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Behemoth  By  cover art

Behemoth

By: Scott Westerfeld
Narrated by: Alan Cumming
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Editorial reviews

Set during World War I, Behemoth tells a steampunk-esque alternate history. As in real life, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand triggers the conflict, but in Behemoth, the archduke has a secret heir whose life must be preserved at all costs. That is not the only historical divergence from reality, however not by a long shot. Behemoth features a familiar sociopolitical landscape but radically different scientific one. In this world, the British and other Allies are known as “Darwinists”, as their knowledge of biological sciences is super-advanced, to the point where instead of airplanes, they have giant, living airships (such as the eponymous Behemoth), and instead of something like walkie-talkies, they have messenger lizards. The Germans, meanwhile, are known as the “Clankers”, and they have eschewed the use of the biological creatures in favor of mechanical might; so where the Darwinists might have a giant, living airship, the Clankers would have giant mechs and other mechanical marvels.

Behemoth, the second book in the series (following 2009’s Leviathan), takes the protagonists British midshipman Deryn Sharp, and Prince Alek, heir to the throne of Austria to Constantinople, a city where the Darwinist and Clanker philosophies collide. There, the two are thrust into an explosive political machine that threatens to destroy all they’ve worked for, even as both Darwinist and Clanker factions attempt to sway the Ottoman Empire into joining their side in the conflict.

Every bit as full of a sense of wonder as its predecessor, Behemoth is a thrilling, masterful piece of fiction, a sterling example of what alternate history, steampunk, and speculative fiction is capable of. Peppered with enough details from real history to lend the book a rich authenticity, Westerfeld spins the story in wildly new directions at the same time. Although Behemoth is categorized as a young adult novel, it’s really a must-listen for anyone who enjoys speculative and/or historical fiction no matter their age.

Veteran and highly regarded actor of the stage and screen Alan Cumming’s performance is nothing short of enthralling. His Scottish brogue lightly accents his narration, but disappears or transforms into something else entirely when voicing the dialogue of the Austrian Prince Alek and the German Clankers and the other characters. Likewise, he does an excellent job portraying the teenage Deryn, a girl passing herself off as a boy. Somewhat subdued, without much vocal trickery, Cumming’s narration is simply a pleasure to listen to.

A brilliant book plus brilliant narration equals a surefire contender for audiobook of the year. John Joseph Adams

Publisher's summary

The behemoth is the fiercest creature in the British navy. It can swallow enemy battleships with one bite. The Darwinists will need it, now that they are at war with the Clanker powers.

Deryn is a girl posing as a boy in the British Air Service, and Alek is the heir to an empire posing as a commoner. Finally together aboard the airship Leviathan, they hope to bring the war to a halt. But when disaster strikes the Leviathan's peacekeeping mission, they find themselves alone and hunted in enemy territory.

Alek and Deryn will need great skill, new allies, and brave hearts to face what's ahead.

©2010 Scott Westerfeld (P)2010 Simon and Schuster Audio

What listeners say about Behemoth

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Engaging story

Alan Cumming does a magnificent job giving unique voices to all of the characters, and the author provides us with a story that is never boring.

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More complications. More adventure. Well worth it!

In case you hadn't noticed this series revolves around a love story, but a bit of an odd one. No surprise there for a YA book. The friendship between Deryn and Alek that began in Leviathan has unleashed feelings of a more complicated nature... at least for one of them. Deryn still manages to keep her gender a secret from Alek, but not from all others. And despite the obvious direction her feelings are leading her she continues her ability to conceal that particular secret from even herself.

Oh, and the world is still at war too providing an opportunity for further excitement. This time around the Clankers and Darwinists vie for the allegiance of the Ottoman empire. Our intrepid heroes find themselves separated for a time pursuing their own paths as they try to find their own place in the world as anyone their age longs to. Inevitably their paths reunite them in Istanbul. Here Westerfeld decides to take a further detour from history and throw Deryn and Alek into a hotbed of revolution that just may lead the Ottomans down a different path from the one we read about in our history books. Ever the loyal midshipman, Deryn focuses on finding a way to use the events to fulfill her duty to king and country while staying loyal to her friends. Alek seeks an opportunity to use what resources are left to him to aid a cause he can believe in.

Their enterprises are exuberantly related yet again by Alan Cumming, still one of the best readers I have had the pleasure to listen to.

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4 people found this helpful

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A different approach to science fiction

What did you like best about this story?

Living machines and reworked history....the concept was a little bizarre at first but it worked.

What does Alan Cumming bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

not all books can make the leap to audio and still work well. this one does. great reader.

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

Nope.

Any additional comments?

Teen book that is a good adult read too.

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Great Trilogy!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

My family and I love this series so far! We started the 1st in the trilogy on vacation drive, and when each book ended we couldn't wait to get on to the next one. Great for adults and kids! My twin girls are 10 years old and love it, though, it did take them a bit to get into the first book.

Any additional comments?

Can't wait to see how the final book in the trilogy ends!

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excellent storyline

great book for the family. no gore or sexual weirdness...nice for this day and age

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  • Overall
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addicted.

I can't get enough. buying the next right now. Best steampunk novel ever. 5 stars

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Behemoth is a amazing second book to the series.

Behemoth is a amazing second book to the series. can't wait to listen to the third book

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love this series so far

lots of imagination. totally out of the box thinking. very origional. I am going to read all of this authors books.

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great alternate history

this is a worthy sequel to Leviathan. I especially appreciate the narrator making each voice distinct, so I know who is talking when. I like the way the characters are growing, while remaining true to the core of who they are. it's quite a fun listen.

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strong second entry

A relaxing read where you don't worry terribly about the safety of the protagonists too much. just a fun story in general.

I also greatly appreciate the author speaking about the real history at the end of each book

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