Leviathan Wakes

Book 1 of the Expanse

By: James S. A. Corey

Narrated by: Jefferson Mays

Length: 19 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's Summary

Humanity has colonized the planets - interstellar travel is still beyond our reach, but the solar system has become a dense network of colonies. But there are tensions - the mineral-rich outer planets resent their dependence on Earth and Mars and the political and military clout they wield over the Belt and beyond. 

Now, when Captain Jim Holden's ice miner stumbles across a derelict, abandoned ship, he uncovers a secret that threatens to throw the entire system into war. Attacked by a stealth ship belonging to the Mars fleet, Holden must find a way to uncover the motives behind the attack, stop a war and find the truth behind a vast conspiracy that threatens the entire human race.

©2011 James S. A. Corey (P)2014 Hachette Audio UK

Critic Reviews

"It's been too long since we've had a really kickass space opera. LEVIATHAN WAKES is interplanetary adventure the way it ought to be written, the kind of SF that made me fall in love with the genre way back when, seasoned with a dollop of horror and a dash of noir. Jimmy Corey writes with the energy of a brash newcomer and the polish of a seasoned pro" (George R. R. Martin)

"A winning blend of old-school space opera and modern sensibility... Corey combines no-nonsense storytelling with hard-boiled dialogue as the novel races to a truly cosmic ending. An excellent start to a promising new series" ( The Telegraph)

"Corey... has created a refreshingly blue-collar tale, with well-drawn characters and a compelling narrative sweep. Roll on Book Two." ( Financial Times)

"If you love tales packed with worldbuildy details like how humans cored asteroids, pumped them full of atmosphere, and spun them up for gravity's sake, then you'll love this novel to pieces" ( io9)

First book on audible.

Loved it. Different than The Expanse series in TV, but I liked the crew dynamic in the book more.

Wow of a story and production.

Second time for this book and will follow all books of the Expanse. I'm so hooked. Thanks guys.

Good read

Really enjoyed the world building. Miller was MVP, looking forward to seeing where the story goes after that final scene

One day I'll be nostalgic about this story

A little slow to start with, a lot of action and not enough character chemistry for my taste. However, once it picked up it reminded me of Firefly, and the rest was smooth sailing.

Glims to the future of space

i love a science fiction that pay so many attention to details.

i have never imagined politics in space like. now i have seen it. well, listened it.

i really like how the news are presented in the book. different people/faction will report different point of view of the news and thus it feels very real life.

i have never seen clash of ideas between characters. it is quite thought provoking when the two main characters come together and discuss an action. Both have solid, but drastically different point of views. it was hard for me to decide who is right or wrong.

the book feels like a detective story. keep digging through layers of facts to expose the real truth.

one of the character, Miller, has a really good character arch. don't want to say too much here, but i did not know it is so interesting to see a character spiraling down.

Highly recommend this book.

Even Better

Huge fan of the TV show, but the book and narration just blew me away. I do like the book more, but it was fun imagining characters from the show. Can't wait to listen to the other books!

No idea how good the book is ...

... but I could not get myself to listen to the monoton narrator... fudbdiehcbsixbsjzbcjdnxbdj
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good scifi

great book, it is obvious the author put a lot of thought into this world and the way it operates with regards to the technological and sociological implications of colonising space. there were one or two moments that felt a bit rough and edgy, like a roleplaying session which is interrupted by an edgelord character, but the book stays interesting until the very end. The book would have been even better if it had a larger cast though.

ending

what a brilliant book , got me hooked big time , I love cliff hangers and the ending was something especially brilliant , one that I did not see coming

Great book

Excellent and captivating story. Great characters. Let me really immerse myself. I highly recommend this book.

brilliant

Absolutely amazing, gripping, extremely entertaining, gritty, funny in parts and believable !!! can't wait to read the next one! if u feel the same, give the tv show the expance a try x

Even better than the TV show

I am a fan of the TV show and was curious as to how the book would be different..As usual there is a real serperation between the two mediums but were as the tv has to deal with multiple characters to make to more of an opera, the book centres on Holden and Miller as the driving force of the story. Absolutely absorb me for the duration. Definitely recommend. Looking forward to the next in the series.

Great Work

Loved this book. Realistic characters, realist setting, excellent story and great performance from the narrator. If you want a real sci-fi story with real people in it then this one is for you. Looking forward to the follow on books.

Loved it

Excellent sci-fi with a great narrator, what more can one ask?

Must have listened to it almost non stop.

Fantastic.

One of the best space operas ever to be conceived. A definite must listen if you like space, mystery and a great thought out world.

excellent

excellent story, good characters, can't wait to read more. also comparing it to the tv show.

Detailed, rich and excellently paced

If you could sum up Leviathan Wakes in three words, what would they be?

Excellent Space Opera

What was one of the most memorable moments of Leviathan Wakes?

Who needs inertia anyway?

Have you listened to any of Jefferson Mays’s other performances? How does this one compare?

All three in this series, all were well restrained and avoided any over the top stupidity. Characters were subtly different and the story was easy to follow and engaging. Still listening at 3AM on a wednesday morning? Oops...didn't want to be up for work on time anyway.....

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I felt pride for the main characters achievements a few times, sad at others.

Any additional comments?

The story was excellent with multiple sub-plots all adding to an overarching story which leads through the series. Bought and listened to all three that are currently available, back-to-back without a break. As well written as any Iain M Banks novel which i love. More please, money waiting!

meh

Big fan of the TV series so thought I would enjoy the books, unfortunately not so much. The narration has left much wanting. Imo, when you buy an audio book, you are expecting a performance, not a lecturer reading off his slides.

Terrible Narration

Would you consider the audio edition of Leviathan Wakes to be better than the print version?

Absolutely not,I am just through reading Leviathan Wakes, and after re-joining Audible thought I would try it as an audio book, terrible mistake!. The reader is totally flat, no characterisation, no variation in voices for individual characters, a complete waste especially for such an excellent novel.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Leviathan Wakes?

The book

What didn’t you like about Jefferson Mays’s performance?

Everything

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Epic

Any additional comments?

I hope Audible have another stab at this with a reader who can be arsed.

A Pleasant Romp Through the Galaxy

Believable characters, spaceship, proto-molecules, space zombies, asteroids, battles in space plus lots more! A great mix and a great start to the Expanse series. Looking forward to Caliban's War.