gingernutpup's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
decafplease's review against another edition
5.0
The trilogy should definitely be made into a movie one day, because in Behemoth not only do we see giant elephantines made out of metal plates and spikes, we also see the returning Leviathan the colossal flying whale that contains an ecosystem inside its belly, metal-eating bats and mussels, diving suit with a living organism as its breather, the kraken-like behemoth that has genes of numerous species including some extinct prehistoric animals or the giant octopus, and of course, there is the perspicacious loris! To be honest I've been hoping to see a griffin or a dragon, and then out pops this little lemur with large, innocent eyes. Still, it has won me over.
There is a lot of action, probably more than what appears in the first book. Deryn is a natural at whatever she does, whether it's climbing down a rampaging elephantine or maneuvering in the enemy's territory in the dark to plant those vitriolic sea-pests.
It's not a book that you read for, I don't know, character development, internal conflict, or scenic prospects (even though it is set in a very colourful capital city Istanbul)...it's very action-packed and full of visual descriptions about what kind of Darwinian/mechanic beasts are causing complete chaos, which is why it'll make an awesome movie but a lousy read if you're expecting anything else.
Next they're going to Japan. Woohoo!
And before I forget, I loooove the illustrations and maps by Keith Thompson. I only wish there were more! And even though I'm not familiar with the the events and details of the first world war, I've read enough to know that Westerfeld is very much at ease at making tweaks to ensure that the war is progressing in a much more positive way. Oh. Another thing, now that they're off to Asia it looks like there's no chance I'll get to see the genetically engineered bears of Russia...they look pretty fearsome on the map. It looks like it can take down a tank with one swipe of its mighty claw. Raww.
There is a lot of action, probably more than what appears in the first book. Deryn is a natural at whatever she does, whether it's climbing down a rampaging elephantine or maneuvering in the enemy's territory in the dark to plant those vitriolic sea-pests.
It's not a book that you read for, I don't know, character development, internal conflict, or scenic prospects (even though it is set in a very colourful capital city Istanbul)...it's very action-packed and full of visual descriptions about what kind of Darwinian/mechanic beasts are causing complete chaos, which is why it'll make an awesome movie but a lousy read if you're expecting anything else.
Next they're going to Japan. Woohoo!
And before I forget, I loooove the illustrations and maps by Keith Thompson. I only wish there were more! And even though I'm not familiar with the the events and details of the first world war, I've read enough to know that Westerfeld is very much at ease at making tweaks to ensure that the war is progressing in a much more positive way. Oh. Another thing, now that they're off to Asia it looks like there's no chance I'll get to see the genetically engineered bears of Russia...they look pretty fearsome on the map. It looks like it can take down a tank with one swipe of its mighty claw. Raww.
abigcoffeedragon's review against another edition
5.0
The book started off very high intensity and it kept its pace quite well - the author likes to throw in a twist at the end of his books in this series, and he does so again in this one - leading to the third novel which is what I will be starting today as well - Well Done Mr Westerfeld, Well Done.
tbd24's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
the part when gave me permanent gay disease (this is a good thing)
Spoiler
lillit kisses deryn bc she’s disguised as a boy but she knows deryn is a girl and she’s ‘just curious’nakedsushi's review against another edition
3.0
Leviathan, the first book fo the series, was filled mostly of fabricated animals (beasties) and going-ons on the large, beastie airship. Behemoth takes readers off the airship and filled the world full of machines and gadgets. The change of scenery, from a British airship to the Ottoman empire was great, but still felt a little shallow.
I thought that Deryn's secret was finally going to be revealed to Alek and was on the edge of my seat throughout this whole book about it. There were several times the beans were almost spilled, which was very frustrating. I don't think I've ever been in a state of tenseness about a story for a whole book like this. Very stressful.
Behemoth was a good continuation of the characters and overarching story of the series. It was a little disappointing how little more we learned of Deryn and Alek. Deryn is her usual strong, risk-taking self, and Alek is still his princeliness. I was hoping this second book would change their relationship but looks like I'll need to read the third book for that.
I thought that Deryn's secret was finally going to be revealed to Alek and was on the edge of my seat throughout this whole book about it. There were several times the beans were almost spilled, which was very frustrating. I don't think I've ever been in a state of tenseness about a story for a whole book like this. Very stressful.
Behemoth was a good continuation of the characters and overarching story of the series. It was a little disappointing how little more we learned of Deryn and Alek. Deryn is her usual strong, risk-taking self, and Alek is still his princeliness. I was hoping this second book would change their relationship but looks like I'll need to read the third book for that.
radorachev's review against another edition
2.0
Книгата имаше силно начало, което ме изненада приятно, но бързо загуби инерцията си и в край на сметка ме разочарова. За разлика от първата част, героите и светът изглеждаха някак по-зрели, а конфликтът много по-реален. Случваха се инциденти, хора биваха убити или ранени. Тези идеи обаче не бяха развити по никакъв начин. Всички жертви в непосредствена близост до 15-годишните герои не се отразяваха по абсолютно никакъв начин на техните характер или психика. Обратно на първата книга, тук се обръщаше повече внимание на машинистите за сметка на дарвинистите. Подобно на първата книга, обаче, този фокус беше за сметка на войната. Създава се нулево усещане за световната война. Като за финал, в кулминационната битка се набягаше повече на счупените машини, отколкото на ранени или убити хора. Останах с усещането, че цената на революцията е един човек и дузина роботи :\
bookhaulin's review against another edition
4.0
3.5-4.0 stars!
I loved Behemoth has much as Leviathan-there's just something about these books that remind me of children's-books-of-yore? Not that Westerfeld didn't create complex characters or a complex plot in Deryn and Alek, but the style of writing, the way the characters speak is just oddly reminiscent of days spent when I was a kid playing "adventure-time" out in the abandoned parking lots and fields behind my building.
Fast-paced plot, still loving the slang, and beautiful book as usual (love the illustrations! but I preferred the cover of Leviathan to Behemoth), and I cannot /wait/ to find out how everything ends in Goliath.
I loved Behemoth has much as Leviathan-there's just something about these books that remind me of children's-books-of-yore? Not that Westerfeld didn't create complex characters or a complex plot in Deryn and Alek, but the style of writing, the way the characters speak is just oddly reminiscent of days spent when I was a kid playing "adventure-time" out in the abandoned parking lots and fields behind my building.
Fast-paced plot, still loving the slang, and beautiful book as usual (love the illustrations! but I preferred the cover of Leviathan to Behemoth), and I cannot /wait/ to find out how everything ends in Goliath.
michael_k's review against another edition
3.0
Nice work! Entertaining and I am quite happy at the treatment of the historical context!
fortunesdear's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyed the first book a bit more than this one but the whole series has only been just okay so far. Still really only listening to the books because I live listening to the narrator.
justinecm's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this book. Gorgeous art work inside. well written exiting imaginative. Scott Westerfeld is very adept at explaining complicated objects that do not exist outside of this books.