Petrik's Reviews > Leviathan Wakes
Leviathan Wakes (The Expanse, #1)
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![59458347](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p2/59458347.jpg)
Leviathan Wakes was so good; a character-driven space-opera that combines sci-fi, noir, mystery, and a slice of horror into one.
I’ve watched only the first season and a few episodes of the second season, but it was enough to make me want to read all the available books in the series first before continuing with the TV series again. Seriously, amazing movies/TV adaptations boost book sales exponentially more than anything else in the world, and I do believe that The Expanse by James S. A. Corey has received this benefit. Here’s one proof, below is a picture of my collection of the series which I bought just because of what I’ve watched so far.
![](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1584778812i/29140419._SX540_.jpg)
Isn’t it gorgeous? Can we also give standing applause to James S. A. Corey for the name of each respective book title of this series? It’s hands down some of the coolest book titles I’ve come across so far.
Leviathan Wakes is the first installment in The Expanse nine-book series by James S. A. Corey; a duo comprised of Daniel Abraham—the author of The Long Price Quartet and The Dagger and the Coin series—and Ty Franck. Both Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck are authors who have worked closely with George R. R. Martin, and I think the writing is slightly reminiscent of Martin’s writing style.
The story in Leviathan Wakes follows two different main characters, Jim Holden and Detective Miller. When Jim and his crew stumble upon a derelict ship, the Scopuli, they find themselves in a possession of a dangerous secret. Meanwhile, Miller is looking for a girl in a system of billions, and it eventually leads to the Scopuli as well. The story starts slow and interesting enough for both storylines but once their story intertwines, I was completely hooked. Due to having watched the majority of the plotline in the first book, I have to admit that there weren’t a lot of surprises left for me here. However, I’m surprised that the badass lady Avasarala—my favorite character in the TV show so far—didn’t even appear at all in Leviathan Wakes, not even mentioned. Also, Amos in the TV show and in the book felt like a completely different person! But here’s the thing, despite knowing the storylines already, I still have a wonderful time reading this book. I’ve been craving for a character-driven space-opera series to read for a while now, and Leviathan Wakes fits the bill.
The characterizations and the banter between Holden and Miller are, in my opinion, the two main driving strength of the narrative. Seeing the chemistry—similarities and contrasts included—between the two characters was incredibly engaging. As Corey has mentioned, Holden and Miller have an opposite view in the way information should be spread out. Holden, as an idealist, believes that all information should be given to everyone. Miller, on the other hand, is a nihilist that believes information must be controlled carefully. I think the cooperation and the clash between these two main characters made the plot progression so much more engaging than I expected. I loved both storylines and internalizations; although Miller's story took a while for me to get into, I ended up feeling invested in his journey as much as I did for Holden’s ever since their story intertwines with each other. Corey’s characterization for Holden and Miller was so spot-on, and I feel that their personality excels more in the book than the TV adaptation; the nuances in their characterizations were unfound on the TV show.
There are disadvantages that came from having watched the TV series first, though; the intriguing aspect of the mystery was lost on me. However, there are also advantages. I did have some difficulty imagining some scenes and settings through the text provided, and fortunately, my beforehand experience with the TV show was able to conjure the visual imagery wanted. Do note, though, that out of my favorite genres—fantasy, sci-fi, and historical fiction—I personally have more trouble with visualizing when I’m reading sci-fi compared to the other two.
Leviathan Wakes is a great start to a big sci-fi series which I’m hoping I’ll enjoy more and more as I progress through it. 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. For now, I plan to make my way through each book in the series monthly. I’m hoping that the final book of the series will, at least, have an official publication date by the time I caught up.
You can order the book from: Book Depository (Free shipping)
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Devin, Hamad, Joie, Mike, Miracle, Nicholas.
I’ve watched only the first season and a few episodes of the second season, but it was enough to make me want to read all the available books in the series first before continuing with the TV series again. Seriously, amazing movies/TV adaptations boost book sales exponentially more than anything else in the world, and I do believe that The Expanse by James S. A. Corey has received this benefit. Here’s one proof, below is a picture of my collection of the series which I bought just because of what I’ve watched so far.
![](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1584778812i/29140419._SX540_.jpg)
Isn’t it gorgeous? Can we also give standing applause to James S. A. Corey for the name of each respective book title of this series? It’s hands down some of the coolest book titles I’ve come across so far.
Leviathan Wakes is the first installment in The Expanse nine-book series by James S. A. Corey; a duo comprised of Daniel Abraham—the author of The Long Price Quartet and The Dagger and the Coin series—and Ty Franck. Both Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck are authors who have worked closely with George R. R. Martin, and I think the writing is slightly reminiscent of Martin’s writing style.
The story in Leviathan Wakes follows two different main characters, Jim Holden and Detective Miller. When Jim and his crew stumble upon a derelict ship, the Scopuli, they find themselves in a possession of a dangerous secret. Meanwhile, Miller is looking for a girl in a system of billions, and it eventually leads to the Scopuli as well. The story starts slow and interesting enough for both storylines but once their story intertwines, I was completely hooked. Due to having watched the majority of the plotline in the first book, I have to admit that there weren’t a lot of surprises left for me here. However, I’m surprised that the badass lady Avasarala—my favorite character in the TV show so far—didn’t even appear at all in Leviathan Wakes, not even mentioned. Also, Amos in the TV show and in the book felt like a completely different person! But here’s the thing, despite knowing the storylines already, I still have a wonderful time reading this book. I’ve been craving for a character-driven space-opera series to read for a while now, and Leviathan Wakes fits the bill.
“The massive radiation exposure had failed to give him superpowers.”
The characterizations and the banter between Holden and Miller are, in my opinion, the two main driving strength of the narrative. Seeing the chemistry—similarities and contrasts included—between the two characters was incredibly engaging. As Corey has mentioned, Holden and Miller have an opposite view in the way information should be spread out. Holden, as an idealist, believes that all information should be given to everyone. Miller, on the other hand, is a nihilist that believes information must be controlled carefully. I think the cooperation and the clash between these two main characters made the plot progression so much more engaging than I expected. I loved both storylines and internalizations; although Miller's story took a while for me to get into, I ended up feeling invested in his journey as much as I did for Holden’s ever since their story intertwines with each other. Corey’s characterization for Holden and Miller was so spot-on, and I feel that their personality excels more in the book than the TV adaptation; the nuances in their characterizations were unfound on the TV show.
“First off, get your shit together. Panic doesn’t help. It never helps. Deep breaths, figure this out, make the right moves. Fear is the mind-killer. Ha. Geek.”
There are disadvantages that came from having watched the TV series first, though; the intriguing aspect of the mystery was lost on me. However, there are also advantages. I did have some difficulty imagining some scenes and settings through the text provided, and fortunately, my beforehand experience with the TV show was able to conjure the visual imagery wanted. Do note, though, that out of my favorite genres—fantasy, sci-fi, and historical fiction—I personally have more trouble with visualizing when I’m reading sci-fi compared to the other two.
Leviathan Wakes is a great start to a big sci-fi series which I’m hoping I’ll enjoy more and more as I progress through it. 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. For now, I plan to make my way through each book in the series monthly. I’m hoping that the final book of the series will, at least, have an official publication date by the time I caught up.
You can order the book from: Book Depository (Free shipping)
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Devin, Hamad, Joie, Mike, Miracle, Nicholas.
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Quotes Petrik Liked
![James S.A. Corey](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/authors/1573162332i/4192148._UY200_CR77,0,200,200_.jpg)
“First off, get your shit together. Panic doesn’t help. It never helps. Deep breaths, figure this out, make the right moves. Fear is the mind-killer. Ha. Geek.”
― Leviathan Wakes
― Leviathan Wakes
![James S.A. Corey](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/authors/1573162332i/4192148._UY200_CR77,0,200,200_.jpg)
“His parents had raised him to believe that sex was something you did in private not because it was embarrassing, but because it was intimate.”
― Leviathan Wakes
― Leviathan Wakes
Reading Progress
May 29, 2018
– Shelved
March 18, 2020
–
Started Reading
March 20, 2020
–
Finished Reading
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Alex
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rated it 5 stars
Aug 15, 2019 09:22AM
![Alex Guertin](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1472949492p1/59282445.jpg)
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![Verlkungen](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1658081733p1/4478323.jpg)
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
It was really good, Alex! I think there's a good chance the series will get better with each book! :)
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
Thanks, Victoria! That's too bad that this one didn't click for you, though! :/
![John](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1724818127p1/33627595.jpg)
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
Niceee! that's so great to hear. I did enjoy this one very much, though, I'll be diving into Caliban's War next month! :D
![Eridiana](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1680824515p1/20374159.jpg)
You'll be seeing a lot of Avasarala and her filthy mouth in the second book, I love her so much!
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
You'll be seeing a lot of Avasarala and ..."
Ah thank you, Alena! This series has been on my radar since 2018, there's a good chance that the last book will come out this year, that's why I'm reading it now!
Oh thank god, I thought Avasarala would be a TV exclusive character, that would be a huge shame because she's very awesome! I look forward to reading her story! :D
![Audrey](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1723813640p1/73027535.jpg)
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
Thanks, Audrey! I think I'll watch the TV shows too once I finished reading the books. I liked what I've watched and read so far! :D
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
I've heard that the each book keeps on getting better, fingerscrossed if you do continue you're going to have a better time with it. I haven't watched the TV series past the second season! :D
![Janhavi](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1592963062p1/84278139.jpg)
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
Oh definitely! It's very light on the sci-fi and space-opera, either this or Red Rising by Pierce Brown would be a great place to start your sci-fi journey! :D
![Ellis Knox](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1501601345p1/3338358.jpg)
My two favorite aspects: 1) each book is bigger than the last. Not in size, but in concept. Every wow is bigger and not once is it contrived. I haven't had this feeling of expectation since I read the Foundation Trilogy as a teenager.
2) within that huge, er, expanse of story, we are always firmly at the side of characters. We always know who they are, where they are, what's happening at that moment, and where they're headed, or at least where they hope they're headed. Which means as a reader I am always firmly anchored. That is extremely hard to do, and Corey does it well.
You have some fun times ahead, Petrik. And I'll recommend again you keep reading until you're *ahead* of the TV show rather than behind it.
![Tim](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1311861358p1/5903197.jpg)
Personally, I wasn't overwhelmed or 100% convinced. The book's a page-turner, but it has its flaws, as I wrote: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....
But good for anyone enjoying the series. :)
![Janhavi](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1592963062p1/84278139.jpg)
Oh definitely! It's very light on the sci-fi and space-opera, eith..."
Thank you! :) I would love to read Red Rising as well, that is on my TBR. Too many books to get to!
![Janhavi](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1592963062p1/84278139.jpg)
Personally, I wasn't overwhelmed or 100% convinced. The book's a page-..."
Thanks a lot! :) I'm glad it can be read as a stand alone. There are so many series to read!
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
Thanks for the great spoiler-free elaboration, Ellis! That's what I planned to do, it's reassuring to hear that you say that. Haha, I have always struggled with the dilemma of choosing which one should I attempt first, but I think for The Expanse, reading the books first might be a better idea! Once I finished the books, I'm going to continue watching the TV show again! :D
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
Personally, I wasn't overwhelmed or 100% convinced. The book's a page-..."
I personally wasn't bothered at all by the way the book is structured. The tic-tac chapter shift has been done in several books, and I think same with anything, as long that the author can make it work, it can work. I'm not saying it's not without its flaws, but hey, it's a thrilling book despite the tic-tac chapter shifts that you mentioned, right? So at least it's not boring! :)
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
Oh definitely! It's very light on the sci-fi and sp..."
So true. But hey, seems like a lot of reading will get done considering the state of the world right now... maybe. :')
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
If you give it another try, I suggest trying until Holden and Miller's story connects with each other, the narrative was so much more compelling once they've met each other imo!
![Janhavi](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1592963062p1/84278139.jpg)
Oh definitely! It's very light on t..."
Oh yes that's for sure :( Definitely going to try and get caught up on some books though. Stay safe out there!
![Daniel Heimstad](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1481216947p1/16997644.jpg)
What's your take on that? Did you feel like the final chapters delivered compared to the rest of the book?
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
Oh really? I thought the climax was strong enough, it's not as good as the buildup, but it fits as a satisfying closure to Miller's character arc in this book and it also made me excited for the next! :D
![Gabrielo](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1602268809p1/121390047.jpg)
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
Yeah it's a 9 book series! If you think the series is too long, I think it's better to stick with the TV series. I actually think that the TV series is better than the books! :)
![Gabrielo](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1602268809p1/121390047.jpg)
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
14 and above should be good, I think.
![Noam](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1294699136p1/46173.jpg)
![Baba](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1532961539p1/60866073.jpg)
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
I think Amos is so well-depicted in the adaptation! :)
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
Thank you so much! I finished reading the series two years ago. It was great. Highly recommended! :)
![Rachel](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1450613982p1/4029139.jpg)
![Rachel](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1450613982p1/4029139.jpg)
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
I actually think the show is better. In my opinion, watch the show first, and then read the books! Having watched the show will make it easier for you to latch on the characters in the books, too. :)