Review Detail

Once again, Scott Westerfeld brings readers a fascinating world where technology rules. His newest book LEVIATHAN is an alternative world where Darwinist creates fabricated animals as weaponry right before World War I.


Alekandar Ferdinand, prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, is on the run after his parents are murdered. He goes into hiding with some of his loyal servants. All the while afraid for his own life.


Deryn Sharp is a girl who disguises herself as a boy in order to be in the British Air Services. Shes good at her job but still the threat of her real identity is an everyday fear.


Then an accident has both Alek and Deryn meeting. Should they trust each other? Both are on opposite sides. Alek doesnt trust the Darwinist creations while Deryn has her own prejudices of the clankers. Add to this the Leviathan, a fantastic ship of true Darwinist measures with a secret mission.


I really enjoyed this tale. Westerfelds creatures, weapons, and world are truly imaginative! This is a fun YA steampunk tale where science fiction meets fantasy. I love how he was able to take the whole what if scenario of Darwin meeting our world. Readers will be riveted by each page. The illustrations are great too. One of my favorite scenes, besides the Leviathan ship, is the Huxley, a living medusa that takes riders airborne. Also the whole premise of living animals helping the Leviathan ship to work is totally amazing.


Aleks struggles after his family is murdered and his conflicts on whether or not hes ready to be ruler are believable. I felt Deryns awe of the Leviathan. Who wouldnt be fascinated?


I hope a sequel is in the works. Id love to find out more of both Alek and Deryns adventures. A must read for all Westerfeld fans and those who love a good steampunk tale.