Westerfeld, Scott., illustrated by Thompson, Keith Leviathan. 2009. Simon Pulse, 440 pages. $19.99 ISBN: 9781416971733
Plot Summary:
Westerfeld’s Leviathan is an alternative history of World War I. Leviathan takes place in a world where Darwin not only discovered evolution, but also DNA. Britain has led the world in genetically engineered beasts. The enormous airship, the Leviathan itself is a genetically engineered whale, its DNA mixed with a variety of other species allowing it to create its own hydrogen and fly. Deryn or Dylan as she is known on board the Leviathan, is a 15 year girl who has disguised herself as a boy to gain entrance to the British Air Service and place aboard the Leviathan. On a mission to deliver Dr. Nora Barlow to Constantinople the Leviathan is attacked by German planes and the mighty airship goes down in the Swiss Alps.
Meanwhile, in Austria, Prince Alek is awoken in the middle of the night by Count Volger, his fencing instructor and Klopp his instructor in driving the military machines called walkers. Alek cannot imagine why they are practicing with the walkers at night until Volger informs Alek that his parents have been murdered in Sarajevo. Alek’s father was the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but because Alek’s mother was a commoner Alek is not eligible to inherit, that does not mean he is safe however. Alek soon find himself running for his life from German soldiers hunting him across Austria. The group finally makes it to the Swiss border and safety. The group finally relaxes until they see a British airship come down near their hideout. Volger insists on ignoring the airship and its passengers, but in the middle of the night Alek sneaks out to deliver medical supplies to the shipwrecked and ends up a prisoner instead when Deryn captures him outside the airship. Not sure it they can trust each other Alek and Deryn are wary, but soon realize they have a common enemy in the Germans and team up to escape the mountainside.
Critical Review:
Leviathan was a thrilling and action packed adventure that will appeal to both boys and girls. Westerfeld seamlessly interweaves the stories of Deryn and Alek and his reimagining of Europe in 1914 is intriguing in its mix of the past and the future. At first, I had a bit of difficultly interpreting some of the slang and language used in the story and a glossary would have been helpful, but despite this the story was strong and I had a hard time putting this book down.
Genre:
Science Fiction
Steam punk
Adventure
Interest Level:
7th to 11th grades
Similar Books:
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Titan’s Curse by Rick Riordan
Awards/Honors:
Andre Norton 2009 Finalist
Locus Award 2010
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults 2010
ALA Notable Children’s Book 2010
Author’s Website:
