Babylon's Ashes
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Founder | James S. A. Corey (pseudonym of Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck) |
| Products | Science fiction novel |
Babylon's Ashes is a science fiction novel authored by James S. A. Corey, the joint pseudonym of Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck. It represents the sixth installment in their The Expanse saga. The book was announced in July 2015, with its cover art and synopsis unveiled in September of the same year. It earned the 2017 Dragon Award for Best Science Fiction Novel. The authors describe this volume, along with its predecessor, Nemesis Games, as a critical "pivot point" within the overarching storyline.
This novel marks the conclusion of the narrative period that began with Leviathan Wakes, as subsequent entries in the series take place several decades later.
Plot summary
Three months following the Free Navy’s invasion of the Solar System, they solidify their dominion over the Belt, seize supplies from colony vessels en route to the Ring, cut off Medina Station’s communications with outer colonies, and continue launching meteor strikes against Earth. They position rail guns around the dormant alien installation near Medina Station to prevent enemy ships from approaching. Concurrently, Winston Duarte’s renegade Martian faction occupies the Laconia system beyond the gates, pursuing undisclosed objectives. The mystery surrounding ships vanishing after passing through Ring Gates remains unresolved.
Marco Inaros assembles his leadership cadre to present a vision for an autonomous human civilization independent from Earth’s influence. On Luna, James Holden meets with acting UN secretary Chrisjen Avasarala, who discloses that Earth has identified the Free Navy vessel orchestrating meteor attacks—the Azure Dragon. Holden’s team, including Clarissa Mao who was rescued by Amos during earlier assaults, sets out aboard the Rocinante on a mission to disable that ship, with Bobbie Draper commanding. Their operation succeeds, and they return captives to Luna.
With meteor strikes ceasing, Avasarala initiates plans for a large-scale campaign to reclaim Ceres. Anticipating this, Marco evacuates Ceres after depleting its resources, leaving Earth and Martian forces responsible for millions of civilians stranded there. Disillusioned by Marco’s methods, Michio Pa defects with her fleet to resume delivering supplies to Belt colonies; Marco retaliates by destroying part of her fleet.
Fred Johnson organizes a summit of OPA factions opposed to the Free Navy. While traveling aboard the Rocinante, Fred survives an ambush but suffers a fatal stroke during evasive maneuvers. After his passing, Holden assumes command of a coalition comprising Earth, Mars, and OPA forces aiming to unite against the Free Navy.
The allied fleet targets Medina Station because of its strategic control over access to the Ring Gates. The offensive includes Michio Pa’s pirate fleet and is designed to divert Free Navy forces while the Rocinante escorts unmanned vessels on ice hauler Giambattista to neutralize rail guns positioned in the Slow Zone. Under Bobbie’s leadership, they disable these weapons by destroying their nuclear power source. Following this defeat, Medina surrenders but remains exposed due to lacking defenses.
Marco orders an immediate counteroffensive to recapture Medina. Filip Inaros breaks away from his father amid escalating tensions and remains on Callisto under the alias "Filip Nagata."
Naomi investigates data regarding disappearing colony ships and uncovers that surpassing a mass limit at Ring gates causes subsequent vessels to vanish. Applying this knowledge, the Coalition sends calibrated mass through the Ring so that Marco’s fleet disappears upon entering.
Six months later, leaders across the Solar System convene to discuss post-conflict reconstruction efforts. Earth imposes a blockade on the Laconia gate; Duarte remains inactive. Holden proposes forming a transport union of Belters tasked with managing resource distribution from colonies for rebuilding purposes. Although Avasarala offers Holden leadership of this union, he declines in favor of Michio Pa. The Rocinante crew—now including Bobbie and Clarissa—will operate as freelance agents supporting this organization.
With the Free Navy defeated, passage through the gates reopens, restoring interstellar travel and connectivity.
Characters
In The Expanse, characters are divided into two main groups: those who serve as chapter narrators (POV characters) and important supporting figures who do not narrate. Babylon's Ashes introduces fifteen POV characters, surpassing the number featured in earlier entries in the series.
The POV roster comprises the Rocinante crew, Martian Marine Bobbie Draper, United Nations Secretary Chrisjen Avasarala, leader of the Free Navy Marco Inaros, along with recurring personalities such as Praxidike Meng and Namono, who is married to Anna Volovodov.
- James Holden, commanding officer of the Rocinante
- Naomi Nagata, chief engineer and executive officer aboard the Rocinante
- Alex Kamal, Martian pilot assigned to the Rocinante
- Amos Burton, mechanic from Earth serving on the Rocinante
- Clarissa Mao, initially an antagonist to Holden, eventually becomes part of the Rocinante team
- Bobbie Draper, ex-Mars Marine turned military adviser to Avasarala and crew member
- Chrisjen Avasarala, President of the UN, currently based on Luna following Free Navy assaults
- Marco Inaros, militant leader of the Free Navy advocating Belter independence through armed conflict
- Filip Inaros, son of Marco Inaros and Naomi Nagata
- Fred Johnson, former Earth military figure now heading Tycho Station after a contentious history
- Anderson Dawes, Governor of Ceres Station and influential OPA leader
- Michio Pa, ex-captain within the Free Navy ranks
- Praxidike Meng, botanical scientist stationed on Ganymede
- Salis, Jakulski, Roberts, and Vandercaust, personnel employed at Medina Station
- Namono ("Nono"), spouse of Anna Volovodov and mother residing in Abuja after the Free Navy’s meteorite attack
These individuals are central to unfolding the intricate political and military struggles spanning Earth, Mars, and the Belt.
Reception
Nial Alexander remarks that Babylon's Ashes contrasts sharply with its predecessor in narrative scope. Whereas the earlier book concentrated primarily on the core members of the Rocinante crew and their histories, this volume broadens its perspective by incorporating multiple narrators to illustrate how events affect belters, earthers, and Martians alike.
Short story
"Strange Dogs," a short story by James S.A. Corey, takes place in the timeline between Babylon's Ashes and its follow-up novel, Persepolis Rising.
Further reading
- Nicholas, Jeffery L., editor (2021). The Expanse and Philosophy: So Far Out Into the Darkness. Blackwell-John Wiley & Sons.
- Martinetti, Cher (2015). Exclusive interview with James S.A. Corey covering topics such as the television adaptation, science fiction themes, and series development. Blastr.com
- Williams, Renay (2016). "Babylon's Ashes Is Political Space Opera at Its Most Human". BarnesandNoble.com — Discusses the series’ political significance, rich character development, and tactical storytelling within interplanetary conflict.