I never watched the show because I first wanted to read the books in English. I’m from Germany and reading in English never was a big problem for me. With LW, I not only have to look up translations but some sentences don’t even make sense in my head. I guess it’s a good way to improve my English but with the current pace, I will have finished LW in a few months… For native speakers, is this book considered a difficult one to read for a general audience?
Update: Thanks for all the responses. People asked for examples so I answered those comments with one. I will also add it here:
For example, early on in the first Miller chapter they are talking about the OPA: “People like Miller would only rate getting a bullet in the skull, and a nice plastic one at that. Nothing that might get shrapnel in the ductwork.” I know every single word but in the context it did not click until I learned that ductwork is meaning the brain here. Also the part about a plastic bullet did not make sense at first. My brain filled in the gaps eventually. (Miller being from the belt but part of the police force - so the OPA won’t kill him right away)
I understand that there are three more books after the TV series is set to end. Would I miss much plot-wise if I decide to skip reading them and go straight to the last three, or will I end up horribly confused?
For a long time i have been thinking of starting leviathan wakes. It gathers loads of positive reviews, but i also see a lot of " the television series outdid the source material" and that not enough happens in the book.
Is the book simply too much of a slow burn? Or are there enough things happening? Enough action?
Would really appreciate some pointers.
Thank you! And merry Christmas
I started reading this book at the recommendation of many Red Rising fans and this board. I am 40% through and it is still not exciting me. Just seems a bit slow compared to the Red Rising books. Does it pick up at all later in the book? Tempted to cut bait (and maybe start re reading the RR books!).
What would happen if the UNN showed up after the Cant's destruction? specifically the Agatha King. Would it have ended any differently? Would the King do better or worse against the Amun-Ra's? I'm just looking for y'all's thoughts.
Rating 4.5 ⭐
Everything about this book is classical. Classic suspense and a detective, relies on classical physics for their sci Fi universe.
The book is set 200 years in future when humanity has expanded to Mars and the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Earth has 30 billions population and human races are rather mixed with multiple ancestories. There is a mix of language with banghra playing in the background a lot, Hindi being spoken along with Russian etc. The politics is defined by the earth ( the home to all resources, open sky, clean air), mars (a powerful military base with independent population) and belters who are like slums and often fighting for clean air, water.
The book follows two characters Holden the spaceship captain along with his crew who delivers ice etc to the belt and Miller a detective/ cop on the belt. Both get entangled in major war between earth, mars and belters.
As a bonus it is also a TV series and has a woman character who always wears sari, a major political player on earth. She is always so graceful and professional.
My players want a stealth ship. Due to decisions made by me, the UNN Okimbo picked them up, and they were sent to Tycho on a Mulan-class Gunship to make sure word got out that the stealth ships weren't MCRN to prevent war. Now, there are two stealth ships boarding Tycho under the guise of MCRN ships, and the PCs want to steal one. Do I let them? Would it be balanced? I get the feeling it could be interesting, but also really, really overpowered.
Started watching early on, (almost) caught up on the books (stopped in middle of Tiamat's Wrath and started rereading).
Thoroughly enjoying Leviathan Wakes right now over the Holdiays, seeing how it all started again, hearing and seeing voices and scenes that have been brought to life on the screen, but now able to form images and hear things in my mind.
Got to chapter 36, Miller in sick bay and Amos asks, "anyone drop a rock?"
Was this the first overt mention of what the ultimate, no turning back, point of no return, would be? I am reading on paper, so not an easy way to skim back through the 350-ish pages to see if I missed it, but oh man, what great writing to place this here, and now knowing how it escalates...I am blown away.
Has this been posted somewhere way back in this forum? Probably, my search skills failed me, please don't space me. And, this is really just an admiration post for Daniel and Ty.
Stay safe out there, everyone. Space and Earth are both dangerous.
hey people, is buying the hardcover 10th anniversary edition of leviathan wakes (on amz co uk) overkill for the first read?
it looks beautiful and i love books, but curious what other people here think about my trivial life decisions.
500+ page paperback seems a bit unwieldy but looks like books 2-8 are only available in paperback, so i’m pretty sure this is unnecessary question to consult the internet about. doing it anyway!
I’m just starting the book series and it has surpassed my expectations and has already become one of my favorite sci-fi books ever. One thing that is bothering me and I’m sure I am just confused about it but why is the protomolecule “dead” on the Anubis when they find it after Eros? They made a point of saying that it’s a anaerobic so it would survive in space, and when Julie Mao was there is was moving and mutating things. Why did it seem inert enough that the Roci crew was cool hanging out in the ship around it for so long? Holden told Amos not to touch it around the reactor but wouldn’t it have been in plenty of other parts of the ship too? Even if it was inert from the vacuum of space and lack of radiation (even though doors were open so radiation would’ve been coming in right?) wouldn’t it have “woken up” when they started turning things on? I was confused by that whole scene. Sorry for being so long winded
Was it ever mentioned in the book what the Scopuli was doing out there in the first place? Like did I miss something or will it be explained in the later books?
Hello everyone. I've been into the expanse since 2012 and around that time I purchased leviathan Wakes in hardcover. I recently discovered that orbit supposedly didn't release it in hardcover and also that there might have been a book club edition in hc. I tried googling and digging for a while and literally can't find anything about it. Here is a link to a photo of the page with publishing info, it doesn't say anything about a book club or anything else. I'm really looking to find some information so I know exactly what I have. I also have the second book in HC but cannot find my book 3...:(
https://imgur.com/a/WeiXkOi
> “A constant rising tone, fluttering percussion throbbing under it, even soft music hiding underneath the blare. Illusions. Aural hallucinations. The voice of the whirlwind.”
The description of Miller’s hangover in chapter 18 contains “Voice of the Whirlwind” which obviously shares with the name of the last remaining Magnetar Class warship at the end of Tiamat’s Wrath, and the description almost reminds me of descriptions of the Ring Builders ‘dreams’ from various parts of the books.
In a heart-clenching pair of acts of love, I have wound up with two copies of the 1st book in James S.A. Corey's "The Expanse" nonalogy, "Leviathan Wakes" (https://www.jamessacorey.com/writing-type/books/) . I am keeping the dog-eared, highlighted and underlined copy. I would like to trade the spankin-brand-new copy for the last book in the series, "Leviathan Falls", again, in ANY legible condition.
Doesn't even have to be a face to face germfest- we can arrange a dead drop, or just make it passed through the driver's side windows, like cops sharing noods and joints.
I think the more commonly accepted connection between the title “Leviathan Wakes” and the story within the book is that the protomolecule is some strange monster awakening from a deep sleep to end humanity (as the Leviathan would do in Judaism should it ever have woken up).
Another interpretation is that the Protomolecule represents God’s will and that Eros is His creation (as the Leviathan was God’s creation in Jewish mythology). It “Wakes” and seeks to destroy Earth (humanity). Funnily enough, the Behemoth, formerly Nauvoo, is the Leviathans land “rival”, and the ramming of the Nauvoo symbolizes a clash of the two monsters which was impossible considering one was in the deep ocean and the other was in a desert.
I interpreted the title another way as well. I think the Leviathan may still represent the Protomolecule but “Wakes” refers not to a creature awakening from a deep sleep but rather water currents an object moving through water leaves behind it. The Leviathan, being a massive monster would leave a devastating wake if it ever decided to take a nice swim close to the shoreline. The Protomolecule, similarly, leaves a devastating string of events that nearly wipes out humanity.
Curious to hear your guys’ thoughts.
Another example of how well Ty and Daniel plotted this thing out.
Leviathan Wakes: "We stand at a crossroads. On one hand, there is the very real threat of mutual annihilation. On the other..." [Fred Johnson] paused for effect. "On the other, the stars."
Leviathan Falls: "The stars are still there," [Naomi Ngata] said. "We'll find our own way back to them."
Something that bothers me is why did Holden and Miller got radiated during the virus outbreak in Eros in episode 10 of season 1? I kind of assumed that the radition breach was a false flag to have an excuse to inject the population with the virus
Edit: Thanks for the answers! much clearer now
I've seen all of the show and haven't done the books until now. My question is...
Are they calling the Razorback "a racing penis" or am I losing my freaking mind? I seriously furrowed my brow when I heard that the first time.
Is it "pennis"??
Why are they calling it this? Is this a real word that already existed or did the authors purposefully almost(?) call the ship a penis?
Thanks! 🍆🚀
edit: I have my answer, it is "pinnace" as in "ship's boat" or "full-rigged":
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinnace_(ship's_boat)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full-rigged_pinnace
I swear the guy sounds like he's saying "penis" weirdly in the audiobook.
Anyway, thanks yall!
Cannot believe how quickly I've gone through these books. I'm usually a few books a year kind of person, never mind 8 in two months. Not sure how I'm gonna get through the next 3 months waiting for Leviathan Falls.
If you are a fan of the show and haven't picked up the books yet, get on it immediately. They are amazing books on their own, and even better when you have the visuals from the show to feed your mind.
So my introduction to the books was the show. I’m currently on my second viewing of seasons 1-5 already and I only started in the first week of June. I immediately got hooked and went out and bought the books. I’m halfway through book 1 and something just donned on me - where is Avasarala and all the other parts that take place earth? Throughout the first season the show jumped between The Roci, Miller/Ceres, and Avasarala/earth, but I just realized that the book only covers Roci and Miller. I know virtually nothing about the books so pardon me if this is a dumb question, but was Avasarala and all that other political stuff that happened on earth just stuff made for the TV show or does it eventually get covered in the books?
All the stuff involving Avasarala and the UN and Erinwright and Mao are all major plot points, so I’d imagine they had to have come from the books, but I’m just curious about why none of that is covered in book one.
Thanks for reading and thanks for any answers in advance
POSSIBLE SPOILERS Now this story follows a couple story arcs that eventually Mesh. Detective Miller is cop in Ceres Station with our Earthling of a partner Havelock. Running out doing his detective duties, when he gets assigned a special case to locate some gal. His story snow balls from there. Then we have Jim Holden, who.. like one chapter in hits the ground running and doesn't STOP. Holden and the crew he rocks with really gel well and have great chemistry through the whole novel. What I really enjoy, is the world building. I mean I really feel the rivalry and the political diversity when it comes to all these factions. Mars, Earth, and the OPA. (Outer Planet Alliance) the Belters, being raised out in the outer solar system where water and air is borderline sacred. The subtle nuances that drive the stake deeper amongst these factions are great. The tipping points that Give them excuses to go to war are so plausible, and the way some antagonists view others as "not even human". It's great it's all great I loved the mystery of this novel and I'm quite curious where this series is going to take me. So much more content to devour is it worth it? Also last thing. To my Halo fans out there.. did you get some STRONG Flood vibes I mean really at some points on Eros I felt like I was in a Halo 3 mission working to get Cortana back I mean julie* ;) all in all 10/10 recommend this to any scifi fans out there that enjoy a space opera with sweet battles and mystery. A little slow burn at times but digestible!
I am clinically depressed and I love science fiction and the Leviathan Wakes series makes me want to stay alive and finish them. Please suggest more!
I am half into the first book and I've already finished watching the series till Season 5 and finding out about this book, about this world was one of the best things that happened this year. I am in love with James Corey's writing- such a smooth read with the eventual contemplative, heavy poetic lines sprinkled throughout and so effortlessly funny when you're paying attention. And the characters are (OH MY GOD) so brilliantly written.
Space operas give me this feeling of awe and cosmic loneliness (which is soothing) which makes me want to understand the world better and dive into the lore. The feeling that a huge expansive world already exists and the mystery is so deep rooted in its nuances that I can choose to either follow the main story or just think about different details that makes the world work is what draws me in.
But too often sci-fi relies on technical world building a lot and have mediocre characters. Alastair Reynolds come to mind. I love his short stories but after reading Leviathan Wakes, I see the deficiencies in Reynold's character building. Maybe his novels are better but I haven't read them. Corey's writing has blown me away honestly.
I love how the books in the Leviathan Wakes series explore problems rooted in daily science and engineering without relying on technical jargon.
Sorry for gushing and being a little all over the place, I would love your recommendations.
I just finished the book and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. Character development was good and the overall story is impressive. Kind of a long read but it was worth it.
Took me few days to realize it but I have a question and I wonder if this is resolved in the later books, just a yes/no would suffice ;D
So, as I understand it, the protomolecule is sent toward Earth piggybacking on a comet by some super advanced civilization some 2 billion years ago when humanity didn't even exists and we were some sort of a single celled organism. Ok cool. That's the premise - great.
Then toward the latest chapters of the book - the protomolecule, somehow almost magically makes Eros station continuously accelerate without having an engine, at least not in the traditional sense.
And here lies the question. How come a race so advanced (literally called godlike in the book) that can create a protomolecule, with this knowledge and capabilities, strap the damn thing on a comet instead of some sort of a ship that moves faster toward Earth and reaches the destination in less than 2 billion years. I can only imagine their tech allowing near speed of light speeds.
I realize it would require biomass to do it, but I suppose they could load it for the trip?
You know I tried googling the issue but most of the sources seemed to contain huge spoilers and I didn't click them.
So this is my question, is what I am describing a plothole or does it get resolved in the books later on?
Heyo, for the 10th anniversary release, I ordered a signed copy of the book from Barnes & Noble, got it yesterday, and it's a very much un-autographed copy.
I called them and asked about it, and a supervisor said, "Oh, they probably ran out of stock so replaced it with an unsigned copy." They have no more stock, and have no intentions to remedy this issue. Additionally, they made no adjustment to what I paid. The only thing they offered was a 10% coupon for future offers.
I'm incredibly upset, not because I didn't get what I want, but because I was foolish enough to trust B&N. I could have ordered from a smaller shop, got what I actually wanted, and supported a better business.
Just curious if this happened for anyone else // a warning to double check that you got what you paid for. And thanks for listening to my rant.
If anyone knows of any book signing/meet&greet events coming up or something, lemme know.
Edit: Thanks to all for the suggestions.
On a more positive note, I can say the book itself is just as impressive in person, with one notable thing being that the magenta pages freakin POP, my god they are so bright.
For about ten years now I’ve found myself (between military transition and having kids) listening to more audiobooks than actually reading for the time it saves me. I’ve read (listened) to a metric ass load of Star Wars, Tom Clancy and a handful of other diverse works all in audio format and I really enjoy it.
It’s so amazing how even with the small differences it’s so easy to place yourself into the world’s environments and all the characters minds. The stark reality of the solar system they’ve created never ceases to amaze me!
I’ve watched all 5 seasons on Amazon a few 😅 times over and I’m a little familiar with the overall lore. Can’t wait for book 6 already!!
I am listening to as many audio books in the series as I can waiting for the new books. Not my first time through them, and usually on in while I am working.
But this quote really caught my attention and reminded me of the tv show where Fred Johnson was asking Holden something like "You really go through life like that? Pushing unknown blinking buttons?"
Title quote is from Audio book, chapter 17, around 10 minutes in.
These books really crack me up with every ones different sense of humor.
I'm up to about episode 2 and am catching up on the book and once I get ahead with the book I'd like to know when I'm able to watch the next episode.
POSSIBLE SPOILERS Now this story follows a couple story arcs that eventually Mesh. Detective Miller is cop in Ceres Station with our Earthling of a partner Havelock. Running out doing his detective duties, when he gets assigned a special case to locate some gal. His story snow balls from there. Then we have Jim Holden, who.. like one chapter in hits the ground running and doesn't STOP. Holden and the crew he rocks with really gel well and have great chemistry through the whole novel. What I really enjoy, is the world building. I mean I really feel the rivalry and the political diversity when it comes to all these factions. Mars, Earth, and the OPA. (Outer Planet Alliance) the Belters, being raised out in the outer solar system where water and air is borderline sacred. The subtle nuances that drive the stake deeper amongst these factions are great. The tipping points that Give them excuses to go to war are so plausible, and the way some antagonists view others as "not even human". It's great it's all great I loved the mystery of this novel and I'm quite curious where this series is going to take me. So much more content to devour is it worth it? Also last thing. To my Halo fans out there.. did you get some STRONG Flood vibes I mean really at some points on Eros I felt like I was in a Halo 3 mission working to get Cortana back I mean julie* ;) all in all 10/10 recommend this to any scifi fans out there that enjoy a space opera with sweet battles and mystery. A little slow burn at times but digestible!
