Wow. A great bit of writing that puts Fred into context and adds a lot of insight into his role in the Belt. ( )

Another back story for one of the series main characters.   This time it's Fred Johnson's turn as we look back at the events of Anderson Station and how they shape his future self.

Next book in the series is Leviathon Wakes, and it's a big, big long one: it might be a while before my next review. ( )

A nice quick background story on Fred from the expanse series. We learn more about why he was called the butcher of Anderson station and how it all happened that made him into the guy (OPA leader?) he is in the series.
( )

I did not expect to love this one, because it was Fred's story, and I was going to read it because reading it meant I would have read all the novellas. Which, if you know me, I'm a completist even in book series I don't love, so in ones I'm currently enamored with? Yeah. This was a no brainer. It was going to happen.

But I so never, never, never saw how they would twist this one. How they would make it make sense, and change my entire view point of who Fred was, and how he got into the position he did, why and where and who and how. All of it. It's another gorgeous unexpected plot twist made of realism and amazing. I recommend it to anyone who has read this series, and who wants to get into it. ( )

3.5 stars

Ha! That only took about 30 minutes to read, but I’m counting it. Do you hear me, Goodreads challenge? I’m counting it! I have bested you again!

But I joke.

But I count it.

Anyway, this short story was a decent backstory for Fred, although I’m pretty sure the TV show has revealed anything that would have been a big surprise here. I enjoyed seeing Anderson Dawes through Fred’s eyes for the first time, and the description of his remote control of the battle was interesting. I always like this writing team’s work. ( )