I’ve been an Amazon Prime subscriber for a long time because our family orders so much in the way of baby supplies and dog food. In an attempt to get the most bang for the buck, we’ve dropped Netflix in favor of using Prime Video more. We’ve finally gotten around to watching shows like Justified (now an all-time favorite), and we’ve also enjoyed originals like Red Oaks. One show I didn’t know much about that we found was SyFy’s “The Expanse”. The show is based on a book that was originally an online role-playing game. I like space, RPGs, books, and tv, so I decided to give the books a shot, mainly because I like the show and wanted to peek ahead to figure out what would come next on tv. 
Overall, I’m pleasantly surprised to find that I enjoy the books more than the show (how cliche). It’s not because the show isn’t good; it’s because the books have more room to flesh out the world and characters. The show also made some small plot changes that I don’t quite agree with.
The Expanse book series is set a couple hundred years in the future. Humans have been in space for all of that time. Earth’s population is around 30 billion, Mars’ population is around 4 billion, and “Belters” who live in space also make up a sizable portion of humanity. Earth and Mars’ relationship is tense. Martians see themselves as hardscrabble settlers. Earthers see themselves as the cradle of civilization. Belters are the underdogs looking for legitimacy from both planets. Tensions between all three bubble over when a water-hauling ship is inexplicably blown up. Will the three powers destroy each other in galactic war started by Martian aggression, or is something else going on, something bigger?
Read the book to find out! There are seven books in the series, so if you like the show, you might as well!
I read these books just prior to joining CBR, and I’ve always kind of regretted not reviewing them (In odd that way).
Glad you’re enjoying them. The next couple are also really good (even though I only read the first 4).
I’m about halfway through Caliban’s War (Book 2) and I really like/understand what Corey is doing with Holden. I was a little confused by Holden in season two of the show. After reading a big chunk of this second book, Bobbie Draper seems perfectly cast.
I just finished book 4, and had no idea these started out as a game! Interesting.
I love the Expanse AND Justified, so I’m going to hunt down Red Oaks. CBR, branching out to To-Watch lists!
Red Oaks’ final season just posted recently, so you’ll have plenty to watch. I will tell you that the pilot of Red Oaks feels kind of like an 80s comedy sex romp, while the rest of the series is more of a comedy with a heart.
Paul Reiser, Gina Gershon, Richard Kind, Jennifer Grey, and Ennis Esmer are my MVPs of the show.