Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey

 

Man has pretty much conquered the solar system with colonies on Earth, Mars and the in-between Belt.  But though all three colonies are thriving, that doesn't mean they get along.  There is constant tension between Mars and Earth and both regard the Betweeners as they are called, as very different.

Jim Holden captains a ship that hauls ice from Jupiter to those places needing water.  While on a routine trip, they come across a salvage ship but when they go to explore, they find a secret they never expected.  A secret that could change everything.  

Detective Miller is a policeman, handling things like break-ins and other mundane police items.  He is pulled aside by his boss and given a secret job.  One of the wealthiest men on Earth wants someone to find his daughter and bring her home.  She had left years before and is associated with a radical group.   With tensions rising between Earth and Mars, he wants her home safe.

But as these two men handle their missions, they are brought together, sometimes as enemies, sometimes viewing each other with respect.  Holden releases information to the universe that precipitates a war between Earth and Mars with the rebel groups seeing a chance to get what they want as well.  Along with the war, they discover that a group of aliens from an immeasurable distance are also in the mix and that they have plans that are millenniums old.  

James S.A. Corey is the pen name of two science fiction authors, Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck.  This long book (over 700 pages) is only the beginning of the nine book series, The Expanse.  The series was also optioned and made into a Prime Video series.  The plotting is intricate and the characters are interesting.  I'm looking forward to the next adventure!  This book is recommended for science fiction readers.