Genre
Science Fiction
Setting and Context
In a future in which humanity has conquered much of the solar system and formed a tenuous alliance with the Martian Congressional Republic.
Narrator and Point of View
The novel is told from two alternating points of view: that of detective Joe Miller and Jim Holden, who lives on Earth.
Tone and Mood
The novel is scientific, clinical, stifling, thrilling, violent, action-packaged, and mysterious.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Jim Holden and Detective Miller are the protagonists of the novel; the OPA is the novel's antagonists.
Major Conflict
The conflict between those in the asteroid belt, Earth, and the Martian Republic is one of the most important in the novel.
Climax
When Eros eventually moves away from Earth and crashes into Venus.
Foreshadowing
Eros being guided by Julie Mao is foreshadowed by some early interactions with Eros.
Understatement
The positivity that the OPA brings is understated quite frequently by many people in the asteroid belt (and people on Earth more generally).
Allusions
There are allusions to other science fiction novels and films, like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Dune, and 1984, as well as scientific concepts, mythology (Greek, Roman, and Egyptian primarily), and other popular culture.
Imagery
As the conflict between the United Nations and the Martian Congressional Republic heats up, violent imagery becomes more and more common.
Paradox
The OPA are freedom fighters but are called terrorists by many people.
Parallelism
N/A.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
The United Nations is the governing body of the Earth.
Personification
Eros is personified quite frequently in the novel.
