Nemesis Games
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founder | James S. A. Corey (pseudonym of Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck) |
| Products | Science fiction novel |
Nemesis Games is a science fiction novel released in 2015, authored by James S. A. Corey, the joint pseudonym of Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck. It serves as the fifth entry in their The Expanse saga and follows the events of Cibola Burn. The book’s cover was created by Daniel Dociu. Critics responded favorably to the novel, with some likening it to Corey’s version of The Empire Strikes Back.
Plot
In the Martian shipyards located on Callisto, a militant faction of the OPA steals stealth technology before obliterating the yards by directing an asteroid at them.
One year later, the Rocinante is docked at Tycho station for extensive repairs following the events of Cibola Burn. The crew separates to address individual concerns: Amos Burton returns to Earth after losing a parental figure; Alex Kamal travels to Mars aiming to find closure with his former spouse; Naomi Nagata heads toward Ceres station in response to a message from her ex-lover Marco Inaros, though she keeps her motives hidden.
On Earth, Amos pays tribute and visits Clarissa Mao in prison, with whom he had formed a connection during previous incidents.
Jim Holden remains at Tycho managing the ship’s restoration. Documentary filmmaker Monica Stuart recruits him to look into the disappearance of colony ships. While Stuart suspects involvement of the Protomolecule, Holden theorizes that rogue OPA groups are converting these vessels for other purposes. He tracks one missing ship to an asteroid field near Mars and informs Alex.
Alex’s former wife rejects his outreach; he partners with Bobbie Draper to probe into missing Martian warships. After surviving an assault, they use Bobbie's ship, the Razorback, to investigate the asteroid coordinates where they uncover a fleet of stolen Martian warships.
On Ceres, Naomi confesses that she has a son named Filip with Marco, who commands a radical OPA faction. She reveals she left Marco after discovering he exploited her to sabotage ship reactors, resulting in hundreds of deaths on Earth. Marco abducts Naomi and explains his belief that the gates leading to other star systems jeopardize Belt control over resources. He has been building a fleet—the "Free Navy"—by capturing Martian ships to assert dominance across the Solar System.
The Free Navy initiates synchronized terror assaults: attacking Tycho Station and stealing the last Protomolecule sample; capturing Medina station within the Slow Zone; ambushing a convoy transporting the Martian Prime Minister; and launching stealth-coated asteroids aimed at causing an extinction-level disaster on Earth. Amos survives the catastrophe and escapes Earth accompanied by Clarissa Mao and former criminal associates.
Alex and Bobbie join a Martian convoy under attack by disguised Free Navy vessels; the Prime Minister escapes toward Luna aboard the Razorback.
Marco attempts to sabotage the Rocinante’’'s reactor to destroy it but is stopped when Naomi alerts Holden. He then sets a trap using a counterfeit distress signal featuring Naomi's voice; Naomi fakes her death and warns incoming ships before being rescued by Alex and Bobbie.
The crew reunites aboard the Rocinante. Delegates from Earth, Mars, and moderate OPA factions convene on Luna as Naomi discloses her violent history. Amos requests that Clarissa remain under his mentorship. The Free Navy retreats beyond the Belt, obstructing colonists from passing through the rings.
The story concludes by revealing that Admiral Winston Duarte of Mars engineered the creation of the Free Navy to entrap Earth and the Belt in prolonged conflict. Moreover, some vanished colony ships are being consumed by an unidentified force beyond the gates.
Characters
- James Holden, serving as the captain of the Rocinante and a reliable negotiator, leads his team in combating piracy and collaborating with the OPA before the crew divides to address different personal missions.
- Naomi Nagata', the Rocinantes executive officer and chief engineer, uncovers her son’s participation in the Free Navy’s assaults on the inner planets. Her ex-husband, Marcos Inaros, is exposed as manipulative and harsh, prompting her to escape from him.
- Alex Kamal, pilot of the Rocinante and former Martian navy aviator, returns to Mars for a family visit but finds himself caught up in Free Navy attacks alongside Bobbie.
- Amos Burton, the mechanic aboard the Rocinante, travels back to his hometown Baltimore and visits Clarissa Mao in prison.
- Bobbie Draper, a former Martian Marine now working in Veteran's Assistance, becomes involved in the solar system conflict after investigating disappearances at Chrisjen Avasarala’s request.
- Clarissa Mao, daughter of industrialist Jules-Pierre Mao, is incarcerated in a maximum-security Earth prison due to her actions during Abaddon's Gate.
- Filip Inaros, son of Free Navy leader Marcos Inaros and Naomi Nagata, actively supports his father’s cause within the Free Navy.
- Chrisjen Avasarala, serving as Undersecretary to the United Nations, holds significant influence on Earth and assumes the role of acting UN Secretary-General during the narrative.
- Fred Johnson, head of the Outer Planets Alliance, contracts the Rocinante for various operations while striving to unite Belters against the Free Navy threat.
- Marco Inaros, leader of the Free Navy commanding Martian warships from defectors, orchestrates attacks on inner planets and proclaims Free Navy dominance over the solar system.
Reception
Nemesis Games was met with favorable critiques. Andrew Liptak from Gizmodo likened it to Corey’s version of The Empire Strikes Back. Authors Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck acknowledged Liptak’s insight into the novel’s emotional depth and its function as a crucial middle installment that sets up future developments.
Publication history
- Corey, James S. A. (June 2015). Nemesis Games. Part of The Expanse series. London: Orbit Books (Hachette-Lagardère). Hardcover edition, 536 pages. ISBN 9780316217583.
References
Further reading
- Nicholas, Jeffery L., editor (2021). The Expanse and Philosophy: So Far Out Into the Darkness. The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series. New York: Blackwell-John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 9781119755609.
- Giaimo, Zac (1 February 2020). "How Did Amazon Change The Expanse Books for Season 4?" WinterIsComing.net.
- Liptak, Andrew (2 June 2015). "'Nemesis Games' is James S.A. Corey's 'Empire Strikes Back'". Gizmodo.com.
- Martinetti, Cher (9 July 2015). "Exclusive: The Expanse's James SA Corey Talk TV Adaptation, State of Sci-Fi". Blastr.com.