Reviewed by Shravan
January 16, 2024
Leviathan is a steampunk series by Scott Westerfeld. It combines the past with the future, in the setting of World War 1, with fabricated animals, moving land battleships, and armored walkers. It has an amazing level of detail, combined with action and adventure. It also has some very unique aspects, such as showing both sides of the conflict. I would rate this series 5 Stars. I absolutely loved reading it, and I enjoyed every page. I can give this an age rating of ages 10+, because of the violence involved, as well as being harder to understand compared to other books.
In this series, Alek and Deryn are the 2 main characters, on opposite sides of the war. Alek, even as prince must flee from his home country after his parents are assassinated, and try to seek refuge, with a loyal band of men to protect him. Deryn must try to fake being a boy to join the Royal Air Service to fight for her country in the war. She wishes to be part of an airship, a massive fabricated beast that flies in the air. Unfortunately, after successfully joining the Royal Air Service, her airship crashes, coincidentally, very close to where Alek and his group of men are in refuge.
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Common Questions About Leviathan
What age is the Leviathan series appropriate for?
The Leviathan series is recommended for ages 10-14 (Grades 5th-8th). It's set during World War 1 with steampunk technology: fabricated animals, moving land battleships, and armored walkers. There's violence involved and the concepts are harder to understand compared to simpler books, so it works best for older readers. I absolutely loved reading it and rated it 5 Stars.
What order should I read the Leviathan series?
Read in order: Leviathan, Behemoth, and Goliath. The story follows two main characters on opposite sides of the war: Alek, a prince who must flee after his parents are assassinated, and Deryn, a girl who disguises herself as a boy to join the Royal Air Service. Their paths cross when Deryn's airship crashes near Alek's hiding place.
Is the Leviathan series steampunk?
Yes, Leviathan is one of the best steampunk series for young readers. Scott Westerfeld creates an alternate World War 1 where one side uses fabricated living creatures (giant airship-beasts, engineered animals) and the other uses mechanical walkers and steam-powered machines. The level of detail in the world-building is amazing. If your kid likes Leviathan, check out the Uglies series by the same author on BookVine.
How many Leviathan books are there?
There are 3 books in the Leviathan series by Scott Westerfeld. One of the coolest things about these books is that they show both sides of the conflict, so you understand both perspectives. The series also features detailed illustrations by Keith Thompson that bring the steampunk world to life.
Leviathan is recommended for ages 10 - 14 (Grades 5th - 9th) with Lexile scores ranging from 790L to 790L.