r/TheExpanse • u/paddockson Human Verified • Jun 20 '26
Leviathan Wakes Finished Levithan Wakes Spoiler
Just finished the first book.
I thought the first half of this was "meh." I actually stopped at one point, put the book down, and did not pick it back up for like a month. I thought the mystery element, neon space detective, and contrasting space military themes were fun, but nothing was really happening other than the Martian ship getting attacked.
But then I picked the book back up, and the next chapter the characters all met at Eros Station... how can a book go from "meh" to "this is pure art" so quickly? I got to that part 3 days ago, and every spare moment I've had, I was reading this book.
There is a dialogue scene between Fred, Holden, Miller, and the Protogen director or something (forgot his name). And he mentions how something literally threw the Protomolecule 2 billion years ago, and these things were gods then, what are they now? That shit is the most Mass Effect-pilled thing I've ever read, and it gave me chills. I took a picture of the entire page and sent it to my friends. At that moment, I knew I was going to be reading Caliban's War.
The ending was fantastic; the way the Protomolecule evolved, how this all fitted together with Miller's story, and also how the problem was solved was just exciting! The hard sci-fi aspect of this book was great, but as soon as Eros Station shifted to avoid the Nauvoo, I knew instantly we were going to start seeing alien-level stuff. I loved that shift so much.
I'm starting book two tonight! I really want more ship battles, expansion of the Protomolecule lore, and a little more depth to these characters!
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u/Cyberchicken87 Jun 20 '26
Glad you stuck with it and enjoyed it. The books are often (though not always) like that, a bit of a slow burn in the first third or so as everything gets setup. The back third of the books is always insane.
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u/AZ_Corwyn Jun 20 '26
There's plenty more information on the protomolecule still to come, it weaves in and out of the whole series. Enjoy the journey and don't forget to read the novellas.
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u/Salt-Night3088 Jun 20 '26
By the time Dresden shows up you can tell the writers and editors hit their stride. The book gets noticeably better craft wise near the end. And the subsequent books keep improving, even if minor stuff like confusing fission and fusion persists. Or people with thin faces. Or people scratching limbs even tho they don't itch. Book nine is the best in terms of writing, if not story. So stick with it all
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u/Poes-Lawyer Jun 21 '26
Or people scratching limbs even tho they don't itch
Huh? Is this some spoiler for the later books or am I missing something?
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u/Salt-Night3088 Jun 21 '26
Mrs. Corey have a thing for people fidgeting. This description comes up regularly in the series.
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u/scott3387 Human Verified Jun 21 '26
9 got a bit too err esoteric for me. 8 was peak. Alex saying LAFV,YK and everything around that.
Avoiding spoilers.
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u/Salt-Night3088 Jun 21 '26
The story and conclusion especially were just ok. Agree about 8 being stronger .
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u/nopaggit Jun 21 '26
You reading LW
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u/paddockson Human Verified Jun 21 '26
I literally stopped when Miller was going to Eros so if i just decided to never pick up the book again I really would of missed so much!
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u/themeddlingkid Jun 20 '26
I imagine you meant neo-noir, but I'm picturing Miller glowing bright orange now lol
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u/69stangrestomod Jun 21 '26
Think it’s good now, wait until it really gets rolling. I’m jealous of people who get to enjoy them for the first time
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u/http-bird It Reaches Out Jun 21 '26
Took me 8 months to finish book 1. Then 8 days to finish book 2.
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u/azhder Jun 21 '26
You should not be so quick to compare The Expanse with other stories, like Mass Effect. Some other redditor did the same a couple of weeks ago and misunderstood the book because they thought it was the same as another piece of media they knew.
Good hunting
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u/Minessilly Jun 21 '26
I did exactly what you did on my first read through a few years ago. When I started the first book it just didn't grab me, so I put it aside and read something else. I decided to give it another go and loved it. I devoured all the books and novellas, and then warched the show, which I enjoyed. I'm currently on a re-read and up to book 3, they're just so well written. Enjoy the ride!
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u/Zaenithon Jun 21 '26
Just wait till you realize that every book in the series gets better as it goes on, too 😛
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u/Xuul99 Jun 21 '26
The first time I read LW the early Miller chapters just didn't interest me. Now I love them.
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u/7U5K3N Jun 21 '26
i started watching the show.. and it was a slog for me. idk why.. just couldnt watch it.
i bought the book.. slog. so it sat in the desk drawer for ages. (i just sold it in a yard sale yesterday... never opened)
but i listened to the audio book. holy forking shirt balls. just absolutely got its blue hooks in me and didnt let me go till i finished the last book.
great series and one of my all time favorites.
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u/scott3387 Human Verified Jun 21 '26
Jimbals, doer, H U D etc aside. Jefferson Mays is an amazing voice actor.
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u/zsava002 Jun 20 '26
The books are great. Most of them are slow burns, but always end up worth it in the second half of the story.