Leviathan Wakes

by James S. A. Corey, James S.A. Corey
Leviathan Wakes cover
Good Books rating 3.81
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: 2026-01-28
  • ISBN: 9780748122967
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2011-06-02
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 4

Leviathan Wakes is the first book in the acclaimed Expanse series, which has sold over 7 million copies worldwide and been adapted into a Prime Original series. The novel is praised for its interplanetary adventure and high-stakes political intrigue, with comparisons to A Song of Ice and Fire and Hollywood blockbusters. It features a blend of cutting-edge technology, unforgettable characters, and memorable fights, set against the backdrop of a solar system where humanity has colonized Mars, the Moon, the Asteroid Belt, and beyond. The story follows Jim Holden, an officer on an ice miner, and Detective Miller, who is searching for a missing girl. Their paths collide when they both become involved in the mystery surrounding a derelict ship called the Scopuli. As they unravel the ship's secrets, they realize that the girl may hold the key to preventing an impending war. Together, they must navigate the complex political landscape of the solar system, facing off against Earth's government, Outer Planet revolutionaries, and secret corporations.

Reviews
Fantasy Book Review · 2026-01-02
intelligent 3.75

It's intelligent, fast paced and just daft enough to be great fun. I loved reading this book.

The reviewer at Fantasy Book Review describes Leviathan Wakes as an intelligent and fast-paced book that is just daft enough to be great fun. The reviewer loved reading this book, praising its ability to blend intelligence and humor seamlessly. The reviewer also highlights the book's ability to keep readers engaged with its fast pace and engaging characters. The reviewer found the book to be a great addition to the sci-fi genre, with a perfect balance of intelligence, humor, and action.

Quick quotes

    It's intelligent, fast paced and just daft enough to be great fun.

    I loved reading this book.

    It's quite a large book, but it felt very small, because it's so engaging.

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.

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