Leviathan
Author: Scott Westerfeld
Illustrator: Keith Thompson
Book 1 in the Leviathan series
Pages: 448
Published: 2009
Age: 12+
It is 1914 and Europe is on the verge of war. Prince Aleksander, would-be heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battletorn war machine and a loyal crew of men. Deryn Sharp is a commoner, disguised as a boy in the British Air Service. She's a brilliant airman. But her secret is in constant danger of being discovered. With World War I brewing, Alek and Deryn's paths cross in the most unexpected way, taking them on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure that will change both their lives forever.
Locus Award for Best Young Adult Book (2010); An ALA Notable Children's Book for Older Readers (2010); Queensland Premier's Literary Awards Nominee for Young Adult Book Award (2010); Goodreads Choice Award for Science Fiction (2009); Aurealis Award for Young Adult Novel (2009); Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award YA Nominee (2011)
About the Leviathan Series
Books in series order
- 1.Leviathan(2009)
- 2.Behemoth(2010)
- 3.Goliath(2011)
- +The Manual of Aeronautics: An Illustrated Guide to the Leviathan Series(2012)
Reading age: 12+ years
This series should be read in order.
In an alternate steampunk-styled Europe in 1914, it is the cusp of World War I. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their Clankers, steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ genetically fabricated animals as their weaponry. Their 'Leviathan' is a whale airship, and the most masterful beast in the British fleet. Aleksandar Ferdinand, a Clanker, and Deryn Sharp, a Darwinist, are on opposite sides of the war. But their paths cross in the most unexpected way, taking them both aboard the Leviathan on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure... One that will change both their lives forever.