jacey | Booklog 14/2021: James S.A. Corey: Leviathan Wakes

I enjoyed The Expanse on Netflix and wasn't going to read the books, but a friend told me the books were even better, and I think he might be right. This is an excellent opener. Humanity has colonised the solar system with permanent bases on Luna and mars plus a number of other moons, and asteroids in the belt. Jim Holden, XO of an ice mining vessel en-route from Saturn's rings to the belt when they receive a mayday call from the Scopuli. He takes a small crew to see if they can effect a rescue but while aboard the Scopuli (finding nothing) someone or something destroys their main ship, killing all their friends. War is brewing between, Earth, Mars and the Belt. Jim's broadcast to the Belt lights the blue touch paper. Miller is a washed up detective, a gangly Belter with a fondness for drink. He's given a kidnap job – find Julie Mao and get her back to her wealthy industrialist father whether she wants to go or not. Even after he's taken off the case and fired, he can't let it go. Julie was on the Scopuli and there's a secret that mustn't get out…except the people who can do most damage know already. Julie Mao and the Scopuli are the key and Holden and Miller both want answers. Excellent space opera