Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

from goodreads

3.5 stars

Have you ever wondered what your life would be like in an alternate reality? Would you be the same type of person you are or would you be someone completely different.

Some of my favourite episodes of sci-fi shows have been when they put characters in an alternate reality. I think my favourites are from Stargate SG-1. Hilarity often ensues, but it gets you thinking.

I think using alternate realities or rethinking history is such a cool genre. There is enough the same that you feel comfortable and know what's going on. But, the changes are so quirky that you want to know what is going on and how it will end.

I guess there could be some purists who live for historical accuracy and don't want the timelines messed with. And for those who are the purists, well they don't have to read these books. But for those who want some fun, or often think what if this genre of book is great!

Synopsis

It is a tale of clankers vs darwinist machines.

Prince Aleksander is running away from the Austro-Hungarian Empire after his father, the Grand Duke, and his mother die. Deryn is a girl undercover as a boy in the British Air Force.

Their paths cross on the eve of World War I in this really fun and fantastic adventure series.

My Thoughts

This is the first steampunk book that I have ever read. It is not my favourite genre, but I would read another one.

I thought this was a really cool alternate reality. There was enough the same that it was believable but enough different to make for a really cool science-fiction.

I thought it was neat how the Darwinist airships were a living thing. What a neat idea. It was cool to see how all the systems had to work together for it to work.

As for the story itself, it didn't keep me riveted. The story was good enough but it wasn't something that left me in awe of the originality of the ideas. I think it was because this was a set up book for the rest of the series. There is so much in this world that is different that you do need to set things up for the next book so everyone gets this world. Also, there was a lot of back and forth between Aleksander's story line and Deryn's story line so that did disrupt the flow. All that being said I am looking forward to the next book.

I think this book would be great for 10 and up. Also, while good for both boys and girls, if you have a boy that doesn't want to read, this might be a good book to change his mind with.