I had never heard of James S. A. Corey, had never heard of his book series The Expanse . I had never heard of the Syfy series, having dropped the network in an effort to cut down on my cable bill! Now, years later using streaming services to pick exactly the networks I want and none of the gazillions of "junk" channels that both cable and satellite services stick us with, I was looking for something new to watch. Something in the sci-fi genre that didn't have titles that included Trek or Wars connected to it. I saw a listing on Amazon Prime for a series with several seasons available that looked intriguing. It took just one episode of The Expanse to hook me! The scope, the characters, the mystery of the protomolecule... I binge watched all the episodes and craved more! This is where the books come into the picture. This is, after all, supposed to be a BOOK review! On top of that, I was coming at the series in the reverse order that is normal for me. Usually I read the book or books first and then watch the films or series and am either satisfied that the production has done a good job, or horrified at how badly they have screwed it up, and sometimes a bit of both. (yes, I'm getting to the book!) Leviathan Wakes is very well written, exciting and suspense filled adventure. The characters are fully developed and very diverse in their natures. The conflict between Earth and Mars and the relegation of the Belters to the status of second class citizens or less, is very believable. The discovery of the protomolecule and what comes of it is both horrific and strangely beautiful. I can hardly wait to read book 2! As for the question in my title... both the book and the television series are amazing, each in their own way, something that is very rare and wonderful!

This is book is a whole lot of fun! I thoroughly enjoyed how outer space living was depicted in a very realistic way, it made for a super intense and informative experience. The character work here is great too! Very excited to read book 2.

I’m sad it took me so long to discover this series. I can’t wait for what’s to come in book two and beyond. My thanks to the author. Awesome!

I liked the science fiction focus on current moral challenges and on making peace with yourself. On problem solving vs false confidence. On change, possibilities and imagination. The main characters continually rethink, analyze, imagine and reevaluate their decisions. It’s also a great story!

It is a great work of science fiction! I enjoyed the world Corey has built, and the characters that brought this story to life. I highly recommend this!

Really enjoyed it from start to finish

Honestly some of the best world building I’ve ever read since the Foundation and Robot Series. The level with which this book also grounds itself in a plausible reality with regards to space travel and colonization makes it that much engrossing.

An amazing book that fleshes out two differing views on humanity along with all the actions, mystery, and horror one could ask for. A Sci-fi that is definitely up there with Dune and the Foundation.

Enjoyed the scientific and political struggles of solar system colonization. Loved each character’s development, and the short lived bromance between Miller and Holden. Liked the split storytelling.

I like detective novels and science fiction and this novel has both. The period of time is when humans have thoroughly settled the solar system but have not moved on to other star systems. There is political rivalry among Earth, Mars and the Kaiper Belt and the rivalry is also reflected in the characters. The characters figure out how to work together in the end.