Leviathan: Alternately Fantastic History

Leviathan – it sounds like a monster that haunted the dream of ancient people. Yes, it is actually that. But in this article I won’t talk about that, instead I would like to talk about the Leviathan trilogy by Scot Westerfeld. And the whole trilogy is totally awesome.

The thing about this series is that it is based on an alternate history of World War I which is also called the Great War. Writing about this book can greatly spoil the book because its rich with a new kind of history, not something you actually know. There is an official trailer which can give you a basic idea about the book, but it’s totally brief to understand if you don’t know the basic history of World War I.

I decided to write an article after I’ve finished the book, but I just couldn’t get the time to finish the old article I started at that time. So writing this article would be a little hard as I am not that good at remembering much information. Fortunately two factors – I know the history, at least the basic, of World War I, and this book was so awesome that I remember a lot than I generally do.

Now, without further ado let’s start… (But first a label of warning, and an introduction to the introduction of the book)

Alert: This article may contain unintentional spoilers to the Leviathan series by Scot Westerfeld, though much caution has been taken while writing this. Please read the book (and if you don’t now, then of course read it after reading this article).

Section A: Introductions

Part 1: Introduction of how I am introduced

The introduction to the series was from a recommendation list by Rick Riordan titled “Rick’s Reading Recommendations”, and when I saw that it is based on an alternate history and Rick said that “history was never this much fun”. So, I just searched a bit about it and read the synopsis. The trailer was also great. And I got strapped in the ride with Alexander and Deryn (who are they? Coming next…).

Part 2: Introducing the book

Introducing to the book would be great if you just watch the trailer. Still, I will write a bit introducing the series to you and it wouldn’t be complicated if you know the history.

The whole situation started as similarly as our history: the murder of Prince Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary Empire, and two sides – axis and allies – started to wage war against each other. In this case there are two teams: Darwinists and Clankers. Darwinists are animal lovers and uses animals in all their works, but Clankers relies on machines.

The story starts from Alex’s point-of-view and then goes on to Deryn Sharp who disguises herself as Dylan Sharp of the Leviathan air-beast. Yes, the name of the first book and series came from this beast’s name. And this ship plays a very important role in the whole story.

Let’s not go very far, and talk about the first book and then continue to the next books.

Section B: The Books

Book 1: Leviathan

The first book, Leviathan, is just so awesome you can’t get away from it if you start reading it. If you like to read history, this book is for you (also the series). If you like zeppelins, airships and large war vessels, this book is also for you. If you like mystery, politics, romance, action and more genres, this book is definitely for you. The thing is whatever you like – Scot has written them in a different but fantastic way.

Leviathan starts from Alek’s point-of-view. Alek is the short for Aleksander who’s the son of Ferdinand the Archduke of Hohenburg the then Austria-Hungary Empire. Yes, I know that there was no son of Prince Ferdinand named Aleksander. This book is based on an alternate history, as such, you can find some differences in this universe of World War I with the plot here.

The whole series gives you point-of-views from Alek and Deryn Sharp. It is kind of fun to read from a boy’s POV and then a girl’s POV, and then reading from a nobleman’s POV and then a commoner’s POV – both from different backgrounds and anatomy. Just remember that both POVs will collide at one point.

So, Alek is now a fugitive running from his family and so called ‘allies’. His own country seems to be against him. So, with some of his trusted men Alek got out with a Stormwalker in the dead night. On other hand, Deryn Sharp got inside Air Service of British Empire disguising herself as a boy. After some dramatic incidents, she’s admitted as a midshipman of ‘Leviathan’, a giant airship or more perfectly an “air beast”.

The common thing among these protagonists is they both are hiding something. Don’t worry mystery lovers, Scott Westerfeld won’t go easy on you. The tangled plot is so riddled that you’ll be fool to guess what comes next.

To say, this book mainly sets up the plot for the next two books of the series. Leviathan also gives you taste of the romance that is about to come next. This book developed the story of the alternate universe and its systems. The complex structure of politics, the different administrations, the military and the lifestyle that stars in the book will amaze you.

Book 2: Behemoth

The second book is something that creates a conflicted mystery between the two books. More settings are found in this book where you can see how old Ottoman Empire is in the alternate universe and how the central Europe’s powers affected this system.

If you’ve read the first book you must’ve enjoyed the set up of Dr. Barlow. I also like this character for her intelligence and the way she empowers the story building a mystery and plot rivaling others. Scott did a cool job giving her the torch to lead the story though she might not be the most main characters of the book.

And for the ones thinking about Alek, I would say that things got more tangled in Behemoth than before. And I should say you guessed right, that Deryn Sharp is attached with this entanglement like super superglue. The mystery around them and the mystery between them intensifies in this book as each gets clues of other’s.

For Darwinists lovers and Clankers fans, you can find new things to come that are awesome. New creatures and the way they live including the old ones you were introduced would of course attract you. There are also some historical machines and crafts starring in the book, also some new imagined machines for sake of the alternate history.

This book is more of a life-and-death situation and building of this theme for the next book. Scott Westerfeld engaged his characters in this plot expertly. Politics is more intense here with the old glimpses of romance charging the story. Action is of course available with Deryn getting more involved than Alek in new ways.

Book 3: Goliath

Those who have read Behemoth will of course eagerly snatch the book and start reading the third and final book of this trilogy. The strings of mystery that were left unsolved should create some deep charges (I mean literally too) in the story. Alternate history is a part of this plot, but new historical characters will change the whole thing.

You might not enjoy the way Nikola Tesla part goes (though Nikola Tesla was working on inventions like “death ray” and some other unimaginable ones, I like Tesla because of how less he comes in the popular media though he had done many works), but for alternate history it is something to look forward to because you’ll know a different version of Tesla. Goliath is a book now for science or sci-fi lovers (the others are too, but this involves more physics and related scientific features), politics lovers, mystery lovers and most definitely romance lovers. You can find why it goes for a good romance in the dedication part of the book, and also the ending.

Goliath is not a complete ending, rather a successful ending that leaves strings for something new. Alek and Deryn Sharp are now overwhelmingly tangled inside threads of mysteries. Dealing with one mystery would’ve been satisfactory for mystery lovers, but Scott had gone beyond that.

Readers will definitely wait to see the ending after they read the past two books. You can discover new lands in this alternate history and many of them are top world powers in reality. So it would be very fascinating to find out how Scott arranged them in his own version of history.

Famous figures will be available, with betrayals and assassinations. Secrets will be more compressed but will spread all around the story.

I definitely love the ending. I love the way Scott made it happen. So, for some eager guys, I am trying to see if there are any ways for any more stories to pull out. Yes, Scott can do that, but I am saying about me. Anyway, Deryn Sharp and Alek is now more conflicted than ever.

So, get your Leviathan trilogy set and finish the whole series, because if you miss it, I don’t think you’ll find another chance to recover that.

Section C: Structure

Part 1: Characters

The characters in this book are definitely something you will like. I am not only talking about humans, but beasties that make it a great experience reading this book. Before going away I want to spill a bean that just wants to get out (SPOILER!): I like Bovril!

Now, as I’ve lightened the burden on my chest, it’s convenient for me to write about the characters.

The character Alek is of course not an adult, but he’s got status over most of the adults. He’s got superiority on a Count and some others because of that though they’re much more skillful in certain aspects than Aleksander. Alek also has certain blockades before him as a member of the aristocracy. Though Deryn Sharp is his best friend, there are still problems he has to face with her (or as he knows, “him”). There are also some problems like diplomatic relationship with the political powers, and how he adapts and tackles the problems. These all make him into a new person at the end of the book, and for that I was very impressed of how he develops over the three books.

The other character that is equally as important as Alek (as she’s the other leading character) is Deryn Sharp. She’s got different status and not a very important person in the society. She’s also a commoner and has dreams that are unreachable from her position and situation. She has very different but complex blockades that become much harder than Alek in the last two books. As I’ve said earlier, her relation with her best friend is very open than most of others, but it is also filled with secrets and various barriers before. Another important threat she has to face is the chance of her identity being revealed and about the disaster she might face and about the disaster the people she loves will face. Deryn doesn’t completely change as much as Alek (I mean Deryn’s is huge, but Alek’s is +2 huger) in the end of the book, but her development and coping with the situation is totally impressing. I like her not only because she is kind of superhero, but she’s also a person with heart that is filled with conflicts and many of our normal human emotions. She represents most of the readers as she tries being a hero in her own way but facing problems that we might face in her situation as a general person.

The other character I’d like to bring is Dr. Barlow. Though she is among the second stage leading role, her indirect role in the story is totally very awesome. She’s much like Deryn but with much composed manner and strategic steps than Deryn. Her role of a diplomatic is very impressive. And I also like her ways of handling things around her (how she doesn’t get surprised, mostly).

The next character is Count Volger. He also plays a similar role as Dr. Barlow and makes some turning effects on the decisions and actions of the leading characters just like her. The Wildcount’s way of handling problems is totally great, but different than Dr. Barlow. While Dr. Barlow takes strategies that are less violent and less dangerous (at least sometimes), Count’s actions are very quick and kind of risky. I very much like his relation with Alek and how he handled Deryn as she’s a commoner to be a friend of an aristocrat prince. I am not a fan of the Count, but I like his role in the story.

There the anti characters too. While we don’t actually get a particular villain in the first two books, the third book is little more specific with that. The antagonists with big role or small role, are both perfectly structured to play in the plot. Their direct and indirect contribution to the story and the effect it creates on the characters is also praiseworthy.

Other characters are also placed and designed nicely. I wouldn’t go in more depth because the article will be a gigantic short-book; so instead jump to the next structural point…

Part 2: The “Afterword”

The “Afterword” part at the end of each book is totally great for the history lovers. Here Scott Westerfeld compares the fictional alternate history and the real history. He gives us the information of what he has taken from the real world, how much he changed, what new things he added and more…

Those who know the history of World War I, at least the basic, will of course want to read several facts that have contributed in the history but didn’t get much spotlight when it comes to the other ‘big’ issues. It is impressive to know how small things can change a lot, and it was great to know how Scott has altered and added several of these small things and made a big contribution in his story.

This part is also great for writers and also readers. Scott explains how this alternate history and this new universe is made, how much inspiration and materials he have taken from around us, and what he thinks important for the characters and the story. These all are truly great to know.

Part 3: Point-of-view

The point-of-view in this story has only two character’s POV though they collide at the end. There is another small POV from not-a-character at the end of Goliath. Anyway, the POV was great to read from different perspectives.

Reading from Alek’s point-of-view gives you the experience of an aristocrat with a pride and hope of being the heir to a powerful position. You will also get the vibe of how a person with high status in the society acts and talks, and how much limitations he has though he’s a human and though he’s an aristocrat.

Reading from Deryn’s POV gives you the experience that you’re hiding something. Deryn also gives the vibe of a free minded person who likes adventures and doing things that are totally risky but very enjoyable. Her way of working in Leviathan and how she interacts with other characters can also be noticed. The other thing about both Alek and Deryn’s POV is that though we know both their secrets, they each don’t know the others – and that’s what makes it much cool to read.

Part 4: Illustrations

I’d be a fool and very mistaken if I don’t mention the impressive awesome illustrations you can see in the book. The illustrations are by Keith Thompson. He has done quite a good job with the detailed arts on various scenes, so much that I thought it’d be better to put the illustrations than the covers.

I am not actually a person who patiently reads the scene the characters are in. But Scott’s new alternate world build a curiosity in me to read those scene (though I was dying to know what happens next, I read those because I know they contribute to a good story and make you understand the situation). Still, comparing and adjusting the images with my imagination would’ve been hard if I didn’t see the illustrations by Keith.

They were much filled with small to big details of the scene including the expressions that attracts the observers. The beasties or the clanker ships are more intimidating when you see how they actually look in the imagination of a writer. Though it is not colored, the simple facts highlighted will catch your attention clearly. The pose of the characters and other not-so-important details are also highlighted here.

I can even say that you can make an animation adaptation of this series if you just add colors to these illustrations and add a few more scenes with the help of Keith, and some casts for voices. You think I am probably kidding, but still I think we could make a great homemade film with these illustrations that can compete with several cinemas especially in streaming services.

Section D: Epilogue

Part 1: A bit to criticizing

The thing about the books I like is that there are barely anything to criticize, still I’ve found some loopholes, and I think might be important to notice.

It is noteworthy that in book 2 (Behemoth) it is said that Elephant is a divine animal or at least a sacred animal in Islam or among Muslims. But as far as I know, in Chapter 105 of Qur’an (the holy book of Muslims), it is said that Allah has punished “the Companions of the Elephant” because of their “treacherous plan”. So, I don’t know how can that make an Elephant divine? I am not saying we’ll hate Elephants and kill them wherever we get, but it wasn’t the Elephants’ fault their drivers had used them for bad purpose – but it’s not actually divine. But as far as I know, camels are termed as somewhat related to the religion.

Another important thing is about Nikola Tesla. I’ve said earlier about this and I’d like to brief a bit about it again. The thing about Nikola Tesla is his inventions were seen differently at that time than it is seen now. Transferring energy wirelessly has been seen as a potential weapon (still, don’t take my word on that. I just got that idea from…), but now it’s just a new way to make things better, a way to send energy to remote places. There’s even a village in United States where buses are charged wirelessly. Things are going forward with various researches. But Tesla was the pioneer. Though some of his ideas were wild or some deathly, I still like him (at least sympathy for him) because of how less we see him normally whereas we know various other scientists of his time. I am just a little unhappy because of his interpretation in this series.

The United States theme is also a little controversial for me. United States is divided in two parts: Clankers and Darwinists in two different directions: north and south. I just don’t like reliving to the Civil War vibe where the north fought the south over the issue of slave. Maybe Scott didn’t intend that, but keeping it mixed up and not divided would be great.

Another thing is that there are no mention of the old lady (I won’t say the name) and how she’s contributing to the new administration or what her role is. And I would like to know why the old woman’s granddaughter couldn’t be in a central position though she did play a big role in the whole thing in Behemoth. The thing I am most suspicious about is that though these two persons have played a great role in that ‘thing’ and lost a dear one, they didn’t get a position they deserve as a leader and strategic partner in the whole ‘thing’.

I don’t think I can come up with anything more to criticize. The thing about alternate history is that it is related to the reality but still full of fiction. So if you don’t find relations to the real world, you can’t say it is wrong or there is a problem there. Still, these few points has been brought to your attention in a hope that you’ll try to understand more about them when you read the books.

Part 2: Conclusion

Another thing about my favorite books is that I cannot stop talking about them. Still I’ve tried my best to brief my words, bring up the important points, and not repeat the words you’ve heard once (except some very important ones). Here’re few points that I think should be brought to your attention.

I’ve said earlier that I wrote an article but it wasn’t complete when I wrote. Well, actually it was partially correct as I couldn’t remember how much I’ve finished writing. The thing is I’ve written about the three books from my fresh memory at that time, so it was easy to copy, paste and edit then. I hope you don’t think I am overstating my experience about the book after knowing this. (I didn’t remove the sentence about this because it is linked to several others; and mostly because I don’t like to revise.)

Another thing I did while writing this article was keeping in mind that I would have to cover up as much as possible so that the readers won’t get the plot or I won’t spoil the book. If you notice you can see that I’ve become more vague as I came down from book one, to two and then to three. I hope I didn’t spoil still. It was hard to write about some important points while not spoiling the book (especially about the old lady; I had the urge to say their name, still I think I spoiled there a bit).

Reading the book was fun, and I suggest you read the book. Scott Westerfeld is a bestselling author and he also has experiences and a lot of knowledge that will attract you. If you have read the whole article you know how excited I got while writing this article, so just think of my excitement when I was reading. Here’s a small example:

The screen of my e-book reader was making some problems, but when I read few initial chapters I got into it. Though my eyes couldn’t look at the words because of the technical issue for some times for a long time, I still went on reading it. So, I hope you’ll read it too. (And by the way, the problem is partially sorted out. I may fix the problem soon.)

And before leaving, please check out the links at the end where you’ll find some suggested links which will lead you to more about books, and also more about Scott and other materials related to the Leviathan series.

About

Author’s note: There’s nothing more to say for I’ve said a lot. As I’ve finished writing this article, I already finished writing some more about other books. So, don’t think this wait I just sat around lazy or was too much busy to read (honestly, reading is something you will love very much when you start reading). I am also planning to read the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld which was also a New York Times Bestselling series.

I’ve also tried my best to do a nice and quick article-art while I was busy. I hope you don’t find it bad and “judge the book by its cover”. This might not be as good as my old ones, but I tried to give credit to the illustrator plus not spoil the books. I have only pasted the arts as it is but not removed any part.

Just take one thing from all these (maybe I am kidding): read books especially the genre you like. And just try the books I’ve recommended till now. And with that: bye, for now.

Copyright credits: The article art is edited by Md. Iman Anwar. The Leviathan logo is taken from Leviathan book published by Simon Schuster, and edited by Md. Iman Anwar. The illustrations of Leviathan, Alek, Deryn and other black-and-white arts are by Keith Thompson.

The red rectangle and “Alternately Fantastic History”, and “An Iman Notes article” are by Md. Iman Anwar. No copyright infringement intended, as through this art Iman Awakens doesn’t earn any profit or intend to do so.

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