Leviathan Wakes

Pretty great, but it's definitely not for everyone. This is near-future, rather “realist” sci-fi. I use the word “realist” in two ways: first, technology hasn't made everything invincible yet. The dangers of space and spaceflight take a central role in the book. The second way I use “realist” is in contrast to philosophical. I find that, while writing about the future, sci-fi writers often have deep insights into the present day and the human condition. I'm thinking particularly of Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?.

I strongly prefer less realist sci-fi. I may come back to this series some day, but it just didn't strike me as a true “great.”