Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld, Simon Pulse, 2009.
ISBN: 978-1416971740
Plot Summary
When Prince Aleksandar (Alek) is shaken aware by mechaniks master Otto Klopp and told that he is to receive his first stealth lesson in a walker war machine he cannot help but be excited. But it doesn’t take him long to notice the nervousness of his fencing master Count Volger as the three of them begin their journey. When the Count finally informs Alek that his parents have been murdered and that they are on the run from the German enemy Alek’s world quickly begins to cave in. Try as he might, Alek realizes that he knows little beyond the walls of the palace, and wonders how they will ever survive long enough to make it to the secret stronghold that is waiting for them across the Austrian border.
British girl Deryn Sharp has always wanted to serve on an airship but as a female she knows that her dream is an impossibility. But with war soon approaching Deryn decides to disguise herself as a boy and join the military. Soon she finds herself working on the magnificently famous whale-ship, the Leviathan, and is finally content. But Deryn’s happiness is quickly interrupted as she is assigned to be a cabin boy to a mysterious female scientist. Now Deryn not only has to perform her middy duties but look after a meddlesome geneticist as well. Her job becomes further complicated when the Leviathan crashes into enemy territory.
Soon Alek and Deryn’s worlds collide, two teens on opposite sides of the Great War but both in imminent peril. Will the two be able to work together in order to avert catastrophe for themselves as well as their friends or will everyone perish as the German troops begin to close in around them?
Critical Evaluation
Scott Westerfeld and Keith Thompson make a perfect team as evidenced by Leviathan, the first novel in the Leviathan trilogy. Westerfeld creates dynamic, likable characters in Alek, the proud yet scared prince, and Deryn, the bold and fearless middy. As the storyline alternates between Alek and Deryn readers cannot help comparing and contrasting their outlooks on life along with their backgrounds, their values, and perhaps most charmingly, their speech patterns. (Deryn does use the best slang words!). Just as Westerfeld’s characters are intricate and complex so too is the world they live in. Alek and Deryn exist within a gloriously well-imagined universe where high-tech machines are pitted against Darwinist evolutionary experiments. Readers will be equally fascinated by Alek’s sophisticated walker as they are by the inner-workings of the Leviathan. Most intriguing, is Westerfeld’s re-imagined Great War where those who are pro-machine (Clankers) and who are pro-beastie (Darwinists) wage war against each other. In fact, many of the events that occur in Westerfeld’s novel mirror the actual events of the real Great War. Even why the wars were originally fought is similar. As Count Volger says to Prince Alek, “The empire has wanted war with Serbia for years now. The rest was just an excuse” (p.80). And although the real world has no experience with steampunk machines and genetic experiments, the same nations that were pulled into World War I are identical to those who enter the Great War in Alek’s world. Paired with Westerfeld’s well-written text are Keith Thompson’s lavish, detailed illustrations. Each black and white illustration makes Westerfeld’s world come alive while perfectly mirroring the range of emotions found within the text. Captivating both in its storyline and images, Leviathan is sure to please readers of all ages.
Reader’s Annotation
Crown prince Alek is on the run with nothing more than a few advisors and a high tech machine while Deryn has successfully disguised herself as a boy in order to join the British Air service. When their paths cross after Deryn’s ship runs aground will they be able to work together and forget the fact that their respective countries are at war before the German military kills them?
About the Author
On his website Scott Westerfeld writes, “I’m the author of five science fiction novels for adults. I’ve also been an occasional ghost writer, which is like driving someone else’s car really, really fast for lots of money. (I could tell you what famous authors I ghost-wrote for, but then I’d have to kill you.) In my artsy days, I wrote music for artsy downtown New York dancers…I have written three sets of books for young adults. The first is called Midnighters, a tale of five teenagers born on the stroke of midnight, for whom time freezes every night, revealing a dark and terrible hidden world…My other trilogy is Uglies, set in a future where cosmetic surgery is compulsory when you turn 16, making everyone beautiful…My third set of books is three stand-alone novels from Razorbill, all set in contemporary New York. The first is So Yesterday, about a cool hunter who runs afoul of a plot to end consumerism. The second is called Peeps, a "vampire" novel. The third is The Last Days, set in the same world as Peeps” (Westerfeld, 2011a).
Although he is now a full-time author he used to work as a software designer, substitute teacher, factory worker, and textbook editor (Westerfelda, 2011b . He is married to the Australian born author Justine Larbalestier and together they split their time between New York City and Sydney, Australia. When not writing, Westerfeld enjoys watching basketball, playing tennis, and eating Mexican and Thai food (Westerfeld, 2011b).
Westerfeld, S. (2011a). About the author. Retrieved from http://scottwesterfeld.com/about-the-author/
Westerfeld, S. (2011b). Scott facts. Retrieved from http://scottwesterfeld.com/about-the-author/scott-facts/
Genre
Adventure, Mystery, Steampunk, Science fiction
Tags
World War I, the Great War, airships, Charles Darwin, steampunk, machinery, women scientists, secret missions, swordplay
Curriculum Ties
This may be used in a unit on World War I; however, its inclusion may be more confusing than helpful as there are slight differences between Westerfeld’s Great War and the actual Great War. It could also potentially be used in a literature unit discussing re-imagined history and folktales.
Booktalk Ideas
-- Have a blown-up version of the map found on the inside cover of the book. This will help to explain both Alek and Deryn’s journeys.
-- Give a short summary of what actually caused the Great War and how the book differs from history.
Reading Level/Interest Age
Reading Level: 5th grade
Interest Level: 7th-12th grades (12-18 yrs.)
AR BookFinder. (2010). Leviathan. Retrieved from http://www.arbookfind.com/bookdetail.aspx?q=132849&l=EN&slid=191321660
Challenge Issues
Although unlikely, it is possible for some adults to object to Leviathan because, in this alternate universe, many people see Charles Darwin as an almost god-like figure. The fabricated animals are all possible due to Darwin’s initial discoveries and so he is talked about with great reverence. Some parents may see this as a glorification of evolution. If challenged, librarians should point out that the book does not center on Darwin and is instead mainly focused on action sequences. Librarians should also point the library collection policy and how the book relates to the school curriculum.
Favorite Quotes
This is not really a quote but I really enjoyed Deryn’s colorful language and phrases such as “barking spiders,” or “Blisters!...The poor beastie looks a bloody wreck” (p. 235).
Why Was This Included?
I bought this book a year or so back and I always meant to read it. I was originally drawn to it by Keith Thompson’s beautiful illustrations although anything steampunk usually peaks my interest as well. I decided to include it in my blog as I had yet to review any steampunk titles and, since I already owned it, I didn’t have to worry about it becoming overdue.
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