From the Bookshelf of Sci-fi and Heroic Fantasy…

Leviathan Wakes (The Expanse, #1)

James S.A. Corey

Start date: October 21, 2015

Finish date: November 19, 2015

Discussion: Book Discussions

Discussion leader: Hillary Major

Why we're reading this: Group Contemporary novel Discussion October 2015
[close] Group Contemporary novel Discussion October 2015

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 250 topics — 8,801 comments total

Book Discussions

"Cyteen" by C.J. Cherryh
By deleted member · 48 posts · 103 views

last updated May 24, 2025 11:25PM

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
By deleted member · 46 posts · 150 views

last updated Mar 28, 2025 02:28PM

showing 10 of 43 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Aug 24, 2016 Jim rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: scifi, 1audio, 3series, 2fiction

This is one of the best SF books I've read in a long time. It had everything: great characters, a twisty mystery, & a wonderful depiction of humanity's future in space.

The story was told from the point of view of Holden & Miller, an idealist space ship pilot, & a 30 year old veteran of the Ceres private police force very similar to a burned-out Harry Bosch. Holden is in drone mode when the story begins. He is thrust into the center of things where his naive idealism continually causes problems. This is one of the best SF books I've read in a long time. It had everything: great characters, a twisty mystery, & a wonderful depiction of humanity's future in space.

The story was told from the point of view of Holden & Miller, an idealist space ship pilot, & a 30 year old veteran of the Ceres private police force very similar to a burned-out Harry Bosch. Holden is in drone mode when the story begins. He is thrust into the center of things where his naive idealism continually causes problems. Miller can't let a case go, even though he let's many things slide just to get along. The two clash & bond wonderfully.

The way space is described is wonderful. Orbits, inertia, mass, gee force, & such were all very well done. If there were any goofs in the science of that, I missed them. Not that I'm an expert, but I've read a fair few over the years & have been called picky on the subject before. Humanity has diverged by where & how we live with the asteroids being the slums of the system with captive work forces & company police.

What put this over the 4 star mark for me was the ethical dilemma that's too much of a spoiler to mention. For those of you that have read the book: (view spoiler)

Half the fun of this book is not knowing what's coming or where it is heading, so don't read too many reviews. Take it from me, just read or listen to the book ASAP. If you've seen the first season of the show on TV like I have, don't worry about it. Read the book now!!!

I'm not going on to the second book yet. I might not. I originally thought it was a trilogy, but I see it's gone on for several earlier short stories & at least 5 other books. I'm not sure I want to go there. As a stand-alone, this is close to perfect much the way Dune was. I never cared much for any other book in that world. I only recommend it as a stand-alone, although I have friends that love all the books. ...more

21 likes · Like · see review

Aug 03, 2013 Janny added it · review of another edition

Shelves: own

Don't start this when you have other responsibilities to meet - a colorful space opera with a relentless pace and wonderfully quixotic characters. ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Oct 01, 2015 Dea rated it really liked it

I was pleasantly surprised to hear terminology that I first encountered in “Moon is a Harsh Mistress”, along with the familiar tension between those whose birth places differ. Seeing the mixture of races and names was also a pleasant reminder of the Luna company. In fact, the whole setting felt like a continuation of the events in the “Moon is a Harsh Mistress”.

The dialogue was well written. The action was well paced, and actually made sense. The characters did not feel one dimensional.

(view s ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jul 30, 2014 Tom rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

I started watching SyFy's series The Expanse largely based on the glowing praise from Tom Merritt during a Sword and Laser podcast (also in a Goodreads group... see The Sword and Laser).

(BTW - everything I've mentioned so far... terrific stuff... go check it out.)

Anyway, about mid-way through my binge-viewing of The Expanse, I decided to check out this e-book from my local library. This is the first book in the series that serves as the source for the SyFy TV interpretation.

Wow. Amazing Sci-Fi ...more

1 like · Like · see review