Name: Strange Dogs
ISBN: 9780356504209

James S. A. Corey

Strange Dogs is a novella that expands the world of James S. A. Corey's New York Times bestselling Expanse series - now a Prime Original TV series. Like many before them, Cara and her family ventured through the gates as scientists and researchers, driven to carve out a new life and uncover the endless possibilities of the unexplored alien worlds now within reach. But soon the soldiers followed and under this new order Cara makes a discovery that will change everything. The Expanse series: Leviathan Wakes Caliban's War Abaddon's Gate Cibola Burn Nemesis Games Babylon's Ashes Persepolis Rising Tiamat's Wrath Praise for the Expanse: 'The science fictional equivalent of A Song of Ice and Fire' NPR Books 'As close as you'll get to a Hollywood blockbuster in book form' io9.com 'Great characters, excellent dialogue, memorable fights' wired.com 'High adventure equalling the best space opera has to offer, cutting-edge technology and a group of unforgettable characters . . . Perhaps one of the best tales the genre has yet to produce' Library Journal 'This is the future the way it's supposed to be' Wall Street Journal 'Tense and thrilling' SciFiNow

An Expanse Novella

Strange Dogs

Apiecalypse Jen

Janice Hopper

Reread March 2019:
I read this again in preparation for the release of Tiamat's Wrath, after having re-listened to Persepolis Rising.

Not so disappointed now.

We get a bit more information on how things went on Laconia. The first colonists were researchers, and the second set were the soldiers.

This is a bit of a lead-up to Laconia exploiting some of the aspects of the protomolecule, I think. One of the characters from Persepolis Rising, Santiago Singh, has a minor role in the story.

It'll be interesting to see if more references show up in Tiamat's Wrath. 
_________________________________________________

Honestly, I was disappointed.

I love this series, so I was excited for a new novella. I pre-ordered it without even checking to see what it was about. The novellas often give a little more info about characters or situations going on elsewhere in the series. They're really good for that.

This novella takes place on one of the settlements beyond the gates. The colony has been established for about 10 or 11 years, and is doing pretty well. They don't have contact with earth now, and that's a concern. The planet itself sounds like a wonderland, with all kinds of life both animal and vegetable. Cara, daughter of a pair of the original colonists, has a secret place where she goes to play. Then things start to happen.

Ok, spoilers.
 (view spoiler)[Cara accidentally kills one of the indigenous life forms by feeding it earth food. She supposedly did this because she'd seen illustrations of a woman doing this in one of her books. But we're told she understands that humans can't eat things indigenous to the planet. Why would she assume, especially at her age, and especially since we're told she likes to go to this pond and watch the critters, that she could feed earth food to the indigenous wildlife? 

Cara's distraught. She feels responsible for the sunbird's babies. She wants to Make It Right. Things don't work out exactly as she expected.

This is the point where I thought "Ok, it's Pet Sematary in space" and rolled my eyes. A little later I thought "Nope, The Monkey's Paw -- IN SPAAAACE". And rolled my eyes a LOT more. Jeezopete. (hide spoiler)]

The strange "dogs" (Cara's term) that appear to have been activated when some unidentified platforms in orbit come to life are interesting and have possibilities. The protomolecule is mentioned briefly in passing by the parents. 

The writing seemed not up to the usual standard too. Oh well, no one hits it out of the park every time. Still looking forward to the next book.

Ben Nathan

Interesting but don't know if it was needed

Randy Robbins

It was nice to learn more about Laconia and the origin of the two kids. Although it ended up being a tragic story but like the other novellas it filled some wholes and gave more life to the world in The Expanse.

Benjamin

Jasper

Marie

geri

Simon Crocker

Manuel Grabowski

Cody Degen

Anthony C

Nic Lake

A novella set in the hard-scrabble world of James S. A. Corey's NYT-bestselling Expanse series, Strange Dogs follows a family of colonists on Laconia where a new generation of humanity struggles with the profound changes that come with making a home on an alien world. Now a Prime Original series. HUGO AWARD WINNER FOR BEST SERIES Like many before them, Cara and her family ventured through the gates as scientists and researchers, driven to carve out a new life and uncover the endless possibilities of the unexplored alien worlds now within reach. But soon the soldiers followed and under this new order Cara makes a discovery that will change everything. The Expanse Leviathan Wakes Caliban's War Abaddon's Gate Cibola Burn Nemesis Games Babylon's Ashes Persepolis Rising Tiamat's Wrath ​Leviathan Falls The Expanse Short Fiction The Butcher of Anderson Station Gods of Risk The Churn The Vital Abyss Strange Dogs Auberon

Strange Dogs An Expanse Novella