The "Belters," who live in the asteroid belt, provide essential resources to Earth and Mars while suffering from physical deformities and lack of basic necessities like water and air.
The internal dynamics of the Rocinante crew—initially survivors of the Canterbury —serve as a microcosm of humanity’s need for trust amidst widespread political deception. IV. Literary Impact and World-Building LEVIATHAN WAKES
Corey’s world-building is noted for its "vaguely plausible" technology, eschewing faster-than-light travel for a more grounded depiction of space transit and orbital dynamics. This realism heightens the stakes, as distance and communication delays become critical plot elements. Critics at Transfer Orbit note that the novel’s success revitalized the space opera genre, paving the way for other "hard" sci-fi works. The "Belters," who live in the asteroid belt,