Behemoth (Leviathan #2)Scott Westerfeld
historical fiction/ fantasy
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.
This is the second book of the Leviathan trilogy. You can read my review of the first book (which Scott Westerfeld himself retweeted!) HERE.
If you have read my review of Leviathan, you know I adored it. Behemoth was a little less addicting- as in, I didn't find myself in agony every second I was away from the book, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
First off, I have to applaud the original setting. You'd think that as momentous as World War I was, there would be more books about it, no? Alas, this trilogy is the only set of books I can think of set in that time. And not only in Europe! It was so refreshing to have something placed in my side of the world for once. Behemoth takes place in the Ottoman Empire in 1914. My country, Israel, was under the Ottoman's rule at the time and today the entire region is still largely influenced by that period, so I felt familiar with the backdrop of the story.
As for the characters- can I just spotlight Dr. Barlow and Count Volger for a second? HOW AWESOME ARE THESE TWO?! They always either make some sort of illumination in the story or just crack me up. And their completely conflicting backgrounds yet very twin personalities just go to show that it's not about where you're from (though some say they're totally different in character- That's interpretation for you!), but who you are. I would LOVE if they each had their own companion novel with their take on the events in Leviathan and Behemoth.
In this installment we really get to see Alek and Deryn's friendship grow. I have some complaints on that but I won't say anything so as not to spoil it for you:)
Rating:
Have a good week, guys!
Esty
Ugh, I still haven't read this series, but I keep planning to! *applauds* This review is great too, but ah I love nice authors and the fact that he retweeted it means that not only was your review amazing (duh) but also that he's very nice.
ReplyDeleteOoh, the Ottoman Empire? I'm very interested now. The characters and setting sounds great and I can't wait to start this series. Great review!
This is the first time I have heard of this series... off to Good Reads I go=)
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I'm looking forward to staring Leviathan soon. P.s. have you tried addinga bloglovin widget to your blog, it's a way for non blogspot bloggers to follow your site. I'm on wordpress and use it because no matter which site you use for your blog you can use that to follow people collectively. I can't follow you via GFC, but if you do join bloglovin follow me and I'll be sure to follow back.
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