Leviathan Wakes

by James S. A. Corey, 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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  • ID: 4562
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-12-31
  • ISBN: 9780748122967
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2011-06-02
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 4

Leviathan Wakes is the first book in the critically acclaimed Expanse series, which has sold over 7 million copies worldwide. The story is set in a future where humanity has colonized the solar system, but the stars remain out of reach. Jim Holden, an officer on an ice miner, and Detective Miller, searching for a missing girl, find themselves entangled in a conspiracy that could ignite a galactic war. Their journey takes them through the political and social complexities of a system divided between Earth, Mars, and the Outer Planets. The book has been praised for its interplanetary adventure and compelling characters, making it a standout in the science fiction genre. The Expanse series has been adapted into a major TV series, further cementing its place as one of the most significant science fiction works of the last decade. Leviathan Wakes combines high-stakes adventure with cutting-edge technology and unforgettable characters, offering a thrilling exploration of a future where the rules are different and one small ship can change the universe.

Reviews
Alans Book Blog · Alan K. Dell · 2025-04-11
exciting 4.50

This book is a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat thriller set in a rock-solid hard sci-fi universe. It's a blast from start to finish.

Alan K. Dell loved how this book combines a thrilling plot with a well-crafted hard sci-fi universe. They found the pacing to be excellent, keeping them on the edge of their seat throughout. The characters and their actions are prioritized, making the story feel personal and engaging. It's a fantastic read for anyone who enjoys a mix of action and intelligent science fiction.

Quick quotes

    The result is a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat thriller set in a rock solid hard sci-fi universe.

    It's a blast from start to finish.

    If you haven't read it yet, you're missing out on a fantastic adventure.

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.

Novel Notions · Novel Notions · 2020-03-21
compelling 4.50

This book is a character-driven space-opera that combines sci-fi, noir, mystery, and a slice of horror into one. It's a compelling and engaging read.

Novel Notions found this book to be a fantastic blend of different genres, making it a unique and compelling read. They appreciated the character-driven approach and the way the story combines elements of sci-fi, noir, mystery, and horror. The reviewer enjoyed the engaging plot and the well-developed characters, making it a standout in the genre. It's a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Quick quotes

    Leviathan Wakes was so good; a character-driven space-opera that combines sci-fi, noir, mystery, and a slice of horror into one.

    It's a compelling and engaging read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

    The characters are diverse, engaging and very HUMAN.

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