Westerfeld, Scott. Leviathan. Illustrated by Keith Thompson. Simon Pulse, 2009. ISBN 9781416971733. $19.99. 440 p.
Reviewer: Tessa McMillan
Reading Level: Young adult
Rating: Outstanding
Genre: Science fiction;
Subject: Science fiction; War--Juvenile fiction; Genetic engineering--Juvenile fiction; Books--Reviews;
Deryn and Alek must both make the choice of running away into the unknown after their parents have died. Alek's parents, the archduke of Austria and his wife, are killed by Germans to start World War I. Alek is swiftly taken away from his home so that the Germans will not kill him as well. Deryn must pretend to be a boy so that she can join the Royal Air Service of England, since there is nothing left for her at home. Deryn becomes a soldier on the great living ship, the Leviathan. While completing a secret mission towards the Ottoman Empire, the Leviathan is shot down in Switzerland, right where Alek and his men are hiding. The two groups join forces to fight the attacking Germans and to help get the Leviathan back into the sky.
Westerfeld creates a wonderful alternate reality where truth and science fiction mesh well together. Thompson's beautifully detailed illustrations also help to support Westerfeld's well-written story. A second book about Alek and Deryn going into the Ottoman Empire will soon follow.
Volume 30, no. 3 (January/February 2010)
