The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey

The Mercy of Gods is part 1 of a new science fiction epic series from the author(s) of the Expanse series. I haven’t read the Expanse but really loved this book so clearly am going to have to clear some more space on the old bookshelf.

It begins with humans on a planet called Anjiin. They’re on the brink of some new scientific discoveries when a violent and ruthless alien species arrives in the skies, kills one eight of their people, and then kidnaps their best and brightest minds.

What follows is traumatic – weeks in a cramped prison cell, then arrival on a new planet. The aliens – the Carryx – tell the surviving humans that they must prove themselves useful. But beyond the practical tasks they must accomplish, Dafyd, one of the scientists, sees that this is also a test of their social skills and ability to understand alien minds. Not everyone agrees with him, and it’s a challenge for their group to work together successfully. They don’t have the resources to hand they’d have at home and they’re traumatised, some having lost friends and loved ones. Should they do what it takes to survive, or do what they can to strike back, despite it meaning death?

I was pulled into the story almost immediately, being intrigued by the human world that was not Earth. Dafyd is our main character, but I wouldn’t say you get to know him intimately – some of his motivations, but not all. And he’s not always sympathetic, because they’re in a difficult situation with difficult choices to make. But that makes him interesting, along with his colleagues and friends. They’re all reacting to the situation in a way that’s unique to them.

The Carryx and the planet we see are fascinating and truly alien. They ‘collect’ other species too and you get a good sense of how each of them differ from one another. And let’s not forget about the enemy of the Carryx, a species and character that I found myself really rooting for by the end (but can’t say too much about here).

Being part one of a series, the book does not wrap everything up in a bow at the end. However, it as satisfying for me – it does come to a good teaser point without being too cliffhangery. Bring on part two!