Posted as part of Tween Tuesday, hosted by GreenBeanTeenQueen.
Goliath by Scott WesterfeldPublisher: Simon Pulse
Publication date: September 2011
ISBN: 9781416971771
Source: e-book provided by GalleyGrab
Alek and Deryn are both far from home on a voyage around the world to stop World War I. Alek, who feels duty bound to stop the war, places his hopes in a crazy scientist with a big plan. Deryn's disguise as a boy member of the crew is getting more dangerous by the minute - especially since she's in love with Alek. With new characters and danger lurking everywhere, the two may not end up quite where they expected.
Things I Liked:
I'm not entirely sure what my favorite thing about these books is. Honestly, it's just so much fun to read them it's almost like being on an adventure myself. Deryn is such a prickly, smart, sassy, vulnerable and hilarious girl that you can't help but love her. I adore her "cussing" and the plain way she talks, especially when others are dancing around a topic. Alek is interesting in different ways - trying to find his place, wondering if he can make a difference, torn between two worlds. And, of course, the story is so fascinating, so unexpected, and so unique that you dive in and can't surface until the conclusion is finally reached. I loved every minute of this book and especially the illustrations, which can make some tricky concepts come to life. A favorite series and I'm sure it will delight tween boys and girls alike.
Things I Didn't Like:
Not much. I think a few times I was annoyed by decisions characters made, but that doesn't make the book any less enjoyable. I honestly can't think of other things I didn't like!
Read-alikes:
Read Leviathan and Behemoth first
Reminded me of Larklight by Philip Reeve
Airborn and sequels by Kenneth Oppel
BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
maybe one or two, but most "cussing" came in the form of "bum-rag" and such like
mrg-factor: none
v-factor: ->
there is some action, but most of it is quite mild
Overall rating: *****
What do you think of steampunk: like it, hate it, don't know it?
Added bonus: Scott Westerfeld is visiting Arizona next week! Check out the details for Oct 3rd visit at Changing Hands and the Barnes and Noble in Mesa for Oct 5th.
If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage
Added bonus: Scott Westerfeld is visiting Arizona next week! Check out the details for Oct 3rd visit at Changing Hands and the Barnes and Noble in Mesa for Oct 5th.
If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage
Posts
I couldn't agree more. These books are just so much fun -- so creative, and funny and adventurous....One of my favorite series ever. There's just no reason not to love these! Great review. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAnnette, amen! I can't imagine someone not smiling while reading this :)
ReplyDeleteYou know, I normally wholeheartedly agree with your book assessments, but I just couldn't get into "Leviathan." I think perhaps because a lot of the plot worked by Alex doing stupid stuff when really he knew better. Deryn's character worked better for me, but not enough to make me want to read the next book, which is/was a pity since I agree that the conceptualization of the alternate history/steampunk world is amazing.
ReplyDeleteAndie, aw that's too bad. I can see how Alek doing stupid things might make you frustrated with it. It really is too bad, because reading the books was so much fun for me!
ReplyDelete