The Manual Is OUT!

Posted on by scott

The full-color, slightly larger format, all-singing and all-dancing art book to the Leviathan series, also known as The Manual of Aeronautics, is OUT NOW. Actually, several people have found them on store shelves over the weekend, but today is the official release date. (Well, tomorrow morning in the United States. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN . . . )

You can go buy the Manual with your monies! Or ask your librarians for it, or get it online at Powell’s, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or IndieBound.

UPDATE: Oh yeah, the paperback of Goliath also came out today!

One of my favorite features of the Leviathan series is that each of the books has a splendid color endpapers by Keith, and the Manual is no exception. Which means I get to follow my tradition of revealing the endpapers on publication day.

As a wrap up of the series, Keith and I wanted to do something that encapsulated the whole series, with pretty much all of the characters in it. Also there was a certain piece of fan art about Deryn and Alek posing for the cover photo on Goliath. So we thought it would be cool for Keith to create the photo shoot for the Clanker/Darwninist Co-Existence Treaty signing!

Most likely, the image below wouldn’t really happen in the world of the Leviathan. I mean, all these characters wouldn’t all get credit for what they did to end the Great War (and all of those machines and beasties in the background would be a bit of a mess). But think of this as a visual confection, a collage that reveals the themes of the book (not unlike the frontispiece of that OTHER Leviathan).

So this is what we went with, and from this humble idea Keith created this awesome image:

Click here for the HUGE and zoomable version. And then see if you can find all the amusing (or sad) details.

Feel free to comment on the Manual in this comment thread, given that there aren’t really spoilers for an art book. (Or are there? Hmm.)

So I guess this is KIND OF THE END. You know? I mean, I’ll certainly post about the Leviathan series again, and people will go on talking about it and cosplaying it, and as new people are born and taught to read, they’ll discover it for the first time. Also, it’s completely possible that someone will make graphic novels or movies or interpretive dances of it, or that I will do more work in that universe someday.

But that doesn’t change the fact that with the Manual finally out, the Leviathan series is kind of . . . over now, at least in its original flavor version. *MAKES SAD FACE WITH TINY TEAR*

It’s been a great five years of working with the awesome Keith Thompson, who really threw his genius into this project, making it much better and bigger and realer than I could ever have hoped it would be. (I’m pretty sure I’ll be working with him again. Steampunk card game!)

It’s also been great having so many voluble, passionate, opinionated, and ridiculously creative fans. Thank you for coming along for the ride, and especially for all the amazing fan art. You are the best.

Seriously. Barking spiders to all of you.

235 thoughts on “The Manual Is OUT!”

  4. aawwww!!! I love the end papers.
    It’s adorable.
    LEVIATHAN WILL NEVER BE OVER IN OUR HEARTS :'(
    <3

  8. Erin-la:

    Hah! I knew someone would spot that box pretty quickly, but SERIOUSLY you got it in the FIRST non-Scott comment! EVERYONE WINS A PRIZE.

  9. Oh dear…poor Rusty. TAAAAAZA, DROP HIM! I guess that’s one reason why Deryn’s smirking though. Newkirk’s gonna get it LOL Poor Bauer and Hoffman, barely getting in XD

  10. Oh my barking spiders.
    GAH I CAN’T EVEN GO THROUGH AND LOOK FOR ALL THE DETAILS BECAUSE I CAN’T STAND THE AWESOME.
    Why must my parents never take me to the bookstore? I want the Manual so badly now. *sadface*
    Oh, I just zoomed in and saw Dr. Barlow’s expression… 😀

  11. Very sad. This series was the manifestation of two whole years of my life. CAN’T WAIT TO GET THE MANUAL THOUGH. THE BOX…….

  12. They signed a coexistence treaty in 1916? I hope the manual includes some synopsis of the actual war and maybe the terms of the treaty, because this potentially ruins all of my ideas for Leviathan universe WWII. It does, however, mean my prediction about them skipping to a Cold War have more basis and I can also delve into the post-war mentality about Darwinism.

    I’ve decided that I actually like this. =)

  15. This is also amazing! I love the detail and how they’re organized, and I can’t wait to get the Manual!

  17. ADELA AND LILIT IN THE SAME PICTURE (my height different headcanon is CANON!!!!)

    I AM PLEASED, SCOTT AND KEITH.

    No really, this is beautiful and I am ecstatic that those two (and other rarely seen castmembers, like NEWKIRK) are in color!! (IN THE SAME PICTURE. ADELA IS TALLER. LILIT COULD TOTALLY BE… Okay sorry will try to save the OTP feels for the blog.)

  18. Also no, it is not over. I refuse to let the fandom I’ve had the biggest involvement in go. My friend, Joey, and i started planning the animated movie and theme park today, guys. I am not letting this die.
    I love you guys and the books far too much. They’ve had such an impact on me, my writing, my art, my school work (I have not one, but TWO passed AP examxs to thank you for, Scott- WW1 interested save me in AP Euro, and one of my AP English essays was about you recommending my writing on this blog) and who I am as a person. And I’ve met my best friend in the entire world, thanks to this series- and a good dozen amazing friends as well.

    I refuse to say it’s over, but thank you, Scott, and thank you, fandom. You’ve changed my life for the better.

  21. totally awesome. and i mean AWESOME. only FIVE MORE FREAKIN’ HOURS UNTIL I GET THE MANUAL! cool link, Emily.

  22. Omg! I loled at Bauer and Hoffman having to stand behind Klopp. And Newkirk! Hes blonde! And Lilit is kick-ass as usuall! And Deryn and Aleks expressions are priceless! And Aleks on a box (sorta) !

  23. No, it isn’t over. I refuse to believe that. IT CANNOT BE OVER.

    but really, it never really will die out. As long as us fans have any say in the matter. Thank you Scott, for writing such a barking amazing trilogy. The Leviathan random has probably been the best random I have ever been part of and my obsession has literally changed my personality. Thankyou, Scott, for doing all that you do.

  24. Scott-la I love you! and I love Keith 🙂 beautiful work.
    Also, love the two guys trying to shake hands on the elephant tusk and on the big cannon

  25. i’ve never been this into a series and had it end. it is kind of sad.

    scott-la, you could always make a leviathan-centric biography of tesla. that would be really cool.

  26. Im soooo sad the leviathan series and everything to do with it is over but the zoomability on that picture makes up for it 🙂

  27. Poor Rusty. I love how Tesla’s trying to get into the picture too-looks almost as if he’s been shoved into the corner! xD Need to write something involving Leviathan at some point, now that I’m on writer’s vacation. I’m surprised Volger’s mustache is gray-I always imagined it to be black (maybe it’s because of the illustrations being in black and white?). It looks like Newkirk’s about to sneeze, or he’s laughing (probably laughing).

    Love it, Scott. Great series, and a great way to end it! Here’s to more awesomeness to come!

  28. *dies* THAT’S what Newkirk looks like?! That is so awkward. Nobody look at my fanart ever again.

    ANYWAY- I love the tributes to Zaven and the Archduke! And the tribute to the scene that started it all is right in the middle of the whole shabang- a huxley with a person(coughderyncough) hanging from it.

    oh, and I just noticed- there are two people fistbumping on the tusk of the darwinist elephantine and the clanker canon.

  29. Well, that was rather sad, the whole “it’s the end” mindset but there will always be more fanart and fanfiction to keep the series going at least. I’m sure once my mother gets home with my copy of the manual, I will be drawing for weeks. Alek should stand all he way up on the box so he can finally be taller than Deryn. In a way, the illustration reminds me of one of those family pictures no one ever wants to be in so the end result is a combination of grumpy people, people trying to contain their laughter over some joke that’ll be lost in time and the people who look very reluctant to be included.

  30. My question: what’s in the box?? And I love that Newkirk is wiping his nose. Why does it have to be over?!! >sobs< Such awesome books and amazing artwork.

  31. I feel like a complete failure because I don’t really understand what’s so important about the box. Excuse me while I go re-read the entire series again…

  32. It looks like Newkirk is giving himself a finger mustache. Speacking of mustaches, did Keith give Tazza one or is Tazza eating an animal? LOL

  34. I’m so happy and heartbroken at the same time. The one thing you never ask a Harry Potter fan is what they will do when the series is over. They’re answer is always that it is never over. THE SAME GOES FOR LEVIATHAN.

  36. Tazza is eating Rusty omigoooood lol and the background and all the tiny people I just can’t even and the box and Lilit is looking at Deryn who’s looking at Alek who’s looking back and oh it’s just so beautiful.

    FEAR NOT! It is never the end as long as there is…FANFICTION!

    I just realized my entire life is so sad…

  37. Actually I just realized that my fanfiction with a Darwinist and Clanker WWII depended upon a treaty that allowed the integration of each society into the other, which then made people like Hitler mad, and they started a revolution and overturned the treaty because Darwinists were “polluting their nations” and instead of a holocaust against Jews, it was against the Darwinists…it’s so complicated. It’s over a hundred pages, and I’m nowhere near finished yet…

  38. NO!!! Leviathan is my favorite series of yours, Scott! It makes me sad to hear it’s over. But I still have the manual…

  39. I feel really stupid asking this, but who’s rusty?
    sorry, haven’t read the series in a long time…

  40. oh my god the end papers! they are absolutely barking brilliant! the pigeon
    by Tesla’s photo-INGENIOUS his extreme fixation of pigeons was one of his more quirky obsessions, i think. and am sooooo sad that that this trilogy+art book is, technicality-wise, OVER! LEVIATHAN FOREVER!!!!! trust me Scott, we, as your loyal (slightly crazed) fans will see to make sure that this never dies! trust me, when i have children, this will be their bedtime story!

  41. I have quite a few things to say. Also I changed my name to my Leviathan-self, not my Uglies-self, as a tribute to this amazing series.
    1.NOOOOOOOOOOOOO LEVIATHAN WILL NEVER END NEVER FOR AS LONG AS FOREVER!
    2.You’re the author. You’re supposed to say “Don’t worry! Leviathan is so awesome it will never end!”, not “Well I guess this is the end of Leviathan goodbye.”

    3.I’m pretty sure Leviathan is going to end up like Alice in Wonderland and Treasure Island and Pride and Prejudice (Did I spell that right?), and become one of those books the world will never forget.

    4.And speaking of people being born and learning to read, my aunt’s having a baby and it’s going to be a boy and I keep trying to persuade her to name him Alek.
    Me: But it’s such a wonderful name! And so unique!
    Aunt: I told you, his name is going to be Mason.
    Me: No offense, but that’s so BORING. Alek is an amazing name and it’s also very handsome and how many boys do you know named ALEK????
    Aunt: HIS NAME WILL BE MASON AND THAT’S THAT.
    Like Volger, I have very poor persuasion skills. But even if his name is MAson I’ll still get him to read Leviathan when he gets big enough.

  42. OH I FORGOT TO MENTION: I’m in the middle of making a Leviathan card game right now. Just sayin’.

  43. when does your game release, Joe? i’m finally able to pull my nose out of the Manual long enough to comment. Scott, i’m assuming that you wrote the captions. i love what Alek and Volger do in their spare time. but what happens to the Throne? or do i need to pull up a world-history textbook for that?

  44. and by the way Scott can you please update that about you page in Bonus Stuff because there’s some great questions, but over 4800 comments. i also hear that ya spend part of the year in New York do you accept house visits? or is that your undercover/vacation time?

  45. I have to comment on the fact that so many people are saying it will never end, but not mentioning many ideas to keep it going (I blame my teachers for making me think far into the future). So here’s one idea that includes a little explaining.
    I have to assume that there was a similar mentality when Uglies drew to a close too. Thinking about this (and other things) led me to have an idea. (And I’m sorry this is so long-winded and thorough. Again, I blame my teachers.)
    Anyways. Extras was a companion novel to the Uglies trilogy, being set in the same world but having the same characters not be leads. I think that Scott should continue that line of thought. So here’s the idea I’ve taken so long to get to:
    A companion novel to the Leviathan series that includes everyone (or at least Deryn and Alek) but the main characters would be completely new.

  47. @39- Rusty is the talking frog repeater thingy (wow great explanation, PWH). Let me try that again, Rusty is Eddie Malone’s memory frog and it basically records and repeats what it hears… I think. You’ll notice in the illustration frog legs hanging out of Tazza’s mouth.

  49. OMBS I’m SO EXCITED! Mine has officially shipped from Amazon!
    …
    And I’m also really, really sad. Why must you use the “O” word? (NOT Omnibus.) It will never be over! Leviathan shall always live on, whether it be in fanfiction/art, a movie (fingers crossed! As long as it’s good.), or that long plane ride from Australia during which you are struck by inspiration and write another bonus chapter (or bonus book. Just saying)(you could also write fanfiction for your own books 😀 ), this series will never be “over”. I won’t allow it. *crosses arms and harrumphs like a child*
    And yes, that was very sappy. Deal with it.

  50. What???? It’s OVER???? I have loved this series since God-knows-when and now it’s OVER??? I must write me a fanfic.
    And everybody stop being all happy that Rusty got eaten. I liked that frog. Come on people, it may have been a bit troublesome here and there, but would you be just as happy if Kermit got eaten? Hm?

    …sorry. I’m a frog lover.

  53. I can’t believe the series is over… so sad…
    I love how the people who died are commemorated using photographs. I also love how, under their portraits near the end, it says what they do after the series. I had always wondered what Volger did…

  55. On 45: But I wouldn’t be able to stand a companion if Deryn and Alek weren’t the mains! It would kill me….

  57. It won’t end! Ever! There’s still so many people we can convince to read it!
    So anyway..
    The end papers are AWESOME!!! Loved the tribute to Zaven and the fact that Tazza is eating Rusty. Who had that idea?
    And poor Alek and his box. That’s just funny. And Bovril playing with the mechanical elephant looks cool. He’s just there to have fun, :)….. (it is Bovril, right? :P)

    By the way, everyone. I made a Goliath trailer! Here’s the link:

    http://www.sendspace.com/file/3w17a7

    please, anyone who reads this, tell me what you think!

    Scott, I repeat, IT’S.NOT.OVER. We’re still here.

  58. Person with Hat says: “In a way, the illustration reminds me of one of those family pictures no one ever wants to be in so the end result is a combination of grumpy people, people trying to contain their laughter over some joke that’ll be lost in time and the people who look very reluctant to be included.”

    Yes. Keith nailed this perfectly.

  59. I think this is the one post where Scott has commented the most. And it is a post that deserved that.

  60. A succesful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.
    -David Brinkely

    That means you, Scott!

  64. Has anyone else noticed the plaques, quilts, and tools in the foreground? It appears Malone is fine-tuning the symbols for the picture. It’s good they’re drawn in pre-picture/posed form because it’s far more interesting. (And that picture might be delayed. *Cough. Newkirk. Cough*)
    I think I missed why the box is so important. Maybe it has a toy Stormwalker inside (for Bovril to play with.)
    There are so many other details to list I won’t even try.

    Just ordered the Manual!

    The series is only over if you let it be. I shall send more fan-art if I can to keep it going!

  65. Shouldn’t the “parrot dragon” say something like “The amazing Manual of Aeronautics is finally out! Yay!!” ?

  67. Question for Scott: I’m really curious about what the books you mentioned in the Author’s note are. If you didn’t just leave the names out because you forgot, I would love to know because books with airships, adventures and awesome pictures are books I would love to read!

  68. I just noticed that Lillit is holding a picture of Zaven…*sniff*…I MISS ZAVEN. Seriously, he was like my favorite character. Even if he was only in the book for a few chapters.

  69. I love the eyes that Alek and Deryn are giving each other, like they’re sharing a hilarious private joke.

    “Even today, they have no barking idea about us!”

  70. The series will never be over, Mr. Westerfeld, for it will be a story forever treasured in our hearts. Thank you for, well, everything! You have inspired me so much! Take care, keep writing, and keep being barking awesome! Sincerely, Aaza

  72. All the peace and celbration is great and all but for the sake of the crewman just under the walker’s gun, don’t get any closer.

  73. Wow! Keith must’ve spent a lot of time on that pictutre! WE THANK YOU! Both Scott and Keith! EXCLAMATION POINT!
    Volger actually looks somewhat happy. That’s, like, Snape SMILING. At HARRY.
    Dr.Barlow, I know you Brits love your tea, but WHY NOW???
    Lillit, sneaking a sideways glance at MR.Sharp. 🙂
    BOVRIL IS LIKE THE CUTEST THING I’VE EVER SEEN.

    Really, thank you Scott. And Keith. It’s been a wonderful, maybe even slightly life-changing trilogy. No, really, my life wouldn’t be the same without you guys. I love you both!
    …IN A FRIENDLY SORT OF WAY.

  75. Ooh! Look at Rogers ‘daring’ hemline! And the Captain looks kinda murderous…. did he just find out Deryn is a girl? Or maybe its a letter from his mother hes reading…

  76. We’re the best? We know. But Scott-la, we’re the best because YOU’RE the best – you and Keith are incredible and aghhhh you do so much for us, thank you for being amazing writers and artists and for being so involved with your readers… Gives me hope for humanity.

    The picture is gorgeous. And Leviathan being over makes me sad – but I am sure that we will all cosplay and fanart onward… A truly amazing story never ends.

  77. Also, can I just say how much I love Scott-la trolling his own blog and snatching first comment? xD

  79. Levithian could NEVER end and i would love you Scott-la if you made a companion novel!!!!!! :D! I have read SO many of your books and you must write more!!!!!!!! PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

  80. Never in my westerbloggerhood have I seen a post get so many comments so quickly. Everyon who was complaining about us taking too long to get 100 comments, be grateful!

  81. So I just finished reading it for the first time and I love the sideways look Volger’s portrait is giving Barlow’s portrait in the last two pages. You cannot tell me Varlow does not exist. It most certainly does.

  82. @71 I serched Goliath and did not find the pic. What page is it on or am i just blind?
    – Thanks!

  83. @71: I found it. I’d guessed it was after the Herculean Inundation, but it still took a while. I never noticed that detail before, and it doesn’t make him any taller in either one with only one foot on it.
    @82: Page 202 (In my book)

  85. It’s been an amazing run! Huge thanks to everyone who enjoyed the books, and of course thanks to Scott for everything!

    Definitely a little sad, but it’s been such a great and long endeavor how could wrapping it up not be? I’m going to miss all the characters, the world of Darwinists and Clankers, and all the awesome little things people notice hidden away throughout Scott’s and my efforts (many of them being things that seemed to form on their own accord and were fun surprises to us as well!)

    I’ve always read everyone’s comments, and taken it all to heart. I hope you enjoy The Manual of Aeronautics!

  86. LOVE THE DRAWING<3
    Omg, so many little details. Newkirk looks more like he's smelling something bad than wiping his nose.
    And why is that pigeon there…..

    Naww:( I finished the trilogy long time ago but I still feel kinda sad now that ppl are saying it's "officially" over.

    Oh well, I'll remember Leviathan here ever after~
    (And of course, Deryn and Alek and Count Volger and Bovril and the rest of them:) )

  87. I started the series in July, but the idea of the series being “officially” over still upsets me. I was late to the party 🙁 . The books still made my summer though, and I can’t wait for my copy of the artbook to come!
    Looking forward to what comes next from you!

  90. I just noticed the pigeon, and being a HUGE One D. fan, I just had to put some good use to the countless “Funny Moments” videos I’ve watched.

  91. More Leviathan-y books? D:
    AND WHY DOESN’T ANY OTHER THOSE CHARACTERS GIVE A SHIT ABOUT BAUER AND HOFFMAN, MAN. THEY PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE AND NO ONE KNOWS THEIR FIRST NAMES BECAUSE THEY DIDN’T CARE.
    ALEK ONLY FOUND OUT BAUER’S NAME BECAUSE HANS JUST WANTED TO USE HIS OWN NAME AND I SDFK

  93. @91 i sort of basically love you for knowing that. and it’s not like he could be in this pic himself, so why not?

  94. Its great that the manual is out but its all so sad that’s it’s the last book in the series. It was awesome reading the book, thanks to you I been reading more. I use to hate reading but when I stared reading the uglies series last year then this series I started to like reading agAin. Guess you can say I was on the late train:) the pic is great! I love how Alek is standing on the box and the details are awesome! I hope to read the manual, maybe the library I go to might have it. Hey Scott maybe u can do next book on what happens after alek and deryen take the job at the london zoo. What ever book you do next should be great.

  96. @93 that is such a perfect idea! Scott-la you should do that, but DreA you are right anything Scott-la rights next will deffinatly be AMAZING!!!!!!!

  97. Wow Scott, look at all these passionful comments. You’ve got an army. You know that, right?

  98. I randomly noticed the little figures in the background on the tip of the elephant tusk and cannon barrel O^O

    Anyways THIS IS NOT THE END. THIS IS JUST THE END OF THE BEGINNING. LIVE ON LEVIATHAN. LIVE ON. UNLESS YOU ARE, LIKE, A CLANKER MACHINE. YOU DON’T LIVE. DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY TO YOU. I LIKE CAPS.

    Oh well 🙁 I now must satisfy my thirst through reading all you other cooleo-awesome books.

  101. hey Keith so now that i know you read the comments i’m gonna be annoying. every post, from now on(if i can remember) i’m asking you if you offer drawing lessons. i am in desperate need of help. and @98, i searched the sites and there’s a bunch of other Steampunk-y shirts, too.

  104. A: ALEK IS INDEED STANDING ON A BOX OH MY GOD ASDFGHJKL SCOTT-LA YOU BROWSE THE FAN SITES DONTCHA.
    B: NOOOOO! THIS CANNOT BE THE END!! DDD: I love Leviathaaaaaannnnn *sobbage*
    C:: A new friend of mine at HS is reading this series and reviewing the Manual for the school paper! :DD It’s my fault. ^u^ (Thought someone might care for some reason…)
    -Rave

  105. @85: If that is really you, Mr. Thompson (I’m terribly sorry, but I am rather skeptical) then I’m glad you read the comments and I love all the art you’ve drawn for Leviathan. You have amazing skill.
    @88: Me either. It almost seems to good to be true.

  107. @96- Passionate. My brillaint self just realized the word is passionate. Not “passionful”.

  108. you really should continue on with a new storyline maybe in world war two it would be awesome to see the darwinism and clankerism move farther forward in twenty years

  110. I was supposed to have the Manual ship to my house today but it didn’t come… 🙁 WHY GOD WHY

  111. so my copy of the manual says “Coexistence Peace Treaty 1915” instead of 1916. Explanation???

  112. Oh, 110! So I’m not the only one who noticed the 1916/1915 thing! Yes, please! Explanation!
    Also, the behemoth is absolutely terrifying.
    So I put together all my Leviathan books and everything Leviathan has influenced me to do and–barking spiders–you should see the state of my desk. A German-English dictionary, decorated English notebooks, books on Austria and the Hapsburgs. That doesn’t even include my Deryn-inspired haircut!

  113. I JUST GOT IT AND READ IT COVER TO COVER AND IT’S SUPER AWESOME. I’m not going to lie, though, I really wanted some new beasties and general longer-ness. BUT I STILL LOVE IT. And I will certainly use it for my fanart/fiction.

  114. Regarding 1915/16

    When Keith sent me the final art, it said 1916. But then I was, like, “The war probably ended in 1915, given that the series ends in December of 1914. So change it!”

    So he did for the book. But I guess I still had the old file around. Fun game: Check to see if there are any other changes!

  116. scott,
    The fact that the series is over 🙁 doesn’t mean that the characters are dead (thank you for teaching us that Ms. Funke.) Their stories still go on (metaphorically, as they are after alll fictional characters), and it is your job to chronicle those stories.
    The gauntlet has been thrown down.

  117. I start school tommorow… 🙁 ….on the other hand I guess I’m happy cause this will be the second school year when I’m on the Westerblog, so I guess it’s kinda like a really weird anniversary….?

  121. I’m going to memorize this manual, just like Deryn did. <3 It is my most precious textbook.

  126. Can we all appreciate the clanker and darwanist the background meeting each other to shake hands? FEELS.

    Also the Tesla portrait and the pidgeon made me laugh xDD Alek and Deryn are looking at each other QAQ

    These books are simply AMAZING and whether you revisit these beautiful characters or not, the series will live for a LOOOOOOOOOOONG time.

    Am I the only one who would love to see Leviathan performed through interpretive dance?

    UGHHH WHAT DO I DO WITH ALL THESE FEELS??? (Logical step would be to make more fanart and I’m a pretty logical person >:D )

  127. @126: I’ve thought of turning Leviathan into a ballet (because that’s the only form of dance I know XD), but I think it would make a better musical, something on the scale of Les Miserables, but perhaps not constantly singing.
    And of course a totally awesome film….three part film….
    Anything would have to be in three parts to fit in all the gorgeous details. ^^

  128. Can’t believe the series is over. 🙁

    I won’t know what to do with myself now.

    So happy that it’s finally out at the same time.

  129. Never know what to do when one of your series is over, but can’t wait for more books! Love you first comment too, haha.

  130. Scott’s second post made me cry. Sigh.
    Uglies still has first in my heart, but this will always have a place too.

  131. @117- I’m really sorry Middy Joe but i have to say this: HA! You guy were making fun of me when I still had school and you were all on vacation! I still have two weeks of vacation!
    I really am sorry for that outburst, it had to be said. I’m sorry you have go back to school. At least you have the manual to look forward to.

  132. As soon as I get the manual I take it outside to read, and my brother manages to spray it and me twice with a hose. Of course, “accidentally.”

  133. @132- I think my brother has done that on several occasions, luckily never while I was holding the manual.

  134. My mother refuses to buy me the manual! 🙁 I will somehow get it though.
    @130 I so agree. I read 3 of Scott-la’s series before this one ( the first being Uglies,) but Leviathan will ALWAYS have a place in my heart! 😀

  135. ok, i’ve pretty much got the entire beastie section memorized, on to the Walkers. Semaphore is gonna take me a while. am i just really weird, or is anyone else doing this?

  136. of course this is pretty hard to do when my little sister is staring angrily at me insisting that i put down the Manual and/or get off of Westerblog. i’m sorry Scott, i guess not all ages are able to appreciate your work and your total awesomeness. *sniff*

  138. @135&136: Don’t worry, you’re not weird at all. I am going to memorize this manual as well….Except I also I have to give it to my sister because she wants to look at it….
    She always read these books first, but I know them WAY better than she does because, well, I stole all of them. XD They’re not really mine, they’re my family’s, but I made them mine. ^^ So, yeah, I grabbed the Manual when it arrive in the mail….No one else has touched it. Back to memorizing now….

  140. Scott,
    If you change the awesome Clanker/Darwinist design of this blog, I will never talk to you again. Just saying….
    (Actually, not really, but I will be very upset.)
    -MiddyK

  141. On an unrelated subject, I just found out that we have Team Human! When did we buy that? And how has it been sitting around under my very nose? Sigh….
    Well, if it distracts my sister long enough, more Manual time for me!!!!! Muhahahahahaha!!!!!!!

  142. Will we get another FAFFF tonight, Scott? Please say yes!

    And I STILL don’t have the Manual. Stupid UPS. >:(

  143. Hey Scott, I have a question. Before Charles Darwin came along, the Darwinists used machines just like the Clankers, right?

  145. @143, supposedly yes. according to history, Britain helped lead the Industrial Revolution in the same general period of time as the Leviathan series. i’m a bit confused to, because if they were industrial then Darwin would’ve been an absolute radical and a whole country just entirely changes.

  146. and Midshipman K, i’m slightly curious. are you a fellow hard-to-come-by American fan? i’m just hoping i can find some in my general region so we can dominate, and then take on the world. naw, j.k. more like have fan(club) meetings.

  147. but U.S.A. rocks. i recently read the Scott Facts thing in Bonus Stuff, and i’m so proud that we’re finally able to produce a decent author.

  148. I would LOVE to meet a fellow houstonian Scott-la lover! But I’m not sure if their are to many.

  149. @146&147 (Scorpio-Ferret): Yes, I am American. Could you tell by the time stamp? I would love to meet other Leviathan fans! But the US has several regions, so for all I know you could be on the other side of a continent.

  150. YES! you just made my day. in case you haven’t read all of my comments i live in Boston, Massachusetts. East Coast. @Sarah-wa, i’m sorry i don’t live in anywhere near you. but Midshipman K, pleasepleaseplease live near me. i can access pretty much all of the greater New England area.

  151. WOO-HOO! 150th comment! this page is really getting somewhere (with a little help from myself, of course)

  152. Aw! I wish I could say I lived near you, but I literally live across the country in California. 🙁 Why is America so barking big?

  154. Hey Scott-la cmon!!!!! You gotta write more for the series!!! Please!
    Make it world war two and have like one of alek’s half cousins be on the German side or something. Oh and have alek’s and deryn’s kid go to fight for the allies! You could make it totally awesome!

  156. Also I have a question: why does it appear that tazza is chowing down on a message lizard?? Or is it rusty the frog??? Looks like a mustache.

  157. i’m sorry Fireferret. it’s great to know that there are other Ferret lovers here but you so totally stole my idea, i’ve been using it for a long time. go back to whatever you were before, please. if you’re new to Westerblog, i suppose i can excuse you.

  158. and btw NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Midshipman K why oh why must you live in California? *curses out* ah well, if i get into UCLA like i really want to, perhaps you’ll still be there and i’ll drop by. not bloody likely. *ahem* sorry for all that.

  159. sorry, i don’t know if you’re at UCLA. if you are, great for you. i meant if you’re still in California but it kinda came out wrong.

  160. @149-YES YES YES!!! Finally another Californian Levia-fan!! I live in Redwood City, where do you live?
    I FIIIIIIINALLY GOT THE MANUAL. Me so happy!!! 😀

  162. Mr. Westerfeld,
    If you tell us that you are working on a new book (comment 1), you have to tell us at least a little about it. You know, things like its genre, the defining traits of its characters, if it is or is not the continuation of a prior series which involves cross-dressing and flying whales…

  163. @152: I live in Oregon if you haven’t heard. Dry wheat-land.
    @153: It would if Scott helps guide it. There are so many ruined movie versions of books. The movies would have to not have odd and/or broad plot changes for me to like them. With said conditions, the movies could be totally AWESOME!

  165. Wait…so Dr.Barlow’s name is Emma, not Nora? I never liked the name Nora, so I guess I’m happy.

  171. well i’m not able to take care of it but i want that spider as a pet. seriously. but why am i like the only Leviathan fan in the entire Northeast? 🙁 *small tear* why California? and Oregon?

  172. Hey Scott! I found some more differences in the treaty picture. In the book, the wheat/barley and hammer/wrench are both cropped out (but you can still see the tip of the hammer, half-erased), the treaty label is bumped up in addition to the date change, and Keith’s seal is moved to just under Malone’s elbow. The top is cropped slightly, too. I guess the book was of a slightly different proportion than you’d first thought.

  174. HA HA HA VICTORY!!! thank you so much, Middy Joe. i take it you know Person With Hat? okay, now i must ask so i can potentially have fan club meetings: where in New Hampshire? although with my luck, it’s probably the farthest corner from me.

  175. @160: Middy Joe, I live near to you! Across one of the many bridges, I think….Fremont? Sort of southeast bay….
    @163: Cool! I love Oregon. I want to go to college there….
    @158: Scorpio-Ferret I wish you the best of luck with UCLA, but I don’t think I’m going to go there….I live about eight hours north of there, too, so….:(

  178. East bay, southeast–What does it mater? XD I don’t really look at maps….unless they’re of Darwinist/Clanker Europe or Middle Earth (only maps I can read XD)

  179. Congrats on a wonderful, amazing, perfect story. Could you perhaps explain who all the characters in that illustration are? I can’t place some of them. Like the photographer in the front and the kid behind him.

    I’m still working on catching up on your previous books while I await whatever you write next (finished Midnighters, recently read So Yesterday, have Peeps and the Uglies series on my shelf). And between them, I’ve got this very amusing Team Human to finish.

    (Actually, if you did decide to write even the occasional short story in the Leviathan-verse, I’d like to see more of Jaspert. I always thought it was too bad that he disappeared after those first chapters, and we never got to see his reaction to what his sister’s made of herself.)

  180. okay, then. Person With Hat, could you please inform me as to which part of New Hampshire you live in? i have a friend who’s a fan too maybe we could get together and do weird fan stuff…

  181. I like how all the people who’ve passed on are still in the picture – remembering the past while celebrating the present. I mean if it weren’t for people like them – Zaven and Franz Ferdinand – we wouldn’t have a lot of the things we love in the entire series. I guess that goes to show that nothing really is ever “over” for as long as people still remember.

    Also- Very funny. I can’t believe Keith managed to sneak the UN symbol in there, but he did and it is awesome. That is all.

  184. Newkirk is….. Blonde?! *cough* I was not expecting that. At all. I love the facial expressions. The smirkiness. The box. Everything. It’s awesome.
    He’s just so blond.

  185. @150&174- Actually, I live in southern NH, about 2 hours from Boston. I go to Boston about once a month, give or take a few weeks.

  188. ; n ; D-don’t say it’s over.
    When the Leviathan movie trilogy is born the fandom will explode all over again.
    And the overwhelming renewal of fame will spark your imagination to create a new book. Just watch.
    ; n ;

  189. First of all, I am a barking dumkopf. I had, like a hundred dollars in bookstore gift cards, and then I FAILED TO PURCHASE THE MANUAL. Yes, shocking, I know. I have however been hinting that I would like a copy as a Christmas present.

    All this talk about where all us fans live made me wonder: Any other Canadian Leviathan fans out there?

  191. @allofyouwhomadetinytearfaces
    that includes YOU scott-la!!!
    Why the TINY tear??? Why not bawl your eyes out because its done and over with and because it was the first ever series I actually truly fangirled over??? no it has to be BIG crocodile tears to show your true fangirl pride! TToTT
    As for the treaty picture, secretive glances are secretive >.> *coughcoughalekandderyncoughcough*
    And could you at least hint as to what *genre* it will be? Just so that we know if we would know if we’d either LOVE the book or HATE the guts out of it (like I do with vampire novels. please say it’s not going to vampires in it)…
    And kind of a funny story, since I wasn’t counting down the days till the Manual comes out, I (completely by accident btw) went to B&Ns just to catch up on what I was missing out on and apparently I came on the day the manual was released and was all “holy heck! how did that appear on the shelves! Wasn’t it supposed to come out on-on-on… ah I see…”
    sadly I didn’t buy it because my mother said she had a coupon to a different place and because I wanted to save my money I agreed but next time I will definitely buy it!

  192. @ C Milly
    @ Scott
    btw, if everyone who-is-important-to-the-books died were meant to be in the picture wouldn’t Tesla also be in the pic somehow? Just wondering…

  193. I FOUND A PAPERBACK GOLIATH.
    It was insanely weird. I felt like I should’ve been holding Behemoth or something….Okay, you have to understand that I have most of this book memorized, or at least know the positions of sentences/paragraphs/scenes wherever they are in the book. But I learned all this with a HARDBACK copy. Everything is still on the same page, but it is still insanely weird.
    And the only reason I know this is because wherever I go to a bookstore, I track down these books (if they have them; if they don’t I don’t like the bookstore) and I carry one of them (sometimes all three) around with me while I am in the bookstore. Yeah….

  196. I have the Manual and I love it so much. The final picture’s especially great just with Bovril playing with the wind up Clanker Mammothine. It’s so cute!
    Thank you Mr. Westerfeld and Mr.Thompson for writing this amazing series.
    I can’t wait to read your new book.

  200. @193&195-I don’t do that, but every time I’m in a bookstore or library I look for all three books to make sure they’re there. And whenever I find a map I label all the places that are important in the books, like Austria, Glasgow, Istanbul, etc.

  203. @182 Ohhh… I didn’t picture Eddie Malone so young and cute. I always found him kind of annoying, but this puts a new spin on things. (And for some reason I pictured Newkirk much taller.)

  211. Oh man-I just thought of something. What if all the Westerbloggers were killed/kidnapped along with Scott, and me and PWH weren’t, do it’s up to is to save everybody??? HOW HORRYFYING…

  212. @210- I still think Newkirk looks like a toad. Or maybe it’s just that i don’t find blond people attractive (hope I’m not insulting anyone).

  214. It just struck me that school is starting in less than a week and I’m transitioning from a school in a house with a class of 12 people to a massive school with a class of around 600 people *shudders*

  216. @215- I am. But should one really be attracted to one’s self? Isn’t that vanity?

    I don’t know what I’m saying anymore…

  217. I am resisting the urge to scream in frustration. SEVEN MINUTES. SEVEN FRIKING LITTLE MINUTES. AAAARRRRGGGHHH!!!!

  219. Middy Joe? Have you ever heard of danisnotonfire on youtube? If not, he seems like someone you’d find amusing, you should watch some of his videos.

  221. I am perfectly functioning in a different galaxy (compared to you all), thank you. BEEP. EXISTENCE CONFIRMED.

  222. hey, i’m still here too! i wasn’t allowed much Westerblog time lately. i still have summer reading.

  224. @Scott (114): I played the fun game and noticed some more differences (in comment 172,) in case you missed them.

  226. @223- I go to a magical place called high school were everything smells bad and I literally have to walk 1/4 of a mile from each class to the next.

    And yes, narcissism, like Narcissa Malfoy.

  227. @226-Yes, I was just thinking of Narcissa Malfoy.
    And I’m sad now. I really wanted to go rescue Scott. (and then get his autograph!)

  228. ARGH!!! I almost exploded from laughter when I saw Alek standing on a box. And what’s all this Huxley clart about the series being over??? THERE IS FANFICTION TO BE MADE!!!!!

  229. @228: I agree! And I’m listening to a magical thing called the audiobook of Goliath. <3 Chapter 15 right now….Herculean inundation. ^^

  232. -game face- I WILL GET THE MANUAL. And BARKING SPIDERS! They are ALL there! Keith didn’t miss anyone (exept for Deryn’s Da and Alek’s mother, I think they should have been included among the dead). Just wow. Thank you Scott, for writing such a magnifencent trilogy. Levaithan and all it’s characters will remain in my heart forever. <3

  233. You know how in the 1st book Deryn’s drawing the new Clanker engines, then she’s imagining them being in a future edition of the manual? Since this new manual is obviously a new version, 1915 or so, they should totally have had in there “Leviathan’s Clanker Engines, obtained 1914, illustrations courtesy of Midshipman Dylan Sharp” . That would be so cool, just add in a little fan detail.

  234. Yeah, I think they should have added in more stuff to expand the world. There just wasn’t any new stuff in there at all, just stuff that’s already been in the books. 🙁
    (P.S. Hey Flupke, love your name! I love the Quick and Flupke series 🙂 )

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