The Churn (The Expanse #3.5)

Despite its placement in the series order recommended by Goodreads, Im glad that I read The Churn after book 8, Tiamats Wrath. Names are important in this book, and Amos hasnt always been known as Amos Burton.

In a way, this novella is as much about Earth as it is about Baltimore, and as much about who Amos used to be as about the society he left. We also visit Jim Holdens family and original home on Earth in both the books and the series, but the two mens origins are as different as an Inner and a Belter, despite being from the same planet and even the same continent.

The Churn is even more intriguing to read for someone who now claims Baltimore as her adopted city. Neighborhood and even individual street names are recognizable to my lived experience, creating even more intense layers in the amazing universe created by Corey.

This novella could stand on it’s own, even if you haven’t seen “The Expanse” TV show or read any of the other books, if you read apocalyptic/sci-fi at all, you would enjoy this.

If you are familiar with the universe in which this novel stands, it’s a really good close look at one character that explains a lot of subtext in the rest of the stories. How did Timothy/Amos get his name? What’s it like to grow up on Earth in this time frame if you aren’t a Mao or some privileged child? Why is Amos a stone cold killer? If he is a stone cold killer, why work a straight job and not become a pirate or mercenary? Why the dog-like devotion to Naomi? How did he become so good with rocket engines and other mechanical tasks?

Bonus chuckles if you are familiar with Baltimore.

I started out watching season 1 of The Expanse at the behest of my son. He couldn’t figure out the personality of Amos. Is he a calculating psychopath, or a sociopath, or something else entirely? For us, he’s the most intriguing character and the dynamic of the crew is ripe for one of the best sci-fi series ever. I was hooked; and being a bibliophile, of course I started inhaling the books. The Churn is the best back story of them all. All the hints, and questions raised about Amos’ dubious origins, unique skills, and precarious mental health are summed up nicely in this riveting little book. It also lays the groundwork for events in book five. Seriously, you can’t leave this one out or you’ll miss the best part!

Throughout all seven ‘The Expanse’ novels, reference is obliquely made to Amos’ unsavory past in Earth’s Baltimore. Just prior to the asteroid bombardment, we even see him back in Baltimore, where he is referred to as ‘Timmy’ by his former associates. “The Churn” fills in that information, as we learn more about Amos’ early life and his ‘origin’ (I’m not gonna’ spoil it!).

I’m glad I read this little novella, but it is really little. I reached the end and started scanning around for the next chapter, as I figured there had to more than just this little bit. But, that indeed is all there is. I find this somewhat surprising, given the ‘thickness’ and scope of the novels, and I almost feel a little taken advantage of, and ripped-off. The 8th novel won’t be available until some time near mid-2019. In the meantime, I can pay what amounts to about the Kindle price of one of the novels to get a number of little snippets that, by all rights, probably should have been in one of the novels anyway.

Eric Davies is no where near as good as Jefferson Mays, you will understand once you hear Gods of Risk. Eric has the same low soft wraspy heave of a voice for all women characters – its terrible. But Eric’s voice works amazingly well for this – especially the long, intensely descriptive sections describing Baltimore.

If you want to know more about Amos Burton this is it

My favorite Novella by far

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