Leviathan Falls

Leviathan Falls by James S. A. Corey (2021 Orbit softcover 516pp)

 

So, we come to the end of the line for The Expanse novel series. This is book number nine of a series I’ve been reading for the best part of a decade. I have very pleasant memories of devouring these stories as they came out, then had a little pause before devouring the previous three all in one go around 2 years ago. Then all the fans had to wait until November 2021 and the publication of Leviathan Falls. In the meantime, the first two main story arcs have been adapted (in somewhat altered form) for television – I’ve only managed to see the first three seasons of that so far.

As you might expect, Leviathan Falls repeats the same alternating viewpoint structure as the previous books. There are a few more viewpoints this time out including that of Colonel Tanaka, a somewhat damaged military officer who makes herself a major antagonist to our heroes. We end up seeing the action from the point of view of most of the main characters and a few minor ones too.

The plot is surprisingly simple for a book looking to wrap-up a hefty series like this one. Following the mortal wound inflicted by the resistance upon the Laconian Empire, its leader the proto-molecule altered Winston Duarte vanishes. Tanaka, a highly experienced military hero is given the task to find him at all costs and this leads her into conflict with our plucky heroes aboard the venerable Rocinante. Meanwhile Elvi Okoye on board a Laconian science ship is trying to uncover the mysteries of the alien gate builders and the ancient dark forces that opposed them. Soon all the threads join together and there’s a last-ditch effort to save all mankind – first from Duarte and then from the malevolent forces that seek to wipe out everything.

Of course, most of the enjoyment comes from having the main crew back again. This time round they’re getting quite self-reflective, worrying about age and abilities among other things. Jim, Naomi, Amos and Alex all get a suitable send-off although I’m still not sure the change they made to Amos in the previous book was entirely necessary but it does make for a fun epilogue here.

There is a big set-piece climax, but it felt somewhat flat to me. Previous mysteries reduced to simple ideas and heroics which weren’t entirely necessary lead to this reader thinking, ‘yeah and so what?” I guess I was expecting more of the Aliens to be revealed but they remain off stage and their enemies are just a vague concept in the end.

Needless to say, don’t pick this one up without reading the previous volumes. I enjoyed it but maybe not as much as I had hoped given the anticipation. If you’re yet to start the series you have a treat in store.