Behemoth

Starred review from September 13, 2010
The action is nonstop in Westerfeld's thrilling sequel to last year's Leviathan—fans of that book won't be disappointed. It's 1914 in the author's alternate world, the great powers are moving toward full-scale war, and Deryn, still posing as a boy, has found a place as a midshipman aboard the gigantic, living British airship Leviathan as it sails east on its secret mission to Istanbul. When Austria-Hungary enters the conflict, her friend Alek, the runaway heir to that empire, realizes that he must escape from the airship to avoid imprisonment, giving Deryn "a chance not just to help Alek but to change the course of the whole barking war." Battles abound between eccentric fighting machines and even stranger fabricated "beasties" as Deryn and Alek prove their courage and ingenuity while putting themselves in harm's way. This exciting and inventive tale of military conflict and wildly reimagined history should captivate a wide range of readers. Thompson's evocative and detailed spot art (as well as the luridly gorgeous endpapers) only sweetens the deal. Ages 12–up.

BEHEMOTH, which follows Westerfeld's LEVIATHAN, is the fiercest creature in the British navy. It's 1914 in this steampunk story, which includes events from WWI. Deryn poses as a boy named Dylan in order to be a midshipman for the English Darwinists. She meets and helps Alek, who's posing as a commoner because he's in danger as heir to the Hapsburg Empire. Narrator Alan Cumming skillfully keeps this complex and compelling story on track. The gorgeous descriptions, dramatic dialogue, and offbeat humor are enhanced by his nuanced performance. An afterword by Westerfeld helpfully explains what is true and what is not. S.G.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine