Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld

If you like: YA * trilogies * sci-fi * steampunk

Behemoth is the second book Leviathan series. (The final book, Goliath, comes out on September 20—so you should start reading now to catch up.) We pick up this story where we left off in Leviathan, which I always appreciate in a series. Everything that is new and exciting in Leviathan becomes bigger and more intriguing in Behemoth. One mystery from the first book is solved. (Spoilerish: we find out what hatches from the eggs Dr. Barlow has been caring for. I have to say it is one of my favorite creatures yet.) Westerfeld continues to impress with the different creatures he devises in this story.

Behemoth uses the overdone will-they-won’t-they storyline with Alek and Deryn. Westerfeld does give it a bit of a twist, since Alek is unaware that Deryn is female and so oblivious to her interest. The two have strong chemistry, but the reader can’t help but wonder if Alek will feel betrayed when he eventually learns his good friend is interested in him romantically. Although this is a storyline that occurs too frequently, I do think that Westerfeld does a good job of refreshing it.

Behemoth also provides a new landscape. This gives both Deryn and Alek a chance to show their resourcefulness and bravery. Allowing both characters to move off the ship and to shape the war from the ground helps keep the story moving. There are also several new characters introduced, and they help to keep the pace of the storytelling quick. Once you start reading, you will want to keep going straight through to the end.

Westerfeld, Scott. Behemoth. New York: Simon Pulse, 2010. Kindle Edition.