about the series

The Expanse is a nine-volume book series by author James S. A. Corey, the pen name of duo Ty Franck and Daniel Abraham. Set several hundred years in the future, the series is about a clash between the spacefaring people of Earth, Mars, and the asteroid belt, who come into contact with an alien technology that will change everything. The series was adapted for TV by Syfy and was picked up halfway through by Prime Video.

While The Expanse is set in space, the setting does not have interstellar travel — any journey takes weeks if not months. This lends itself to a tense environment in which Earth, Mars, and the Belt are on the brink of conflict, each jockeying for power in the solar system, especially when alien technology is discovered.

tv show or books?

I watched the show first, but I've since read all of the books, and honestly: I recommend both. The TV show covers the first six of nine books, as there is a significant timeskip after book six. There are differences between the two, of course, but if you try one version I think you're likely to enjoy the other as well. Pick whichever medium you prefer.

There is also a short story collection, whose stories were partially adapted into the show. If you decide to read the books I'd recommend grabbing the short story collection as well, as the stories take place between each book.