Cibola Burn

Humanity has ventured outside of our solar system for the first time. Unfortunately we are still humans and we seem to have a tendency to bring out the worst in each other when given the opportunity.We will still be petty even when we have reached, and started to colonise, space. Thousands of new worlds have opened up to humanity thanks to the gate opened in [b:Abaddon's Gate 16131032 Abaddon's Gate (Expanse, #3) James S.A. Corey https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388202946s/16131032.jpg 17606564]. The first of these new planets about to be officially colonized by humans have already been settled by a group of Belters looking for a new home. Since they don't have an official approval to settle on said planet the company who does, wishes them to leave. Before they can sit down and resolve this some of the Belters blow up the landing pad and an incoming shuttle.To stop this from escalating James Holden and the Rocinante is sent in as mediators. And there may be something left behind by the aliens, who built the gate and the protomolecule, still on the planet.The book is a really great read, one that's hard to put down because you have to know what will happen next. Even if you hate the description of some of the humans actions because it seems far too likely that those would be the actions of some of us.There are bright points though. The crew of the Rocinante is still trying to do the right thing even if it costs them, and not every human in the book is looking out only for themselves (or their employer). Several people realise that maybe, working together is the better solution to their problems.The fact that the planet is located 18 months travel away from Earth also gives everything a more urgent feeling. Help won't be able to get there in a timely manner. When things go wrong they only have each other to lean on. Which you think they would do...Hmm, not a very coherent review.