Mini Review: Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Author: Scott Westerfeld, illustrated by Keith Thompson
Series: Leviathan #1
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: October 6, 2009
Pages: 434
Format/Source: Hardback/Purchased
Age Group/Genre: Young Adult/Science Fiction, Steampunk, Alternate History
Prince Aleksander, would-be heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battletorn war machine and a loyal crew of men.
Deryn Sharp is a commoner, 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 World War I brewing, Alek and Deryn’s paths cross in the most unexpected way…taking them on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure that will change both their lives forever. (Cover and synopsis from Goodreads.)
I really enjoyed Leviathan, but I ended up not taking too many notes, so I thought I’d just write a mini review and share some of those notes with you:
- 50,000 bonus points for the map in the front of the book.
- Beautiful illustrations throughout, although I kind of feel like Alek and Deryn look a bit too similar.
- Some strange slang I don’t understand.
- Some repetition.
- I don’t like lizards, but I want a message lizard!
- Great suspense, especially near the end.
- Favorite line: “Even if none of it was Alek’s doing, tragedies always scattered seeds of guilt in bucketfuls.”
My rating for Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld:
4 big stars. I loved the world that these characters lived in, with all the machines and fabricated animals, and the illustrations were fantastic. I can’t wait to read the rest of this series!

Find it: Goodreads │ Amazon │ Simon & Schuster
You may also enjoy: The Search for WondLa │ For Darkness Shows the Stars
Disclaimer: I purchased this book myself. I was not compensated in any way for this review.
Kate Midnight Book Girl
May 22, 2014 at 11:12 amSee, I just couldn't get into this book, despite the awesome narration of Alan Cummings. I prefer Gail Carriger for my steampunk dosage. But I'm glad you enjoyed it, I'm definitively giving the author a few more chances.
Brandi Kosiner
May 22, 2014 at 6:50 pmThe characters sound great. For some reason this hasn't appealed to me until now.
Aimee (Deadly Darlings)
May 23, 2014 at 12:43 pmThis one was a pretty interesting book for me, too! I loved the map in the beginning as well. =)
Alex Villasante
May 23, 2014 at 2:00 pmI LOVED the entire trilogy – I mean, I devoured it. Also, I was listening to the audiobooks which are narrated by Alan Cumming and he's so freaking fantastic (does all the accents, all the voices) that I couldn't help but become obsessed. Wait till you get to book two and perspicacious becomes your favorite word ;)