Sci-Fi Group Book Club discussion

Is anyone else reading this one? It's some great space opera, and avoids a lot of cliches. Action from end to end!

I've been reading it with some others in another group. I'm really enjoying it. Very hard to put it down, so much action. Told from split POV's, it's a an interesting world of colonies, with racial tensions, and a heated war, with some surprising twists and turns to keep things interested. At this point, I'm definitely in for the full series.

It's called Leviathan Wakes ;) Yeah, it's one of my favorite book series (I've read them all). You have a lot of good stuff ahead.

The book has recently been made into a TV series called The Expanse, which is currently airing on Syfy in the US and Space in Canada. Episode 6 of 10 just aired today, I think, or is going to air soon? Check it out, it's gotten pretty good reviews.

Just corrected the topic title there. :)

Is the series anything like that of Iain M. Banks' Culture or would you regard it as better?

Tobias wrote: "It's called Leviathan Wakes ;) Yeah, it's one of my favorite book series (I've read them all). You have a lot of good stuff ahead.

The book has recently been made into a TV series called The Expan..."

Would you recommend reading the book first?

Greg wrote: "Is the series anything like that of Iain M. Banks' Culture or would you regard it as better?"
Not really anything like The Culture (but what is?) – it's less space operatic (so far) and (intentionally) pulpier.

"Would you recommend reading the book first?"
Yes, probably, but I don't think you'll go wrong either way. If you watch the 10 episode season first and then have to wait a year for the second season (which has been ordered), you can plow through the fast-paced books easily while you wait. It's a fairly faithful (albeit diverging) adaptation, but a lot of the nuance and world/universe building is delegated to the background. They're both good.

Oh, Lord, what did I write? I really need to stop doing things first thing in the morning.

I've heard Expanse is good. I'm going to get caught up with the books and then binge-watch the show some weekend.

Tobias wrote: "Greg wrote: "Is the series anything like that of Iain M. Banks' Culture or would you regard it as better?"
Not really anything like The Culture (but what is?) – it's less space operatic (so far) an..."

Only getting back to this thread now - rather a lot has happened for me in real life the past three weeks! I'll keep an eye out for the DVD set of The Expanse, Tobias, based on what you've said.

Lynda wrote: "Oh, Lord, what did I write? I really need to stop doing things first thing in the morning.

I've heard Expanse is good. I'm going to get caught up with the books and then binge-watch the show some..."

I actually can't remember what you wrote at this stage, Lynda, but I think the second word was wrong.

Binge-watching can be fun! I've been watching early episodes of Game of Thrones as a result of getting a boxed set of the first four series on DVD as an Xmas present. :)

I probably wrote "Awakes" as I find myself instinctively typing that whenever I try to link the title.

I did catch the first 6 episode of Expanse over a weekend where I wasn't feeling too hot. It's good, it's (pardon the pun) more expansive than the first book. I assumed it would be more in structure like GOT TV Series, where a season pretty much follows a book. I'll probably watch the last few episodes, and spend the time between seasons catching up with the books, per Tobias' suggestion.

Lynda wrote: "I probably wrote "Awakes" as I find myself instinctively typing that whenever I try to link the title.

I did catch the first 6 episode of Expanse over a weekend where I wasn't feeling too hot. It..."

Yes, it was probably 'Awakes' as you suggest. A very easy mistype to make - and an easier smartphone predictive texting one too!

So the series has a few innovations compared to the book? I think that's good as there's something new for people who have already read the book.

The season is over now, and the finale was also very good! Although watch out, it doesn't cover the entire first book, so if you plan on reading it between seasons the book will spoil the show (if that's a concern; with GoT it's the other way around now).

Good to know and I'm not surprised. It felt like they were teasing out the mystery more on the show.

Personally, my spoiler phobia is always for the books, for me, that's where the cannon is. As a result, I'm unplugging from GoT until Winds of Winter finally arrives. I figure the show will always be there on DVD, but I can't unlearn a spoiler.

I will be reading calibans war starting october. I really liked the first one. It was a great get away from the Fantasy stuff i usually read:D I hope it just gets better with every book. Really liked Miller...

overall, the series is great. at least i enjoyed it. but i cant say that for the tv series.

Brilliant series (the books I mean. Dont watch TV much anymore). It's got everything you could possibly want in a space opera. Space battles, space stations, sabotage, intrigue, betrayal, angst and not forgetting.....alien slime! I'm in the middle of book 5, Nemesis Games.