The Fantasy Review’s guide to everything you should know before reading Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey.
If you’re about to dive into James S.A. Corey’s epic space opera series The Expanse, starting with Leviathan Wakes, you’re in for the time of your life! In this guide we will provide you with the essential background information you should know before jumping in!
James S.A. Corey: The Authors
James S.A. Corey is actually a pen name for two authors: Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck. Their collaboration has resulted in some incredible worldbuilding with a universe that combines hard science fiction with political intrigue and human drama.
The Setting for Leviathan Wakes
Leviathan Wakes is set in a future where humanity has colonized the solar system. The book primarily takes place in three main locations:
- Earth: Still the most populous human world, but no longer the only center of power.
- Mars: An independent military power with a terraforming project that’s been ongoing for generations.
- The Belt: The asteroid belt and outer planets, home to millions of workers who extract resources for the inner planets.
Key Concepts
Before you start reading Leviathan Wakes, you might find it useful to be aware of a few key concepts you will come across in the book:
- Space Travel: While faster-than-light travel doesn’t exist, efficient fusion drives allow relatively quick travel within the solar system.
- Gravity: Different gravities on Earth, Mars, and in space stations play a significant role in shaping human physiology and culture.
- Belters: Humans born and raised in the asteroid belt and outer planets, often physically different to Earth-born humans due to growing up in low gravity.
Main Characters & Political Landscape
While you’ll meet many characters, two of the main protagonists are James Holden and Detective Miller. Holden is an Earther and executive officer in an ice hauler. Miller is a police detective born on Ceres, which is in the asteroid belt.
The political landscape of this world is complex but enthralling. The solar system in The Expanse series is divided into three main factions:
- United Nations (Earth and Luna)
- Martian Congressional Republic
- Outer Planets Alliance (OPA): An advocate for Belt interests, seen as a terrorist organization by some.
Enjoy the Book!
We hope this guide on everything you should know before reading Leviathan Wakes makes diving into this epic space opera an exciting experience. This is an epic series, and one any fan of the space opera subgenre and even epic fantasy with political intrigue should try out!
