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kaitbeth's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
redshoeson's review
3.0
This was my favorite of the Leviathan trilogy. The characters are honest, believable, and worth rooting for. I think it's worth noting that I listened to these as audiobooks and, while Alan Cumming's narration is phenomenal, I think my experience was dramatically changed by the absence of the illustrations present in the physical books. Still, the romance is plausible and I'd even love to read more about the various secondary and tertiary characters. Well played, Westerfeld.
theseventhl's review
5.0
Ugh, that was amazing. Simply bloody amazing. But - wait, that's the last one? FFFFFFF- dang it, Westerfield! Barking spiders man, I need more! Excuse me, I must fill the Darwinist beastie-shaped hole in my heart with fan creations, especially those of the Alek/Deryn variety.
grumpykitten16's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hannahmartinez's review
4.5
I am obsessed with these characters 🫶 to reread this was to relive the best years of tumblr
4saradouglas's review
5.0
This whole series was great. It's historical fiction, but not boring at all. Reading the whole series gives you so much information about WWI and what was going on in the world at the time, and yet you get this amazing story with unimaginable characters and creatures and twists and turns. I just can't say enough good things about this book and the whole series. You never could tell what would happen next or how the whole thing would end. Great writing and great story!
ana_bernardes's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0
halcyone's review
4.0
Goliath was a "thunderous conclusion" in so many ways that it definitely did not disappoint! It picks up where Behemoth left off. Following the events in Istanbul, Alek and Deryn are safely aboard the Leviathan, which is now traveling east. Although helping the revolutionaries boosted his self-esteem, Alek is still carrying that naive sense of duty that he must somehow bring about the end of the war. Meanwhile, Deryn is still a fierce middie despite struggling to keep her secret and rein in her burgeoning feelings for Alek. Bovril the perspicacious loris remains the best beastie.
The illustrations remained as amazing as ever, and I was just as awed by Westerfeld's worldbuilding. It was wonderful to get glimpses of other parts of the world and how they've developed in this alternate history. Japan, for example, retained its essence but was still cleverly changed by the steampunk element. The Leviathan's time there was brief but very interesting. Witnessing the kapas attack was awesome, and also drove home the point that the Great War was not just a European war. (I love it when Westerfeld manages to teach us some history in the midst of steampunk fiction.)
The Leviathan's detour as requested by the czar brings aboard an eccentric figure: Nikola Tesla. He'd been mentioned before in Behemoth as the man behind that conceptualized the Tesla cannons, so I wasn't too surprised to see him pop up. However, I was delighted by his character development. I think I shrieked a bit when Tesla started claiming to have developed a weapon of mass destruction that could wreak havoc from afar. If you know anything about Tesla's life (and I do thanks to a lengthy psuedo-documentary/Lifetime movie I watched on his life in Physics last year), this is relevant in a few ways. Also, everyone's snide remarks every time Tesla alluded to communication with extraterrestrials!! The best. A fascinating character and a catalyst for the concluding events of Goliath.
Some new characters were introduced, some of which are also notable historical figures (i.e. William Randolph Hearst), and we also got to see some old faces, such as Eddie Malone, who was up to his usual snooping and meddling.But out of every recognizable figure that we saw, I was most excited about Pancho Villa, a leader of the Mexican Revolution. Having taken IB History of the Americas, I studied the Mexican Revolution extensively. It was a bloody mess, but Pancho Villa was possibly one of the greatest parts. I won't bore you with a history lesson, but the Leviathan's stop in Mexico and meeting with Pancho Villa greatly appealed to the history nerd in me.
Enough about secondary characters! I don't have much to say about Alek and Deryn other than reiterating what amazing characters they are. Their character development remained consistent, which was a relief. I was afraid the romantic plotline would destroy their characters, but Westerfeld handled it excellently. As expected, Deryn's reveal was inevitable, but I liked how it was done, and the reactions were appropriate. I won't say to what extent her secret was exposed; you'll have to read the book to find out! But rest assured that she was still herself: a talented, brave, loyal person.
The way the novel's events played out were unexpected in the long run but provided the (somewhat) tidy ending required for the series' end. I closed Goliath wishing there was more to read because the world created by Westerfeld was fascinating and unique. I can only imagine just how differently history will play out for Alek and Deryn. Now, there's definitely a "happy ending." It may not be what you expect, but reading Goliath is worth it. It's a proper ending, not too convenient but just right for the characters we've come to know and love.
tl;dr: READ IT. If you've read the first two and liked them, I don't see how you could not be reading Goliath right this moment. But if you're in doubt, go pick up Leviathan! Stop depriving yourself of some awesome steampunk fiction.
The illustrations remained as amazing as ever, and I was just as awed by Westerfeld's worldbuilding. It was wonderful to get glimpses of other parts of the world and how they've developed in this alternate history. Japan, for example, retained its essence but was still cleverly changed by the steampunk element. The Leviathan's time there was brief but very interesting. Witnessing the kapas attack was awesome, and also drove home the point that the Great War was not just a European war. (I love it when Westerfeld manages to teach us some history in the midst of steampunk fiction.)
The Leviathan's detour as requested by the czar brings aboard an eccentric figure: Nikola Tesla. He'd been mentioned before in Behemoth as the man behind that conceptualized the Tesla cannons, so I wasn't too surprised to see him pop up. However, I was delighted by his character development. I think I shrieked a bit when Tesla started claiming to have developed a weapon of mass destruction that could wreak havoc from afar. If you know anything about Tesla's life (and I do thanks to a lengthy psuedo-documentary/Lifetime movie I watched on his life in Physics last year), this is relevant in a few ways. Also, everyone's snide remarks every time Tesla alluded to communication with extraterrestrials!! The best. A fascinating character and a catalyst for the concluding events of Goliath.
Some new characters were introduced, some of which are also notable historical figures (i.e. William Randolph Hearst), and we also got to see some old faces, such as Eddie Malone, who was up to his usual snooping and meddling.But out of every recognizable figure that we saw, I was most excited about Pancho Villa, a leader of the Mexican Revolution. Having taken IB History of the Americas, I studied the Mexican Revolution extensively. It was a bloody mess, but Pancho Villa was possibly one of the greatest parts. I won't bore you with a history lesson, but the Leviathan's stop in Mexico and meeting with Pancho Villa greatly appealed to the history nerd in me.
Enough about secondary characters! I don't have much to say about Alek and Deryn other than reiterating what amazing characters they are. Their character development remained consistent, which was a relief. I was afraid the romantic plotline would destroy their characters, but Westerfeld handled it excellently. As expected, Deryn's reveal was inevitable, but I liked how it was done, and the reactions were appropriate. I won't say to what extent her secret was exposed; you'll have to read the book to find out! But rest assured that she was still herself: a talented, brave, loyal person.
The way the novel's events played out were unexpected in the long run but provided the (somewhat) tidy ending required for the series' end. I closed Goliath wishing there was more to read because the world created by Westerfeld was fascinating and unique. I can only imagine just how differently history will play out for Alek and Deryn. Now, there's definitely a "happy ending." It may not be what you expect, but reading Goliath is worth it. It's a proper ending, not too convenient but just right for the characters we've come to know and love.
tl;dr: READ IT. If you've read the first two and liked them, I don't see how you could not be reading Goliath right this moment. But if you're in doubt, go pick up Leviathan! Stop depriving yourself of some awesome steampunk fiction.
debbiebarr's review
5.0
An excellent conclusion to a great series. I'm sad it's over, but what a great way to end the trilogy!