Nightmares and Dreamscapes discussion

This is the Buddy Read for Babylon's Ashes by James S. A. Corey, Book 6 in The Expanse Series.

Goodreads Choice AwardNominee for Best Science Fiction (2017)
The sixth book in the New York Times bestselling Expanse series.

NOW A MAJOR TV SERIES

A revolution brewing for generations has begun in fire. It will end in blood.

The Free Navy - a violent group of Belters in black-market military ships - has crippled the Earth and begun a campaign of piracy and violence among the outer planets. The colony ships heading for the thousand new worlds on the far side of the alien ring gates are easy prey, and no single navy remains strong enough to protect them.

James Holden and his crew know the strengths and weaknesses of this new force better than anyone. Outnumbered and outgunned, the embattled remnants of the old political powers call on the Rocinante for a desperate mission to reach Medina Station at the heart of the gate network.

But the new alliances are as flawed as the old, and the struggle for power has only just begun. As the chaos grows, an alien mystery deepens. Pirate fleets, mutiny and betrayal may be the least of the Rocinante's problems. And in the uncanny spaces past the ring gates, the choices of a few damaged and desperate people may determine the fate of more than just humanity.

Enjoy! As always, use spoiler tags when necessary!

I'm in. Once I finish Nemesis Games.

Thanks Sally for setting this up! I'm in next month as well.

Thanks, Sally. I think I'll be starting sometime later next week I hope.

I'll be starting this in a few days. I'll likely be reading this a bit slow due to other reads. I've got all of April to get it done though! :D

I hope to wrap up the other two books I have going by tomorrow, so planning to start on Tuesday. Excited to continue!

I started on Saturday but only up to chapter 4. Combination of not a ton of time and just absolutely no focus right now when I have it! Hoping to get back on track tonight so I can keep up as I’m a bit of a slow reader as it is.

Kristen wrote: "I started on Saturday but only up to chapter 4. Combination of not a ton of time and just absolutely no focus right now when I have it! Hoping to get back on track tonight so I can keep up as I’m a..."

I'm hoping to start tomorrow. Just now getting time to get to it.

Just passing the half way point in NG. Hope to be here after Easter.

Kristen wrote: "I started on Saturday but only up to chapter 4. Combination of not a ton of time and just absolutely no focus right now when I have it! Hoping to get back on track tonight so I can keep up as I’m a..."

I'll be reading another book at the same time so no worries on being a slow reader! :D
Glad you caught up and you can join the space chaos every month!

I'll jump into this after I finish Order of the Phoenix.

Finished NG - Brilliant. Looking forward to this next book later this month.

Graeme wrote: "Finished NG - Brilliant. Looking forward to this next book later this month."

Fantastic! It’s been great so far and I’m enjoying it. Also got some new characters and a few older ones from past books.

I'm just up and into part of ch6 so far. Man, I love Bobbie!

Just finished ch6 and dammit (view spoiler)[ we just got the Roci all fixed back up and here we go again with the bad guys tearing up the ship! (hide spoiler)]

Terry wrote: "I'm just up and into part of ch6 so far. Man, I love Bobbie!"

I do too!! She is the best.

I find myself reading 2-3 chapters a day. I'm having a hard time putting this one down every day. :D
I got to the beginning of Chapter 24 last night. See!

I think all of the different POVs are awesome and it feels like with this many that we're heading for a climax of epic proportions. hahaha
There's definitely some differences from the streaming service vs the book so it's been super fun to read.

Terry wrote: "Just finished ch6 and dammit [spoilers removed]"

I swear the (view spoiler)[Roci has nine lives at this point. LOL! (hide spoiler)]

Ginger wrote: "Terry wrote: "I'm just up and into part of ch6 so far. Man, I love Bobbie!"

I do too!! She is the best.

I find myself reading 2-3 chapters a day. I'm having a hard time putting this one down ever..."

2-3 is about what I can manage right now, so it will be a while before I catch you - which is just fine, too, knowing it's that hard to put down!

Ginger wrote: "Terry wrote: "Just finished ch6 and dammit [spoilers removed]"

I swear the [spoilers removed]"

Exactly! 😂

The end of ch 9 and now (view spoiler)[ I’m crying like a baby! 🥲 (hide spoiler)]

I'm in ch11 now. Interesting how (view spoiler)[ the story has turned away from protomolecule or anything alien, and it's now (this book so far and all of last book) into political stuff and the bad things other people are doing to people. (hide spoiler)]

I’m in chapter 14, not a ton of reading time lately. But trying to keep up with it. Agree with all the spoilers and Bobbie is seriously awesome!

I thought all the different POVs is really interesting here too. It’s definitely reflective of all the chaos going on right now and I’m so curious to see where it’s leading!

I’m in chapter 15, and had to mention the nod to (view spoiler)[ The Martian. The colony ship “Mark Watney” out of Mars. Love it. (hide spoiler)]

Terry wrote: "I'm in ch11 now. Interesting how [spoilers removed]"

Yes!! And I think that's why this series is so great and I love it so much. It isn't one (view spoiler)[particular subject to devote all the time on. It shows that there's so much more to be worried about then the protomolecule!
This series feels very similar to our society when new technology or progress is made in a certain industry. There's an underlying uncertainty for whatever it is and people don't like to change. LOL! (hide spoiler)]

Ginger wrote: "Terry wrote: "I'm in ch11 now. Interesting how [spoilers removed]"

Yes!! And I think that's why this series is so great and I love it so much...."

I agree! Same for me.

Kristen wrote: "I’m in chapter 15, and had to mention the nod to [spoilers removed]"

I caught that too! I love those little nuggets in here. Made me smile as I was reading.

Ok, I’m kinda cheating now. I have to go on a 10-hour car trip to a job site across today and tomorrow, so I’ve now downloaded the audiobook and expect that I’ll finish this by tomorrow. 😁

Terry wrote: "Ok, I’m kinda cheating now. I have to go on a 10-hour car trip to a job site across today and tomorrow, so I’ve now downloaded the audiobook and expect that I’ll finish this by tomorrow. 😁"

That's going to be some epic driving in the next few days! Are you even going to be able to get out of the car to do some work? ;) hahaha

Ginger wrote: "Terry wrote: "Ok, I’m kinda cheating now. I have to go on a 10-hour car trip to a job site across today and tomorrow, so I’ve now downloaded the audiobook and expect that I’ll finish this by tomorr..."

Going from KC to Sioux Falls SD, 5 hours today, then all morning tomorrow at the job site, and 5 hours back tomorrow later in the day. Long two days for sure!

So, I did end up finishing last night right as I pulled into my driveway. I thought this one was great! I can understand why this one was nominated for awards. I look forward to seeing everyone's reaction when they get finished.

Terry wrote: "So, I did end up finishing last night right as I pulled into my driveway. I thought this one was great! I can understand why this one was nominated for awards. I look forward to seeing everyone's r..."

Awesome, I should start this one soon.

Terry wrote: "So, I did end up finishing last night right as I pulled into my driveway. I thought this one was great! I can understand why this one was nominated for awards. I look forward to seeing everyone's r..."

Completely understand why you didn't hit pause while listening to this one. It's really hard to put this one down right now and try to read anything else OR do anything else. LOL!!

I just got to Chapter 43 and (view spoiler)[it's all going down. The space battle happening right now all over the galaxy is spectacular. I love how Filip finally stood up to his asshole of a father. Good boy! (hide spoiler)]

Ginger wrote: "Terry wrote: "So, I did end up finishing last night right as I pulled into my driveway. I thought this one was great! I can understand why this one was nominated for awards. I look forward to seein..."

Yes! (view spoiler)[ I loved that the scale of this was across the entire solar system. It’s just so hard to fathom how much space that really is.

And I agree about Filip. It would be so hard to be in his shoes. (hide spoiler)]

I am moving through this really slow even for me. I love it, just have no time! I have a rainy day where my kids’ little league games have been canceled so maybe I can get some reading in today. Is everyone starting up the next one in May?

Kristen wrote: "I am moving through this really slow even for me. I love it, just have no time! I have a rainy day where my kids’ little league games have been canceled so maybe I can get some reading in today. Is..."

Definitely understand that. We are planning on starting the next one in May, but take as much time as you need. We’ll still be able to comment when you can start too.

Kristen wrote: "I am moving through this really slow even for me. I love it, just have no time! I have a rainy day where my kids’ little league games have been canceled so maybe I can get some reading in today. Is..."

Yeah, I’ll be reading the next one in May. Likely not at the start of May like I usually do and it will take me most of the month to get through it.
I’ve got a vacation and a heavy work load in May so I think you’ll catch up to me!

24%. Everyone is manoeuvring and making life-defining decisions at the moment. Very much 'everything in flux.'

It'll take me another 2 weeks to finish this book and Potter #6. But I could hit #7 in the back half of May.

I've recently stripped all my other reads off - just putting them back to 'to read,' from 'currently reading = started.'

I'm just focusing my reading time on the best stuff I can get my hands on - and this qualifies.

Graeme wrote: "I'm just focusing my reading time on the best stuff I can get my hands on - and this qualifies..."

Exactly Graeme. Your thoughts are mine as well.

With the way work is this year, I’m also focusing on the best stuff that I can read at the moment.
I would love to try some new or experimental reads but I just don’t have the time right now.
Maybe the second half of the year will allow for that. 🤞

Last year was a nightmare 'work load,' wise, and not much has changed.

Time poor.

Cheers G

Hey y'all! I went ahead and made the thread for the next in the series. I'm so glad you are enjoying this together!

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Sally wrote: "Hey y'all! I went ahead and made the thread for the next in the series. I'm so glad you are enjoying this together!

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...-..."

You rock Sally! Thanks 💕❤️

Thanks, Sally.

Much appreciated.

Cheers G

Can’t believe we’re up to book 7 now. The momentum of doing one a month has helped me a bunch.

Terry wrote: "Can’t believe we’re up to book 7 now. The momentum of doing one a month has helped me a bunch."

Me too! I’m really glad I committed to this.

Ginger wrote: "Terry wrote: "Can’t believe we’re up to book 7 now. The momentum of doing one a month has helped me a bunch."

Me too! I’m really glad I committed to this."

Ditto! :)

I finally finished! I’m so annoyed that it took me this long but I’ve just been insanely busy. I’m going to try and get through the next novella really quickly and then head right to book 7.

So curious to see what happens with (view spoiler)[ Filip and Naomi. I agree, I was so happy he didn’t follow Marco! (hide spoiler)]

Kristen wrote: "I finally finished! I’m so annoyed that it took me this long but I’ve just been insanely busy. I’m going to try and get through the next novella really quickly and then head right to book 7.

So c..."

Me too! I can't wait to figure out how that plays out too. I really hope for (view spoiler)[Filip's sake that he can purge the Marco brainwashing and realize that his Mom wasn't crazy after all.
He was in such a tough spot to be for a kid. (hide spoiler)]

Ginger wrote: "Kristen wrote: "I finally finished! I’m so annoyed that it took me this long but I’ve just been insanely busy. I’m going to try and get through the next novella really quickly and then head right t..."

I really didn’t think it was going to go that way, but was really happy it did. (view spoiler)[ and I mean with Filip having a chance at redemption and reconnecting with Naomi. (hide spoiler)]

27%. Completed Ch 13.

Looks like the Roci just got a face lift while Prax could be skating on thin ice on Ganymede.