late

I like the tv show. But they keep dumbing the plot and characters down. Which means they throw out a lot of my favorite moments in the books. Chrisjun Avarasala is my favorite character in the books. Her character in the tv show is very different.

Bobbie Draper is a force of nature in the books. She would not be easy to do in a tv show, she's a roughly 6'6" wall of muscle, and a jarhead to the core. Belters are tall, but skinny. Next to her they look like kindling.

The main characters are too young. In the book, Holden and Nagata in their 30s, Miller is in his 40s.

Speaking of Miller, he's a thoughtful cynic, a classic noir detective. He's nothing like that in the tv show. In the book he tends to stillness, in the show he's a bit of a hothead.

I'm not going to stop watching it. The basic plot is something I love. Despite our craziness, we survive long enough to get into Space. Despite our genius at doing the worst possible thing, we just barely manage to survive through to the next worst possible move. One of the things I love about the authors is that, just like Spinal Tap, they turn the tension to 11. Which becomes the new 10, which they manage to crank up to a new 11 in the next book.

Years ago, if you told me there would be a 9 book scifi series that kept it's mojo, I would have thought you quite mad.

SnowJob

I love this show so much.

Gotta say, I think the show does a better job with the characters than the book. Without spoiling anything, I think the way the main four turned into a crew works better in the show (more personality conflicts pushed by the extreme situations they get into). And Thomas Jane as Miller is perfect.

Best space combat scenes ever... Holy crap!

late

The Space combat is really good.

We're going to have to agree to disagree on character development. That's one of the real strengths of the books, you have a bunch of strong, unique characters interacting in often unexpected ways. The tv show is the usual simple bluster.

Occasionally that simplicity is positively glaring. What makes Avarasala the most intriguing character in the novels is largely lost. The contradictory demands on Fred Johnson is largely lost. Miller's classic noir detective is largely lost. The mysterious past of Nagata is revealed way too early. The romance between Holden and Nagata is a slow torture in the books, and that slow burn is just gone. Nagata is a genius in the books, she's smart in the tv show, but they give some of the things she says to other characters, like Amos. That is just wrong, IMO.

noisebeam

I've watched seasons 1 and 2.

Would I find the book series to be enjoyable or is some of the excitement lost in knowing the story?

Thinking of taking book 1 (Leviathan Wakes) on a 16hr flight vs. something else.

Jpommier

I've been wanting to check this show out for a while. I'll finally have to give it a watch.

Hobbit712

The books offer so much more to the story. Great reading! The show tries to stay true to he story but obviously there are limitations.

IMHO the TV series is one of the best shows I have ever seen. Certainly a top sci-fi show. I have watched the first three seasons three times. Each time I catch something I have missed...especially when it relates to the books. Subtle things that are easy to miss.

Highly recommended!

noisebeam

Thanks. I just finish e12 of season 2 last night after couple week break due to traveling. One more episode left and onto Season 3. Agree it is very well done.
I ended up buying the three volume book series. I started reading the first book on the airplane, but only got about 10 pages in, not because of content, but I had terrible light sensitive headache most of the 17hr flight.
On the way back I read "In Search of the Old Ones"
No regrets buying the Expanse books. I know I will get to them someday.

canklecat

I just binged season 4 in three sessions, watching during my indoor trainer spins. No disappointments. Very watchable series. But it does make me curious about the books. Written narratives often reveal character complexities and motivations that don't come across well in movies.

Nerdftyu

I like books more

bobokat

I read V for Vendetta and the first impression is better than the movie. To be honest, I didn't even know there was such a book until recently.
It happened by chance, when I was asked to write an essay about any book of my choice and I came across an example of paper for this book on the Internet https://studydriver.com/v-for-vendetta-essay/. At that moment, I immediately chose this book, found it on the Internet, bought it and started reading.

CharlesClark

I had no idea that there is a book. Movie was really good, book can only be better.

bobokat

I was surprised too, but I would highly recommend to read it.

Fawkwas

I like movies, but more books, especially Dreiser's.

Cyclo_Tron

They Mary Sued Bobbie Draper hard about 30 minutes after introducing her, which sucks.

Great power armor you have there, too bad a baseline human can beat it in an arm wrestling match.

late

Absolutely.

Just don't piss her off..

PedalingWalrus

My favorite character by far (in the tv show) is Camina Drummer! Just awesome.

Rage

I read the first one. Liked it well enough.
Then I started the first season of the show, which was alright but I couldn’t quite get into it as much.
My interest in both then kinda dropped off although I do hope to finish the books and the show some day. Just not sure when.