I picked up this book because it was the first time I had seen video ads for a book. I’m glad that I succumbed to the hype-machine, or I would have never read anything by Westerfeld. It also happens to be the first ‘young-adult’ steampunk book I’d heard about. For those have no idea what I am talking about, check out this video from the Museum of the History of Science, University of Oxford.[Rants about labels like 'young-adult' for another day]
Back to Leviathan. It’s set in pre-World War I Europe, one that is very different from ours. In this world, Charles Darwin has also discovered the structure of DNA, and with it, the ability to tinker with genes. The world of the Darwinists is now powered by genetically engineered beasts. The titular Leviathan is one such marvel – an airship fashioned from a whale. Bacteria in it’s gut produce hydrogen to keep it afloat, while millions of cilia help it move. The Leviathan is more like a floating ecosystem with talking messenger lizards, glow-worms, flying medusae, and hydrogen-sniffing spider/dog hybrids. (It reminded me of the floating ‘behemothaurs’ from Iain M Banks’ Look to Windward)
Opposing the Darwinists are the Clankers, who consider genetic engineering an abomination. True to their name, their world is powered by massive steam-powered machines, that resemble the Walkers from Star Wars . Although they use kerosene/diesel as their fuel, this is a world in which the internal combustion engine has not yet been discovered.
Leviathan is a two-threaded narrative, with Westerfeld using each to introduce us to our protaganists, as well as the world they live in. Alek, the son of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, is on the run following the assassination of his parents. The Darwinists are represented by Daryn Sharp, a 16-year old girl who has joined the British Air Service masquerading as a boy. As expected, our heroes come together, with unexpected consequences for their world.
Westerfeld does an excellent job in fleshing out his world, ably supported by the wonderful illustrations of Keith Thompson. The characters might seem a bit stereotypical, but I suspect we will learn more as the series progresses. Westerfeld is also a very good story-teller, packing the book with enough action to keep one happy. The only disappointment, if I can call it that, is that I have to wait for the next book in the series to come out.
tl;dr Well worth a read. May not buy a copy for myself, but would gift it to a younger relative.