The Expanse authors to launch new book series with The Mercy of Gods

Have you been missing The Expanse? Well, do I have good news for you. Today, The Expanse publisher Orbit announced that a brand new book series is on the way from authors Ty Franck and Daniel Abraham, the writing duo otherwise known as James S.A. Corey. Franck and Abraham hinted that this series was in the works back when we spoke to them around the release of Leviathan Falls, the final Expanse book. Now, at long last, we know more about it.

The Captive’s War is a totally new trilogy not connected to The Expanse, which will kick off next year with The Mercy of Gods. Check out the gorgeous cover and description for the novel below:

The Mercy of Gods official description:

How humanity came to the planet called Anjiin is lost in the fog of history, but that history is about to end.

The Carryx — part empire, part hive — have waged wars of conquest for centuries, destroying or enslaving species across the galaxy. Now, they are facing a great and deathless enemy. The key to their survival may rest with the humans of Anjiin.

Caught up in academic intrigue and affairs of the heart, Dafyd Alkhor is pleased just to be an assistant to a brilliant scientist and his celebrated research team. Then the Carryx ships descend, decimating the human population and taking the best and brightest of Anjiin society away to serve on the Carryx homeworld, and Dafyd is swept along with them.

They are dropped in the middle of a struggle they barely understand, set in a competition against the other captive species with extinction as the price of failure. Only Dafyd and a handful of his companions see past the Darwinian contest to the deeper game that they must play to survive: learning to understand — and manipulate — the Carryx themselves.

With a noble but suicidal human rebellion on one hand and strange and murderous enemies on the other, the team pays a terrible price to become the trusted servants of their new rulers.

Dafyd Alkhor is a simple man swept up in events that are beyond his control and more vast than his imagination. He will become the champion of humanity and its betrayer, the most hated man in history and the guardian of his people.

This is where his story begins.

The Expanse authors to start new series: The Captive’s War

I can’t be the only one who is ridiculously hyped by the description for The Mercy of Gods. The Expanse was a relatively grounded science fiction series is set in our own solar system, even as it introduced alien technologies and presences. From the sounds of things, The Mercy of Gods may be even more imaginative. What aliens will humanity be competing with for the favor of the Carryx? How did humans come to live on the planet Anjiin in the first place? I have so many questions!

With both The Expanse novels and the six-season television show behind us, it’s great to have more stories from James S.A. Corey on the horizon again. Today’s announcement was quite an event. In addition to the cover and title reveal, both Abraham and Franck were on hand for a virtual event to discuss The Captive’s War, which you can watch here.

The Mercy of Gods is out everywhere books are sold on August 6, 2024.

To stay up to date on everything fantasy, science fiction, and WiC, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and sign up for our exclusive newsletter.

Get HBO, Starz, Showtime and MORE for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels