I don't read a lot of Epic Sci Fi because although I really love the idea, I'm rarely hooked by the execution. Long, dense books are a struggle to get through unless I am fully engaged in the plot.

I was so surprised to be sucked in early to both the mystery and the action story lines.

Unfortunately I did not like the main characters much at all, and these authors remind me why I almost exclusively read works written by women. Miller's connection or 'relationship' to Julie came across as incredibly creepy and weird. Naomi got a bit of development, but it seemed like it was only to make her more attractive to the men on her crew. This book does not pass the Bechdel quest that's for sure. Shout out to Amos though. He's alright.

So I stuck it out for the plot and got a satisfying resolution by the end. I don't feel the need to continue the series.

Leviathan Wakes was really fast-paced and kept me turning the pages constantly. It was a book I flew through, and I found it impossible to put down at times!

There are some valid criticisms of Leviathan Wakes, especially for the two POV characters in this book. However, I disagree with some of them. In my opinion, Miller is clearly meant to make fun of the classic noir detective character, and it is clear in the novel that he is not necessarily a good person. He is an ass and very unlikable, and other characters in the book don't hesitate to point this out. As for Holden, while he does have some annoying characteristics, I see them as set-up for future books, and an eventual growth arc. As for the side characters in Leviathan Wakes, every single one was amazing in my opinion, and I loved seeing them in scenes.

The plot was fairly straightforward, but it still felt somewhat original. It was fast-moving and entertaining. While it was not the most original plot, it was well done, and everything felt wrapped up, or at least tied together in the end. The setting, however, felt very creative, and I loved how much attention the authors put into the small details of the setting. The setting greatly impacts every aspect of the characters' lives, and I liked how the characters were constantly thinking about different things, such as water usage, air, and food. Small details added throughout the book really helped flesh out the setting for me personally.