The behemoth is the fiercest creature in the British navy. It can swallow enemy battleships with one bite. The Darwinists will need it, now that they are at war with the Clanker powers.
Deryn is a girl posing as a boy in the British Air Service, and Alek is the heir to an empire posing as a commoner. Finally together aboard the airship Leviathan, they hope to bring the war to a halt. But when disaster strikes the Leviathan's peacekeeping mission, they find themselves alone and hunted in enemy territory.
Alek and Deryn will need great skill, new allies, and brave hearts to face what's ahead.
I loved this book as I have loved everything that Scott Westerfeld has written that I have read. The action started right away with none of the "warm-up" needed like the first book since the characters are already known. I enjoy the time that Deryn and Alek spend together and I like their relationship. Sure it's built on secrets and lies but other than that, it's great. They are a dynamic team and have a good rapport. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book between the two of them.
I love the alternative history that is going on and I'm glad that Westerfeld includes a "fact or fiction" at the end of the story because I really haven't brushed up on my World War I history in a while. The science of both the Clankers and the Darwinists is impressive and it's fascinating to see how societies can focus on one thing and how it can effected their way of life. I feel like Leviathan had a lot of the Darwinist way of life and Behemoth had more of the Clanker way so that was cool.
And, as always, the illustrations are gorgeous. I love the artwork so much and wish it was reflected more in the cover art. The propaganda poster on the inside of the book is amazing, just like the map was on the inside of Leviathan. This is one series worth physically owning (as opposed to e-book) because the illustrations are so great.
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| Illustrated by Keith Thompson |
I just want to add this. I don't love the cover. It doesn't really match the first one that I have and I like it when covers match. And I'm not fond of the picture of Deryn, mostly because I am not a fan of people on covers in general. I like the old covers.
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| German cover that I also like |
Hogwarts: Fight or Flight mini-challenge
Off the Shelf
Great review, you really make me want to read these books. ;) It sounds really good. And I agree with the covers.
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to read the first one and after this glowing review I guess I kinda have to now. :)
ReplyDeleteI've been itching to read this.
ReplyDeleteI still need to read the first book, and have heard really good things about it. It's been on my to-read list forever...guess it's time to actually grab a copy. Thanks for the review!
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