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Leviathan
The Manual of Aeronautics: An Illustrated Guide to the Leviathan Series
A lavishly illustrated, full-color companion to Scott Westerfeld's New York Times bestselling Leviathan trilogy.
A must-have for any fan of Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan trilogy, The Manual of Aeronautics is an illustrated guide to the inner workings of the Darwinist and Clanker powers. Loaded with detailed descriptions and elaborate, four-color illustrations of Darwinist beasties and Clanker walkers, weapons, transport, and uniforms, this manual highlights the international powers that Deryn and Alek encounter throughout their around-the-world adventures. This guide draws back the curtain and reveals the inner depths of Westerfeld's fascinating alternative world.
A must-have for any fan of Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan trilogy, The Manual of Aeronautics is an illustrated guide to the inner workings of the Darwinist and Clanker powers. Loaded with detailed descriptions and elaborate, four-color illustrations of Darwinist beasties and Clanker walkers, weapons, transport, and uniforms, this manual highlights the international powers that Deryn and Alek encounter throughout their around-the-world adventures. This guide draws back the curtain and reveals the inner depths of Westerfeld's fascinating alternative world.
53 pages, Hardcover
First published August 21, 2012
16 people are currently reading
1260 people want to read
About the author
Scott Westerfeld
89 books21.2k followersScott Westerfeld is a New York Times bestselling author of YA. He is best known for the Uglies and Leviathan series. His current series, IMPOSTORS, returns to the world of Uglies.
The next book in that series, MIRROR'S EDGE, comes out April 6, 2021.
The next book in that series, MIRROR'S EDGE, comes out April 6, 2021.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
April 25, 2020
| Reader Fox Blog |
I was absolutely over the moon when I got my hands on a copy of The Manual of Aeronautics a sort of companion book to Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan series with a plethora of utterly brilliant art from the hand of the wonderful Keith Thompson whose art brought much of the story to life. I'm a huge fan of books that are more young-adult-focused but also have exceptional artwork peppered throughout and this is something that will always keep this collection of books high on the list of novels that I absolutely adore. And as someone who is a great fan of the series, anything that can give me more information into the lives of the characters that I grew to love immensely whilst reading it, there's no wonder that I felt I needed to have a copy of this book on my shelf. Of course, it took me a few years, but it's there now and I couldn't be more thrilled.
The Manual of Aeronautics is basically what it says it is, more of a manual with illustrations and short bursts of text that explain them. It begins, understandably, with the Leviathan itself as well as all the beasties that are involved with its function. It goes on to describe a great variety of other fabricated beasts used by the Darwinists and even what the Clanker machines are like as well. Wonderfully, the book also gives a little more information about the brilliant characters of the book, Deryn and Alek, which I was thoroughly pleased about.
Ultimately, the highlight of The Manual of Aeronautics is the fantastic imagery that you are given. Keith Thompson is a masterful artist and I just adore each and every one of his works through this book. And it was amazing to learn how he created these works of art from the descriptions that Westerfeld gave him, even offering useful information as to how the structure of a ship might work better. You get a bit of insight into how the books were brought together with the artwork, which is exciting and intriguing information. Overall, I'm quite fond of this book.
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I was absolutely over the moon when I got my hands on a copy of The Manual of Aeronautics a sort of companion book to Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan series with a plethora of utterly brilliant art from the hand of the wonderful Keith Thompson whose art brought much of the story to life. I'm a huge fan of books that are more young-adult-focused but also have exceptional artwork peppered throughout and this is something that will always keep this collection of books high on the list of novels that I absolutely adore. And as someone who is a great fan of the series, anything that can give me more information into the lives of the characters that I grew to love immensely whilst reading it, there's no wonder that I felt I needed to have a copy of this book on my shelf. Of course, it took me a few years, but it's there now and I couldn't be more thrilled.
The Manual of Aeronautics is basically what it says it is, more of a manual with illustrations and short bursts of text that explain them. It begins, understandably, with the Leviathan itself as well as all the beasties that are involved with its function. It goes on to describe a great variety of other fabricated beasts used by the Darwinists and even what the Clanker machines are like as well. Wonderfully, the book also gives a little more information about the brilliant characters of the book, Deryn and Alek, which I was thoroughly pleased about.
Ultimately, the highlight of The Manual of Aeronautics is the fantastic imagery that you are given. Keith Thompson is a masterful artist and I just adore each and every one of his works through this book. And it was amazing to learn how he created these works of art from the descriptions that Westerfeld gave him, even offering useful information as to how the structure of a ship might work better. You get a bit of insight into how the books were brought together with the artwork, which is exciting and intriguing information. Overall, I'm quite fond of this book.
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August 1, 2012
I bought a copy of this at Comic Con. It's pretty nifty, especially if you love seeing the details of imaginary technology. There are also drawings of some of the creatures from the story and some portraits at the end. It gives more info on the technical specs of the ships and things, but don't expect much as far as the characters go (there's a bit, but nothing you wouldn't know if you read the bonus chapter online). The main point of this is the art, though, and that is pretty impressive.
May 5, 2014
When this gorgeous beauty arrived in the mail, I was very excited. I still am but... I thought it would be bigger and taller and wider and more!. Oh well, what can you do but stare at the lovely pictures? I very much enjoyed reading through it and looking at it gives you a brilliant idea of the setting. Quite awesome.
April 13, 2017
The Manual of Aeronautics: An Illustrated Guide to the Leviathan Series has negligible appeal beyond readers of the trilogy, but makes a nice keepsake for fans of Leviathan, Behemoth, and Goliath. Impressive as Keith Thompson's artwork was in bringing Clanker and Darwinist technologies to life in the main series, a lot of specifics were left out, and some of those gaps are filled in via The Manual of Aeronautics, a full-color guide to the beasties, vehicles, and people of the Leviathan world. It retains the trilogy's noirish feel while deepening our perspective on the alternate history inhabited by Deryn Sharp and Prince Alek, providing loyal readers a welcome (if brief) reunion with the characters.
A basic overview is given of the Great War as a clash between evolutionist and theist philosophies, a culture disagreement that's been on its way to full-blown war since the mid-nineteenth century. To understand the Clanker and Darwinist sides we have to study their technology, which demonstrates opposing beliefs about the origin and nature of life. We examine the Darwinists' Strafing Hawks, Krakens, Fighting Bears, Perspicacious Lorises, Kappas, and the anatomy of the Leviathan airship, where much of Deryn and Alek's adventure takes place. Then we tour the inside of a Clanker Stormwalker like the one Alek was trained to operate, and read about an array of Clanker robotics. The designs are as intricate as what the Darwinists have achieved. The Manual of Aeronautics ends with portraits of Alek, "Mr. Sharp" (to quote the perspicacious Bovril), Count Volger, and Dr. Barlow, informing us in a sentence or two what they're up to after the end of Goliath. It's a quick tour of the trilogy, finished not long after it starts.
As a reference companion, The Manual of Aeronautics does its job. It would be handy to have around if you reread the series, but contains spoilers for those who haven't finished Goliath. Keith Thompson's drawings are as striking in color as they were in black and white, setting the mood in this book as well as the three novels. I'd rate The Manual of Aeronautics one and a half stars, not going higher because there's practically no story content. For a more substantial Scott Westerfeld series guide, pick up Bogus to Bubbly: An Insider's Guide to the World of Uglies, but for what it is, The Manual of Aeronautics will be enjoyable to Leviathan fans.
A basic overview is given of the Great War as a clash between evolutionist and theist philosophies, a culture disagreement that's been on its way to full-blown war since the mid-nineteenth century. To understand the Clanker and Darwinist sides we have to study their technology, which demonstrates opposing beliefs about the origin and nature of life. We examine the Darwinists' Strafing Hawks, Krakens, Fighting Bears, Perspicacious Lorises, Kappas, and the anatomy of the Leviathan airship, where much of Deryn and Alek's adventure takes place. Then we tour the inside of a Clanker Stormwalker like the one Alek was trained to operate, and read about an array of Clanker robotics. The designs are as intricate as what the Darwinists have achieved. The Manual of Aeronautics ends with portraits of Alek, "Mr. Sharp" (to quote the perspicacious Bovril), Count Volger, and Dr. Barlow, informing us in a sentence or two what they're up to after the end of Goliath. It's a quick tour of the trilogy, finished not long after it starts.
As a reference companion, The Manual of Aeronautics does its job. It would be handy to have around if you reread the series, but contains spoilers for those who haven't finished Goliath. Keith Thompson's drawings are as striking in color as they were in black and white, setting the mood in this book as well as the three novels. I'd rate The Manual of Aeronautics one and a half stars, not going higher because there's practically no story content. For a more substantial Scott Westerfeld series guide, pick up Bogus to Bubbly: An Insider's Guide to the World of Uglies, but for what it is, The Manual of Aeronautics will be enjoyable to Leviathan fans.
February 9, 2024
The following review is not a criticism of Keith Thompson's artwork; merely an observation that good artwork is easily destroyed by a flimsy, cheaply-made edition.
The Manual of Aeronautics is not an album. This book looks like an early 2000’s flip menu of a second-rate, struggling seafood restaurant, which you accidentally enter during your seaside holiday, and you pick up that menu, have a quick glance, put it down, and immediately leave.
This book looks like a children’s picture story about tractors, you can grab by the supermarket checkout, while you’re getting your groceries.
This book looks like a restaurant flip menu with tractors.
It’s my understanding that in the publishing world, the author has very little say about the final product. What can I say – it shows.
The Manual of Aeronautics is not an album. This book looks like an early 2000’s flip menu of a second-rate, struggling seafood restaurant, which you accidentally enter during your seaside holiday, and you pick up that menu, have a quick glance, put it down, and immediately leave.
This book looks like a children’s picture story about tractors, you can grab by the supermarket checkout, while you’re getting your groceries.
This book looks like a restaurant flip menu with tractors.
It’s my understanding that in the publishing world, the author has very little say about the final product. What can I say – it shows.
September 13, 2012
This is a fantastic resource with some very nice artwork. However, for some reason I expected something more from this book, and I find myself disappointed in it. Yes, there are some gorgeous illustrations for entities, craft and all sorts of things along with brief descriptions to go with the artwork, but I also expected maps and other similar things that tie into the books more than this. After all, the books have some fantastic maps already, so why not incorporate them into this volume, add more to them, or at least make them a larger scale item that is easier to read?
For what it is this volume is fantastic. The artwork is very well done with easy to distinguish details, and the text that accompanies the artwork is all relevant. One those elements alone it deserves a solid four or borderline five stars. The problem that I have, and why I didn't rate it as high, is that it could have been so much more if they had simply brought in artwork and maps already published in the books and fleshed them out a bit more. This would have been easy since the work had already been done, and this was the perfect vessel to collect that type of information into one place.
For what it is this volume is fantastic. The artwork is very well done with easy to distinguish details, and the text that accompanies the artwork is all relevant. One those elements alone it deserves a solid four or borderline five stars. The problem that I have, and why I didn't rate it as high, is that it could have been so much more if they had simply brought in artwork and maps already published in the books and fleshed them out a bit more. This would have been easy since the work had already been done, and this was the perfect vessel to collect that type of information into one place.
June 8, 2018
It was interesting, but offered no new information
August 29, 2012
Fantastic collection of coloured illustrations of much of Scott Westerfeld’s genius world of Darwinists and Clankers. From cover to cover I found it interesting to learn specifically about specific beasts, machines, uniforms, transport systems etc. for one of my favourite series. A great “extra” to the series for any fan.
May 5, 2014
This was a great companion while reading the whole series. Im not really imaginative when it comes to machines and in this case, includes the fabricated creatures so I was truly grateful.
For me, it made the whole story world more vivid and clear. It doesnt hurt that the books include illustrations of some scenes as well
For me, it made the whole story world more vivid and clear. It doesnt hurt that the books include illustrations of some scenes as well
September 10, 2012
A companion book to Westerfeld's Leviathan series, it is a lavishly illustrated guide to the technology and fabricated beasts, with cut-aways and details, as well as the uniforms of the respective armed forces. Lovely for any fan of the series.
August 1, 2017
I read this book a year ago, but I love the illustrations and it's a short but exciting way to relive the thrills of the trilogy.
July 20, 2020
I remember when I first started getting into steampunk, Leviathan was one of the first books I picked up, as it was on a list of "best steampunk stories" (though I suppose it is actually more dieselpunk). It may be a YA, but I enjoyed it for a number of reasons, major one being that it wasn't just another simpering romance. The characters actually had better things to do, i.e. there's a war on, and so there really was a bigger picture, political intrigue, and adventure. And I was so here for that.
I'm just about to do a re-read of the Leviathan series, and decided to start with this book first. The Manual of Aeronautics is exactly what it says on the tin, "an illustrated guide to the Leviathan series". You see Deryn (a.k.a. Dylan) carry this around in the books, but it isn't the same manual of course. This one is a compilation of the drawings of Darwinist beasties and Clanker walkers, complete with diagrams, cross-sections, latin names, explanations of how things work. And I love it for that reason, because I'm a big geek for a good schematic - I once read the HMS Victory's pocket manual for fun. So when I found out this book existed, after I had finished the Leviathan series, I had to get it. (If I remember right it was pretty dear for the small amount of pages in it, but I don't regret buying it one bit).
Scott Westerfeld's ideas are so unique and you can see in this book just how much worldbuilding went into his series. The Darwinist fabrications, and especially the various parts of the Leviathan airship are intriguing. E.g. how engine controls include cuttlefish skin receptors which can be used to relay orders via changing colour.
I do remember wondering if the physics would actually hold up for some of these inventions, but I'm no expert, and I'm happy to suspend my disbelief considering the concept is so unique.
Keith Thompson is an amazing artist. Check out his website and you'll see a raft of characters and creatures he has designed himself, each with their own story. His art really brought the world and the story to life. I love illustrations in books. It reminds me of the old leather-bound tomes that classics like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and Treasure Island came in.
You don't have to start with the Manual of Aeronautics, in fact reading it on its own may be a bit confusing if you don't know the story. But it's definitely a helpful reference while going through the series, or to read afterwards.
I feel like I may be cheating by adding this short manual to my 2020 book count, but it is still a book so 🤷🏻♀️
Now on to Book 1!
I'm just about to do a re-read of the Leviathan series, and decided to start with this book first. The Manual of Aeronautics is exactly what it says on the tin, "an illustrated guide to the Leviathan series". You see Deryn (a.k.a. Dylan) carry this around in the books, but it isn't the same manual of course. This one is a compilation of the drawings of Darwinist beasties and Clanker walkers, complete with diagrams, cross-sections, latin names, explanations of how things work. And I love it for that reason, because I'm a big geek for a good schematic - I once read the HMS Victory's pocket manual for fun. So when I found out this book existed, after I had finished the Leviathan series, I had to get it. (If I remember right it was pretty dear for the small amount of pages in it, but I don't regret buying it one bit).
Scott Westerfeld's ideas are so unique and you can see in this book just how much worldbuilding went into his series. The Darwinist fabrications, and especially the various parts of the Leviathan airship are intriguing. E.g. how engine controls include cuttlefish skin receptors which can be used to relay orders via changing colour.
I do remember wondering if the physics would actually hold up for some of these inventions, but I'm no expert, and I'm happy to suspend my disbelief considering the concept is so unique.
Keith Thompson is an amazing artist. Check out his website and you'll see a raft of characters and creatures he has designed himself, each with their own story. His art really brought the world and the story to life. I love illustrations in books. It reminds me of the old leather-bound tomes that classics like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and Treasure Island came in.
You don't have to start with the Manual of Aeronautics, in fact reading it on its own may be a bit confusing if you don't know the story. But it's definitely a helpful reference while going through the series, or to read afterwards.
I feel like I may be cheating by adding this short manual to my 2020 book count, but it is still a book so 🤷🏻♀️
Now on to Book 1!
July 15, 2017
Ah, yiss, encyclopedias. I adore illustrated encyclopedias for some weird reason.
This one was pretty short, which is sad, as the conditions of the world is extremely interesting and I can clearly imagine great stories set in it, it has so much potential. Sadly, I don't think the potential will be used.
I did, however, love the illustrations. They are truly beautiful and almost life-like, not that much different from the real ones. It would have been nice if more information was provided than just a summary and parroting of what was in the Leviathan trilogy, like, for example, the guide for Uplift series did.
I get a general feeling from this series that it was partly made to maximise the profit. A story, that would have easily fit into one thicker book separated in three, an illustrated guide whose bonus was mainly new illustrations... It's a bit of a shame, for such an interesting idea of world conditions.
This one was pretty short, which is sad, as the conditions of the world is extremely interesting and I can clearly imagine great stories set in it, it has so much potential. Sadly, I don't think the potential will be used.
I did, however, love the illustrations. They are truly beautiful and almost life-like, not that much different from the real ones. It would have been nice if more information was provided than just a summary and parroting of what was in the Leviathan trilogy, like, for example, the guide for Uplift series did.
I get a general feeling from this series that it was partly made to maximise the profit. A story, that would have easily fit into one thicker book separated in three, an illustrated guide whose bonus was mainly new illustrations... It's a bit of a shame, for such an interesting idea of world conditions.
March 13, 2014
326 - 2014
Pernah membaca serial Leviathan-nya Scott Westerfeld? Selain dari ilustrasi sketsa hitam putih yang menghiasi lembaran bukunya, terbayang tidak sih bagaimana wujud para makhluk dan mesin fantastis yang menjadi andalan kubu Darwinist maupun Clanker?
Scott Westerfeld sangat detail ketika berusaha membangun dunia Leviathan. Bekerja sama dengan ilustrator Keith Thompson, ia merancang secara presisi apa saja yang ada dalam imajinasinya. Seperti apa dimensi mesin fantastisnya? Bagaimana seragam dan senjata pasukan tentara Inggris, Jerman, Turki, Rusia, dan Austro-Hungaria? Ribuan detail yang mungkin terlewatkan dalam adegan tertulis harus ditetapkan. Dan semua hal penting itu akhirnya menjadi buku tersendiri.
Buku ini kuperoleh waktu iseng berselancar di bagian bargain books salah satu toko buku impor online. Buku hardcover dengan harga cuma 30k, illustrated guide-nya serial Leviathan pula? Dan waktu mengecek harga aslinya di toko buku impor online yang lain, harga aslinya ternyata mencapai 236k? KLIK! Meskipun ternyata buku hardcover ini hanya terdiri dari 54 halaman yang habis dibaca kurang dari setengah jam, semua ilustrasinya menjadi pengimbang yang tiada tara :)
Baiklah, kuberi beberapa teaser yang asyik:
The characters
The Leviathan, dari luar dan dalam
Gondola. Perhatikan detail dapur, kabin kapten, mess perwira, sampai kamar mandi
Anjungan Leviathan
Seragam di Leviathan
Stormwalker
Ilustrasinya kereeen! Rasanya nggak rugi beli buku ini dengan harga banting (ya iyalah...).
WARNING: Buku ini memiliki efek samping yang berbahaya buat kesehatan dompet Anda.
Aku jadi ngiler kepingin membeli boxset serialnya! Duh!
Pernah membaca serial Leviathan-nya Scott Westerfeld? Selain dari ilustrasi sketsa hitam putih yang menghiasi lembaran bukunya, terbayang tidak sih bagaimana wujud para makhluk dan mesin fantastis yang menjadi andalan kubu Darwinist maupun Clanker?
Scott Westerfeld sangat detail ketika berusaha membangun dunia Leviathan. Bekerja sama dengan ilustrator Keith Thompson, ia merancang secara presisi apa saja yang ada dalam imajinasinya. Seperti apa dimensi mesin fantastisnya? Bagaimana seragam dan senjata pasukan tentara Inggris, Jerman, Turki, Rusia, dan Austro-Hungaria? Ribuan detail yang mungkin terlewatkan dalam adegan tertulis harus ditetapkan. Dan semua hal penting itu akhirnya menjadi buku tersendiri.
Buku ini kuperoleh waktu iseng berselancar di bagian bargain books salah satu toko buku impor online. Buku hardcover dengan harga cuma 30k, illustrated guide-nya serial Leviathan pula? Dan waktu mengecek harga aslinya di toko buku impor online yang lain, harga aslinya ternyata mencapai 236k? KLIK! Meskipun ternyata buku hardcover ini hanya terdiri dari 54 halaman yang habis dibaca kurang dari setengah jam, semua ilustrasinya menjadi pengimbang yang tiada tara :)
Baiklah, kuberi beberapa teaser yang asyik:
The characters
.jpg)
The Leviathan, dari luar dan dalam
Gondola. Perhatikan detail dapur, kabin kapten, mess perwira, sampai kamar mandi
Anjungan Leviathan
Seragam di Leviathan
Stormwalker
Ilustrasinya kereeen! Rasanya nggak rugi beli buku ini dengan harga banting (ya iyalah...).
WARNING: Buku ini memiliki efek samping yang berbahaya buat kesehatan dompet Anda.
Aku jadi ngiler kepingin membeli boxset serialnya! Duh!
August 2, 2020
This is a book of illustrations that goes with the Leviathan series by Scott Westerfeld. This book is not necessary for the full enjoyment of the series, but it sure helps.
Keith Thompson is the illustrator, and he does a marvelous job in an old style of map-making and illustrations that I haven't see in years and years. I was very happy.
I will no doubt refer to this book again whenever I revisit Leviathan and the series it spawned.
Keith Thompson is the illustrator, and he does a marvelous job in an old style of map-making and illustrations that I haven't see in years and years. I was very happy.
I will no doubt refer to this book again whenever I revisit Leviathan and the series it spawned.
April 30, 2019
Love, love , love this series, and this is a not to be missed companion. It illustrates the various walkers and beasts, and tells you different facts, such as what armaments they carry, weaknesses, and such. The art is lovely and detailed, without being too busy. If you have read the series, get this. If not, get this and the series and read them all!
February 24, 2025
An excellent addendum to the Leviathan series and one that actually advances the story a bit beyond the end of the third book. One of the things that drew me to the series initially was Keith Thompson's fantastic illustrations. Here, his work is on full-color display as he fleshes out the world of the story with dozens of new illustrations.
January 29, 2018
A fun guide to the vehicles and creatures of the Leviathan books. I admit sometimes my imagination couldn't keep up with the descriptions in the books, so this would have been nice to have around when I was reading them. There are a few small spoilers in the descriptions, though.
December 4, 2021
This book was delightful, however, DO NOT READ before you have finished the trilogy. It spoils the ending which is rather disappointing. The artistry is beautiful and I love the descriptions and focus on the main besties and ships in the series.
February 16, 2023
A really cool companion book to one of my favorite series. The illustrations are gorgeous as always. Keith Thompson was such a huge influence on me as an artist, and when I was really working on developing my style, I was OBSESSED with this book.
September 9, 2025
A companion guide to the dieselpunk/biopunk YA series Leviathan. 3 stars for the excellent art by Keith Thompson, but it's pretty short and doesn't even include the art from the books itself. I would've liked to see more in general, both art and worldbuilding information.
June 8, 2017
Fun graphics to go with the Leviathan series.
July 18, 2017
An illustrated companion guide to the Leviathan series- pretty steampunk illustrations but not any new information and very short.
September 25, 2018
Beautifully illustrated. This is a great companion to the Leviathan Series.
May 10, 2021
I've waited so long to get my hands on this one, and it only makes me love the Leviathan series even more.
March 18, 2024
A fun visual of the world building that went into the trilogy. An interesting way to compare my mental pictures with the author’s vision.
September 3, 2013
Ever since I heard the news that this book would exist, I knew I had to own it. There's a wonderful symmetry between Westerfeld's words and Thompson's illustrations, and learning even more about their combined brilliance wasn't something I could pass up.
In the introduction, Westerfeld talks of how much details had to go into planning these books—the the illustrator would come back with questions about miniscule details, and these details aren't usually something you consider when writing a book. He had to know what each beastie and contraption looked like inside and out. And the diagrams in this manual presents even more of this world than we learned of in the books.
It's a short read, and it could have been thrice the size and I wouldn't have grown bored of it. Perhaps that's my only complaint—that there wasn't more. But that's completely selfish. I just want everything.
In the introduction, Westerfeld talks of how much details had to go into planning these books—the the illustrator would come back with questions about miniscule details, and these details aren't usually something you consider when writing a book. He had to know what each beastie and contraption looked like inside and out. And the diagrams in this manual presents even more of this world than we learned of in the books.
It's a short read, and it could have been thrice the size and I wouldn't have grown bored of it. Perhaps that's my only complaint—that there wasn't more. But that's completely selfish. I just want everything.
February 17, 2013
I was such a fan of the illustrations in the books, but this "manual" felt really sparse to me. I was expecting to get an understanding of how these beasts and machines really worked, and I don't feel like I have more insight into the Clanker tech or the living mechanisms of the Leviathan. The map of the airship is the most detailed portion of the book, and even then there are a lot of gaps. There are also no close-up diagrams of Goliath or Tesla's metal detecting device, both of which I would have appreciated. There are also updates on Alek, Dylan, Barlow and Volger, but I knew where all of them were going except Volger. I felt that insight into Klopp, Bauer and Hoffman's futures would have been more useful.
The illustrations are still gorgeous, but I feel like I learned more about the design listening to Westerfeld discuss his process with Thompson at the ALAN Breakfast than I did from the book.
The illustrations are still gorgeous, but I feel like I learned more about the design listening to Westerfeld discuss his process with Thompson at the ALAN Breakfast than I did from the book.
September 11, 2015
Fun and detailed enough when it comes to the overarching Clanker/Darwinist dichotemy, but I wanted even more of the word building, more details how the world is changed from our own, and more background on the characters. I supposed I'm spoiled with the The Wheel of Time Companion, The Rivan Codex: Ancient Texts of the Belgariad and the Malloreon, and the textbook-like nature of the GoT back story. But it definitely did do its job by collecting wonderful images and making me want to reread the whole sereis (again). I almost wish it had an appendix with all the illustrations from the series included, like a condensed history of the Great War, but perhaps that's just me.
September 7, 2012
A wonderful companion guide to Scott Westerfield's Leviathan trilogy, this illustrated book describes the world, technology and design behind the Clankers and the Darwinists vehicles, aircraft, weapons and noted characters from the series. The guide offers cutaway shots in much the same vein as the Illustrated Guides to the Star Wars Universe and other books. The illustrations are wonderful and in washed-out color, which helps put a vintage twist on the whole steampunk genre. The end papers have some nods to the characters and their relationships, for example: Alexandar and Dylan (Deryn) Sharp appeared to be looking at one another, and there other cute references which I won't mention here. The only downside is the physical size of the book. It's not very large (compared to other Illustrated series of coffee table-sized books) but the price was quite nice.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews