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The Vital Abyss

An Expanse Novella

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The Vital Abyss

By: James S. A. Corey
Narrated by: Jefferson Mays
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About this listen

From New York Times best-selling author James S. A. Corey...

Somewhere in the vast expanse of space, a group of prisoners lives in permanent captivity.

The only company they have is each other and the Belters who guard them. The only stories they know are the triumphs and crimes that brought them there. The only future they see is an empty life in an enormous room.

And then the man from Mars comes along....

Set in the hardscrabble solar system of the Expanse, The Vital Abyss deepens James S. A. Corey's acclaimed series.

©2017 James S. A. Corey (P)2017 Little Brown Publishing Group Adventure Fantasy Fiction Science Fiction Space Opera Space Solar System

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All stars
Most relevant  
An alternative look at Protogen and the project that led to the release of the protomolecule on Eros station from one of the researchers involved.

Excellent addition to Expanse universe

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Basically a short story version of one of the characters in an expanse novel, explaining how they came to be who they are.

Interesting concept.

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it is interesting to see this side of the story, it is almost more focused, then the main story so a little less exciting but it's great to get more from the intriguing universe

great little side story!

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I'm a big fan of the expanse series, and this is an interesting thread which sits alongside the narrative of the first six books. It adds some intriguing details and follows events from an unusual perspective.

The real joy of this novella, though, is the superb prose and vivid characterisation of the main protagonist. This is without doubt some of the best and most sophisticated writing that science fiction has to offer.

If you're after a romp or an action fix, this isn't for you. If you're looking for an exploration of a difficult character which includes some uncomfortable empathising with a characters journey into amoral obsession then this is worth your time.

Astonishing

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Written by James SA Cory? Read by Jefferson Mays? They're basically just stealing my money at this point. It's good, not the most elaborate story in the expanse universe, and it's quite short, but I enjoyed it and it fills out some interesting back story

Short but sweet.

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OK. I bought this by accident, I thought it was part of the Expanse series. It's not in the series but it is of the series and it's actually pretty good!

Seriously, if you like the Expanse you do need this to fill in some interesting gaps.

Enjoy!

interesting novella

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This was an interesting sideline but completely removed from the characters of the expanse series.

I missed the crew

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Thirty seven men and women locked together in the one large room, no privacy at all, ever. The guards could look down on them from widows near the ceiling. Belter guards, Belter food and white Belter paper overalls to wear. In the fourth year, one man died. And then the Martian arrived...

Another well crafted novella from James S.A.Carey, set in the Expanse and with further information on the protomolecule. Jefferson Mays again narrates, another excellent performance, clear, well paced, with good modulation and just the right amount of emotional content in this low key story which adds to the reader's understanding of the Expanse without actually being necessary to it. Unless, of course, you are a fan. Or simply interested and enjoy the writing.

Good story, well written and performed.
Definitely recommended.

" The Queen bee. "

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Useful for filling in background details on what kind of people would use the proto-molecule on human beings, but not a pleasant story. It's very different from the rest of the Expanse stories and the sex scenes and other aspects were a bit of a shock as there is nothing as explicit in the main stories. It's quite interesting and well-performed, but, well, grim!

A grim little tale.

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I don't know which of the duo who make up SA Corey does the writing, but really, it's wonderful. The guy can write. Essentially this is the portrait of a scientist caught up in research on the newly discovered protomolecule. It is from his POV and every second of it is fantastic, his complicated childhood, the poverty, the ambition and the desperation are all communicated perfectly within a couple of hours.

If you took all the sci-fi and science out you would still have a very compelling piece of story-telling. Of course, this is a short prequel to what kicks off James Holden's adventures, but it is as good as any of the Expanse novels.

Plus...Jefferson Mays.

Highly recommended.

More Expanse gorgeousness

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