Review: Goliath

Title: Goliath
Author: Scott Westerfeld
Published: 2011 by Simon & Schuster
Version: Hardcover
Obtained: Bought

Alek and Deryn are aboard the Leviathan when the ship is ordered to pick up an unusual passenger. This brilliant/maniacal inventor claims to have a weapon called Goliath that can end the war. But whose side is he really on?

While on their top-secret mission, Alek finally discovers Deryn’s deeply kept secret. Two, actually. Not only is Deryn a girl disguised as a guy . . . she has feelings for Alek.

The crown, true love with a commoner, and the destruction of a great city all hang on Alek’s next – and final – move.

First Sentence:
"'Siberia,’ Alek said. The word slipped cold and hard from his tongue, as forbidding as the landscape passing below."

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WARNING!!! THIS BE THE THIRD/LAST IN A TRILOGY. THEREFORE, IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE OTHER TWO, THIS REVIEW WILL PROBABLY RUIN SOME THINGS FOR YOU. IT MIGHT NOT. BUT I’M WARNING YOU REGARDLESS.

Amazing. I just love this series.

The storyline in this book was a bit more complicated, but it was just as exciting and compelling as the previous two installments. I don’t want to get too much into the plot, because it’s very intricate and hard to summarize, but basically, Alek struggles with deciding who to support and what to do about the war. Deryn continues to try and keep her secret, but wants to tell Alek. Yet they are both doing their part to end the war, everything they can.

When the inevitable moment of Alek learning about Deryn’s true identity came, I was worried it would happen in a oh-you’re-a-girl-well-i-guess-that’s-okay way or in a YOU’RE-A-GIRL?-I-HATE-YOU-DON’T-TALK-TO-ME-AGAIN way. But it wasn’t either. I thought it was incredibly realistic (not that it’s something that happens often in reality).

Throughout this series, the reader becomes very attached to the characters. Especially to Deryn and Alek, as we live in their world, face their issues, and become friends with them. Alek has matured from a snobby annoying prince into a well-rounded young man who is figuring out his life. Deryn has become more smart and confident throughout her journey as a boy. She’s come to figure herself out more. Together they are completely perfect. Best friends, and they like each other.

One thing I have immensely enjoyed about the Leviathan Trilogy is the artwork. Keith Thompson’s drawings are a fantastic addition to the story, and I love that Westerfeld decided to include actual imagery in his series.

It’s always hard to see an incredible book series come to a close. It’s very difficult to accept that Deryn and Alek’s story is over.

But wait!

Scott Westerfeld wrote a little “author-fic” on his blog: http://scottwesterfeld.com/blog/2011/12/bonus-goliath-chapter-and-art/
He realized we needed more than the ending he gave us. So if you’ve read Goliath, go read the bonus chapter! It’s great.

I have simply loved this series. Scott Westerfeld is incredible. The Uglies series is amazing, and so is this series. If you haven’t read these yet, you need to. Now. :)

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Content Warning: Nothing I can think of.

Rating: