Leviathan

Summary: It is the cusp of World War I, and all the European powers are arming up. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their clankers, steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ fabricated animals as their weaponry. Their Leviathan is a whale airship, and the most masterful beat in the British Fleet.

Aleksander Ferdinand, prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battle-torn Stormwalker and a loyal crew of men. Deryn Sharp is a commoner, a girl disguised as a boy in the British Air Service. She’s a brilliant airman. But her secret is in constant danger of being discovered.

With the Great War brewing, Alek’s and Deryn’s paths cross in the most unexpected way...taking them both aboard the Leviathan on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure. One that will change both their lives forever.

Review:

I finished this book ages ago, I just didn’t post a review because I’ve been intensely lazy. So this review will probably be lazy too. Leviathan (which I cannot pronounce for the life of me!) was a great book, if you detach it from Scott Westerfeld’s name. I expected the same compelling tone that starts off Uglies, and though Leviathan is compelling, it is so in a completely different way.

That being said, Westerfeld is still a brilliant author. He crafts the book so you cannot stop reading, literally. He puts you in with one character for two chapters and then by the end of the 2nd chapter you are dying to know what is going to happy to the person, but then it changes points of view. Then by the end of that person’s 2nd chapter you have to know what happens to them. You get the point, you can’t stop because he doesn’t allow you.

Long story short, when you forget about Westerfeld’s previous novels it is a great book. Just don’t pick the book up expecting to find another version of Uglies because you will be sorely disappointed. If you want a unique history (somewhat) based adventure story then I encourage you, strongly to pick up Leviathan. I know I will certainly be looking out for the sequels, by the end of the book I didn’t want it to end.

Rating: 4.7/5

Reviews from the Pros:

Meh. When I get non-lazy I will look it up. I am telling you Senioritis is all ready setting it!

Overall awesome book. Go read it!