by James S. A. Corey
Published 2026
James S. A. Corey's Expanse series has sold more than 12 million copies worldwide and has been translated into more than 23 languages, establishing itself as a modern masterwork of science fiction. Now, the Hugo-award winning author returns with the second volume in their New York Times bestselling and critically acclaimed space opera trilogy, The Captive's War. "Corey is always one of the most engaging voices in the genre." --Adrian Tchaikovsky, bestselling author of Children of Time The monstrous Carryx empire was built by subjugation and war. Thousands of species are bound to their Sovran's command in an endless, blood-soaked test: be useful in the eternal conflict or be slaughtered. Dafyd Alkhor, highest among their human captives, is feared and despised by the very people he champions. Ruthless in carving out his niche in the eternal war machine of the empire, he will reshape human nature itself as a tool for their alien masters' use. But Dafyd's loyalty is not what it seems. The Swarm, an agent of the Carryx's deathless enemy, has been smuggled into the Carryx world-palace along with the human slaves. Its mission: discover a way to bring down the empire's eternal reign. But the longer it lives among and within humanity, the more it forgets that it is a weapon. As the human captives spread through the battlefronts of empire, the awesome power of the Carryx becomes clear. And with it, a desperate plan for their destruction. But empires hide secrets, and even the deathless enemy may not be what it appears ... "Masterful ... This is space opera at its best." - Publishers Weekly (starred review) on The Mercy of Gods "The start of something truly epic." ―Fonda Lee on The Mercy of Gods For More from James S. A. Corey, check out: The Captive's War The Mercy of Gods The Faith of Beasts The Expanse Leviathan Wakes Caliban's War Abaddon's Gate Cibola Burn Nemesis Games Babylon's Ashes Persepolis Rising Tiamat's Wrath Leviathan Falls Memory's Legion The Expanse Short Fiction Drive The Butcher of Anderson Station Gods of Risk The Churn The Vital Abyss Strange Dogs Auberon The Sins of Our Fathers
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Top voices for narrating this book
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Deep
“This deep, commanding American voice perfectly captures the gravitas needed for an epic space opera, delivering the narrative with a serious and measured tone that evokes vastness.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Serious
“A smooth, dramatic presence with a deep tone, Jake is ideal for conveying the intensity and serious nature of the conflict, making him a strong fit for the book's genre.”
Male · Middle-Aged · Narration · Deep · Serious · Measured · +3 more
“The deep, serious, and measured quality of this middle-aged male voice provides an excellent foundation for an authoritative narrator, lending a mysterious edge suitable for the unknown elements of space.”
Male · Middle-Aged · Narration · Educational · Documentary · Calm · +3 more
“With a clear, standard American accent and a deep, engaging tone, this narrator's calm and measured pace would effectively convey the story's scope without being overly dramatic.”
Male · Middle-Aged · Narration · Energetic · Authoritative · Confident · +3 more
“This powerful and energetic voice, while leaning towards preacher-like, offers a dramatic and authoritative delivery that could bring a unique, passionate intensity to the overarching narrative of the empire.”
For listeners: use the Best Narrator voice above in ElevenReader or Fish Audio. Character casting is for authors producing audiobooks with studio tools.
A ruthless and strategic human captive, feared by his own people, with a hidden agenda against his alien masters. His voice should convey intelligence, underlying defiance, and a sense of burden.
Male · Social-Media · Middle-Aged · Narration · Deep · Low · +16 more
“Levi's dramatic and intense range, coupled with his ability to be calm and measured, perfectly embodies Dafyd's ruthless yet burdened nature, hinting at his hidden agenda.”
Male · Middle-Aged · Narration · Deep · Raspy · Serious · +3 more
“This deep, mature voice with a serious and mysterious tone, subtly raspy, aligns well with Dafyd's intelligent and defiant character, suggesting a man burdened by secrets.”
Indian · Young · Male · Narrative Story · Intense
“Alok K's intense and deliberate delivery would suit Dafyd's strategic mind and underlying defiance, creating a tense atmosphere around his character.”
Male · Old · Narration · Deep · Middle-Aged · Character-Voice · +7 more
“The deep, raspy texture and dramatic tone of Hxh Narrator would convey Dafyd's ruthlessness and the serious weight of his mission, even though the age leans older.”
American · Young · Male · Narrative Story · Formal
“Revenant, with its youthful yet rugged and energetic tone, brings a gritty cinematic texture that could represent Dafyd's intense and defiant spirit, despite being labeled as 'formal'.”
An alien agent with a critical mission, evolving as it lives among humanity. Its voice should be mysterious and adaptable, hinting at its non-human origin and changing nature.
Female · Middle-Aged · Conversational · Narration · Character-Voice · Social-Media · +58 more
“Jade's versatile female voice, capable of intimate and mysterious tones, is a strong match for the evolving and non-human nature of The Swarm, allowing for adaptable vocalizations.”
Female · Middle-Aged · Narration · Character-Voice · Warm · Bright · +18 more
“A soft, breathy young female voice with an intimate and mysterious quality, Angela White's delivery would perfectly capture The Swarm's adaptable and non-human origin, hinting at its changing nature.”
Female · Male · Young · Middle-Aged · Old · Character-Voice · +11 more
“The Prototype v2, despite its broad labels, offers a 'soft' female option with a mysterious quality that could be molded to represent the alien agent's evolving voice and intimate presence.”
Male · Young · Old · Middle-Aged · Medium · Female · +60 more
“Gus, though male, is listed with 'female' as a possible characteristic and 'mysterious' as a trait, suggesting a vocal flexibility that could be adapted for The Swarm's enigmatic and changing nature.”
Male · Neutral · Young · Old · Conversational · Narration · +61 more
“Matt Dillon (Actor) TTS, with its wide range of descriptive tags including 'female' and 'mysterious', could be engineered to deliver the unique and adaptable vocalizations required for this alien character.”