





The Expanse
10 books
The Expanse series by James S. A. Corey and James S.A. Corey has 9 books. Start with Leviathan Wakes (2011), then read the rest in the order below. Related works without a series number, like companions and adaptations, are listed after them.
Track it as a challenge
The Expanse reading order

Leviathan Wakes
James S. A. Corey
In a solar system colonized but not yet conquered, humanity teeters on the brink of interstellar war. A hardened detective and a disillusioned ice hauler find their paths colliding when they uncover a derelict ship holding a secret that could shatter the fragile peace. As they navigate a treacherous landscape of political intrigue, corporate greed, and revolutionary fervor, they must race against time to unravel a conspiracy that threatens to engulf the system in flames. This gripping space opera masterfully blends hard science fiction with compelling character drama, exploring themes of survival, identity, and the cost of truth.

Caliban's War
James S. A. Corey
The fragile peace between Earth and Mars has shattered, leaving the solar system teetering on the brink of renewed conflict. When a mysterious super-soldier begins a brutal campaign of violence across Jupiter's moons, indiscriminately targeting soldiers from both factions, the stage is set for a devastating war. As the crew of the Rocinante races to uncover the truth behind this escalating threat, they must confront the possibility that the danger is not only alien, but also deeply rooted within humanity itself. This thrilling installment delves into the complex political landscape and escalating tensions that threaten to engulf the solar system.

Abaddon's Gate
James S.A. Corey
Humanity's reach has extended beyond the solar system, but the discovery of an alien artifact building a colossal gate outside Uranus's orbit presents an unprecedented challenge. As a massive flotilla gathers to investigate this mysterious structure, the crew of the Rocinante finds themselves entangled in a dangerous conspiracy. Amidst the uncertainty of whether this gate represents an opportunity or a grave threat, the greatest peril may lie not in the unknown beyond, but within the hearts of humanity itself.

Cibola Burn
James S.A. Corey
The Expanse saga continues as humanity's reach expands across the stars, leading to a chaotic rush for new worlds. On one such planet, a desperate struggle for survival ignites between ambitious settlers and a powerful corporation, threatening to erupt into all-out war. As tensions mount, a mysterious and deadly plague emerges, forcing the crew of the Rocinante to confront not only the immediate dangers but also the ancient, enigmatic forces that shaped the galaxy.

Nemesis Games
James S. A. Corey
The Expanse series continues with a thrilling installment that plunges humanity into a new era of expansion and chaos. As colonization efforts accelerate across a thousand worlds, the established powers of the solar system face unprecedented challenges. When ships vanish and a vital protomolecule sample is stolen, the fragile peace shatters, leading to devastating attacks and the rise of clandestine forces. Amidst this turmoil, the crew of the Rocinante finds themselves in a desperate fight for survival, confronting the ghosts of the past as a new, violent order emerges.

Babylon's Ashes
James S. A. Corey
The sixth installment in James S. A. Corey's acclaimed Expanse series plunges humanity into chaos as the Free Navy—a ruthless faction of Belter pirates commanding black-market military vessels—cripples Earth and threatens the vulnerable colony ships bound for distant worlds beyond the alien ring gates. With traditional power structures crumbling and no single navy capable of mounting an effective defense, James Holden and the crew of the Rocinante find themselves thrust into a desperate mission to reach Medina Station, the critical hub of the gate network, even as fragile new alliances prove as unstable as the old. As piracy, mutiny, and betrayal escalate across the solar system, an enigmatic alien mystery deepens in the shadows, suggesting that the true stakes of this conflict may extend far beyond political power and human survival. Outnumbered and outgunned, Holden and his damaged crew must navigate treacherous political waters and uncover the secrets lurking in the uncanny spaces beyond the ring gates. The choices of a few desperate individuals may ultimately determine the fate of humanity itself.

Persepolis Rising
James S. A. Corey
Decades after the opening of the alien ring gates, humanity has spread to over a thousand systems, but the fragile peace is threatened by a new power. On the lost colony world of Laconia, a hidden enemy has emerged with a terrifying vision for humanity's future and the means to impose it. As old technologies and new ideologies collide, the crew of the Rocinante finds themselves at the heart of a conflict that could determine the fate of all human civilization. This gripping installment in The Expanse series delves into themes of power, resistance, and the enduring struggle for freedom against overwhelming odds.

Tiamat's Wrath
James S. A. Corey
In the wake of the opening of thirteen hundred gates to new solar systems, humanity has begun to forge an interstellar empire, but this expansion has not come without its costs. As the crew of the Rocinante grapples with the profound changes wrought by alien technology and the passage of time, a new and terrifying threat emerges from the depths of space. This entity, responsible for the destruction of protomolecule life, now casts its shadow over the burgeoning human civilization. *Tiamat's Wrath* plunges readers into a galaxy on the brink, where the crew must confront not only external dangers but also the internal toll of their long and arduous journey, leading to a reunion that is both poignant and uncertain.

Leviathan Falls
James S. A. Corey
In the epic conclusion to a sprawling space opera, humanity stands on the brink of extinction as ancient, incomprehensible powers threaten to obliterate all life. A desperate mission uncovers a final, perilous chance for survival, forcing unlikely allies to confront the ultimate stakes. This thrilling finale masterfully weaves together action and character, bringing closure to long-standing mysteries and delivering a resonant exploration of humanity's place in a vast, dangerous universe.

Memory's Legion
James S. A. Corey
This collection brings together the essential short fiction of The Expanse, expanding the series’ hard-edged vision of humanity’s future across Earth, Mars, the Belt, and worlds beyond the ring gates. Its stories follow scientists, criminals, prisoners, colonists, and ordinary people confronting technological upheaval, political conflict, alien mysteries, and the brutal cost of survival in a divided solar system. Spanning the origins of revolutionary discoveries to the far-reaching consequences of humanity’s expansion, the volume deepens the history and character of the acclaimed space-opera universe. Author’s notes accompany each story, offering insight into the ideas and inspirations behind James S. A. Corey’s vivid, fast-paced storytelling.