Book Review of The Butcher of Anderson Station by James SA Corey

This book review of The Butcher of Anderson Station by James SA Corey is part of my Expanse Reading Quest.

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Next stop on my read through the The Expanse by James S.A. Corey was the novelette The Butcher of Anderson Station. This short but powerful story peels back the layers of Colonel Fred Johnson, one of the more controversial figures so far in my journey through the universe of The Expanse.
If you’ve ever wondered what could push someone to become both a hero and a villain at the same time, this novella gives you some insight. It’s a short story, but one that’s really stayed with me—it dives into heavy stuff like redemption, guilt, and how violence has a way of lingering way after the fact. Whether you’re super into The Expanse or just curious and want to try something new, I think this story’s worth a read.

Plot Summary

The story’s all about Fred Johnson, aka “The Butcher of Anderson Station.” Through flashbacks and his thoughts in the present, we find out what really happened to earn him that brutal nickname. Johnson used to be an Earth military guy, sent to take back a station held by striking workers. But things went way off the rails, turning into a tragedy that leaves him stuck wrestling with his choices and the truths he figured out after.

Now, in the present, the Outer Planets Alliance (OPA)—a group fighting for Belters’ rights—is trying to recruit him. As he digs back into that traumatic event, you see all the stuff that shaped who he is and why he ends up switching sides. The story does touch on the bigger political fights in The Expanse, but it’s mostly about Johnson’s personal journey.

My Review

Okay, so I gotta start with what I loved. James S.A. Corey’s writing really stands out—it’s this perfect mix of action and deep, introspective stuff. The battle scenes are intense, super vivid, but honestly, what hit me hardest was Johnson’s emotional struggle. He’s this tough soldier guy, but at the same time, he’s drowning in guilt and trying to make up for his past. That whole dynamic just hooked me. One line that really stuck was when Johnson thinks, “It wasn’t just about orders. It was about believing in them.” Like, wow, that hits hard and sums up his inner mess perfectly.

The pacing is really good, which works great for a novella. It’s just over 50 pages, so every word has to matter—and Corey totally makes it work. There’s no dragging, but somehow they still manage to squeeze in world-building, solid character development, and a full arc. Oh, and the flashbacks? They slide right into the story, so everything just flows.

But it’s not all perfect. The short length, which is a plus in some ways, also leaves a few things kinda under-developed. I wanted more about Anderson Station itself. Who were the people? What were their reasons? And how did this strike fit into the bigger picture? The workers’ side of things is really interesting, but we only get a little glimpse. Hopefully we learn more in future stories!

The tone of the story is serious, which fits the whole guilt-and-redemption vibe, but sometimes it feels a bit much. Some of Johnson’s reflections on his past get kinda repetitive, which might annoy people who like stories with a lighter touch.

That said, the good stuff definitely outweighs the flaws. Corey’s so good at making you feel the weight of a character’s choices. This isn’t just a story about war—it’s about what it costs to live with everything that comes after. And honestly? It’s worth the read just for that.

Who Should Read This

If you’re into The Expanse, you gotta check out this novella. It gives Fred Johnson way more depth and adds a lot to the bigger story. If you’re new to the series, it works as a standalone too, though you might miss a bit of the bigger picture.

Just a heads-up, the story doesn’t hold back on the heavy stuff. There’s violence, combat, and even civilian casualties, which might be a lot for some people. I’d say it’s best for teens and adults who like sci-fi that makes you think and don’t mind darker themes.

Parting Thoughts

The Butcher of Anderson Station really got me thinking about how power and belief can mess with our choices. It’s a story that shows how flawed people can be, but also how they can change. It’s not perfect, but it totally pulled me in and made me want to dig deeper into The Expanse.

If you’ve read it—or you’re planning to—I wanna know what you think! Did Fred Johnson’s story hit you the same way? How did you feel about the moral gray areas in his choices? Let’s chat about it in the comments!

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Other Books You Might Enjoy

• Book Review of Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey
• Book Review of The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

About the Author

James S.A. Corey is the pen name for Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, two authors who work together. They are best known for writing The Expanse series, a popular science fiction saga. The series started with Leviathan Wakes in 2011 and now includes nine books and several novellas. It was nominated for major awards like the Hugo and Locus and won a Hugo Award for Best Series in 2020. The books were adapted into a TV show on Syfy and later Amazon Prime, gaining even more fans. Before teaming up as James S.A. Corey, Abraham wrote fantasy novels, and Franck worked as a personal assistant to George R.R. Martin. Together, they’ve created one of the most beloved modern sci-fi universes.