Ever stumbled upon a book that feels like stepping into an alternate history where science and magic collide? That's 'Leviathan' for me. Scott Westerfeld crafts this wild reimagining of World War I, where the Central Powers wield towering mechanical war machines, and the Allies have genetically engineered beasts as their weapons. The story follows Alek, a fugitive prince on the run, and Deryn, a girl disguised as a boy serving aboard the living airship Leviathan. Their paths cross in this chaotic, steampunk-infused world, and the tension between technology and biology is just chef's kiss.
What really hooked me was how Westerfeld blends real historical events with fantastical elements—like Darwinist fabricated creatures versus Clanker metal monstrosities. The illustrations by Keith Thompson add this gritty, detailed layer that makes the universe pop. It’s not just about war; it’s about identity, survival, and questioning what progress really means. I still get chills thinking about the Leviathan’s first appearance—a floating whale ecosystem!
I picked up 'Leviathan' on a whim, and wow, did it deliver. The premise alone—WWI but with biotech vs. mechs—is such a fresh twist. Alek’s storyline is this desperate scramble across Europe, hiding from enemies who want him dead, while Deryn’s chapters are all about proving herself in a male-dominated military. Their eventual team-up is messy and human, not some instant alliance, which I appreciated.
The Clanker vs. Darwinist conflict mirrors real-world debates about industrialization and nature, but with way more Giant jellyfish warships. Westerfeld’s prose is vivid without being dense, and the pacing rockets along like one of those Clanker engines. Also, minor shoutout to Dr. Barlow and her mysterious Eggs—such a cool subplot. It’s a book that balances spectacle with heart, and the ending leaves you itching for the next installment. Definitely a standout in YA steampunk.
If you love adventure with a side of political intrigue, 'Leviathan' is a must-read. The way Westerfeld splits the narrative between Alek and Deryn gives this dual perspective that’s super engaging. Alek’s struggle to reclaim his throne while evading capture feels like a high-stakes chess game, while Deryn’s journey as a girl in disguise adds layers of tension and humor. The world-building is insane—imagine war dirigibles made from whale DNA or walking tanks straight out of a dieselpunk nightmare.
And the characters! Deryn’s wit and Alek’s growth from spoiled royalty to a leader had me rooting for them hard. The book doesn’t shy away from the ethics of genetic manipulation or the cost of war, either. Plus, the banter between the crew of the Leviathan is gold. It’s one of those stories where every detail feels deliberate, from the slang ('barking spiders!' ) to the rival factions’ ideologies. I Blasted through it in a weekend and immediately hunted down the sequels.
Leviathan' is like if someone took history class and tossed in genetically engineered beasts and steam-powered walkers. Alek’s journey from prince to fugitive is packed with close calls, and Deryn’s secret adds this layer of risk to her aerial adventures. The Leviathan itself—a living airship—is such a creative centerpiece. The book’s strength is its blend of action and deeper themes, like loyalty and the cost of war. Plus, the art gives it this extra punch. A total page-turner.
2025-12-04 00:36:09
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Blurb
Ever since the war, humans were no longer the world's dominator.
Supernatural creatures broke the peace treaty and colluded together to overthrew humans’ rule.
After we failed completely in the battlefield, they decided to ‘purge’ the world of evil humanity. I survived from death in that brutal slaughter but was captured and imprisoned in a dungeon where I had now lived for five years.
Business was the only reason why they kept immatures and even spared us shelter and food. When we reached 18, we’d be sold as slaves.
That night I was bought by a mysterious guest and taken to somewhere I had never been to or heard of. My work was to serve three noble masters residing there. They were all supernatural, but decent and reasonable. So it’s better for me to carry out the plan for escaping. It all went well until someone attacked me.
And the secret behind us began to be revealed.
I met evil when I was a teenager. It never left me after that, hovered over me like a dark cloud, followed me everywhere.
When I least expected, he barged into my life like he owned it.
Kidnapped and vulnerable, I am trapped on a stranded island with no way out. There's nowhere I can hide.
I am afraid. I fear his gentleness more than his cruelity. I don't know if I can survive this but I do know that one of us will be ruined by the time this ends.
Every princess dreams about meeting a prince charming. I don't get the prince, I get the King who wants to rule over everything.
He's a Beast but I am no Belle.
The Beauty changed the beast. The Beast fell in love with her. A beautiful fairytale it was.
The Beast doesn't love me, I can't tame him.
This isn't a love story. It's a story of obsession.
18+. Not your traditional Mafia Romance. Proceed with Caution.
Elijah and Corbin are the best of friends growing up around their older family and friends. Elijah has always had strong feelings when it comes to his friend. He likes to give her all of his time when they are together. So, when another comes between them Elijah's jealousy kills their friendship. They become the worst of enemies.
Corbin used to love going to the palace when she was younger. It all changed one summer when her ex-best friend hurt her because she was getting attention from someone else.
Growing up these two find themselves. Elijah, losing his sister, one day she just ups and disappears leaving him to become the next King of Werewolves. He puts all his effort into becoming the best King possible even if he is the second born. Becoming strong and domineering. Corbin becomes a beautiful young woman. Friendly and outgoing, everyone flocks to her like a magnet. She goes to the palace knowing that Elijah is away at Alpha school. Until the day that her dad’s make her attend Elijah graduation and his eighteenth birthday ball. What will happen when these two meet after their eighteenth birthdays and find that they are Fated Mates?
When you're on the brink of death, does humanity still exist?
Clementia must learn to trust people again after surviving a blocked elevator into a zombie apocalypse or risk losing everything in this horrific world. Every day for Clementia over the last two years has been a haze. She keeps her head down, hangs out with the folks she despises the most, and only leaves the house to work at her required internship. But everything changes the day the workplace elevator breaks down, trapping her as the screaming begins. When the doors eventually open, revealing a dystopian world ravaged by bleeding fangs and sickness, Clementia is thrust into a horrifying race for her life, stuck between strangers she's not sure she can trust and man-eating creatures hungry for her flesh.
With that, she realized that the whole city was filled by those monsters. And she is now forced to flee for her life, and she must learn not only how to live in this new and frightening environment, but also how to fight her own inner demons before they lose her something more valuable than her life. But then she met Justine, the one who would help her live in this chaotic life, and together they will fight in a world where a virus has spread, turning the majority of the people into flesh-eating monsters, as they both connote safety and unity.
To mend his broken heart and forget his ex-fiancée, Jasson Luther decided to go back to the island of Isla Lutherio, where he was born and raised. Nonetheless, instead of resting and easing his thoughts, he grew more upset and concerned when his heart became engaged again— which is when he met Samara, his lady butler, and personal driver's daughter.
How can he manage his unwanted feelings toward a young girl? For heaven's sake, Samara is eighteen years younger than he is. He may be accused of being a cradle snatcher, and he may even be mistaken for a pedophile.
And to avoid his unexplainable feelings for the girl, he diverts his attention to others—ladies his age.
However, the more he avoids his feelings, the more intense they become. He couldn't stand seeing her dissatisfied and sullen expression towards him. He couldn't help being envious of every male associated with the girl.
How long can he hold back his feelings for Samara? Will he be able to let her be with another guy despite their feelings for each other?
Or will he be able to fight for his love against Samara’s entire clan?
The Leviathan' by Thomas Hobbes is one of those works that feels like it unpacks itself differently every time I revisit it. At its core, it grapples with the necessity of absolute sovereignty to prevent chaos—a social contract where individuals surrender freedoms for collective security. Hobbes’s vision is bleak but compelling: human nature, left unchecked, leads to a 'war of all against all,' and only a powerful, centralized authority (the 'Leviathan') can impose order.
What fascinates me is how this theme resonates in modern politics and even dystopian fiction. You see echoes of Hobbes in everything from '1984' to debates about government surveillance. The book’s gritty realism about human selfishness makes it timeless, though I sometimes wonder if Hobbes underestimated our capacity for cooperation without coercion.
Leviathan' by Scott Westerfeld is one of those books that sticks with you because of its vivid characters. The protagonist is Deryn Sharp, a brilliant and daring girl disguised as a boy to serve in the British Air Service—her wit and courage make her unforgettable. Then there’s Alek, the Austro-Hungarian prince on the run after his parents' assassination, carrying this mix of privilege and vulnerability that makes his arc so compelling. The story’s a wild ride of clashing worldviews, with Deryn’s Darwinist upbringing and Alek’s staunch Mechanist beliefs. And let’s not forget Dr. Barlow, the enigmatic scientist with her thylacine companion—she’s the kind of character who steals every scene she’s in. The way their paths collide against the backdrop of an alternate WWI is just chef’s kiss.
What I love most is how Westerfeld doesn’t just pit them against each other but forces them to grow together. Deryn’s struggle with her identity and Alek’s coming-of-age under pressure add layers to the adventure. Even side characters like Count Volger and Newkirk have their moments to shine. It’s one of those rare steampunk tales where the cast feels as dynamic as the worldbuilding.