Posted in So Many Good Books, YA Novels

Leviathan

Steampunk and Darwin

leviathan-cover.jpgThe concepts in Leviathan (Simon Pulse, 2009) by Scott Westerfeld are interesting and felt real. I cared about the two main characters from opposing camps in this alternate world. It’s funny, too. And had wonderful illustrations by Keith Thompson. This is another one of those books where I’m waiting not very patiently for the sequel (Behemoth coming out in October 2010).
Okay, you have to watch the book trailer on Scott Westerfeld’s site for Leviathan. The ending of it made me laugh.
This book is an early YA and like The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate deals with issues of evolution, plus both are set in the early 1900s.

Posted in Writing Life

Uglies, Pretties, and Specials

Another set of books that convinced me completely were Uglies and Pretties (both Simon Pulse, 2005) by Scott Westerfeld.  Books 1 and 2 of this trilogy could be our world in the future or could be another world entirely.  I devoured them one after another.  I worried and anguished along with Tally Youngblood and her friends and dreaded what had to come next in Tally’s life.  I waited anxiously for Specials (2006) to be available.  I talked about the two books I’d read to anyone who would listen.  Specials finally arrived and again other things were shoved aside so I could read.  Do Tally and her friends win? 
I don’t want to spoil it for you by giving an answer, but I was disappointed with some preachiness at the very end of the book.

Go to http://www.scottwesterfeld.com to check out more books by Scott Westerfeld.