AceShowbiz - The acclaimed sci-fi saga from the minds of Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, known collectively under the pen name James S. A. Corey, is back with a fresh start. After nearly a decade of success with their expansive universe in The Expanse series—spanning nine novels, nine novellas, multiple short stories, and a six-season television adaptation—the duo has embarked on a new narrative journey set in a different world and time.

Abraham and Franck began this new chapter in 2024 with their novel The Mercy of Gods, the first installment in the Captive's War series. The book was an immediate hit, landing on the New York Times bestseller list and capturing the attention of sci-fi readers worldwide. Their follow-up novel, The Faith of Beasts, was released on April 14, 2026, with the first chapter made available for free on Polygon, inviting both longtime fans and newcomers to dive into the story.

The first chapter of The Faith of Beasts includes significant spoilers for The Mercy of Gods, so new readers are encouraged to begin with the opening chapter of the initial book, also accessible on Polygon at no cost. This approach allows a proper introduction to the world and characters before continuing with the new installment. The books can be purchased via Amazon, Orbit Books, Bookshop.org, and other retail outlets.

The Mercy of Gods introduces readers to a dramatic alien invasion scenario where humanity faces overwhelming odds. The Carryx, a dominant alien species, subjugate civilizations they consider "useful" while annihilating those they do not. The human world of Anjiin is quickly overrun, with a large portion of its population wiped out to demonstrate the Carryx’s power.

Within this setting, a group of scientists on the brink of a major scientific breakthrough is forcibly relocated to a massive, cathedral-like Carryx "world-palace." This space is inhabited by representatives of various alien species, and the captured humans are compelled to continue their research under alien supervision. The narrative follows characters such as Dafyd Alkhor, Tonner Freis, and Jessyn Kaul as they navigate captivity and attempt to prove humanity’s worth to their captors.

The story explores the fall of Anjiin, the varied personal responses of the abducted scientists, and a disturbing transformation experienced by one of them, who becomes less than fully human. Central to the plot is Dafyd’s effort to understand the complex Carryx society and their philosophical underpinnings in hopes of ensuring humanity’s survival.

The Faith of Beasts picks up from these events, continuing the saga of the human captives within the Carryx empire. The first chapter paints a vivid picture of the new reality for the abducted humans. Anjiin once housed four and a half billion people, but only about four thousand were taken to serve in the Carryx world-palace, with one in seven dying during transit or shortly after arrival due to illness or accidents.

After proving their value, the scattered human groups gradually reassemble, akin to a lost family reunited in an alien wilderness. Around five hundred individuals are sent on mysterious tasks understood only by the Carryx. The environment they inhabit has adapted somewhat to human needs: bathrooms now have dispensers for red cleansing gel to replace showers that previously started with it, and basic human grooming practices like hair cutting, shaving, and menstruation hygiene have been accommodated. These small adaptations grant a degree of dignity amidst captivity.

However, the physical space remains alien. Passageways are wider with walls that slant inward, and the air carries a distinctive smell reminiscent of resin and salt, permeating everything. This scent becomes background noise, noticed only when venturing outside common areas or into a small garden atop the habitat.

The garden offers a rare moment of luxury and beauty, with a single tree sporting deep purple-brown bark and leathery leaves, a bed of wild mint, and a black metal and pale stone fountain flowing constantly. The view from the garden is breathtaking: to the east, two massive arcs rise from the planet below, extending beyond the atmosphere. Lights dot their surfaces—whether decorative or functional is uncertain—while other ziggurats stretch into the distance, piercing through cloud cover.

The protagonist Dafyd endures physical and emotional strain, indicated by a persistent headache and a summons from a Carryx lord named Ekur. The chapter ends with Dafyd preparing to meet his captor, uncertain if new orders will alter his responsibilities or the mission of the human captives.

This new series by Abraham and Franck promises a richly detailed and gripping continuation of their talent for creating immersive, thought-provoking science fiction. With the first chapters freely accessible online, fans have an opportunity to experience the beginning of this new saga without any barriers, while anticipating an Amazon adaptation currently in development.

Readers looking to explore the universe crafted by the creators of The Expanse can start by visiting Polygon for the free chapters and plan to purchase the novels from major booksellers to follow the full story as it unfolds.