April 2015 - Sci-Fi: Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey

[Cheryl]

Well, I have this out, planning to read it. But it's a biggie - so I won't be able to sneak it in my current stack. See you in a couple weeks, I think. :)

[Becky]

I hope you like it, Cheryl. I listened to the audio a couple years back and loved it. When I read Caliban's War (book 2), I was bothered a bit by some of the comma non-usage, but that's just a style thing nowadays. Keep us updated! :D

[Chris , cookie guilt]

I'm hoping to reread it this month, so I can then continue on with Caliban's War.

[Nan]

Chris wrote: "I'm hoping to reread it this month, so I can then continue on with Caliban's War."

That's my rationale too. :)

[Øystein]

I'm going to reread this as well, it's such a good series!

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

I read this one and the following three. I think this book in the series was the most exciting! I couldn't put it down and read it straight through the night.

[Cheryl]

Um, ok... hang on... please tell me this doesn't end on a cliffhanger? If continuing to read a series isn't optional, I might have to pass...

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

I think only the first three books are essential to enjoy the main series, and it is possible to quit there, but there is an overarching unsolved mystery involved. Other loose ties are resolved, book by book, but a big loose end is sort of strung out, apparently a series mystery yet not revealed. But it is otherwise structured as a trilogy. The fourth book, apparently the beginning of a new trilogy, and a new setting, but it still is unraveling the one big mystery behind the solved mysteries in the first trilogy set, kind of.

IMO, though, the first trilogy should be entirely read if you choose to read the first one, 'Leviathan Wakes'. However, does it help if I mention it is worth it, IMO? If you've the time.....

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

BTW, the first one is kinda standalone.

[Becky]

Cheryl wrote: "Um, ok... hang on... please tell me this doesn't end on a cliffhanger? If continuing to read a series isn't optional, I might have to pass..."

It doesn't... not really. It can stand alone... but speaking for myself, I was left feeling like I needed to know more. Caliban's War DEFINITELY ends with a cliffhanger though. LOL

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

That's why I put in that 'kinda'. But I can't see how a reader COULD stop after only one!

; )

[Øystein]

I totally agree with you April. The first book can stand by itself well enough, but how someone could possibly stop there is completely beyond me.

[Chris , cookie guilt]

Well...I stopped there because at the time I listened to it on audiobook, it was the only one out there. I did read The Butcher of Anderson Station immediately after, but then I was out of material.

By the time the second book came out, I was wrapped up in other stuff and still haven't gotten back around to the series.

[Cheryl]

Tx all - I'll give it my best effort!

[Rino]

Hands down the best science fiction (view spoiler)[vomit zombie (hide spoiler)] book I've read!

Honestly though - it's good, but I was hoping for a bit more. I stopped after this one, so the ending doesn't leave one hanging too much. I did feel like the first volume set the stage for greater things to come and wished for a bit more, but when I heard that the second book wasn't quite as good, I didn't rush to pick it up. I hope to get around to read the sequels some day though, it sure was a fun ride.

[Becky]

I think the second book is really good... just in different ways.

[Øystein]

I don't recall the second book being worse than the first, but it was different in some ways (although I don't remember exactly how). I would gladly recommend the entire series to my friends.

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

I agree with Becky - the second book is good, too (view spoiler)[ especially for those who adore classic space opera, not to mention zombie vomit. (hide spoiler)].

[Andreas]

I've read it two years ago (my review) and liked it but didn't drive me directly to reading the second book in the series.

Currently, I'm reading a different novel from Corey aká Daniel Abraham: The Dragon's Path.

[Valerie]

This is space opera that way it is meant to be written. I loved this book. So far, I've only made it through 2 of the books, but I plan to continue on.

I just thought the book was such a great combination of intrigue and action. I liked the characters and the story was very well paced.

And, as others have said, you gotta love (view spoiler)[vomit zombies (hide spoiler)]!!!

[Karen]

I am about quarter way through (on Eros) and enjoying it so far. I wasn't quite clear as to when this is supposed to be set - it's obviously future but I'm not sure how far future since there seem to be some cultural references to 20th century/present day stuff that threw me a bit. Then I got to Julie's diary entry; “Fear is the mind-killer. Ha. Geek.”

I didn't care about timeline then; I just had to smile. Great line! Apparently Dune is timeless

[Becky]

Dune IS timeless!

I think, though, that it's supposed to be set maybe 100-200 years in the future? Long enough for us to have gone out into space and set up shop, and had a few generations in which to have been affected by the new geographical/spatial/cultural differences (and even have people being affected physically - like the Belters being taller because they're adapting to lower gravity) - but not so long that it's especially advanced or unrealistic.

[Karen]

Becky wrote: "Dune IS timeless!

I think, though, that it's supposed to be set maybe 100-200 years in the future? Long enough for us to have gone out into space and set up shop, and had a few generations in whi..."

Sounds about right

[Øystein]

I read in an article somewhere that prominent physical changes would occur over the lifespan of anyone growing up in space. That is to say that there would not be genetic changes on a larger scale than on earth from generation to generation, but rather that our muscles, skeleton and frankly whole body has evolved to work under 1G. That means that our bodies would not grow like it usually does. A person would likely grow to be taller and have weaker muscles, as in the book, and would probably have some problems with how organs developed and such, but I don't know about that. But, again, this is not due to genetic alterations, just the body developing in an environment it's not meant for.

In any case, 100-200 years would probably not be enough for the people in space to change on a genetic level to any significant degree. That would take much longer, and we would not necessarily be able to predict what these changes would be.

All that said, I would agree that the story is set to take place in around 100-200 years time.

[Becky]

Yeah, I don't think that there was any genetic change, but the effects of gravity would alter our physiology. In the second book, one of the characters is constantly working out to ensure that they are ready for if they ever have to enter a 1G environment - otherwise muscles would be weaker and so on and they would not be able to perform up to their usual standards.

[Cheryl]

Sorry to be the dissenting vote - I won't rant - but I do have to say that I could not get into this. All the crime thriller and political stuff was very distracting to the relatively minor bits of actual SF speculation, imo. I'm not literate in the mystery genres, so I don't know if this is a good fit, but somehow I kept thinking 'Humphrey Bogart in space.' So, anyway, I really did try, but did not finish.

[Becky]

I'm sorry you didn't like it Cheryl. I can see that it might not be to everyone's taste or style.

Please don't feel like you need to apologize for not liking it, or that you have to refrain from saying why. We're open to all opinions, and considering that I'm usually the one ranting about what I don't like about books, I'd never ever say that someone else shouldn't - even if I loved the book.

Thanks for giving it a try anyway. :)

[Cheryl]

Thank you, Becky. I am glad I tried. :)

[Øystein]

Good book discussions can only be a thing if everyone involved agrees completely about everything in the book!

[Becky]

Øystein wrote: "Good book discussions can only be a thing if everyone involved agrees completely about everything in the book!"

LOL. Then I've never had a good discussion in my life!

[Øystein]

Well, you know, It's a lot easier to be on the prevailing side of the discussion if everyone is already there when the discussion starts :p

In all seriousness though, I always find it interesting to see what other people dislike or like about a book. And it always catches me a little off guard when people have almost the exact same reason for disliking something as I had for liking it. In this case, that would be the crime thriller, political stuff. To me, that fleshed out both the story and the world precisely because of the relative lack of SF speculation.

As in Cheryl's case, I am not literate in the mystery genres either, and that may be why this book felt so refreshing to me. It doesn't have powerful space lasers and hugely armored spaceships with energy shields that can shrug off almost anything. Everything is EXTREMELY vulnerable, and the mysteries and political tension help to bring this out very clearly.

(I have read the entire series, so what I am writing here may be somewhat colored by the following books, I really don't know)

[Becky]

I like mysteries and thrillers, though I wouldn't say that I'm an expert on them by any stretch, and I really enjoyed that aspect of the books. I thought that the investigation was a good framing mechanism for the story, and it definitely kept me interested and kept the story moving along at a good clip.

But, I'm definitely of the opinion that expectations make the read. If you're expecting something different, then that book is going to let you down no matter how good it is otherwise. Sometimes I can get over that... and sometimes I can't. That's one of the reasons that I like to go into a book as blind as possible, so that I don't know what to expect other than what I can't stop my brain from inventing. LOL

[Chris , cookie guilt]

I just saw that this ebook is on sale today only for $1.99.

[Nyssa]

Chris wrote: "I just saw that this ebook is on sale today only for $1.99."

Thank you for the "Heads-up"; it is still on sale today.

[Øystein]

Did anyone continue with this series? I just re-read Abaddon's Gate.

[Becky]

I'm working my way through it slowly... I've read Books 1 & 2 and their prequel short stories. I still have to get to book 3, but I have it on audio. :)

[Chris , cookie guilt]

I plan to continue, but feel like I need to reread the first book.

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

I finished book 4, and I'm anxious for the next one....

[Andreas]

For those who liked the novel and are interested in a bit more of Expanse: I just finished Drive which is a prequel short story featuring the Epstein drive. My review is here.

[Øystein]

Yes! My lore gland is salivating.

Edit:(I just re-read this. It sounded a lot more disgusting than it was supposed to. Sorry...)

[Valerie]

I just finished Abaddon's Gate a couple of weeks ago. I thought it was a bit of a let down compared to the previous two books. There was nothing wrong with it, it just didn't grab me as hard. I still plan to move on to book 4.

[Øystein]

I would agree about Abaddon's Gate not being on par with the earlier books. I think Cibola Burn is however.

< nitpicking > For those of you who have read Abaddon's Gate; do you recall a statement saying that the artificial gravity from the spinning barrel of the Behemoth was stronger towards the center of the barrel? I would think works the opposite way. < /nitpicking >

[Nyssa]

I've just started chapter fifteen... So much death!

[Nyssa]

I've just finished chapter 20 and am very excited to see where all of this is going. Holden is definitely my favorite character, while Miller seesaws between likable and disappointing. He's obviously very good at what he does, but something about him irritates me: maybe a lack of confidence? I'm not sure.

(view spoiler)[Plus, Miller the only one I specifically give a damn about on Ceres. I'm not feeling that story arc at all, outside of his investigation, so I'm glad he's finally leaving that rock. (hide spoiler)]

I love Naomi and Alex too; Amos is okay. I haven't really warmed up to him, but I like him well enough - I feel the same about Havelock.

(view spoiler)[As horrible as it may sound, I'm kind of glad Shed is no longer with them. I don't like how or that he died, I just don't think he was cut out for this adventure, and he would have slowed them down.

Fred hasn't earned my trust. I want to believe him, but I have this feeling that things are going to go "pear -shaped", as they say, around him. I hope I'm wrong. (hide spoiler)]

[Chris , cookie guilt]

I liked Miller a lot more on my second read.

[Nyssa]

Chris wrote: "I liked Miller a lot more on my second read."

Miller seems to have lost his ever-lovin' mind! His (view spoiler)[...shooting spree... (hide spoiler)] was kind of terrifying.

I just hope everyone gets back together, preferably in one piece.. and that no one was exposed to the thing they think they have - 'cause that would suck, especially after 29 chapters!

[Nyssa]

If I never hear "Vomit zombies" again it will be too soon.

That is all.

[Øystein]

Nyssa wrote: "If I never hear "Vomit zombies" again it will be too soon.

That is all."

I am wondering how they will be portrayed in the TV series. Looking forward to it :D

[Nyssa]

I'm approaching the last quarter of the book (call it about 27% left to go), and my gut tells me things'll go one of two or three ways...
1. Holden does something huge! I mean astronomical (heh), that is a complete (and obvious) game changer.
2. He actually goes for subtle, but starts a ripple that turns into a flood (A quieter version of 1).
3. Holden attempts to do something but Miller intervenes. His intervention either ends up being a major plus, or a serious minus, in some way. Maybe Miller saves the day?

Whatever happens, I'm on the edge of my seat, because I have no idea what in the world is coming next.

[alansplace]

Nyssa wrote: "I'm approaching the last quarter of the book (call it about 27% left to go), and my gut tells me things'll go one of two or three ways...
1. Holden does something huge! I mean astronomical (heh), t..."

FYI, SyFy just ended the first season of "The Expanse" and the last episode was titled "Leviathan Wakes"! I'm really looking forward to the next season.