Review (Novel): Cibola Burn by James S.A. Corey
After the events of the previous novel in the series, Abaddon's Gate, a thousand worlds have been opened up to humanity via the Ring Builder's network of ancient wormhole generators. The political powers within the solar system are now beginning the preliminary stages of exploring and colonising the largest and most daring frontier in human history.
A small group of refugees from Ganymede, which was the site of a battle which destroyed the colony on the Jovian moon, are the first to colonise a world outside of the solar system. Meanwhile, another colony ship, being regulated under UN jurisdiction, has also laid claim of the planet. James Holden and the crew of the Rocinate is sent to curtail the building political tensions between the two groups of colonists, survive the harsh alien biosphere of this new frontier, and uncover the secrets that lie beneath the planet's surface.
This novel tells a story that is far more smaller in scale than the previous novels in the series. Instead of a corporate conspiracy or a cosmic threat that places the entirety of human civilisation in harm's way, Cibola Burn is set almost exclusively within the newly found colony of First Landing, allowing the author to tell a story far more personal story and truly develop the characters in a way never seen before. This, in fact, does pay off really well. James S.A. Corey finally develops some characters and relationships that were in desperate need of it.
The relationship between Miller and Holden has been tumultuous since Joe placed a bullet firmly into a certain scientist's brain, without any indication or warning that he was going to do so. Since Miller's death and subsequent semi-resurrection, the relationship between Holden and Miller has been strangely lacking in development. Holden has been continuously irritated by Miller's presence, and Miller seemingly couldn't care less about anything. The AI of his namesake seems to only be interested in exploring the worlds that lie beyond the Ring. However, towards the end of Cibola Burn, there is a single scene in which Holden and Miller reconcile in very non-descript sort of way. It was a small moment, yet it gave the 'best frenemies' dynamic between the two some much needed depth.
We also receive a great deal of information regarding Alex Kamal, the Rocinate's Martian pilot with a thick Texan drawl, whom, up until this book, has received very little attention and development. Alex's past, as finally divulged in Cibola Burn, gives the reader a reason to sympathise with him. Hopefully Alex and Amos will receive a greater amount of development in future instalments.
The secondary POV character, Havelock, is a character who people whom have read Leviathan Wakes will be vaguely familiar with. Initially serving as a detective at Star Helix Security on Ceres, along with his partner Miller, Havelock now serves as a member of ship security on the privately-funded and UN sanctioned colony ship Edward Israel. His character mainly serves the role of providing a POV from the space above Ilus/New Terra, although his character is barely developed. Hopefully the television adaptation winds up giving him a more intriguing character arch, but in Cibola Burn his character is flat.
The third POV character within this novel are Basia, one of the refugees that arrived on Ilus before the Edward Israel. Scarred and broken by the death of his son, as seen in Caliban's War, Basia now just wants him and his family to be left alone, away from the prying eyes of the UN of the other political powers within the solar system. The arrival of the Edward Israel threatens to destroy the pleasant life him and his family have been leading the past few months. His character, although likeable and showing a great deal of potential, also suffers from a lack of development. By the time the novel ends, his contention with the crew of the Edward Israel is never truly resolved.
The fourth POV character within this novel is Elvi Oyoke, a biologist whom arrived with aboard the Edward Israel to survey and document the indigenous life on Ilus/New Terra. When James Holden arrives, she develops a strong infatuation with him, which serves as a distraction from her work. When the alien biosphere turns out to be even more dangerous than initially thought, Elvi must find a way to treat the various pathologies that the colonists are developing. Her character is the least interesting of the POV characters within Cibola Burn. Unlike Basia, who had some potential for becoming a great character, Elvi possesses no arch aside from her temporary and short-lived crush on Holden and aiding the residents of First Landing. She's a plot device used to resolve the issues of acclimatisation experienced by the colonistst, nothing more.
The plot, as always, takes a back seat to the characters. As expected, the newly discovered world of Ilus'New Terra, is hiding secrets relating to the ancient alien civilisation that built the Ring Stations. The plot serves its purpose; it gives the characters a goal and continues the slow series of revelations regarding the alien civilisation. There's nothing wrong with this plot, yet also nothing to astounding about it. It's okay, but the focal point of The Expanse has always been the characters, not the plot, so it's expected that the plot would be rather simplistic in order to make room for the character archs.
Overall, this is another thrilling novel in the series. To those whom have read the previous novels in The Expanse, I would recommend it.
4/5
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