Goliath (Leviathan) [Hardcover]

SLIGHTLY SPOILERY.
So, it's the last in the Leviathan series. I loved the other two in the series, Leviathan and Behemoth. I reviewed Leviathan here before, but haven;t written a review of Behemoth yet. Maybe some day. Anyway, I was waiting for this book for ages, even though I knew it would be the end of the series and I'd be sad to see it go. So I was expecting a lot,
We got a lot too. The Leviathan heads to Siberia, where they pick up Tesla, an inventor who says he can end the war. But no one knows whose side he's on. so no-one knows what to do with him. Then they head on to Japan and America, meaning throughout the series, we've gone on a tour of half the countries somehow involved in WWI. In other news, Alek knows that Deryn is female and in love with him. All kinds of things could happen. And so the war and the crown of Austria and his heart all rest on Alek and his actions.
Keith Thompson, as always, has blown me away with his drawings. My favourite one is the double page spread of Steampunk!Japan. it is recognisably Japan, but also recognisably different, if you get my drift. The other ones throughout the book are also amazing...I wonder if you can get prints...
The action comes thick and fast. Something is always happening connected to some element of the main plot or other, and things that you instantly recognise from history/general knowledge that have been given their own steampunk twist just add a little extra something.
I'm still in love with the characters. Deryn has always been the one I preferred between our two main characters, because I love the way she perserveres with everything, is awkward around Alek, and her own brand of profanity is so funny. the Russian guards also made me laugh a lot for some reason...
The romance in this really suits it. It's not often that I enjoy romance in a book that is clearly action orientated, but in this, I love it. I'd just like to say that I support Dr Barlow x Count Volger so much. I have done since book one, and I am so glad that it is implied heavily (at least I read it that way!) at the end. Alek and Deryn is the main couple for this series, which finally gets closure and completion in the most adorable way possible at the very end.
5 stars to an amazing conclusion to the best steampunk YA series there is. Can't wait for the Manual of Aeronautics, an art book released next year!

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.

Finally received the final book of the Clanker/Darwinist series and what a corker it is. I've read the book in two days and simply could not put it down.
Stayed up late one evening just to see how things would work out between Alek and Dylan.
The only regret I have is that its all over, but what a thrilling ride it was. If your thinking of purchasing this book (and you should!) I strongly suggest that you read them in order ie Leviathan, Behemoth and then this one Goliath, you will not be disappointed.