The Expanse — Reading Order

by James S.A. Corey

Humanity has colonized the solar system — and is about to discover something that changes everything. Hard sci-fi at its best.

1

Leviathan Wakes

James S.A. Corey · 2011

A missing girl and a derelict ship lead detective Miller and Captain Holden to a terrifying alien discovery.

2

Caliban's War

James S.A. Corey · 2012

The alien protomolecule has escaped Venus. A soldier, a politician, and a botanist join Holden to stop the next war.

3

Abaddon's Gate

James S.A. Corey · 2013

A massive alien ring gate appears beyond Uranus, opening the door to a thousand new worlds — and unknown dangers.

4

Cibola Burn

James S.A. Corey · 2014

Humanity rushes through the gates to colonize new worlds, but an ancient alien threat awakens on Ilus.

5

Nemesis Games

James S.A. Corey · 2015

The crew of the Rocinante is scattered when a radical faction launches a devastating attack on Earth.

6

Babylon's Ashes

James S.A. Corey · 2016

The Free Navy controls the gates and the solar system teeters on the edge of collapse.

7

Persepolis Rising

James S.A. Corey · 2017

Thirty years of peace shatter when a lost colony returns with a massive warship and alien technology.

8

Tiamat's Wrath

James S.A. Corey · 2019

The Laconian Empire rules, but its emperor's experiments with the alien builders attract terrifying attention.

9

Leviathan Falls

James S.A. Corey · 2021

The final book. Humanity faces extinction as the war between the builders and their enemy reaches its climax.