by Scott Westerfeld
ages: 12+
First sentence: “
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When we last left our dynamic duo, Alek and Deryn, they were floating on the airship, Leviathan, headed toward Instanbul and the Ottoman empire. Deryn, who is masquerading as a boy, knows pretty much all of Alek’s secrets: he’s a prince, his parents’ death started the war, and he’s on the run. The crew of the Leviathan have a wary peace with Alek and his companions, especially because it’s their Clanker engines that are keeping the Leviathan up.
Deryn has still managed to keep her secret safe, though she’s slowly realizing that Alek means more to her than just a pal. Then again, he’s a barking prince. (What is it about Westerfeld’s writing that gets me talking like he writes? Seriously? I said “happy-making” for ages after reading the Uglies series, and now I’m swearing like a seampunk Darwinist sailor. Barking spiders, indeed!)
And when they get to Istanbul, it all breaks loose. Alek and his companions escape the Leviathan (they’re increasingly afraid that “guests” means “prisoners of war”), and end up falling in with a group of revolutionaries determined to overthrow the shah and end the German influence in their city, at least. Deryn, on a secret mission of her own, ends up in the same place: aiding Alek and his new friends.
Although the book is slow to get started, especially if it’s been a while since you’ve picked up Leviathan (like me), once it does, it delivers everything you’d want from a Westerfeld book. Action, adventure, mystery, romance… and a great imagination. There’s some amazing machinery and creatures in this book; things that will have you gaping and scratching your head: where does he come up with this stuff? And, of course, by the end of the book, enough happens that you will be on the edge of your seat, wondering what, possibly, could happen next.
Waiting is always the hardest part.
The Book Nut 
I had a really hard time getting into this one, but finally about halfway through, it picked up.
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See, I was into it from the very beginning – the moment I heard Deryn's familiar voice again I was hooked. But then, Westerfeld's always had that sort of effect on me; so I'm probably a little biased. ^_^
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should have read this review before having picked up Behemoth because I set it down and returned it to the library.. I think I will have to read Leviathan again and persist with the promise that Behemoth will pick up into the book. But if the second ends like the first, I may wait until the third comes out?
enjoyed flipping through the book to look at the pictures, though. I couldn't resist.
~L
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It sounds like it is a good thing I have yet to discover Leviathan. I will make sure to read it and Behemoth together. Thanks for the review!
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Leviathan starts off kind of slowly too, if I recall correctly. I enjoyed this one more, since I didn't have to spend anytime getting to know the characters and the world!
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I was a big fan of Leviathan, so I was really excited about Behemoth and didn't really mind the slow start. I can't wait for Goliath! (and the artwork is amazing, don't you think? It's half the fun!)
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Westerfeld's language always sneaks its way into my daily speech too–but that's why I love it so much!
I know what you mean about waiting, too. I told myself I was going to wait until the third came out to read Behemoth so I wouldn't have a long wait for the conclusion, but I couldn't resist its siren call on my library's shelves. At least Westerfeld cranks them out pretty quickly!
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I really need to read this. I had planned to when it came out, but still haven't managed to get into it. Must try again!
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Charlotte, I didn't remember that about Leviathan. Maybe the next one (Goliath? Cool!) will, too. I'll try to keep that in mind. Eden, I agree: the artwork is half the fun. I love pouring over the pictures to see every little detail. Erica, yes! At least he doesn't wait several years between books.
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