Review: Leviathan Wakes

Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I honestly didn't know they made good adventure books anymore. You would think everything that labels itself as genre fiction was either world-building or droning introspective that do everything they can to avoid the plot. But the Expanse series, or at least the first book I just finished, makes no qualms about what it is. An entertaining space adventure that is 110% character and plot-driven. Something that wants you to like it without sacrificing good writing. There are issues, that I'll of course get into, but this book is good in such an old-fashioned sense that it threw me for a loop.

While I think the driven nature of the book suits it well, I was surprised at the lack of world-building. Multi-book epics tend to go on and on about the universe the author(s) created. Though this is mostly known in high fantasy that elevates the lore so much it can give you a nose bleed, it's not uncommon in science fiction. There's a more minimalist approach here that only really gives you what you need. It wasn't a turn-off for me, but it might be for those with tissues wadded up their nostrils.

The dual narrative can also be slightly problematic. It works 90% of the time but can feel clunky when the two main characters are in the same room. It's still structured better than most other books, even otherwise good ones, and it remains committed to the concept. It allows the authors to draw out their strengths and mostly avoids their weaknesses. Mostly.

The pacing is solid, starting and ending at the right place, but can drag in a few spots. The longest chapter of the book just has the chapters watching a bunch of videos as the plot is unfolded for both reader and character. While each chapter justifies its existence as a whole, some of the areas could have been truncated.  This is especially true for one side of the last chapters of the book. As the character doesn't have much to do except reflect on his life. As it reaches the end, you (and even the characters) know what is going to happen, but can take just a little too long to get there. That being said, it's probably my only serious issue with the book.

I have a tendency to finish things that I start. Even completing really bad books just so I can complain about how bad they are (check my other reviews for more). But nine novels plus a collection of shorts is too much even for my Adamantium constitution. About halfway into the book, I wondered if I would continue. The short answer is a yes. While not the best thing I've ever read in the history of man, it is smart and entertaining. It reminds me of a Heinlein juvenile but more grown-up and containing less sexism (and, unfortunately, fewer redheads). The book just wants to tell a good story in a good way. And it didn't even have to get up its own ass to do it.

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