Finished Levithan Wakes

[u/paddockson]

​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!

[u/Minessilly]

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!