25.) Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

“Maybe this was how you stayed sane in wartime: a handful of noble deeds amid the chaos. ”

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld (Simon Pulse, 2009)
(Leviathan, Book 1)

Genre: Science Fiction, Steam Punk, Modern Fantasy

Honors: 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), Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award Nominee (2011), Goodreads Choice Award for Science Fiction (2009) Aurealis Award for Young Adult Novel (2009), Abraham Lincoln Award Nominee (2013) [Honors Information found at Goodreads.com]

Review: Deryn Sharp has dreamed of serving in the British Air Service on an animal flying ship. The only thing stopping her is that fact that she is a girl. So she disguises herself as a boy and finds herself serving on the Leviathan one of the largest ships in the service of the British Empire. Prince Aleksander's parents are assassinated setting off a series of events that will lead the world into WWI, the Prince though has the power to stop the war and bring peace if he can safely reclaim the throne. All he has to do is stay alive until then, something that his enemies are trying very hard to prevent. The two young adults stories converge on the slopes of the Swiss Alps where Aleksander and Deryn must help each other, Aleksander with his machines and Deryn with her animal hybrids and together they create a unique bond that can save the world from war, that is if they can survive long enough to do so.

Opinion: One of the best steam punk books I have read, although the underline story is a little cliche I really enjoyed the idea of the Darwinist. I listened to this on audio read by Alan Cummings, and was impressed with the narration, but was having trouble with some of the descriptions and I found out later that the book has illustrations accompanying the story, so this is one I wish I would have read rather then listen to. The story has two sequels already so I think I might read those rather then listen to the audio versions. 

Ideas: Other fans of Westerfeld's work (Uglies, Peeps, etc) might also like to venture into the steam punk world with this book. Also anyone interested in Steam Punk, I think that very few teen authors have done such an steam punk saturated world such as Leviathan. Science Fiction or fantasy fans would probably like this book.

Map on the inside flap.

One of the many illustrations that help you wrap your head around the vivid descriptions in this book. Something you might miss if you listen to the audiobook.