Audiobook Review: Goliath

Title: Goliath

Author: Scott Westerfeld

Narrator: Alan Cumming

Release Date: September 20^th, 2011

Series: Leviathan #3

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Length: 10:35:32

Number of Pages:  543

Source: Bought

Alek and Deryn are on the last leg of their round-the-world quest to end World War I, reclaim Alek’s throne as prince of Austria, and finally fall in love. The first two objectives are complicated by the fact that their ship, the Leviathan, continues to detour farther away from the heart of the war (and crown). And the love thing would be a lot easier if Alek knew Deryn was a girl. (She has to pose as a boy in order to serve in the British Air Service.) And if they weren’t technically enemies.

The tension thickens as the Leviathan steams toward New York City with a homicidal lunatic on board: secrets suddenly unravel, characters reappear, and nothing is at it seems in this thunderous conclusion to Scott Westerfeld’s brilliant trilogy.

Wow. Wow. Wow.

I’m simply speechless after finishing this series. I’ve listen to the audiobooks of the three books and I have to say I’m completely and utterly in love with Alan Cumming’s voice. He is my favorite narrator right now. I may have only listen to four different narrators, but I have to say that he is ten times more amazing than any other narrators I’ve listen to. He is the reason I got into audiobooks actually.

The different voices he created for the characters simply bring the story to life. His pace is slow enough for us to follow easily, but fast enough not to lose the interest. I love hearing the attitude and the personality of Deryn, Alek and all the other characters shine through his narration. I can’t think of a better series to start if you’re looking into audiobooks. It is simply amazing.

Now, the book itself is also completely amazing. I’m completely in love with the characters, and I was so sad when it all ended. I’m still wishing for more. Not because there is anything missing, but mostly because it is too good not to want more.

Scott Westerfeld blew me away with this series. I knew he was good from his other series, but this one brings him to an other level in my books. Wow. I’m still speechless about all he made me feel through the series. I can’t remember a moment where I wasn’t completely into the story. It was addicting.

This book has a little something more than the first two books didn’t have: Romance. I love how the romantic aspect has been introduced in this book. He didn’t suddenly turn in into a romance novel, which I think would have made most fans completely mad. It builds slowly, which makes it even more beautiful.

And of course I have to say something about the ending. It simply made me squeal, smile and it made my toes curl. I loved it.

I absolutely adore this series. If you haven’t read it yet, you really need to do so soon. It is simply amazing.

Audiobook Review: Behemoth

Title: Behemoth

Author: Scott Westerfeld

Narrator: Alan Cumming

Release Date: October 5^th, 2010

Series: Leviathan #2

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Length: 9:27:19

Number of Pages: 481

Source: Bought

The behemoth is the fiercest creature in the British navy. It can swallow enemy battleships with one bite. The Darwinists will need it, now that they are at war with the Clanker powers.  

Deryn is a girl posing as a boy in the British Air Service, and Alek is the heir to an empire posing as a commoner. Finally together aboard the airship Leviathan, they hope to bring the war to a halt. But when disaster strikes the Leviathan's peacekeeping mission, they find themselves alone and hunted in enemy territory.

Alek and Deryn will need great skill, new allies, and brave hearts to face what's ahead.

I love this series. I simply love it. You’ll have to forgive me for gushing about this book, this world, this narrator and this writer for a couple of lines, because it is all I can do.

Wow. This series is getting better with ever book (and audiobook). Alan Cumming is again excellent, making this story come to life so easily. I was honestly addicted. I got through this one within a day. I just couldn’t stop listening to it, even for a couple of seconds. Alan Cummings makes the characters come to life, with the voices and even through is narration, we can easily see how the characters would move, how they are. I have to say I’m so impressed with all the voices he can do. I listened to this one right after Leviathan, and the voices simply don’t change, even if there had been month between the recordings of both. I have to say I’m completely impressed by Alan Cumming, Sir, I’m falling for your voice,

Of course, there’s more to Behemoth than the narration. The story is simply unbelievably good. This is the first Steampunk series I’ve read, and I’m loving this genre. Now that the world is mostly set, there’s more space for action. And there’s a lot of action in this book. Alek and Deryn have to face some challenges, as much form outside than form inside their circle. Deryn’s secret is not as secret as she may have hoped for. Both Alek and Deryn and faced with choices that will influence the war and, of course, their lives.

I loved how the friendship between those two grew, and even grew a little more than just into friendship. They both can be so dense, but I think it’s part of their charm. Everytime I read more from them, the more I fall for those two amazing characters. Really, this is one of the best series I’ve read this year, without a doubt. If you haven’t started this series yet, DO IT! If you’re not into audiobooks, read them. The books actually some pretty nice drawing by Keith Thompson, which will force me to buy the physical books simply to have them (yes, I’m like that…)

Audiobook Review: Leviathan

Title: Leviathan

Author: Scott Westerfeld

Narrator: Alan Cumming

Release Date: September 22^nd, 2009

Series: Leviathan

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Length: 8:15:59

Number of Pages: 440

Source: Bought

Prince Aleksander, would-be heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battletorn war machine and a loyal crew of men. 

Deryn Sharp is a commoner, disguised as a boy in the British Air Service. She's a brilliant airman. But her secret is in constant danger of being discovered. 

With World War I brewing, Alek and Deryn's paths cross in the most unexpected way…taking them on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure that will change both their lives forever.

Last week, I finally gave in and bought an audiobook. My first try wasn’t that successful (I bought Damned by Chuck Palahniuk. A little disappointing.), but I gave audiobooks a second chance, and bought Leviathan. I had heard great things about this series, and I read that the narrator was Alan Cumming, which really excited me about listening to this. I abso-freaking-lutely ended up loving it in the end.

Let’s start with the audio format of this book. The narrator, Alan Cumming, was amazing! He really brought the series to life, giving different voices to every different character, important or not. I could easily recognize who was talking because of that without hearing who said it. He added a layer to the amazing characters Scott Westerfeld had created.

Still, I wasn’t sure at first if I would become an adapt of audiobooks. There’s one simply reason: A book like this would probably have taken me 3-4 hours to read, as I’m a fast reader. Yet, it took me 8 hours and a half. That did annoyed me at first, but when understand that you can do stuff while listening to the book, it ends up being a lot of fun (well, except when I clean my apartment while listening to an audiobook. As good as the audiobook can be, I’ll never enjoy cleaning.) The other thing that I found hard was for my brain to stop thinking. I’m always thinking, so I had the bad habit of letting my mind wander, this was also especially true for this one, as this book is setting a world for the series. This means that there’s a lot of description, which made it easy for my mind to wander….

Now, when it comes to the series, I have to say that I ABSOLUTELY loved it. Wow. It took me sometimes to really get into it, but soon after I started it, I was addicted (proof being I bought both Behemoth and Goliath after I was done with this one. I had to know what would happen next.

Scott Westerfeld created a crazy world, some amazing characters, and a kick-ass story. If you enjoy Steampunk, or if you’re curious about this genre, you have to check it out. It is simply amazing. I adore Alek, even thought sometime he could be a little prince-ish. My favorite really was Deryn. What a great character. I really found her to be courageous. She was a lot of fun to follow.

I will repeat myself: If you haven’t read it, do it. If you are looking for an audiobook, this one is simply amazing and addicting. It has everything an audiobook need to be captivating: A great story, great characters, and, of course, an amazing narrator!