“This trilogy is so incredible, made even more memorable by Alan Cummings amazing and masterful narration.”

Review by Erin Phillips

All three books in Scott Westerfeld’s around-the-world, steampunk adventure trilogy, now collected together in one ebook bundle!

Leviathan
Behemoth
Goliath

Prince Aleksander, would-be heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battletorn war machine and a loyal crew of men.

Deryn Sharp is a commoner, disguised as a boy in the British Air Service. She’s a brilliant airman. But her secret is in constant danger of being discovered.

With World War I brewing, Alek and Deryn’s paths cross in the most unexpected way…taking them on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure that will change both their lives forever.

This trilogy is an excellent lower YA/upper MG steampunk adventure series that mirrors true events of WWI with new fantastical wrappings! This would be a great series to accompany a grade school study of WWI, especially with the wonderful afterword in each book that distinguishes which parts of the story are real history and which parts were changed.

I also enjoyed how Westerfeld pulled in elements of the industrial revolution, from the invention of machines, the discoveries of Darwin, and the theories of Telsa, giving a fun glimpse at different angles of scientific discovery and their effects on the world.

Alec, Deryn, and Bovril (I LOVE BOVRIL SO MUCH) were such worthy protagonists to follow, to watch them struggle with learning to trust others who are very different, and in many ways enemies, but choosing to seek friendship instead of animosity. The romance is chaste but beautiful, slow-burning and building against hope that Alec and Deryn might end up on the same side of the war when all is over.

This trilogy is so incredible, made even more memorable by Alan Cummings amazing and masterful narration. The illustrations in the books are also so beautiful, and extremely helpful in picturing some of the crazy beasties that are described in the story. While I did greatly enjoy Alan Cummings’ narration, I highly suggest at least having physical copies of this book on hand just for the illustrations alone (one every chapter!)

All in all, I absolutely adore The Leviathan Trilogy! I cried in the closing chapter simply because I realized I had to say goodbye to these characters. It’s a great read for any age or gender, and it’s sure to take you on a wild adventure and steal your heart.

Content Ratings:

4. Some action (mildly detailed battle sequences and/or fights).

1. Very mild content (feel-good vibes but nothing physical--not even kissing).

2. Frequent substitute cursing (commonplace "craps" etc. and book-specific words).

Other Trigger Warnings:

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Our Reviews of Other Books by this author:

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