecule before, come after the Laconians. (hide spoiler)]

Ginger wrote: "Terry wrote: "At the end of ch48. [spoilers removed]

I’m enjoying this one a lot, just like the other books!"

I also wasn’t surprised by that but I [spoilers removed]

It was a great way for that to go down.


I ended up finishing tonigh..."

I agree! (view spoiler)[ My guess is that it’s set up to have the other aliens come down on all of us in the Sol system and we’ll have to work together with the Laconians to survive. (view spoiler)[ Very excited to find out! (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Terry wrote: "I agree!…"

That’s a great idea of how this is all going to go down! I can see it.

I’m definitely down for Tiamat's Wrath in June. I’ll fit it in next month. I’m excited to see how this all gets resolved, especially with (view spoiler)[finding a way to rescue Holden! (hide spoiler)]

Definitely me too for June. This one book a month has kept me focused and I’m loving that we’re so close to making it through (although I’ll definitely be sad when we’re all done, lol). I ended up breaking down and buying the paperback with all of the short stories in it so I’ll have all 10 books on my shelves.

Hey y'all! Buddy read for June is set up and ready to go! Happy Memorial Day!

Sally wrote: "Hey y'all! Buddy read for June is set up and ready to go! Happy Memorial Day!"

Thanks Sally!!

Ginger wrote: "Sally wrote: "Hey y'all! Buddy read for June is set up and ready to go! Happy Memorial Day!"

Thanks Sally!!"

Yes, thanks Sally!

Terry wrote: "At the end of ch48. [spoilers removed]

I’m enjoying this one a lot, just like the other books!"

I just got up to chapter 49, hoping to finish tomorrow.

The scene with (view spoiler)[ Clarissa’s death was rough. I teared up as well. Her entire character arc was so interesting. That was a sad one! (hide spoiler)]

Kristen wrote: "Terry wrote: "At the end of ch48. [spoilers removed]

I’m enjoying this one a lot, just like the other books!"

I just got up to chapter 49, hoping to finish tomorrow.

The scene with [spoilers re..."

Nice! And yes on that scene, (view spoiler)[ I think I was the most surprised about her character. It was so sad, but I loved her redemption and her friendship with Amos. It felt right. (hide spoiler)]

Kristen wrote: "I just got up to chapter 49, hoping to finish tomorrow.

The scene with [spoilers re..."

Yeah, I felt the same. I felt like (view spoiler)[her ARC was one of the most interesting of all the characters in this book.
In fact, it’s why Amos and her clicked so well. They were once unredeemable at one point in their life and then became a force of reckoning for the good team! (hide spoiler)]