| Author | James S. A. Corey |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Series | The Expanse |
| Genre | Science fiction |
| Publisher | Orbit Books |
Publication date | March 15, 2022 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print, e-book, audiobook |
| Pages | 432 |
| ISBN | 978-0316669191 |
| Preceded by | Leviathan Falls |
Memory's Legion: The Complete Expanse Story Collection is a collection of science fiction short stories and novellas by James S. A. Corey, the pen name of writers Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck. Published by Orbit Books on March 15, 2022, the book collects all eight short fiction works set in The Expanse universe, along with author's notes for each entry. [1] [2]
The collection includes seven previously published works and one new novella, The Sins of Our Fathers , which serves as an epilogue to the main book series.
The collection arranges the stories in the order of their original publication, though they take place at different points in the series' internal chronology. Each story is accompanied by a brief introduction and commentary by the authors.
| No. | Title | Original release | Series setting | Plot synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | Drive | 2012 | Prequel | Set roughly 150 years before Leviathan Wakes . It details Solomon Epstein's test flight of the modified fusion drive that would eventually enable humanity to colonize the outer solar system. Originally published in the anthology Edge of Infinity . |
| 0.3 | The Churn | 2014 | Prequel | Set in Baltimore on Earth, detailing the early criminal life of Amos Burton (then known as Timmy) and his relationship with a crime boss named Erich. It explores "the churn," a societal collapse where the rules of civilization vanish and only the most ruthless survive. |
| 0.5 | The Butcher of Anderson Station | 2011 | Prequel | Focuses on Fred Johnson and the tactical decisions he made during a UN Marine raid on a rebellious station, an event that earned him his infamous moniker. The story provides critical context for his transition from a decorated soldier to a leader of the OPA. |
| 2.5 | Gods of Risk | 2012 | Between Caliban's War and Abaddon's Gate | Set on Mars, the story follows David Draper, the nephew of Bobbie Draper, as he navigates the criminal underworld of the Martian terraforming project. It highlights the growing social unrest and economic desperation on the red planet. |
| 3.5 | The Vital Abyss | 2015 | Between Abaddon's Gate and Cibola Burn | The story is told from the perspective of Dr. Paolo Cortázar, the scientist instrumental in the Protomolecule research, as he is held prisoner by the OPA. It delves into the sociopathic detachment required to unlock the secrets of the alien technology. |
| 6.5 | Strange Dogs | 2017 | Between Babylon's Ashes and Persepolis Rising | Set on the colony world of Laconia. It follows the daughter of a scientist who discovers the local flora and fauna have strange restorative properties, setting the stage for the Laconian Empire's rise. |
| 7.5 | Auberon | 2019 | Between Persepolis Rising and Tiamat's Wrath | Follows a Laconian governor sent to take command of the Auberon colony, only to run afoul of the local corruption and a hidden figure from the past. The novella illustrates the difficulty of imposing fascist order on a complex, thriving criminal ecosystem. |
| 9.5 | The Sins of Our Fathers | 2022 | Epilogue (Post- Leviathan Falls ) | The only story exclusive to this collection. It follows Filip Inaros living in exile on a primitive colony world after the collapse of the Ring entities, grappling with his father's violent legacy. |
The collection features one original novella, The Sins of Our Fathers, which acts as an epilogue to the entire series. Set after the events of Leviathan Falls , the story follows Filip Inaros - the son of Naomi Nagata and Marco Inaros - who has been living in exile under an assumed name on a primitive colony world.
The story explores themes of redemption and "nature vs. nurture" as Filip is forced to defend his new community from a local apex predator, confronting the violent skills he inherited from his father.
The collection does not include the short story "The Last Flight of the Cassandra". It takes place during the events of Leviathan Wakes and was released on May 14, 2019. At only five pages long, "The Last Flight of the Cassandra" is the shortest story yet. It was included in The Expanse Role-Playing Game rulebook published by Green Ronin Publishing.
The authors have stated that the novellas were often used to explore different genres within the science fiction setting or to flesh out backstory that did not fit into the pacing of the main novels. The final novella, The Sins of Our Fathers, was written after the completion of Leviathan Falls to serve as a coda for the character of Filip Inaros. [3] The authors discussed how this final piece fits into the larger ending of the saga, providing closure to arc of the Inaros family. [4]
The release of the collection coincided with the conclusion of the television adaptation, marking a definitive end to the saga's primary release schedule. [5]
The collection received positive reviews as a necessary companion to the series. The transition from The Expanse to the authors' new work, The Mercy of Gods, was noted by critics as a shift from the "blue-collar" grittiness of the novellas to new thematic territory. [6]