Review: Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Leviathan (Leviathan #1)
By Scott Westerfeld
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library

To Sum It Up: Prince Aleksandar, the only child of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary, is left orphaned and fleeing for his life as war is about to break out across Europe. Meanwhile, Deryn Sharp is attempting to join the British Air Service—disguised as a boy. Deryn eventually winds up on board the Leviathan, a gigantic, living airship that comes under German attack and puts her directly in Alek’s path as he and his companions try to make their way to a safer place where Alek won’t be recognized.

Review: Not too long ago, I heaped a lot of love on Scott Westerfeld’s Afterworlds. After enjoying that book so much, obviously I needed to read more Westerfeld. So this seemed like the perfect time to finally check out Leviathan.

Leviathan presents an alternate version of World War I in which not only nations battle against each other, but there’s also a clash of the minds, so to speak, between the Clankers and their machinery and the Darwinists and their genetically engineered beasties. The titular Leviathan is a beastie, a massive airship that resembles a whale but is actually powered by all sorts of creatures that work together in a self-contained ecosystem. While I found all of this technology, Clanker and Darwinist alike, fascinating, I also struggled somewhat to get through the thoroughly detailed descriptions. There’s no doubt that Westerfeld excels at vividly bringing this world to life, and the accompanying illustrations by Keith Thompson perfectly supplement the prose. But, I don’t know, I just wasn’t into the scientific stuff as much as I felt I should have been.

Although Leviathan is written entirely in the third person, we view the story from its two main characters, Deryn and Alek. I absolutely loved Deryn—she’s a real firecracker, that one, and it’s a good thing because she’s trying to pass for a boy so she can enlist in the British Air Service. Young Deryn, or Dylan, as she calls herself, succeeds in joining up, and she and her gigantic secret are soon aboard the Leviathan. Deryn’s spirit is infectious and her determination inspiring; oh, and she’s also really, really funny!

Alek took a little time to warm up to, but his character develops very nicely, especially after he meets a certain Mr. Sharp. Even though Alek is not allowed to inherit the Austro-Hungarian throne because of his mother’s commoner blood, he was still raised a prince, and it’s a harsh adjustment to a life on the run from enemies who want him dead. In addition, he’s coping with the sudden loss of his parents. Alek isn’t the self-pitying type, though, and like Deryn, once he sets his mind to something, he doesn’t give up.

Now having read two Scott Westerfeld novels that each juggled two POVs in their own way, I can say that he’s a genius at giving each character a distinct, engaging voice. He’s also a brilliant storyteller who paces his novels with expert precision. While Leviathan wasn’t quite the page turner that Afterworlds was for me, I still very much enjoyed it thanks to Westerfeld’s simply amazing writing.

All in All: The more I thought about this book after I’d finished reading it, the more I realized how much I’d enjoyed it. Recommended if you like your historical fiction mixed in with some steampunk.

• Ally's Review of Leviathan

Review: Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld

Afterworlds
By Scott Westerfeld
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased

To Sum It Up: Darcy Patel is fresh out of high school and on her way to New York with a book deal in hand to embark on her career as an author. As Darcy learns to navigate the publishing world, she also faces the pressure of revising the draft of her soon-to-be-published novel Afterworlds as well as delivering the draft for a sequel. Interweaved with Darcy’s story is that of her Afterworlds protagonist Lizzie Scofield, the lone survivor of a terrorist attack that leaves Lizzie with the ability to see ghosts and cross over into the afterworld.

Review: Scott Westerfeld has long been on my list of must-read authors, especially with all of the love I’ve seen for his Leviathan series. But Afterworlds ended up being my first Westerfeld read/purchase when I spotted a pile of signed copies last December at my local Barnes and Noble (the store permanently closed its doors two weeks ago. *sniffles*). Out of curiosity, I read the jacket blurb and knew I was going home with a copy because the two main characters were named Darcy and Lizzie. I took that as a sign from the Pride and Prejudice gods that this purchase was meant to be.

After waiting my usual months and months before getting around to actually reading a book I had to buy, I plucked Afterworlds off the shelf. Or lifted with both hands, more like, because this baby weighs in at almost 600 pages. The book’s heft intimidated me at first; at the rate I’ve been reading lately, I figured I’d need a few weeks to finish. I was most pleasantly surprised, however, by the novel’s crisp pacing in both narratives. It wasn’t long at all before I found myself utterly engrossed in the pages of Afterworlds and utterly annoyed whenever we had to spend time apart due to work, meals, sleep, etc.

Another lovely surprise about Afterworlds was its narrative structure; actually, my mind is still kind of blown away by it. In the novel’s “real” world we have Darcy, who wrote a novel in thirty days during her senior year of high school. She’s signed a six figure publishing deal and deferring college for a year so she can move to New York City and work on revising Afterworlds and then get cracking on its sequel. Each chapter of Darcy’s journey into the YA publishing world, told in the third person, alternates with a chapter from her book. Darcy’s Afterworlds is told from the first person perspective of Lizzie Scofield, a teenager whose brush with death forever alters her; Lizzie is now a psychopomp—someone who guides spirits to the other side—and she sees ghosts all around her. Lizzie takes an interest in one ghost in particular, and the ensuing attempt on Lizzie’s part to unravel a mystery and possibly serve up some long overdue justice makes for page-turning reading. I’ve read a few story-within-a-story novels before, but not one with alternating genres. Westerfeld is truly a genius here, effortlessly switching gears every chapter. I would have gladly read either tale as a standalone, so to be able to read both of them in one novel is a unique reading experience indeed.

I don’t think I’ve ever been as jealous of a fictional character as I was of Darcy. She’s just out of high school and has already authored a novel, sold it and a yet-to-be-written sequel, and has relocated to Manhattan from Philadelphia to write full time. In other words, Darcy is living my dreams! As much as it appears that she’s on the fast track to success, though, Darcy has her doubts about how Afterworlds will be received and her ability to find the same magic that propelled her to write her debut novel in thirty days. Her path to publication is absorbing to read about, especially considering that you’re literally watching Darcy’s work unfold before your eyes.

Afterworlds the novel-within-a-novel is just as compelling, so much so that I enjoyed both halves of the book equally. Here again my envy kicks in, as I must credit Darcy with penning an impressive debut. After surviving a terrorist attack at the airport by pretending to be already dead, protagonist Lizzie is permanently able to cross over into the afterworld and see ghosts in the “real” one. She’s startled to discover that the spirit of her mother’s murdered childhood friend Mindy has been with them for years, and Lizzie makes it her personal mission to seek peace for her new friend. The search is riveting, as Lizzie learns that not all psychopomps like her want to help the dead. This Afterworlds is a paranormal that brims with suspense, the type that makes you a little wary of turning the page because there’s a good chance that danger awaits Lizzie on the flip side of it. My only tiny issue with Lizzie’s story was the romance, which felt very insta-lovey, and even by the end of her last chapter, I still couldn’t buy it. But because this is a fictional work written by a another fictional character, I wonder if perhaps the way the romance was portrayed was intended to show an area in which Darcy needed to grow as a writer. Or maybe I’m reading too much into this.

Whatever the case, I was too awed by Scott Westerfeld’s prose and how he essentially wrote two damn fine novels in one to dwell on much else. As far as I know, Afterworlds is a standalone, but Darcy’s publishing contract does call for a sequel, which I would read in a New York minute.

All in All: I absolutely loved the clever and creative narrative format of Afterworlds. I easily lost myself in both stories, and those nearly 600 pages whizzed by all too soon. Highly recommended if you’re looking to try something a little bit different.

Review: Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld

Behemoth (Leviathan #2)
By Scott Westerfeld
Publisher: Simon Pulse

To Sum It Up: It is official: Great Britain has just joined the war, siding against Austria-Hungary and Germany and complicating Prince Aleksander's stay on the Leviathan. Although only the perceptive Doctor Barlow and the trustworthy midshipman, Dylan, know of Alek's true identity, the captain suspects Alek and his men of being Clankers. Even after saving the dying Leviathan and its crew, Alek and his men are deemed the enemy and are not allowed to leave the ship under any circumstances. This confinement allows the friendship between Alek, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and Deryn Sharp, a commoner girl disguised as a boy in the British Air Service, to grow. When Alek is forced to escape from the Leviathan when it lands in Constantinople, a neutral country in the war, their friendship is tested. The Leviathan's peacekeeping mission fails, and Deryn is given the opportunity to join and help the young prince she loves. Alek has the ability to stop the war, especially now that he has a band of rebels as allies, and the help of one fearless Mr. Sharp.

Review: I can't convey in words how excited I was to read this book. And let me tell you, it was worth it! Behemoth is just as amazing as the first book, Leviathan. Behemoth kicks off with a rocking start, picking up where the previous book left off. Alek is on board the Leviathan and is with Deryn! Deryn is obviously crushing on the Clanker prince, and Alek is obviously clueless. I can't tell you how frustrated I get sometimes. At points, it looks like either Alek is going to figure out that Dylan is actually a girl or that someone is going to blurt out Deryn's secret, but it just doesn't happen. Ughh, those two need to get together! They would be perfect for each other. Then again, Deryn is a commoner, and somehow I don't think Alek would do that to his own kids, marrying a commoner, even if he does love her. It’s just not going to happen. Anyway, no matter how frustrated I get, I still love them! Deryn and Alek were extra cool in this book. They each had their own struggles which they had to overcome and then they had their "as a team" struggles, which they demolished!

To me, the action in this book just got better! And the illustrations! They are still beautifully crafted and enjoyable! I look forward to those things in each chapter. They just seem to add to the story. Speaking of the story, the plot of this book was really intriguing. I liked the idea of Alek having to fly solo and Deryn facing the decision of joining him or not. The whole idea that the misfit prince and commoner girl can stop a world war is kind of kick-arse! And the whole rebel thing was uber cool. That is my kind of thing! I also liked the introduction of new places, people, machines, and yes, beasties! Doctor Barlow always keeps me thinking. She is just so shady. And now I have to keep an eye on Count Volger too! Who thinks Barlow and Volger would make a good couple? I do—that would be so fitting!

Like before, Westerfeld ties together historic events with his writing, helping me even more in my history class! No, it's actually really cool to be able to connect things like that. And I love the way all this steampunk-ness is mixed in with it. I would die to live in Deryn and Alek's world! I think that I would be a Darwinist, though. Anyway, back to the topic at hand, Westerfeld doesn't let down on his amazing descriptions of his creations. It's just all so remarkable. I’ve never read a book so unreal that it seemed real. I also really liked the setting in Constantinople. I feel like I'm actually there, traveling the world. This book never had a dull moment. I enjoyed every last bit of it, even the frustrating parts. I can't say I hate anything about it, except maybe the enemies in the novel. Behemoth is the type of book that just draws you in and makes you want to be a part of it. I can't count how many times I wanted to leap into the book and jump in on all the action or push Alek and Deryn together ;)

All in All: Behemoth was just as mind-blowingly awesome as Leviathan. I don't think Westerfeld could disappoint readers if he wanted to. Needless to say, I have already gotten my grubby hands on the next and final book in the series, Goliath. I am so psyched to read Goliath and highly recommend the Leviathan series to everyone!

Review: Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Leviathan (Leviathan #1)
By Scott Westerfeld
Publisher: Simon Pulse

To Sum It Up: In a world where Darwinists and Clankers compete in a war that will decide the supremacy of animals or machines, Deryn Sharp and Prince Aleksander are caught right in the middle.

Deryn yearns to be in the air. She wants to be in the British Air Force, flying on beasties and serving her country. There is one small problem, though. Deryn is a girl, and girls are not allowed in the air force. Forced to disguise herself as a young boy, Deryn lands herself a spot on the Leviathan, a famous giant whale airship. The Leviathan is Britain's prized possession; not only is it a brilliant ship, but it can also support an entire ecosystem, and Dylan, as Deryn now goes by, is more than proud to be a part of it. From hiding her secret, to training as a midshipman on the Leviathan, to fraternizing with Clankers, Deryn has a lot on her plate, especially with the war coming.

Prince Aleksander has led a pretty charmed life, up until now that is. Alek's father, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, married a commoner, leaving Alek illegitimate in the eyes of his family and making Alek's claim to the throne almost nonexistent. When Alek's parents are murdered by whom he suspects to be his own people, Alek is forced to go on the run from his own country. Hated by the Darwinists for being a Clanker and chased from his own Clanker country by his own people, Alek is left with a small walker, a Clanker battle machine, as a home and a small band of loyal crewmen as his family.

When Alek and Deryn meet, not only do both change each other’s lives forever, but they also might just be able to change the tide of the war.

Review: Leviathan was a beautifully written book with elegantly crafted illustrations. Yes, illustrations. There is at least one in every chapter of this stunning book! It was like a nice little present every chapter; I looked forward to each new picture, and I wouldn't be lying if I said the illustrations added to my enjoyment of the book. Besides the amazing pictures found in Leviathan, the story itself was something else. Scott Westerfeld wrote a whole entire world when he wrote this book. Leviathan is my first steampunk novel, so I thought the whole idea was fascinating and captivating. Westerfeld describes the genetically engineered animals and Clanker machinery vividly. And if you don't get the whole picture Westerfeld is trying to get across, all you have to do is look at the illustrations on the next page, which capture the scene perfectly. Westerfeld also incorporated factual, historic events into the story. Leviathan most undoubtedly is taking place during World War I. I found it extremely fun to connect real life events with their fictional counterparts. And reading Leviathan while I was taking A. P. World History didn't hurt either.

Although I could gush about the setting of the novel forever, I would really like to move on to the main characters. I loved Alek and Deryn! They were both great protagonists, and I found myself connecting to both of them for different reasons. Usually, in books with different POVs, I tend to pick a favorite and then get annoyed whenever the story isn't focused on that person. In Leviathan's case, this did not happen. I loved both of them, Deryn and Alek, equally. I kept hopping back and forth between who I liked more until I finally came to the understanding that I loved them both.

Deryn is amazing! She does whatever she has to do to reach her goals and if that means masquerading as a boy, so be it. I just thought she was so cool! She got a place on board the Leviathan and she's always swinging about, right in front of the face of danger.

Alek was also pretty cool. I felt terribly bad for him and admired him for holding it together like he did. He's not some stuck-up prince. He really cares about the well-being of his men. Alek is a fighter and isn't afraid to go after what he wants. Awww I want Deryn and Alek to get together! They deserve each other! Sorry, I'll try to stop gushing. The minor characters were also lovable. Oh well, at least I tried ;) I was intrigued by Alek's loyal crew of men and fascinated by Deryn's shipmates and beasties.

Another thing I loved about Leviathan was all the action! Leviathan was set during the Great War, and so Westerfeld set the scene! It was really cool, and almost every action scene had my blood pumping. Deryn was fearless; she swung from ropes thousands of feet in the air. Alek expertly piloted clunky battle machines, stunning even the best master of mechanics!

In the end, I really loved Leviathan. The book was very refreshing, and it has opened my mind to other steampunk novels. I'm not lying when I say that I'm itching to get my hands on the sequel and will gladly read the third book after that.

All in All: Leviathan is an amazing story. The plot and characters are refreshing and unique. Sadly, I do not own my own copy. I had to borrow Leviathan from the library, but I will be sure to save up to get the whole trilogy! ;)