Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

****Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld****

Originality- 18/20
Characters- 18/20
Remembrance- 9/10
Quote-ability- 7/10
Entertainment- 19/20
Ending- 10/10
Recommend to read- 10/10
TOTAL- 91/100
Grade- A

It is the cusp of World War I, and all the European powers are arming up. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their Clankers, steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ fabricated animals as their weaponry. The Leviathan is a living airship, the most formidable airbeast in the skies of Europe.

Aleksandar Ferdinand, prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battle-torn Stormwalker and a loyal crew of men.

Deryn Sharp is a commoner, a girl disguised as a boy in the British Air Service. She's a brilliant airman. But her secret is in constant danger of being discovered.

With the Great War brewing, Alek's and Deryn's paths cross in the most unexpected way - taking them both aboard the Leviathan on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure. One that will change both their lives forever.

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Leviathan is the second book I've ever read written by Scott Westerfeld. I had attempted Uglies, but it didn't really do anything for me. Peeps did, though, and Leviathan definitely did.

I absolutely love the world that he takes us into -- I've always had a small interest in history, and the route he takes with this - the Clankers and the Darwinists - combines two of my favorite things: history and fantasy. The thing is, though, is that I've never really had much tolerance for the World Wars. Westerfeld kind of makes you interested when you learn the stories of Alek and Deryn and you just want to know more. The whole way through, I just kept thinking how cool it would be if the war had truly been like that.

I seriously cannot wait for the sequel, Behemoth, to come out.

Taylor