Book Series · 3 Books

Leviathan Books

Scott Westerfeld reimagines World War I as a conflict between mechanical Clanker powers and Darwinists whose technology is made from engineered creatures, bringing together a prince on the run and a girl disguised as a boy in the British Air Service.

Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated August 19, 2026

Reading order

How to Read the Leviathan Trilogy

Read Leviathan, Behemoth, and Goliath in that order. They form one continuous three-novel story, and each volume carries the war, political alliances, and the two protagonists' secrets forward.

The Manual of Aeronautics is an optional illustrated guide to the trilogy's machines and creatures, not a fourth novel.

Sources: Scott Westerfeld's official Leviathan series page, Scott Westerfeld on Goliath as the trilogy finale.

For parents

What Parents Should Know

This alternate-history adventure takes place during a world war. It includes battlefield combat, gunfire, explosions, weapons, political assassination, deaths, injuries, captivity, and repeated danger aboard airships and among large engineered animals.

Deryn conceals her gender to serve in the military, and Alek conceals his identity while fleeing political enemies. Their friendship and the inventive technology keep the tone adventurous, but the consequences of war remain central.

Where the story begins

First Book in the Series

Sale price

$1398

Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2009

Leviathan

By Scott Westerfeld, Keith Thompson (Illustrator)

Two enemies unite aboard a whale airship, altering their fates amidst World War I's chaos.

440 pages· 77,962 words· Est. 7 hour read

$14.99Save 7%

Paperback

Summary: On the brink of World War I, Prince Aleksandar flees betrayal with only a battle-worn machine and loyal crew. Meanwhile, Deryn Sharp, a girl posing as a boy, excels in the British Air Service. Their worlds collide aboard the Leviathan, a whale airship, as they embark on a globe-spanning adventure. With war looming, can they navigate their differences and secrets to survive? Their journey promises to reshape their destinies forever.

In reading order