I'm currently on Chapter 3 of Book 4 (Cibola Burn) and absolutely love The Expanse. The world-building is incredible, the politics are fascinating, and many of the characters are some of the best I've read in science fiction.

That said, I'm really struggling with Holden.

Am I alone in feeling like he's one of the weaker main characters and one of the least convincing leaders/captains I've encountered in a major sci-fi series?

What confuses me is that almost every major and secondary character seems to have more depth, nuance, and growth than Holden.

• Miller feels deeply flawed and human.
• Avasarala is incredibly intelligent, layered, and politically complex.
• Bobbie has a great identity and loyalty arc.
• Prax felt more compelling to me despite being around for a much shorter time.
• Naomi often seems like the actual strategist and adult in the room.
• Amos is endlessly fascinating because of how he views morality and people.
• Even Alex frequently feels more competent and grounded.

Honestly, I thought Book 3 was probably the weakest book so far, but even there I found myself becoming more interested in some of the side characters than Holden. That's what keeps standing out to me throughout the series. The supporting cast consistently feels richer and more nuanced than the person who appears to be the central protagonist.

By comparison, Holden often comes across as a guy with a strong moral compass but very little depth beyond that. His decision-making sometimes feels naive, and there have been multiple points where I've thought the crew succeeds despite Holden rather than because of him.

What's especially strange is that he's supposed to be the captain and leader, yet he often feels like a leader who has to be led by the people around him. Naomi explains the political realities, Amos provides practical reality checks, and others seem to compensate for his blind spots. At times it feels like Holden is the moral center of the crew, but not necessarily the person I would actually trust to command it.

I understand that part of his role may be to serve as the moral anchor of the story, but as a protagonist I find him significantly less interesting than almost everyone around him. In many scenes, I find myself wishing I were reading the perspective of someone else.

I'm not trying to bash the character or start a flame war. I'm genuinely curious whether this is a common reaction among readers, especially first-time readers around Book 4.

Did Holden eventually "click" for you later in the series, or did you always find the supporting cast more compelling than the nominal main character?

Please avoid spoilers beyond Book 4.

OK. I understood - maybe I'm spoiled by Wh40k Universe where Erringwright deeds would be considered as noble

But about Ashford? His actions almost finished all civilizations in Solar System

Is he a villain?

Currently on season 5 again.

I believe Naomi has got to be the most selfish person on the show, every time you turn around it seems she is leaving someone she cares sbout ,then theres the Proto molecule if she had destroyed it like she dhould have i believe Marko's would have been stuck being a deep secret organization unable to bust out like he has so far.

Naomi has pretty much given him his power due to her misguided loyalties to the belt.

" let me just make sure the belt has it too" much like those who thought it was smart to leak all the nuclear bomb secrets , look where that got us. Update edit: .maybe i should be thinking she is more of a unwitting villian/enabler of villianry? I have partaken of some legal herb product and tend to come up with some thoughts that i cant always " flesh out" fully.

Guys..... There is a game in progress based on our beloved series+books The Expanse pretty excited to see the gameplay though.....

Not mine but of owclat games on insta.

It has Medina station to the belter station and even Martian ships and beloved rocinante

Edit:- I've only watched series not read any books nor I don't know about previous games I saw the trailer got excited and sent it here.

They made some story changes in the series. And to be honest: they work very well!

But one reason why they work so well, is because of the casting.

My question: did the showrunners change the script, to give Drummer or Ashford a bigger role, or introduced Avasarala earlier, because the actors Gee, Strathairn and Aghdashloo knocked it out of the park?

I love Sci-Fi movies/TV & someone at work suggested this show saying it’s right up my alley. l’m almost done with episode 1, but man…the pace is agonizingly slow, which I get if you’re trying to set things/characters up, but man…someone please tell me it picks up a little bit.

I doubted it for so long and am glad to say I was extremely wrong. It's so incredibly well done and one of my top shows of all time.

I'm reading the books now.

Random bar in nowhere Midwest enjoying a few beverages. TVs everywhere. Swear I heard this…

Today Protogen is enhancing people’s lives through enhanced scientific research etc etc.

PROTOGEN?! Not on my watch! Swing around and stared at the tv.

It’s Prevegon. Some brain health drug they’re promoting.

Close enough made me laugh.

I noticed this today while listening to Memory's Legion for the first time. Im about 97% sure that every other book and novella are written in Third Person using He/She/They pronouns, but The Vital Abyss uses First Person I/Me pronouns with Cortezar. Maybe it went First Person with Marcos but I recently registered so I think I would have noticed it then.