Behemoth

Gr 7 Up—The team of Scott Westerfeld and Alan Cumming keep the action literally flying along in this spellbinding sequel (2010) to Leviathan (2009, both Simon Pulse). As the story opens, Deryn (an English Darwinist) is still posing as a boy in order to serve in the British Air Service and still dealing with her feelings for fugitive Prince Alek (an Austrian Clanker). The Leviathan is headed for Istanbul, and both Deryn and Alek hope they can end a bloody battle that has been brewing throughout Europe. Of course nothing goes as planned, and the two face great danger in order to save those they care about. Westerfeld's ingenious juxtaposition of factual events of World War II with the fantastic (steampunk) is brought to life with Alan Cumming's spot-on vocalization. He rivals the superb veteran narrator Jim Dale in his ability to take on all types of characters both human and inhuman. Though his German/Austrian accent is a bit on the theatrical side, it still works perfectly, and his ability to change his inflection for each character is incredible—from the sly and cunning Count Vulgar to the confused yet determined Alek. His Scottish brogue for Deryn, posing as Dylan, is also pitch perfect as he imbues the character with just the right amount of innocence and street smarts. Listeners are sure to be captivated and will be left clamoring for more.—Shari Fesko, Southfield Public Library, MI