Leviathan #2: Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld

Release Date: October 5, 2010
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 485
Review Source: Simon & Schuster Canada, for honest review

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
The behemoth is the fiercest creature in the British navy. It can swallow enemy battleships with one bite. The Darwinists will need it, now that they are at war with the Clanker powers.

Deryn is a girl posing as a boy in the British Air Service, and Alek is the heir to an empire posing as a commoner. Finally together aboard the airship Leviathan, they hope to bring the war to a halt. But when disaster strikes the Leviathan's peacekeeping mission, they find themselves alone and hunted in enemy territory.

Alek and Deryn will need great skill, new allies, and brave hearts to face what's ahead.

My Thoughts:
This was a great second chapter to Westerfeld’s Leviathan trilogy. ‘Behemoth’ held my attention even more than the previous book. I think this is because most of the world-building had already happened in the previous book, and we had already been introduced to the characters, so this book could focus on getting to know Deryn, Alek, and the others more deeply, while also focusing more on the action. I’m not someone who is usually a fan of long descriptions, but Westerfeld’s words, along with the gorgeous artwork by Keith Thompson, bring Istanbul and the whole world of the Clankers and Darwinists come to life.

If you enjoy steampunk, alternate history, or even a good adventure story, I think you would like ‘Leviathan’ and ‘Behemoth.’ One of my favourite additions to this book was Bovril, but I don’t want to spoil it, so you’ll have to read the book to find out what I mean. Despite the length of this book, it’s an easy read, and I think teens (as well as adults) of all ages and both genders would appreciate it. I’m a big fan of Westerfeld’s writing, and I look forward to reading the completion to this trilogy when it comes out.

Rating:


Find Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.ca