Oh, yes. It’s that time of year: A TIME OF SPOILAGE.
Use the comment thread of this post to discuss all that happens in Goliath. If you haven’t read the book, however, it might be wise to NOT LOOK AT THEM.
Seriously, don’t let what happened to this person happen to you. I quote from the famous Specials spoiler thread, back in May of 2006:
oh god, i read the spoiler section before i read the book. i would have read the book by now but the bookstore doesn’t have it in yet! i got the first two before the sale date. why can’t i do that now!? crap i can’t believe i read the spoiler section…crap
Those, my friends, are the lamentations of one who has been spoiled. So don’t even drop in to say, “La-la-la, I’m not looking!” Because you never know what your eye might glean.
Just in case anyone needs it, here’s my tour schedule for the next few days. (For the whole tour, go to my Appearances page.)
Thursday, September 22
4:30PM
RAINY DAY BOOKS
Unity Temple on the Plaza
707 West 47th Street
Kansas City, MO 64112
This is a “ticketed” event, but the tickets are more or less free. You just have to pre-order a copy of Goliath from Rainy Day, and you get two tickets along with the book. Click here for details and here to get tickets.
Friday, September 23
7:00PM
RED BALLOON BOOKSHOP
891 Grand Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55105
Saturday, September 24
1:00PM
WILD RUMPUS BOOKSTORE
2720 West 43rd Street
Minneapolis, MN 55410
Sunday, September 25
1:00PM
MALL OF AMERICA (The Patio)
8100 24th Avenue South
Bloomington, MN 55425
BEYOND THIS BE SPOILERS!
YES!!! I GOT IT I GOT IT!!!
ITS AMAZING!!!! Scott-la, you are officially my favorite author 🙂
The last picture is of what we’ve all been waiting for!!!
AAAAACK! I finished it last night and…
I sobbed.
I was sitting there SOBBING TEARS OF JOY.
This was such a journey and just that last bit and just…
Agh- Alek throwing away his empire- for love! It’s just so unexpected and beautiful and wonderful and I’m going to re-read it tonight!!
And that one picture, where Tesla died- that may be my {second} favorite picture in the whole book. I just love the energy and the creepiness of it. Words cannot describe how much I love this book. I’m talking my mom into taking me up to New York for a signing sometime soon, so I can get the first two books signed, as well! <33333
Holy. Pancakes.
Goliath is pure genius. Everything flowed so well, and by the end of the book I really didn’t want it to end. I really liked the fact that Alek found out Deryn’s secret on his own. The romance between Deryn and Alek wasn’t forced, and I loved that. The hurricane scene was so freaking cute, and Deryn’s little movie date with Lilit cracked me up. One of my favorite parts was when Deryn told Dr. Barlow she was a girl, and her initial reaction (I almost died laughing). I was surprised when Alek killed Tesla, but now I think that was brilliant. Made the story much more realistic.
I love (I need to stop saying “love”) how all the characters developed, especially Alek. His fight with Deryn when he found out made me want to kill him at first, but it was really interesting seeing that different side of Alek. I also have a new-found love (there I go again with the L word) for Newkirk, when he saved Deryn at the beginning.
I think that Lilit will enjoy America, even if she was opposed to it at the beginning. The newspaper article at the end made me tear up, when Alek said “You, lucky Austria, shall marry,” or something along those lines.
And the dialogue, once again, had me laughing every other page. But there were also really sweet lines, my favorite being Deryn’s: “He makes me feel like that. Like flying.”
All in all, abso-frickin-lutely my favorite book at the moment, and most definitely my favorite book in the series. I’m sorry to see it end, but it was totally worth it with an amazing ending like that.
THE KISS THE KISS THE KISS!!!!!!
Sorry. I almost liked the first one better, just because it was kind of Deryn going, “This is what no secrets means.” But at the same time, I loved the second one because it was Alek telling her he loved her. And there were more of them. 😉
But that illustration was soooo cheating!!!! So way zoomed out!
I loved the book, besides all the romance elements that made me squee for joy. (The pains Alek took to protect Deryn! Giving up all of his secrets to keep hers! KILLING TESLA SO SHE WOULDN’T DIE!!!!) When I finished it, I felt satisfied. It was amazing, and Scott, you wrapped up EVERY loose end.
In short, I am so so so reading this again today.
Also, I love Alek and Deryn’s conversation about Tesla and when it turned into:
“You found a rock.”
Oh! Oh yes! The “you lucky Austria” bit got me all aflutter. I think I may have cried again.
And Lilit… Lilit, you cute little lesbian you. I adore you.
Guys- with the word-cloud Scott posted a few months ago, do you think the removed word was Tesla? I had a bit of an “OOOH” moment in the middle of my book when I figured that out XD
Agh I just can’t get over it…
Deryn and Alek… finally together!
The way Scott put it together was totally not how any of us would have expected it. He has earned my full respect.
It was just this long journey… I came in a little late, but I feel we’ve all gone this distance and the journey is finally over. A little bittersweet, but hey, THEY’RE FINALLY TOGETHER!
aghi’mabouttosobagainnoanna,notinschool!don’tdoit
@Beth-la: You’re allowed to use the L word. It’s Goliath, for heaven’s sake. It deserves it. (Because I basically loved EVERYTHING about it.)
The only thing that made me sad was that they’re leaving the Leviathan. I mean, I know all good things must come to an end, and that there’s no way either of them could stay… But still. Like Alek, I have fallen for the Leviathan, and I am sad to see her sail away without them.
Mr. Westerfeld, you did not fail me. I had convinced myself that Goliath was going to end horribly like Uglies( Specials, to be specific) and Midnighters did,(These are my opinions and I’m sorry if I’ve offended you.)BUT IT DIDN’T!!!! Oh my barking spiders it was fantastic! Seriously, I did not see that one coming and Alek matured so much in it…And Deryn, Deryn is the best heroine since Hester Shaw, nay, she is better than Hester. If I had to sum this book up in one word it would be s’wonderful. Goliath was s’wonderful and s’marvelous So thank you, for your restoring this fan’s faith in all things bright and beautiful.
Scott, dude, this was an AWESOME book! But I was really peeved when you DIDN’T PUT IN AN EPILOUGE. What happened to Lilit and the Agha? Did Bauer and Hoffman ever get married? Did Alek and Deryn for that matter? Well, duh, of course, but did they have kids or what?! OHHHH AND WHY NO VARLOW?!?!?!?!?! YOU TEASED ME WITH THAT SMALL, TINY MENTIONING. What did Volger do after? What about Jaspert! What did he do?!? In the Manual of Aeronautics, PLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASE put in an epilouge of some kind!!!
It was awesome, but a little disappointing because I ADORE my minor characters. Like Newkirk, Bauer, Hoffman, etc. and I want to know what happened to them. IF YOU DONT, ILL BE FORCED TO USE MY FANFICTIONS ON YOU.
lol sorry. a little ranty.
Wow. What a wonderful pice of literature. It was indeed a thunderous conclusion. But it’s that last word that makes me want to listen to sad music and hug Goliath. Conclusion. The end. Sorry but we are out. end of the line.no more. We as readers can only imagine how deryn will go back to her mother with her prince, and we all know there will be a fair amount of bragging to jaspert. Alek will eventually love the common life, and for me I’m hoping married life too. we all want to see some little deryn of hohenburgs running around!! But I defiantly will miss counting down the days till the next book. Scott, thank you so much. I loved you book dedication, because I’m defiantly a sucker for romance !!! But the adventure of it all makes it awesome!!!!! PLEASE TELL ME DERYNS LEG WILL HEAL!!! Like back to normal real soon.
Okay, for all of you Avatar fans: Is Newkirk not a complete and total SOKKA? Like, a giant doofus, but completely adorable at the same time.
I’m sorry. I have a little bit of a crush on Newkirk. 😉 (I blame ThePrinceofParties on Deviantart and all her hilarious Newkirk drawings.)
I am so sad the book is over. It feels like a piece of me just died and fell away. Scott, you posting fan art, art reveals, and other stuff was really great leading up to the book and made the wait bearable. Thank you so much for writing this series.
Hannah-la, i totally agree with you. All Newkirk needs is a boomerang…. Someone draw this… Please!
GAHH!!! I read it last night and I could barely sleep! IT WAS AMAZING!!!! I loved the ending even if it didn’t have an epilogue, you made it very clear what was going to happen *wiggles eyebrows*. This is definitely my favorite trilogy, and as much as I’m sorry that it’s come to an end (for the most part), I’m very glad that the last book did not disappoint.
I think my favorite part was the first kiss because Alek was so confused and out of it. I also liked at the end of the book when he basically told her he loved her *ahh fangirl moment*. I almost cried with joy.
@Nicolas: I’ll try… I don’t have a deviantart, though, so it’s not like anyone will be able to see when I completely FAIL. 😉
Can you imagine all the amazing fanart that Goliath will fuel? Especially all the fantastic lines, like, “This is what no secrets means.” GAHH! *suchafangirl*
ahhh!! i cant look! but i must……NER! i will NOT look!
grrr, if i wasnt at home sick this wouldnt happpppppaaaaannn!!!!!!
darn that stupid cold
Augh, all of your comments are making me cry both happy and sad tears. It’s just terrible that the books are over (for now! A certain Anna is pinking for the manual~ haha) and done with. Hopefully there will be something else soon enough for us to look forward to, more countdowns and art reveals and FAFs. I just can’t get over the sweetness of that second-to-last chapter. Really, I have never seen as great a love as those two. Yes, there have been sweeping romances before, but they would literally give up everything, if only to stay with each other, and they’re just kids! I can almost feel the emotion the character’s are feeling in that last scene and it just makes me want to start crying again. This book has left me even more emotionally volatile than usual, and I’m enjoying it for once. These are tears of LOVE. LOVE TEARS. <3
Once I get home I'll have to dissect the book and point out every single detail I enjoyed and share it with you all. I would've highlighted my favorite parts of the books, but I didn't want to mar the pages! Hahaha, that's why I must buy it on the Kindle now. I have all of my notes and highlights for Behemoth stored in there~
SO MUCH LOVE. (I can’t get over this book. I don’t think I’ll ever get over this. Case in point: my Skype profile picture is me planting a smooch on the spine of Goliath. *sigh*)
IT CAN’T BE OVER!!! “I gave up hiding my obsession, I’m suffering from post-Leviathan depression! I read Goliath with a box of tissues… When there was no epilogue I had some issues…”
Lol. Yayyyy…
I haven’t read it yet, so I’m not reading the spoilers…Okay, I read a bit of the second comment…but when I got to the part about Alek throwing away his kingdom for love, I stopped. I will read the last chapter/page of the book first, which I do with practically every book
Soooooo…. HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My favorite thing about this series is how a lot of the normal clichés were avoided! The epitome of that is, of course, that Alek figured out the secret on his own (ok, with little help from Bovril 😉
I was also so surprised that Dr. Barlow DIDN’T KNOW! I was so sure that she did! That (other than the kissing of course) might have been my favorite scene. I loved how darn depressing it was that Dr. Barlow was like “I don’t care that you’re a girl. But you can’t get this AWESOME job because your secret’s coming out.” I was sooooo… SAD!!! And ridiculously impressed that there wasn’t a deus ex machina moment when Dr. Barlow fixes everything. Nope Alek fixed it, which was just beautiful and heart wrenching.
And total props to the people who suggested that the “shoots Deryn” picture was picture shooting and not gun shooting. You totally have rights to “I told you so.”
The article at the end was a wonderful understated ending. It’s always painful when there is not stated ending/epilogue. You’re always plagued with “What happened to them!!!!” syndrome. But so often epilogues are hugh disappointments. The article was enough of a glimpse that those who truly know Alek and Deryn and all the others (us lovely readers 😉 got to revel in secret knowledge of “Happily Ever After” without shaping it. Allowing us to dream wonderful dreams about what our heros will do next.
But most of all, I would like to thank you a thousand times over Scott-la for the dedication. Which allowed me to hope the whole book that Alek and Deryn would overcome all obstacles.”To everyone who loves a long-secret romance revealed at last.” My response is:
All my thanks to the one who first allowed it to grow.
I am currently holding in my hands GOLIATH. Today is a GLORIOUS day:):)
OAINDSO;RBN;OAINR;OIGBNAO;IGHONAJINGHJAHGR.
Now I feel like crying, because it’s over. My obsession–what will I ever do without it?
Well, besides that, the book was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!! It only took me a few hours to finish it, and when I snapped that book shut, it felt like a little piece of me died.
I love how it ended, what with Alek throwing away the throne for Deryn (Though I kind of wanted something else–maybe an epilogue or something? Guess you can’t have everything.) I honestly expected Alek to somehow make Deryn a princess or something, but the alternative was just as welcomed.
The Kiss, as it shall be dubbed, will be stuck inside my gooey, romantic side forever.
Scott-la, let me tell you something: You are a genius. I salute you.
All that I can say is that the awesomeness of this book is beyond words. This was Harry Potter magnitude for me which is quite the compliment from me. The ending of this book could not have been more satisfying and while I’m sad that there will be no more I have no regrets or “I wish this had happened…” feelings. Bravo, Mr. Westerfeld. Bravo.
I seriously don’t know what to say about the amazingness of what I read. It was brilliant. Now I’m frantically wondering what I should do now that it’s done… really, to think I wont be able to read more is so… sad xD Of course, any more after Goliath would be too much so it ended well and happy! I was a little surprise that the gun wasn’t a gun, but a camera. I kind of wish it was a gun, Alek needed to feel that terrible thought of almost loosing her. Luckily, you gave that to us afterwards and I was quite content with that! Thank you. Your hard work really paid off I can only hope that you feel you did a job well done because you did!
Thanks again, Scott!
FRENCH FRIED LAMAS!!!!!!
SOOOOOOOOOO AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHEN I WAS ABOUT HALF WAY THROUGH, I WAS THINKING,(OPPS, CAps lock) this is gonna end badly! but when i finished it i thought it was the perfect ending! love the potatoes!!! but whats that word that got taken out of the word cloud? its been bugging me FOREVER! im glad eddie and lillit came back! and i love bovril! took that barking prince long enough! and i love…THE WHOLE BARKING BOOK! i had to stop everyother chapter to do a little dance because it was SO FREAKING AWESOME!!!!
i think ive made my opinion clear.
@Hannah-la: Heehee, I know right?! The word “love” just sums up my entire feelings for the book.
OHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGOD!!!!!!!!! THAT WAS AMAZING!!!!! EPILOGUE PLZ! when I closed that MASTERPIECE OF LITERATURE, a part of my SOUL got EATEN AWAY! @ beth-la: yes, the so-called “l-word” COMPLETELY sums up the series. I loved the *hurricane scene* (AWWW!!!) and the *end* (DOUBLE AWWWW!!!)
and those *lines* will TOTALLY inspire FANFICS!!! (including my own *laughter*)
I doodled Leviathan/Behemoth/Goliath nonsense all over my schoolwork. bad me.
SCOTT! AGAIN, E-P-I-L-O-G-U-E!!!! (the latin phrase makes sense now. aaawwww!!!) <3 <3 <3 *infinity*
@Beth-la: I know. ‘Love’ is the only word powerful enough to describe how AMAZING IT WAS! 😀
Also, I love the latin phrase. Not that I’m saying they’re old enough to get married – but it’s kind of like, the phrase of Austria-Hungary sums up why Alek won’t fight the war. He left for LOVE!
*justletmegetitoutandthenI’llstopIpromise* LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE!
I’m done. 😉
I bet the word from the cloud was “Tesla.” It was quite a large part of it all xD
Well, I was warned.
I was so, so, SO scared when I saw the last couple of pages. I didn’t want it to end!
So much so, that the first time I picked up Goliath in Chapters, I actually tried to weight it. Seriously, there I had been, standing around looking all kinds of weird, trying to get the weight of the book in my hands to measure out how long it would take me to read it (because I didn’t want to see the page count – I was waaaaayyyyyy to freaked out I’d run into a spoiler), and getting all these strange looks from people BUT I DIDN’T CARE. I wanted to stretch out this experience for as much as it was worth, so I tried to satisfy myself with guessing about the plot and the weight of the book the whole subway ride home. (It totally didn’t work btw – I had already read the first couple of pages before I even left the building I’msoweak). But, definitely worth it 😀
Everything flowed so perfectly, and the relationship wasn’t forced, or rushed, and Alek wasn’t all spontaneously like “OMG I actually love you too, guess I’m not gay then!” because that would’ve been a betrayal to their character and I wouldn’t have been able to take it. I’ll miss the Leviathan with all my heart <3 <3 <3, but I'm sure Deryn (as Deryn) will find her way back on that ship someday.
Oh, and Eddie Malone can kindly go away and get eaten by his toad now. Please.
All in all, LOVE. So much love it's RIDICULOUS. All I can think about now is how Deryn and Alek will live on to become super secretive Zoo people and go on super secretive missions while doing superiorly awesome things. Kind of like ninjas, but in the sophisticated clothes and politics of the 1940s/50s.
(It's not over for me yet) <3
I think everyone has touched on all of my favorite parts, with great justice. And I think I’m with AeroRace on the “Tesla” being the missing word from the wordcloud. Please, Scott-la, correct us if we are wrong!
Did anyone else notice the box in “Draining” on 202. It made me laugh.
Oh jeez, I’m getting my history mixed up! I’m placing them in WWII! I meant 1914+. After Malone’s article 🙂
I’m so caught up my history’s falling apart XD Well, that’s the love of books for ya <3
Scott: “SPOILER REMOVED”, plz. 😉
Whoa. Alek and Deryn are now OFFICIAL ZOO-NINJAS! I closed the Good Book (goli) an hour ago. now i have post-goliath depression. like, BAD. I need manual of aeronautics/movie now!
OMG….shoot i haven’t read the book yet and…..I READ ALL THE SPOILERS…it’s really actually a good thing cause spoilers don’t make me not want to read the book….i just want to read it more and see exactly how awesome it is… but these helped me soooo much i’m having it shipped to my house and i was completely freakin out when it didn’t come today…Now i’m not soooooo freaked out…;)
Ree, if you’re reading this, there were potatoes in the first few pages and I thought of you.
I’m not sure how I feel about the ending. I was kinda hoping for “Oh yay, happiness- SHOOT HERE COME THE NAZIS!” But the war wasn’t even over and it was kind of vague on what happens. Deryn wasn’t even revealed to the world ever! I wanted to see how that went down! Also Dr. Barlow is kind of an ass. AND THAT ONE SCENE TOTALLY SUGGESTED VARLOW. I APPROVE, SCOTT. I APPROVE.
I LOVED the first kiss, though the second one had the picture AND THAT WAS TOTALLY NOT COOL. SO ZOOMED OUT. D:
I’d also like to add that Alek’s self-consciousness about his height compared to Deryn’s made me laugh sooo hard.
@theGladElf: I did! I loved it.
It was the most beautiful and satisfying experience to watch Alek grow as a person. In Leviathan, he was this sad, little boy who was completely lost in life but had so much good to give to the world. In Behemoth, we see him try to make his mark and find his place in the world. And finally, in Goliath he finds where he belongs. With Deryn. He learns that it’s not the world you have to change to be a hero, but your heart. And Deryn, Deryn rocked through out all three. Thank you, Mr. Westerfeld, for letting me see these two amazingly awesome and incredible teens grow into the confident, beautiful adults that I hope I will one day become.
OH MY GOSH I SEE THE BOX! *dying laughing*
I finished it in class today. I read it, and skipped the rest of my classes in school to just soak all of it in. A horrible thing to do, but goodness, I loved it. It was just brilliant. The kiss wasn’t what I was most anticipated, it was Alex finding out. And the rift that came between them for a moment was so flawless!
The Kiss belongs on an entirely different plane by itself. Just, Alek’s shock, confusion. Ack! There are no words, I just loved it. Completely. Hopefully I’ll be seeing you on Friday, Scott. That way I can fangirl in person. Heh.
NOT LOOK AT COMMENTS BECAUSE I’M NOT 100% DONE!
but OMG chapter 12. OMG their first kiss.
I was in AP Physics class reading when I got to the part where Deryn kisses Alek and I just started freaking out.
Everyone thought I was crazy.
Ohmygosh! I get it! THE BOX!!! That’s hilarious!
Anyways, question: was anything that was in the published version of Goliath not in the ARC? Obviously, the ARCs were lacking the epic end papers, but were there any parts that were altered/changed in the published version that came out yesterday?
Um, yeah i’m not willing to admit how much i squeeled, jumped up and down and had fangirl-sezuries…..BUT OH MY BARKING SPIDERS THAT WAS A-FRIKIN-MAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you thank you thank you so much for that book Scott-la!!!! I loved it so much, I read it in three hours, and I’m re-reading it tonight! Okay so: 1. THE KISS!!!!!! Can I say more? That was just great…I loved the setting and Deryn kissing the prince to wake him up (twist on tradition!) I’m so glad I read that at home, otherwise I would have started jumping up and down in the middle of Spanish class.
2. The way Alek found out was just…I never saw it coming! I thought she was Deryn or Volger was going to tell him!
3. Epic battles!!!!!!! I, for one, love battle scenes where everyone almost dies; and I love how Newkirk saved Deryn’s bum on the supply pickup. Yay for Newkirk!
4. That thing on Deryn’s knee. I need one; can you fabricate one for me Scott-la? Pleazy?
5. How did Dr. Barlow NOT figure out Deryn was a girl? The Lady Boffin knows all!!!!!!! That caught me off guard.
6. “Angry as a bag of wet cats” Had to be one of my favorite lines from anything. And Bovril shouting “Chest!”
7. How did none of the crew/Alek and co. not notice Deryn’s delicat girl-wrists? My wrists are finer than wrists of the skinniest boy in my grade.
8. Scott-la, could you tell Keith-la his drawings are absolutly phenominal?
9. WRITE A FOURTH BOOK PLEASE!!!!!!! I’ll bake you the dessert of your choice if you do!
ffffffffffff-!
I just finished the book! <3 I loved it so much.
It was a wonderful read, making me laugh and smile–especially the bottom of page 532, when Bovril cries "Meteoric!" I couldn't stop laughing.
I was a bit disappointed we didn't get to see Deryn in a skirt – I was hoping for that. And I do want to know what happened to those two, but sometimes open endings are better (it seems like most books these days have the married w/ kids epilogue.)
Excuse me while I go doodle fanart now… <3
Barking Spiders!
I don’t know what to say! It was incredible, I loved how Alek found out first, I love the “this is what no secrets means” and their kiss…(no comment <3)…. I loved how open Deryn was about her love for Alek, and how at the end when he was telling her about the whole business with Telsa, and that it was really only for her!
I'm so sad its over, but I am exited to see all the fan art!
Loved loved LOVED it!! 😀 From beginning to end, I especially loved Alek’s reaction to finding out Deryn was a girl and how their romance developed slowly and steadily. 🙂
Although, I am curious about one thing. There was a piece of art where Deryn and Lilit were in a wedding ceremony and Alek bursts in on a walker to disrupt it. Was that merely like a filler piece of art? (Because I was secretly disappointed.)
This is so unfair! Mr. Westerfeld, I think you enjoy torturing us.
The ending was amazing – the book fantastic – art beautiful –
BUT THERE ARE QUESTIONS STILL UNANSWERED!
What about the lorises? It never explains their purpose. I need to know. I need to know. I NEED TO KNOW OR I’LL DIE!
Not hinting at anything, but… I NEED MORE!… please?
OMG i finished it in the middle of class when we were taking a test(i finished early) and i litteraly shouted YES! so lound the whole school probably heard me. I got in sooo much trouble. 🙂
This was an AWESOME way to conclude the series! Towards the end, I almost became worried that the romance between Alex and Deryn would be unresolved (because sometimes, authors do that. And it is terrible.). But then I read the final scene, and it was so satisfying I felt like I could punch through walls after reading it. That was probably one of the most satisfying endings to a trilogy I have ever read. And then, of course, I turned the page to read the author’s notes and found Eddie Malone’s article.
“Let others wage war. You, lucky Austria, shall marry.” The context for that line was perfect. It was so beautiful I read it over and over again. Absolutely wonderful way to conclude a trilogy.
(Also nice to finally find out what that Latin phrase meant. I kept forgetting to look it up.)
Oh my god- the prince on a box! I got that right away- you probably could’ve heard my laughter miles away! XDDD
Augh still trying not to cry. And also, Scott, if you’re reading this:
I do believe I want to become a biologist after reading Goliath. Just the idea of fabricating species in my own lifetime excites me. If I ever do end up being a biologist and somehow creating a perspicacious loris, I’ll be sure to name it after you. Heehee~
I I just about cried a little….lot. I don’t want it to end!!!!!! WHYYYYYYY
Last year my daughter heard mention of a book of the art of the series. Is that still a possibility? I really hope so. It actually prompted our buying the books not only as Audible books but also in print. I would be very disappointed if that didn’t happen.
I don’t even know where to start with this book. I loved everything about it. The parts with Deryn and Alek had me almost in tears. I felt a great lifting feeling in my chest every time I thought about it in school today. I’m heartbroken that it’s over but excited at the same time because it all tied together so well!! In my mind, though, Alek is taller than Deryn. 😉
I really would have loved to see Volger’s face when Alec tells him the decision
he made about giving it all up for Deryn…. do you think Volger was ticked?
Sorry – some clarification about the box?
*pumps fist in air enthusiastically* I AM SO GLAD I LIVE IN MINNESOTA!
It was awesome, but… I wanted Volger’s reaction SOOOO bad.
Well I have to say, that was simply the best book I have read and will probably be for years to come. I can’t believe I finished this book in less than a day.
It’s funny when I think of how close I was to not checking Leviathan out at the library. I thought I had too much school work to do to start a new series. Did I finish all my home work in the past month I’ve been reading this trilogy? No. Was it worth it? YES, YES IT WAS.
But before I start I hope you know the FIRST thing I did when I got the book was look for that April Fool’s picture you posted. It was obvious it was a joke but it still would have hilarious to see it incorporated in the story somehow.
There are so many things I loved about this both. Especially the little things, like when Alek kept thinking Deryn was “Dylan” after he hit his head and you even continued that in the narration. AND THE BOX, that was friggen hilarious. Also coming from a mostly Hispanic community (Miami FTW!) the way you portrayed General Villa and his men was spot on. Especially when he said to Deryn. “And be careful of young princes.” I can’t tell you how many times my friends and I get warned from our relatives about certain types of people from the opposite gender. That part made me laugh so hard, It’s almost like a cultural inside joke.
And yes I agree with other fans, that last picture was too zoomed out. This is the first thing I truly ever fangirled over and the kiss is zoomed out, that’s no fun D: But in the back of my mind I knew you’d do something like that, hats off to you man!
Well anyway, I don’t want to write a report here but Goliath was AWESOME, and I can’t wait for the Manual of Aeronautics!
P.S. I see what you did there Scott! That little Varlow scene at the end made me snicker.
I love that Alek found out himself! Well, he had Bovril;)
The box was also hilarious.
And this is one instance where I will be delighted rather than angry if you prolong the series and write another book, or at least an epilogue or something.
So many loose ends!
And I really want to see Volger flip a shit.
His life for the last how many years was it? Wasted! He’s gotta be angry! Ahahahahaha.
i am so stuipid i am sooooooo stupid i didint even get my book yet why scott why you horrible person i hat you god why did i do that i hate my self i went throug alll the possible out comes befor i even saw this and aka anna i hate you even more
For Iley and anyone else who is wondering why all of us are cackling over a box. Check this out:
http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=§ion=&global=1&q=deryn+alek#/d3fjgmu
Also: http://scottwesterfeld.com/blog/2011/03/goliath-cover/
bits i like (and there’s a lot of them):
after telling dr. barlow: “i had no idea at all. but i make it a policy never to appear surprised”
of course, the entire ending *SQUEE* agasjk hfasldkjf hs dalek happy 😀
“Can i trust you, Deryn? Really trust you?”
“He knew.” (right after the above quote)
the bit where alek is wondering if deryn’s self conscious that she’s covered in muck in front of him, then notes that “normal girls” worry about that, but deryn doesn’t.
“your destiny is a good tailored coat” or wahtevs. funny line!
varlow bit!
the whole alek finds out – goes through anger mode, sulk mode, forgiveness mode, friendship mode…
the end of the chapter where he finds out “Mr. Deryn Sharp,” bovril says.
mustache!
no lilit/deryn marriage 🙁
Bell captain.
the kiss at the end!!! AF SHDL:FK JSDK *gurgle*
the end news article
Throwing away the case with the scroll
idk why i like the idea so much of deryn talking to them in german and they’re all like “wut a british person speaks german?” and shes all like “hell yah i worked with the clankers for a few months”. idk why i like it. i just do.
AG KJS:FDKLJ have to repeat how insanely in love i am with the end scene.
DALEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*die*
Alek killing tesla. ftw.
okay, end scene again, but one specific line (beside the fact that i love it all): “She flung her arms around him and squeezed hard. “But you didn’t know that!”
And, of course, what comes right after that “I’d have done it anyway” to “He leaned forward to kiss her.” to “S DJF:OISErr;foIALWEH RSJFKLF HOLY CRAP! SCREAMING AT FIVE IN THE MORNING!”
after the above: “Meteoric!” Bovril said a bit madly. he’s so funny! 😀
“And then, without a perspicacious loris whispering the truth into his ear, he finally undesrtood. She hadn’t come to Istanbul as a soldier at all. And she never would have revealed her secret to Alek, for the simplest reason in the world. Deryn Sharp was in love with him.”
Plus the scene in the restaurant in Japan (so we’re meant to be together!)
Can’t stop grinning every time i read all the kiss/romance scenes DALEK FTW
Deryn punchin Alek. Sad scene, but really well done.
Do you get what I mean, when I say Scott did the whole “Alek finds out” thing really well? He just sort of… got it right. he got the whole thing not at all how i’d pictured it but exactly perfect. its just amazing…
“Reporters,” Alek scoffs, after reading the “misprint” in the article about dylan’s da.
ALEK HAS ALL THE FACTS IN FRONT OF HIS FRIGGIN FACE BUT HE STILL DOESNT GET IT! until bovril helps out that is. DUMMKOPF TO THE EXTREME!
after he realizes she’s a girl and he’s just like Holy. Shit. My best friend is a girl.
When he realizes he loves her.
Herculean Inundation… Need I mention it’s also a Percy Jacksonulean Inundation? (see fourth book)
Tesla is insane. I love him.
Adela Rogers… Just… fabulous…
“You might be in love with the Leviathan, Alek. But the ship doesn’t love you back.” A sad smile played on his lips. “It was a doomed relationship from the start.” ohGOD the fandom will die.
Alek threatening Volger with “if you threaten Deryn Sharp ever again, i’m done with you…” AHHHH SO CUTE DALEK FTW
Lilit and Deryn scene
OH MY GOD I’VE BEEN TO HEARST CASTLE. I HAVE SAT IN THAT DINING ROOM. I PROBABLY SAT IN ALEK’S SEAT. HOLY…
read this at two in the morning (yesterday), tried very hard not to wake my folks up.
FINAL SCENE HECKYEAH
need i say more? because i can, if you like. i have a lot more favorite bits to share… (basically i just love the entire book)
JUST finished reading it. One word: EPICNESS!!!
OMG I can’t belive the Leviathan trilogy is over! I’m having serious Leviathan withdrawal…
IT’S ABOUT TIME THEY BLOODY KISSED!!!! XD
And Tesla was absolutely insane o.O” <–stating the obvious
I love how everything got tied together so nicely; it wasn't a cheesy ending at all, it was PERFECT.
Well played, Mr. Westerfeld! :))
The Edwardian Loris is REEEEEEAL!
@somebody
I defiantly agree!!!! So sweet I can’t stop smiling!!! I WAS RIGHT!!! I knew akek would find out by learning something about deryns da’s death!!!! MY FAVORITE BOOK EVER. AND I HAVE READ A LOTTA LOTTA LOTTA BOOKS.
OMGOMGOMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
I almost cried when at about eight o-clock last night my dad finally took me to the book store. I got their, asked the lady about it, and she frowned at me and said ‘hmmm, i don’t think it’s in yet.” I almost died, but she took me to the back anyways and THERE IT WAS!!!!! in all it`s wonderful Goliath-y glory. I stayed up until 1 reading it, but only got halfway through, so I brought it to school the next day. I was mostly angry at the book, not because it was bad (because it was barking GOOD) but because i felt like i couldn’t read it fast enough and as soon as i’d put it down i’d want to pick it up again. I feel like i was half in scott’s world and half in the Leviathan’s world all day, as my blank school day is an example of (can’t remember a thing) but i also skimmed it so fast i hardly took it in. all well, guess i’ll have to read it AGAIN!!!! (evil laughter)
My only disappointments are that i didn’t get to see Jaspert and the whole ‘Bovril liking both of them’ was never expanded. But they are very VERY small disappointments.
When I got the book, I had to keep from flipping through it to look at the pictures, though it caused me a mini mental breakdown. I gave slightly and I would flip the pages to three pictures ahead.
the kisses made my head explode a little, especially the first one, which for some reason didn’t see coming at all. Eating japan was neat, as was Deryn’s injury, and that THING that was on her knee (don’t think I’d be able to deal with that myself) and all the barking ROMANCE.
i also love how this war was only, oh, about a BILLION TIMES cooler then the real one. Not to mention how many lives Deryn and Alek did indeed save (they just don’t know it heehee)
My favourite book. Will no doubt be thinking of it for ages after this, and re-read it a few million times. So glad i bought it 😀
OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. SO HAPPY.
I won’t say much, because I am still trying to digest, but I AM HAPPY. And I really wish the real war had ended the way this one did. It would have been a lot less sucky for the European continent, and maybe world war two wouldn’t have happened. That would have been pretty cool.
AHHH KISSES.
And now I shall curl up and cry because there is no more leviathan coming to me. Except for that one thing that keeps being talked about that’s coming out next year.
The song “fix you” totally reminds me of when a lek finds put deryns secret and basically their whole relationship!!! LISTEN TO IT!!! it will make you feel happy.
Really its tots there story!!! Sooo cute
Yes! It FINALLY came out! Thank you!!!I’ve been going crazy for the past weeks. 🙂
And another thing. I LOVED THE DEDICATION. That reassured me when I was halfway through and thinking “how will this possibly work out?” So yeah. Good job, Scott.
Wow. All the excitement and obsessing on here is glorious!
Finally, I trilogy with a happy ending for everyone! (minus Tesla)
I’ve read it like 6 times already, I absolutely loved it, even though I didn’t get my epic epilogue.
And I loved all the big stuff (i.e. Tunguska, Tesla, the reveal, the romance, and Mexico!)
But it was the details that made it even better:
Tesla’s weird obsessions, learning new parts of the ship, squid animals that graze in the grass(?!), Ford passenger walkers, and U-boat walker things.
Complete awesomeness.
Only there were a few randoms threads I wanted to see tied up.
Like where exactly ARE Jaspert and the Minotaur?
And what’s the sixth language that Alek knows? (I know that one’s just being persnickety…)
And it never fully explained exactly why Bovril bonded to two people.
Now to wait for August 2012 for the Manual of Aeronautics.
YOU EXCPECT ME TO PST HERE?! LIKE ILL BE ABLE TO SPOILERIFY THE BOOK FOR MY OWN ENJOYMENT IN A LIMITED AB=MOUNT OF WORDS?!
just gotta say, out of the tens of billions of trillions slash acorns of amazingness that you wrote into this (and you know i loved it!! ive read it twice so far….) WHERE WAS THE ACKNOLEDGMENTS?! i would never call you tacky, and god knows that youve made them before- but really Scottsters??
probably going to read it again before Friday (and i know that i know what that is!!) so ciao Scottster loving people who need to READ THIS BOOK NOW
-Madi
I downloaded it to the kindle app on my computer – my actual kindle ran out of charge and my charger is MIA – at 8 am, then downloaded Goliath, having pre-ordered it months ago. I finished reading at 1 am the following morning and almost cried. I think the only reason I didnt was because I was dead tired, so my brain was kind of like “ok, time to turn off.” I’m definitely going to re-read it, slower this time. lol.
It was pure brillance, the entire series, and I honestly don’t know what else to say. I was really interested in Alek hitting his head and developing “daft spells” – anything akin to brain damage is something a lot of writers won’t commit to one of their main characters. It was very interesting!
The romance, so wonderful! Not forced or cheesy or any of the other dreadful things it could have been. You wrote it perfectly! I could go on and on and on about this series, but I won’t be saying anything you haven’t already heard before, I’m sure. Keep writing, please! And if you should decide to return us to the world of Alek and Deryn, we’ll all be waiting.
I thoroughly appreciate the way Mr. Westerfeld used and adapted the history of the period to suit his story. The little touches like mentioning the Ford factory “5 dollars a day” policy, the ridiculousness of journalism in those days, the Mexican Revolution, etc. helped to ground the fantastic elements of the story. Throughout the entire series he has done an extraordinary job of showing how certain choices can have huge impacts. Alek may not have ended the war, but he got the US to join four years earlier than in real life and kept the Kaiser from gaining the Ottoman Republic as an ally and cutting off the Russian supply line. All of those things completely change the course of what we think of as World War I and Westerfeld did it in an incredibly elegant way that allowed his world to be entirely believable.
As a side note, Dr. Barlow’s reaction to Deryn’s revelation was absolutely priceless. (“A girl, you say? And you’re quite certain?”) It was brilliant to see how the different characters reacted to the same fact, from Lilit to Barlow to Alek. I’m sure Newkirk’s response would have been equally as entertaining to read had the subject come up.
All in all, hats off to Mr. Westerfeld and the entire Leviathan series!
THERE ARE NO WORDS FOR WHAT I FEEL FOR THIS BOOK.
It was just epic, a great series-ender and I felt that it kept the whole integrity of the series.
And random observations: 9 chapters in, Alek figures out that Dylan is a girl. 12 chapters in, Alek figures out that Deryn is in love with him. And then 20 chapters in, Deryn kisses Alek, and I just about died.
I’m gonna read it agaaaain!
SQUEEEEE~! Best. Ending. Ever. Eddie Malone is just so… Wow. He was there at the end! And the quote? Oh. My. God.
One thing I was really glad about was the fact that everyone was not killed off. Just Tesla. Who was such a great evil antagonist.
The Dalek was great. Supermegaawesomegreat. When Alek was freaking out about Deryn’s femininity (read: gender), I was like, “SEXISM FTW!” More sexism would’ve been great, but the scene where Volger talks to Alek in the bathroom was priceless. “Fragile? I hadn’t thought so, but now I find you brooding in a bathroom. This doesn’t speak well of our sturdiness.” That one line was so much better than sexism.
I would’ve liked to see how ALEK liking Deryn before he knew he was girl would’ve been done… But I guess with the setting it wouldn’t have worked. There’s always the fanfiction “Kings”!
That’s probably one of the best endings I’ve ever read.
I loved it I’m not going to lie, but, WHY?!?!?! That ending was vaguer than my 94 year old aunt Bernadette at Christmas!!! And she has alzheimers!!! Again, not saying that I didnt like the book (for all you people who are going to hate me now!), I’m simply saying that the ending gave us nothing concrete…. Does that mean a sequel series is soon to come, Scott-la??
@Marnie
I totally agree (no offense anyone especially Scott!!) don’t get me wrong, i sobbed for joy when i read it and all but.. so many loose ends!!! and so vague!! I mean at the end of the book (i read it online a while ago, i dont actually own it. YET!!!) anyway, at the end of the book i felt a bit.. i don’t know.. unsatisfied.
Yeah they kissed and all but it just sorta ended. And Alek threw away his empire!! i nearly choked!!! All I could think was.. poor Volger. And I can hardly see Alek satisfied with a life as a zoo keeper, what with his 6 languages and sword fighting skills, that just doesn’t seem like the life for him.
But don’t get me wrong!!! I AINT NO HATER!!! I still loved it so much and can’t wait till my copy arrives so i can read it properly.
OH MY GOD I LOVED IT.
I got it 2 days ago, but unfortunately was not able to read it as much as I so desperately wanted to due to homework and school. This morning, when I only had about thirty or forty pages left, I finished it before school and I’m kind of surprised I wasn’t late because of my reading. I’d love to read it again but before I can, it’s my mom’s turn to read it. And after that it’s going to my cousin, and then my aunt. I’ve told so many people about this series, to my teachers to the school librarian. I was actually talking about it at the school book club yesterday when the librarian mentioned steampunk.
All in all, it was an AMAZING series, and I was not disappointed at all. Your postings and art reveals made the wait not as bad as it could have been, Scott-la. Speaking of the “la” thing, I really need to get Specials and Extras so I can finish up that series too. I’m having trouble finding the other ones (Midnighters, Peeps, ect.) but I will. Somehow.
I agree. Finally a trilogy that not only lived up to the previous books, but might even be better.
I’m also surprised that Dr. Barlow didn’t know. I thought she figured it out in Behemoth when they got back to the Leviathan and she found out that Bovril was as attached to Deryn as to Alek. Right? Still, her reaction was priceless. How she makes a policy of never being surprised.
I think I will be reading this again tonight.
I really wanted Barlow to mention that… Like, how she was saying that Bovril wasn’t supposed to attach to TWO people unless they’re… A couple. Which she didn’t say but you inferred. I really wanted a mention of that – but, ah well. I’ll live. 😉
Where do I begin to say how much I enjoyed this? Of course, enjoyed is too small of a word for this book. I can’t help but agree with the others how much I LOVED this series and the final concluding book, Goliath.
I remember when I was in working at Wal*Mart and looking for a book to read while I was on my breaks. Luckily, I stumbled on Leviathan. I knew the artist who illustrated the pictures and it looked interesting so I bought it. And I had to take it home because a 15 min break was not enough time and I couldn’t put it down.
I love this series. So many 3 dimensional characters. The world is amazing, the illustrations are fantastic and I love the plot. I haven’t been this excited for a book since Harry Potter and alas I’m sad that this has come to an end as well. I’m gonna miss Alek, Deryn and Bovril’s adventures. Those characters were just so loveable and I liked how everything came to a nice end.
I loved how you made Alek and Deryn’s relationship grow slowly. How they where introduced with one another, building trust, settling feuds and arguments… not many writers can pull that off very well, but I liked how you did it. Especially considering Alek’s position of being royalty. I’m not one to say “Awe.” But when Alek threw away the scroll from the pope, his one chance of gaining the thrown, to be with Deryn, I couldn’t help myself or contain a squee. It left me all warm and fuzzy.
I have to agree with the others, I was hoping for a more zoomable picture of the two kissing, but my artistic side says Keith knew what he was doing in his work. I got quite the Titanic feel of that last picture when they were embraced on top of the Leviathan. Quite romantic.
Though, I have to say, I also had a few disappointments. Very small disappointments. I didn’t feel like the full purpose of the loris’ were fully explained. Besides them stating the obvious I thought they had a bigger role rather than just parroting random words. I notice Bovril started extending his vocabulary into sentences, but what was the reason?
The second thing is I wished I saw (or read) Volger’s expression when he realized he threw away the Pope’s scroll. And what happens to him? I take it he’ll be with Alek no matter where he goes.
And lastly, it was amazing how you wrapped everything up so nicely, Alek’s men getting jobs, and Deryn settling into Dr.Barlow’s job offer (Though I’ll miss the Leviathan.) along with Alek! And that’s the part that bugs me the most. It feels like you’ve created an opening for a new series in Leviathan for these characters. Possibly a new book series of Alek and Deryn on adventures as Zoological Agents doing what they can to help end the war and to explore this wonderful world a bit more. Like the Harry Potter universe, you can do so much more with this! I just feel like its not over for them. Like they’re just getting started, ya know? These characters are just too real for that.
But, maybe that’s just me not being able to except that this series is…..o-o-over. TT__TT
I look forward to the art book of Manual of Aeronautics.
To wrap things up, this was my first steampunk book, and the first book I’ve read written by you.
If there aren’t gonna be anymore books I would very much like a comic/manga of Alek and Deryn’s Zoological adventures or at least have the Leviathan series turned into a movie. AT LEAST!
Well done Scott and Keith. Well done.
@Mystery carroll…
Woah there, kid. THIS IS A COMMENT SECTION OF LOOOOVE. LOOOOOOOVE. And also, why insult Scott like that? That is very mean. o-o
But anyway, today I spent my sick day making a Goliath bookmark. It will now be my tradition to make a bookmark for every Westerfeld book I get. 8D
The bookmark includes all my favorite Dalek-y quotes and a bit of the last picture on one side, along with the two birds in the picture of Alek and Bovril at the foggy window… On the other side, I have the title of the novel in fancy calligraphy and my other favorite line, “can I trust you, Deryn?”
I am in freakin’ love with this bookmark. Haha
By the way, I totally called that “MISTER Deryn Sharp” line right before Bovril said it. I was laughing and squealing. XD
My God, I knew this book was going to be awesome but… Oh my God, I can’t even put into words how awesome it was!
Best. Book. Ever.
I don’t know why but the picture where Tesla dies just made me laugh XD Alek’s all serious like “You can force me to attend dinner parties, you can take away my dignity and ruin my reputation, you can blow up a city, but NO ONE messes with my Deryn!” …And Tesla’s super skinny and cartoony and glowing XD
But what a shocking ending! I knew that Alek would go to great lengths to be able to be with Deryn but I was never expecting him to throw away his entire empire! And I know Austria-Hungary fell anyway after WWI but I still wasn’t expecting that!
I LOVE IT.
So are Alek and Deryn bowler-hat-wearing-boffins now? XD
Keyboard smash, keyboard smash, keyboard smash.
Oh, closure. Oh, crazy boffins. Oh, Austria. Oh, Dr. Barlow.
Before I get into JUST HOW MUCH I LOVED THIS BOOK WITH LOTS OF CAPSRAPE, may I just say that I WAS RIGHT ABOUT ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING? Because I was. And I since I’m so opposed to spoilers that I didn’t even know Tesla was going to be a part of this book until I opened it, I’d call that a win.
Predictions that were made by me, to which my friend can testify, in September:
1) Alek would work out Deryn’s secret on his own, but not be entirely sure if what he thought was true.
2) Alek would figure out Deryn’s secret THROUGH SOMETHING WRITTEN IN A NEWSPAPER. It didn’t go exactly how I thought it might, because there was no Jaspert, but it was close enough that I don’t frigging care. Eddie Malone is my favorite skeaze-ball EVER.
3) Alek would use one of those tricks that he hated Dr. Barlow for using on him in the first book to get confirmation of Deryn’s secret.
4) Once Deryn’s secret was out, Alek would be demeaning to her because of her gender. Everyone and their sibling who doesn’t read Leviathan knew that, but whatever, it counts.
5) When Alek was demeaning to Deryn because of her gender, Deryn would proceed to punch him. Personally, I was hoping for a head-shot, but that would be a little obvious and then we wouldn’t have that beautiful scene on the spine.
6) The Siege of Tsingtao would be mentioned and the Leviathan would participate. This was my master theory. I spent an inordinate amount of time verifying that the timeline of the first two books and where the third one was going lined up to the exact dates of the Siege.
7)
DAMN YOU COMPUTER.
ANYWAY.
7) Deryn would get injured and possibly have that injury interfere with her ability to work on the ship.
8) Alek would have to kill someone to save Deryn, and possibly the world, because he’s melodramatic like that.
9) Alek would give up his throne to be with Deryn. It seems I’m the only one who still thought Scott-la actually capable of writing a successful relationship.
Now, given that I am right about everything always, the things that I didn’t see coming because Scott-la is genius who only shares half my brain (making me half a genius!) made this the most awesome young adult steampunk book in the world. No exaggeration. I have yet to read something for this audience that is this intensely amazing. Probably my favorite thing was that Tesla’s weapon didn’t actually work (why didn’t you know this, myself, you history major you? Head-desk). I love Alek and Deryn dearly, but I still love it when characters worry about something for almost 500 pages and have to make all kinds of stressful, difficult decisions and then find out that it wasn’t actually a problem.
The romance wasn’t too played up, which I worried about for this third book, since Alek and Deryn were obviously going to get together. I like the slight amounts of romance – the distinctly unromantic first kiss – and the fact that it was secondary to the action of the book. This is really important to me, and Scott Westerfeld is one of the few young adult authors I’ve read who respect this.
And Scott made the slightest reference to Austria and their incompetence with the whole war thing. LOVE.
My actual reading of this book was pretty intense. I got the book at 7:30, and I was done with it by 11:30. During those four hours, I DID NOT MOVE. My reading is Serious Business anyway, but there have been few cases of reading straight through a book without getting up. The last one was Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, just to give a point of reference. This is how much I revere this book.
All that said with the established knowledge that I love this book so much, THERE WAS NO BOVRIL CLOSURE! Does everyone realize this? That we were promised through several cases of not-at-all-veiled foreshadowing that there must be something more to Bovril AND THEN IT DIDN’T HAPPEN??? I have some intense love for you, Scott-la, but I am in nerd agony. I’m severely hoping that the illustration book has a real explanation (hint, hint).
This stems from the conditions of Not Enough Steampunk Awesomeness and Not Enough Dr. Barlow. If there had been more of them, we would have found out exactly what the lorises were supposed to do and exactly what was wrong with the two that did hatch. But the plot was so tight that I really didn’t mind.
All in all: LOVE
Vivian
Finished the book. This is awsome. I was wondering how this would turn out since I was slightly offended by the fact that Mr. Westerfeld made Austria-Hungary look like the bad guys, but the pure brilliantness of the story had made up for that.
Dear Mr. Westerfeld,
Please hurry with the next book and I would very much like to have your permission to continue writing your story and give it in as a class project. (of course i will only give in the part that i write still I feel I need your view on the fact) The idea behind it is to convey the authors style and try to follow it.
If anybody out there has an idea for how this book is organized exactly please write it out and I will look for it later on.Still it is official this is my second favorite book in the world.
Soooooooooo. Sequel series about Deryn and Alek’s zookeeping adventures?
Y/Y
Is it weird that I wanted Newkirk and Lilith to find true love together? I mean, yes, total crack, but Newkirk would totally be a sexist pig, or discreetly demeaning, and Lilit, who is the coolest feminist ever, would, like, hate him, and then they would have this great love/hate relationship and then they would get married and have babies! <3
Jaila- I also pair those guys. Except I do it because I’m convinced that Newkirk is gay and was all crushed out on Dylan, and Lilit is bi, so they’d get married and then be able to be all experimental and not have suspicion cast on them. And pine over Deryn/Dylan.
Firstly Scott I hate you because you had a dangling Alek chapter open it and it was UNEVEN and MEEEEH. It’s always two character chapters in a pair! It has to be!
But then there were Russian fighting bears and that was the best ever. I have been waiting for those bears since book one. I got my friend hooked on the series because I mentioned them to her. I love those bears so much. I drove my sister crazy with my fangirling over them. AND THEY WERE IN THE BOOK AND THEY WERE LOVELY!
Oh, yeah, and the plot was good too I guess.
Bears!
I’ve never ever in my entire life read a book that has impacted as much as Leviathan, Behemoth, and Goliath have. Alek and Deryn set up camp in my head as soon as I opened the first book and it’s one of the best experiences I think I’ve ever had in my life…
I finished the book last night, then came on here to read these comments and started crying. It’s finally really hit me…I’m so sad it’s all over but so HAPPY because I wouldn’t change a THING. It ended so perfectly and kind of makes my heart ache.
1) I TOTALLY CALLED THE ENDING. Over the summer I would go hours without thinking of anything else but Goliath, and in one of those fits of obsessions I thought, “Wouldn’t it be awesome if Alek chucked the scroll over the side of the Leviathan for Deryn?” but didn’t think it would happen. BUT IT FREAKING DID. I feel insanely psychic.
2) My favorite line from the book is, “To fly, ma’am. And for the knots.”
& of course: “Let others wage war. You, lucky Austria, shall marry.”
3) THE BOX ON 202 IS HILARIOUS. I didn’t notice it at first but I just DIED LAUGHING. Of course after reading this book my life is complete, so dying wouldn’t matter to me anymore xDD
4) Fuhreesha, whenever potatoes were mentioned I thought of you 😀
It was the best book I’ve ever read.
I finished Goliath in two days. I could have done it in one but I had classes to go to. THE BOOK WAS SPECTACULAR. I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT IT.
I’ve always been very interested in the idea of alternate history. You did a perfect job, Scott. I loved how all the famous historical figures of that time still existed, and how their lives were slightly different due to, well, the world they inhabit being different. I’m glad we got to all the different places in this book. We got a bit of Russia, Japan, Mexico, and America. It was so exciting! The last few chapters were so tense and I was so nervous for everyone.
Oh, yeah, the romance! asdfgwfawersdrtfygjhukijliuytd certain parts in the book had me grinning and giggling like a madwoman. I probably freaked my roommate out.
AND THE ILLUSTRATIONS!! Beautiful as always! They are so intricate and detailed, and they add so much to the whole experience. Thanks Keith! I bought the audiobook last night and I plan to listen to it when I re-read Goliath (oh, that WILL happen. Scott’s writing + Alan Cumming’s voice + Keith’s drawings = SHEER PERFECTION)
The whole time I was reading this book I couldn’t stop smiling at the happy parts and gasping at the exciting parts, I never thought I could enjoy something this much! The Leviathan trilogy seemed to have everything I ever wanted in a series. I’m pretty picky when it comes to books and movies and all that, but this series, in my eyes, was perfect. Thank you so much Scott! For all of this!
I read this book in about five and a half hours, including breaks and pauses to go back and read scenes. And, Scott-la… Great Mother Monster, that was awesome. I also liked how the action just kept going up and down and everything and when you thought it was going to end it was like NOPE NOW MORE INSANITY IS GONNA HAPPEN, SILLY NAIVE READER. DID YOU EXPECT ANYTHING ELSE? So I’m basically planning on re-reading the book over and over again for the next two weeks like I did with the others, and wait anxiously for the artbook!
Like others, I also didn’t like the lack of explanation for the lorises. There was a lot of untapped potential in that storyline, though I suppose the book was long and convoluted enough as it is.
So on my first read, when Lilit said she had kissed Deryn out of “Curiousity”, I was like, “Umm, Scott-la? You said she was lesbian already but this sounds like she was just experimenting or something.” Now I think that it’s really just her being curious about what it’s like to kiss a girl since I doubt she’d ever gotten to before, but for a while that really pulled me out of the story. :/
But overall, an excellent, addicting read that I will treasure forever. And I totally didn’t get the box thing until I read the comments and someone said ‘Prince on a box’. LOVE INSIDE JOKES
This book is genius. I had totally spazzed at the end (well, actually, throughout the entire book)! At the end of the book I was so happy and my heart swelled; unfortunately, I was also unbearably sad to see the end of all the beloved characters. Please write a sequel Scott!
I was so exited when this came out, I woke up at 4 am to go get it at 7:30 at a book store 😛
I love the odd romantic tension between Alek and Deryn >///v///<
I was wondering, however, what happened to the image called "Crashing the Bash" shown on Keith Thompson's Gallery?
I would just like to say that you, Mr. Westerfeld, are the reason I had a very nice day yesterday. Goliath was everything I hoped it would be. It’s going on my Most Favorite Books List, up there with the Deathly Hallows — that means something in my world. Thank you for taking the time to write a wonderful ending to a trilogy that’s been on my mind for eight months.
Gah! I suck! I’m not getting my book until tomorrow! I’ve read most of the spoilers on here AND THEY JUST MAKE ME WANT TO READ THE BOOK EVEN MOREE~~~
Stupid 1-3 business day shipping…
Oh dear. I forgot to thank you from the bottom of my heart for writing this. It truly has changed my life (and perhaps annoyed the ones around me), but it was the first book that I had ever obsessed over frequently. The characters are amazing, and my only complaint is that people like them don’t exist in this world. So thank you, thank you, thank you.
It was great! Except for one part…IS BOVRIL SENTIENT OR NOT?
What happened to Jaspert?
I stayed up all night to read this book. I don’t regret it, even though I woke up at 3 PM. Greatest belated birthday present ever!
This book had everything. I laughed, I cried, I raged… So many twists and turns, so many things I never could have predicted… Mexico! I almost wanted to show my pa that Pancho made a cameo! 😀 And I was thrilled when I realized TELSA! was in the book. He was a magnificent bastard. All the comeback characters, too, had me thrilled, especially Lilit.
Love for the minor characters. I really want to know more about Klopp and Bauer and Hoffman and Volger, I loved Alek’s crew. Count me as another who wanted an epilogue! …Or more books, hint hint?
It was thanks to Keith Thompson that I got into this series, actually. I loved his art, regularly visited his website, and showed a friend of mine one of my favorite pieces. She said it looked familiar, took a look around his site, and bam. Told me about Leviathan.
And the rest is history. Now, I am going to mail Goliath to her, so she can experience the wonderful end to this amazing trilogy. It all goes full circle!
(I am a bit embarrassed to admit this, but Deryn and Alek reminded me of me and.. a friend of mine. I kinda want to introduce him to the series, but…!)
Oh my loris. Mr. Westerfeld, your book has cost me 4 hours of what I should’ve spent sleeping and doing my extremelyhardinfuriatingwasteoftrees homework. And you know what? I COULD CARE LESS!!!!!!!! 😀
OMW THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST INSANELY EPIC AWESOME BEYOND WORDS BOOK I’VE EVER READ ANS OMW OMW OMW THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH FOR WRITING THIS AWESOME SERIES UR MY FAVORITE AUTHOR!!!!
Ok, now that I’ve satisfied my inner-fangirl rantings, Goliath truly is an amazing book. It had the right amount of action to fulfill my violence-thirsty side(the kappas! Tesla’s electrocuted dying body! The fighting bears! Tesla’s awesome cane! Tesla’s electrocuted dying body! The picked-cleaned bones of the poor beasties and the ship! AND DID I MENTION TESLA’S ELECTROCUTED DYING BODY?!?!! :D) Not to mention the romance between a certain Austrian prince and his secret Middy lover ;3. I really wished you had included an epilogue with how everyone turned out, including our lovable Hohenberg troupe and a few Darwinist boffins…. But the last few lines of the afterword was satisfying, “It’s only too bad that Alek and Deryn have no way of seeing into our history and knowing how great a difference they made. But then again, at the moment they have better hints to do.”
Yeah, like become awesome zoo ninjas and HAVE 10+B CHILDREN!!!!(preferrably the plus)
So beautiful
I still can’t help but laugh when I think of “The Walker Shoots Deryn.” You really had me going for a while there Scott.
Perfect ending. I want you to now make a 4th book in the series. Get to it sir.
I never cared for Tesla. Now excuse me while I hide from the rage of the steampunk community.
I’m just disappointed that there will be no more books. That open ending is screaming for extended universe. Oh well. I will look forward to your future endeavors, Mr. Westerfeld.
@magicunicorn
Yes, I would love a series of Deryn and Alek’s zookeeping adventures. :3
What a perfect ending!! Definetly worth the wait. One thing though,love the varlow scene but you FORGOT TO KILL ALAN BARLOW. I’m just going to pretend that meteor landed on him.
YOU KNOW WHAT YOU SHOULD DO! you should make another series in leviathanland(yea yea i know great name) like Rick Riordan did!!!!pleasepleasepleaseplease!!??? he is my second favorite author and you are the best one!
pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease!!
I just read through a couple random comments which reminded me: I knew Eddie Malone would be important! I was right!
Mr. Westerfeld, I think you have written a masterpiece!
That was seriously the best trilogy I have ever read. No joke!
You could not have ended it better, and all the pieces I was afraid would be forgotten were tied together neatly and surprisingly well in the end! And for the record, having Keith Thompson illustrate those three books was a GREAT call! The pictures added such unique detail to your story, and pulled the reader into the story that much more! And the ending! OH MY GOSH!! You pulled that off perfectly! And the newspaper clipping was a perfect substitute for a traditional epilogue. 🙂
Seriously when I first got the book and skimmed over the dedication, I did a double take and burst into a huge fit of fan-girl squeals.
I love all the extra places and characters you put into this book, it made it a lot less predictable. Mr. Tesla, well I don’t think anyone else could have made him such a good MAD character! And those reporters! Oh my gosh! You did a great job of making them unlikable (putting it mildly!)!
And Hearst castle!? I have been there! And in the dining room! I practically squealed when they ended up there!
And Deryn’s secret getting revealed! I really didn’t know how you were going to pull that off (or if you were going to! I’m so glad you did!). You did it very well, and thank you for not making it extremely mushy after Alek found out. I’m glad you kept their actions true to the character you established in them through the last two books.
AND OH MY GOSH! You had me going with the picture “The Walker Shoots Deryn”! Needless to say I was fretting about that one for quite some time (though not quite as bad as the scary picture you and Keith posted for April fools!)! 😀
And the perspicacious Lorises!!!!!! How did you even think up such an awesome creature! They were so cool! And perspicacious! They added such a unique element to the story.
And Ernst! Until I saw that name, I never realized that I had never heard Volger called by his first name!
You are an amazing writer! Even all these elements wouldn’t make for a good book if you didn’t have such a wonderful writing style. It’s the perfect balance of fast-paced action, but detailed, and you seamlessly fit all the scenes together so well that kept for a good, even pace of interest throughout the entire story (in all three books). And even the “slower” parts of the story were never boring, because there was always something to “look” at, or think or fret about. 🙂 And I love the way you were able to create characters that were a good example to the readers without watering the story down unrealistically by them never making mistakes or having regrets or getting into trouble for a choice they made. That’s something that’s very difficult to achieve in writing, as I’m sure you know.
And for the record, as much as I loved reading every minute of this series, if you didn’t write any more books it would still be perfect. I almost think (dare I say it?) that having another book with Alek and Deryn in it might ruin the perfection you achieved with this book’s ending. I mean, it was a PERFECT ending for a series.
And thank you for being kind enough not to end this one on a cliff-hanger. 😉 It was definitely, without a hesitation of doubt, worth waiting for. Thank you Mr. Westerfeld!
Scott, you have to tell us how you pulled that joke with the fake picture from April Fools Day (the one that looked like Deryn and Lilit where getting married and Alek was smashing in in the background)!! How did you pull it off? I was actually expecting to see it in this book. Did you get the artist to do that for you to freak us all out or something?
Oh I can only imagine the story behind that…
…unless you tell me. *wink*
Haven’t read it yet, but I cheated and looked at the spoilers, and it looks AMAZING!!!!!
My birthday can’t come soon enough…
AND I GOT THE BOX!!!!! OMG, I was writing a book called The Box but now I have to change the name I think about it I have to laugh so hard. And I haven’t even read the barking book!!!!
Fantastic book. Seriously. It blew me away. Thank Keith for me for the lovely illustrations as usual, ‘kay?
I mean, seriously. Now I’m suffering from post-series depression.
I adored this book. I’m STILL adoring this book; it’s been on my mind for past months and now that I’ve read it it’s on my mind EVEN MORE. 😀
My alltime favorite part of Goliath had to be when Alek asked Deryn if he could really trust her. I missed it the first time, so when he left i was like: WHY?!, so I reread it..and had a MAJOR MENTAL BREAKDOWN. It was so subtle that I didn’t even notice, xD No surprise it completely startled and scared Deryn out once she realised it. It was a total:” Wait! Where’d that come from?” moment for her.
And Dr.Barlow’s reaction to finding out Dylan was a Deryn made me laugh my head off for about 5 minutes straight. It could just be because the whole time I was expecting her to have KNOWN about Deryn’s crossdressing xD
And the kisses were so sweet~
The Leviathan Trilogy is one of the best books I’ve ever read 🙂
..And I don’t think it needs another book or even epilogue..the way it ended was just so perfect that they could’ve gone anyway they wanted to after that…
That was amazing. So amazing. I just finished it less than an hour ago and… I can’t even speak right now. Just… AHHHH!
Even though I was very reluctant to ship Deryn and Alek at first, now I want to do it. Their relationship has grown so much. And I loved Lilit showing up and taking Deryn on a date. Hilarious and just enough for me to still ship them. I really want to know what happens to Lilit now. I vote she gets her own series.
And the character development was great. So great. I love how Deryn actually seemed like a girl in this book. And Barlow was great.
But my favorite part overall was the lorrises. Especially Bovril. I want my own Bovril so badly now.
I LOVED THIS BOOK. I got it when it was released, and stayed up until 3 am to finish it 😀
Honestly, though, with your afterward Scott-la, “But then again, at the moment they have better things to do.” I demand an explination! Or is that just for us fanfiction writers? Cause if so, then dancing is the answer. Cause I wrote something like that (again at 3 am.) 🙂
And you should DEFINITELY COME TO ARKANSAS! I WANT AN AUTOGRAPH! lol
I loved it so much. again. and now i’m forcing my best friend to read it so I can have someone to fangirl with. *smirk* yes. instead of epilogue… SEQUEL! or PREQUEL! or whatever. Now EVERYTHING looks leviathan-y to me. My dog (I want to rename him Bovril), my piano books, my piano books, my table my shoes(wha?) my piano bench, my violin… the floor… okay, everything. KYA!
*SQUAWK* dies. sry. had to say that. 🙂
ugggh, I meant to savor this book, read maybe a few chapters a day so I wouldn’t get so sad when it was over, but no. I still ended up reading all night. Just until Alek finds out… ok just until barlow finds out, just till they kiss, but then it was over. AND I NEED MOOORREE!!!!!! No fair, ending it so well! It makes me want to read the whole series over again just to lead up to that one ending scene.
Just for the record I wanna say that… GOLIATH WAS THE MOST MOTHER A FRIGGIN SHATTY AWESOMEST BOOK IN THE WHOLE UNIVERSE!!! It even made me tear up a bit and most books do not do that for me! The fact that Alek gave up his empire- all for the sake of loving Deryn was an amazing touch Scott-la, I give you a round of applause!
But now for my rant about why Goliath didn’t QUITE please me:
THERE WAS NO BIG ROMANCE BETWEEN ALEK AND DERYN!!! That made me even more angry because I waited 8 months for this last book, I’ve written countless of fanfics on it and here comes scott-la promoting the fact that they love each other JUST THE WAY THEY ARE!!! I mean wouldn’t it not hurt to put in a kittle bit more kissing and fondling???? NO! is the answer to that but somehow Scott-la didn’t think of that factor and just put in 2 measly kissing scenes in.
And it would help a lot with that epilogue (although the ending was very well made with the “and they lived happily ever after” variation) but not good enough with that cliff-hanger “now make the ending however you want it”. I really hate those kind of endings! I mean at least clue us in what they’re doing 20 years from now (and hopefully live up to the lovely romance Alek and Deryn would have then)!!!
Alright that’s my rant out of the way and I hope you’ll listen Scott-la!
6:34 at September 23, 2011
was when I finished the book and realized how happy and depressed that no other book could make me feel that way no longer… 🙁 🙁 🙁
Scott-La!
I just want to tell you that Goliath is the absolute best book in whole entire world!!!
I loved this book so much, you could not have made it anymore amazing!
I friken lost it when Alek unexpectedly threw the letter and kissed her! OMG HE KISSED HER!!! :-* I LOVED IT!!!! I cried!
AHHHH!!!! You don’t know how much this book rocked!
You better believe I’m re-reading the series! After my sister gives me back the books of course… I insisted she read them 🙂
Aaah! I haven’t got the book yet but I read all the comments . . I wasn’t going to but . . . nevermind! I WANT IT SO BADLY! MUST READ IT ONLINE!!!
Hey, what’s the other perspicacious loris’s name? Or doesn’t it have one?
Oh. My. God. This was AMAY-ZING! This is absolutely one of my favorite series of all time. I read the Uglies series right before Leviathan, but I must say, Mr. Scott, that Leviathan and its sequels top everything. I downloaded this book on ibooks on my iphone, and since I’m in high school where phones are strictly forbidden during school hours, I found myself pulling out said phone, hiding it in my lap in order to read this book. Enough said.
My favorite parts throughout all three books have to be any scene with the Lorises in it. I cracked up every time I read “Mr. Sharp!”
I got Goliath when it came out and I read all through the night. I. COULD. NOT. PUT. IT. DOWN. Although I was slightly disappointed that the ending left me with so many questions, I absolutely loved the little jab that you made the the Austria-Hungarian motto. I tip my bowler hat off to you Scott-la.
Does the lack of substantial ending information mean that you are currently paving the way to a sequel series? Perhaps baking a cake with the plot line of some short stories? Please, Scott-la, I am writing metaphors with curiosity.
I just finished Goliath last night. It was the most amazing ending that Mr. Westerfeld could possibly write for the Leviathan series. And I teared up at the end, I was THAT happy and sad.
I do have some unanswered questions, though. Such as, was there any real purpose behind the lorises if the plan all along was to just pick up Tesla and drop him off in Japan? And if everything had gone smoothly in Istanbul, then the Leviathan would have gone back to Britain, would they have not? ALSO, DO YOU HAVE AN OBSESSION WITH POTATOES, SCOTT-LA? Because I’ve noticed that you’ve mentioned them in every single book of Leviathan, and if you do have an obsession with potatoes, then I think we share a common obsession.
But the ending…AMAZING. I love how Alek gradually realized his feelings for Deryn and became certain at the very end. Sacrificing his right to the throne! I wonder what Volger’s reaction was, haha. Also, I’m wondering what kind of relationship Volger and Barlow had. Was it just a friendship or something more?
However, I’m as empty as a potato bucket with no potatoes now. To fill that bucket up, I’ll be uploading a lot of fan art and fan fiction on Deviantart and on Westerforum!
Thank you, Mr. Westerfeld and Mr. Thompson for bringing the amazing finale of the Leviathan trilogy to us!
Hey, guys… I think we should remind ourselves: Uglies was only supposed to be a trilogy, but guess what happened? Extras.
Of course, Extras followed someone else, but let’s not rule out a fourth Leviathan book just yet… 😉
I’d rather not a fourth Leviathan book, as it ended PERFECTLY. However, if there was a fourth extra one…if should follow Newkirk’s perspective. ;D
HOW COME CRASHING A BASH WASN’T IN THE BOOK I HAD A GOOD PICTURE OF THE WHOLE PART THAT COULD REVOLVE AROUND IT.
Finished the book at about 12:10 last night (or early this morning watevs) after starting it the day before (and I had to g ot oschool for most of the day). i couldn’t put it down!!!!! but i loved loved loved the book, the drawings were incredible and I just loved everything about it. Oh, and there was a character with my name!!!! That never never ever ever happens to me! Even if she was a barking ninny wit han attic full of yackum, I was okay with that cuz Scott Westerfed had a character named Adela!!! YAY *life is now complete* . The ending was perfect but it still left me wanting more! Jobs well done Scott and Keith! And I can’t wait to hear the sound recording! Gonna go read it again now.
dude… seriously…. if you love your fans….
MAAAAAAAAAKE MOOOOOOAAAARR LEVIAAATHAAAAAN BOOOOOOOOKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!MOAR!!!!!!!!!!
pls?
Because, man, I NEED more of these books. I’m gonna go insane without it. And I know I’m gonna HATE it when I finish Goliath. I have this insatiable hunger for more of its kind and I know I’ll never be satisfied with just THREE. I know I’m asking for a lot. I also know you’ll probably just glance over this comment. But PLEASE, I need MORE.
I DON’T WANT THE SERIES TO END.
@fureesha
with the precious potaotes of course!!
but i want more adventures!!!
did i mention to any of you that i happen to be a junior zoo keeper at my local zoo????
You say: OMG REALLY!!!
I say: yes i am! and you mustn’t be jelous of my awesomness!
oh yes…. WHEN ALEK AND DERYN HAVE KIDS THEY NEED TO NAME ONE OF THEM SOPHIE!!
AND KLAUS
OR GILLIAN
FOR I LOVE ALLLLLL OF THOSE!!
but most importantly…
name one of them gillian please? its such a pretty name
I EATED POTAOTES TO CELEBRATE GETTING THE BOOK!!! YAY FOR PRECIOUS POTATOES
I absolutely ADORE Goliath. It is definitely my favorite out of the three, and I am sad to see it end! I had waited a YEAR for this book, well maybe even a little more, but it was DEFINITELY worth the wait. It was but together beautifully, creating a most wonderful piece of work.
I was reallly happy with how Alek found out about Deryn, although I though she would tell him, because he was too big a dummkopf to figure it out. Plus. the initial anger didn’t last to long, so they could be friends again. Ah, how Alek came to terms with it was great. The first kiss, AMAZING! uiwdefyuef, I freaked out inside, becoming the biggest fangirl, EVER. Everything about it was great.
The drawings were wonderful, although we got cheated out of both kisses, one didn’t get a picture, and the other was zoomed out, a lot. The new reporter, her name escapes me, was not favorite character, but I was glad she was in the book anyway. She added to the chaos, making everything more interesting.
Now enough about how much I love it. I can’t help and be curious as to what happens after the book… What exactly is their job? Do they get married (just want to be sure)? How does Deryn transfer from a boy to a girl without suspicions, or how does she do it at all? What are ther kids names and personalities? And lastly, What is goign to happen when she goes home to her mother, aunties, and brother, with Alek by her side? I really need to know. Even though, I was very happy with ending.
Deryn’s precious potatoes, indeed.
once i finished my first thought:
woooww!! frickin amazing.
second thought:
NOOOO!! ITS THE LAST ONEEE 🙁
PLZZ WRITE ANOHTER ONE!
AMAZING!!!! And Scott-la, I was getting scared by the end that we wouldn’t get to have a picture by Keith-la of our favorite couple kissing, but then I turned the page and saw the last picture of the series….what a way to end it. Perfect.
I read this book in about four hours. It went so fast, I’ll have to read it all over.
Guess my homework’s never getting done. 🙂
OH.
MY.
GOSH.
AWESOMEST BOOK EVER!
“Be careful of young princes” why? they might sweep you off your feet??
it’s a little too late for that one;)
@Nicolas and Hannah-la: I shall take on the mighty task of having Newkirk and Sokka appear in a peice together. Expect it around…. later….
———–
Okay, so, I went to this book store in St. Paul and this guy takes my Goliath book, crosses out the author’s name on the title page- AND THEN SCRIBBLES ON IT?
RUDE, AMMIRIGHT?!
I kid you- Well met, Scott-la! (ps: I was the one who gave you the blue post-it with Deryn scribbled on it….)
—————–
UM- Does anyone ever want to rip Eddie’s head off? WHAT IS HE TRYING TO DO, RUIN DERYN’S LIFE?!?! *dies* Bovril wasn’t so bad in this book, but I didn’t appreciate any of the loose tongues of the lorises (lorisi?). HELLO, SHE’S TRYING TO BE INCONSPICUOUS.
I think we should all refer to Deryn as “little sister” from now on. Just my opinon…. which should take effect immediately.
Oh. My. Goodness. My family thinks I’m insane now, but I don’t care, this was so fantastic!
I think everyone’s already summed up the big stuff. YES. OHMIGOSH, YES. DERYN AND ALEK. FOREVER.
It was really admirable how they really came out equals in the end. Not just throwing away the letter, oh no. (And, might I add, that was very smart of Alek. That letter might have been useless in the end anyways, so he did the right thing, totally.) But rather, they’ve always been saving each other in some aspect. Every once in awhile after Deryn told Alek her secret, I started worrying that she’d start relying on him to do all the coverups for her, even though she’s had her own successful masquerade for months. On the other hand, I worried that his delicate princeliness would end up being completely and totally saved by Deryn, like she’s done many, many times for him. And although I was sad that Deryn didn’t see a lot of action in the battle with Goliath and the water-walkers, they seemed to both hold their own in the end, on equal ground. THANK YOU, MR. WESTERFELD, YOU ARE MY IDOL BECAUSE YOU CAN BALANCE OUT DIFFICULT THINGS LIKE THIS.
Um… since everyone covered the big things, I wanna admire the small things. In the epilogue we have Mr. Toyoda explained as the real-life boffin that resulted in our Toyota cars (I had a suspicion when I read the names in the book), but it’s fantastic that Mr. Mikimoto was inserted as fabricating pearls. Mikimoto is a company that produces very famous pearls in Japan – I know because I am lucky enough to own one. This made me feel very smart~
The newspaper moguls were very fascinating~ I found myself rooting for Mr. Pulitzer, although I’m sure that in real life they were equally notorious in their yellow journalism. Everyone seems to hate Eddie Malone… but can I guiltly say that I’m a fan? Yeah, I really wanted to hit him too, when he found out Deryn’s secret… and since he got Alek to spill his secrets twice (poor kid’s too naive)… but I still kinda love the guy.
Mr. Westerfeld’s take on American history in this universe was fascinating! It sounds almost as if the country is predominantly Clanker, using Darwinist technology when it’s convenient, or maybe just out for agricultural uses. We never did seem to leave the big cities in this book except for the jaunts over Mexico, the Pacific, and Siberia. It’s probably my own imagination, but I think that the West would be much more blended than the East. I know I’m overly enthusiastic about American history, but it’s fascinating to picture the Civil War in that way, and try to imagine how things went from there.
It’s a wonder that the European powers haven’t tried blending Clanker and Darwinist technology yet, especially after the success of the Leviathan. Japan seems to be the one country portrayed in Goliath that actually scares both sides. The kappa were fantastically terrifying. Hopefully Alek and Deryn made enough changes in this version of the first world war… because number two seems extra horrifying with the technologies that all sides are employing at this point.
To play off a fantastic trope… ‘what happened to the behemoth?’ Or, for that matter, Newkirk. And Jaspert. I want to know what happened to those fellas. Not to mention what Jaspert is going to do to Deryn when he finds out exactly what she’s done since he let her sneak into the Air Service.
Also, since Dr. Barlow wondered for that one sentence “if everyone on this airship has a secret identity”… I’M ONTO YOU, NEWKIRK. THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT WE WILL ALL FIND OUT IN THE FANFICTION SOONER OR LATER. Probably his first name. Maybe it’s something horribly girly, and that’s why we only call him by his last name.
There’s so so so much more to say, and so so so much that I loved about this that if I mentioned it all, I’d just be copying the book down onto the web. And I don’t want to do that, Mr. Westerfeld deserves every penny out of this!
So, THANK YOU THANK YOU MR. WESTERFELD. YOU ARE REALLY AND TRULY MY IDOL, WITH YOUR FANTASTIC WRITING COMBINED WITH THAT BIOLOGY NERD WHO MAKES ME WISH I WERE INTERESTED IN SCIENCE INSTEAD OF LANGUAGE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING MY LIFE FANTASTIC IN THE GAPING HOLE LEFT BY THE END OF HARRY POTTER. On that note, I’m eagerly anticipating the next book/series to come out! I know it’ll be a great one! If my opinion counts for anything, I’d like to see a little history again – maybe not on the scale of recreating an alternative world war, but perhaps just a setting that colors us into the past once more. THANK YOU SO MUCH! MAHALO, GRACIAS, MERCI BEAUCOUP, ARIGATOU GOZAIMASU!!!
The box!!!! I just looked at that page and laughed. New favorite quote: “I make it a policy never to be surprised.” — Dr. Barlow. She makes me laugh though I sometimes hate her. I kind of wanted her to know about Deryn.
Holy crap!!!!! THe kiss, “THis is what no secrets means.” !!!!!!! I was so happy. And then when he kissed her i wanted to die of happiness. He says he knew when he killed tesla to save her. awwwww!!! Was i the only one who wanted to laugh or cry about how in denial alek was about deryn!!! He read the whole article and the loris had to practically scream it to him before he realized it!!!! I loved how he reacted!! it was perfect, so in character! I loved how his accepting it and their romance wasn’t forced! I would’ve been so mad if he had been all “You’re a girl! Oh! Now I’m in lovde wiht you!” This was so much more subtle and beautiful!!!
Oh, yeah and Lillit was amazing. She made me laugh. I hate Eddie Malone. I wanted to die when i finished the book. “Alek was there among the scattered lights of Long Island, without Deryn Sharp to protect him.” I love this quote. I wanted to cry when i read it. Go Deryn and her chick-kick-butt-ness!!!! @ White– I did love how their relationship balanced out!! Deryn still saved him but he returned the favor!! i would have been so disappointed if Alek had suddenly become a man and started saving a poor, weak Deryn from everything!! “We save each other. THat’s how it works.” that quote describes it perfectly!! Deryn is one of my favorite heroines!! That’s saying something, cuz i read a lot of books with kick-butt girls! Alek is one of the best fictional guys ever!!!
PS: Bovril shouting: “Chest!” Hysterical!! Best sidekick animal ever!!
@deryn sharpie: One of their kids should be named Dylan.
omg i had a dream vision guys ther is a levithan guide yes and with aesome pics and all of the stuff you love but scott pleas make a 4th booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooookkkkkkkkkkkkkk
I want more!
Don’t get me wrong, the book was wonderful and I loved it but there is still so much that can happen! What’s this Society of Dr. Barlow’s? And what exactly is Bovril? Bovril keeps getting smarter but we still don’t technically know what it was designed for. The war isn’t over yet either. Oh come on there has to be more! I could totally see some sudden complications arising that interrupt Alek and Deryn before they get married. And what did Bovril mean when it said Dr. Barlow and Volger were “plotters”? Alek and Deryn could still have so many adventures together! I don’t like endings to book series, you’ve gotten attached to the characters and you just want more. Especially when the characters are so barking hilarious! Please, I’m begging you… write another book! Don’t be a Dummkopf, I know I’m not the only one who wants more. (I hope you are not offended by me calling you a Dummkopf, I mean it in the nicest possible way) Thank you for the amazing books, now please write another amazing book! You’re characters are just too awesome!
I’m listening to the audio book right now. It is equally genius!
Well done Scott and Alan!
Wow. Rushed out Tuesday to get the book. Couldn’t read it until Friday because of my STUPID ENGLISH ESSAY. I mean really? Pfft, stupid education, getting in the way of my book time! ):_> And, of course, in addition to the amazing characters, there *is* an amazing plot, and obviously a lot of research behind it, as well as amazing pictures. So many times, it’s obvious the illustrator hasn’t read the book they’re illustrating, but that’s obviously not the case here. So. Epic. O_O
I kind of figured the ending would end with Alek throwing that pope letter away, but still, it’s a pretty cool ending. ^_^” I think the series ended very well. Don’t get me wrong–I’d LOVE another Leviathan book but…all good things come to an end, I guess, and this seems like a pretty good ending to me. This is probably one of my most favorite books ever. Amazing job. =D
This was probably one of the best ending to a series that I’ve ever read. Absolutely fantastic.
When Deryn first kissed Alek, my first thought was “It’s about time!” and my second thought was “Where’s my picture?!” But then there was the one at the end, even if it was really really really zoomed out.
Other favorite parts…
I liked how Alek was mad that Bovril found out before he did xD
And that picture of Alek killing Tesla OH MY GOD
Even though I think about Goliath ALL THE TIME, I’ve only had one dream about it! Aa! It would be the best dream ever!
Did you know the Hagia Sophia actually does exist? It’s pure dead fancy too.
WHAT’S THE OTHER LORIS’S NAME? Edward? Cause there’s that whole Edwardian loris thingy . . What’s the picture of Threatening Weather Vista? Tesla Cannon? The people on Leviathan must be ticked off at him for inventing it, but why do the let him on the ship then? AND HOW COME ON THE INTERNET I CAN’T FIND THE KISS PICTURE? Somebody post it, please!!!
I haven’t read the book yet but I can tell it will be THE BEST BOOK I WILL EVER READ IN MY LIFE. Seriously, the first few books, I don’t think I will EVER read anything cooler than them.
Scott, PLEASE write another one!!!!!!
Even though I think about Goliath ALL THE TIME, I’ve only had one dream about it! Aa! It would be the best dream ever!
Did you know the Hagia Sophia actually does exist? It’s pure dead fancy too.
WHAT’S THE OTHER LORIS’S NAME? Edward? Cause there’s that whole Edwardian loris thingy . . What’s the picture of Threatening Weather Vista? Tesla Cannon? The people on Leviathan must be ticked off at him for inventing it, but why do the let him on the ship then? AND HOW COME ON THE INTERNET I CAN’T FIND THE KISS PICTURE? Somebody post it, please!!!
If I have kids they’re gonna be named Alek or Deryn. It’s not often you get a name that doesn’t remind you of someone else you don’t like of the same name (well, there is a Dylan in my class but for some reason when I read the word it doesn’t remind me of him.) And when I get a pet, it’s gonna be called Bovril.
If they make it into a movie it should be animated. Don’t you hate it when they turn your favourite book into a movie but the actors aren’t anything like you imagined them? If it was animated in Keith’s style, that would be SO COOL. Like the trailer, that’s awesome.
I haven’t read the book yet but I can tell it will be THE BEST BOOK I WILL EVER READ IN MY LIFE. Seriously, the first few books, I don’t think I will EVER read anything cooler than them.
Scott, PLEASE write another one!!!!!!
There’s over 20 different ways they could’ve found out Deryn’s secret. I counted.
A brilliantly woven end to a great trilogy. I had to say that I preferred if Alek got his throne back, but that probably wouldn’t have worked out realistically for Alek and Deryn. I wonder if their is going to be another series though because the ending is VERY open ended. I can’t wait for a possible movie.
The way Scott put it together was totally not how any of us would have expected it. He has earned my full respect.
AHAHA IT’S SO GOOD seriously, scott. i was having a bit of a hard time the week it came out, but i feel so much better now.
it came two days earlier then amazon said, and i was so exited that i attacked my dad(his fault, he introduced me to it) when he brought in the mail. i ripped open the package, scarcely able to contain the joy and hope swelling in my soul! tenderly stroking the embossed paper dust cover, i reluctantly placed it on the kitchen counter, before gracfully awaying into the dank garage to retrieve a pair of corregated cat boxes(don’t ask). when i hastily retuned to the light, the glorious tome had vanished!
my dad had stolen it just to annoy me. i got it back and spent the rest of the night reading and eating dry oats(again, don’t ask) and rice candy. i finished before going to bed… thanks for making my heart go from sick to singing!
@Julia: YAY! Are you the same Julia who writes all those amazing stories on Fanfiction? (Because if you are, I’ll have you know that I spent hours on Wednesday reading all of them. *too much free time*)
I love how Deryn was mad that Alek took Bovril when they were fighting!!!
@Hannah-la: Alas, no, I am not the same Julia- but I’m sure that Julia would be really happy to here that!
Actually, speaking of the name Julia- when I met Scott-la yesterday, he asked me what my name on the forum was. I said it was just julia, even though there was that huge debate a bit ago about who would actually be named julia (I think there were 3 of us) that I didn’t stick around for, so I just kept my name the way it is XD
Then I realized (after I left,) this is not the forum- this is the blog that anyone can post on. I don’t have a forum account. Shucks, embarrassing…
__
Did anyone get a kick out of the last picture, how Deryn was notably taller than Alek? I laughed. Because that’s Deryn for you- breaking all kinds of stereotypes.
@ firemakesmesmile: The “Bovril liking both of them thing” WAS expanded.It was kind of obvious Dr. Barlow meant he wasn’t supposed to bond with two people unless their a couple. FORESHADOWING.
If this were a movie, I just thought of the perfect after credits clip!
(Deryn and alek walking up to deryns house)
Deryns mom: *answers door* Deryn! You’re finally home!
Deryn: mom, this is Prince Aleksander of Hohenburg, former heir to the throne of austria hungary! And he wants to marry me!
Deryns mom: *frowns* dear, what have I told you about wearing trousers in public?
I literally JUST finshed the book….FANTASTIC! I LOVED it ALL….but my favorite part being Dr. Barlow’s “I make it my policy never to appear surprised” 😀 and then the whole “OMG, DR.BARLOW GOLIATH’S GONE AND HOW ARE WE GONNA END THE WAR WHEN-”
“It was a rock.”
“Oh.”
BTW…thanks for not doing a total cliff-hanger ending. When Perils of Pauline showed up i was pretty scared.
But the coolest part was on page 0, where there was a big, swirly Scott signature! THANKS SO MUCH FOR SIGNING ALL THOSE BOOKS FOR AMAZON! 🙂 It must have been so annoying!!!! I am envious of your patience 🙂
Also….Scott, if you ever get a letter from Studio Ghibli asking to make a Leviathan movie….PLEASE SAY YES
They could make the coolest clanker walkers and leviathan would be so real it would be EPIC!
…I stayed up until three in the morning to finish this book. This tells you how much I like it. I have fallen in love with this book.
WILL SOMEONE PLZZZZZ TELL ME WHERE I CAN READ GOLIATH ONLINE
WILL SOMEONE PLZZZZZ TELL ME WHERE I CAN READ GOLIATH ONLINE I AM DYING TO READ IT
@lopi
I’m sory but I don’t have any suggestions as to where you can find the book online… 🙁 The only idea I have right now is to google where you can…
Anyways. SCOTT-LA YOU HAVE TO MAKE A 4TH BOOOOOOOOOOKKKKKK!!! PURTTY PURTTY PLEASE WITH SUGAR AND ANYFRIGGINELSEYOUWANT???? I will SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUST if you will make another book!!!
And I know you’re working on the manual to aeronautics but it wouldn’t be too difficult to release another extra bonus book to the series? Just like Extras? Please? For all of your lovely and adoring fans?
@ Imogene-la
I TOTALLY AND WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE WITH YOU (although set your sights a LITTLE lower; think Uglies instead of Leviathan. Leviathan isn’t set to go out in maybe 5-10 years, which is my estimate…)!!!
SCOTT-LA IF YOU EVER GET A NOTE FROM STUDIO GHIBLI DON’T THINK, JUST SAY YES!!!
And I loved the part where Hoffman and Bauer are like “You know Volger and Barlowe are like the perfect match, you know…” And Alek totally gets confused like that!!!
KEEP WRITING AND TELL US SOON WHAT YOUR GOING TO RELEASE NEXT!!! I am sure to be the first one to buy it even if it is a piece of crap about a little girl skipping along a fine road with no cares at all… I would buy that piece of crap just because its by you…
First off: Thank you, Scott.
Okay, moving on~ Let’s try to keep my comments to a minimum….
There was so much win in this, but hands-down, my favorite part was when Deryn chases after Alek after realizing that he figured out her secret. “Say that again.” X3
Sent shivers down my spine.
Anyways, there was about 3 times when I thought Eddie should of died. =.=
1.) Page 377: Villa reached up and flung the canvas aside, pointing his pistol into the beaming unshaven face of Eddie Malone.
“Dylan Sharp, Deryn Sh–”
With a loud bang, Eddie crumpled to the floor.
2.) Page 413: Lying beside Alek, Eddie Malone began to slide away, but then Alek seized the man’s hand. As Alek stared down at the reporter, their eyes locked, and a sudden, sickening realization swept over him. Without allowing himself to deliberate to much, he released Eddie’s hand. The reporter cried out in fear before he lost his grip and fell to his doom.
3.) Page 419
“I didn’t think so.” Alek smiled, putting his hand on the man’s shoulder. “Luckily, I have a backup plan.”
Alek then proceeded to shove Malone off the roof.
I seriously expected one of these instances to occur….
Also, I like Telsa!!!!! 🙁 (But no hard feelings–your version was amusing.) But I would like to ask everyone look up the man and allow yourself to form your own opinion of him without Westerfeld’s charming influence.
I’m always at a lost as to how I should start things like this. Do I open up with a compliment, tell of the many joys your trilogy has given me over these past few years? Or do I open it with a question lie, what inspired such genius? Whatever may be the best way, I would just like to tell you that Goliath was fantastic and I thuroughly enjoyed the ending (or rather, I freaking loved the ending!). Still I do wish to know, is there going to perhaps be another series with Alek and Deryn, based in WWII? Alek and Deryn would only be 35 at it’s start and I think it has to potential to be amazing! Also, if I was to be honest I really want to know what became of them in the future and a second series is a fantastic excuse for that. Just an idea (I’m sure you have many other projects planned out) but I would still like to see it. Message me what you think if you have the time.
I totally think u should make a sequal like extras where the beginning is clanker and darwinists are working together and the main character has nothing to do with alek and deryn. But then the leviathan randomly shows up and everyone gets swept up by awesomness. Then dr.barlow and deryn and alek show up. And maybe a possible tiny hohenburg diplomat in training?? 😉 YES!
Just wondering, how did the real Nikola Telsa die? It’s fairly obvious he wasn’t electrocuted by the lost prince of Honenborg.
Did I mess up that last word?
@ Stargirl8
True…but you never know 🙂
I got the book two days ago and finished today!! OMIGOSH!! *fan girl scream* AMAZING, EPIC, BEAUTIFUL, SPECTACULAR!!… Shall I go on?
I think I should also add that this has been the first year that I did NOT read the spoilers first. So proud of myself.
Anyway, now to talk about the book… I was really (REALLY) scared that Alek was going to be a ninny and just leave or something like that that prevents them from getting together… Mostly because all the other books I’ve read by Scott-la have a… bitter-sweet ending… Like when
(SPOILER for other books)
UGLIES-Zane dies(cuz he is WAY better then David in my opinion)
MIDNIGHTERS-Jessica dies(okay she doesn’t technically die but being stuck in midnight and no one else can see you still would suck)
But I didn’t see as much ‘bitter-sweetness’ in Leviathan. I was expecting Volger to die or everyone find out Deryns secret and be kicked off or even the Leviathan itself dying… Yeah… nothing like that happened… Odd.
Nikola Tesla was really a inventive and “ingenious” man who created useful inventions such as the Tesla coil (still used today in radio technology) and worked with Thomas Edison. His inventions were used to light the Chicago World Exposition and Tesla is known to be one of the greatest inventors of all-time….he was a peace-lover who invented a “peace ray”, dubbed by the people to be the “death ray” (unfortunately), but not a villain!
Still….WONDERFUL SERIES!
@imogene-la: i would LOVE if gibli(especially miazaki) could do a Leviathan movie… but since he already did Howl’s Moving Castle(which has a steampunk machine) i think the chances are pretty low… 🙁
so where do we go from here? when we’ve re-read every last scene untill we can recite them memory, then what do we read? i have a suggestion: the Airborn sieries by Kenneth Oppel(includes Airborn, Skybreaker, and Starclimber). it was has giant airships, newly discovered forms of life, and true love between a commener and a noble(‘cept the commaner is the boy)! It was the first steampunk book i ever read(had to take it from my dad, too) and got me interested in the world of machines! if i hadn’t run out of books on the airplane, I would have never seen it and therefore never discovered Leviathan, my favorite book of ALL TIME. so give it a try!
also, i have to agree with somepeople on the lack of epilouge(the newspaper doesn’t count!). But this is excusable because there might be companion stories in th Manuel of Areonatics(please, scott, PLEASE!!!!!).
long comment is long 🙂
first of all
the april fools joke was a JOKE.
deryn and alek kiss a few times
alek gets mad at deryn for not telling her secret
they use the silent treatment
tesla is a mad man
eddie malone is getting more annoying
YO MAMA
Goliath. There are no words to describe how I feel about this book. Everything was just so amazing! Kudos to you Scott-la for not making DerynxAlek too cheesy. Bella gerant alii, tu felix Austria, nube. THE PERFECT CONTEXT EVER!!! I love that he tossed the scroll! And it was awful, that the ONE picture of Alek and Deryn kissing is zoomed out! I nearly died of fangirl-spasms. This series is probably the only thing I have ever fangirled over. Ever. I went through the book and went through flagging all of my favorite scenes and pictures before I decided the flags made the book look ugly.
I was wondering what everyone was going on about with ‘zoo-ninjas’ and I still don’t get it. Anyone want to explain?
Also, to everyone who has the book in print, have you noticed that if you move the cover out the light in a certain way, the yellow of the top of the cover looks greenish? Just wanted to put that out there.
Darn, I forgot to mention how amazingly awesomely crazy Tesla was…
OMG. MUST VENT GOLIATH SPAZZINESS HERE.
you were warned.
1st of all: I LOOOOOOOOOOVED the reveal. LOVED it. I don’t think that any fanfiction reveal came close to that stylish *walks out door* chapter-eleven end, though the newspaper-reading-wait-a-second thing had already been come up with (;
2nd: uwaaaaaaah TT no hp-style epilogue, but anyhow that would have been sort of cliche…and besides, what are Manuals of Aeronautics for?
3rd: YESSS there MUST be a Leviathan anime-movie. IT MUST HAPPEN.
4th: uwaaaaaaaah x2 cause Jaspert didn’t show up! Oh well XD I tried…
5th: Tesla looks reeaaally scary in his first illustration O.O it didn’t help that I was reading this really late at night..
6th: YEEeSSSH theey KISSED BWAAAHaaaAAHAAAAHAAA *spazattack*
7th: the ‘other’ loris is never named ): I kept expecting someone to pop out of nowhere and scream LARRY at their obliviousness…especially since the potatoes ((((:
9th: I didn’t really like the newspaper-y ending, ya know? too….glehh. BUT oh wellll, there’s still some aaaawesome Alek-throws-scroll-out-ness LOLOL
10th: Lilit is so freaking amazing!!!! And a new Kizlar Agha fan just popped into the fandom-world XDDDD
11th: I skipped #8…props if you noticed LOL
The second loris’s name should totally be Vegemite.
Him… If Miyazaki made leviathan a movie, yes, I would TOTALLY spaz out. I mean, two of my favorite things in the world, TOGETHER? GOD IS REAL! (Apologies if you find that comment… controversial…)
But if he does (I realize there are extremely low chances of this happening.) we’ve gotta be ready for it to be different, you know. Howl’s Moving Castle was based on a book with a completely different plot. The author of Kiki’s Delivery Service was MAD about some of the changes! (The author of Howl’s like the movie though.) PONYO WAS BASED ON THE LITTLE MERMAID! …Okay, that last one doesn’t count.
It’d still be awesome, but know the consequences. (It’s never happening.)
Mr. Westerfeld, What on barking earth happed to bloody Mr. Jaspart Sharp?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!? I missed him very much, sir, in the last book you have written and I would very much like if you could share some insight on what happened to him or where he happened to be when Deryn and Alek come back from the bloody war!! But I can understand if you will not share this in formation with me but a lassy can always hope…
@ a
YES
However unlikely it is that Leviathan will make it into the hands of Miyazaki, there’s no denying that if he stuck to the plot it would be barking amazing.
Here’s why:
1. Ghibli has already proved they can do steampunk-clankery stuff (Howl’s moving castle).
2. They can make pretty amazing darwinist type creatures (nausicaa, anyone?)
3. They know how to create excellent heroines (pretty much every movie)
4. EPIC BATTLE SCENES
5. Lets face it: a live action giant flying whale would NOT do the leviathan justice…it would be, well, clart. Ghibli is the only studio I can think of that could make a REALLY good leviathan (or at least as amazing as Keith Thompsons!)
5. Bovril and Dr Barlow’s loris (Vegemite) would be absolutely the most adorblest things EVER!
YUSS! Studio Ghibli would make the best Leviathan EVER. Plus, they’d make up some cool music to accompany it. And if some actors do it, there’ll be a lot of disappointed fans saying that they don’t look the way they imagined it. Including me.
In Laputa they have cool steampunk machines, and the airship is even called Goliath. WHAT A COINCIDENCE! IT WOULD BE FREAKIN’ AMAZING. In fact, I am going to email to them and suggest it. This movie MUST be made! I can’t believe how much in common I have with the people who comment here . . .
Hey Scott, can you put New Zealand in one of your next books? Because I live here and it is never used in books (except books that come from here, and Under the Mountain movie). Alek and Deryn could go there! I mean, in their time it had only been discovered about 200 years back.
I don’t think Behemoth contains any reference to potatoes. Somebody correct me if I’m wrong! Maybe it’s because Deryn is SCOTTISH! No, wait, it’s the Irish who are potato lovers. So much for my great theory.
And I don’t think any BOYS comment on this page! Come on, this is a book mainly FOR boys! Maybe boys can’t be bothered to look it up on the internet or comment, or don’t think it’s worth it. Weird.
Does anyone know a word for what I’m feeling now? It’s a mix of craving, desire and longing for the book . . I HAVEN’t GOT IT YET!!! *cries*
Hah yes! I can finally read all these wonderful comments!
I just got the book today, and finished it about half an hour ago.
I am still recovering.
I squeaked and gasped and cried and laughed and had to walk away angrily from it a few times.
(and stop myself from jumping ahead to look at the lovely illustrations)
It was interesting having Tesla in it, because my brother is always blabbing on and on about him. His strange eccentricities apparently are due to autism. Hmm.
DERYN AND ALEK. YAY. The tension between those two in Leviathan and Behemoth could kill an army. THANK GOODNESS IT’S ALL OKAY.
Though when Alek was being dumb and made Deryn cry, I wanted to punch him. (but Deryn already did! 😀 )
I’m so sad it’s over though. I wanted to read it so badly, I had dreams about buying it last night. >_<
The best part was totally BOVRIL SPEAKING IN SENTENCES. YEAH.
All in all, a happy fan right here. THANKS SO MUCH SCOTT!
Oh my gosh. That was amazing.
The only thing that bothers me is that April fools day picture T_T was that made simply to tease us? Cuz there’s not even a part of it in any of the pictures x.x and I was looking forward to that….
I was laughing hysterically for a while. Deryn “waking” alek up LOL and dr. Barlow’s reaction…. Priceless. Oh my gosh. Scott, you are amazing.
Now I just need the rest of the books to reread for a few years…
PS: I have forgone a lot of homework to buy and read this book. BE GRATEFUL. >:(
(actually you don’t have to if you don’t want to…)
One of the signs that I’m truly enjoying a book (or a film, for that matter) is that I will pause to exclaim things at the characters – little scoldings or compliments, generally. “Goliath” elicited so many “Gahh, you idiot!”s and “Oh, well done!”s that I was afraid my boyfriend, who patiently napped on the couch and reformatted my computer while I spent most of a lazy Saturday reading, was going to have me committed.
(Alek got the most of both, I think. Deryn has too much common sense, and by now I expect her to do amazing things in the air. I got particularly verbal while Alek was sulking and making oh-so-traumatized little jabs at Deryn, just after Bovril spilled the beans. I love him dearly, but I was beginning to wonder if he was /ever/ going to quit being a passive-aggressive little drama llama and just tell her what he knew already.
I also nearly dropped the book, and exclaimed something as awed as it was obscene, when he literally winged his birthright into the sea for her. Alek, you sweet mad boy. I should have known only a grand romantic gesture would suit you.)
I loved every bit of the action scenes, and adored reading about Deryn’s derring-do and the dreadful kappas and the many fascinating locations (so much globe-hopping in this last book!). How many moments sent a shiver down my back? “B-O-N-E-S”, and those hollow-eyed bears of Keith’s, and the way the storm scene gradually built towards new levels of danger. There was plenty to make me chuckle, too, especially Dr. Barlow’s dry-as-flour reaction to Deryn’s confession, and Alek’s medal for valiantly falling down. I probably shouldn’t have laughed at the look on Deryn’s face while her arm was being stitched and her fate decided, but I did, alas. Good man, Alek, for holding her hand through that ordeal.
Speaking of which, I was also impressed with the way the romance was allowed to unfold in a warm, gradual, human way that didn’t overwhelm the rest of the plot. I was particularly impressed with the level of genuine devotion they showed to each other. Hauling Deryn to the bogs and back, several times a day? Forget diamonds – now /that’s/ love.
My only real disappointment was, as mentioned by others, the lack of closure about the purpose/intelligence level of the lorises…and the lack of comeuppance for Eddie Malone, who seems to have been fabricated from several species of blood-sucking parasites and a horse’s rear end, arranged in a remarkable facsimile of a human being. With him following them around, it’s no wonder Alek and Deryn were flabbergasted at being told that journalists are not actually supposed to “ruin people’s lives”.
All in all, a rousing ending. Let others complain – we, lucky fans, shall await the guide.
I think my favorite part of Goliath was the whole battle with Tesla. The whole-Clankers-United-grab-a-sword-let’s-go-kick-Tesla’s-butt-electricity-everywhere scene was epic. And I liked that Alek was so focused on protecting Deryn during that episode. That picture of him electrocuting Tesla was creepy though. Tesla looked creepy. Oh, and I like just before that when Alek pointed the cain at Tesla and Tesla was like “Pshhh” and then pulled the largest lever on there. That man never ceased to amuse me. AND I thought it was funny when Klopp told Alek that his men went to check on the luggage while Tesla was going insane and Alek was all like, “Huh?” *resists squeal of joy*
Awesome!!
I love Goliath and Im considering reading it a third time. I found myself adoring most of the dramatic portions, and little snippets of real life information and facts more than most of the action parts (while those were wonderful as well). I am sad to see the series go though, but happy it ended on such an excellent note. I am looking forward to the Manual of Aeronautics as well.
PS: I am a boy and nearly all of the comments on this page are from female readers, so Im kinda half wondering if this book was mostly meant for the female audience. Just a little snippet of curiosity in the back of my mind, nothing wrong with it of course.
Yeah, I suspected you were a girl because most boys don’t use the word ‘adore’. But I guess it is the only word good enough to sum up what you feel!
My friends are probably sick with me ranting about it. Every time I say ‘GUESS WHAT?!’ they go “That bloody book of yours is coming out.” Tee hee. WHEN DOES GOLIATH COME OUT IN NZ??? AAAA!!! I NEED it. To SURVIVE.
Last night I had a dream about Goliath. Best dream ever. Even though technically I haven’t read it yet, but from the number of times I have read this comment thread I can quote many lines from it! Every time I think about them I feel so HAPPY and EXCITED!!! I have a feeling I’m going to be in a good mood for the next couple of months just thinking about it. Whoever said they spent their sick day making a Goliath bookmark, I’m gonna do one too. Good idea : )
Hey, whoever drew the fan art of Alek, Deryn and Lilit hanging out, and Scott comments: “Very sweet (and complicated), I love that picture. I even printed it out so I could copy drawing it (my attempts aren’t quite as good as yours though). How do you feel that some random person from NZ likes your drawing so much they do that? Proud, I’m guessing. : )
The book has so many great quotes. AWESOMENESS.
Mina- I am a boy (and Im telling you right now Im not a homo). I just really enjoyed the book…
That’s probably what Deryn said to Alek when he found out she was a girl! Where do you live, anyway? I want to know whether I’m talking to a guy on the other side of the planet or not.
Anyhoo, did anybody else notice in Behemoth when they hop on the scarab taxi that it’s from Alek’s point of view but he says Deryn instead of Dylan? ‘Alek sat in the front with Deryn.’ But for the rest of the chapter he says Dylan! Weird. Probably just a typo.
*Rehearsing what I’ll do when the package containing “THE BOOK” arrives in the mail*
Goliath was awesome! I cannot believe it is over already. But at least I got some sense of closure…sort off. Where should I start?
When Tesla was first introduced I liked him, he amused me. I thought it was funny when he first met Deryn and he was like, “Your British? How annoying.” Throughout the entire book I couldn’t quite figure Mr. Tesla out? It he mad? Is he sane? Will his machine work? Will it fail? Towards the end, I thought he was serious. I thought he was sane, and that his machine would work. I was wrong. But he kept me guessing and he was a very well-rounded character. He makes a really good mad scientist/ super villain.
AND, I like that they went to so many different places instead of just staying in one place. That made it more interesting.
Dr. Barlow was funnier in this one. (no transitions) I loved that picture of Lilit when she returned. She was so pretty, and I loved her dress. That is one of my favorite pictures.
Oh, and the reveal was perfect. Not to theatrical, and not too “You’re a girl?” “Yeah.” “Cool, let’s make-out.” I thought everyone was very in character and Bovril is so cute I love that little trouble maker. Although I was sort of ticked off at Deryn. I don’t think she really did anything to help her situation. She already knew he was angry at her but it seemed as though she was determined to make him angrier. When she ran after him I thought she was going to say something to make him hate her less, but she just made it worst with the remarks and the punching, the shoving. Not helping.It seemed childish almost. Of course he is going to get angry and defensive when you approach the situation like that. If she had handled it differently I think the conversation would have ended better.
Also, I was glad to see Eddie Malone return. I loved him in Behemoth. But towards the middle of Goliath he started to become annoying. I was shocked when Alek grabbed his hand and saved him when he was falling. I was like, “Alek, let that fool go! Bye, bye, Eddie.” And then not granting Alek’s request to not print the story about Deryn ten seconds after he saved his life was kind of slimy. But I liked when they all got covered in clart. That was a good idea to stop the fire.
Adela Rogers was like the female Eddie Malone to me. I liked her, but then she started to become annoying. And I think it is awesome that Scott gives even minor characters 3dimensional personalities because they are so easy to overlook.
Bovril! Bovril! Bovril! I love him. It was cute how Alek and Deryn fought over who gets Bovril. They love him too! *sigh* The kids always get the bitterest end of the divorce. I find it funny how Dr. Barlow’s loris was so stuck-up. Hmm, I wonder where he got that from. 😉
I know this is a super long post but I couldn’t help it. In fact, I cut half of it out. But I shall post it later. 😀
And Jacob, how do you know I’M not a boy? Mina isn’t like Jessica or something, it could be anything. I could be an Indian boy called Mina. BTW, Mina’s the name of the lady from Dracula.
Every time another comment pops up, I get a wee bit more info on Goliath . . putting the little scraps of info together to make the big picture . . . Hey, we were watching Wipeout last night and I thought, ‘If anyone could ace this, Deryn could!’ I’d so like to see how she would do on Wipeout!
Im in New York state, and I don’t know if your a boy or a girl. I just assumed because I know like 3 girls in my school with the name Mina and that like I stated in my first comment, most of the comments in here are from what appears to be girls. (unless the majority is lying for some unlikely reason). And yeah in the taxi section I did notice that. Good eye.
Also, in the dictionary it says that ‘squick’ means ‘disgusting’. Okaaaay . .
THREE girls called Mina???? OMG, I must never go to America. My name won’t be unusual and cool anymore.
Hey, it just occurred to me that Scott could be writing all the comments to make the book seem good. Never trust anything.
I never knew there were so many fans of Leviathan.
Did you know that my dad’s an author and illustrator? (search bixpics for proof). He wrote a book about me! And a few years ago he got a book by Keith about how to draw zombies and stuff, and I remember thinking “You know, I’d really like Keith’s drawings if they weren’t so creepy.” And I only figured out it was the same guy when I say the end-pages of Behemoth. I love the pic ‘An heirloom saves the heir.’ from Leviathan. LOVE IT!
Yup, finished it. The words don’t yet exist in my vocabulary to describe how amazing this, of any of your series are. Plus the end of this book, while you always hoped it would happen, was done in such a way that you wouldn’t see it coming. Also, even if you aren’t the author to pioneer doing a book with pictures this way, you did it brilliantly. They work just perfectly, and give my mind a break from trying to imagine what the scene would really look like, so that I may concentrate on reading more. Oh, and one last thing. The scene where Tesla died was truely and completely creeeeeeeepy. The way his eyes and mouth were lit up and how he seemed to be suspended above the ground were horrifying. But alas, I love it more than anyother scene. (Although, I am a giant Tesla fan, and to picture him dieing like that hurt my subconscious mind…) Please write more books asap so my brain doesn’t have to keep coming up with stories that never finish themselves.
Well now you do. The Steampunk series personally deserves the highest literary recognition among teen fiction. I have throughly enjoyed staying up late (or early for that matter) reading on and on waiting for the next twist in the plot that will send my head blighted with thought and buzz. I am a very picky reader and In a way it rewards me with experiences that dig into my interest and design that most books that I could just pick off the shelve at glance can’t…
LOOK UP BIXPICS! MY DAD’S PICS!
The time here in NZ is six thirty.
I did look it up and abunch of different links came up.
I dont know which ones the one you want me to look at…
Just finished listening to the audiobook. I loved it. Really loved it. Nearly a perfect book, really, and a fantastic end to the series. I enjoyed how the romance ended up, giving us a happily ever after. I’d been really wondering how they’d end up together, what with the whole prince/commoner issue. I was glad to see he gave up his throne for her, but I was also glad that the comment was made that it’s possible there wouldn’t even be a country for him to rule after the war. It could be seen as sad, but I thought it softened the blow to him nicely, just like even though they had to give up the Leviathan, they’d still be having lots of adventures and would still get to ride airships.
One question, though. Maybe I missed it, but I don’t think I heard what ended up happening with Volger after Alek abdicated the throne. He couldn’t have been happy about that. What did he do with himself, and what was his relationship with Alek and Deryn after that?
Any chance of a sequel trilogy in the future? Maybe one set during WWII and/or about Alek and Deryn’s kid (with them as secondary characters)? That would rock. I’d love to read more of this world.
Thanks for an amazing trilogy. Now I’ll have to read the Uglies series to see if I like those as much.
Bixpics by Donovan Bixley. He’s my dad. And if it weren’t for him I never would have read ‘The Book’. Also. If we hadn’t have done world war 1 as our school topic I wouldnt have either.
*Sigh*…
When I first picked up the first book, “Leviathan”, I was only thinking, “Gee, I need to read like thirty books this summer, so I wonder if I can spare the time to read something so long…” The next thing I knew, I was reading the second book and waiting for the third….AHH, MAKE A FOURTH BOOK!
Because of Leviathan, I did Nikola Tesla for a school project, and because of Leviathan, I have a new favorite author! (I bet you can guess who. No? Not telling then. 😉 )
So, Mr. Westerfeld, thanks for the wonderful story “Leviathan” shared…it was wonderful to follow how the characters progressed and everything, simply wonderful!
I love this book. so nice and perfect!!!!! all lose ends were tied up, and the romance was adorable. there was only one thing i still want to know (SOMBODY PLEASE WRITE ME A GOOOOD FANFIC BOUT THIS) how did Deryn do it? like how she got the idea and what is her mom like and stuff like that. what training did jaspert put her through and why did he chose to help her??? I WANTA ANSWERS!!!! LOVED THE BOOK!!
Barking spiders Mr.Westerfield.
Scratch that.
Barking TARANTULAS!
This.Book.Was.Epic.
A story for you mr.w, if you read this-
Once upon a time, when I was still in elementry school, I tumbled upon one of yor books. To young to understand it, I threw it away.
One day in highschool, I was put to a bet to read one of your books.
Known to be avid reader, I dived into uglies. Then pretties. Specials. And extras.
Then came Leviathon.
Mr.Westerfield, I think somthing died inside me when I read the ending of Goliath… Sir, I read it 7 times afterword.
IT WAS BEAUTIFUL.
Mr.W, If your reading this, please give a pat on the back to yourself.
The book was amazing, and will go down in history.
I hope one day, that I become a writer like you.
And that I live the adventures of Deryn, aleck, volger, barlow, and so many more.
I’ll see you in round rock next weekend!
I cant wait!
THANK YOU!
BEST BOOK EVER! my favorite line: “He’s a scientist, they like rocks” and i also really enjoyed the part where Alek hits his head and goes loopy “It’s a bit cold for a nap.”
It was my sisters birthday when the book came out so I couldn’t go get it and had to wait till the weekend. When I finally got it I stayed up almost all night until my mom had to get mad at me. I could not put it down. I had to for a few days after that because of homework that I was late on because of reading the book. TOTALLY WORTH IT!
I couldn’t help it I had to take a peak at the spoiler comments. I only read a few before I slammed the computer shut and ran to my room yelling I’M COMING DALEK! I got a few strange looks for that one.
There are so many moments in that book where I just wanted to yell out loud but it was late and I didn’t want to wake anyone up. When Alek found out and their kisses I couldn’t help but have a fangirl moment. My first and hopefully not my last.
There were so many rumors going around about how Alek was going to discover Deryn’s secret. But now that I have read it I couldn’t imagine it happening any other way.
This is one of my favorite trilogies. That and the Gideon Trilogy. Hats off to you Mr. Westerfeld, no other steampunk will ever live up to this. I hope you keep writing awesome books like this.
Mr. Westerfeld, where do I begin. It was perfect, it really was. I never in a million years thought Alek would EVER abdicate, it was simply out of the question. Everything in his life had built up to ascending the throne of Austria-Hungary, and then he just threw it away because Deryn was just more important to him than anything else. It was the most romantic thing I have ever seen, (well, read actually) but it made me cry actual tears of joy. And let me tell you Scott-la, that’s a big deal. Actually, let me list out the places where I did cry, or almost, which is a big deal for me. 1. When Alek found out poor, little Deryn’s secret and he was being so cruel, (for good reason I know), but poor thing was crying and punching, and it was all very sad and VERY well done. It was kinda one of my favorite parts, that and when Volger makes fun of Alek for brooding in the bathroom. 2. When the Leviathan landed in Siberia and you saw the bears and the awful wreckage of the airship. I don’t know why, but I just found it so upsetting and I still get goosebumps every time I read it. I think it was the dead airbeast that got me. 3. When Alek through the scroll oer the Leviathan. It was the most brilliant way for him to say he loved her. It said more than any woods ever could. I also cried at little parts in between, but let’s not go into that. And I was NOT just in this for the mushy romance, (though it was a plus). The action was spot-on and never failed to give me shivers. The lorises were barking HILARIOUS. “Astonishment!”. Haha, that gets me everytime. And Barlow’s reaction to finding out Deryn’s a girl: priceless. And I loved how you let Alek develop his feelings for Deryn really gradually; it was so much more realistic that way! A lot of authors would have probably made his head full of “she’s so perfect and gorgeous, *drool*” like a week after he found out. But what you did was much more organic and I thank you. God, everything was just so MARVELOUS. I MARVELLED. And the last chapter, also made me cry tears of happiness it was so perfect! I get the Hapsburg motto stuck in my head all the time now, it’s so lovely. And I just want to say, I think this might be the best ending to a series that I have ever come across. And yes, that includes Percy Jackson and Harry Potter, I said it! That’s how serious I am about this Scott-la, it just left me feeling so whole and content. But if in years to come you ever want to write some short stories of Alek and Deryn gallivanting around the world with Bovs and Dr. Barlow, I will totally buy them. And lastly Mr. Westerfeld, I just want to thank you, for making such a lovely and perfect series with the most masterful ending. It is truly a classic in my mind and I think you are now my favorite living author. I really can’t thank you enough and am really looking forward to whatever brilliant story you think up next.
Mr.W
I could’nt help but make this. If you see this, I would be honered if you posted it on your blog.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7gG2AbkPx4
Thank you!
The last time that I got so attached to the characters of a series that I cried at the ending was Harry Potter. I love the way that you made Alek falling for Deryn so subtle that it wasn’t even really noticed until he was like “…Did I just kill a man for that girl?”. I didn’t even CONSIDER that he was going to abdicate the throne. Nor did I think that Tesla was going to be insane. I’m trying to figure out how I can avoid having to return the book to the library.
This book is the best series I have read thus far.
The characters are so real and they pulled me in the moment I turned the first pages, and I fell in love.
This book has both filled and created a whole in my heart. I will never find characters so inthralling, I doupt I will love anyone more than I did the characters of Leviathan or the plot. I will never find another like it. It is 1 in a million and a true masterpeice.
After 3 years of waiting for each book, I was behond excitment. And yet I was so nervous. I knew this was the end of my long love and was saddened deeply at the thought. I finished the entire book in one weekend knowing I would never be able to survive school without my living in its pages. But, don’t worry I savored as much as I could. It was delicious.
And then it was done . . .
I know this sound rather odd but I cried, lituraly, clutched the book in my hand close to my heart where it will remain forever, and cried.
I wish to thank you Scott Westerfeld, you mastermind you, and thank you! You took me on a jurney that I will not soon forget.
Good-bye, Alek! Good-bye, Deryn!
It was amazing.
Though it never truely ends now does it. Once you think about it.
I await the Manual with the profiles and amazing illistration by artist Keith Thomson.
THAT KISS. I was so waiting for it. TWO YEARS!!! ‘Course that isn’t the Ten years for Ron and Hermoine, but still. ACK. The illustrations were brilliant–per usual–and the writing, fantastic, and I gained a bit of historical knowledge besides my World History AP class, thank you Scott. Always love a good history lesson. This trilogy is a series of books I have loved in a very long time and I thank the wonderful author for that.
I could not be happier with Goliath. It was an exciting read and answered all of the questions I had been wondering since book one. How would Alek find out about Deryn? How would he react? Would Deryn be discovered by the rest of the crew? Would Alek become a ruler? And finally how could those two possibly stay together in the end!? As much as I wanted it to happen I was so afraid that it would be impossible. I was also scared that it would turn into a cliffhanger at the end with them parting ways with a “someday” type of feel. The moment Alek took the letter out of his pocket I thought “Is he about to do what I think he’s about to?” And when he pitched the letter into the ocean I literally jumped for joy. Mr. Westerfield you did not let your fans down.
Even with the romance aside the trilogy is a treat for any lover of history. You never know who is going to pop up, and even with the adjustments the story never got unbelievable.
This Trilogy will stay on my bookshelf with all of my favorites for many years and be reread several times to myself and eventually my children. Thank you Mr. Westerfield for taking us on an amazing ride upon the airship Leviathan. I was sorry to see it end.
I got my copy in the mail today!!!
*flicking through the pictures*
awesome per usual Keith 🙂
How did telsa really die? Does anyone know? The real Nikola Telsa must have died somhow!
i bought it on the 22nd at 5:40 and finnished the very next morning at 7:30 (i slept though) of course that is normal for me, reading a 500 or more page book in less than 24 hours. but Goliath os by far the best book in the series!
Very well written, Mr. Westerfeld, you do not disappoint. I can feel the passion for writing through your books. It is invigorating. Please continue with the same great passion.
Best wishes
Foremost, Mr. Westerfeld, I must thank you. Thank you for writing what ended up being the best 27 hours of my life. (No they were not continous, but they would have been if I didnt have to go to school, or sleep, or if I kept my Kindle charged.) Secondly, this has become my favorite series. (which is hard to do, considering I read like 5 books a month.) Next, I totally think you should write the series a 4th book BECAUSE, well, you just should. And lastly, I REALLY love Goliath, it is a masterpiece. 😀
first off i just realized i havent comented on here since april fools day, so i absolutely just had to comment. second, Mr. westerfeld i will absolutely just simply die if you donot make another series of books about alek and deryn in the london zookeepers society. i found only one problem with your book, goliath, it had the most wonderfull cliff hanger ending. see the problem? a cliff hanger on the last book of a series! thats just bull! but other than that, the book was absolutely EPIC. so id have to say my favorite part in the book, (super spoiler time), is when deryn gets hurt in mexico and the mexican doctor dude and the pancho guy find out about deryn, along with that super snoop malone. another of my favorite parts is when that girl reporter makes that comment about deryn being the ‘bell captain’ because her description of one just reminded me so much of my self. ekkkk! i just want so much for there to be another book or series about deryn and alek, dont let me down Mr. westerfeld!
To Mikayla and Bella D.
Yes, those were the best 24 hours of my life! ( my mood ring proved it)
And 2. Mr. W should TOTALLY make another one!!!!!!!!
I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS!!!! Did it ever occur to Alek to ponder why Lilit kissed Deryn? Does Volger end up with Dr. Barlow? Why did you send Master Klopp and the others away?! I liked them!!! >.< Sotty! You, sir, are a heart breaker!!! *points finger at you* How dare you tease me with your words!!! *sobs* But it was beautiful. Thank you for being one of the most excellent bards of our time. *bows out*
if enough of us beg for another book, will you make another one, Mr. westerfeld?
Hey I kinda have an idea. Scotty is so busy with other things so… why don’t we write a story for him together? Just for fun?
The most suspense that I have ever suffered from reading a book…AND I ENJOYED EVERY SINGLE LAST NERVE-WRACKING MINUTE OF IT!!!!!
“It’s only too bad that Alek and Deryn have no way of seeing into our history and knowing how great a difference they made.”
You know, I’ve been wondering if there are other dimensions and Scott has written the exact history of the other dimension’s WWI, and if there’s another Scott Westerfeld in that very dimension that wrote precisely about our WWI. People in that dimension would think it odd that we don’t have Darwinist beasties or Clanker machinery, only machines…
The way Alek finds out about Deryn and tells her!! OMG my friends and I fought over the school’s library book because we hadn’t received our Amazon orders yet. Page 138!!!! always will have it in my mind =3 Never thought that he would be the one to find out…that dafty. Thought it would be Deryn mustering up enough courage.
Tesla is one scary man…especially in the awesome picture of Alek killing him with his own walking stick. (I use awesome in terms of its dictionary meaning…meaning cool but scary…excuse me for sounding nerdy)
One sad note…no scene with Deryn in an actual fencing fight QQ ah well, you can’t have everything in life, can you?
Thank you Scott for all your hard work! Your style of writing is amazing, I can picture each and every moment with every magical word you write. And of course, we cannot forget Keith Thompson, without whose awesome illustrations the book would be boring (<—–that is a lie). Keith's drawings add so much character to the book. Words and pictures (not as much as a picture book but not so few like others) make a much better movie in my mind than on the big screen.
I. HAD. TO. AVOID. THIS. PLACE. AS. MY. FRIEND. READ. THE. BOOK. Besides that, I had to finish it. I’m so proud of myself for not looking. I almost caved a couple of times.
I read this book a ton while I was at school and, like, I memerized the page Alek and Deryn kiss on first (If every book’s the same, which I assume they are, its on page 264. If you’re one of those people who are here being spoilt, you’ll know what page to look forward to.) But when I read that part first, I actually, literally, exclaimed, “That’s dead romantic!” Sadly, I wasn’t supposed to be reading. My math teacher was super confused by my reasoning to why I thought Square roots were “dead romantic.”
But I just pooping finished it. And my friends not even awake. And my sister’s at practice, so I’m stuck WITH NO ONE TO FANGIRL TO. So, I type. And eat strawberry newton things that taste like raspberry tea. Which is just interesting.
But seriously, does a first kiss get any better than a kiss in the rain? Sure, Alek was bleeding from his face and promising to lie and he’d thought Deryn was a boy not even a month before (Talk about sexual confusion), but it still counts.
@Jacquie-la, the real Nikola Tesla died of old age. Like, really old age. He died of heart failure when he was 86, almost eleven years after the announcement of his Death Ray. By then, he had pretty much lost his mind.
that’ll do westerfeld… that’ll do
ASSLKDJ;FLKD;HGLS;FL;KGSFD;JGDS!!!!!
I finished it yesterday and must I say that the Leviathan Trilogy is your best yet!!!
TEARS poured out of me at the end. It was just so beautiful. :’) I was BEYOND pleased. The ending was just perfect and even their first kiss was super cute and fluffy. xD
Gosh, how I love everything you write! But seriously, this series, I absolutely loved. <3 (It's going to be tough to tell myself that there are no more after this one.)
-Mina
I looked up your fathers work a few of days ago and It is quite good indeed.
Or not a few days ago but after I got your comment on what to search for.
Can someone please answer this question. The book is amazing and I enjoyed every second of it, but I cant shake the feeling that this was meant for female readers. The evidence is in the comments, which appear to be like %97 girls. Am I nearly the only boy that likes this book enough to constantly be coming back to this topic to write again and see what everyone else has to say. So can someone out there tell me: Is this book meant for girls? I will still greatly admire the Steampunk series if it is. Im just curious.
PS: Mina you did respond to an earlier question about this but you didn’t really give an answer.
Dad has a new illustrated novel he’s trying to get published about a boy in the napolionic wars who can see ghosts. Maybe some ppl here might like this. Another cool book is Malice but I forgot who wrote it so you’ll have to look it up yourself. It’s part comic part novel, and is very steampunk and cool. The second book in the series is Havoc.
PS. Has anyone noticed that in most of the pics deryn is left handed?
@Jacob – thanks, dad’ll be pleased to hear your comments 🙂
@Jacob don’t worry your not alone
and i don’t think its meant for girls i just think they read more. But hey I still liked it and really appreciated the war/people dying side of it. I didn’t really care much about the kissing and getting together side of it (sorry to all the girls who i know lived for that moment). But yeah, it’s an awesome book and i’m not ashamed to have read it and loved it.
ALLL HAIL GOLITH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
write a fourth book!! NOW!
please?
OH MY CABIN!!!!!!!!
I CAN’T BELIEVE THAT JUST HAPPENED!!!!!!!!!!! After I finished reading, I was pacing around my bedroom saying “I CAN’T BELIEVE HE JUST DID THAT” for fifteen minutes!!!! It was soooooooo perfect!!!! It was a perfect combination of everything I love; fantasy, history, a little romance. I’m still going on about it! Plus, the war and death added a little blood which is just the iceing on the cake!!!! This is one of my favorite book series by far!!!! I’m an emotional reck, but IT WAS TOTALLY WORTH IT.
P.S. Yes Perspicacious M, I did notice that.
Us girls need more guys that read. C:
SO BARKING BLOODY BRILLIANT!!!! soooo funny! I LOVED the end! I was preparing to throw the book across the room, ’cause I REALLY didn’t like the way it was wrapping up, but turned out to be really good! Me and my friends have been talking about this book sooo much since it came out! LOOOOOVED IT! Leviathan is amazing.
I pre-ordered it and literally read the entire thing that day. I simply couldn’t put it down! Now I’m sad because it’s over. Mister Westerfeld, you’ve created an incredible world here, and I don’t think anyone would be upset by a second trilogy. 😉
I was listening to Speak Now by Taylor Swift the other day and realized it was SUCH a Dalek song for this book! Seriously, go look up the lyrics and image Deryn singing to Alek.. DO IT!!!!
Not speak Now, I mean Sparks Fly… sorry, i listened to both, but Sparks Fly is the Dalek one
Such an awesome book!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m a guy but i loved the book. And i was kinda like uh………. when i saw the pic of deryn and lilit get married or something. But i wish there was a epilogue, like the one at the end of Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.
hey Scott, I was just wondering when the next one the guide to all things Leviathan? cause well i LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the Leviathan all three were the greatest. I most enjoyed the fact that all three books were equally good, cause if you haven’t noticed, most books like the first ones the best or the last ones the greatest or something like that but for your books all freakin three were the greatest things i ever set my eyes on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So im eternally grateful to you and what ever gave you this wonderful idea and wonderful gift of writing.
Thank you.
(and when does the guide come out?????)
OHHHHH and Mr Westerfeld to add to many peoples comments: if by chance you were considering writing more to the trilogy i would think showing what Alek things of the communist area, cause well it was such a good idea making Alek give up his power cause after the first world war communism kicks in soon so Alek would be over thrown. And Just incase u are writing one please try not to turn Deryn into to much of a girl with really cheesy lines that make people wanna hide their faces you did so well in not having that in all the leviathan books. So just some friendly ideas to you know help motivate you.
P.S am i the only one that noticed that smiley at the bottom center of this Blog Its just there at the bottom chilling all smiley???????
Oh, Mr Westerfeld, you wonderful man.
I have to say, that was beautiful.
I’m Australian, so Goliath technically doesn’t come out until October 6, but my friends and I couldn’t wait so I ordered it from Amazon.
I, being the girly girl of the group, absolutely adored the interaction between Alek and Deryn. And the fact that Alek figured it out by himself. (Before we got the book, we were under the illusion that Alek was a bit thick, because, you know, all royals are inbred)
Another one of my friend does an awesome Bovril impression (she’s still waiting on reading the last book.) I’m making her say ‘Emperors are vain and useless things’ multiple times which is really funny. I won’t tell her where it’s from, though.
Anyway, I do hope you’ll write more books for these two. You’ve left so many loose ropes about the future and I really want to learn about how they go about their jobs, how Klopp and the others go in America, what happens to Volger, if Deryn is ever found out and if so how, what happens to the bum-rag from the New York World, how the World War ends and, most importantly, how Alek and Deryn go as a couple.
But, if you don’t want to, that’s cool as well. The Manual of Aeronautics will be awesome!
I hope.
But, anyways, thank you so much for this fantastic series Mr Westerfeld! It’s my absolute favourite one out there!
Emma
@ jacob: I think its mostly us girls here because we all found out about Scott through Uglies. Or At least thats how I found out about him.
That’s not how I found out, my dad suggested I read the series. And, I think it’s kinda sad that boys don’t read as much as girls, especially when it comes to books like Goliath.
By far one of my favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy trilogies. The third book was not a letdown.
@ Jacob: There may be a correlation between girls and reading in younger to teenage years as compared to boys. Maybe I’ll do a some research/study about this. The numbers could even out as age progresses as well. Either way, I am male and am a bibliophile, so one never knows.
ok i finish it, im late but is to hard to find the book in mexico…
i love seeing pancho villa (real name Doroteo Arango) and Mariano Azuela he was also a great writer “los de abajo” is a very good book
nothig more to say exept waiting worth it im complete now(until the release
of the manual of aeronautics … and the uglies manga)
OMG IT WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Favorite quote: “I don’t think Alek wants a dashing boy!”
And I love the picture where he electrocutes Tesla! It was so awesome and creepy and OMG!!!!!!
And I love that Alek wasn’t completely dense and figured out WHY Deryn hadn’t told him she was a girl once he figured that part out!!!!!
AHHHHHH!!!!!!!
Just finished! 🙂
I must say though-I was so surprised at how early on in the book alek figured out she was a girl. LOL
I think more girls comment than boys cause they can’t really be bothered to research their books and stuff, or leave comments.
Scott, you should do a PREQUEL to Leviathan, like when Deryn’s da dies, Alek’s first fencing lessons, etc. That would be cool! And you could sorta link them somehow . . ? That would be cool
Man, Germany is F***ED, remember the cause to WWII
you may have shortened the war but Germany is going to come back with a vengeance.
you gave the perfect scenario for the rise of the third rike, they will use both the “godless beasts” and “soul-less machines” and make the perfect supper solder. and you made the Holocaust alot more worse.
and on a lighter note i like to see more of this universe, it intrigues me
I’ve just reread the book FOUR times!!!!!! IT WAS EPIC!!!!! (Pls write more books) 🙂
i loved i reread it twice it was amazing and i love how it end i thought i would end bad but no i loved it
Maybe the next series could be WW2. Hitler could be in it!
PS. Made a Goliath bookmark yesterday. I love it.
ANOTHER QUESTION! Before Dr. Barlow opens the cargo box, how does she keep the eggs at the right temperature??
Random observations: Alek uses a sword with his right hand and uses a gun with his left hand. Deryn draws with her left hand and uses an axe/salutes with her right. How is this possible??? Or does Keith draw them that way cause it’s the only way it fits into the picture? Seriously, did anyone else notice this?
😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 MR. WESTERFELD I LOVE YOU!!! My favorite part in Goliath (if I had to pick ONE) would be the kiss. For the first time in my reading career, you made a first kiss not awkward. When they were on the top of the Leviathan, they were both a little out of it and they were just… cool. Deryn was all frank like and Alek just got bonked in the head but he didn’t freak out like YOU WOULD EXPECT HIM TOO. In all of the books of yours that I’ve read, you do a lot of unexpected things but sometimes they aren’t good suprises (Specials, Blue Noon) but Goliath was AMAZING!!! I also adored the Lilit and Deryn “moving picture show”. I was reading it in school and I freaked out LAUGHING LIKE A LOON and got in trouble. Sooooo worth it <3 Thank you for making my year Mr. Westerfeld!
@Perspicacious Mina
WOW O.O such observance!!! LOLOL I’ve gotta go back and look at those illustrations again…
and the egg question’s pretty cool 🙂 hmmm..never thought of that…
aghh the picture on page 378 of the beastie on Deryn’s knee disturbs me a bit.. but its still amazing Keith Thompson work so i love it never the less.
I love the picture on 153 where Alek has his hand on the window and Bovril has his paw on the window. And obviously the picture on page 535! That final picture of the Leviathan trilogy *tear* and the final chapter (with Eddie Malone’s news article) made me cry a little.
ahahhah!! the picture on page 202 “Draining” makes me laugh because Alek is like half standing on a wooden box behind Deryn and his still shorter. Reminded me off the conversation we had on here about him standing on a box for the front cover.
@ Emma– I know!! I love Taylor Swift and I totally thought this was their song.! (besides of course, ‘place in this world’ could be any and every female heroine’s song)
I haven’t read the book yet, (so I didn’t read the comments) but I did go to the book store to look at the last page to see if my predictions were write. And they were. Alek and Deryn end up together. You know, I was kind of hoping that they wouldn’t, and that they would just stay friends, or that one of them would meet someone else. I think that it would be better without that ending. That’s not how real life always goes.
Great stories, Scott, I absolutely love your books. But I have to say, I was pretty disappointed with the ending.
I’m sorry not to have taken part in the discussions yet!!! But since Goliath has come out I’ve read it 3 times <33333. It was funny, intense, romantic, HUZZAH! worthy, frickin awesome, breathtaking, and I LLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDD IIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!
I couldn't believe, in all, everything that Alek gave up/did for Deryn. Everything from killing Tesla to sacrificing the throne of Austria. And I have to disagree with you ^ ^. I thought the ending was perfect.
Well done Scott!
Okay, this book was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! I only finished it this afternoon and it was awesome! (to be exact i finished it right before a relatives wedding *nudgenudge*) ANYWHO: I absolutely LOVED it! The one thing I really want to know though took place in “Behemoth” though. Doctor Barlow started to say something when she noticed Bovril taking a liking to Deryn, and then stopped mid-sentence. I am so curious to how that was going to end and was upset when the line wasn’t finished in Goliath. (*wants to know what she was about to say*)
Apart from that (very minor) detail, I absolutely LOVED the book! Everything from the kiss, the murder, and ALEK GIVING UP THE FREAKING THRONE!! (*also wonders what Volger has to say about that–the past 10 years of his work given up so-to-speak*)
For some reason I am curious to what it would be like for Deryn and Alek now going around with Doctor Barlow.
(and I don’t know if it’s just me, but I really want my own Loris right now.)
Barking great conclusion, Scott. Very well done!!
Ack! Here I am in the spoilers thread, trying to read nothing, because I wanted to let you guys know that there’s a great photo of the actual real-world Tunguska event over at the Astronomy Picture of the Day website. I had just read the part in Goliath where we reach Tunguska and Tesla comes on board, and the next day, there’s the photo.
I’m actually “reading” it by audiobook… So I miss out on all the illustrations. Rats. But the photo is really interesting.
(I don’t know what the policy is for posting links in comments, so I won’t do that. Just Google “Astronomy Picture of the Day”, and you’ll get there..)
Okay, I’m leaving the spoiler thread now, because I haven’t finished the book yet…
I’d like to see more of this universe as well (I think some others on this thread said it before meee)! This has got to be the best series I’ve read in a long time.
Also, what WAS the original purpose of the lorises???
@Anita: Doctor Barlow wanted to go to Istanbul to sightsee. 😉 That was the original purpose of the lorises.
The lorises were there to be perspicacious.
the book was awesome. you should make a follow up series during WW2 and one main character is the child of…..wait for it…….ALEK AND DERYN! it would be as equally amazing. you should also try getting a movie deal for this series it would be crazy frekin awesome. keep that in mind
First book: LOVED IT- so rare is it to find a decent steampunk novel that it was like finding a favorite candy that went off the shelves.
Second book: BETTER THAN THE FIRST! kept me turning pages way past my bedtime, and the plot just got bigger and bigger and…
Third book: Seemed half-assed. But that’s the way it always is for last books, I suppose, but this book’s ending just seemed as if it were drafted from an outline. And Alek giving up his throne? That was kind of like killing Prim from the Hunger Games. It sort of made the entire trilogy pointless. Way not worth ten bucks. I am severley dissapointed Westerfield. 🙁
Poetry Scott that book was beautiful
So sad though………….No more books…………ah well I’ll just have to turn to crying and begging………..dang! That book was good……………
@Marlee with an EE
Book hater! I shall now proceed to go back to crying…………..
So now my goal in life is to eventually be Scott-la’s translator… I can do Russian, French, and Spanish! Or at least I will. Call me when I get my degree, Scott-la!
@Marlee with an EE – You’re wrong about the Prim/Alek comparison. Maybe the two events made you FEEL the same, but from a literary standpoint, they’re completely different. They’re both war books, and Prim’s death was there to make it more realistic; people die in wars. Treachery abounds. You’d be better off making a comparison between Prim’s death and Fred Weasley’s. Alek giving up the throne is about closure – or at least the fact that it was mentioned is about that. Both of these things make the book better – and by better, I don’t mean more enjoyable, I mean measurably better by the standards of literature within our culture.
This book has inspired me to become a generic engineer. Did you know that scientists in Australia are trying to bring back Tasmanian Tigers?
AAAA, I almost cried today when dad told me there was no sign of Goliath at the bookstore. :'( How long does it take to come to NZ???
I almost wish that I hadn’t read it. It was awesome and amazing and epic and adjective-defying, but now the story is over. The friends that I have made over the course of the last three books haven’t disapeared but their stories have come to an end. Every one has a story and all stories must come to an end (except those by Hearst it would seem). But this is one that will stick around, immortalized in the memories of those who read it and loved it. Thank you for the story that has kept us all entertained and turning the next page to see what happened, it truely was and is a marvelous tale.
@anthony
I’m sorry, movies for books this epic just don’t work. Look at all the previous examples of movies made from books: Dune, Eragon, LoTR (was good but the books were better). I dunno, I guess seeing what the characters look like from someone else’s imagination just kinda kills it for me. I like the way everyone looks in my mind, movies always have a tendency to derail the way I see things.
@UberNninja
What about a video game. Not some 3rd person wanna be spin off that has you smashing crates to gain “Airman experience orbs” or whatever, but something of the RTS (Real Time Strategy) genre that has you pitting Clanker against Darwinist forces. It would not exactly follow Deryn and Alek in their adventures but instead be a cool way to show the blend of technology and how they combat each-other on the battlefield. There would be resource collection, a complicated tech tree a mass of different units and upgrades, and of course unit specializations and stats. I don’t know, coming from a gamer this personally (if conducted correctly) sounds like a good way to draw in more of a male audience, and show a larger scale of the war that with how the books are set up cant. Just my thoughts…
SCOTT SCOTT SCOTT!
NOW THAT THE BOOK IS OUT WHAT WAS THE MISSING WORD FROM THE WORD CLOUD!?
I think the word was Telsa. ^
But anyways, OH MY GOD GOLIATH WAS FLAWLESS.
TOO FLAWLESS FOR WORDS!
I WAS BLOODY DYING! IT WAS SO PERFECT!
THAAANK YOOOOU SCOTT FOR THIS PERFECT BOOK!
And how great was that ending? Holy crap, so great.
I was really worried someone was going to die!
I LOVED the way Alek found out about Deryn.
They way he said her name and she didn’t notice. It was great.
I was so worried he was going to be mad, but he wasn’t! And he did so much to keep her secret! IT WAS SO ADORABLE.
GOLIATH = FLAWLESS
Just finished Goliath! Now I want to know all the backstories to that picture of Alek crashing Dylan and Lililt’s wedding, and the word cloud (probably Tesla).
So the oddest thing happened. I was driving up Hwy 101 in California, listening to Goliath on audiobook, when the Leviathan reached “halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco”.
And I went, “No, they couldn’t be….could they?”
Then they mentioned Hearst Castle.
I live on the Central Coast of California and am a journalism major at Cal Poly SLO. I’ve grown up going on field trips to Hearst Castle, including in college. I was ridiculously excited that the Leviathan was at Hearst Castle, and thought about driving all the way up to San Simeon to see it—
Then I remembered it was a work of fiction set in WWI. I deflated a bit but that part of the book made. my. day.
Ahhhh, that was so good. Although, this is one of only two series I’ve ever read where I am NOT satisfied with the ending. Please say there are short stories and such in the Manual of Aeronautics? 😀 Other than the open-endedness, though, GOLIATH was brilliant. Everything worked out excellently. (Although I too was surprised that Barlow didn’t know about Deryn being Deryn.)
I want more books written about Deryn and Alek in this universe!
I love the line near the beginning where Deryn is serving Volger tea and says, “Dr. Barlow saved all these newspapers for you, though I can’t imagine why.”
🙂
Thank you so much for the great book and characters, Scott. I look forward to rereading the Leviathan trilogy again and again.
I thought the ending was bittersweet – they are leaving the L.! 🙁 🙁 They’re moving on with their lives! They’re growing up! 🙁
Oh, well. They’ll still have Bovril.
zooninja manga. thats waht i want
Ah, haven’t read it yet, seems good! Love the spoilers on this page though x3. Except… WHY HE THROW HIS EMPIRE FOR LOVE?!!!?!!?! BOY, YOU COULDA RULED THE WORLD! Well I guess that means he has less problems with the government now.
Scott I am in love with your book. I have been done with your series since when Goliath came out, and am trying to move on to other books but none of them feel as rich and alive as Steampunk so I am having trouble enjoying them. I am constantly thinking about the world of Steampunk during the day and wonder “what would I have done differently and what experiences I would I of had” if I had lived in such a time and setting. Its just amazing to me, I have NEVER felt this way about a book (as I am not an avid reader). Thank you (and at the same time you have cursed me :P) for the wonderful creation you have made.
PS: Also I need to know: What happens next? Please include SOMETHING somewhere?
after nearly A MONTH
after nearly A MONTH of waiting, I finally received this marvelous novel yesterday afternoon. I finished reading this morning. During that time I had several exclamations shouting out “Scott, you’re a genius!!!!!!”
OOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMGGGGGGGG. I nearly cried tears of joy when Alek found out our heroine was a girl. That book made me happy/sad/laugh/cry/inch to the edge of my seat….you get the jist. Bravo….bravo.
^ adding to that, this book was absolutely in every possible way perfect. PERFECT.
WHY MUST LEVIATHAN BE A TRILOGY!? I DON’T WANT IT TO END! CAN’T SCOTT NIX THE TRILOGY AND CONTINUE LEVIATHAN INTO A SERIES, OR AT LEAST MAKE ANOTHER TRILOGY/SERIES ABOUT ALEK/DERYN OR THEIR CHILDREN OR SOMETHING? I DON’T WANT IT TO END!
I finally (yes FINALLY–my library’ hold system can be aggravating at times) got Goliath, and all I can say is…wow. Just…wow.
I tried, I really tried to read through this entire section before making this comment–I got to about 120, then I gave up.
I noticed most people’s favorite scene was THE KISS, either the first or the last, but my favorite scene was actually at the end of Chapter 19, which was their make-up scene in Japan. It was just absolutely…perfect.
“It was awful, being at war with you.”
“I missed you too, daft prince.”
SO BEAUTIFUL asddjkgn,.kfng *runs of to doodle fanart*
And oddly enough, even though the illustration on page 202 was my favorite out of them all, I didn’t get the box until reading this section.
And I love how Alek has a fencing pose when zapping Tesla. KEITH THOMPSON YOU ARE AMAZING! ASFKJSLFNASGFN; L;AS
All in all, and ending of absolutely epic proportions. ZOO-NINJAS FTW!
Also, did anyone notice Volger’s line to Alek, “You’re the heir to a empire, not a zoologist.”? That line is really ironic, given the ending to the book. Teehee. ^.^
Aweome. Pure Undiluted awseome.
I loved the whole Dalek arc, the way their romance played out. And it was a fitting end for both of them. I dont want an epilogue, I think the book is better without it, but since its over (unless its not over !!!!) it’d be nice to get random facts about the future of the characters and the world, like J.K. Rowling did.
Speaking of character’s futures, I’ve been speculating. Perhaps after blowing up at Alek (which you know will happen) Volger will be offerred a job. Since he is all clever and devious and without a prince to keep safe, maybe Dr. Barlow will ask him to join the Zoological society. So we’d still have Varlow, even if it was platonic.
Anyway, a pure masterpiece, especially since I was terrified Deryn and Alek would end up like Tally and Zane or Jess and Johnathan. It was the best end to a trilogy I’ve read in a long time.
Please Mister Westerfeld, may we have another…?
🙂
This book made me SOB!!!! I don’t even know why, I would just be reading a line, and I would start bawling! I can’t think about it without tearing up, because it is the SWEETEST thing in the world! When Alek throws away his scroll, I screamed out loud! The chapter that started with “She was a girl. Her name was Deryn Sharp and she was a girl diguised as a boy.” you know, after he finds out (takes him long enough! I love how oblivious Alek is) was my favorite chapter of the entire series! It’s just so sweet, because Alek wants to be able to trust Deryn, but he’s not sure if he can. And then when he figures out that she’s in love with him, I just love it so much! This book was amazing, and I cried (A LOT) when it was over. GO DALEK!!!!
My book arrived yesterday!!!!!!!!!!! It. Was. ANAZING. I love the pictures! The one of the bears and the bones is so creepy! AND THE LAST PICTURE. *screams!* It was awesome, the whole book! I stayed up til midnight to finish it. Then mum came in and I quickly turned off the light so it was pitch black and she couldn’t see the book. “Are you reading??” ” Nooo. . .”
The book has so many great quotes! It feels unreal. And when he electrocutes Tesla for Deryn! Ahhh… Pure awesomeness! Words cannot describe how much I love this book.
Mr Thompson’s illustrations are epic, they add so much more to the book. Bravo, Mt T!
PS. Yay, we won the rugby world cup!
PPS. I was beginning to think that the book was in one of the crates on the container ship that crashed in tauranga, and had sunk to the bottom of the harbour! I’m so glad it finally arrived 🙂
It’s so funny how alek thinks that the idea of moving pictures broadcast to everyone is crazy. And now we do have it! TV!
pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppplllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz oh pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz make a forth… or more 🙂 i to feel a hunger for more i even stoped reading it for hours just so it would not end (so much pain to not reading it ) so i caved and finished and want need more i even have a plot alek and deryn leave the leviathan but find their way back on it once germans attack britian they go in and try to help when captain hobbs is seriously hurt deryn take command (at end of goliath sohe said she would settle to fly a air ship of her own) fast forward (you mister scott-la aka the bomb) put the rest inbetween) then alek and deryn find themselfs in trouble togethor again with no hope of getting out when oooooolllldddd klopp appears and saves them and fast forward again klopp and deryn and alek and all the old friends and ALLIES attack berlin to take down the Kaisar and then more suprises for you to make. so plz make it you dont have to make it like this but it has to involve alek and deryn. k so what are ya waiting for start writing. plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
P.S. Kieth Thompson make some more unparrallel pics
L
oo
kup
there
anddo
whatitsa
ystomake
manyfansh
appyandbee
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nc
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what it says:look up there and do what it says and be even cooler 🙂
my favorite part is when alek lies toprotect deryns secret i would like even more close calls if you make a seconed one
i will be a regular fan to this website 🙂 and i found out about leviathan in my school library it was really cool i thought it was a bout a machine fish when i read the back and the next day checked out behemoth too read both of them in 2 days got in trou8ble for not going outside so i went out side to read i would read the leviathan “series” anywhere any time f y i i never read uglies series but knowing me i peobloly will stick with the leviathan series
so uh hows cool life u having plz do what ur fans love i think a forth book would be great this could be ur biggest book ever or biggest “SERIES” ever plz consiter this i will visit this site daily bye for now 🙂
Hokay, so did anyone else think it was weird when the Mexican doctor accidentally grazed her boob and thought she had a bomb, Alek told him her secret and gave the doctor permission to feel her up? Awkward sauce. If I were Deryn, I would’ve been all “Yeah, you’d like that, wouldn’t you?”when he told her to take off her shirt, and then “FRIENDSHIP OVER!” once Eddie Malone revealed himself.
*sigh* That was a happy/relieved/sad sigh. Don’t know how it can be both sad and happy at once…. but those of you who finally finished the book can probably understand. Mr. Westerfeld you did quite an amazing job. You wrapped up every loose and and left me a world to dream about. How ever did you think of Darwinists and Clankers? When I write I try to write about something that isn’t on the shelves and something I, myself, would want to read. You did a very good job of that. Also, I can tell you did a lot of research on your subject because it was believable. Lastly, please write another steampunk novel. The genre suits you.
P.S. You should have a series of short stories (each with dramatic cliff hangers) called something along the lines of “The Adventures of Aleksander” XD ^_^ I know I would read them.
P.S.S. This series made me wonder multiple times if I would be able to fabricate a loris.
I know the book came out a long time ago, but I just reread the series (in 3 days) and I just had to post here! Scott, I must say, this is pretty much my favorite series ever! (and I’ve read a lot) Harry Potter is first (what can I say, I was recruited young 😛 ) but this has moved in right next to it. (with the Bartimaeus trilogy and the Hunger Games moving back in the line)
The ending was absolutely perfect! I love Alek and Deryn, and Deryn is actually my favorite heroine ever! seriously, if this world existed I would either be her or her best friend. I loved how Alek grew as a character, and how even though Deryn loved him and thought things wouldn’t work out between them, she still kept her head. And Newkirk! He saves Deryn! him, Neville and Sokka have to hang out some time. And I loved Bovril! OK I loved everything – like how Lilti came back, and how Barlow didn’t know about Deryn being a girl, and all the romantic scenes, and the action, and the comedy, and Varlow hints. I never thought about how it would all end, because I couldn’t figure out how everything would work out nicely. I was resigned to a bittersweet ending, but you did it perfectly! It left me wanting more of the story, but not really because it ended perfectly and more would be too much, if that makes any sense at all.
Anywho, rant over. Thanks Scott (and Keith, seriously the artwork was AMAZING) for this incredible story! I am now recruiting my mom and my room mate so I have people to squee over the books with. If I can ever write a book one tenth as cool as this (ok, even one hundredth as cool) then I’ll consider it a job well done 🙂
Oh, and I also wanted to mention the final picture of Alek and Deryn making out. I noticed some other people mentioned it was zoomed out quite a bit (which was super special awesome, cuz then the Leviathan was included) but it would be great if a close up was included in the Manual or Aeronautucs. It could be “taped” to the inside back cover or pages or something, like the picture was taken of them (possibly by a sneaky Bovril somehow? 😛 ) or like Deryn sketched it out. Of course it would be drawn by Keith (with the tape drawn, too).
Anywho, just a random thought I had to settle the inner fangirl – it would be odd if the picture just popped up in the middle of the book, so I thought something like that doodled in the margins or something would be cool (ever seen the Harry Potter companion book Magical Beasts and where to find them? similar concept, but with Keith’s awesome drawing skills)
Anywho, random ramble about nonsense over. Now back to my Shakespeare essay… (on the Twelfth Night – ironic. the crossdressing made me think of this book all over again 😛 )
Ok third comment in a row, but I would just like to reiterate that I loved the ending! You gave the perfect amount of information. And the epilogue in the form of a newspaper, and the comment about Alek and Deryn having better things to do, were absolutely perfect. I know a lot of people want sequels, but personally I think that would ruin it. The rest is up to the imagination, and thats a good thing. Though if there were another book set in the same universe (having to do with different characters, and maybe mentioning Alek and Deryn, kinda like Extras) I wouldn’t mind, but I just know I wouldn’t like the new characters as much as the old ones. So, basically, I loved the way you ended it, tied everything up, and left the rest up in the air. That’s the way a perfect ending works, in my opinion, and this series is actually the only one that truly masters it. (I love Harry Potter, the HG, and the Bartimaeus trilogy, but this ending was the best of all of them)
Seriously, barking good work! 🙂
Damn and blast Scott!
You were my favorite author before, but seriously!
I got a late start reading Goliath because of an Amazon order, but I just finished it two hours ago and I absolutely cannot stop thinking about it!
As soon as I got my hands on the book I flipped thought the pages and squealed with job when I saw that last picture.
At first, when Alek was mad at Deryn I was mad at him. I kept thinking “you daft prince!” and that phrase refused to leave my mind. I complained to all my friends about what a bum rag he was being!
Then we went back to being awesome and I giggled when he almost regretted saving that stupid reporter! Boy was I mad at him. He was a jerk for even contemplating sending in that story!
But then when Alek traded his secret to save Deryn’s I was grinning like an idiot and even did my girly happy dance; once no one was watching, of course.
I still can’t get over Alek saving Deryn from Telsa.
Oh man. This ending is the best ending I could have imagined. It was a perfect conclusion. I’m going to re-read the entire series for a second time this month.
You are amazing.
Oh, and Brovil is my absolute favorite character. I’ve always loved his “Mr. Sharp”.
One last thing. I seem to have a curse where if I get a character who I absolutely love, they always end up dying. You did it to me in Specials with Zane. Thank you so much for keeping all my favorite characters safe in this series. 😀
You are amazing. Keep up the good work. I cannot wait to find out what you come up with next!
Also!
I forgot!
When I first opened the book I squealed with joy at the dedication. haha. “That’s me!” I yelled when I jabbed my finger at it. My dad just looked at me funny and continued reading his own book.
He’ll understand when I pass Goliath on to him. I have a list of friends wishing to borrow it. 😀
It’s funny that they think I’m going to part with this book anytime soon.
i think that u westerfeld should extend the leviathan triligy that should be series
I only know one other girl who read the series and she dubbed it “okay.” CAN YOU IMAGINE?! All the other crazed Leviathan fans I know have been boys so I’m surprised that like, 98% of the people who commented are girls (but I guess there are less guys who would admit that they are crazed fans of something.) But trust me. I thought I was the only girl. Yay!
He should beware of posting something like a firmware dump, especially if he doesn’t know whether or not sony owns that firmware. Its like posting a console’s bios file or rom on the internet. Might be able to get away with it if it was developed using open-source software though.
There are simply no words to describe the tidal wave of epic-ness this book, this series, and its author and illustrator have brought into my life (sorry, I’m running out of words… and breath after reading the book). I was literally left with a feeling of emptiness when I realized I finished the trilogy and, alas, reached the end of the adventure. This amazing tale really brought me into my senses; it taught me the difference between action and fate, that the latter can truly only be shaped by faith in our dreams, ourselves, and the choices we choose to make (and perhaps a barking bucketful of luck). It also taught me that all forms of love require sacrifice.
BUT ENOUGH OF THE MUSHINESS. I’VE ALREADY BEEN CRYING TOO HARD.
I love how Mr. Westerfeld ended Goliath with a slight cliff hanger. We’re left to wonder what REALLY happened to Deryn and Alek. Did they truly become zookeepers? Did people (other than the ones who found out during the course of the book/s) FINALLY accept the fact that Deryn had been a girl all along? Did they eventually find themselves back in the Leviathan? It’s all a bit of an open ending.
To end this, can I just say that Deryn and Alek ARE BARKING PERFECT FOR EACH OTHER. IF THEY DIDN’T END UP TOGETHER (which I doubt) I WOULD’VE STARTED A REBELLION.
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YOU. SIR. YOU THERE. YES, YOU.
You with the wonderful historical fiction skills.
I just wanted to express my gratitude, sir, for this OE CNUORHEVCNUX NJAUVOICRH NEOU: THJiORTJU ORI:VEHE BOOK. BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH I LOVE IT SO MUCH I READ IT THREE TIMES IN A WEEK AND I WAS NEVER DISSATISFIED AND it was just so beautiful. And so interesting, the way he grabbed hold of the politics–usually WW2 is covered rather than WW1. But no, he did WW1, and he did not dissappoint. Thank you. Just. Yeesh, just thanks. Just barking thanks.
I was just wondering, did anyone else realise that none of the Goliath art is in the “Crashing The Bash” April Fool’s art reveal?
I want to read the book! 🙁
Oh, my god! I love this book, and this whole series so freaking much!!!! It’s definitely your best work, Scott (with Peeps [but NOT The Last Days] a close second). I truly loved every heart-wrenching minute of it.
I love Alek and Deryn, their romance is so epic! Back in those times, men may have loved women, but they didn’t truly respect them, you know? But knowing all Deryn’s done, I love how Alek truly respects her in a way that he probably wouldn’t of if she were just another girl. It’s so great.
I was also surprised that Dr. Barlow didn’t know Deryn’s secret. I thought she was going to reveal that she knew all along, because of woman’s intuition, or something, lol.
Anyway, it was such a great book!!! (Though it would’ve been fine if you killed off Eddie Malone and/or Adela Rogers. Reporters are SO annoying!)
…I LOVE DALEK!!!!! Oh, and Bovril!!!! (By the way, I think Barlow’s loris should’ve gotten a name.) Ah, I feel better now that I’ve gotten everything out. No one else I know has read the book, so I have no one to talk about with! No one understands these feelings! lol.
It’s just so awesome and hilarious that Deryn falls in love with Alek over the entire epic trilogy, but Alek’s like “Oh, you’re a GIRL?!? Hmm…. I LOVE YOU!” in the space of half the last book. Also, if your name is Scott Westerfeld and you’re reading this, THANK YOU FOR SIGNING MY COPY OF LEVIATHAN EVEN THOUGH I ORDERED IT LATE. It was a Xmas present, and it was wondrous and amazing.
Also, DO NOT FORGET THE SECRET MEANING OF TRILOGY, I BEG OF YOU.
Wow. That was… wonderful. That book was fulfilling. I laughed. I was sad. I almost cried. I was on the edge of my seat. I felt everything, as a book SHOULD make me feel. Thank you for writing this series! Thank you for this great ending!
The way you described Japan was awesome. The way you describe NY was epic. Hell, the way you described everything was great. I wish I were a darwinist, but since I’m Christian, I’d probably be a Clanker.
I was SO SURE SOOOO SURE that Dr. Barlow knew that Deryn was a chick! I was honestly surprised that she didn’t know. But I laughed so hard at that scene because she said she made it a policy to never be surprised.
I might just might go around saying “Barking spiders!” for a while.
OH MY GOSH I LOVED IT!!!!!! My absolute favorite part was when Alek found out he was in love with Deryn, and he killed Tesla for her!
*my heart melts* That’s called “true love.”
SOBBING. I’ve now dragged my friend into the wonderful world of Leviathan. I suffered depression after the book ended because I SO wanted the Leviathan world to be REAL (and don’t give me any of that “it’s real in our hearts” crap. It’s not the same as flying). Speaking figuratively, of course. AWESOME TRILOGY, SCOTT. Can’t wait for that manual!
Going through withdrawal , can’t wait for the manual. Please, Scottla please make 4 book please
Oh my god I love comment 166 and I can,t wait to read the book, Scott there is no way to describe the supspension I’ve had! My moms making me clean the house before I even get the book 🙁 what page do deryn and alek kiss and what page does alek find out deryn a girl? Please! I’ve read 25 books this trimester and omg this series is my favorite! ANSWERS!
I loved this series. Yes, I’m a boy, but this is my favorite series since Percy Jackson. Just finished Goliath. The problem with most books is that they start strong and then end to lovey-dovey, like Ranger’s Apprentice. But this didn’t. The whole book was flawless. The only problem was that it had to end sooner or later. The ending was perfect. And though my brain asks for an epilogue, I know that it would ruin the book. Epilogues give you an exact outline of how it ends. But without the epilogue you can only imagine what will happen. That’s just how it worked when The Mark of Athena came out last month. For a year I’d been dreaming about what might happen, and though I didn’t know exactly what would happen, I had several scenes built up in my head. The real book disappointed me. So I thank you, Mr. Westerfeld, for writing such an incredible, hooking series–I’m going to recommend this book to everyone I know. And I beg of you, please, please, PLEASE don’t write an epilogue or I may be forced to read it. And that would be wrong. I’m not surprised that people want one, but that would suck, because then it would REALLY be over. *groan* Please don’t tell me that the Manual of Aeronautics.
On another subject, I’m not sure what intrigued others about this book. I was hooked by the fact that we knew everyone’s secrets before anyone else. It took on a point of view I’ve never seen before–and I really enjoyed it–that even with the alternating POVs, we learned everyone’s secrets. What also caught me was the difference in dialect, and how it remained constant throughout the whole series.
Mr. Westerfeld, thank you for such an incredible series, and I hope to read more of your work in the future.
Simon
Somewhere along the Rocky Mountains in the USA.
PS: I hope I didn’t sound too serious in this. I’m actually quite the goof nugget.
PPS: I’m also a nerd(not the kind with huge glasses, an exaggeratedly nasal voice, and pants pulled up too high. I’m the kind that does things like memorize 57 digits of pi, knows the exact spelling, number of syllables, number of letters, and definition of antidisestablishmentarianism. And it is a real word.)
Sorry for dragging this out so much.
🙂
Simon
Somewhere along the Rocky Mountains in the USA.
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