Behemoth (Leviathan Book 2)

This was the second book in the Leviathan trilogy by Westerfeld. I really enjoyed Leviathan and this book was also wonderful. There is a ton of action and we see a lot more of Alec and Dylan. This book starts with Alec and Dylan on the Leviathan getting reading to dock in Istanbul. Tensions are high in Istanbul because of German presence there. Dylan will get drawn into secret activities. And when Austria-Hungry declares war with Britain, suddenly Alec finds himself a prisoner of war. Alec and Dylan soon embark on separate adventures that will take them apart and then eventually draw them back together. Full of crazy genetically engineered animals and wonderful steampunk machines this book is super creative and fun to read. This was an absolutely wonderful book. The things that Westerfeld thinks up for crazy animals and contraptions are fascinating and incredibly creative. The plot that is woven is complex and full of political subtleties; it never falters and never slows down. The characters are very likable; you are really cheering Alec and Dylan on throughout and it is hard not to want to learn more about the mysterious Lady Boffin and the leaders of the rebellion in Istabul. Keith Thompson's illustration are spectacular and really bring Westerfeld's creations to life for the reader. I thoroughly enjoyed them and was constantly looking forward to the next fantastical thing upcoming pictures would show me. Overall just a very wonderful read. It is exceedingly well written, creative, has great action scenes, great characters, and a wonderful plot loosely based on events that happened during World War I. The book ends in a good spot; although I am very eager to see what happens next. Of course the number one question is: will Alec realize Dylan is really Deryn, a girl disguising herself as a midshipman? You'll have to read it to find out. If you like the steampunk theme that this book has you might want to check out Cherie Priest's Clockwork Century series as well.

Scott Westerfeld created a fascinating world out of the ashes of what was World War I (The Great War) in the real world. He peopled his Leviathan trilogy with real heroes and heroines young readers (and the young at heart) could get behind and root for, and he seasoned it with the wonderful spice of steampunk. The resulting concoction is a steaming mass of adrenaline and wonder, and the pages of his books almost turn themselves. The sheer imagination of his world blows me away. It's a living, breathing thing - except for the parts that clank, ratchet, and blow off steam. This is the kind of adventure Edgar Rice Burroughs and the pulp writers of the early 20th century offered, and I was consumed by it. Of course, most young readers have never read those books, but they'll be drawn to this trilogy the same way I was to John Carter of Mars and Doc Savage. The story picks up immediately and throws our courageous little band in the thick of the action again. Deryn (still in her guise as a male midshipman aboard Leviathan) is fighting for her life in no time at all. She's also getting more attracted to Alek, the young Austrian prince who has been on the run for his life since the assassinations of his parents. Westerfeld amps up the science in this one as well by throwing in Tesla cannons, genetically modified bullfrogs capable of memorizing lengthy conversations and repeating them back, diving suits made out of living creatures (cool and gross at the same time!), and a genuine feel for the exotic otherworldliness of Istanbul during the final days of the Ottoman Empire. The reimagining of the Orient Express is the bomb. Once again, Westerfeld finds a way to separate his heroes and send them off on individual missions. I love this approach because Deryn and Alek each get to play to individual strengths, and the missions are much different. Alek is trying to survive and set up political connections, and Deryn is doing espionage missions that are hair-raising. The books have a large cast of characters, but they're all easy to keep track of because Westerfeld has made them all distinct and self-motivated rather than just channeling them into and overall effort. It's this constant threatening and rebalancing of agendas that keeps the pages turning just as much as the action and adventure. Throw in a young Turk woman who may or may not know Deryn's secret, which all too many people seem to be guessing these days - except for Alek, and you've got a suddenly volatile mix in this one. As always, Keith Thompson's illustrations bring the story to life in added dimensions. He's one of the best steampunk artists working these days, and I wonder who comes up with all the imaginative devices most: Thompson or Westerfeld. I only hope that after this trilogy finishes that the two will do more stories in this fascinating world or one like it.

After falling in love with Leviathan, I was eager to read the rest of the series (and had it on order so I could get them all signed at an upcoming Westerfeld event). But Behemoth hadn’t arrived yet, so I had to put it on hold for a while. I was SO happy to finally dive back into this world! Once again, Westerfeld impressed me with the ridiculously awesome and inventive creations in this series. Though certainly some of the newness had worn off, I was glad to see that there were even more surprises waiting for me in the form of beasties AND Clanker machinery. We finally got to see what was inside those precious eggs they’d been watching over all throughout Leviathan, and all I can say is: I WANT ONE! This book served up plenty of backstory and character development for Deryn and Alek, which kept me wanting to read way past my bedtime. Alek’s upbringing really began to show, and he started growing a bit while also revealing some of his inadequacies and social blindness at the same time. I absolutely adore Deryn, her cleverness, and her willingness to take risks. There is so much panache and humor and rapport going on in every scene she enters, and I just LOVE IT! And of course, the story did its job of increasing the stakes, making me gasp in horror, shake my head in bewilderment, and all that sort of thing. I love a book that just takes me along for the ride and makes me enjoy every second of it, even if it’s scary! That is what this series is for me — and once again, I have to question WHY I didn’t read these books sooner. (Total dummkopf move, right?!) You might be wondering why I rated this 4 stars instead of 5, then. I have asked myself the same thing, and all I can say is: I don’t know, but that’s it.

Attention : écrit en Anglais => à n'utiliser que dans le cadre d'une immersion linguistique ... Pas évident à repérer dans la description :-(

This is the sequel to the already impressive Leviathan, and continues Westerfeld's rollicking alternate universe take on the Great War. We continue to follow Deryn and Alek as they and the living airship Leviathan embark on an important mission in Istanbul. The author depicts the exotic city beautifully, with both period detail and his own additions- some very cool animalistic walkers and steam powered shadow plays, among others. The world might be just as great as in the original book, but here the characters take centre stage, as they and their relationships deepen and develop. Alek begins to fully consider his destiny and possible role in ending the conflict, and Deryn struggles between duty and friendship, and examines her own burgeoning feelings for the archduke's son who still thinks her a boy. There are great new characters too, in the resistance fighters our heroes befriend within the city. We also finally discover what is inside Dr. Barlow's mysterious eggs, and those expecting a powerful warbeast of some kind might be pleasantly surprised. The tale builds to a thrilling climax as the protagonists face the horrors of a new German weapon, and the action scenes throughout the book are of a higher standard than those in the original book. Sterling work, too, from Keith Thompson, whose illustrations just get better and better. His drawings impart bags of character to Alek, Deryn and their friends, and he excels at depicting the industrial machinery of the Clankers as well as the biological monstrosities of the Darwinists (Cronenberg would be proud). Now the only problem is waiting for the last installment!

You can learn a whole new batch of cuss words from this trilogy.

This is book two of the trilogy (Leviathan is the first book) and should be read in sequence, as the three books form a single, cohesive story. First off, Scott Westerfield is good at thumbnail descriptions and fast-paced action, with many a surprise plot twist in what is, in essence, an adventure yarn. As a steampunk fan, I really warmed to the background technologies and the way the story presents an 'alternative' history of the first few months of World War One. Highly recommended if you like the genre and want an engaging read. Note, given the readership, there are several tropes that are fun although not all that original.

A great book in a great series.