Scott Westerfield is best known for his four sets of books for young adults. The most recent is the Leviathan. It’s a Steam punk retelling of World War I, illustrated by the well-known artist Keith Thompson. It features Adventure, walking machines, and living airships!
When the King Ferdinand of Austro-Hungary was murdered his son Aleksander was rushed out of the country trying to get to a safe house in Switzerland while being chased by the Germans. Prince Aleksander, would-be heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battle torn war machine and a loyal crew of men. Deryn Sharp is a commoner, 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 World War I brewing, Alek and Deryn’s paths cross in the most unexpected way, on an airship the Leviathan traveling to Constantinople in the Ottoman Empire, for a hidden mission given by the daughter of the Darwinists creation’s Dr. Barlow. The mission includes bringing special eggs to the Empire due to a mishap including England stealing a peace treaty gift. There journey hits a few bumps including crashing in the Swiss Alps and getting almost taken out of the sky by German soldiers. The Hunger Games trilogy and Leviathan are good reads due to the fantasy of thinking what other ways could the world happened in such events like World War 1, but instead Hunger show more Games is a post-apocalyptic story of what happened to history.
Leviathan was a fast paced read and always keeps you on your toes due to the switch in views. I give this book 4.5 out of 5. If you enjoy fantasy or historical fiction this is a good book made for young adults or adults. show less