If this is what all steampunk is like, I've been missing out on a good thing!
I do this same thing all the time. I get a string of books I don't like or RP scenes that don't go well or TV eps I don't enjoy, or whatever, and I think it's my fault.
I've been having bad luck on books lately, and so my thought process went in the usual direction: "I guess I haven't been in the mood to read..." "Maybe I was distracted..." "Maybe I don't enjoy reading anymore?" "What's wrong with me?!"
Then I picked up Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld and I knew from the first page it hadn't been me.
This was One Good Book. I fell in love before I was through the first page. I knew I was going to like it from the first paragraph!
Leviathan is an alternate version of World War I. I'm no military buff and not really all that into history, but you don't have to be. You could think of it as some generic fantasy war, though it does make it more interesting that there are ties to RL.
On one side are the Darwinists (the British), who use genetically altered (to put it mildly) animals in their war efforts. The title of the book comes from the name of the ship most of the plot takes place on, the Leviathan. The Leviathan is made of "life threads" from whales, jellyfish, and a number of other animals. It's a "hydrogen breather" (though to be more exact, it's a hydrogen storer). More than that, it's an ecosystem -- a bunch of other altered plants, animals, birds and other things help keep the creature/ship aloft.
On the other side are the Clankers (the Germans). They use machines for warfare, though not as we do in the real world (two-legged walkers, for example).
As interesting as all that is, that's just the backdrop for the story. The book starts with two plots (royalty being assassinated and a girl pretending to be a boy so she can join the military), though soon enough the two merge into one.
I loved the characters. Even the minor ones were realistic, believable, and interesting. I LOVED (L-O-V-E-D!) the use of "life threads" (genetics) -- again, it was fully believable, even though this was taking place in WW1. The writing was outstanding. There was not one thing I disliked about the book.
As an added bonus, the book had some illustrations! How long has it been since I read a book with them? I can't even remember. Just small black and white drawings of an animal, scene, or machine. Previous to this book I would have scoffed at a book with pictures in it, but it made this one feel special and even better than it was.
Unfortunately the series is only a trilogy, though luckily all three books are already out. Highly, highly recommended!
I've been having bad luck on books lately, and so my thought process went in the usual direction: "I guess I haven't been in the mood to read..." "Maybe I was distracted..." "Maybe I don't enjoy reading anymore?" "What's wrong with me?!"
Then I picked up Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld and I knew from the first page it hadn't been me.
This was One Good Book. I fell in love before I was through the first page. I knew I was going to like it from the first paragraph!
Leviathan is an alternate version of World War I. I'm no military buff and not really all that into history, but you don't have to be. You could think of it as some generic fantasy war, though it does make it more interesting that there are ties to RL.
On one side are the Darwinists (the British), who use genetically altered (to put it mildly) animals in their war efforts. The title of the book comes from the name of the ship most of the plot takes place on, the Leviathan. The Leviathan is made of "life threads" from whales, jellyfish, and a number of other animals. It's a "hydrogen breather" (though to be more exact, it's a hydrogen storer). More than that, it's an ecosystem -- a bunch of other altered plants, animals, birds and other things help keep the creature/ship aloft.
On the other side are the Clankers (the Germans). They use machines for warfare, though not as we do in the real world (two-legged walkers, for example).
As interesting as all that is, that's just the backdrop for the story. The book starts with two plots (royalty being assassinated and a girl pretending to be a boy so she can join the military), though soon enough the two merge into one.
I loved the characters. Even the minor ones were realistic, believable, and interesting. I LOVED (L-O-V-E-D!) the use of "life threads" (genetics) -- again, it was fully believable, even though this was taking place in WW1. The writing was outstanding. There was not one thing I disliked about the book.
As an added bonus, the book had some illustrations! How long has it been since I read a book with them? I can't even remember. Just small black and white drawings of an animal, scene, or machine. Previous to this book I would have scoffed at a book with pictures in it, but it made this one feel special and even better than it was.
Unfortunately the series is only a trilogy, though luckily all three books are already out. Highly, highly recommended!