From the Hugo Award–winning and New York Times bestselling author of the Expanse, James S. A. Corey, comes the start of a monumental new space opera series.
HOW HUMANITY CAME TO THE PLANET CALLED ANJIIN IS LOST IN THE FOG OF HISTORY, BUT THAT HISTORY IS ABOUT TO END.
The Carryx—part empire, part hive—has waged wars of conquest for centuries, destroying or enslaving species across the galaxy in its conflict with an ancient and deathless enemy.
When they descend on the isolated world of Anjiin, the human population is abased, slaughtered, and put in chains. The best and brightest are abducted, taken to the Carryx world-palace to join prisoners from a thousand other species.
Dafyd Alkhor, assistant to a prestigious scientist, is captured along with his team.
Even he doesn’t suspect that his peculiar insight and skills will be the key to seeing past their captors’ terrifying agenda.
Swept up in a conflict beyond his control and vaster than his imagination, Dafyd is poised to become humanity’s champion—and its betrayer.
This is where his story begins.
“No one builds a universe like James S. A. Corey. The Mercy of Gods is wilder and weirder than you can imagine, and when it ends, all you’ll want is … more.”—John Scalzi, New York Times bestselling author
Donna DeSimone –
Hands down, the best book I’ve read this year. 1000 out of 10. Every character, every chapter, every page, every word is integral to the story. I could not put this down, not even to doom scroll.Any description of the story would be a spoiler and I don’t want to do that. Discovery adds to the joy of the book.
James Leth –
I struggled with this book in the first several chapters. Eventually I found many places where I had to stop reading just to think, “Wow” for a while before diving back in. I knew it was going to be a long series and little would be resolved in this first book, but I still found it a satisfying read.
LSDuigi –
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. A vast universe has just been unfurled before me. For a novel that seems largely meant to serve as the fountain for The Captive’s War series’ universe to sit upon, it was delightfully addictive. I finished this book in just two days…It was like hearing a pair of Michelin-class ‘sci-fi’ chefs describe their menu for an evening’s 10-course feast.Now I gotta sit here salivating in anticipation of the “Livesuit” Amuse-Bouche (novella), to be served October 1st 2024… 😣😍🤤
The Fussy One –
At its best, science fiction asks what it is to be human. These authors answer in a raw, pure way that instantly connects, no matter how alien the setting. I loved it, and as with their previous series could not stop reading. Like the captives, I too lose any concept of time until the shock of running out of pages to read slams home. Brilliant!
ethan conner –
I haven’t read any alien invasion stories like this one! I can sense some possible inspiration between the Carryx of this book and the Psychlos of Battlefield Earth, but with more levels of depth and darkness.I’ve read that this book doesn’t take place in The Expanse universe, but the Humans of Anjiin have been there for 3500 years and don’t have a proper origin story aside from knowing they evolved from a different planet. I like to think it takes place on a world that was populated and then cutoff due to the events of the Expanse, and this entire story takes place 3500 year beyond the end of the Expanse series. The book doesn’t have any indications that’s the case, but it’s a fun thought as read through it.
K. Ho –
It takes a while to take-in the details offered up, the nuances and subtleties require more attention. The tone is somber and heavy and the narrative is filed with a richness in characters but demands a lot of imagination that it can require more effort than relaxing read could be. But that means the engagement and reward is all the more deep.
Miodrag M. Popovic –
I just finished and ALL I can think about is “where is more?” I don’t know how this book came about but I can’t wait for the interview that lays open the gremlins our guys were wrestling with when this idea took hold. It’s a fast read with the usual emotional grip you expect from Ty and Daniel and new ideas and new ways of looking at things. I never thought I’d read anything as glorious as the Expanse and I was sure it couldn’t be topped.I was wrong.
Kindle Customer –
I, like many other people, came to know James S.A. Corey through the television adaptation of The Expanse. I was hoping this would be as good as those novels and it is. I’ll admit I struggled at first because there was no context for me to reference as it pertained to the world building but I worked soldiered on and at about one third of the way through it talked up and had me reading as fast as I could comprehend. Rich background, subtle hints as what was to come interesting interplay without being tedious, simply engaging. Unfortunately now I must wait.
Amazon Customer –
I couldn’t put it down. I had really high expectations that were exceeded in every way. Rich in detail, filled-in believable characters, excellent prose and a fast moving plot which you can’t get enough. When’s the sequel?
Marnie –
Interesting story. Interesting characters, especially the aliens. Great world building and good character development, but the plot and world were the most interesting parts. I can’t say I had a particular fondness for anyone. It is unusual for me to have enjoyed a book so much mostly based on plot and a very interesting universe.