Leviathan is a steampunk alternative history novel written by Scott Westerfeld. It follows two alternating perspectives on opposite types of technological advancement until their paths eventually collide. It’s set in a dual POV that follows Alek, a lost prince, and Deryn, a girl masquerading as a boy in the Royal Air Force. It is the first in a three part series that follow the same characters on their journey throughout the world and story within it.

The book itself is based near the beginning of World War I. It holds a small historical accuracy with events that occured while still describing a world that followed two different forms of technology. The ‘Darwinists’ employ genetically modified animals called ‘beasties’ which is the side Deryn comes from. The ‘Clankers’ use steam powered machines and gears instead, which is where Alek hails from.

An interesting writing technique that Westerfeld uses is when the POV’s switch, so does the character’s knowledge and thus the description and views of the world. For example, when Deryn first sees a Clanker walker approaching, she describes it as a “hulking, walking mass of iron” (Westerfeld, Page 218) while Alek describes it as a “German Cyklop Stormwalker, fitted with a 6 turbine diesel engine, a 37mm cannon, and two Spandau machine guns.” (Westerfeld, Page 219)

The story itself starts off a little slow but that’s almost required in order for the reader to not be confused and to be able to follow the world and the entirely new technology that is within it. Westerfeld incorporates these into interesting scenes, rather than lecture the reader in a preamble scene. For example, when Alek and one of his accomplices are dueling, they discuss politics and where Alek stands while simultaneously dueling. The story does include rising tension as the characters can tell war is inevitable and approaching and exercises are performed. It also increases near the end and I was heavily interested in the action that was occuring.

I think that people who enjoy books that follow alternative history paths and enjoy character development and action would enjoy Leviathan, as well as the remaining books in the series. The later books in the series also touch on a more romantic aspect, if a reader prefers something along that aspect. Otherwise, Leviathan and its successors are good reads for those with an interest in steampunk and alternative paths of history.