Reviews with content warning for Body horror - L'Éveil du Léviathan

I listened to this one as an audiobook.

For the first time since starting to listen to audiobooks, I turned the speed up, just a little, and I didn't hate it. Just 1.5 times. I can't stand 2x, I've tried that before.

3.5 out of 5 stars! I enjoyed it, had a good time, it was interesting. I'll probably continue with the series. I'd like to give the TV show a try also. I could see a lot of this happening in my mind's eye, and I'd like to see how others envisioned it.

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crowmoon's review against another edition

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adventurous tense fast-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

4.75

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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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storykath's review against another edition

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

4.0

Very cool tonal shifts between the two narrators, and I loved the sci-fi/noir mystery blend. And any well-developed fictional creole is a win. Are there some weird moments that feel a little sexist/objectifying of women? Yeah. Do they highlight the narrators' worldviews rather than the authors'? I hope so.

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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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ippoteq's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Made me cry, which qualifies it for 4 stars in my eyes. A great introduction to the setting Corey has created, throwing you in at the deep end just like its characters.
Biggest complaint was that Holden, one of the books protagonist duo, wasn't especially likeable in this book. He comes off a bit meek, and where initially I really felt sorry for him

following the loss of Ade

, this feeling quickly went away as the story expands on his prior history with women. I actually preferred Miller, and it feels like the authors are trying very hard throughout to make this not the case

by having Holden constantly frown on his behaviour, which would work a lot better if Holden was a more likeable character from the offset

. Naomi also suffers from a lack of clear character in this book

though that is improved upon in book 2 in my opinion

and the rest of the main cast and crew don't get enough time in the spotlight for the reader to grow especially attached to them over the course of 500 pages. This might be the only book I've read recently where I actually wish it was longer, so more time could have been dedicated to expanding on its characters, some of whom come off a bit 2 dimensional. Would definitely recommend this book, but be aware of its flaws going in.

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