📖 Overview
Persepolis Rising marks the seventh installment in The Expanse series by James S. A. Corey. The novel takes place thirty years after the previous book, introducing new tensions as humanity has spread across hundreds of worlds through mysterious alien gates.
The story centers on the emergence of the Laconian Empire, a powerful faction that disappeared through one of the gates decades ago. The crew of the Rocinante, now in their later years, find themselves caught in a rapidly shifting political landscape as this long-absent force returns with advanced technology and expansionist aims.
The book tracks multiple perspectives as the established order of the human-settled systems faces a challenge from a militaristic society that has harnessed alien technology. The narrative explores the responses of various factions - from established governments to independent operators - as they confront this new threat.
This chapter of The Expanse series examines themes of power, aging, and the cyclical nature of human empire-building, set against the backdrop of humanity's expansion into the stars.
👀 Reviews
Readers note this book marks a major shift in the series with its 30-year time jump and darker tone. Most highlight how it maintains the quality of previous books while introducing fresh conflicts and characters.
Likes:
- Complex portrayal of aging characters facing new challenges
- Tight pacing and action sequences
- Exploration of power dynamics and empire-building
- Character development, especially Drummer and Singh
Dislikes:
- Time jump feels jarring to some readers
- Missing favorite characters from earlier books
- Some find the antagonists less nuanced than previous villains
- Pacing slows in middle sections
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.3/5 (52,000+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.7/5 (5,800+ ratings)
"The 30-year jump works better than expected, breathing new life into the series," notes one top Amazon review. A common Goodreads critique mentions "struggling to reconnect with characters after such a long gap."
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Red Rising by Pierce Brown A revolution unfolds across the solar system as lower-class citizens rise against a hierarchical society that rules from Mars.
A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine A diplomatic ambassador navigates political intrigue in a vast interstellar empire while uncovering threats to both her home station and the empire itself.
Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks An agent works against a post-scarcity civilization in an interstellar war that spans multiple worlds and species.
Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky The last remnants of humanity seek a new home while confronting an evolved spider civilization on a terraformed planet.
🤔 Interesting facts
🚀 "James S. A. Corey" is actually the pen name of two authors: Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, who collaborate to write The Expanse series.
📺 The book series inspired the critically acclaimed television show "The Expanse," which ran for six seasons across Syfy and Amazon Prime.
⏳ Persepolis Rising features a significant time jump of approximately 30 years from the previous book, marking one of the largest temporal shifts in the series.
🏛️ The book's title "Persepolis" references the ancient capital of the Persian Empire, drawing parallels between historical empires and the story's themes of rising powers.
🔬 The scientific concepts in the book, like the physics of space travel and the effects of acceleration on the human body, were carefully researched to maintain scientific accuracy within the realm of "hard" science fiction.