Reviews with content warning for Vomit - Leviathan Wakes

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Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey

44 reviews

kbn4's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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timmytunter's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Leviathan Wakes is a brilliantly entertaining, fast-paced, and engrossing entry into the sci-fi genre that combines mystery, political intrigue, and high-stakes action in a richly imagined futuristic setting. I found it difficult to put down once swept up in its clever, highly readable narrative. The plot takes a surprising turn around the 400-page mark when it seems to be wrapping up—only to launch into another compelling storyline, a development I welcomed rather than dreaded.

James S.A. Corey’s writing style shines throughout the novel. His (their..?) prose is engaging and accessible, with a knack for capturing relatable human experiences amid the foreignness of space. Despite the vast and often alien backdrop, the characters’ struggles and emotions feel grounded and real, making it easy to connect with them.

One of the standout aspects of Corey’s writing is his ability to articulate everyday human sensations in a way that resonates deeply. For example, Miller’s struggle with direction and purpose after losing his detective job is poignantly described:

It had been years since he’d tried to find work … Now that events had thrown him out [of his job], everything had an odd floating feeling. Like the gap between getting hit and feeling the pain.

This passage struck a chord with me, reflecting the disorienting experience of unemployment and the loss of purpose.

Similarly, Corey’s portrayal of moral complexity through Holden is spot on. As Holden grapples with the consequences of his actions, Corey captures a very human cognitive response:

Holden decided that he was okay with not feeling any remorse for them. The moral complexity of the situation had grown past his ability to process it, so he just relaxed in the warm glow of victory instead.

This illustrates a universal psychological coping mechanism when faced with overwhelming moral dilemmas—a relatable and insightful moment that adds depth to Holden’s character.

The novel also challenges assumptions about the value of physical versus digital media, cleverly subverting my own (perhaps profligate) preference for physical books through Miller’s eyes:

The OPA man, Anderson Dawes, was sitting on a cloth folding chair outside Miller’s hole, reading a book. It was a real book—onionskin pages bound in what might have been actual leather.
Miller had seen pictures of them before; the idea of that much weight for a single megabyte of data struck him as decadent.

This humorous yet thought-provoking observation nudged me to reconsider my attachment to physical books in an increasingly digital world.

Overall, Leviathan Wakes delivers an exceptional blend of compelling characters, intricate plotting, and relatable moments that anchor the grandiosity of its space opera setting. Its unexpected plot twists and insightful character work kept me hooked from start to finish. This is a must-read for sci-fi enthusiasts and anyone looking for an accessible yet thought-provoking adventure.

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jdhauk's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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apersonfromflorida's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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distractible's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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mice_are_nice's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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talonsontypewriters's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.25

maybe I really am just a hater with too high standards because I kept waiting for it to click and it never did :-/ interesting plot and world, but weak technical writing and half from the perspective of a pretty much insufferable space cop

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