Scan barcode
A review by bickleyhouse
Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I remember someone recommending this series to me many years ago. I wish I had gotten to it sooner. This is one of the most amazing science fiction stories I've ever read. It's been long time since I have whizzed through an almost-six-hundred-page book in barely five days.
And then I find out that James S.A. Corey is a pen name for a couple of guys, Daniel Abraham, and Ty Franck, who is George R.R. Martin's assistant?? No wonder the book is so long. Haha!
Anyway, this is a fantastic story. Side note: I had already seen at least three seasons of the Prime Video TV series, so whenever Miller is being feature in the story, I can't help but see Thomas Jane. Oh, well.
We have two protagonists, and more than one plot. Until, that is, both of the plots merge together to become the same plot. The chapters alternate back forth from the perspective of James Holden, captain of a space ship (eventually the Rocinante), and Joe Miller, the detective who works with a security company on Ceres. A little bit later, we add Fred Johnson to the mix, who is the big dog over Tycho Station, and head of the OPA, a sort of rebel organization.
We have Earthers and Martians, who are increasingly hating on each other (all are humans, by the way, as they have expanded to living not just on Earth, anymore), and we have "Belters," who are people who live in the asteroid belt. The OPA (I think I'm getting this right) essentially supports the Belters.
The "big bad" of the story turns out to be some kind of alien essence/thing that eventually becomes known as the "protomolecule," and appears to have been sent into our solar system a couple billion years ago.
That's enough of the plot description, though. The author(s) created a story and cast that were easy to get into, easy to become attached to, and relatively easy to follow, and all while not allowing the story to seem shallow. There is plenty of depth to it, as characters wrestle not only with their own personal "demons," but with philosophical questions about life, in general. All while trying to save the human rae.
It was great fun, and I definitely plan to continue the series.
And then I find out that James S.A. Corey is a pen name for a couple of guys, Daniel Abraham, and Ty Franck, who is George R.R. Martin's assistant?? No wonder the book is so long. Haha!
Anyway, this is a fantastic story. Side note: I had already seen at least three seasons of the Prime Video TV series, so whenever Miller is being feature in the story, I can't help but see Thomas Jane. Oh, well.
We have two protagonists, and more than one plot. Until, that is, both of the plots merge together to become the same plot. The chapters alternate back forth from the perspective of James Holden, captain of a space ship (eventually the Rocinante), and Joe Miller, the detective who works with a security company on Ceres. A little bit later, we add Fred Johnson to the mix, who is the big dog over Tycho Station, and head of the OPA, a sort of rebel organization.
We have Earthers and Martians, who are increasingly hating on each other (all are humans, by the way, as they have expanded to living not just on Earth, anymore), and we have "Belters," who are people who live in the asteroid belt. The OPA (I think I'm getting this right) essentially supports the Belters.
The "big bad" of the story turns out to be some kind of alien essence/thing that eventually becomes known as the "protomolecule," and appears to have been sent into our solar system a couple billion years ago.
That's enough of the plot description, though. The author(s) created a story and cast that were easy to get into, easy to become attached to, and relatively easy to follow, and all while not allowing the story to seem shallow. There is plenty of depth to it, as characters wrestle not only with their own personal "demons," but with philosophical questions about life, in general. All while trying to save the human rae.
It was great fun, and I definitely plan to continue the series.