Download The Expanse – Leviathan Wakes Book

Leviathan Wakes Summary

Leviathan Wakes is the first installment in James Corey’s science fiction book series known as The Expanse. The novel depicts a time where humanity has expanded its territory beyond Earth onto the edges of our solar system. The stars themselves, however, remain out of the reach of humanity’s grasp.

Book 1 of the Expanse Series

Despite these drastic advances humanity has achieved in this world; Politics, military strength, and, unfortunately, exploitation remain central themes. Earth ruled by the United Nations, and Mars ruled by the Martian Congressional Republic, are the dominant bodies due to their military and political might. Though there remain power struggles between Earth and Mars, they hold sovereignty over the people who live in the Asteroid belts. These people are known as the belters in the novel. Their lives significance reduced to providing natural resources to the solar system.

The main story takes place after an ice hauling spaceship captained by Jim Holden detects a distress signal. The Canterbury carrying Jim and his crewmates detour from their journey to a Ceres Space station and draws close to what appears to be an abandoned space shuttle. Scopuli is the name of the abandoned vessel. When Jim and some of his crewmates investigate, there are no signs of the vessel’s crew but locate the beacon broadcasting the distress signal. Afraid that this may be a trap set up by space pirates, Jim, and co. depart from the vessel. Their trip back to the Canterbury comes to an abrupt halt when a stealth warship reveals itself and wreaks havoc on the ship. The warship utilized advanced technology not only in its design but also in its weaponry. Jim suspects that this must be the work of the MCRN (Martian Congressional Republic Navy).

Jim takes swift action and broadcasts a message blaming the MCRN for the destruction of the Canterbury. Hoping this will deter the warship from returning and wiping the remains of his crew out. Luckily, the Donnager, an MCRN battleship in the area, responds to Jim’s broadcast comes to assist.

Meanwhile, at the Ceres Space Station. Joe Miller, Belter, and detective of Star Helix Security is carrying out an investigation. He is to locate Julie Mao, daughter of the wealthy Jules-Pierre Mao, and return her home.

The novel shifts its focus back to those aboard the Donnager. The captain argues that the MCRN did not carry out the attack. He suggests it was instead likely an act of terrorism done by OPA (Outer Planets Alliance). Unidentified ships pursue the Donnager, and in response, The Donnager opens fire. Those on the Donnager deduce the attackers are the same ships that destroyed the Canterbury. Although Donnager is a state of the art spacecraft it is overwhelmed by pursuing ships attacks. During the battle, it becomes clear that the remaining crew members of the Canterbury are the targets. The four members escape aboard the Tachi, a light space vessel before the Donnager falls. They are the only survivors from the attack on the Donnager.

In dire need of answers, the surviving four decide to go to the Tycho Station. There they speak with Fred Johnson, an influential member of the OPA who comes to their aid. He helps to camouflage their ship, which allows them to travel to the Eros Station safely.

On Ceres, Joe speaks with Anderson Dawes, leader of the Ceres section of OPA. Joe learns that Julie Mao joined the OPA, and in a mission aboard the Scopuli, they lost track of her. Anderson warns Joe not to investigate the matter further. Joe ignores the warning and speaks with Captain Shaddid, but she commands him to stop the investigation. Joe can’t shake his desire for answers, and Shaddid fires him. Utilizing the docking port information he obtained beforehand, Joe discerns that the Canterbury’s crew recently were aboard the Scopuli, and he departs for Eros.

On Eros, Joe finds the Canterbury’s crew in the hotel room of Lionel Polanski, OPA member, and friend of Fred. In Polanski’s room, they find the body of Julie Mao covered in a mysterious growth. No one knew at the time that they were witnessing one of the greatest threats to the planet Earth, yet.

Quotes:

“But it is only a machine. It doesn’t think. It follows instructions. If we learn how to alter that programming, then we become the architects of that change.”
― James S.A. Corey, Leviathan Wakes

“What kind of half-assed apocalypse are they running down there?” Amos said. “Give ’em a break. It’s their first.”
― James S.A. Corey, Leviathan Wakes

“So how does the Epstein drive work? Very well. Efficiently.”
― James S.A. Corey, Leviathan Wakes

“Everyone too busy trying to survive to spend any time creating something new.”
― James S.A. Corey, Leviathan Wakes

“Stars are better off without us.”
― James S.A. Corey, Leviathan Wakes

Download / Read Online Leviathan Wakes from below or purchase a copy from Amazon.

Buy or Download Leviathan Wakes Book

The Expanse – Leviathan Wakes.pdf

Download PDF

Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey