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patke's review against another edition
4.0
Scott Westerfeld has done it again. I loved Leviathan and Behemoth was fantastic as well. The story was packed with non-stop action, mystery, and real, believable characters. Did I mention action? There was always something exciting going on. But the icing on the cake was the strong female characters. There were only 4, but damn, they kicked ass! Which was especially significant because the book was set during World War I when men dominated. And the pictures complimented the story perfectly; they were detailed and accurate. Keith Thompson captured the words with amazing precision. Leviathan and Behemoth were great and I know Goliath is going to be just as good!
booksong's review against another edition
5.0
Scott Westerfeld definitely did not disappoint with this middle-novel in his incredible new series. It continues every ounce of the great characters, carefully crafted world of steampunk-history, and nonstop action and intrigue. In fact I think it added even more than the first one.
The world is sliding deeper into war, but there is an uneasy truce aboard the huge British whale-airship Leviathan, where Alek and his men work alongside the British airmen. Of course, none of them know that Alek is secretly the hunted prince of Austria-Hungary. No one except for his best friend Deryn, who is hiding an equally big secret from everyone; she's a girl.
But the Leviathan has another job to do; deliver a mysterious egg to the sultan of the Ottoman Empire, in hopes of dissuading the empire from allying with the German Clankers. But they may be too late, with the Ottomans already furious with the British for commandeering their new ship.
But once they land in Istanbul, Alek and Deryn have their own plans. Plans that will drag both of them into a web of escape attempts, secrets protected and revealed, dangerous missions, a host of new creatures both Darwinist and Clanker (including the mysterious occupants of the eggs), and maybe even a revolution. For the first time, worrying about their hidden identities may be the least of their problems.
Once again the action never seems to slow down. Deryn and Alek are both thoroughly likable, heroic, and realistic, and have great interactions together. Scott Westerfeld's imagination has once again created an incredible cast of creatures and mechanical wonders, and both they and the characters are illustrated masterfully by returning artist Keith Thompson. Fun and interesting new minor characters round out the cast. It'll be a long, hard wait for Goliath, where I have no doubt Westerfeld will bring this awesome trilogy to a great close.
The world is sliding deeper into war, but there is an uneasy truce aboard the huge British whale-airship Leviathan, where Alek and his men work alongside the British airmen. Of course, none of them know that Alek is secretly the hunted prince of Austria-Hungary. No one except for his best friend Deryn, who is hiding an equally big secret from everyone; she's a girl.
But the Leviathan has another job to do; deliver a mysterious egg to the sultan of the Ottoman Empire, in hopes of dissuading the empire from allying with the German Clankers. But they may be too late, with the Ottomans already furious with the British for commandeering their new ship.
But once they land in Istanbul, Alek and Deryn have their own plans. Plans that will drag both of them into a web of escape attempts, secrets protected and revealed, dangerous missions, a host of new creatures both Darwinist and Clanker (including the mysterious occupants of the eggs), and maybe even a revolution. For the first time, worrying about their hidden identities may be the least of their problems.
Once again the action never seems to slow down. Deryn and Alek are both thoroughly likable, heroic, and realistic, and have great interactions together. Scott Westerfeld's imagination has once again created an incredible cast of creatures and mechanical wonders, and both they and the characters are illustrated masterfully by returning artist Keith Thompson. Fun and interesting new minor characters round out the cast. It'll be a long, hard wait for Goliath, where I have no doubt Westerfeld will bring this awesome trilogy to a great close.
thepeachmartini's review against another edition
4.0
Apparently I never finished reviewing this delightful book! Shame on me!
As I expected, Mr. Westerfeld did not disappoint with the second installment of the Leviathan series. This book picks up where the first left off, and continues following our beloved characters through their journey.
If you read the first book, I encourage you to read this one as well. I've purchased the 3rd but haven't started it yet; I just can't bring myself to complete the series!
As I expected, Mr. Westerfeld did not disappoint with the second installment of the Leviathan series. This book picks up where the first left off, and continues following our beloved characters through their journey.
If you read the first book, I encourage you to read this one as well. I've purchased the 3rd but haven't started it yet; I just can't bring myself to complete the series!
lckrgr's review against another edition
3.0
Reread this because I had conpletely forgotten what hapoened. Bovril is the best part.
emromc's review against another edition
4.0
A rare sequel that was just as good as the first. I recommend this series!
heychomy's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
garnetofeden's review against another edition
4.0
After almost five hectic intervening years, I was finally able to read Behemoth, and it did not disappoint. The sequel to Leviathan is never in any danger of Middle Book Syndrome as it amps up the stakes from the first book and has its own solid storyline while still leaving room for the third book’s finale.
While Leviathan took place in Northern Europe, Behemoth moves the action to Southeast Europe and Western Asia, to the city of Istanbul (formerly Constantinople) during the Ottoman Empire. In this alternate history, our characters team up with Armenian revolutionaries to hopefully “nudge history toward a more positive outcome” (484).
The perspective continues to alternate between Alek and Deryn (disguised as Dylan). It’s fascinating that both names used by the female protagonist are technically gender neutral. Despite being an alternate history of World War I, historical gender roles continue to play a major part in the plot in a very Twelfth Night way. There’s no question that the author is aware that genders are equal, so I’m curious to see how that particular plot point wraps up in the next book.
The descriptions of the cultural variations in science and technology continue to wow, although politics play a heavier role in book 2. I would recommend Behemoth and its predecessor to steampunk fans, alternate history fans, and anyone who loves a well-built fictional universe. I look forward to reading the epic finale as soon as possible!
Rating assigned 6/11/2022.
While Leviathan took place in Northern Europe, Behemoth moves the action to Southeast Europe and Western Asia, to the city of Istanbul (formerly Constantinople) during the Ottoman Empire. In this alternate history, our characters team up with Armenian revolutionaries to hopefully “nudge history toward a more positive outcome” (484).
The perspective continues to alternate between Alek and Deryn (disguised as Dylan). It’s fascinating that both names used by the female protagonist are technically gender neutral. Despite being an alternate history of World War I, historical gender roles continue to play a major part in the plot in a very Twelfth Night way. There’s no question that the author is aware that genders are equal, so I’m curious to see how that particular plot point wraps up in the next book.
The descriptions of the cultural variations in science and technology continue to wow, although politics play a heavier role in book 2. I would recommend Behemoth and its predecessor to steampunk fans, alternate history fans, and anyone who loves a well-built fictional universe. I look forward to reading the epic finale as soon as possible!
Rating assigned 6/11/2022.
jro14x's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this one! Read the whole series back to back to back, so I didn't have to wait. I love the characters and the world building. I've now decided that the next new pet shall be dubbed Bovril!