Leviathan Falls: Expanse, Book 9

In many ways it’s sad to see an end to this series, the ‘family’ that they were, but the book was written incredibly well - as they all were - and this did not disappoint. I would imagine ‘wrapping up’ a single book would be a difficult process to do well. In this instance the authors had to do so much more. Kudos amd thank you!

I hate to see this series of books end. Great author couldn’t put the books down for all nine Wish they would bring back the TV show for the last 3 books

Loved the series so much and will re read because it’s a story and group of characters I’ll never forget.

If the creatures beyond the Gates come to destroy the Human Universe, can anyone stop them?? What happens to intergalactic trade and communication is lost?? How do Humanity fight the entities that destroyed the ancients??Would the creation of a Human hive-mind help to fight off the danger but end up destroying Humanity??

An era in excellent science-fiction writing comes to a close with the final book in The Expanse series. At the time of writing this, two episodes of the television show remain and will have aired by the time this post is published. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in this universe via both mediums, especially since the writers (Corey being the duo of Ty Franck and Daniel Abraham) are also involved in the show’s production.In this epic conclusion, it’s immediately obvious that not only have our heroes aged, but they have also suffered in many ways through their escapades over the years. Some of it is obvious, as in the case of Amos and those lost over the years, but the subtle touches of post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety are clear in the entire crew, new and old. Well, Amos is pretty much the same mentally, despite his otherwise significant changes. He continues to be my favorite character in this entire universe (page and screen), hands down.The opening appears to set up the return of a previous villain, but the authors flip the script almost immediately. Enter Tanaka, who is set up to be our antagonist in exchange. She quickly evolves into more of an anti-hero as Corey depicts her to be slightly more sympathetic (still in a fairly villainous way) as she is also forced to confront the same overarching issues as the Rocinante crew. I did not want to like anything about her. I failed.In true space opera fashion, the characters as a whole fight a larger-than-life threat, even outside the interpersonal and governmental conflicts. Despite literally decades of work, there is still so much unknown about the protomolecule creators and the mysterious force who wiped them out (even referred to as the “dark gods” by scientist Elvi). However, in the end, the true bad guy is always just that—a guy. Corey remains true to the heart of the science-fiction genre with this dichotomy of conflict while revealing excellent plot twists and character development along the way. Nothing about any layer of this book’s conflicts is black and white, with even mental health care set up as a legitimate method of protection and combat. (Just don’t do anything Tanaka does regarding brain drugs. Seriously.)But from the first book, the heart of this story has been Jim Holden and Naomi Ngata. I have adored their love story from the very beginning, as quiet as it is, and through all the hurdles they have faced together and apart. Holden might be set up as the protagonist more typical to the genre (and even in this book he pulls the most Holden of Holdens near the end that had the spouse and me freaking out as we read). Still, I loved that Naomi is the true heart of everything they have fought for and that Corey did not shy away from staging her as the true leader of her cause.On a more craft-specific note, it did not escape my notice that Holden’s chapter headings change from Holden to Jim between Leviathan Wakes and Leviathan Falls, as we all become closer to the character. That’s the sort of touch that not every reader might notice but that all should appreciate.I highly recommend this series (both book and show) to all science-fiction fans. Both are solid stories regardless of the medium, and each can be appreciated without the other depending on preference. The big question throughout is whether the cost of humanity becoming an interstellar species was worth the price. I look forward to continuing the discussion as it relates to this series for years to come.

It's always a strange feeling to finish a long series of books that has entertained, enlightened, and inspired you over years of your life, sometimes even decades. The stories are like a part of your history, the characters like friends you've joyously reunited with again and again. There's a unique excitement in a new book coming out in a series you love, afterwards followed by years of extensive discussion and anticipation for the *next* book, for those of us fortunate enough to be involved with communities of fans . But eventually, that next book will be the last one.I started reading Robert Jordan's "The Wheel of Time" in 1997, when I was in high school. WoT and the wonderful community of fellow fans who'd become like a family to me saw me graduate high school, struggle through some very difficult years, then go to college, followed by law school. The final book in the series came out while I was working my first job post-law school, a few months after I graduated. I read that book with both love and sorrow, because a part of my life was ending, something I had been able to look forward to for fifteen years. After I finished it, my life was different.The same thing goes for The Expanse. I've been flying around with the crew of the Roci for eleven years, many of which were very hard times; this series helped keep me sane and hopeful in those times. When the book finally appeared on my Kindle, I felt some trepidation, because I didn't want this story to end. I had pre-ordered it what feels like ages ago, and actually forgot it was coming up until it was there, downloaded. I read the first couple of chapters, and then I stopped because, as always seems to happen, real life intruded on my reading-for-fun.I didn't pick it back up until around the end of November, 2022; I tried to parcel it out gradually, so I could spend as much time as possible with these old frirnds. And now it's over, and once again my life is different.But, it was very well worth the journey. Leviathan Falls is a fitting and satisfactory conclusion to what I personally feel is the best science fiction series, so far, of the last twenty years, and indeed one of the best series in all of speculative fiction. The authors have done an excellent job of wrapping *almost* everything up. The biggest plot threads get a suitably epic send-off.The only thing I found wanting was a few minor loose ends from the series that either didn't get a mention at all, or were concluded off-screen and barely registered in the story (coincidentally, I felt the same about the final Wheel of Time book). All in all, however, it was excellent, as we've come to expect from this series. Reading the last couple of chapters had me crying by the end.Perhaps I get "too involved" with books, if a series' ending can hit me with such strong feelings, but books and the worlds in them have always been dear to me. And truthfully, it's not *all* over; there will still be discussions, and rereads, and speculation, and most importantly, inspiration to share with folks just starting out with the series.So, if you're a fan of the series, although you may feel sad that the series is finished, I'll bet that you'll very much enjoy the end of the journey.

This was a great conclusion to the story, though I was hoping Jim would find an unexpected outcome and that he would continue. It was however fitting that Amos survived it all.

What a wild ride! Took me about a year Just getting books from the library. A fabulous story! Well with the investment for fans of SciFi