''Nemesis Games'' is a 2015 science fiction novel by

James S. A. Corey James S. A. Corey is the pen name used by collaborators Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, authors of the science fiction series ''The Expanse''. The first and last name are taken from Abraham's and Franck's middle names, respectively, and S. A. ar ...

, the pen name of Daniel Abraham and

Ty Franck Ty Franck (born May 18, 1969) is an American novelist, screenwriter, and television producer. He is best known for co-authoring ''The Expanse'' with Daniel Abraham under the pseudonym James S. A. Corey, as well as '' Game of Thrones: A Telltal ...

, and the fifth book in their '' The Expanse'' series. It is the sequel to '' Cibola Burn''. The cover art is by Daniel Dociu. ''Nemesis Games'' received positive reviews. Andrew Liptak of ''

io9 ''io9'' is part of Gizmodo media since 2015, and it began as blog launched in 2008 by Gawker Media. The site initially focused on the subjects of science fiction, fantasy, futurism, science, technology and related areas but over the years has ...

'' called the novel "Corey’s '

Empire Strikes Back ''The Empire Strikes Back'' (also known as ''Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back'') is a 1980 American epic space opera film directed by Irvin Kershner from a screenplay by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, based on a story ...

'".

Plot summary

The ''Rocinante'' is down for long-term maintenance after the events of '' Cibola Burn''. Three crew members decide to take care of some personal business during the down time. Amos Burton heads to

Earth Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to harbor life. While large volumes of water can be found throughout the Solar System, only Earth sustains liquid surface water. About 71% of Earth's surfa ...

when he learns someone important from his past there has died, to pay his respects and to make sure no foul play was involved. Alex Kamal heads to

Mars Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and the second-smallest planet in the Solar System, only being larger than Mercury. In the English language, Mars is named for the Roman god of war. Mars is a terrestrial planet with a thin at ...

in the hopes of getting closure with his ex-wife and to see Bobbie while there. Naomi Nagata heads to

Ceres Ceres most commonly refers to: * Ceres (dwarf planet), the largest asteroid * Ceres (mythology), the Roman goddess of agriculture Ceres may also refer to: Places Brazil * Ceres, Goiás, Brazil * Ceres Microregion, in north-central Goiás ...

station, when she receives a message that her son Filip is in trouble. While Jim Holden supervises repairs to the ''Rocinante'', he is enlisted by Monica Stuart to investigate disappearing colony ships. Facing collapse by the exodus of colony ships through the rings, militant factions of the OPA coalesce into a Free Navy and simultaneously wreak havoc on Earth by dropping asteroids onto the surface, and subsequently attempting to kill the Martian

Prime Minister A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister i ...

and Fred Johnson. Amos survives the attacks on Earth, frees Clarissa Mao and escapes to Luna with her help and the help of Baltimore organized crime acquaintances from his old life. Alex meets Bobbie on Mars and they investigate missing Martian military equipment and ships, which leads them into the middle of the assassination attempt on the Prime Minister. Naomi is kidnapped by her ex-lover Marco, leader of the Free Navy, but manages to escape; Alex and Bobbie rescue her. The crew reunites on the ''Rocinante''. What's left of the Earth, Mars and the non-militant OPA government meet on Luna. Naomi finally tells Jim about her violent past. Amos asks that Clarissa stay as his apprentice. The Free Navy has encamped past the belt and is preventing anyone from going through the rings. It is revealed that the Free Navy was sold most of its equipment by a rogue faction of the Martian Navy led by Admiral Winston Duarte and that the disappearing colony ships are being consumed by a force within the gates.

References

External links

*
The series' web site
{{The Expanse The Expanse 2015 American novels American science fiction novels Space opera novels Novels set on Mars Novels by James S. A. Corey Orbit Books books