Author: Scott Westerfeld (westerblog)
Lexile Score: 790
Genre: Steampunk! (sci-fi, historical fiction)
Maturity level: 5th grade
Pages: 434 Chapters: 41
Pages per chapter: 9-10 there are several full-page illustrations
Theme: World War 1, Nature vs. Machine (do you oil your war machines, or do you feed them?)
Project ideas: Steampunk "Inventions" Create/envision/invent two objects that complete the same task - one with machinery, one with bioengineering
First Line: The Austrian horses glinted in the moonlight, their riders standing tall in the saddle, swords raised. (it turns out this is Alek's imagination while playing with his toys...)
Main Character: Alek, the prince of Austria-Hungary ( a "Clanker") and Deryn, a girl posing as a boy to get into the "Darwinist" military (pseudonym: Dylan)Review in 25 words or less: My introduction to steampunk - thrilling concepts and gripping storytelling. As fun to read as it is to just think about the possibilities
Told in alternating chapters, now from the point of view of Alek, and now from the point of view of Deryn, Leviathan sets the adventurous tone early with the murder of Alek's parents (Yes, THAT Archduke Franz Ferdinand) and his daring escape to stay ahead of Serbian assassins. Aleksander Ferdinand is a Clanker - one skilled in the use of modern machinery - and escapes in a Stormwalker. Deryn Sharp has big dreams of joining the British Air Service, and disguises herself as a boy to enlist. Posing as "Dylan," she demonstrates her Darwinist prowess in an early training drill accident aboard a Huxley - a bio-fabricated beastie. (think: jellyfish that can swell with hydrogen and float) Deryn is rescued by the Leviathan - another Darwinist creation (think: Hydrogen Sky Whale) and joins their crew as she learns the intricacies of bio-engineered warfare. Along the way, they pick up a V.I.P. passenger, are attacked by the Germans, and crash land near the remote Swiss castle where Alek hides. Alek witnesses the crash and is faced with the dilemma of coming out of hiding to help his Darwinist enemies.
I loved this book on two levels. (*but was really bugged by one small thing...)
1. The concepts of the Darwinists were so imaginative and fully detailed! I loved considering the possibilities of the fabricated beasties, and how the Darwinists would accomplish tasks using the natural world - bent to their will. Westerfeld masterfully took me into the mind of both the Darwinists and the Clankers and I could see why each would hold to their convictions about technology. There is a larger, modern-day discussion here - though played out in revisionist World War Steampunk.
2. The storyline was fast-paced and exciting! The alternating chapters kept me turning pages when a gripping storyline would abruptly push pause to continue the other character's action. The complications both types of machinery were well-defined and presented unique challenges and thrilling uncertainties.
*I DIDN'T KNOW THIS WAS THE FIRST BOOK IN A SERIES. Imagine my delight upon reading the abrupt end and the afterward laying out what to expect in book two. Ugh.
I know this is categorized as Y.A. - SLJ says grade 7 and up - and I suppose that is generally based on a content knowledge level. Some world/natural history would clearly add to the enjoyment. However I found nothing objectionable for younger ages.