Helpful Score: 3
And then the shit got real. Yeah. the book starts with this sweeping, fantastic colonized solar system with interesting people and complicated politics. But then the fates throw in something unforeseen and it just takes this book to the next level. This was one of my favorite books of the year and it is because of what happens in the second half of the book.
i also enjoyed the few nods to other science fiction greats, like a few lines about fear from Frank Herberts Dune and a reference to voices in the whirlwind (Walter Jon Williams). Not only that, but sometimes the dynamics and the back and forth dialogue between Holden and his crew were reminiscent of Firefly. While none of these things were so prominent to make me say, oh, try this because it is just like.., there were these little hat tips or chin nods to other works and I loved that. Now I wonder if I missed some. Perhaps this will turn into an annual read.
If I have any criticism with this book, it is that there were few female characters. Julie and Naomi (from Holdens crew) appear more than 2-5 times but are still secondary characters. There are a handful of other ladies that make brief appearances (by turns they are competent and /or ruthless).
Now that I got that out of the way, I can continue to gush about this book. I read a lot of epic fantasy because I love the detailed character development, the depth of world building, and the intricate plots. So take those three elements and squish them together with a space opera and you get the magnificence that is Leviathan Wakes. Yeah, its that damn good.
i also enjoyed the few nods to other science fiction greats, like a few lines about fear from Frank Herberts Dune and a reference to voices in the whirlwind (Walter Jon Williams). Not only that, but sometimes the dynamics and the back and forth dialogue between Holden and his crew were reminiscent of Firefly. While none of these things were so prominent to make me say, oh, try this because it is just like.., there were these little hat tips or chin nods to other works and I loved that. Now I wonder if I missed some. Perhaps this will turn into an annual read.
If I have any criticism with this book, it is that there were few female characters. Julie and Naomi (from Holdens crew) appear more than 2-5 times but are still secondary characters. There are a handful of other ladies that make brief appearances (by turns they are competent and /or ruthless).
Now that I got that out of the way, I can continue to gush about this book. I read a lot of epic fantasy because I love the detailed character development, the depth of world building, and the intricate plots. So take those three elements and squish them together with a space opera and you get the magnificence that is Leviathan Wakes. Yeah, its that damn good.
