I just finished reading Strange Dogs, by James S.A. Corey, a short novella set in the Expanse universe that explains the origins of a couple of the characters in Tiamat’s Wrath, the latest book in the main series. And it’s…
Hmm. I don’t know how to start.
Goddamn, this one is sad.
Quick summary: Cara is a ten-year-old girl living on the planet Laconia, where things are changing. Soldiers have come and taken over her parents’ research expedition, so that what was supposed to be a five-year stay has lasted for eight, and will likely last much longer. One day while hanging out in the forest she meets a small pack of strange dogs.
This is one of those stories where you know a lot more of what’s going on because of the context from other novels. I’ve read the main Expanse series, so I know what Laconia is, who the soldiers are, and what the dogs are. I know how this story ends even as it’s beginning.
I thought this was going to be a story about unintended consequences, like so many of the other Expanse stories. Instead, it’s a story about a generational gap, and a clever little kid in love with her adopted homeworld who doesn’t have the experiences and fears of her parents. It’s also the story of that same kid playing around with powers that she doesn’t understand, but which the adults in her life understand even less. Which fits with the usual Expanse themes, now that I think about it.
The writing is, as usual with James S.A. Corey, fantastic. The story is beautiful and tragic, and reminds me once again how much I like the Expanse. I haven’t watched the TV show, so I can’t speak to that, but if you like science fiction at all then for God’s sake do yourself a favor and read this series.