Memory’s Legion

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About

• Type:fiction
• [Author:: James S. A. Corey]
• [pages:: 432]
• [ddc:: 813.6]
• [Year published:: 2022]

Reading

• [status:: read]
• [rating:: 4.75]
• [added:: 2023-07-08]
• [started:: 2023-07-08]
• [read:: 2023-09-06]

Links

🛒 [kindle:: https://www.amazon.com/Memorys-Legion-Complete-Expanse-Collection/dp/B097Q81W6Z/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=Memory%27s+Legion&qid=1688779329&sr=8-1] 🏫 [library:: ] [thumbnail:: “https://i1.sndcdn.com/artworks-LArZJPwyQT1bAnR8-FVE6SQ-t500x500.jpg”] [id:: cewzEAAAQBAJ]

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Summary/Reflection

In the short story format, the characters really got to shine. The vast world was set up and the authors could really hone in specific characters. In the Expanse, the scope was almost too big for me sometimes! Keeping track of the names and places detracted from the character moments for me.

Spoilers for Memory’s Legion and Leviathan Falls

I was also sort of surprised by how uplifting some of the stories were! I remember being devastated after the ending of Leviathan Falls. Characters in Memories Legion get off better on average. Ironically, The Vital Abyss left me the spirited. If a truly evil person like Paolo Cortazar could only exist through a supression of brain regions, then humankind maybe isn’t that bad after all.

The Vital Abyss

This is a truly terrible story, but I actually left feeling encouraged. Paolo Cortazar is the person I disliked the most in the whole Expanse universe. Finding out that he, the ultimate evil, could only exist because of alteration of the brain, paints the whole Expanse in a brighter light. It makes the authors’ view of humankind much more positive.

Strange Dogs

I found myself not wanting to read the story because I know how it would end. This must have been absolute hell for the parents. In the author’s note it was mentioned how this was an immigrant story for the kids.

Auberon

Man, a really fascinating deep dive into the psychology and ethics of Laconia. It was surprising the see myself in the governeur at times. I value discipline and delaying gratification. It’s interesting to reflect on what such a rigid moral system and self-standard can lead to. Again, the uplifing note this story ended on surprised me. I expected Rittenauer being forced to kill Mora in the end. Also pleasant to see Erich again.

The sins of our fathers

This was a great story to end on. It felt like a bit of a conclusion to the entire Expanse story. As the author’s note said “the opposite of an overture”. Philip was a very likeable character and the setting was intruiging. S.A. Corey are really good at portraying real suffering and grief. Contrasting the mental distress and trauma of Philip or Mo with how Kalading was portrayed in Stormlight 4, the former seemed so much more real and deep.