If you like: Fighting
Bears * Tesla * Adventure
Goliath
expands on the mold created by the first two books in the Leviathan series to create a captivating
story. Leviathan, and Behemoth were both fantastical Darwinist
beasts, but Goliath is something new
and different. This does not mean there are no new creatures in Goliath, but they are no longer the
focus of the story. Initially, getting the beasts to strategic positions drives
the series, but in the conclusion Deryn and Alek provide all of the momentum.
The role of the media in
this series also develops in Goliath.
In Behemoth, one reporter gave us a
glimpse into the role of the media in this world. Now we see the integral role
that reporters play, and that movies begin to shape events, as well. Westerfeld
provides an interesting commentary on the role of the media on present day
events through this story. We see how people’s actions are driven by the desire
to be on camera. Though they are just early newsreels in Goliath, it easily represents the way many politicians speak in
sound bites, or people do just about anything to get a reality TV show.
Deryn and Alek teach us a
lot about following your dreams, and the virtues of being loyal. Both characters could make decisions to work towards their goals in spite of the
other, but they don’t. In the end, their mutual respect for each other leads to
a successful outcome that neither could have imagined. Winning does not mean
everyone else has to lose; victory is greater when shared with allies.
Sometimes, the excitement
and hype leading up to a release can lead to disappointment. That is not the
case with Goliath—every few chapters
something unexpected happens, which is a difficult feat in the third
installment of a series. Goliath is
my favorite book of the Leviathan
trilogy; I can’t recommended it highly enough.
Westerfeld,
Scott. Goliath. New York: Simon Pulse,
2011. Kindle edition
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