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Leviathan #2
Behemoth
The behemoth is the fiercest creature in the British navy. It can swallow enemy battleships with one bite. The Darwinists will need it, now that they are at war with the Clanker powers.
Deryn is a girl posing as a boy in the British Air Service, and Alek is the heir to an empire posing as a commoner. Finally together aboard the airship Leviathan, they hope to bring the war to a halt. But when disaster strikes the Leviathan's peacekeeping mission, they find themselves alone and hunted in enemy territory.
Alek and Deryn will need great skill, new allies, and brave hearts to face what's ahead.
Deryn is a girl posing as a boy in the British Air Service, and Alek is the heir to an empire posing as a commoner. Finally together aboard the airship Leviathan, they hope to bring the war to a halt. But when disaster strikes the Leviathan's peacekeeping mission, they find themselves alone and hunted in enemy territory.
Alek and Deryn will need great skill, new allies, and brave hearts to face what's ahead.
481 pages, Hardcover
First published October 5, 2010
580 people are currently reading
17182 people want to read
About the author
Scott Westerfeld
89 books21.3k followersScott Westerfeld is a New York Times bestselling author of YA. He is best known for the Uglies and Leviathan series. His current series, IMPOSTORS, returns to the world of Uglies.
The next book in that series, MIRROR'S EDGE, comes out April 6, 2021.
The next book in that series, MIRROR'S EDGE, comes out April 6, 2021.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,824 reviews
May 13, 2012
YA fanatics...Scott Westerfeld got it very, very right in this smart, slickly crafted re-imagining of World War I.
There are a host of inventive creations in this book full of "nicely done," but I want to run the highlighter over the two primary world-building concepts (i.e., The Clankers and the Darwinists) because they really struck me as swelling with genius, and their engorgement was made all the more pronounced by the art, which is impeccableness itself).
First, the DARWINISTS. So in this alternative world, Charles Darwin was a busy boy. Not only did he foment that little evolution revolution, but he also managed to crack the DNA code and perfected gene-splicing, allowing for the bio-engineering of all manner of “specialized” creatures bred to perform particular functions.
The countries using this technology are known as “Darwinists,” and include, primarily, Great Britain, France, and Russia (basically the Triple Entente of the real WWI).
One critical tenet of Darwinist science is that the “bred” creates must not be “sentient” and must only have the intelligence necessary to perform the functions for which they were created. I mean, you can't have your giant Moby Dick air ship deciding on its own where it wants to fly...preferably away from the giant, skin-ripping bullets. I will leave it to you to discover all the examples Darwinist “creations” in the book, but they are many and varied and clever.
Now, the CLANKERS. Well the Clankers think that the Darwinists are a bunch of godless heathens and reject all use of “abominations” in their society. Instead, these countries have developed advanced, steampunky technology that they use to create mechanized machines able to locomote on legs and looking a bit like Imperial Stormwalkers for the Star Wars fans out there.
Like Charles Darwin's expanded exploits being the basis for the Darwinist advances, Westerfeld provides a similar back-story (though not yet as well explored) for the Clanker advances, which are based on the work of Nikola Tesla, the real life contemporary of Thomas Edison. This provides enough "historical credibility" to allow for the suspension of disbelief, which is one of those story-telling necessities that too many stories like this fail to provide. Clanker countries mainly include the German and the Austro-Hungarian Empires (with Italy and the Ottoman Empire loosely affiliated). In the real WWI, this group made up the Central Powers.
BRIEF BOOK 1 RECAP (without major spoilers)
First, you should go back and read Book 1 if you haven't...okay, lecture over.
So, as in our world, World War I was sparked by the murder of the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Archduke Franz Ferdinand which happens at the beginning of Book 1. The Archduke’s son, Prince Alek, escapes with his trusted advisors as Clanker units scour the country side looking for him.
Meanwhile, in Britain, young lady Deryn Sharp is pretending to be young gentleman Dylan Sharp so she/he can serve in the air guard (like her father) where women are "simply not allowed." She finds herself aboard the massive living airship named Leviathan (pictured above) as war-time hostilities break out. Through a series of events, accidents, and uneasy cooperation, Dylan's group and Alek's group find themselves working together and friendship between Dylan and Alek begins to take shape. I know I said this already, but it bears repeating...read Book 1 before you read this book.
....END brief recap of Book 1
BRIEF PLOT SUMMARY AND THOUGHTS
The center-piece of the plot is the journey of Alek and Dylan to Istanbul aboard the Leviathan, where the British government hopes to deliver a mysterious gift to the Ottoman Emperor in order to win their support in the war. Unfortunately, they are not the only "bachelor" looking to snag a rose from the Ottomans, and the courting competition is fierce and feisty. Those that know World War I history know that the "love connection" between the British and the Ottomans is just not meant to be (thanks in large part to the actions of Winston Churchill) and things don't go as planned.
The parallels between our history and the novel is something that really sets this apart as a story, though Westerfeld throws in some well crafted deviations that keep the story fresh and not just a disguised history lesson. In the shell’s nut, this story involves the broadening of the scope of the war and a deepening of the friendship between Alex and Dylan/Deryn (though Deryn’s thoughts are far more romanical) which adds an interesting tension to the plot.
Oh, and I would be remiss if I did not call special attention to the job Westerfeld does of imagining the steampunk version of Istanbul as it's a tingle-causing, jaw-dropper. Istanbul is a cosmopolitan blend of both Darwinist and Clanker technology (much like the east-west feel of the real Istanbul). Thus, while the Ottoman’s use mechanical machines, they are elegant, less “clanky,” and are designed to appear like mythological creatures...e.g.
...Istanbul was pure joy to to explore.
I’m not sure you can ask much more from this kind of story. The characters are engaging and well-drawn, the world-building is soaked in awesome, and the plot is fast-paced, detailed, and draws extensively from history, giving it a sense of authenticity.
AND as you can see above, the ART...gorgeous.
Overall, this is terrific and one of the best YA stories I have read this year. 4.0 stars. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
Winner: 2010 Locus Award for Best YA novel.
There are a host of inventive creations in this book full of "nicely done," but I want to run the highlighter over the two primary world-building concepts (i.e., The Clankers and the Darwinists) because they really struck me as swelling with genius, and their engorgement was made all the more pronounced by the art, which is impeccableness itself).
First, the DARWINISTS. So in this alternative world, Charles Darwin was a busy boy. Not only did he foment that little evolution revolution, but he also managed to crack the DNA code and perfected gene-splicing, allowing for the bio-engineering of all manner of “specialized” creatures bred to perform particular functions.
The countries using this technology are known as “Darwinists,” and include, primarily, Great Britain, France, and Russia (basically the Triple Entente of the real WWI).
One critical tenet of Darwinist science is that the “bred” creates must not be “sentient” and must only have the intelligence necessary to perform the functions for which they were created. I mean, you can't have your giant Moby Dick air ship deciding on its own where it wants to fly...preferably away from the giant, skin-ripping bullets. I will leave it to you to discover all the examples Darwinist “creations” in the book, but they are many and varied and clever.
Now, the CLANKERS. Well the Clankers think that the Darwinists are a bunch of godless heathens and reject all use of “abominations” in their society. Instead, these countries have developed advanced, steampunky technology that they use to create mechanized machines able to locomote on legs and looking a bit like Imperial Stormwalkers for the Star Wars fans out there.
Like Charles Darwin's expanded exploits being the basis for the Darwinist advances, Westerfeld provides a similar back-story (though not yet as well explored) for the Clanker advances, which are based on the work of Nikola Tesla, the real life contemporary of Thomas Edison. This provides enough "historical credibility" to allow for the suspension of disbelief, which is one of those story-telling necessities that too many stories like this fail to provide. Clanker countries mainly include the German and the Austro-Hungarian Empires (with Italy and the Ottoman Empire loosely affiliated). In the real WWI, this group made up the Central Powers.
BRIEF BOOK 1 RECAP (without major spoilers)
First, you should go back and read Book 1 if you haven't...okay, lecture over.
So, as in our world, World War I was sparked by the murder of the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Archduke Franz Ferdinand which happens at the beginning of Book 1. The Archduke’s son, Prince Alek, escapes with his trusted advisors as Clanker units scour the country side looking for him.
Meanwhile, in Britain, young lady Deryn Sharp is pretending to be young gentleman Dylan Sharp so she/he can serve in the air guard (like her father) where women are "simply not allowed." She finds herself aboard the massive living airship named Leviathan (pictured above) as war-time hostilities break out. Through a series of events, accidents, and uneasy cooperation, Dylan's group and Alek's group find themselves working together and friendship between Dylan and Alek begins to take shape. I know I said this already, but it bears repeating...read Book 1 before you read this book.
....END brief recap of Book 1
BRIEF PLOT SUMMARY AND THOUGHTS
The center-piece of the plot is the journey of Alek and Dylan to Istanbul aboard the Leviathan, where the British government hopes to deliver a mysterious gift to the Ottoman Emperor in order to win their support in the war. Unfortunately, they are not the only "bachelor" looking to snag a rose from the Ottomans, and the courting competition is fierce and feisty. Those that know World War I history know that the "love connection" between the British and the Ottomans is just not meant to be (thanks in large part to the actions of Winston Churchill) and things don't go as planned.
The parallels between our history and the novel is something that really sets this apart as a story, though Westerfeld throws in some well crafted deviations that keep the story fresh and not just a disguised history lesson. In the shell’s nut, this story involves the broadening of the scope of the war and a deepening of the friendship between Alex and Dylan/Deryn (though Deryn’s thoughts are far more romanical) which adds an interesting tension to the plot.
Oh, and I would be remiss if I did not call special attention to the job Westerfeld does of imagining the steampunk version of Istanbul as it's a tingle-causing, jaw-dropper. Istanbul is a cosmopolitan blend of both Darwinist and Clanker technology (much like the east-west feel of the real Istanbul). Thus, while the Ottoman’s use mechanical machines, they are elegant, less “clanky,” and are designed to appear like mythological creatures...e.g.
...Istanbul was pure joy to to explore.
I’m not sure you can ask much more from this kind of story. The characters are engaging and well-drawn, the world-building is soaked in awesome, and the plot is fast-paced, detailed, and draws extensively from history, giving it a sense of authenticity.
AND as you can see above, the ART...gorgeous.
Overall, this is terrific and one of the best YA stories I have read this year. 4.0 stars. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
Winner: 2010 Locus Award for Best YA novel.
October 14, 2011
This series...
God damn, this series.
I want to go sing its praises across campus, to haul people down to the library and shove copies of Leviathan into their hands, to wander the country like a modern-day Johnny Appleseed scattering lovely books wherever I go.
Okay, not so much that last one. But you get my point.
But anyhow. I was quite content with the first book, but I'm elated about this one. It's one of those fabulous novels in which it's not just the characters who mature and grow (as all characters should) - the plot adjusts and changes to suit them. As such, while Leviathan was somewhat weaker for its focus on getting the characters where they needed to be, Behemoth shows what this series really is - that being SPECTACULAR - by putting more on the line and giving both Alek and Deryn more to deal with. Best of all, pretty much every action in the book makes sense, in terms of motivations.
Here, the Leviathan is arriving in Istanbul; Doctor Barlow's secret mission is almost complete. Alek and the Austrians aren't feeling particularly welcome, though, and make plans to escape when they reach the city. Naturally, nothing goes as planned for either party. One of Doctor Barlow's precious eggs is crushed when it's presented to the Sultan, and German saboteurs are all through the city spreading anti-British propaganda. Alek's escape gets botched, and he finds himself in a strange city and separated from his foremost advisor, Count Volger. Oh, and Istanbul isn't exactly placid, either - but saying more would be spoilers, of course.
While I still like Deryn better than Alek, I did really appreciate some of the development he got in this book - though most of it made him look like an idiot. We see him interacting with a girl his own age for once, and his attitude is, well, less progressive than poor Deryn might wish. In fact, until that girl proves herself, he's downright scornful. It certainly doesn't earn Alek any points in my book, but Westerfeld gets some for not making him illogically ahead of his time. Also, it throws a wrench into the romantic subplot, which is fabulous.
Alek also goes through a little 'I AM DESTINED TO DO THIS' phase and, not to say too much, it gets deliciously squashed by the end of the book. I don't like that sort of attitude, nor the self-righteousness which usually accompanies it, and it was nice to see him get taken down a peg. Always provided, of course, that he doesn't wangst about being confused in the next book. I trust you, Westerfeld. Don't screw this up.
Deryn's development, though, is even better. She's a wonderfully strong character, barring one thing - which I'll discuss later - and she only gets stronger. Here, her heroic actions saving Newkirk at the beginning of the book win her a medal... and a secret assignment. The way she handles command is very interesting, and the way the experience changes her is the sort of thing I love to see happening to characters. Also, we're seeing behind some of her swagger here, even in Alek's chapters, and she's a more interesting character for it. I wish I could say more, but that would be spoilers.
OH, we need to talk about the Behemoth of the title.
DAYUM. That thing was freaking awesome. It looked like an anglerfish with tentacles and next to it the Leviathan was a toy. Ohhhhhh what a beastie. I sort of want one. And now I'm really curious about what the 'Goliath' of the third book will be. Westerfeld's creativity shines when it comes to fabricated creatures, and that's a goodly part of why I devour these books as I do.
There's one other character I can mention without spoilers, and that's Eddie Malone, an American reporter. He is, as reporters seem to be in fiction, rather annoying, but I liked him up until he obliquely threatened to do something that would have put our heroes in danger. His relevance really has more to do with the hints he provides about American society in this world - a blend of Clanker and Darwinist technologies - than with what he actually does in the plot.
The thing that bugged me through the book, though, was the romantic plot tumor. Sorry, but I just don't see why Deryn likes Alek. Development or no development, he's still kind of an ass sometimes and she's waaaay more worked up over him than he deserves. If it had been more developed, it wouldn't be a problem, but as it is it's part of several plot points and while I was willing to take those sort of on faith, I wish I hadn't needed to.
Finally, the art. As per expectations, it's fabulous. Westerfeld's version of Istanbul is so vivid and innovative that I'm not sure I would have been able to picture it properly without Thompson's gorgeous, detailed illustrations. This one was my favorite:
[image error]
I've put Goliath on hold, but it'll be some time until I get it. Meanwhile, I vote we start a campaign to get 'team' shirts printed for this series - a Darwinist one with the Leviathan, the loris, the tigeresque from the first book and maybe some others; a Clanker one with walkers and mechanical parts all over it, both in cool fonts. I don't have a really great mental image of either of them, but you get the jist, right? Tell me you wouldn't buy those, because I totally would.
God damn, this series.
I want to go sing its praises across campus, to haul people down to the library and shove copies of Leviathan into their hands, to wander the country like a modern-day Johnny Appleseed scattering lovely books wherever I go.
Okay, not so much that last one. But you get my point.
But anyhow. I was quite content with the first book, but I'm elated about this one. It's one of those fabulous novels in which it's not just the characters who mature and grow (as all characters should) - the plot adjusts and changes to suit them. As such, while Leviathan was somewhat weaker for its focus on getting the characters where they needed to be, Behemoth shows what this series really is - that being SPECTACULAR - by putting more on the line and giving both Alek and Deryn more to deal with. Best of all, pretty much every action in the book makes sense, in terms of motivations.
Here, the Leviathan is arriving in Istanbul; Doctor Barlow's secret mission is almost complete. Alek and the Austrians aren't feeling particularly welcome, though, and make plans to escape when they reach the city. Naturally, nothing goes as planned for either party. One of Doctor Barlow's precious eggs is crushed when it's presented to the Sultan, and German saboteurs are all through the city spreading anti-British propaganda. Alek's escape gets botched, and he finds himself in a strange city and separated from his foremost advisor, Count Volger. Oh, and Istanbul isn't exactly placid, either - but saying more would be spoilers, of course.
While I still like Deryn better than Alek, I did really appreciate some of the development he got in this book - though most of it made him look like an idiot. We see him interacting with a girl his own age for once, and his attitude is, well, less progressive than poor Deryn might wish. In fact, until that girl proves herself, he's downright scornful. It certainly doesn't earn Alek any points in my book, but Westerfeld gets some for not making him illogically ahead of his time. Also, it throws a wrench into the romantic subplot, which is fabulous.
Alek also goes through a little 'I AM DESTINED TO DO THIS' phase and, not to say too much, it gets deliciously squashed by the end of the book. I don't like that sort of attitude, nor the self-righteousness which usually accompanies it, and it was nice to see him get taken down a peg. Always provided, of course, that he doesn't wangst about being confused in the next book. I trust you, Westerfeld. Don't screw this up.
Deryn's development, though, is even better. She's a wonderfully strong character, barring one thing - which I'll discuss later - and she only gets stronger. Here, her heroic actions saving Newkirk at the beginning of the book win her a medal... and a secret assignment. The way she handles command is very interesting, and the way the experience changes her is the sort of thing I love to see happening to characters. Also, we're seeing behind some of her swagger here, even in Alek's chapters, and she's a more interesting character for it. I wish I could say more, but that would be spoilers.
OH, we need to talk about the Behemoth of the title.
DAYUM. That thing was freaking awesome. It looked like an anglerfish with tentacles and next to it the Leviathan was a toy. Ohhhhhh what a beastie. I sort of want one. And now I'm really curious about what the 'Goliath' of the third book will be. Westerfeld's creativity shines when it comes to fabricated creatures, and that's a goodly part of why I devour these books as I do.
There's one other character I can mention without spoilers, and that's Eddie Malone, an American reporter. He is, as reporters seem to be in fiction, rather annoying, but I liked him up until he obliquely threatened to do something that would have put our heroes in danger. His relevance really has more to do with the hints he provides about American society in this world - a blend of Clanker and Darwinist technologies - than with what he actually does in the plot.
The thing that bugged me through the book, though, was the romantic plot tumor. Sorry, but I just don't see why Deryn likes Alek. Development or no development, he's still kind of an ass sometimes and she's waaaay more worked up over him than he deserves. If it had been more developed, it wouldn't be a problem, but as it is it's part of several plot points and while I was willing to take those sort of on faith, I wish I hadn't needed to.
Finally, the art. As per expectations, it's fabulous. Westerfeld's version of Istanbul is so vivid and innovative that I'm not sure I would have been able to picture it properly without Thompson's gorgeous, detailed illustrations. This one was my favorite:
[image error]
I've put Goliath on hold, but it'll be some time until I get it. Meanwhile, I vote we start a campaign to get 'team' shirts printed for this series - a Darwinist one with the Leviathan, the loris, the tigeresque from the first book and maybe some others; a Clanker one with walkers and mechanical parts all over it, both in cool fonts. I don't have a really great mental image of either of them, but you get the jist, right? Tell me you wouldn't buy those, because I totally would.
September 20, 2024
review buffet
✥
A Review in the Classic Style
Behemoth is the second book in Westerfeld's steampunk adventure series for the little ones. It continues at breakneck pace, following its plucky young protagonists as they hurtle through misadventure, politics, and just the teensiest bit of lovelorn longing, all taking place in an alternate World War I-era Ottoman Empire (vividly and vibrantly depicted as a near-ideal salad bowl of cultures). All of the tropes of steampunk remain firmly in place. Overall this is an endearing book full of enjoyable characters, strange mechanical contraptions, and amusing beasties. Westerfeld writes with an expertly light touch and manages to hit (gently) upon such topics as duty vs loyalty, respect for living beings, and the importance of diversity. This reviewer could have used less of the words "barking" (as in 'that's barking ridiculous') and, most unfortunately, "bum-rag".
✥
I AM A MODERNIST REVIEW,
and all the angst that implies, all the feelings that I could be reading more challenging fiction, writing deeper thoughts, experiencing a richer life between pages; I read a review by Steve or Ceridwen or Sven or Elizabeth and sometimes I just feel Oh! mark! You shallow person! You write in such a shallow way! You like shallow things! Shallow things in this shallow genre Steampunk and its shallow use of now-tired tropes and its breathless pace and its sweetly clueless characters and all of that, and I don't care, because yes I liked this one, I did, is this flight into childhood? Regression into simple and easy things? Are the daring adventures of X and Y a way for me to peel back the layers of complexity that life can be, could be, should be? Do I read these rather thrilling adventures because I lack a certain substance? Behemoth lacked a certain substance itself and I do not hold it against it, although I do hold its overuse of the phrases "barking" and "bum-rag" against it because that's just steampunk-brit for "fucking" and "ass-wipe" and my shallow mind just objects to little kids running around calling people fucking ass-wipes all the time,
✥
it.is.post.modern.review.
the characters go to Istanbul. they call it Constantinople. they are corrected. i appreciate that. they might be giants. Constantinople was once Byzantium; that is not mentioned. i went to Istanbul, i went to Turkey; i loved it. modern day Istanbul is diverse. Behemoth: a dream-version of Istanbul. dream? dream of the past. the author admits it; his idealized version of a diverse society, he says. steampunk = "diverse society" as well. 1) mechanized society 2) use of animals [Darwin moved forward and then back into steampunk] 3) gender roles/essentialism [challenged] 4) overuse of quaint words like
(adj. quaint·er, quaint·est
1. Charmingly odd, especially in an old-fashioned way (steampunk is quaint)... quaint. quaint. quaint? say a word too many times and it loses its meaning. quaint. an overuse of quaint words like "barking" and "bum-rag" and it's quaint its quaint it quaint and quaint and quaint and quaint and quaint
and
✥
A Review in the Classic Style
Behemoth is the second book in Westerfeld's steampunk adventure series for the little ones. It continues at breakneck pace, following its plucky young protagonists as they hurtle through misadventure, politics, and just the teensiest bit of lovelorn longing, all taking place in an alternate World War I-era Ottoman Empire (vividly and vibrantly depicted as a near-ideal salad bowl of cultures). All of the tropes of steampunk remain firmly in place. Overall this is an endearing book full of enjoyable characters, strange mechanical contraptions, and amusing beasties. Westerfeld writes with an expertly light touch and manages to hit (gently) upon such topics as duty vs loyalty, respect for living beings, and the importance of diversity. This reviewer could have used less of the words "barking" (as in 'that's barking ridiculous') and, most unfortunately, "bum-rag".
✥
I AM A MODERNIST REVIEW,
and all the angst that implies, all the feelings that I could be reading more challenging fiction, writing deeper thoughts, experiencing a richer life between pages; I read a review by Steve or Ceridwen or Sven or Elizabeth and sometimes I just feel Oh! mark! You shallow person! You write in such a shallow way! You like shallow things! Shallow things in this shallow genre Steampunk and its shallow use of now-tired tropes and its breathless pace and its sweetly clueless characters and all of that, and I don't care, because yes I liked this one, I did, is this flight into childhood? Regression into simple and easy things? Are the daring adventures of X and Y a way for me to peel back the layers of complexity that life can be, could be, should be? Do I read these rather thrilling adventures because I lack a certain substance? Behemoth lacked a certain substance itself and I do not hold it against it, although I do hold its overuse of the phrases "barking" and "bum-rag" against it because that's just steampunk-brit for "fucking" and "ass-wipe" and my shallow mind just objects to little kids running around calling people fucking ass-wipes all the time,
✥
it.is.post.modern.review.
the characters go to Istanbul. they call it Constantinople. they are corrected. i appreciate that. they might be giants. Constantinople was once Byzantium; that is not mentioned. i went to Istanbul, i went to Turkey; i loved it. modern day Istanbul is diverse. Behemoth: a dream-version of Istanbul. dream? dream of the past. the author admits it; his idealized version of a diverse society, he says. steampunk = "diverse society" as well. 1) mechanized society 2) use of animals [Darwin moved forward and then back into steampunk] 3) gender roles/essentialism [challenged] 4) overuse of quaint words like
(adj. quaint·er, quaint·est
1. Charmingly odd, especially in an old-fashioned way (steampunk is quaint)... quaint. quaint. quaint? say a word too many times and it loses its meaning. quaint. an overuse of quaint words like "barking" and "bum-rag" and it's quaint its quaint it quaint and quaint and quaint and quaint and quaint
and
June 1, 2012
I think Bovril counts as an excuse to add a book to my "talking cats" shelf. ;)
Also, I am going to try to add some images to my review for the vewy first time, so please bear with me...
Behemoth was even better than Leviathan. Why?
1. First up, Alek is my fave still. He was a little less pathetic in this book than the first, which was good and bad. Good because he was taking charge of his life in a way that made me want to stand up and cheer, bad because I thought his snobbishness was super amusing. I kinda missed the old Alek who was all, "I can't fight without servants standing ready with towels!" But I suppose we all must grow and change.
2. The other characters grew on me a LOT. I still really love Count Volger (something about him reminds me of my dear Severus Snape... not a lot, but just enough to make me all crazy-eyed when he steps on the scene). Dr. Barlow was more likable for me personally, mainly because she was turning that all-seeing eye of hers onto Deryn's secrets instead of Alek's (I'm very protective of my boy!). It was pleasant to have Alek's men (Bauer and Klopp) developed more. And Deryn, of course, was full of swagger and sweetness. I like her a lot and she's only getting better. But I think every other review of this book has already said enough about her. :)
3. The new characters (Lilit! BOVRIL!) were a lot of fun. Bovril kind of completes me. Perspicacious doesn't even begin to cover it. And I thought the gender issues that Lilit's presence brought up were... interesting. My affection for Alek was put to the test, but we pulled through. Oh yes, we did.
4. ILLUSTRATIONS. Thank you, Mr. Keith Thompson (and on that note, I adore the fact that the title page calls the author Mr. Scott Westerfeld... way to keep it classy).
PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR AND WAVE 'EM LIKE YA JUST DON'T CARE... IF YOU LOVE ALEK!!!
Oh my gosh, my first image. What a milestone.
5. The plot. So excellent! The climax is saved for the last few chapters, but even the rising action was intriguing. The Darwinists' attempts to get the Ottomans on their side were quite interesting to read. And I wanted to punch Eddie Malone in the face. That is all.
6. Deryn's friendship with Alek was just... precious. I understand her reluctance to share her true identity with him, but I feel confident that when the time finally comes Alek will be a splendid little chap and go "girl it ain't no thang!". But in a more princely (sorry Alek, ARCHDUKELY) diction.
7. Mr. Sharp. Oh my sweet Bovril. Every time Bovril said that I just about died. And it was just the icing on the cake when I saw an illustration of Bovril saying that on the back cover of my book. A (hardly extensive) Google Image search did not turn up this image, to my immense disappointment. But it seriously amuses me to no end that EVERYONE but Alek seems to be onto Deryn's secret. Even the fabricated animal knows it. Alek is so hopelessly oblivious. Which I love.
So there you have it, seven reasons I think Behemoth was splendiforous. And from all the reviews I've peeked at, I'm getting the feeling that Goliath will be just as good, if not better. Yay.
"Are we going to fight?" Deryn finally asked. "Or just stare each other to death?"
Also, I am going to try to add some images to my review for the vewy first time, so please bear with me...
Behemoth was even better than Leviathan. Why?
1. First up, Alek is my fave still. He was a little less pathetic in this book than the first, which was good and bad. Good because he was taking charge of his life in a way that made me want to stand up and cheer, bad because I thought his snobbishness was super amusing. I kinda missed the old Alek who was all, "I can't fight without servants standing ready with towels!" But I suppose we all must grow and change.
2. The other characters grew on me a LOT. I still really love Count Volger (something about him reminds me of my dear Severus Snape... not a lot, but just enough to make me all crazy-eyed when he steps on the scene). Dr. Barlow was more likable for me personally, mainly because she was turning that all-seeing eye of hers onto Deryn's secrets instead of Alek's (I'm very protective of my boy!). It was pleasant to have Alek's men (Bauer and Klopp) developed more. And Deryn, of course, was full of swagger and sweetness. I like her a lot and she's only getting better. But I think every other review of this book has already said enough about her. :)
3. The new characters (Lilit! BOVRIL!) were a lot of fun. Bovril kind of completes me. Perspicacious doesn't even begin to cover it. And I thought the gender issues that Lilit's presence brought up were... interesting. My affection for Alek was put to the test, but we pulled through. Oh yes, we did.
4. ILLUSTRATIONS. Thank you, Mr. Keith Thompson (and on that note, I adore the fact that the title page calls the author Mr. Scott Westerfeld... way to keep it classy).
PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR AND WAVE 'EM LIKE YA JUST DON'T CARE... IF YOU LOVE ALEK!!!
Oh my gosh, my first image. What a milestone.
5. The plot. So excellent! The climax is saved for the last few chapters, but even the rising action was intriguing. The Darwinists' attempts to get the Ottomans on their side were quite interesting to read. And I wanted to punch Eddie Malone in the face. That is all.
6. Deryn's friendship with Alek was just... precious. I understand her reluctance to share her true identity with him, but I feel confident that when the time finally comes Alek will be a splendid little chap and go "girl it ain't no thang!". But in a more princely (sorry Alek, ARCHDUKELY) diction.
7. Mr. Sharp. Oh my sweet Bovril. Every time Bovril said that I just about died. And it was just the icing on the cake when I saw an illustration of Bovril saying that on the back cover of my book. A (hardly extensive) Google Image search did not turn up this image, to my immense disappointment. But it seriously amuses me to no end that EVERYONE but Alek seems to be onto Deryn's secret. Even the fabricated animal knows it. Alek is so hopelessly oblivious. Which I love.
So there you have it, seven reasons I think Behemoth was splendiforous. And from all the reviews I've peeked at, I'm getting the feeling that Goliath will be just as good, if not better. Yay.
"Are we going to fight?" Deryn finally asked. "Or just stare each other to death?"
May 12, 2020
Please Note: This review will contain mild spoilers for Leviathan so if you know want to know zilch avert your eyes please.
“Do I look like a ninny?” she asked Alek.
“You do indeed, Mr Sharp.”
Initial Final Page Thoughts.
I’m not supposed to be buying any more books until after Christmas... *bites nails* but this series is just too good. It would be a crime not to buy the final book, wouldn’t it?
WOULDN’T IT?!
High Points.
Ninnies. Dummkopfs. Mr Sharp. Beasties. Bovril. Lilit.Costanipole Istanbul. Libraries. Hotels. Taxis. Spices. Dress uniforms. Perspicacious. Elephants. The best love triangle since Green Wing. The illustrations that just get better and better.
Low Points.
There were a few points in this story that I got a bit lost with what was actually happening. This has absolutely nothing to do with Mr Westerfeld’s writing…. just my small brain.
All the plotting and the attacking and the whatnot….some of it went over my head. But I still enjoyed it immensely.
Hero.
OK, Alek.
I’m going to spend some more time with you because I’ve been feeling guilty about overlooking you in my Leviathan review.
You are so sweet and so goodhearted and so loyal and so sensitive and so completely oblivious
So sweet and goodhearted and so completely oblivious to everything ever.
But that’s what I love about you. You’re so sensitive and honest and true and I love that even though you’re jealous ofDeryn’s Dylan’s boyish ways (and good looks ;-) ), you never pretend to be anything you’re not.
It would be at this point where I’d be a bit nervous about what will happen when…. Y’know… you find out about Mr Sharp, but I’m not.
Because I think (pleasepleaseplease) that you’ll handle it like you have handled everything else: with tact, intelligence and by just being a little sweetheart that I just want to cuddle.
Heroine.
I think I’ve said everything that I want to say about Deryn in my Leviathan review and my love for this lady has not changed one squick.
If anything my love has been multiplied from this book.
I would pay infinite amounts of money for Mr Westerfeld, Mr Ness and Mr Pullman to meet up and put their brilliant brains together and write a series of stories where Deryn, Viola and Lyra go on adventures across the world.
I swear if that ever happened I would be the happiest girl in the world.
Every now and again they could give Alek, Todd and Will a chapter where they just sit and talk about how fantastic their better halves are. You know… crack a few jokes or something.
Can you imagine how much fun Pan and Bovril would have together, too?!
And um… Manchee, too.
Lilit.
This girl needs a medal and a high-five for creating the only YA love triangle that didn’t make me want to lunge wildly at people screaming “HOW MANY NORMAL TEENAGERS ARE INVOLVED IN A LOVE TRIANGLE ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS?!!!??!?!?”
Lilit was ace.
And if I didn’t love Alek so much I would be quite happy with that development. ;-)
Theme Tune.
Considering I’ve been listening to Christmas songs non-stop over the past few days… I haven’t really come up with a suitable song for this.
So I’ll choose
Big Girls Don't Cry by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
For Deryn.
I know, I know Leviathan’s song was for her too. I’ll try and pick one for Alek in my Goliath review.
Sadness Scale.
6/10.
I swear if Alek doesn’t react in the way I hope he’s going to act in the next book I’m gonna throw him to Tazza.
Or at least lock him in a room with Volger so he can get glared at disapprovingly until he sees sense.
Recommended For.
People who love continued brilliance in a YA series. People who turn “dead girly” when they think of Austro-Hungarian princes. People who think their library system is complicated. People who hate it when fabricated animals tell your secrets to people. People who feel that the word “ninny” just isn’t strong enough sometimes. Girls who refuse to let some stuck-up prince outlast them in holding their position in fencing training.
“Do I look like a ninny?” she asked Alek.
“You do indeed, Mr Sharp.”
Initial Final Page Thoughts.
I’m not supposed to be buying any more books until after Christmas... *bites nails* but this series is just too good. It would be a crime not to buy the final book, wouldn’t it?
WOULDN’T IT?!
High Points.
Ninnies. Dummkopfs. Mr Sharp. Beasties. Bovril. Lilit.
Low Points.
There were a few points in this story that I got a bit lost with what was actually happening. This has absolutely nothing to do with Mr Westerfeld’s writing…. just my small brain.
All the plotting and the attacking and the whatnot….some of it went over my head. But I still enjoyed it immensely.
Hero.
OK, Alek.
I’m going to spend some more time with you because I’ve been feeling guilty about overlooking you in my Leviathan review.
You are so sweet and so goodhearted and so loyal and so sensitive and so completely oblivious
So sweet and goodhearted and so completely oblivious to everything ever.
But that’s what I love about you. You’re so sensitive and honest and true and I love that even though you’re jealous of
It would be at this point where I’d be a bit nervous about what will happen when…. Y’know… you find out about Mr Sharp, but I’m not.
Because I think (pleasepleaseplease) that you’ll handle it like you have handled everything else: with tact, intelligence and by just being a little sweetheart that I just want to cuddle.
Heroine.
I think I’ve said everything that I want to say about Deryn in my Leviathan review and my love for this lady has not changed one squick.
If anything my love has been multiplied from this book.
I would pay infinite amounts of money for Mr Westerfeld, Mr Ness and Mr Pullman to meet up and put their brilliant brains together and write a series of stories where Deryn, Viola and Lyra go on adventures across the world.
I swear if that ever happened I would be the happiest girl in the world.
Every now and again they could give Alek, Todd and Will a chapter where they just sit and talk about how fantastic their better halves are. You know… crack a few jokes or something.
Can you imagine how much fun Pan and Bovril would have together, too?!
And um… Manchee, too.
Lilit.
This girl needs a medal and a high-five for creating the only YA love triangle that didn’t make me want to lunge wildly at people screaming “HOW MANY NORMAL TEENAGERS ARE INVOLVED IN A LOVE TRIANGLE ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS?!!!??!?!?”
Lilit was ace.
And if I didn’t love Alek so much I would be quite happy with that development. ;-)
Theme Tune.
Considering I’ve been listening to Christmas songs non-stop over the past few days… I haven’t really come up with a suitable song for this.
So I’ll choose
Big Girls Don't Cry by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
For Deryn.
I know, I know Leviathan’s song was for her too. I’ll try and pick one for Alek in my Goliath review.
Sadness Scale.
6/10.
I swear if Alek doesn’t react in the way I hope he’s going to act in the next book I’m gonna throw him to Tazza.
Or at least lock him in a room with Volger so he can get glared at disapprovingly until he sees sense.
Recommended For.
People who love continued brilliance in a YA series. People who turn “dead girly” when they think of Austro-Hungarian princes. People who think their library system is complicated. People who hate it when fabricated animals tell your secrets to people. People who feel that the word “ninny” just isn’t strong enough sometimes. Girls who refuse to let some stuck-up prince outlast them in holding their position in fencing training.
May 14, 2025
Рязко пропаднаха историята и героите ѝ - досадиха ми много с глупостите си. Дори и с екзотичния Истанбул за мизансцен, положението е неспасяемо. Преводът също не ми допадна.
Напънах се поне да я дочета тази втора част, но уви - неам нерви…
Dnf на 81%, жалко.
Напънах се поне да я дочета тази втора част, но уви - неам нерви…
Dnf на 81%, жалко.
August 24, 2014
A delightful sequel to the author’s “Leviathan”, an alternative history fantasy that pits the machine-oriented Clankers (Germans and Austro-Hungarian Empire) against biotechnology dominated forces of the Darwinists (Brits and French). Our teen heroes are Deryn, a girl posing as a boy (Dylan) to serve as a midshipman aboard the British bio-airship/dirigible, and Alek, son of the assassinated Serbian Archduke Ferdinand, on the run from the Germans who engineered the murder in this version of history. Here in Istanbul both rise to the challenge of trying to prevent the Ottoman Empire from coming into the war on Germany’s side.
This one has lots of fun and thrilling action, amazing bioengineered beasts and fiendish war machines, and colorful characters. As in history, the British impounding of battleships the Ottomans were having built in England makes an opening for the Germans to sway them to their side through the gift of ships they slip through the Mediterranean. Alek takes on a mission to help foment a people’s revolution against the Sultan, while Deryn works to foil the German’s development of a “death ray” machine based on Tesla’s designs. The romance element between Deryn and Alek simmers sweetly in the background, leaving me yearning for Deryn to reveal the secret of her gender. The “boffin” bioengineer, Lady Barlow, Alek’s mentor Count Volger, and an American reporter all get perilously close to the truth. The cute creature, the Perspicacious Loris, that hatches from the mysterious eggs in the first book, keeps providing a clue by often spouting “Mister Sharp!”
Such images as this street scene in Istanbul grace the book version, created by Keith Thompson. I had the pleasure of Alan Cumming’s wonderful narration of the audiobook version. I can still hear in my mind Deryn’s frequent refrain of “barking spiders!” in his Scottish accent. Amazing how well such substitutes for curse words not to be found in this YA novel. And amazing how content suitable to enthrall a ten-year old can revive a sense of wonder in this old reader.
This one has lots of fun and thrilling action, amazing bioengineered beasts and fiendish war machines, and colorful characters. As in history, the British impounding of battleships the Ottomans were having built in England makes an opening for the Germans to sway them to their side through the gift of ships they slip through the Mediterranean. Alek takes on a mission to help foment a people’s revolution against the Sultan, while Deryn works to foil the German’s development of a “death ray” machine based on Tesla’s designs. The romance element between Deryn and Alek simmers sweetly in the background, leaving me yearning for Deryn to reveal the secret of her gender. The “boffin” bioengineer, Lady Barlow, Alek’s mentor Count Volger, and an American reporter all get perilously close to the truth. The cute creature, the Perspicacious Loris, that hatches from the mysterious eggs in the first book, keeps providing a clue by often spouting “Mister Sharp!”
Such images as this street scene in Istanbul grace the book version, created by Keith Thompson. I had the pleasure of Alan Cumming’s wonderful narration of the audiobook version. I can still hear in my mind Deryn’s frequent refrain of “barking spiders!” in his Scottish accent. Amazing how well such substitutes for curse words not to be found in this YA novel. And amazing how content suitable to enthrall a ten-year old can revive a sense of wonder in this old reader.
July 9, 2022
3 Stars for Behemoth: Leviathan Series, Book 2 (audiobook) by Scott Westerfeld read by Alan Cumming.
I think the best part of this audiobook is that Alan Cumming reads it. The story felt more like world building than adventure. I think I’ll skip the next book in the series.
I think the best part of this audiobook is that Alan Cumming reads it. The story felt more like world building than adventure. I think I’ll skip the next book in the series.
September 19, 2014
YA steampunk (I finally figured out the name of this genre) is engaging. We see Istanbul get quite a bit of notice here. Even though I can't remember hearing too much about Istanbul in history I think it fit pretty well. Most authors I think pick places like Germany, France, and Great Britain as the setting in their books for the WWI era but Istanbul is a place I've neither seen nor heard much about. I knew it was in Turkey *shrug*. And even if Westerfeld changed some of the history (so to speak) I think he tried to keep the culture of the place intact. I could enjoy the culture without it getting too cumbersome to the story.
Now for the stuff I really read the book for. The Action, Deryn, Alek, the beasties, and machines. Plenty of action for both Deryn and Alek. Some new machines and creatures are presented. I don't think I'm spoiling if I say the eggs hatch. The Behemoth doesn't show up as much as I thought it would-it being the title and all. But we get some real Clanker action in the last part of the book. The climax left no disappointments for me.
Deryn is moving right along with her secret but now she is starting to feel a little guilty about keeping it from Alek when he trusts her so much. Alek is his trusting, (or gullible whichever you prefer, I like trusting) and a bit more humbled self. Where Alek is earnest Deryn is clever. Things are getting a bit more complicated between them though Alek doesn't know it yet.
Love the illustrations. I think there might be more of them in this one than the first but I could be wrong. They help people like me with small imaginations and they are nice to look at.
Now I have some suspicions about the Count and the Dr but I'll keep them to myself and just wait for the next book Goliath, which of course is not coming out soon enough. Expect for one small part I think the book is just right.
Now for the stuff I really read the book for. The Action, Deryn, Alek, the beasties, and machines. Plenty of action for both Deryn and Alek. Some new machines and creatures are presented. I don't think I'm spoiling if I say the eggs hatch. The Behemoth doesn't show up as much as I thought it would-it being the title and all. But we get some real Clanker action in the last part of the book. The climax left no disappointments for me.
Deryn is moving right along with her secret but now she is starting to feel a little guilty about keeping it from Alek when he trusts her so much. Alek is his trusting, (or gullible whichever you prefer, I like trusting) and a bit more humbled self. Where Alek is earnest Deryn is clever. Things are getting a bit more complicated between them though Alek doesn't know it yet.
Love the illustrations. I think there might be more of them in this one than the first but I could be wrong. They help people like me with small imaginations and they are nice to look at.
Now I have some suspicions about the Count and the Dr but I'll keep them to myself and just wait for the next book Goliath, which of course is not coming out soon enough. Expect for one small part I think the book is just right.
January 6, 2016
Sigh, problemi iz prošle knjige su preneti i ovamo: slabi karakteri koji se i dalje više ponašaju kao idioti u svojim akcijama i razmišljanju. Onda imamao priču koja jeste zanimljiva ali dosta ... naivna i brzo i likovi lako preživljavaju sve probleme. Sa druge strane sam svet je i dalje fenomenalan, art u knjizi je isto odličan i atmosferu koju stvaraju je takva da vas prosto drži prikovanom da čitate. I sam stil je lak za čitanje, radnja se fino prati, akcija je odlično opisana.
Sve u svemu bilo bi odlično samo kada bi likovi bili interesantniji.
Kažimo 3.5. Idemo dalje.
Sve u svemu bilo bi odlično samo kada bi likovi bili interesantniji.
Kažimo 3.5. Idemo dalje.
December 26, 2021
یه علمیتخیلیِ خلخلی که یه دورۀ خاص تاریخی رو به نحو خودش بازنویسی کرده. برای من خیلی بامزه بود ولی باید دلتون جوون باشه بخونیدش. برای ردۀ نوجوان مناسبه.
+ سه و نیم شاید؟
+ سه و نیم شاید؟
February 25, 2015
My wife and I are both massive bookworms at heart. Two small children and a puppy, and a mountain of DIY/refurbishment to do restrict our reading to a book a week, rather than the book a day we'd prefer!
Ever since our youngest was born, my wife has felt kind of frazzled! There's just so much to do and her attention span for complex novels has deteriorated. She wants 'popcorn' reads.
I've been sitting there going, "Read Leviathan. Read Leviathan. It's exactly what you want. You'll love it. Read Leviathan!"
She was resisting because she'd never read any Westerfeld before, and if you've barely got two functioning brain cells to rub together, it's easier to re-read books you know and love, because you already know what's happening. I get it, I do.
But eventually she heeded my sage advice and read Leviathan, and she loved it. These books are light, fun, and tremendously imaginative. The plotting isn't going to spin anyone's head-out, but there's enough shimmys (I wouldn't call them twists) to avoid them ever becoming predictable. All in all, very consistent ya-steampunk-war adventures.
Of the three books, I'd say this was my favourite. The world has been set-up, the characters have met-up, and we're all set to crack straight on with some proper adventuring! The setting (Istanbul) is fabulous. The Perspicacious Loris is wonderful. The rebel walkers and Ottoman steam-elephants are all just marvellous!
The only thing that holds this series back from being 5-stars, is that
the characters are all a little one-dimensional and 'good' - eg, Deryn is 100% brave, loyal and pragmatic. There's none of the shades of grey that nuance the y-a protagonists of a peer like, say, Bacigalupi, or the snark of Stroud. Probably closest in style to a blend of Pullman and Nix.
After this I read: Fire Watch
Ever since our youngest was born, my wife has felt kind of frazzled! There's just so much to do and her attention span for complex novels has deteriorated. She wants 'popcorn' reads.
I've been sitting there going, "Read Leviathan. Read Leviathan. It's exactly what you want. You'll love it. Read Leviathan!"
She was resisting because she'd never read any Westerfeld before, and if you've barely got two functioning brain cells to rub together, it's easier to re-read books you know and love, because you already know what's happening. I get it, I do.
But eventually she heeded my sage advice and read Leviathan, and she loved it. These books are light, fun, and tremendously imaginative. The plotting isn't going to spin anyone's head-out, but there's enough shimmys (I wouldn't call them twists) to avoid them ever becoming predictable. All in all, very consistent ya-steampunk-war adventures.
Of the three books, I'd say this was my favourite. The world has been set-up, the characters have met-up, and we're all set to crack straight on with some proper adventuring! The setting (Istanbul) is fabulous. The Perspicacious Loris is wonderful. The rebel walkers and Ottoman steam-elephants are all just marvellous!
The only thing that holds this series back from being 5-stars, is that
the characters are all a little one-dimensional and 'good' - eg, Deryn is 100% brave, loyal and pragmatic. There's none of the shades of grey that nuance the y-a protagonists of a peer like, say, Bacigalupi, or the snark of Stroud. Probably closest in style to a blend of Pullman and Nix.
After this I read: Fire Watch
May 22, 2019
Behemoth is the second book in the YA steampunk trilogy, Leviathan. I really don’t have a lot to say about this book, because most of what I said in my review of the first book still applies. Despite a fairly young tone, the story remains interesting, fun, and light, and it has proven to be a good travel read.
I forgot to mention this in my last review, but there is quite a bit of humor as well as some nice banter between characters. This book does add in the inevitable angsty relationship stuff, but it doesn’t overwhelm the story.
I look forward to finding out how the trilogy concludes.
I forgot to mention this in my last review, but there is quite a bit of humor as well as some nice banter between characters. This book does add in the inevitable angsty relationship stuff, but it doesn’t overwhelm the story.
I look forward to finding out how the trilogy concludes.
September 26, 2014
Behemoth, the second installment in the series was a letdown compared to it's predecessor. Even the wonderfull world of clankers and beasties could not improve the story and narration.
The novel is set immediately after the end of book one and we travel to Istanbul to witness a revolution. The plot was interesting and captivating for the most part. There are however, many things which are questionable.
As this is a YA and the readers targeted are young minds the author doesn't spend much time to make it look realistic or even probable. Things must be accepted as they are without questioning the logic. Like Alek asking a reporter he just met to carry secret messages without giving it a second thought. I am yet to see a bad person in this series. Almost all characters introduced are basically good natured and somehow help the protagonist without giving much trouble. Mr. Sharp suddenly finds himself fighting for the revolution (It took him/her about 5 seconds to decide on account of Alek) The romance angle is further explored. It would seem no YA Book can live without it.
Writing is also meant for younger readers. The author has a peculiar habit of using exclamation marks in the narration instead of limiting it to dialogues. The extremely annoying case of 'barking' continues, and can be found everywhere in every situation.
Things are explained too easily, using too many exclamation marks.
I really wish this book was written for adults with a serious tone. The concept used is amazing and would have been an excellent serious read.
The illustrations are beautiful as ever and manage to capture the beautiful world of machines and beasts.
Hopefully the last installment will have more to offer.
The novel is set immediately after the end of book one and we travel to Istanbul to witness a revolution. The plot was interesting and captivating for the most part. There are however, many things which are questionable.
As this is a YA and the readers targeted are young minds the author doesn't spend much time to make it look realistic or even probable. Things must be accepted as they are without questioning the logic. Like Alek asking a reporter he just met to carry secret messages without giving it a second thought. I am yet to see a bad person in this series. Almost all characters introduced are basically good natured and somehow help the protagonist without giving much trouble. Mr. Sharp suddenly finds himself fighting for the revolution (It took him/her about 5 seconds to decide on account of Alek) The romance angle is further explored. It would seem no YA Book can live without it.
Writing is also meant for younger readers. The author has a peculiar habit of using exclamation marks in the narration instead of limiting it to dialogues. The extremely annoying case of 'barking' continues, and can be found everywhere in every situation.
Things are explained too easily, using too many exclamation marks.
I really wish this book was written for adults with a serious tone. The concept used is amazing and would have been an excellent serious read.
The illustrations are beautiful as ever and manage to capture the beautiful world of machines and beasts.
Hopefully the last installment will have more to offer.
February 4, 2024
The middle book in a YA trilogy where the titles read big but the pages fly fast. In an alternate-history World War I, the opposing nations invested in wildly different technologies. England and her allies went the route of genetic modification; they developed living hydrogen airships and linguistic lizard messengers. The Germans and Austrians countered with steam-powered engines of war, including tanks shaped like spiders and Tesla cannons that spit lightning.
The titular Behemoth is an English creation; a sea monster that sinks battleships. They promised the creature to The Ottoman Empire but reneged on the deal when war broke out; a diplomatic snafu that could be the key to which side The Ottoman Sultan favors.
Into this volatile situation step our heroes, Deryn and Alek. Deryn is an English girl with a keen practical mind posing as a boy so she could join the Royal Air Corp. Alek is an Austrian prince on the run from German agents, he has a classical education but little real-world experience. Together, they might find a way to stop the spread of war before it spirals out of control.
Historically, World War I grew larger year after year, with evermore countries joining in and a death toll stretching into the millions. In the alternate timeline of Behemoth, the tension lies in whether this science-fiction world can avoid the same fate. And even with all the wondrous technology in play, that might be the most appealing fantasy element of them all.
Edited 2-3-2024
The titular Behemoth is an English creation; a sea monster that sinks battleships. They promised the creature to The Ottoman Empire but reneged on the deal when war broke out; a diplomatic snafu that could be the key to which side The Ottoman Sultan favors.
Into this volatile situation step our heroes, Deryn and Alek. Deryn is an English girl with a keen practical mind posing as a boy so she could join the Royal Air Corp. Alek is an Austrian prince on the run from German agents, he has a classical education but little real-world experience. Together, they might find a way to stop the spread of war before it spirals out of control.
Historically, World War I grew larger year after year, with evermore countries joining in and a death toll stretching into the millions. In the alternate timeline of Behemoth, the tension lies in whether this science-fiction world can avoid the same fate. And even with all the wondrous technology in play, that might be the most appealing fantasy element of them all.
Edited 2-3-2024
April 10, 2017
7/5/2016
I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as Leviathan, just like last time. It gets a little bogged down in introducing new characters and in discussing Ottoman politics in 1914. But on the whole, it's an absolute blast and I love it.
3/9/2012
Plot summary: Deryn and Alek are still on board the Leviathan, heading for Istanbul. With hopes of stopping the Ottoman Empire from entering the pending war through a mysterious gift for the Sultan, the stakes for the crew of the Leviathan are high. When the peacekeeping mission hits a disastrous speedbump, Deryn and Alek are left on their own in unfamiliar territory, on the run for their freedom.
Thoughts: Much like "Leviathan", I raced through this. It suffers a little from Middle Book Syndrome - nothing is really resolved, and most of the story is simply carrying things towards book 3. That said, the setting of Istanbul was truly phenomenal. It's a mixture of Darwinist and Clanker, which worked beautifully together. The new characters added to the story were fun, and the addition of the perspicacious loris? OH MY GOD, PERFECT. Especially "Mr Sharp! *sniggers*". Loved it.
I'm definitely going to be reading "Goliath" as soon as I can get my hands on it!
I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as Leviathan, just like last time. It gets a little bogged down in introducing new characters and in discussing Ottoman politics in 1914. But on the whole, it's an absolute blast and I love it.
3/9/2012
Plot summary: Deryn and Alek are still on board the Leviathan, heading for Istanbul. With hopes of stopping the Ottoman Empire from entering the pending war through a mysterious gift for the Sultan, the stakes for the crew of the Leviathan are high. When the peacekeeping mission hits a disastrous speedbump, Deryn and Alek are left on their own in unfamiliar territory, on the run for their freedom.
Thoughts: Much like "Leviathan", I raced through this. It suffers a little from Middle Book Syndrome - nothing is really resolved, and most of the story is simply carrying things towards book 3. That said, the setting of Istanbul was truly phenomenal. It's a mixture of Darwinist and Clanker, which worked beautifully together. The new characters added to the story were fun, and the addition of the perspicacious loris? OH MY GOD, PERFECT. Especially "Mr Sharp! *sniggers*". Loved it.
I'm definitely going to be reading "Goliath" as soon as I can get my hands on it!
December 1, 2010
Alek and Deryn grow closer in their friendship and much to Deryn/Dylan’s horror, she worries about feeling more than that. Near the last half of B, someone else enters the picture. (Let's just say that that was different.) One of the funnier parts of the book was when Deryn thinks she's going to get a declaration of love from him; she doesn't.
Alek takes a more active role in this book. In the first he was rescued, manipulated into driving a walker. Here most everything that happens to him is because he chose such. We learn a little more about his allies, Klopp and Vogler too.
I do have to say that Dr. Barlow and Vogler are two sides of the same coin. I love them both. But there are plenty of new characters, Mr. Malone, the American reporter is actually very mysterious and so are the new group of people Alek finds himself allied with.
Three reasons I enjoyed it: the illustrations are gorgeous, the characters take a much more active role in the story~ Alek in particular. Behemoth goes much faster than its predecessor.
Alek takes a more active role in this book. In the first he was rescued, manipulated into driving a walker. Here most everything that happens to him is because he chose such. We learn a little more about his allies, Klopp and Vogler too.
I do have to say that Dr. Barlow and Vogler are two sides of the same coin. I love them both. But there are plenty of new characters, Mr. Malone, the American reporter is actually very mysterious and so are the new group of people Alek finds himself allied with.
Three reasons I enjoyed it: the illustrations are gorgeous, the characters take a much more active role in the story~ Alek in particular. Behemoth goes much faster than its predecessor.
December 6, 2010
Behemoth is the second book in Westerfeld's WWI steampunk Clankers vs Darwinists alt-U romp. It's packed full of Bechdelicious goodness, from the main character (a cross-dressing midship(wo)man for the Darwinists), to a Turkish anarchist revolutionary, to a rather splendid and dapper "lady boffin" and a Nene with an interesting mobility device.
Behemoth is a whole pile of fun, has a heap of marvelous critters and machines, and has as a bonus plenty of fabulous black and white illustrations that cosplayers will love. Recommended for readers 10-100, I reckon, but read Leviathan first.
"This revolution sure does have a lot of women in it" ... Oh, Aleksandr, if only you knew.
Behemoth is a whole pile of fun, has a heap of marvelous critters and machines, and has as a bonus plenty of fabulous black and white illustrations that cosplayers will love. Recommended for readers 10-100, I reckon, but read Leviathan first.
"This revolution sure does have a lot of women in it" ... Oh, Aleksandr, if only you knew.
September 24, 2020
Rep: PoC characters in background.
TW/CW:
grief, death, violence, sexism, sweet Polly Oliver trope, girl hate.
This was still good like the first book, but I had trouble with the female protagonist’s thoughts. She’s a bit standoffish towards another girl because she sees her as sort of competition towards the male character’s affection. It’s not that bad, she never voices her feelings or hurts that girl at all, but I could’ve done without that. I’m grateful it didn’t actually last long, but another thing is her love for the male MC throughout the book being a bit unusual. I think if it had been written differently, and if those feelings were shown to be reciprocated in any way, I might’ve been on board. It’s just personal preference, though I do wonder if it has anything to do with the author being male and thinking female characters pine more about love. I don’t actually hate any of this, it just makes me question. This is an older title, and you could also say that the character is young and is allowed to feel this way. Either way, I will finish the series and hope the romantic angle is something I could get on board with.
p.s: this quote made me laugh:
“Alek noticed again how brown her eyes were, and how beautiful she was. What an idiot he’d been to mistake her for a man.”
Poor Deryn lol. 😂
TW/CW:
grief, death, violence, sexism, sweet Polly Oliver trope, girl hate.
This was still good like the first book, but I had trouble with the female protagonist’s thoughts. She’s a bit standoffish towards another girl because she sees her as sort of competition towards the male character’s affection. It’s not that bad, she never voices her feelings or hurts that girl at all, but I could’ve done without that. I’m grateful it didn’t actually last long, but another thing is her love for the male MC throughout the book being a bit unusual. I think if it had been written differently, and if those feelings were shown to be reciprocated in any way, I might’ve been on board. It’s just personal preference, though I do wonder if it has anything to do with the author being male and thinking female characters pine more about love. I don’t actually hate any of this, it just makes me question. This is an older title, and you could also say that the character is young and is allowed to feel this way. Either way, I will finish the series and hope the romantic angle is something I could get on board with.
p.s: this quote made me laugh:
“Alek noticed again how brown her eyes were, and how beautiful she was. What an idiot he’d been to mistake her for a man.”
Poor Deryn lol. 😂
July 6, 2011
Steampunk with an alternative history of WWI.
What happens when an author takes a historical event like WWI and tweaks a few little details? Let’s just say he adds a few imaginative gadgets, contraptions, and “beasties.” What if the main characters are both orphans with secrets?
Behemoth is the second book in Scott Westerfeld’s Leviathan series. Set during WWI, the world is a little askew. The Allies (mostly the British) are known as the Darwinists. All of their weapons and machinery are organic life forms specially engineered for their cause. The Germans or the Clankers use mechanical contraptions sadly lacking wheels.
The world building, continued from the first book, is rich and detailed. The contraptions and “beasties” are highly imaginative. The reader is treated to fantastically detailed illustrations that bring this world to life. However I did find the illustrations distracting as I spent a lot of times staring at the pictures, digesting every little detail.
The story itself, while very good, lagged in the middle of the novel. Maybe I felt this way because I was too busy looking at the pictures, maybe not. I did find the battle scenes exciting. The sounds, the sense of urgency, the fear, I felt it all.
The main characters were interesting. Deryn (referred to as Dylan for the rest of this review) is a young girl who masquerades as a boy to obtain a position as midshipman on board the Leviathan. Alek is an archduke and the rightful heir to the throne of Austria. He is in hiding with his entourage on board the Leviathan. Deryn/Dylan is attracted to Alek but seems happy to be his friend for the time being. Towards the end of the book, she realizes that she has feelings for him. She wants to tell Alek her secret, but chickens out. Alek and Dylan work well together and they have a great friendship.
Every time that I read a Scott Westerfeld book I learn a bunch of new words along with a specialized vocabulary that is exclusive to that series. That is the mark of a gifted and perspicacious writer. Kudos.
What happens when an author takes a historical event like WWI and tweaks a few little details? Let’s just say he adds a few imaginative gadgets, contraptions, and “beasties.” What if the main characters are both orphans with secrets?
Behemoth is the second book in Scott Westerfeld’s Leviathan series. Set during WWI, the world is a little askew. The Allies (mostly the British) are known as the Darwinists. All of their weapons and machinery are organic life forms specially engineered for their cause. The Germans or the Clankers use mechanical contraptions sadly lacking wheels.
The world building, continued from the first book, is rich and detailed. The contraptions and “beasties” are highly imaginative. The reader is treated to fantastically detailed illustrations that bring this world to life. However I did find the illustrations distracting as I spent a lot of times staring at the pictures, digesting every little detail.
The story itself, while very good, lagged in the middle of the novel. Maybe I felt this way because I was too busy looking at the pictures, maybe not. I did find the battle scenes exciting. The sounds, the sense of urgency, the fear, I felt it all.
The main characters were interesting. Deryn (referred to as Dylan for the rest of this review) is a young girl who masquerades as a boy to obtain a position as midshipman on board the Leviathan. Alek is an archduke and the rightful heir to the throne of Austria. He is in hiding with his entourage on board the Leviathan. Deryn/Dylan is attracted to Alek but seems happy to be his friend for the time being. Towards the end of the book, she realizes that she has feelings for him. She wants to tell Alek her secret, but chickens out. Alek and Dylan work well together and they have a great friendship.
Every time that I read a Scott Westerfeld book I learn a bunch of new words along with a specialized vocabulary that is exclusive to that series. That is the mark of a gifted and perspicacious writer. Kudos.
April 21, 2015
4.5 of holly shit this was amazing
Really good sequel.
Muy bueno, al igual que el primero, te mantiene leyendo ya que cada capitulo hay mas y mas y mas acción, en verdad, estos personajes no tienen descanso jamas!
Creo que las ilustraciones en este libro fueron mucho mejores, ya que vemos mas maquinas que personas en ellas, lo cual es genial ya que es muy difícil de verlas en tu mente, aunque como que me esperaba al Behemoth mas impactante, osea te hablan de el desde el principio del libro, la gran bestia que es, y no te dan una ilustración hasta casi al final, y como que no se aprecia bien, aunque tengo que decir que me gusta mas que el Leviathan.
Definitivamente esta mas emocionante que el primer libro, ya que en el primero teníamos mucha introducción de la guerra y en el segundo se centra mucho en como afecto esta a Estambul (Constantinopla), lo que ahorita es Tuquia, Libano, y no se que otros países mas.
Me encanta la mancuerna que hacen Alek y Deryn.
Scott tuvo la maravillosa idea de ayudar a los jóvenes a entender de guerras con esta trilogia, porque estos libros te ayudan en esa parte, teniendo siempre dos puntos de vista de nuestros protagonistas que son totalmente diferentes.
Una de las cosas que probablemente no me gustaron es que vieran a los Clankers como los "malos" osea se que en las guerras mundiales Alemania ha sido como que la ovejita negra pero se ve muy obvia la preferencia de Scott hacia los Darwinistas, y como que esta preferencia me hace querer mas a los Clankers. no se!
Este libro te deja con la noticia de una muerte que pone todos los planes de Alek de cabeza y una nueva potencia uniéndose a la guerra. JAPÓN, y como no, hacia allá se dirigen nuestros protas, o al menos cerca de ahí, siguiendo al peligro...YOLO!
Really good sequel.
Muy bueno, al igual que el primero, te mantiene leyendo ya que cada capitulo hay mas y mas y mas acción, en verdad, estos personajes no tienen descanso jamas!
Creo que las ilustraciones en este libro fueron mucho mejores, ya que vemos mas maquinas que personas en ellas, lo cual es genial ya que es muy difícil de verlas en tu mente, aunque como que me esperaba al Behemoth mas impactante, osea te hablan de el desde el principio del libro, la gran bestia que es, y no te dan una ilustración hasta casi al final, y como que no se aprecia bien, aunque tengo que decir que me gusta mas que el Leviathan.
Definitivamente esta mas emocionante que el primer libro, ya que en el primero teníamos mucha introducción de la guerra y en el segundo se centra mucho en como afecto esta a Estambul (Constantinopla), lo que ahorita es Tuquia, Libano, y no se que otros países mas.
Me encanta la mancuerna que hacen Alek y Deryn.
Scott tuvo la maravillosa idea de ayudar a los jóvenes a entender de guerras con esta trilogia, porque estos libros te ayudan en esa parte, teniendo siempre dos puntos de vista de nuestros protagonistas que son totalmente diferentes.
Una de las cosas que probablemente no me gustaron es que vieran a los Clankers como los "malos" osea se que en las guerras mundiales Alemania ha sido como que la ovejita negra pero se ve muy obvia la preferencia de Scott hacia los Darwinistas, y como que esta preferencia me hace querer mas a los Clankers. no se!
Este libro te deja con la noticia de una muerte que pone todos los planes de Alek de cabeza y una nueva potencia uniéndose a la guerra. JAPÓN, y como no, hacia allá se dirigen nuestros protas, o al menos cerca de ahí, siguiendo al peligro...YOLO!
November 17, 2010
Behemoth in two words: Barking awesome! ^__^
Westerfeld has crafted an amazing story, accessible to children and adolescents, but with gems for adults as well. These books are the sort a child might read as a grand adventure story, and when they return later, a little older and wiser, and they may well be struck by how stark its themes truly are. There is a lot of care taken in explaining the underlying tensions that would erupt into the Great War, using simple enough terms to illustrate the political nuances in a way that will probably send a kid or two into a lifelong career in political science. The same is done for natural sciences.
Fast-paced, full of action sequences (and a lot of them from Deryn’s point of view, where she totally saves the day several times), political intrigue and an imaginative world with creatures and machines, Behemoth is a tremendously fun book.
I love Deryn in this book! There came a time where I thought Deryn and Alek would get romantically involved, but wait! Enter new girl in Alek's life. I was " Aww.. Deryn will be all angsty now." Then I read a few more chapters and bam! another twist, which will either annoy you or amuse you. I personally was amused, there's even an illustration of the scene. :D
The illustrations are, of course, gorgeous. Keith Thompson has done a brilliant job detailing both mechanical and biological worlds in the books, and the pictures add a great deal to the story that text alone would have missed out on.
This series is shaping up to be great! And I can't wait to see what happens in the final book.
Westerfeld has crafted an amazing story, accessible to children and adolescents, but with gems for adults as well. These books are the sort a child might read as a grand adventure story, and when they return later, a little older and wiser, and they may well be struck by how stark its themes truly are. There is a lot of care taken in explaining the underlying tensions that would erupt into the Great War, using simple enough terms to illustrate the political nuances in a way that will probably send a kid or two into a lifelong career in political science. The same is done for natural sciences.
Fast-paced, full of action sequences (and a lot of them from Deryn’s point of view, where she totally saves the day several times), political intrigue and an imaginative world with creatures and machines, Behemoth is a tremendously fun book.
I love Deryn in this book! There came a time where I thought Deryn and Alek would get romantically involved, but wait! Enter new girl in Alek's life. I was " Aww.. Deryn will be all angsty now." Then I read a few more chapters and bam! another twist, which will either annoy you or amuse you. I personally was amused, there's even an illustration of the scene. :D
The illustrations are, of course, gorgeous. Keith Thompson has done a brilliant job detailing both mechanical and biological worlds in the books, and the pictures add a great deal to the story that text alone would have missed out on.
This series is shaping up to be great! And I can't wait to see what happens in the final book.
January 20, 2021
THE QUOTES IN THIS BOOK. *faints*. I love this book!! It's just so catching and amazing and definitely a Scott Westerfeld book. I should have a wall of Scott Westerfeld quotes in my room. I would gladly fill up the house with quotes but my parents wouldn't permit that...
Scott Westerfeld steps up the romance and action in this incredible sequel!!! *Enter rebels* If I see the word rebel or kingdom at war, I'll probably add it to my tbr. Each book comes with a new surprise, in this book, the surprise came with a surprise that came with a surprise. And another surprise. Scott Westerfeld knows how to anger me, then he calms me back down again, hits me with a plot twist, then a grande finale(Goliath).
This book did NOT feel like a filler *glares at Glass Sword*. Alek and Deryn each had their own crazy adventures in Behemoth. They each learn more about the two sides of the war, even if they don't stand on a certain side. Westerfeld added the perfect sprinkle of politics to Behemoth.
Ahh the battles. I live for the battles in books. There was no waiting to be done, I was always engaged, battle or not.
I loved seeing the characters grow in friendships and learn more about each other- ahem...
Now that the characters know what each side stands for, they have to choose whose side they're on.
"She smiled, turning toward Alek. "You don't know what a friend you have in Dylan."
-Scott Westerfeld, Behemoth
Scott Westerfeld steps up the romance and action in this incredible sequel!!! *Enter rebels* If I see the word rebel or kingdom at war, I'll probably add it to my tbr. Each book comes with a new surprise, in this book, the surprise came with a surprise that came with a surprise. And another surprise. Scott Westerfeld knows how to anger me, then he calms me back down again, hits me with a plot twist, then a grande finale(Goliath).
This book did NOT feel like a filler *glares at Glass Sword*. Alek and Deryn each had their own crazy adventures in Behemoth. They each learn more about the two sides of the war, even if they don't stand on a certain side. Westerfeld added the perfect sprinkle of politics to Behemoth.
Ahh the battles. I live for the battles in books. There was no waiting to be done, I was always engaged, battle or not.
I loved seeing the characters grow in friendships and learn more about each other- ahem...
Now that the characters know what each side stands for, they have to choose whose side they're on.
"She smiled, turning toward Alek. "You don't know what a friend you have in Dylan."
-Scott Westerfeld, Behemoth
August 26, 2017
Какво да кажа, след като повече от година трите томчета отлежаваха у нас, без да им обърна никакво внимание, преди четири дни просто разгърнах Левиатан и хоп - ето ме вече съм катурнал първите две... М-даа, имам си нова любима янг адълт поредица и това е :) От времето, в което напипах Абарат на Клайв Баркър не се бях чувствал така, но за разлика от ситуацията там - само две преведени книги (типично по български и инфодарски), тук чинно ме чака и третата! "Сега няколко думи за книгата - "Бегемот" предложи здрав екшън, ситуиран сърцето на Османската империя. Титанични машинни сблъсъци, шпионски игри и пр. А илюстрациите на Кийт Томпсън, пропуснах да го спомена в ревюто за предната, са наистина разкошотия!
October 5, 2013
Full review to come when I have time to write it, but for now, here's...
DAVE'S FINAL JUDGMENT -
THE DEFENSE
- The Clanker's steampunk monstrosities and the Darwinist's genetically-manufactured Beasties are incredibly imaginative
- Many fascinating characters, especially Deryn & Alek
- Story is very fast-paced and exciting
- Mythology of this alternate history is enthralling
THE PROSECUTION
- Ultra-convenient plot-twists can be hard to swallow at times
- Considering the great chemistry between Deryn & Alek, it would have been nice if they had spent more time together
THE VERDICT
While Behemoth doesn't quite surpass the amazing heights reached by its predecessor, this is still a wonderful second book in a must-read trilogy!
DAVE'S FINAL JUDGMENT -
THE DEFENSE
- The Clanker's steampunk monstrosities and the Darwinist's genetically-manufactured Beasties are incredibly imaginative
- Many fascinating characters, especially Deryn & Alek
- Story is very fast-paced and exciting
- Mythology of this alternate history is enthralling
THE PROSECUTION
- Ultra-convenient plot-twists can be hard to swallow at times
- Considering the great chemistry between Deryn & Alek, it would have been nice if they had spent more time together
THE VERDICT
While Behemoth doesn't quite surpass the amazing heights reached by its predecessor, this is still a wonderful second book in a must-read trilogy!
January 23, 2019
Delicious book! Made me interested in history and biology again. Fabricated beasts are especially my favorite part from the book. I also loved the characters immensely, they were so real and unique in their own way. The overall plot was quite exciting and fast paced, apart from the slow beginning. I am giving it 4.5 stars and looking forward to read the last book in the series.
August 6, 2016
3.5 Stars. Full review to come!
May 13, 2012
Book TWO in the "Leviathan" series.
This is another intriguing installment and flows seamlessly from the first book.
This story line deals more with the politics of the war than with Walkers and the Leviathan itself. The story centers in Istanbul, which is not yet part of the war, but desired by both sides, and full of its own unrest.
Alek must decide how much involvement he wants to take in the actual shaping of the war, or if he should hide out and wait for it to end before he makes his move. Similarly, Deryn must figure out if she can help Alek, if she should, and if she's helping or hurting the Darwinists by doing so.
I really appreciate that Westerfeld presents the various sides of the war, and the differences between the Clankers and the Darwinsits and the prejudices they both hold. And I love that Deryn and Alek show how perhaps the two sides share more similarities than one would expect, and that perhaps the war isn't as black and white as they would have previously believed.
Westerfeld has created some fabulous new imagery for this book, new Clanker machines, new Beasties, and all the details in Istanbul. There's some vivid new characters and I appreciated the growth of the returning ones.
Deryn didn't feel as annoying and snooty as she had in the first book, which is nice. And Alek starts to step up his leadership abilities.
The plot kept me guessing, and I thought a lot of the turning points were quite clever.
While much of this book is very "PG" it doesn't exactly shy away from the destruction of war. There's a few paragraphs that, while nothing gruesome, are enough to let you know that people die in war -- and on both sides. Part of me wanted more reflection on this from Alek and Deryn, but I was glad that it was at least mentioned.
All in all another great addition to the series! And Bovril does not disappoint! :) I plan to read the third book very soon! :)
This is another intriguing installment and flows seamlessly from the first book.
This story line deals more with the politics of the war than with Walkers and the Leviathan itself. The story centers in Istanbul, which is not yet part of the war, but desired by both sides, and full of its own unrest.
Alek must decide how much involvement he wants to take in the actual shaping of the war, or if he should hide out and wait for it to end before he makes his move. Similarly, Deryn must figure out if she can help Alek, if she should, and if she's helping or hurting the Darwinists by doing so.
I really appreciate that Westerfeld presents the various sides of the war, and the differences between the Clankers and the Darwinsits and the prejudices they both hold. And I love that Deryn and Alek show how perhaps the two sides share more similarities than one would expect, and that perhaps the war isn't as black and white as they would have previously believed.
Westerfeld has created some fabulous new imagery for this book, new Clanker machines, new Beasties, and all the details in Istanbul. There's some vivid new characters and I appreciated the growth of the returning ones.
Deryn didn't feel as annoying and snooty as she had in the first book, which is nice. And Alek starts to step up his leadership abilities.
The plot kept me guessing, and I thought a lot of the turning points were quite clever.
While much of this book is very "PG" it doesn't exactly shy away from the destruction of war. There's a few paragraphs that, while nothing gruesome, are enough to let you know that people die in war -- and on both sides. Part of me wanted more reflection on this from Alek and Deryn, but I was glad that it was at least mentioned.
All in all another great addition to the series! And Bovril does not disappoint! :) I plan to read the third book very soon! :)
September 24, 2010
So...I think this might just be better than Leviathan.
Leviathan is a must-read before you tackle this monster book. The story begins in the middle of the day on the great airship Leviathan but within a few pages, a battle is raging, and there's no time to explain to newcomers what is going on - that Dylan and Deryn are, in fact, one person and the feminine pronouns are no mistake; that Alek is actually Prince Aleksander, heir to the recently-assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand; and why the Leviathan is headed into Istanbul (not Constantinople).
There are some great supporting characters this time around. We learn more about Alek's guardsmen and meet a feisty young woman in Istanbul with grand ideas about women's equality. And there's an incredibly cute, and possibly creepy, new beastie tagging along with Deryn and Alek. The two young people are slowly beginning to share their secrets with each other, facilitated by the growing friendship between them (and from Deryn's end, the possibility of a bit more).
Deryn began to get a little on my nerves with her insecurities about her feelings for Alek. This might be because this is the third book I've read recently with a girl dressing up as a boy, and all of them are falling into the trope of the girl putting herself at risk of discovery over the silly boy. So far Deryn's reason has prevailed, however, so I have hope for Goliath.
Leviathan is a must-read before you tackle this monster book. The story begins in the middle of the day on the great airship Leviathan but within a few pages, a battle is raging, and there's no time to explain to newcomers what is going on - that Dylan and Deryn are, in fact, one person and the feminine pronouns are no mistake; that Alek is actually Prince Aleksander, heir to the recently-assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand; and why the Leviathan is headed into Istanbul (not Constantinople).
There are some great supporting characters this time around. We learn more about Alek's guardsmen and meet a feisty young woman in Istanbul with grand ideas about women's equality. And there's an incredibly cute, and possibly creepy, new beastie tagging along with Deryn and Alek. The two young people are slowly beginning to share their secrets with each other, facilitated by the growing friendship between them (and from Deryn's end, the possibility of a bit more).
Deryn began to get a little on my nerves with her insecurities about her feelings for Alek. This might be because this is the third book I've read recently with a girl dressing up as a boy, and all of them are falling into the trope of the girl putting herself at risk of discovery over the silly boy. So far Deryn's reason has prevailed, however, so I have hope for Goliath.
October 31, 2010
If you have never read a book by Scott Westerfeld, you really ought to. He is the singularly most creative writer in young adult literature bar none. In Behemoth, his sequel to Leviathan, we rejoin Alek, the son of the recently assassinated Franz Ferdinand and secret heir to the Austria-Hungarian Empire and Devyn, the young British air-corps officer with a secret. (She's a GIRL!) In this clever steampunk reimagining of World War One the Central Powers of Europe are known as "Clankers", builders of huge anthropomorphic mechs, while the Allies are "Darwinists", masters of genetic engineering who have birthed a seemingly endless menagerie of living weapons of war. In the previous novel, Leviathan, Alek and his small detachment of bodyguards and loyal subjects are forced to join up with the British crew of the Leviathan, the immense airship on which Devyn serves as both flee the Germans. In Behemoth, the Leviathan reaches Istanbul (not Constantinople) and each side pursues their different missions. The plot, though interesting, is secondary to the great characters Westerfeld develops and the fascinating backdrop of alternate history he unfolds.
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