The Orbital Sword: Tiamat's Wrath by James S.A. Corey

Tiamat's Wrath is a science fiction novel by James S. A. Corey, the pen name of Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, and the eighth book in their series The Expanse. Following the successful establishment of an interstellar empire, High Consul Winston Duarte pursues the evolution of human life through the use of the "protomolecule" that has driven galactic exploration. James Holden, former captain of the gunship Rocinante and a protagonist of the previous novels in the series, is Duarte's captive. While Duarte's scientists explore the uses of the protomolecule, the surviving members of the Rocinante's crew work to free humanity from Duarte's dominion.