Leviathan

By: Scott Westerfeld

Narrated by: Alan Cumming

Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

It is the cusp of World War I, and all the European powers are arming up. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their Clankers, steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ fabricated animals as their weaponry. The Leviathan is a living airship, the most formidable airbeast in the skies of Europe.

Aleksandar Ferdinand, prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battle-torn Stormwalker and a loyal crew of men.

Deryn Sharp is a commoner, a girl 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 the Great War brewing, Alek's and Deryn's 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.

©2009 Scott Westerfeld (P)2009 SImon & Schuster

Barkin' Good Time!

I highly recommend this well-written story filled with adventure and intelligent humor. The characters are tremendously appealing, particularly the spunky and unique herione. It also features abundant references to, and elements of, history and geography, which make it all the more engrossing and entertaining. The narration by Alan Cumming is masterful, as he brings to life multiple characters and voices of varied nationality.

interesting listen

I wasn't sure what to expect, but I quite enjoyed this book. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it wasn't the cliched teen romance that I had been expecting (although I haven't read/listened to any other books in the series yet). It is set somewhat later than most steam-punk genre books, but the alternative history works well enough with real historical events (although the author's personal monologue at the end is somewhat nauseatingly egotistic). Good fun.

fantastic

loved it. Alan Cumming is wonderful. excited to start the next book in the series.

Great blend of history and sci-fi

This story is awesome! It has a hugely historical and political perspective while delving into the possibilities that science and nature afford. It’s not a super light read, but it’s also not a story you’d ever forget. The characters are a lot of fun, round and dynamic. If you give it a try, get at least to chapter 5 before you decide whether or not to continue. I can’t wait to read the next in the series!

A great story well read.

If you could sum up Leviathan in three words, what would they be?

Steampunk alternate history.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The story focuses on two characters and both have their charms.

Which character – as performed by Alan Cumming – was your favorite?

See above.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I think I listened to it mainly in three sittings.

Any additional comments?

This was a good story written well. The reading took it even further into radio drama territory.

My favorite book series!

I have loved this trilogy for about a decade. When I was a kid, I would fall asleep listening to the CDs every night and even knew it by heart at one point. Eventually the disc's wore out and I couldn't listen to them anymore, but now I have the pleasure of enjoying them digitally! if you like historical fiction and a sense of adventure, this series is for you!

simply amazing

simply amazing, good reader, amazing story levithian has always been my favorite reads since I was a child, i wish i could afford the next two in the trilogy they I've never read or even heard about them until recently. I intend to get the actual books seeing as they have pictures and I prefer the old school style of reading, promotes a better mental story, and keeps me from finishing the book so fast. seeing as how I like so few books

Cool steampunk WW1 story

Set at the beginning of World War 1, Leviathan takes place on a familiar but different Earth - one where Charles Darwin discovered DNA and invented genetic engineering, and where steampunk technology has given rise to armored walkers and other strange mechanical weaponry. From this jumping-off point, the book uses actual real-world historical events (such as the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand) as the basis for a fantastical tale of the start of a great war between the Darwinists and the "clankers," that is, between the bioengineers and the gearheads.

The book focuses mainly on two characters - Deryn, a girl who disguises herself as a boy to join the air service, and Alek, last survivor of the Archduke's family who's on the run from political enemies. Each of them needs to keep their identity secret, and each of them is in dire straits by the time their paths cross. The two are likeable, and their stories are interesting enough to keep the reader engaged. The massive living airship that gives the book its name is fascinating to read about; it's clear that Westerfeld put some thought into the technology and bioengineering of his world.

The story has plenty of tension and action. The ending feels very open - perhaps even a bit too inconclusive - but the story is intriguing enough that readers will want to read what comes next anyway, so it's not as much of a problem as it might be.

Alan Cumming does a great job with the audio edition, giving characters distinctive voices and doing accents convincingly. I rarely had any trouble understanding him, and his performance was lively.

Recommended.

One of my all time fav books

This story is enthralling and has been a favorite book of mine for a long time. Alan coming really brings the story and the characters to life, and has fantastic grass on accents. Scott Westerfelds Leviathan trilogy will always be one of my all time favorites!

This book is everything I love about story telling

Alec and Darin are wonderful characters with really fun Dialogue. The narrator really helps bring them to life, and can actually hear Alec’s English getting better as the story goes on.