Goliath (Leviathan #3)

Goliath by Scott Westerfeld is the conclusion of the Leviathan trilogy (except that his last trilogy ended up having four books, so fans can still hope for more!). The premise of the series is that instead of just discovering evolution, Darwin discovered DNA as well. As a result some countries developed machinery while others used DNA to create new type of beasts.

The Leviathan, the British airship, was created from whale DNA. It is a living, breathing ship that flies it crew around the sky. A whole ecosystem exists inside of it.

In this conclusion to the series, Dylan Sharp (actually Deryn disguised as a boy to join the service) and Prince Alek continue to do their part to help bring the war to an end. The Leviathan will make a detour to rescue a scientist who claims to be able to end the war with his contraption - the Goliath.

In this volume, Alek will discover Deryn's secret. The Leviathan will travel to many foreign lands. And a mad scientist will affect the outcome of the war.

Westerfeld has created a dynamic, steampunk alternative history of the Great War. His characters are compelling and his plot genius. Fans of so many different elements of story will delight in this series.

Westerfeld, Scott. (2011). Goliath. New York: Simon Pulse.

Behemoth (Leviathan #2)

Behemoth is the second book in Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan trilogy - set in an alternate history of WWI.

Dylan Sharp is a midshipman on the airship Leviathan - he is actually Deryn Sharp disguised as a boy to be able to serve in the British forces. Along with her usual middy jobs, she is to keep an eye on their prisoner, Alek - who is Austrian royalty disguised as a commoner.

Together Deryn and Alek will influence the outcome of the war in Europe. They are currently headed toward Istanbul - an neutral nation that may decide the course of the war.

In this alternate history the war is between Clankers - those who use machines - and Darwinists - those who splice DNA into new creatures used for everything from transportation to military.

Westerfeld has more imagination that can be contained in one genre. This brilliant series is a must read for fans of science fiction, history, steampunk, and adventure. Gorgeous illustrations by Keith Thompson help readers with stranger creatures that do not exist in our own time.

Westerfeld, Scott. (2010). Behemoth. New York: Simon Pulse.