Book Blog Mod. 8A: Leviathan
Westerfeld, S. (2009). Leviathan. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Leviathan follows two characters through a steampunk alternate history of World War I: Deryn Sharp, a British girl masquerading as a boy in order to become a pilot, and Aleksandar Ferdinand, son of the newly assassinated archduke. Both flee and fight for their lives as war breaks out.
The world-building is brilliant and fun, with the workings of walking war machines and genetically manipulated living hot air balloons laid out in entrancing detail. They are fantastic, but brought down to earth by their flaws. Machines fall over and can’t get up, take time to warm up, and so on. The air beasts need food, and one particular breed of flying jellyfish has a tendency to panic and hurl itself to the ground (along with its rider) if spooked. The wildly anachronistic world feels real.
The characters are also strong and dynamic. Alek turns from frightened heirling to a stronger, sadder youth who is starting to lead, and Deryn’s focus is expanded from her narrow goal of keeping her airborne job. Even the second-rank characters have substance to them, from the anal Count Volger who begins to see his ward as a ruler in his own right, to the mysterious, perceptive Dr. Barrow.
The plot of war is exciting and adventurous, without romanticism. Even the illustrations, unusual in a book for this reading level, are brilliant, bringing the Darwinist beasties and walking tanks to life.
The book seems to have come under good review. It’s been on both the New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists, and sffworld.com reviews it as "highly recommended" for "a great supporting… in a fascinating world with a great conflict that is a great mix of familiar and refreshingly new." Booklist approved of its "ingenious premise," "exciting and sometimes violent fight sequences," and "Thompson's ample, lavish, and essential illustrations." School Library Journal also is complimentary, saying that "Westerfeld's brilliantly constructed imaginary world will capture readers from the first page. Full of nonstop action, this steampunk adventure is sure to become a classic." (Both Booklist and School Library Journal reviews are available through Bowker’s Books in Print database.)
The whole thing is strong, and a brilliant read. I’d recommend it for any library.
Leviathan follows two characters through a steampunk alternate history of World War I: Deryn Sharp, a British girl masquerading as a boy in order to become a pilot, and Aleksandar Ferdinand, son of the newly assassinated archduke. Both flee and fight for their lives as war breaks out.
The world-building is brilliant and fun, with the workings of walking war machines and genetically manipulated living hot air balloons laid out in entrancing detail. They are fantastic, but brought down to earth by their flaws. Machines fall over and can’t get up, take time to warm up, and so on. The air beasts need food, and one particular breed of flying jellyfish has a tendency to panic and hurl itself to the ground (along with its rider) if spooked. The wildly anachronistic world feels real.
The characters are also strong and dynamic. Alek turns from frightened heirling to a stronger, sadder youth who is starting to lead, and Deryn’s focus is expanded from her narrow goal of keeping her airborne job. Even the second-rank characters have substance to them, from the anal Count Volger who begins to see his ward as a ruler in his own right, to the mysterious, perceptive Dr. Barrow.
The plot of war is exciting and adventurous, without romanticism. Even the illustrations, unusual in a book for this reading level, are brilliant, bringing the Darwinist beasties and walking tanks to life.
The book seems to have come under good review. It’s been on both the New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists, and sffworld.com reviews it as "highly recommended" for "a great supporting… in a fascinating world with a great conflict that is a great mix of familiar and refreshingly new." Booklist approved of its "ingenious premise," "exciting and sometimes violent fight sequences," and "Thompson's ample, lavish, and essential illustrations." School Library Journal also is complimentary, saying that "Westerfeld's brilliantly constructed imaginary world will capture readers from the first page. Full of nonstop action, this steampunk adventure is sure to become a classic." (Both Booklist and School Library Journal reviews are available through Bowker’s Books in Print database.)
The whole thing is strong, and a brilliant read. I’d recommend it for any library.