The The Expanse is a Science Fiction series by James S A Corey, made up of 9 books published between 2011 and 2021. It begins with Leviathan Wakes (2011), and is best read in publication order. The most recent entry is Leviathan Falls (2021), spanning 10 years of storytelling.
The Expanse series: frequently asked questions
What order should I read the The Expanse series?
Start with Leviathan Wakes (2011), the first book in the The Expanse series by James S A Corey. Follow the books in publication order for the best reading experience.
How many books are in the The Expanse series?
There are 9 books in the The Expanse series by James S A Corey, published between 2011 and 2021.
What is the first book in the The Expanse series?
The first book in the The Expanse series is Leviathan Wakes, published in 2011 by James S A Corey.
What is the latest book in the The Expanse series?
The most recent book in the The Expanse series is Leviathan Falls (2021) by James S A Corey.
About the Expanse series
James S. A. Corey's Expanse (the pen name of writers Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck) is modern science fiction at its most expansive: a nine-book saga set in a plausibly colonised solar system where Earth, Mars and the resource-poor "Belters" sit on the brink of war — until the crew of the Rocinante stumbles onto something that changes humanity's place in the universe.
It excels at hard-SF politics and lived-in worldbuilding while keeping a tight, characterful core crew you come to love. The scope widens dramatically across the series, from solar-system intrigue to galaxy-spanning stakes.
Start with "Leviathan Wakes" and read in publication order. The series is complete, with several novellas filling gaps between the main volumes — a rare epic SF saga that landed its ending.