Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey (2011)

The first book in The Expanse series blends noir detective mystery with grand interplanetary politics. When a missing-person case collides with an alien molecule capable of rewriting biology, the fragile peace between Earth, Mars, and the Belt threatens to collapse. Corey (a pseudonym for two co-authors) balances action and character perfectly — every chapter feels cinematic yet grounded in moral tension. The dialogue crackles, the stakes escalate naturally, and the world feels alive with grit and realism. If you want modern space opera done right, start here.

Rating: 4.5/5