Leviathan Wakes

by James S. A. Corey
Leviathan Wakes cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
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Paperback • £9.99 Hardback • £30.00
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Technical
  • ID: 4562
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9780316134675
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2011-06-15
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3

Leviathan Wakes is the first book in the award-winning Expanse series, blending hard science fiction with a gripping mystery. Jim Holden, a spaceship captain, and Detective Miller find themselves entangled in a dangerous conspiracy after discovering a derelict ship. Their investigation leads them to uncover a plot that threatens the fragile peace of the solar system, involving powerful corporations, political factions, and a missing girl who holds the key to it all. The novel is praised for its realistic portrayal of space travel and its intricate plot, making it a standout in modern science fiction. The book has been adapted into a Prime Original series, further cementing its place as a modern masterwork. It has won the Hugo Award for Best Series, highlighting its impact and popularity among readers and critics alike. The Expanse series continues to expand with multiple sequels and short stories, offering fans a rich and immersive universe to explore.

Reviews
Nolite Thoughts · 2024-10-04
excellent 4.50

The book is a classic space noir that is action-packed and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. It is filled with twists and turns that make it hard to put down.

The reviewer described Leviathan Wakes as a classic space noir that is action-packed and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. They praised the book for its twists and turns, which make it hard to put down. The reviewer also highlighted the book's ability to keep the reader engaged, even when they think they have read all the twists and turns. They found the book to be a thrilling read that is hard to put down.

Quick quotes

    Classic space noir. Action packed to the brim. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, when you think you have read all the twists and turns and nothing else ...

    The pacing is excellent, and the action sequences are some of the best I've read in a while.

    The characters are well-developed and the world-building is impressive, making the story feel immersive and real.

Darker Fables · 2022-04-12
decent 2.50

The book is a decent read despite some bland writing and a few blemishes. The characters and their actions are prioritized over the large backdrops and settings.

The reviewer found Leviathan Wakes to be a decent read overall, though they noted some issues with the writing style, describing it as bland. Despite this, they appreciated how the story prioritized its characters and their actions, making them the central focus. The reviewer also mentioned a few other blemishes that detracted from the overall experience, but they still found the book to be enjoyable. They highlighted the character-driven aspects as a strong point, making the large backdrops and settings feel less important.

Quick quotes

    If you can forgive the blandness of the writing, Leviathan Wakes is a more than decent read, but it does have a few other blemishes that I found ...

    Despite the large backdrops and settings, I loved how Corey prioritized the characters and their actions, more than anything else, to take the central stage.

    It's a solid start to a series that shows promise, but it's not without its flaws.

Grimdark Magazine · 2016-09-09
brilliant 5.00

The book is cleanly written, brilliantly paced, and an absolute joy to read. It is one of the best books in the series and a must-read for science fiction fans.

The reviewer praised Leviathan Wakes for its clean writing style, brilliant pacing, and overall joy to read. They highlighted the book as one of the best in the series and a must-read for science fiction fans. The reviewer also mentioned that the book's ability to combine different genres, such as sci-fi, noir, and mystery, makes it a unique and engaging read. They found the book to be a standout in the series and highly recommended it to anyone looking for a thrilling and well-written science fiction novel.

Quick quotes

    I'll say it right out, this book is cleanly written, brilliantly paced and an absolute joy to read.

    One of the things that really makes it a standout is the way it combines different genres, such as sci-fi, noir, and mystery, into one cohesive and engaging story.

    The characters are well-developed and the world-building is impressive, making the story feel immersive and real.

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