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For Book Addicts BY a Book Addict

Science Fiction

Leviathan Wakes: When 320,000 Readers Can’t Shut Up About Space Noir

The Cocktail Correspondent

Alright, here’s what caught my attention: Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey. Not because someone told me to read it. Not because it’s trending on BookTok (spoiler: it’s not). But because I kept seeing this book come up in every single “best space opera” thread on Reddit, every damn time someone asks for sci-fi recommendations, and in the comment sections of half the fantasy blogs I lurk on. When a 2011 book maintains that kind of momentum 14 years later, I pay attention.

Here’s what the data shows from dig through the internet’s collective opinion and find out what the hell is going on with this thing.

Image: Amazon

The Intel

What I Found (The Legwork)

I spent my recent research sessions reading through hundreds of Goodreads reviews, Reddit’s r/TheExpanse community, r/printSF discussions, and every forum thread I could find where people argue about this series. Here’s what the internet actually thinks.

The “Game of Thrones in Space” Marketing Was Bullshit (But It Worked)

This book got marketed as “Game of Thrones in space” back when that comparison sold books. Readers have opinions about this. One Goodreads reviewer put it best: “Do I think it’s Game of Thrones in space? No. I don’t feel that’s accurate, but it was a nice piece of marketing, I suppose. Is it the best sci-fi book I’ve read in a really long time? It most certainly is.” (Grimdark Magazine review)

Translation: the marketing was a lie, but the book still delivered something people couldn’t stop reading. The comparison worked because both authors (Daniel Abraham actually worked as George R.R. Martin’s assistant) understand political intrigue and morally gray characters. But this moves faster, wraps up its first storyline, and doesn’t leave you waiting a decade for the next book.

Two Characters, One Book, Zero Interest in Getting Along

The story follows two POV characters: Jim Holden, an idealistic space captain who thinks transparency solves everything, and Joe Miller, a burned-out detective who knows people are sheep. Multiple Reddit threads point out this dynamic carries the entire book. One Goodreads reviewer nailed it: “The characterizations and the banter between Holden and Miller are, in my opinion, the two main driving strength of the narrative. Holden, as an idealist, believes that all information should be given to everyone. Miller, on the other hand, is a nihilist that believes information must be controlled carefully.”

Readers either love this push-pull or find Holden insufferably naive. There’s no middle ground. But here’s the thing: even the people who hate Holden at the start admit he grows on them. One five-star review from a self-proclaimed Holden-hater said: “At first, I straight-up didn’t like Holden… But just as I was about to write him off, someone schooled him about a little thing called REALITY.”

The Audiobook Might Be the Best Version (Jefferson Mays Is a Weapon)

I need to talk about the audiobook narrated by Jefferson Mays. This comes up in nearly every recommendation thread. AudioFile Magazine called Mays’ narration essential to the experience, saying his “precise phrasing helps put together the puzzle of labyrinthine details.” Multiple Goodreads reviewers said they wouldn’t have finished the book in print but devoured it on audio.

One reviewer said: “Jefferson Mays’ precise phrasing helps put together the puzzle of labyrinthine details that make up the story, and he adds extra punch to the action scenes and zing to the deadpan wisecracks.” If you’re on the fence about this book, try the audiobook first.

Reddit Is Split: “Slow Burn” vs “Couldn’t Put It Down”

The r/TheExpanse subreddit and r/scifi discussions reveal a pattern: people either blast through this book in three days or struggle with the first 200 pages. One December 2024 Reddit thread asked “I liked but didn’t love Leviathan Wakes—is it worth continuing?” The responses were decisive: some said the series gets better, others said if you didn’t love book one, bail now.

The consensus from multiple threads: if you make it past the halfway point, you’re hooked. One reviewer said: “The first half of the book is mostly repeat if you’ve watched the series, but when I hit new material at the midway point, it took off.” The book front-loads setup, then delivers revelation after revelation in the back half.

The TV Show Changed Everything (And Created Two Fandoms)

The Expanse TV series (six seasons on Syfy/Amazon Prime, saved by Jeff Bezos himself) drastically boosted book sales. Multiple Goodreads reviewers admit they only picked up the books after watching the show. One said: “Amazing movies/TV adaptations boost book sales exponentially more than anything else in the world, and I do believe that The Expanse has received this benefit.”

But here’s what’s weird: book readers and show watchers argue about everything. Character differences (Avasarala doesn’t appear until book 2, but she’s in season 1 of the show), pacing changes, and which version is “better.” The TV show only covers half of book one in its first season, which means show-watchers who pick up the book hit spoilers immediately, and book readers who watch the show see major deviations. Both fandoms exist, and they do NOT always agree.

What’s Missing from the Buzz: BookTok and YouTube

Here’s what I didn’t find: any significant BookTok presence or major YouTube book coverage. Search for “Leviathan Wakes BookTok” and you get tumbleweeds. This book’s momentum lives on Reddit, Goodreads, and in recommendation threads. It’s word-of-mouth from actual readers, not influencer-driven hype. For a 2011 book with 320,000 Goodreads ratings, that’s unusual. Most books this popular have BookTok compilations and reading vlogs. This one doesn’t need them.

My Analysis (Based on the Evidence)

This series has staying power because it delivers on multiple fronts. It’s space opera for people who don’t usually like space opera. It’s hard sci-fi that doesn’t drown you in tech specs. It’s political thriller meets noir detective meets horror. Kirkus Reviews called it “a huge, churning, relentlessly entertaining melodrama buoyed by confidence that human values will prevail.” That confidence shows.

The audiobook is the secret weapon. Jefferson Mays’ narration comes up in almost every positive review. If you’re skeptical about 600+ pages of space politics, the audiobook might convert you. Multiple Reddit threads confirm this.

It’s intentionally divisive in its early pages. Holden’s idealism and Miller’s cynicism are designed to clash. Readers who push through the first act get rewarded with character growth and moral complexity. Those who bail early miss the payoff. The pattern shows up in hundreds of reviews.

TV show viewers and book readers are two separate camps. If you’ve seen the show, you know half the twists already. If you haven’t, the book reads fresh. Either way, spoilers are unavoidable, so pick your poison.

This is a completed series that actually stuck the landing. Nine books, released annually, finished in 2021. Reddit’s r/TheExpanse confirms the series delivers on its promises and wraps up satisfyingly. For readers burned by unfinished series (looking at you, certain fantasy authors), that matters.

The absence of BookTok buzz is actually a feature. This book succeeds on substance, not hype cycles. It’s been consistently recommended for 14 years because it delivers, not because an algorithm pushed it.

The Question Nobody’s Asking

Why did two authors—Daniel Abraham (fantasy novelist) and Ty Franck (George R.R. Martin’s assistant)—decide to write space opera under a pen name? And why did they commit to nine books from the start?

Answer: they built a world they could explore for a decade without burning out. Abraham’s fantasy chops brought political intrigue and character work. Franck’s sci-fi knowledge built the physics and world-building. The pen name (James S.A. Corey) gave them creative freedom. And committing to nine books upfront meant they could plant payoffs that wouldn’t land until book seven. That’s not how most series work. It shows in the structure.

The Verdict

Read if: You want space opera that prioritizes characters over ships, politics over tech specs, and moral ambiguity over clear heroes and villains. Also read if you’ve been burned by unfinished series and want one that actually ends.

Skip if: You need immediate action (first 200 pages are setup), hate dual POVs that take time to converge, or require BookTok validation before reading anything.

Start with the audiobook narrated by Jefferson Mays if: You’re skeptical about 600+ pages but intrigued by the premise. Mays carries the narrative.

Fair warning: This is book one of nine. The series totals over 5,000 pages. If you get hooked, you’re in for the long haul. Reddit confirms people who love book one usually read all nine.

The Cocktail: The Canterbury Sling

Named after the ill-fated ice hauler that kicks off the whole mess. This drink starts smooth and ends with a kick—just like the book.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz dark rum (because space is dark and full of bad decisions)
  • 3/4 oz fresh lime juice (bright and sharp, like Miller’s cynicism)
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup (sweetness you don’t deserve but need)
  • 1/4 oz Angostura bitters (the lingering regret of broadcasting classified intel to the entire solar system)
  • 2 oz ginger beer (the carbonation represents explosive decompression)
  • Lime wheel for garnish

Instructions:

Combine rum, lime juice, simple syrup, and bitters in a shaker with ice. Shake like you’re trying to survive a surprise attack on your ship. Strain into a Collins glass over fresh ice. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with lime wheel. Sip slowly while contemplating whether transparency is a virtue or a weapon.

Tasting notes: Starts with rum’s warmth, hits you with lime’s acidity, and finishes with ginger’s spice. The bitters linger—just like the consequences of Holden’s choices. Pairs well with political intrigue and questionable life decisions.

The Bottom Line

320,000+ Goodreads ratings. Consistent recommendations across Reddit, Goodreads, and sci-fi forums for 14 years. A completed nine-book series. A successful TV adaptation. And zero BookTok hype. This book doesn’t need viral moments—it has word-of-mouth that spans over a decade. If you’re looking for space opera with teeth, political complexity, and characters who make terrible decisions for understandable reasons, Leviathan Wakes delivers. Just be ready to commit to a series that will consume your next year if you get hooked.

That’s what I found. Your mileage may vary.

Got intel on a book the internet can’t stop arguing about? DM me your recommendations. But bring links. I don’t do vague vibes—I do research. If you send me “I saw someone mention it,” I’ll ignore you. If you send me Reddit threads and review patterns, we’ll talk.

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