Leviathan Wakes

If I were to desribe this book it would be political crime mystery drama in space, and for me that is all the ingredients for a great recipe! The book is fast paced, not overly complicated but still a developed universe, and I was hooked. Such a great space opera, no complaints.

I’m not huge on space nonsense, but I love this concept and it was very well done!

A fantastic space epic that truly lives up to a science fiction story. There are some great mysteries involving many great characters in a truly believable futuristic world! Would highly recommend for all sci-fi fans

Rating: 4.5 stars In Leviathan Wakes humanity has spread out through out he solar system when a small craft gets pulled into the middle of what looks like the start of a war between the inner planets, outer planets and the asteroid belt. I really enjoyed this novel. I feel like it had very similar elements to many space operas while also incorporating new elements. I liked the limitations of the space travel, for example, that they couldn't go incredibly fast from one point to another without putting a strain on their bodies. I also really liked the social structures, how big of a deal it was where you had grown up and the deformations in those who were born in space. I think it is a very well thought world. I also really enjoyed the characters and the journey they all went through. I especially like Miller and his very bittersweet storyline and how an unlikely a hero he was at the beginning and how much he transformed as the story went on. Super fun space opera with a few weird elements(tentacle monster), that somehow works. I look forward to the rest of the series.

Definitely a must read if you’re a fan of the TV series which I fell for and fell for really hard. I love the book as much as the TV series. Will absolutely pick up book #2.

** spoiler alert ** retroactive 3.5

I’ve watched The Expanse TV series before and I’m pleasantly surprised I’m just as excited to read this. One down, 8 more books to go I guess.

Finally! I don't know why it took me so long to finish this book* because it is brilliant. I've already seen the first two seasons of the show and I'm a huge fan of it. Naturally, I was curious enough to check out the material it is based on, and I wasn't disappointed. This book covers Holden & Miller's perpectives of what happens in the first two seasons. I'm very curious to find out what the next book will be like. * (I do actually: I read to much at work to read a lot at home).

Some solid space scheming.

Possibly the first time I’ve read a book after watching the TV show / movie. I loved The Expanse so had high hopes for the book — it didn’t disappoint.

The book moves at what Alex would describe as a “high g burn”. Each chapter zips along at a pace that feels even faster than the TV show, and yet, despite this, you are able to get a strong sense of the world the book is building and how colonising space has altered people’s physical and emotional approach to life.

I found myself rolling my eyes at all the discussion of sex work, however. Hundreds of years into the future and for some reason we’re still living in a 19th century version of Las Vegas.

Science Fiction as it was never before and how it's always ought to be!

My review: https://mattstein.com/books/leviathan-wakes

Meaty, fine. Book has far fewer plot holes than the show. (Still some though: why does Johnson not put any of his people on the flight to Eros? Why are these intelligent characters so idiotic about aseptic procedure when handling the ultra-horror organism?) How does it do as Serious science fiction? Social development: The Belters are an ok attempt at showing the start of speciation. Their creole language is pretty good, also the mannerisms designed for legibility in an EVA suit. Software development: Naomi is the only coder, maintaining however many million lines. Actual Science: the spaceflight physics is good. The economics of the Belt make little sense. The protomolecule (a nanotech spore virus capable of infecting anything regardless of biochemistry) strains belief even before it starts messing with the nature of electromagnetism and gravity in an entire AU volume.

This book was incredibly fun. If you’re a fan of space operas, you will love this. It’s good because it’s set in the time period between now and when humanity conquered the stars, so our solar system is colonized but humanity hasn’t gone beyond that.

A fun space opera set in a richly-developed universe. But it seems like all the authors' creativity was depleted thinking through how interplanetary war would work and none was left over for imagining what gender, sex, and race might look like in a century.

I am not normally a sci-fi gal but I've had this book on my shelf for about 4 years and decided it was time. It was so good! A little hard to follow but it was a me problem, not because of anything to do with the author. Otherwise, I flew through it despite the intimidating size!

I LOVED THIS. A really fun sci-fi romp. Love a good mystery in space. I had watched the show previous to reading, so I was prepared for the sad bits... but it didn't make them hurt me any less. 10/10, excited to read more in this series.

Really loved this book. Leviathan Wakes was a great space opera that also combined noir and some light horror. The characters were interesting and I liked that the chapters alternated perspective from one to the other. Helped make it really hard for me to put down. If you're looking for a hard science fiction book this isn't it, meaning no details on how the Epstein drives work. Though it isn't overly simple science fiction either so don't let that fact alone keep you away. Ready to dive into the second book now.

It may sound odd to say given some of the outlandish things that happen, but this feels like a very realistic interpretation of not-so-distant humanity. The corniness of any romantic dialougue also lends to the realistic feel, despite the rich cosmic backdrop.

Definitely a page turner, I'm excited to see what else the series has to offer.

I don’t know what to rate this yet. I’m sitting somewhere between 3.5-3.75. I loved so much about it but certain things about the writing and characterizations left a bad taste in my mouth. I wish men would try to envision a reality in which sex workers were given some sense of agency and respect. The amount of jokes and analogies comparing things to wh*res/prostitutes/ sex workers were numerous and cheap. It took me out of the writing every single time it happened. I still plan on reading the next installment but I really hope the author(s) get more imaginative with their similes and analogies.

Definitely a must read if you’re a fan of the TV series which I fell for and fell for really hard. I love the book as much as the TV series. Will absolutely pick up book #2.

Absolutely nails the everyday space life vibes. It’s great because the story is king, the people are the focus, even though the tech and ‘science’ is full on and woven through everything at the same time. Will be continuing through the rest of the saga for sure.

Did not finish. Just got long. Not sure if I couldn't get into the characters, or what. I felt like I was just along for the ride and things would randomly happen to the characters.

This was a pretty good space yarn. It was well written and nicely paced. I'm not sure I'll dive into the sequels though. Mibbe.