Leviathan Wakes
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature, Science fiction |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Founder | James S. A. Corey (pseudonym for Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck) |
| Products | Science fiction novel |
Leviathan Wakes is a science fiction novel authored by James S. A. Corey, the joint pseudonym of American writers Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck. This book inaugurates the Expanse series, which continues with Caliban's War (2012), Abaddon's Gate (2013), and six additional installments. Leviathan Wakes earned nominations for the 2012 Hugo Award for Best Novel and the 2012 Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel. Beginning in 2015, it was adapted for television by Syfy as the initial season and a half of The Expanse. Between 2011 and 2019, five related short stories set in the same universe were also released.
Setting
The narrative of Leviathan Wakes unfolds in a future era where humanity has expanded across much of the Solar System, facilitated by the Epstein Drive—a fusion-powered propulsion system that allows constant acceleration. Earth, governed by the (United Nations), and the Martian Congressional Republic function as rival superpowers maintaining a tenuous military alliance to oversee the Asteroid belt, home to the "Belters." These inhabitants reside within space stations embedded in asteroids, mining critical natural resources. Belters have adapted physically to low gravity environments but suffer from social exclusion within the Solar System’s political hierarchy. The Outer Planets Alliance (OPA) embodies this socio-political struggle; it is a coalition of militant factions resisting exploitation by the "Inners," who label the OPA as terrorists.
Plot summary
While traveling from Saturn's rings to Ceres, the ice hauler Canterbury answers a deceptive distress call. Five crew members—executive officer James "Jim" Holden, chief engineer Naomi Nagata, pilot Alex Kamal, engineer Amos Burton, and medic Shed Garvey—investigate and discover the deserted transport Scopuli, which carries a false beacon embedded with Martian technology. Shortly thereafter, an unidentified stealth warship obliterates the Canterbury with nuclear weaponry. Holden broadcasts an accusation implicating Mars, triggering hostilities between Mars and the Belt.
Survivors are directed to rendezvous with the Martian battleship Donnager, whose captain denies any involvement. The Donnager is subsequently destroyed by identical stealth vessels. Holden and most of his crew escape aboard a Martian frigate, later renamed the Rocinante, though Shed perishes. Seeking refuge, they turn to OPA leader Colonel Fred Johnson. Analysis reveals Earth constructed these stealth ships; Holden’s disclosure draws Earth into escalating conflict. The crew is dispatched to Eros Station to locate an OPA agent who sent out the distress signal.
On Ceres Station, detective Joe Miller is hired unlawfully to find Julie Mao, daughter of affluent Lunar elites. Ignoring warnings, Miller pursues his investigation and uncovers Mao’s involvement with the OPA and her presence aboard the Scopuli. Miller travels to Eros to join forces with Holden and the crew of the Rocinante.
At Eros, they survive an ambush and discover Julie Mao’s body infected by an unusual organic growth. Her phone records detail symptoms linked to exposure to energy and radiation, along with coordinates pointing to an asteroid docking site used by one of the attacking ships. A station-wide radiation alert is revealed as a deception orchestrated by Protogen, an Earth-based security firm that has infected individuals with the same disease. The infected become violent attackers spreading infection through vomit. Miller and his group narrowly escape.
Following Julie’s coordinates leads them to an abandoned stealth ship and a Protogen video explaining that an alien molecular biological replicator known as the "protomolecule," discovered on Saturn's moon Phoebe, causes the infection. Protogen released this entity on Eros as part of a human experiment after staging a false flag attack on the Canterbury to divert attention from their operation.
With assistance from the OPA, Miller and the crew of the Rocinante assault Protogen’s clandestine Belt base and capture lead scientist Antony Dresden. Dresden envisions that manipulating the protomolecule could elevate humanity to godlike status. To prevent further misuse, Miller executes Dresden summarily, provoking Holden’s ire.
To stop future exploitation of the protomolecule, OPA plans to crash a vessel into Eros aiming to send it into the Sun. Miller plants explosives on Eros’s exterior but remains behind. Moments before impact, Eros’s path shifts unexpectedly.
The protomolecule enables advanced space travel that bypasses usual limits of g-force and inertia, propelling Eros toward Earth at unprecedented speed. Miller discovers that Julie Mao’s infected body is symbiotically guiding Eros. He persuades her consciousness to redirect it away from Earth; Eros then crashes into Venus, likely causing their deaths. On Venus, the protomolecule begins constructing an immense structure.
Reception
The novel received acclaim from sources such as Kirkus Reviews, Locus Online, and others, which commended its thrilling action scenes and the gratifying resolution of its storyline. GeekDad on Wired.com praised the book for its clear and straightforward depiction of governmental and corporate entities, avoiding overly technical language. The name of the novel’s titular ship, "Guy Molinari," is a deliberate nod to a Staten Island ferry.
Academic commentators have identified strong inspirations drawn from Miguel de Cervantes's Don Quixote, including meaningful ship names like Rocinante and thematic echoes in characters’ idealistic and quixotic endeavors. The portrayal of Julie Mao as Dulcinea, alongside references to windmills, further reinforce these literary allusions.
The audiobook edition, narrated by Jefferson Mays, earned a nomination for the 2012 Audie Award.
Sequels
Following Leviathan Wakes, the series continued with Caliban's War (2012) and Abaddon's Gate (2013). Orbit Books commissioned three more novels along with five novellas set within the same universe. Additional installments include Cibola Burn (2014), Nemesis Games, Babylon's Ashes, Persepolis Rising, Tiamat's Wrath, culminating in the final volume, Leviathan Falls.
"Drive"
Released in 2012 as a 7-page prequel short story, "Drive" centers on Solomon Epstein’s experimentation with the "Epstein Drive," an innovative fusion propulsion technology that facilitates faster-than-usual interstellar travel.
The Churn
This 75-page prequel novella, published in 2014, ranks among the longest shorter works authored by James S.A. Corey.
"The Butcher of Anderson Station"
A 40-page prequel narrative issued in 2011, this story explores events preceding those in Leviathan Wakes.
"The Last Flight of the Cassandra"
Set during the timeline of Leviathan Wakes, this five-page tale was released in 2019 and included within the rulebook for The Expanse Role-Playing Game by Green Ronin Publishing.
"The Vital Abyss"
Spanning events before Leviathan Wakes through to Cibola Burn, this 74-page novella published in 2015 stands as one of Corey's more extensive shorter works.