Goliath (Leviathan) (The Leviathan Trilogy) by Scott Westerfeld (2012-08-21)

I have greatly enjoyed Scott Westerfeld's "Leviathan" trilogy. It breathes new life into an often-overlooked historical event -- the first World War -- and uses its steampunk and biopunk elements to serve the plot and build a richly realized setting rather than using it as a cheap gimmick as some "steampunk" novels are wont to do. Both the previous books, "Leviathan" and "Behemoth," were fascinating and vastly entertaining, and I had high hopes for the final book in the series, which I hoped would tie everything together and provide us with a satisfying conclusion. And for the most part, I wasn't disappointed -- while there are some unresolved plot threads remaining, the central story of Deryn and Alek comes to an epic and enjoyable conclusion.

British midshipman Deryn, a girl disguising herself as a boy to serve aboard the living airship "Leviathan," and Austrian prince Alek, the last living heir to the throne and on the run from the German army, have just left the Ottoman Empire after having instigated a revolution that has kept said Empire from joining the Clanker side of the war. Now the "Leviathan" is off on another mission... to rescue a brilliant but eccentric scientist named Nikola Tesla from the wastes of Siberia, and transport him to New York City so he might complete a superweapon, Goliath, that he claims can end the war forever. But their journey is a perilous one, leading to detours in Japan, San Francisco, and Mexico... and along the way, Alek finally learns the truth about Deryn's identity. Will this revelation shatter the trust between the daring air-woman and the fugitive prince? And is Tesla's weapon truly the key to ending the war, or is the great scientist a fraud... or worse, completely mad enough to destroy entire cities to make his point?

Westerfeld deftly weaves steampunk fiction with historical fact to create an epic adventure. Those who think all historical fiction is dry and uninteresting will find otherwise in this book. Granted, the real WWI didn't have mechanical battle walkers and airships made of whale, jellyfish, and manta-ray DNA, but it's still nice to see new light shed on a war that doesn't get much attention, and Westerfeld is careful to note in his books' afterwords what's historically accurate and what is fiction. And seeing actual historical figures included as supporting characters -- Charles Darwin, Nikola Tesla, William Randalph Hearst, Pancho Villa, etc. -- makes for an exciting treat.

Deryn and Alek are great protagonists as well. It's hard not to like Deryn's feisty nature and determined attitude, and Alek is a surprisingly sympathetic character as a young man burdened with huge responsibility who just wants to do the right thing. Over the course of both "Behemoth" and "Goliath" there's been a romance brewing between the two of them (largely one-sided until Alek learns the truth about "Dylan's" gender), but it's handled realistically and doesn't overtake the plot to an absurd degree. Too often YA romance feels way too heavy-handed, comes from the tiresome "love at first sight" angle, and/or completely hijacks an otherwise interesting plot. Here, it feels realistic, doesn't hijack plot or characters, and adds to the story rather than detracting from it.

If I have any complaints regarding this book, it's that Westerfeld tries to cram too many settings into it. The first book was focused mostly on Great Britain and Austria, while the second largely took place in the Ottoman Empire. This book leaps from Russia to Japan to San Francisco to Mexico to New York, as if the author realized he wanted to show off more of his alternate Earth and had to hurry to pack it all in. As a consequence, we don't get to explore any of these countries in much depth. Perhaps we'll see more in a spinoff series, should Westerfeld choose to write it...

Aside from the above (minor) complaint, "Goliath" is a satisfying conclusion to an epic trilogy, one I thoroughly enjoyed. If you like steampunk, the "Leviathan" books are a must-read. If you just like a good adventure story, or at the very least a good YA series that doesn't fall back on a cloying romance to carry the entire plot, you still should read these books. You won't be disappointed.

Goliath was a perfect close to an amazing trilogy. The plot specific to the novel itself is complete and individual, while the overarcing plot of the whole trilogy is moved forward at the same comfortable pace established in the first two books. It’s a satisfying mesh of trilogy plot and book plot keeps the reader from getting bored at any moment, and the introduction of how things are in America just added to the fun— at least for me, as an American reader. It was like coming home. I couldn’t wait to see how America developed under its mixing of Darwinist and Clanker influences. Mention of there still being lines drawn from the Civil War— a war that was mentioned as still going on, at least in some ways, for over 50 years now— was so intriguing to me that I could hardly contain myself. I would be ecstatic if Westerfeld wrote a book or two about the American Civil War in this alternate history world. Westerfeld has completely earned my respect and awe in his writing of this trilogy, and I am sad to be finished with it.

After narrowly escaping the Tesla canon in Istanbul, the Leviathan heads east with Deryn and Alek in tow, where they are expected to pick up a mysterious new passenger. The newcomer is secretive and quirky to the extreme: his eccentricities put Deryn on edge, but his claims of having a device that will end the war intrigue Alek. As secrets are revealed and the Leviathan continues east to the United States, dodging enemies along the way, Deryn will make some important choices about her future and the decisions Alek must make will affect the entire world.

Goliath is an outstanding finale to this imaginative and vivid steampunk trilogy. Once again, Westerfeld masterfully balances the intrigue and politics of the great war between the Darwinists and Clankers with Alek and Deryn's dynamic and unique friendship. The tensions between the two run high as Alek finally discovers the truth about Deryn, and there is plenty of drama as they try to figure where they stand with each other. Alek also experiences many personal conflicts as he puts his trust in a weapon in order to bring an end to the war, and is ultimately tested to his limits. A few old characters resurface as complications arise and provide some well-needed insight and comic relief to the story. Everything in Goliath builds to an electrifying confrontation with a breathless and very satisfactory ending. This final book is full of adventure, plenty of skulking about, moral dilemmas, and no shortage of action. It will be very hard to let go of Alek, Deryn, the perspicacious loris, and the rest of Westerfeld's magnificent world.

Cover Comments: I love this cover--the yellow/gray background, and I am liking the portrayal of the characters a lot! Very cool!

A fun conclusion to Scott Westerfeld's steampunk retelling of World War I. (Now with Nikola Tesla! At this point, I'm half-convinced that Westerfeld kept adding characters of new nationalities to the story just to hear audiobook reader Alan Cumming do more accents.) The action is as great as ever, and Alek's inevitable discovery of Deryn's big secret is handled probably about as well as it could have been. My only real complaint is that the book doesn't really conclude the larger stakes of the series, so it's a shame the author doesn't seem to be planning anything further.

The around-the-world adventure continues in the third book of Scott Westerfeld's "Leviathan" series, Goliath. After aiding the revolution in Istanbul, which kept Turkey from joining the war on the Clanker side, Alec, Deryn, and the Leviathan are off to the frozen tundra of Russia to pick up a new passenger, the famous Nikola Tesla.

Dr. Tesla is the world's leading expert on electrical forces and machines. In Russia, he has been building new devices for the Clankers, but now wants to defect to the Darwinist side. And just in time too: his latest, and grandest, achievement is nearing completion, and Tesla believes that it may be the key to stopping the war. According to Tesla the device, a gigantic electric generator that draws power from the very planet it sits on, can deliver an explosive charge to any city anywhere in the world, powerful enough to destroy that city. He calls it Goliath.

So from Russia the Leviathan and its crew and passengers are off to America, New York City to be exact, where the Goliath is almost ready for testing. But something that big simply cannot be kept secret, and the Clankers know what Tesla has been up to. The Leviathan will have to cross the ocean quickly to get there before the Germans, who also have a new weapon: an amphibious walker that can be dropped several miles off the coast, and then walk along the ocean floor and come ashore anywhere it chooses.

Scott Westerfeld really turns up the heat in this third, and final, volume of the "Leviathan" series. There are all sorts of tensions surrounding Dr. Tesla, as the Darwinists try to figure out if he is legit or if he is up to something. Deryn is surrounded by controversy as well, as people begin to figure out that she's a girl. You'd think this would help the budding relationship between her and Alec, but how will Alec feel knowing that his new best friend has been lying to him all along?

It's a whirlwind adventure as the Leviathan flies from Russia to Tokyo, across the Pacific to the American west coast, then south and across Mexico to the east coast, then up to New York. And all along the way there is plenty of action, in true Westerfeld style.

I love the way Westerfeld blends true history with fiction. In the world he created for the "Leviathan" series, America is half Darwinist and half Clanker, and is still in civil war at the beginning of the twentieth century. I also like how he added an afterword to each book in the series explaining which parts really happened, and which ones he made up. Not only do you get an exciting story, you also get a little history lesson.

Alan Cumming completes the series as strongly as he began it. For Goliath, Cumming adds a Russian dialect to his impressive repertoire. I always like to see one narrator complete an entire series and Cumming was a good choice for the three Leviathan books.

Steampunk is still something that I'm iffy on. If it wasn't Scott Westerfeld I can't guarantee that I would have started this series, nor can I guarantee that I would have finished it. I don't know what it is about the genre that took me some time to get into. The first book in the series, Leviathan took some adjusting, but had me interested enough to pick up the sequel, Behemoth. By the time I finished Behemoth, I was eagerly anticipating the release of Goliath.

World War I is an interesting story even when it is not tampered with, but in this series it is even more so. The world's powers tend to be one of two things: Darwinists, who make living, breathing creatures that suit their means (such as messenger lizards who can repeat what is spoken to them), or Clankers, who use heavy machinery (such as Walkers, giant machines that they can "walk" inside over long stretches of terrain). And Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination really did set WWI in motion, has a son in this series who is sheltered aboard the living airship Leviathan.

Goliath is, as the others have been, an adventure. But it's also the culmination of a love story. Deryn's secret is revealed and Alek has to come to terms with that and trust her, but also with the feelings that she has for him.

Quite beside the trust issues, there are also the issues of loyalty. Deryn's soldier for a Darwinist power. Alek, a Clanker. Alek believes in destiny and fate intervening. Deryn believes that you make your own destiny. The end comes to sort of a melding of both of their belief systems, and I truly believe that the "compromise" was the right choice.

Overall rating: 4/5. If you enjoy steampunk or can adjust to it, this was a very enjoyable war and love story.

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"Goliath" is the third (and last) book in Scott Westerfeld's steampunk Leviathan trilogy, preceded by Leviathan and Behemoth. It follows two young protagonists (a prince disguised as a commoner and a girl disguised as a boy) through an alternative version of WWI in which the battle-lines are drawn between German Clankers and the Allied Darwinists. Westerfeld has created an elaborate world of opposing technologies and their requisite ideologies, where the Clankers construct large mechanical Walkers and the Darwinists genetically engineer a range of hybrid creatures in order to wage war upon each other. It's an imaginative concept and Westerfeld milks it for all it's worth, with plenty of ingenious creations strewn throughout the narrative. Discovering what clever idea he has next in store for the reader is half the fun.

So far a combination of luck, skill and teamwork has kept fugitive Prince Aleksander of Austria and Midshipman Dylan Sharp (actually Deryn) alive as they avoid Germans, stir up Turkish revolutions, and struggle to keep their secrets throughout. Of late, Deryn has a further secret to keep: that she's nursing a pretty serious crush on her princely companion, who still thinks that she's a boy. But there's little time to worry about that, as the Leviathan is heading toward Siberia to answer a distress call from a stranded airship. Who should they find there but the infamous (and slightly unhinged) inventor Nikola Tesla, who brings aboard ship a device that he claims is a weapon that could end the war. According to him, this Goliath is a weapon of mass destruction like none the world has ever seen before.

Having already run across some of his weapons in the past, Alek and Deryn are leery. Is ending the war worth all the lives that would be lost in using such a weapon? As the Leviathan turns toward America both are beset with doubt. Tesla has Darwinist loyalties, which means that any city to fall prey to the Goliath might be part of Alek's homeland. Should they trust such an eccentric and erratic individual? Or should Alek take Wildcount Volger's advice and secretly dispose of Tesla by more subtle means?

It's a hefty moral dilemma, and Westerfeld doesn't provide any easy answers. When the truth about Deryn's gender finally comes out, Alek finds himself struggling with who he can really trust. As always, the backstabbing politics of the war is juxtaposed with the genuine friendship that grows between Alek and Deryn - and which here is severely tested. Otherwise, their dynamic remains the same: whereas Alek is a meticulous planner who believes he is guided by providence, Deryn is an act-first, think-later type of girl who knows how to keep cool under pressure. Both accentuate the other nicely, and for the first time a hint of mutual romance begins to emerge between them.

Westerfeld shows a deft hand in melding real people and events (often tweaked ever so slightly) with his own characters and storylines. Familiar figures such as William Randolph Hearst, Adela Rogers and Pancho Villa are all incorporated into the story, and Westerfeld's afterword is fascinating in discovering just what was true about his story and what was not - indeed, many of the facts sound too incredible to be true! His usage of such things does lead to a few stalled plotlines (the frequent reminders that Philip Frances is secretly a German ends up being a nod to history instead of an actual plot development) and some history buffs may be appalled at the liberties he takes (poor Nikola Tesla!) but it's all in the name of a compelling story.

The real joy of the book is in the clear descriptive writing, and Westerfeld's ability to paint a vivid picture of the world the characters inhabit. He also manages to outline the intricacies of warfare and politics without it getting too convoluted. It's often difficult to balance the exposition of world-building with characterization and pacing, but Westerfeld hits that perfect note without getting bogged down in either vagaries or excessive detail. In this he is helped by Keith Thompson's black-and-white illustrations, which provide great images on what exactly these characters, creatures, machines and gadgets look like.

To be honest, I didn't enjoy "Goliath" quite as much as I did Behemoth, which was a near-flawless, action-packed story of suspense and scope. Despite being the final book in the trilogy, the stakes didn't feel quite as high here, and a lot of time is spent at dinner parties, pit-stops and dealing with interfering journalists. But in saying that, it's still a fantastic read, with a return from the conniving Wildcount Volger, the implacable Doctor Nora Barlow, and even an all-too-brief reappearance from the revolutionary Lilit.

As the final book in a gripping trilogy, "Goliath" ends on just the right note: lots of explosions, plenty of suspense, and a kiss.

The third and final (?) installment in the LEVIATHAN series was just as good, and in my mind even better, than the two wonderful books that preceded it.

In GOLIATH Alek feels increasingly guilty about his role in the war, feeling that it was in part because of him that the war was started so he must do something to stop it. So, when a new character comes on the scene, one Mr. Tesla, who claims to have a machine that will stop the war for good, Alek grasps onto this thought and supports Tesla, which drags Alek, once again, into the public eye. But, those around Alek, Count Volger, the Lady Boffin, and Deryn herself, all seem to have doubts about Tesla and his claims.

As for Deryn, her secret identity starts becoming less and less secret and she has to start considering what she would do with her life if she could no longer serve aboard the Leviathan. But just as importantly, she begins to realize what her ruse would mean to those aboard the Leviathan and, indeed, the entire British Air Service.

And, Deryn's secret identity and her feelings for Alek are all resolved - I won't say how, or what, if anything, Alek discovers, or what his reactions may be, but I will say that I think Westerfeld took a very delicate subject and wove the resolutions brilliantly. I was very happy with how he plotted this arc and very pleased with the outcome!

This book has lots of new characters, from Poncho Villa to William Randolph Hearst, and new experiences (like movies and films) to new locations like the United States and Mexico.
The historical elements to these books are great, and I really appreciate that Westerfeld explains his fictional changes at the end.

I really enjoyed this book! I love the characters and the flow and - of course - those perspicacious lorisis! There were a few plot points that I would have liked tied-up a little neater, and one plot point especially that I felt needed more explanation. But, overall I really enjoyed this series, would read it again, and would definitely recommend it!
(and I know it says it's the conclusion to the LEVIATHAN series, but I wouldn't be sorry if there were more :-> )

World War I is now sweeping through the entire world, and the Leviathan is in more danger than ever.

And Scott Westerfeld ends his alt-history/steampunk trilogy with a bang (and a blast) in "Goliath," which intertwines steampunk warfare with a very odd love story and a mad scientist plot. Not only does he drag the exiled Austrian prince and transvestite airgirl across Asia, the Pacific, Mexico and right into New York City, but he wraps up their story -- especially the budding romance -- in a thoroughly satisfactory way.

While passing over Russia, the Leviathan is sent to pick up a very important person: Nicola Tesla, a Clanker scientist who claims to have invented a death ray called Goliath, which can obliterate an entire city. The evidence: a devastating blast in Siberia. Alek wants to believe that Goliath can be used to intimidate the Clanker powers into ending the war, but Deryn isn't too sure.

As the Leviathan travels across Russia, Japan, the Pacific, Mexico and finally the United States, Alek finally discovers Deryn's secret -- and so do a bunch of other people, including a nosy reporter who threatens to undermine the war effort. And as Goliath's grand unveiling approaches, Deryn learns of a plot to destroy the massive weapon -- and possibly Alek as well.

The first two books of Westerfeld's trilogy had a lot of historical places and content, but not a lot of actual historical personages. But this one introduces a bunch of them -- Nicola Tesla, Pancho Villa and William Randolph Hearst -- and the major flaw in the story is that some of these feel like distractions from the main plot of the story.

The rest of the time, Westerfeld slowly intertwines the various subplots, and slaps a big dramatic climax involving a German Wasserwanderer, Goliath, and a British plot to pull the US into the war. His strong, streamlined prose continues to reveal new aspects of both Clanker (the water-walker) and Darwinist technology (kappas), and he introduces a lot of real tension as poor Alek discovers that he may not even be able to trust his own men.

And both Alek and Deryn face turning points -- Deryn realizes that she can seriously damage the war effort if her gender is revealed, and Alek struggles with the question of what his future holds, as well as whom he wants to ally himself with. Westerfeld weaves in their budding romance with a subtle touch, focusing more on passionate protectiveness than on anything too... goopy.

"Goliath" gets a bit distracted by the historical cameos, but is otherwise a solid, slow-building finale for this brilliant steampunk trilogy. Smooth, sleek and just a little romantic.

World War I is now sweeping through the entire world, and the Leviathan is in more danger than ever.

And Scott Westerfeld ends his alt-history/steampunk trilogy with a bang (and a blast) in "Goliath," which intertwines steampunk warfare with a very odd love story and a mad scientist plot. Not only does he drag the exiled Austrian prince and transvestite airgirl across Asia, the Pacific, Mexico and right into New York City, but he wraps up their story -- especially the budding romance -- in a thoroughly satisfactory way.

While passing over Russia, the Leviathan is sent to pick up a very important person: Nicola Tesla, a Clanker scientist who claims to have invented a death ray called Goliath, which can obliterate an entire city. The evidence: a devastating blast in Siberia. Alek wants to believe that Goliath can be used to intimidate the Clanker powers into ending the war, but Deryn isn't too sure.

As the Leviathan travels across Russia, Japan, the Pacific, Mexico and finally the United States, Alek finally discovers Deryn's secret -- and so do a bunch of other people, including a nosy reporter who threatens to undermine the war effort. And as Goliath's grand unveiling approaches, Deryn learns of a plot to destroy the massive weapon -- and possibly Alek as well.

The first two books of Westerfeld's trilogy had a lot of historical places and content, but not a lot of actual historical personages. But this one introduces a bunch of them -- Nicola Tesla, Pancho Villa and William Randolph Hearst -- and the major flaw in the story is that some of these feel like distractions from the main plot of the story.

The rest of the time, Westerfeld slowly intertwines the various subplots, and slaps a big dramatic climax involving a German Wasserwanderer, Goliath, and a British plot to pull the US into the war. His strong, streamlined prose continues to reveal new aspects of both Clanker (the water-walker) and Darwinist technology (kappas), and he introduces a lot of real tension as poor Alek discovers that he may not even be able to trust his own men.

And both Alek and Deryn face turning points -- Deryn realizes that she can seriously damage the war effort if her gender is revealed, and Alek struggles with the question of what his future holds, as well as whom he wants to ally himself with. Westerfeld weaves in their budding romance with a subtle touch, focusing more on passionate protectiveness than on anything too... goopy.

"Goliath" gets a bit distracted by the historical cameos, but is otherwise a solid, slow-building finale for this brilliant steampunk trilogy. Smooth, sleek and just a little romantic.

After doing all the damage they could in Turkey, our heroes, still on the Leviathan, receive special orders via eagle courier to head even farther east...to Russia! There are rumors of a secret weapon that could end the war in one go. They float farther and farther east, and supplies dwindle lower and lower. What are they supposed to do? What any British airman does...keep a stiff upper lip and continue to follow orders.

Soon a new major player enters the story - Nikola Tesla - physicist and expert on electricity. What's he doing in the middle of Siberia? You'll just have to read the book to find out.

Tesla and the lady boffin are like oil and water, and our heroes have to try to make sense of things and figure things out...all the while keeping their own secrets.

The war in Europe rages on, and the grandson of the Archduke of Austria-Hungary believes that it's his fate to end the war. But who holds the key to that? Is it Tesla? the lady boffin? or someone or something else?

Westerfield's crisp and engaging writing style continues to the very end of the trilogy, and there's no figuring out how things will work out until he ties up the loose ends...like the conclusion of a trilogy should.

Again, 5 stars. Thanks for a good read!

Scott Westerfeld's entertaining "Leviathan" series pays tribute to the spirit of the "boys' paperback adventure stories" of yesteryear, while updating a few of their conventions for the 21st century. The most obvious makeover is that we get a girl protagonist who's disguised as a boy -- for the moment, anyway -- but proves herself as capable under pressure as any young male hero. And why not? While Westerfeld's imaginative World War One-era steampunk alternate reality isn't too sophisticated, it's still a lot smarter than its old serialized forebears. The story dodges the most predictable tropes, and quietly works in some real world themes and the message that politics aren't always simple.

Goliath is the final book in the trilogy, and I think that fans will find it a satisfying conclusion. A few new characters are introduced in the globe-circling adventure, a few previous ones make a reappearance, and we get a taste of countries outside the Clanker/Darwinist camps (or a bit in both). There are thrills, scrapes, falling-outs between the two heroes (temporary, of course), humor, an action-packed finale, closure for plot threads both political and personal, and a hint at the possibility of further adventures.

Unfortunately, I missed out on the print editions and Keith Thompson's artwork, but the audio version has its own pleasures. The narrator's store of international accents brings the mannerisms and catch-phrases of the characters to colorful life.

All in all, a fun, imaginative YA series, and a good option for readers (or parents) looking for something a little less dour than the Hunger Games.

From start to finish, the Leviathan Trilogy has been a marvel of pacing and self control on the part of Scott Westerfeld. The final book of the trilogy, Goliath, is no exception. Once again he takes history and turns it on its head, allowing the characters to interact with a fully realized alternate timeline that is both compelling and detailed. Alek and Deryn, their paths now completely intertwined, struggle with their identities in a changing world with such grace and poise that they transcend the pages on which they are contained. The inclusion of the brilliant but questionably mad scientist Nikola Tesla to this latest volume creates added intrigue and tension aboard the Leviathan as the characters try to learn his agenda while struggling with the realities of war and their own identities in a fast changing world. The journey takes them across Russia to Siberia, Japan, and across the United States with different perils and adventures to be had with each new stop.
Goliath, like its counterparts, is well written from beginning to end. Very rarely does a series come along that is evenly balanced across each volume, but Westerfeld, aided by Keith Thompson's exquisite illustrations, has done just that. Taken individually they are brilliantly paced with exciting story lines. Together, the books tell the story of an alternate World War I in which technology and evolution work side by side. The creative vision is vast but never overwhelming. An absolute must read for fans of science fiction. This is one of the best books I've read all year.

The Leviathan series is such a great series, and I wish this one wasn't the last one but I think it is. I love how the author intertwines real history and fiction to make an exciting novel! Goliath has just as much history as the previous two. And, just like the previous two novels, at the end of the book the author tells you a little bit more history as he separates what really happened in real life and what he made up in the book.

I found myself rooting for Deryn and Alek the entire book. Wonder when and if Deryn's closely hid secret would come out and what would the consequences entail. Bovril is just as perspicacious as ever in this book and the little snatches of words he said always made me smirk. But in this book Bovril is becoming even more perspicacious and figures a lot of stuff out before anyone else does. It is fun to read Bovril little clues in the words he repeats.

If you wanted more fabricated beasties and clanker machines then this book will not disappoint. There is a bunch more fabricated beasties and new clanker machines that make an appearance in this book and illustrations to show them off as well. The Leviathan also goes flying to more than one new country and is always in a new adventure with Deryn right smack in the middle of it!

Goliath is a wonderful ending to a series that has grown to define YA Steampunk. It's been quite a while since I read the last installment, however I fell right into this one with barely a trouble. One word from the perspicacious Loris and the story returned to me in an instant. With our brave Mr. Sharp manning the ratlines, it didn't take long before I was once again breathless with excitement, immersed in action that rarely lets up throughout the entire novel, except on the occasions when secrets are shared, kisses exchanged,and doomsday weapons are tested.

The author is an amazing storyteller, and he weaves an alternative history featuring some real heavy hitters. Our hero and heroine mix it up with Hearst and Pulitzer, Tesla, and even Pancho Villa to name a few. It was great fun to see these beloved characters achieve some resolutions, however I am sad to see this series come to a close. Rest assured, there are great new machines, new beasties to marvel at and more questions of war to ponder. This is a must read for fans of the series, and if you haven't read the the first one yet, go back and get it now - there's nothing else quite like it. Enjoy!

The characters in this book kept true to how they were portrayed in both the first and second books of trilogy. I could clearly see how Alek had developed in confidence while still clinging to the earnestness that made him so likable, while Deryn remained the cocky one of the pair and overcame every conflict courageously Borvil, the perspicacious Loris-probably my favorite character- grew more perspicacious and quirky every day! I did feel that some of the minor characters were rather repetitive. But, overall, they blended fairly well.
Characters: 4.7 Stars
In most series, the last book may be too late to bring in an almost completely new character and story line, but Goliath pulled it off with style. Fitting in with the theme of Leviathan and Behemoth, there was a new exciting goal to accomplish. And, spoilers withheld, I can say that a big secret is revealed to most of the characters, adding several wild ups and downs. I had some issue with the ending, as it felt that the plot line lost sight of the big goal and settled for something less the the story was capable of. But it did leave them in a good place and tied up most of the loose ends.
Characters: 4.3 Stars
Scott Westerfeld has an enchanting style that brings his worlds to reality. I loved the phrases, such as "barking spiders" that made his characters so endearing. His alternate history was very authentic, and the steampunk spin on World War I created a setting that had me hooked!
Style: 5 Stars

Rating: 4.7

by Bridget

Warlike bears as tall as houses, gun-wielding machines that march on two legs, freakishly astute'yet adorable'talking animals, and weapons that issue lightning instead of bullets'Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan trilogy, concluded with Goliath, has all these and more in the setting of a very interesting World War I.

The nations of the Triple Entente (Britain, France, and Russia) are Darwinists, breeding "fabricated" creatures of combined DNA. Their enemies, Germany and Austria-Hungary, are Clankers, building fearsome steam-powered walking machines. When Archduke Franz Ferdinand is assassinated, a war of ideologies breaks loose between the two sides.

I was hooked on the idea of Leviathan before it came out, and delighted that it and its sequel, Behemoth, came through on their promises of humor, adventure, and unique alternate history.

The series centers on the intertwining stories of Deryn Sharp and Prince Aleksandar of Hohenburg. Alek is the son of the Archduke, on the run from his father's enemies. Deryn is a Scottish girl who disguises herself as a boy in order to serve on the British airship Leviathan, made from the pooled DNA of a hundred species. Goliath takes them on a cross-the-globe journey that features more real historical figures than we've met elsewhere in the series. Especially prominent is egotistical and madcap inventor, Nikola Tesla, whose genius and insanity create the central conflict.

Goliath could coast on the power of its sheer awesomeness: its inventive technologies, fast-paced adventuring, and daring acts of bravery. But it is the charming and immensely likable characters that make the book really special (which is not to say that the man-made monsters, secret nighttime escapades, and non-metaphorical cliff-diving don't make it all the more interesting).

The protagonists share the narration, making for some great moments of dramatic irony. Deryn is, as her name suggests, a very sharp thinker and exemplary midshipman. Alek, whom she repeatedly calls "daft prince," is often less perceptive but makes up for his occasional unawareness with passion for what, and who, he loves. They are equal heroes, each getting their share of triumphs and blunders.

The artwork, by Keith Thompson, is downright spectacular. The fifty-plus illustrations range in size from a fraction of a page to two-page spreads. The character portraits are delightful in their expressiveness and the scenic shots are gorgeous.

Goliath does all the things a final installment ought to. Characters from the previous books make their appropriate final appearances, deceptions are cleared, and all loose ends are tied up. The ending is worthy of fist-pumping and a happy dance, although I felt that there was slightly more than enough mystery left over. For those saddened by the reality that there will be no more Leviathan novels, The Manual of Aeronautics, a full-color, large-format guide to the series' world, is set to be released next August.

Fans will not be disappointed: Goliath is a satisfying end to a brilliant series.

Goliath brought an epic conclusion to the Leviathan Trilogy. I read through this book quicker than the others (and that is saying a lot). As the crew of the Leviathan continue their mission, the action and adventure increases! Tensions rise as secrets long kept come into the light. Alek wants to do the right thing, but is his judgement clouded? If you are looking for something new to read, this trilogy is where it is at! Watching Alek and Deryn learn, grow and mature along this journey was a delight. This is a great story and one that I look forward to revisiting in the future.

I devoured this entire series over a vacation, and loved it. This is definitely "young adult" fiction that is great for young adults and old fogies like me. Great, nuanced characters, emotional complexity, good plotting, totally top notch. The steampunk ideas are sophisticated, well thought out and consistent; the "science" bits of this series are definitely technology, and not magic. I'm not generally a huge fan of alternate history, as it tends to embody the downsides of genre fiction, but in this series I think it's handles exceptionally well, and the afterward sneakily turns the whole thing into an enjoyable history lesson.

This part of the trilogy "only" gets four stars, as it's definitely the weakest of the series. It feels like the authors had written themselves into a corner, and had to rush to muddle themselves out. The ending strikes a good balance between completing the story and reflecting the uncertainty of the future, but the process of getting there is not as well executed as the rest of the books in the series. Still, it's a great read, and I highly recommend it!

It is a time of inventions and fabrications. In some neutral territories the lines between Clankers (those who favor steam and mechanical inventions) and Darwinists (those who think creating creatures and mixing DNA hold the future) are blurring. Alek and Dylan are caught in the middle trying to sort out their own loyalties. An inventor--Mr. Tesla himself--enters the scene and scrambles things further. Fortunately the secrets are unraveled in Goliath, so you'll find the book hard to put down once you start.

This is the third and final book of the Leviathan trilogy. I thought it was a bit long-winded at times and the ending was a little too happily-ever-after for me (I think I would have extended some of the struggles and suspense for a fourth book). Still, I enjoyed it and would recommend it to others--older middle grade and up as there are some things in the book that might be better understood by someone a little older.

Goliath is the third and final book in Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan trilogy. Deryn is still masquerading as a boy aboard the airship. Alek is trying to figure out his purpose in life and his place in stopping the war. However, everything changes when Deryn reveals her secret to him. Now he has to keep her safe while also stopping the madman Nikola Tesla from destroying the world with the machine he calls Goliath.

This book was great, of course. Every book in this series is equal in my eyes. Alek and Deryn are fantastic characters, the plot is interesting, and the historical background is very fascinating. This book is a quick read because you just want to know what's going to happen next. I loved everything with Tesla too. It's interesting when a fictional writer incorporates actual people from history.

I don't have much to say. The series ended very properly, and I feel like everything was tied up nicely. This is a great series, and one I'll have to re-read soon. Westerfeld is a fantastic writer, and I look forward to another new series soon.

Westerfeld shows readers exactly how a conclusion book should read with GOLIATH; the last and by far the best of the Leviathan trilogy, ending it with quite a bang (on all fronts). But even with the series finishing out properly, I can't say it won't be missed. I admit I fell in love a little bit more with each thrilling installment. I definitely wouldn't be opposed to a spin-off???..What do ya say Scott?

Well, whether or not we get another taste of Alek and Deryn or the addictive and exciting steampunk/biopunk world of Westerfeld's creation is to be seen, but as for now, readers are sure to become quick fans of the daft Austrian prince, the not so common Midshipman and their adventures on the Leviathan, in this fast paced action pack world of power hungry rulers, nutter boffins (scientists), manufactured beasties and iron war machines. Bravo and well-done!

I was a little disappointed. Not by the overall plot, though there were some parts I hated. And not even by the majority of the characters, though some of them changed for the worse. No, I was extremely disappointed by the emphasis on romance and the overall resolution.
Positives first.
1) God, do I love this world. The way it's described makes me want to live there.
2) I also love the whole "alternate history" idea, particularly in the way it's described in this book. The World Wars have always been a fascination for me, and this is the perfect series to deepen that connection. Even if this is fiction.
And now the negatives.
1) What happened to Deryn?! She was so BA in the first books. But in this one she starts to lose her edge. What gives?
2) This book is so focused on the romance between Alek and Deryn, there's almost no room for anything else. Ugh.
3) The author gives Deryn a massive, life-changing wound fairly close to the beginning of the book, and it's very clear she won't be returning to active military duty. I understand why the author did that, but...I'm not happy with it.
Overall, a good series. Could've used a little work with this one, though. There wasn't as much action and way too much romance.

"Barking Spiders!" The 3rd and final installment in Scott Westerfeld's steampunk trilogy only multiplies the creativity, plot complications, romance, and epic adventure of the first two books. The exiled prince, Alek, and the diguised girl/midshipman Deryn/Devyn continue their adventures in a World War I reimagined as a war between steam based machines, the "Clankers," and evolved Bio machines, the "Darwinists."

For me, the best part of the book is the way Westerfeld so skillfully weavest together actual history and people with alternate history and pure imagination. The result is the strongest of the three books. It's also a valuable history lesson not only on war and World War I, but the place of women in society and the role of technology.

These "life strands" are cleverly woven into the texture of a non-stop plot full of plenty of surprises and unexpected twists. The romance is handled well and the ending perfect.

Once again listened on audiobook, and the narrator is as brilliant as ever.

This book is so action packed, I can't believe how much is covered in this one. Loved that Alec finally learn Daryn's secret, and I really loved how he learned it and his reactions. I adored everybody's interactions, and the ending was most satisfying.

Definitely would recommend, and I'd especially recommend the audiobook. :D

Goliath by Scott Westerfield is a very thought-provoking book. It doesn't a lot of action and is kind of slow paced. If you are a person who likes interesting stories and characters you would like this book a lot but if you like fast paced and action packed books you won't. This book is very different from the book before this one, Behemoth, because it Behemoth involves more hands on fighting and strategy from Alek and Deryn, the main characters. This book is more about figuring out how to stop the war and what decisions Alek and Deryn should make along the way.

I am convinced that anything Scott Westerfeld writes is brilliant. Goliath is no exception.

(Warning: This review might contain spoilers for the first two books in the trilogy - Leviathan and Behemoth.)

Goliath picks up where Behemoth leaves off; Alek and Deryn are back on the Leviathan after playing major roles in the Ottoman Empire revolution.

Alek feels a bit useless onboard the ship since he was a key player in the rebellion, but now just a little better than a prisoner. Deryn is off doing things middies do. The story picks up when the Leviathan makes a detour and witnesses a scary sight in the middle of nowhere Siberia. Secrets abound and the two stars are caught up in the middle of it all.

In this third and final installment of the story, Alek finally learns Deryn's secret. I really appreciated that Scott decided to reveal this closer to the beginning of the book as opposed to the very end, and I'm very happy with the way it was done.

The introduction of Tesla adds another layer of intrigue to the books. Who is this man and what is the Goliath? While the book is action-packed it's also perfectly paced. There's enough mystery to keep the pages turning and Scott Westerfeld interweaves pieces of history into his fantastic prose.

I especially love this trilogy because it makes me enjoy history in a way I've never truly enjoyed it before. Sometimes the depiction of the stories are so boring that I often forget that history is real life and real life can be exciting - especially if told by a master. War, even though it's a horrible thing, is also exciting to read about. What happened? How did it get started? How did it get resolved? What can we learn from the past to make a better future?

Even though it is fiction, reading this trilogy has caused me to read more about what happened during World War I and, on a whole, has sparked an interest in history that I haven't experienced before. The only downside is that perspicacious lorises aren't real. I mean, who wouldn't want one after reading about Bovril?

Well written and entertaining; history buffs, steampunk lovers and anyone who loves a good story will most definitely enjoy the Leviathan Trilogy. My only hope is that Scott does what he did with the Uglies trilogy and adds a fourth book. Or hey, a second trilogy? One can only hope.

Great conclusion to a steampunk series, a lot of fun this is surely among the steampunk royalty. Deryn (Dylan) Sharp is a midshipman aboard the Leviathan an organic airship. She is a girl disguised as a boy so that she may serve as a part of the British Airforce. Prince Aleksander (Alek) of Hohenberg is a guest aboard the Leviathan and wants more than anything to end WWI. Dramatic and dynamic scenes throughout all three books with an exciting climax! Must read, page turner.

I found about this series from my local librarian (she knows about my affinity for books) and have been gripping the cover ever since.
They can be a little slow in the beginning, but MORE than make up for it in the middle/end. I normally take a long time while reading books (a few days to a week) since I really like to make sure that i have all of the details, but when reading this series, it took me about a day... maybe less (per book).
i have no regrets, whatsoever, about reading these. It was a lot of fun, and had me saying English sayings for over a week. ;) I would recommend this series to anyone who likes a little bit of everything in the materials that they read. (as in twisted romance, action, drama, and a historical setting--WWI)
Out of the series, Behemoth was probably my favorite, but that doesn't mean that i don't like the other ones.

The first book in this trilogy was good enough that I wanted to read #2. The second was excellent, and the third was phenomenal! It's often just the opposite; an author gets off to an excellent start and then the story peters out. The characters are human and lots of fun, although Deryn is a bit of a super hero-- Young Indiana Jones in female form (sometimes). I'm an adult (don't mistake that for young adult) and I found this to be an excellent read, enjoyable for all ages.

"Goliath," the final book in the "Leviathan" series. While it tries to be as breathtaking as its two predecessors, it can't quite keep up to that level. Still, a great series overall, and a nice resolution to all of the subplots that carried through the series, about a young woman who poses as a boy in order to start her life as an airman. Steampunk at its finest.

A perfect conclusion to the trilogy, however I am sad to see the story end. Reading about Deryn's adventures with Alek and Volger and Miss Barlow was such fun. In this last installment everything that has come before is closed up in a "hoped for" kind of package, but to get there the 'close calls' are closer and the 'leaps of faith' are further. I'll be recommending these books for a while.

Although I loved the previous books Leviathan and Behemoth, I was disappointed in this book as will be discussed later in the spoiler section because it's potentially a big spoiler. The things I did like were continued incorporation of real-life events but with a twist. The inventor Nikolai Tesla plays a big role in this book as do movie pictures, the Mexican Revolution, and American neutrality during this alternate history steampunk version of WWI. The stakes are getting higher for our intrepid heroes Alek and Dylan (really Deryn) Sharp.

They are still on the Leviathan but are attempting to prepare for their imminent farewells as Deryn continues in service to the British Army while Alek pursues the Austrian-Hungary throne and attempts to end the war. There are many exciting adventures in and around the Leviathan as they travel from Istanbul to New York City with stops in Russia, Japan, California, and Mexico. There are only a few new characters but some of those introduced in Behemoth resurface. Additionally many secrets are uncovered and Alek and Deryn's friendship is strained by some of those secrets.

Again for me the lovely illustrations were a highlight, helping me visualize the distinctive world created by Westerfeld. As someone not interested in the action scenes, I did feel like there were a few too many featuring Deryn doing something daring aboard the Leviathan. But I just skimmed those and got on with the story. Unfortunately it was harder to skip the part I didn't like as it increasingly took up page space-see the spoiler below.

SPOILER:
I was so sad that Alek and Deryn fell for each other! I was really excited about a book where a guy and a girl were just really good friends without the romantic interest. Additionally I guess I'm kind of a snob because I wanted Alek to marry a princess. Not that she'd necessarily understand him like Deryn does but I was so happy about a YA novel with opposite-sex best friends who weren't romantically involved that it crushed my spirits a bit to see that not-at-all-desired ending occur.
END SPOILER

Overall: Although I was not very pleased with the ending, I mostly enjoyed the ride and heartily recommend at least the first book to readers of YA, even if they don't read much historical.

OHMYGODILOVETHISBOOK.....YES! i literally have a shelf in my room just for this book and the percy jackson series. the end to this trilogy is absolutely perfect and i hope scott westerfield does more historical ficton in the future. such a good book and i love the artwork too. theres a bonus chapter on westerfields website, by the way, if you didnt know. it too is like the pure gold of literature

eccentric new characters, fiery battles, huge decisions made regarding the throne of austria-hungary, deadly, shocking and important secrets are told and a much anticipated romance between a clanker prince and a darwinist commoner (apparently imposssible)begins. WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT!