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A review by garnetofeden
Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld
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.