The explosive third novel in James S. A. Corey's Expanse space opera series, which began with the critically acclaimed Leviathan Wakes

For generations, the solar system - Mars, the Moon, the Asteroid Belt - was humanity's great frontier. Until now. The alien artefact working through its program under the clouds of Venus has emerged to build a massive structure outside the orbit of Uranus: a gate that leads into a starless dark.

Jim Holden and the crew of the Rocinante are part of a vast flotilla of scientific and military ships going out to examine the artefact. But behind the scenes, a complex plot is unfolding, with the destruction of Holden at its core. As the emissaries of the human race try to find whether the gate is an opportunity or a threat, the greatest danger is the one they brought with them.

"A politically complex and pulse-pounding page turner . . . Series fans will find this installment the best yet" - PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (starred review)

"The best space opera has to offer" - LIBRARY JOURNAL (starred review)

"The authors are superb with the exciting bits: shipboard coups and battles are a thrill to follow" - WASHINGTON POST

"As close as you'll get to a Hollywood blockbuster in book form" - io9.com

"Tense and thrilling" - SciFi Now

"Great characters, excellent dialogue, memorable fights, freakish experiments, and twisty-turny mysteries . . . Only an excellent book series can pull them all off, and the Expanse will definitely be added to the shortlist of science fiction tales that manage to do so" - WIRED.COM

James S. A. Corey is the pen name of Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck. In addition to writing the novels and short stories of The Expanse, they wrote and produced the television series of the same name. Daniel lives with his family in the American southwest. Ty will tell you where he lives when and if he wants you to come over.