Leviathan Wakes

This was really modern science fiction, if not quite up there with the best-of-the-best, it was close. Unusually for hard science fiction, the characters were compelling on their own, and had some nice depth to them. Also somewhat unusually, the characters were not scientists or space marines, but rather a mediocre detective and an intra-stellar freight hauler who get pulled deeper and deeper into the solar-system spanning plot of the book.

Though it is revealed in the very start of the story (so, no spoiler here!) that there is a first contact element in the book, for the vast majority of the novel, the action is much more human in nature - politics (both interplanetary and interoffice) and lots of action predominate.

The novel is not the deepest, and I am not entirely sure it adds to the genre or sheds vital insight into the human condition, but there is a lot of fun: murder mysteries, ship-to-ship combat, witty banter, and even old-school horror all make appearances. I'll certainly listen to the next, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it while you wait for more Peter Hamilton, Alastair Reynolds, or Iain M. Banks novels to be added to Audible.

This is the first in a series of books and it is excellent! Corey has done a superb job and the narration is spot on. The story includes mystery, intrigue, futuristic thinking, and psychological hooks that keep you coming back for more. You will not want to stop listening once you start this book and that is one of the key qualities I look for in any audio experience. I highly recommend this book. I can'
t wait for the next installment.

This is a typical first contact story in many ways, although the mysteries surrounding the alien unfold with interesting twists and turns right up to the end. There are lots of space battles, political intrigue, clever detective work, and solid scientific speculation, all generally well handled. The science is believable, and the social/political backdrop for the story is complex, interesting, and plays an important role in the story. The two authors (Corey is a pseudonym) have crafted two characters each with a point of view on the action as it unfolds (perhaps each author took one of the characters as his alter ego?). They've done this in a way that allows some thoughtful exploration of individual differences in moral perspective on how we might respond to the discovery that there is a vastly older, vastly more sophisticated intelligence out there in the universe. I couldn't quite see my way to giving it five stars because (1) many of the minor characters are indistinguishable in voice and action, (2) too many story elements are cliches -- the evil corporation, navy captain who has a problem with authority, depressive cop traumatized by too many years of seeing the worst of humanity, women who are more manly than the men around them, etc., etc. Nevertheless, the authors manage to bring something original even to many of these cliches, and the overall effect is clever and thoughtful. Even though this is the first book of a planned series, it stands on its own quite well. I will definitely watch for the next book in the series.

It was a nice listen. I did like the world that the authors evoked (For those who don't know, James S.A. Corey is a pseudonym for 2 authors), and the characters were decent. I don't know that I really cared deeply about them at the end, but the action is so non stop that you get pulled along regardless.

My favorite character is the one who is seen the least amount - Julie

Blockbuster deep space adventure!

I'll definitely download the sequel when it comes out - I hear it's planned for late spring 2012.

An entertainingly old-fashioned space thriller, which I might describe as “Alien meets Firefly meets Richard K. Morgan”. As in the classic Ridley Scott movie, the authors create a lively sense of regular Joe and Jane humans living in the grimy, mechanical confines of spaceships and stations. Throw in some hard-boiled cop story elements and a charismatic, obedience-averse young ship captain and his rag-tag crew, and you get the Richard K. Morgan and Firefly similarities.

While there’s little in this book that isn’t a well-worn science fiction trope, the technological stuff feels realistic and the familiar human characters might appeal to readers weary of the powered-up post-human protagonists that populate other hard SF novels these days. Add some cracklingly good space battles, a mystery, and characters caught up in politics larger than themselves, and you have a science fiction thriller that is, if not exactly innovative, more readable than Alastair Reynolds.

I was really impressed with this book. I'm not sure I'd rate it in my top 10 (Dune, Starship Troopers, I Am Legend, etc.) but this was a very solid and enjoyable novel.


Unlike the last book I listened to, I really felt a connection with the characters. They felt three-dimensional to me and it didn't take long before I cared about the story because I cared about the characters.


The book mainly focuses on two primary characters (Holden and Miller) and the chapters alternate between their points of view which at times overlap as they interact. The story is part scifi adventure, part mystery and, to a lesser degree, part first contact with a dash of creepiness here and there thrown in.


There is profanity but it serves in fleshing out particular characters (Amos) without being gratuitous in my opinion. Thankfully, there are also no gratuitous sex scenes which the story really wouldn't have benefitted from anyway.


The narration is also well done and lends to the positive experience of this book.


I assume based on the "Book One of the Expanse" that this will be the first in a series of novels so I'm anxiously looking forward to more. I found the ending of the book satisfying but I'm also anxious to find out "what happens next" in this author's universe.

The good:

The quality of the writing was very good; dialog was realistic and natural and the descriptions were thorough without being overwhelming. The author generated suspense nicely (though not what I would call masterfully), and the plot was engaging throughout- with only a couple of dry spots towards the beginning.

The bad:

Corey (the author) has created a universe and backstory that suggest an epic scope- but unfortunately his relatively small cast of characters are not enough to populate the a story of the size he wants to fill. So rather than SHOWING us the various aspects of life in his futuristic solar system, he TELLS us about the back story in an encyclopedic fashion that feels like a dry history lesson. I suggest that he examine George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones to see how a vast and rich backstory can be doled out at appropriate times, by making sure that all the history shared is relevant to the story and in such a way that the readers have a vested interest in knowing that backstory at the time it is being shared.

One writing device which bothered me a lot was the detective constantly seeing/talking to a girl who wasn't there. This is not an uncommon device, and a cringe whenever I read it, because I wonder if the author is implying that the character is literally hallucinating or if we're just getting a weird view of their imagination. It is a weak crutch to show us the inner thoughts of one of the main characters, and I wish the author had made a different choice.

Lack of scientific progress was also a major problem in this novel. We are set in the distant future, but Corey doesn't dazzle us with any time-appropriate technology outside of the genre cliches.

[mild spoiler in this paragraph:]

The plot itself is interesting, but suffers from a common problem: The bad guys are too evil. They're also too stupid for words. It's the same old sci-fi cliche where a powerful organization tries to harness a weapon that OBVIOUSLY defies human control. We've seen this in the Alien movies, in the Fifth Element, the Fly II, etc, etc.

[/end spoiler]

Conclusion:

I am left with mixed feelings about this book. I don't feel that it was a waste of time... but I also don't feel terribly compelled to continue with the rest of the series as it comes out.

This is a solid modern space opera. I liked it a lot.
Interesting story, good use of tech and science and well developed characters.
Explores morality and what it means to be human themes.

I'm interested to read more since this appears to be the first in a series... though it would be fine as a standalone.

James S. A. Corey (who is really 2 different authors that take turns writing chapters) makes the arrangement between the two of them work out well. The book starts with the 2 different authors' styles being apparent and then blends them nicely together as the book goes on.

The future, as presented in this book, finds mankind having achieved space tavel to the planets within the solar system, but not having reached out into the stars. Access to additional planets and resources does little to unite humanity and now mankind has a new way to discriminate against each other - based on where in the solar system one lives.

There is a tenuous peace that exists between Earth, Mars and the outer planets and it is within this fragile environment that the discovery of an ancient alien weapon sparks a higher level of conflict. The tale is well told and you never really know who exactly is behind the key events raising the level of tension and increasing the likelihood of war.

There is nothing extraordinarily unique about such a tale, but this one is well written and it keeps you entertained. The book also ends in a good place, wrapping up this initial story well and whetting your appetite for what comes next.

Jefferson Mays does an excellent job on the narration.

I try to be super picky about my audiobook selections. I gravitate towards the space opera's and this book allowed me to check off all the boxes on my check list. It did not disappoint. The narration is solid, the characters are very interesting. I like the fact that the author focused on two characters rather than give us a cast of thousands as some authors tend to do. You really get to understand the two men inside and out.

In all, I highly recommend this book and I look forward to the next installments. Please don't make us wait a year or two like What's-his-face with "The Passage". Think John Ringo, who'll give you a new book in 6 months. I love that! :)