Goliath

By: Scott Westerfeld

Narrated by: Alan Cumming

The riveting conclusion to Scott Westerfeld’s New York Times best-selling trilogy that’s “sure to become a classic” (School Library Journal).

Alek and Deryn are on the last leg of their round-the-world quest to end World War I, reclaim Alek’s throne as Prince of Austria, and finally fall in love. The first two objectives are complicated by the fact that their ship, the Leviathan, continues to detour farther away from the heart of the war (and crown). And the love thing would be a lot easier if Alek knew Deryn was a girl. (She has to pose as a boy in order to serve in the British Airforce.) And if they weren’t technically enemies.

The tension thickens as the Leviathan steams toward New York City with a homicidal lunatic onboard: secrets suddenly unravel, characters reappear, and nothing is at it seems in this thunderous conclusion to Scott Westerfeld’s brilliant trilogy.

©2011 Scott Westerfeld (P)2011 Simon & Schuster Audio

Exuberant and Delightful

What made the experience of listening to Goliath the most enjoyable?

Alan Cumming is, hands down, one of the best narrators I've ever heard, and the story gave him a good deal of room to play. Fun finish to a delightful series! Enjoyed it from beginning to end.

What did you like best about this story?

Never once does Westerfeld apologize for having Daryn be an amazingly competent, adventurous GIRL. He just gets on with the job of keeping Daryn awesome, and giving her complete agency over her life. It's a rare, and wonderful thing in adventure stories.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I have to admit, when I first realized there would be a romance subplot, I thought, "Oh, no, not really! Don't ruin it!!" But, when all was resolved, I found myself grinning like an idiot and wiping away soppy tears. Fantastic ending all around.

Great conclusion to a great story.

Scott Westerfeld has satisfyingly concluded the story of Derron and Alec in the final installment of the series, tying things up enough to avoid leaving listeners hanging while leaving avenues for future installments. Once again the fantastic alternative universe of Klankers and Darwinists was brought to life in satisfying detail and a variety of new locales visited including the far east and northern America.

The inclusion of various people and events from history has once again been well done and creatively used within the story. The afterward explanation of these historical ties and the factual information about the events and people was both interesting and entertaining.

I once again thoroughly enjoyed the reading by Alan Cumming, his voicing of the various characters each unique and consistent. Alan has a great range and did justice to all of the various nationalities included in this book, though too much more of the American accents may have become a bit much it never detracts from the story.

A satisfying conclusion(...?)

Scott Westerfeld’s entertaining “Leviathan” series pays tribute to the spirit of the “boys’ paperback adventure stories” of yesteryear, while updating a few of their conventions for the 21st century. The most obvious makeover is that we get a girl protagonist who’s disguised as a boy -- for the moment, anyway -- but proves herself as capable under pressure as any young male hero. And why not? While Westerfeld’s imaginative World War One-era steampunk alternate reality isn’t too sophisticated, it’s still a lot smarter than its old serialized forebears. The story dodges the most predictable tropes, and quietly works in some real world themes and the message that politics aren’t always simple.

Goliath is the final book in the trilogy, and I think that fans will find it a satisfying conclusion. A few new characters are introduced in the globe-circling adventure, a few previous ones make a reappearance, and we get a taste of countries outside the Clanker/Darwinist camps (or a bit in both). There are thrills, scrapes, falling-outs between the two heroes (temporary, of course), humor, an action-packed finale, closure for plot threads both political and personal, and a hint at the possibility of further adventures.

Unfortunately, I missed out on the print editions and Keith Thompson’s artwork, but the audio version has its own pleasures. The narrator’s store of international accents brings the mannerisms and catch-phrases of the characters to colorful life.

All in all, a fun, imaginative YA series, and a good option for readers (or parents) looking for something a little less dour than the Hunger Games.

Amazing!

I love how the story and how many voices the reader can make-he makes it very realistic! I would recommend this book to whoever likes WW1, historical fiction, or a good action-packed trilogy with subtle romance entwined. This is a really amazing series.

Great Listen, Fun and Suspenseful!

I really enjoyed listening to this book. I also loved the afterword where Mr. Westerfeld took time talking about real events vs the fictional ones he created to tie in with WWI. Loved it and have listened to the series many times!

More!!!

I’m years late, and it will probably be many more until the author sees this comment. But I absolutely loved this series and I wish there would be more books. Possibly about the second world war. But alas, it will never come.

A fun adventure

A fun story with likable characters set in a fascinating alternate universe. The mix of accurate, sensationalized and fictional historical references is especially fun for students and history buffs.

A sweet ending to a fun tale

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

"Barking spiders" and "perspicacious."

Who was your favorite character and why?

I love Derryn/Dillion and Bovril. That little loris is adorable with all of its chuckling. And Derryn is just awesome. She's brave and doesn't define herself by Alek and she's just good. Good for her. And in the end, he sacrifices for her and it's awesome.

What about Alan Cumming’s performance did you like?

Alan Cumming is barking brilliant. Accents and inflections and ugh he's amazing. I would listen to him read anything. Man oh man.

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

I would have if I could have, but like many others, I have a life and very important things to do.

Any additional comments?

I really liked this portrayal World War I. I know a lot of it is not how it happened, but it was really interesting. The clanker vs Darwinism thing was a really cool concept. If only technology was so good back then but man, it's really neat to think about it. I would definitely recommend this entire series. It took me an hour to understand and get what was going on, but once I did, I really enjoyed it.

Excellent

Any additional comments?

This series is one of the best series I've read since the Hunger Games (though not at all alike in exception to the fact that both were hard to put down and were very captivating). Alan Cumming does an excellent job at bringing the voices out of the characters, managing to do accents quite well and keeping the story moving in an engaging manner.

Goliath has a strong female and male lead, likable and wonderful side characters, and a very interesting plot line. Alternate history at its best, with significant changes to the world in a way that makes it interesting and certainly thought provoking.

Its spy-thriller-action-with-kickass-ladies-and-men. For people who know the Tortall series, I had it described to me as "Its like Jon and Alanna only they get together... and Alanna is George."

Seriously.

Marvellous

Imaginative and clever and compelling; historical alternative fiction at its best and works for adults young and old.