Leviathan

Leviathan

By Scott Westerfeld

Simon Pulse, 2009. 440 pages. Steampunk/biopunk.

ISBN: 9781416971733

Reading/Interest Level: Ages 12+

Curriculum ties: Evolution, biology, history

Booktalk Ideas: Who would win?: Gradually bring out fan art and student art work of the creations (bio in one hand, mechanical in the other) in the book and have the students think about who would win in a war. Then tell them about the alternate history and introduce them to Deryn and Alek. Or, Royalty in Disguise!: Introduce Prince Alek and how/why he’s made it to the Leviathan.

Challenge Issues: N/A

Challenge Response: First Defense File

Reader’s Annotation:

In an alternate reality, Europe is at the brink of WWI with the sides divided between the Clankers with their steam powered machines and guns, and the Darwinists with their genetically modified animals as weapons. While Prince Alek is on the run he becomes friends with Deryn, a common girl disguised as a boy so that she can work as an airman in the British Air Service.

Plot Summary:

In a steampunk alternate reality and WWI is shaping up to be a battle between the Austro-Hungarians and Germans with their Clankers, and the British Darwinists with genetically engineered animals as weapons.

The Austro-Hungarian prince has been betrayed and is on the run with a small band of loyal men. Deryn, an average girl wants to join the British Air Service, but must disguise herself as a boy to be accepted. While she’s in the midst of her entrance exam, her air ship is sent off course during a massive storm and she is picked up by the Leviathan, one of the most famous air-beasts.

During a battle with the Germans, the Leviathan is wounded and eventually crash-lands in Switzerland where Alek and his men are hiding. The crew of the Leviathan are freezing, and even though Alek’s men tell him to stay put, he goes out to provide relief to the crew. However, tensions run high since they are on opposing sides, and whether or not they’ll be able to get along will determine the future of both groups.

Critical Evaluation:

Steampunk is currently a popular subgenre of science fiction, while biopunk is less well known. However, this novel expertly combines both genres and puts them against each other. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans use their powerful steam powered machines and weapons to attack the British, which when I first picked up this book I couldn’t fathom how any biological creation could stand up against such machines, but the British Darwinists and their creations are fascinating. Who would have thought of acidic spider webs that can slice through metal? Westerfeld did, and he makes the Darwinists an excellent match for the Clankers.

I love the character of Deryn. She feels trapped on the ground and being forced to look and act like a girl, when she’s much more of a tomboy. Because she is so much of a tomboy this book is more accessible to male readers than many other books with female protagonists. Deryn just wants to be free of her life, which is why she runs away to London to persue her dream. That is a dream of many teens, to leave their home and follow their dreams, but the problem is often that they don’t have anywhere to do. Because Deryn has her brother to run to, she can fulfill her dreams and the reader can live vicariously through her.

The inclusion of historical elements also makes this an excellent read and can be somewhat educational. For example, which countries were on the various sides is still retained fairly well in Leviathan. Although the book is very clearly placed in an alternate world, the little bits of truth that are consistent with WWI can be a great way to teach teens about some aspects of the war.

About the Author:

Scott Westerfeld is a New York Times bestselling author of YA. He was born in the Texas and now lives in Sydney and New York City. In 2001, Westerfeld married fellow author Justine Larbalestier.

He is best know for the Uglies and Leviathan series, and his next book, Afterworlds, comes out September 23, 2014.

His book Evolution's Darling was a New York Times Notable Book, and won a Special Citation for the 2000 Philip K. Dick Award. So Yesterday won a Victorian Premier's Award and both Leviathan and Midnighters 1: The Secret Hour won Aurealis Awards. Peeps and Uglies were both named as Best Books for Young Adults 2006 by the American Library Association.

-from GoodReads.com author page-

Justification of Selection:

Won several YALSA and review journal awards. This is a great book that shows that girls can do the same types of things as guys and are just as capable.