Behemoth (Leviathan #2) by Scott Westerfeld (2010)

YA Fiction | Historical Fantasy | Steampunk
Blurb:

“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.”
–Goodreads

Book One: LEVIATHAN

pooled ink Review:

Oh my word YES.

Westerfeld is magical. His Uglies Series was epic and now it seems that his Leviathan Trilogy will be too.

A steampunk, fantasy twist on WWI Westerfeld has unleashed an epic tale about two enemies that become allies while the world is tearing itself apart. Deryn is just as spunky as ever, oh that clever girl, and Alek remains as resourcefully smart and hopelessly proper as ever. In this sequel to Leviathan the ship pays a visit to Constantinople, I mean Istanbul…it depends on who you ask, the Brits or the locals. Regardless, the British Air Service embarks on a mission that goes a tad awry and only enemies can save them.

New characters, new cultures, new forces, and new politics are brought into play in Behemoth expanding the story’s reach and sailing across countries capturing the war of the world. Along with the war below there remain tensions in the air aboard ship. The British sailors still struggle to trust the Austro-Hungarian royals and vice versa although at this point one can’t survive without the other, Deryn struggles deeper with keeping her secret from Prince Alek, and both Dr. Nora Barlow and Count Volger remain the supreme clever boots of the whole series.

Honestly thrilling, historically fascinating, and exquisitely fantastical Behemoth continues the Leviathan Trilogy without missing a beat or slowing the pace. The world is at war and a couple of rogues are in the thick of it.

Cheers.

Originally reviewed via Goodreads on December 26, 2014

 Purchase here: Behemoth 

Check out the rest of the series: Leviathan (Leviathan #1), and Goliath (Leviathan #3)