Behemoth (Leviathan, #2) Summary & Key Insights

Scott Westerfeld and Keith Thompson's Behemoth, the second book in the Leviathan trilogy, continues the steampunk-infused World War I narrative, shifting the focus from the airship battles of the first book to the vast, unpredictable landscapes of the continental war. The story centers on the continued alliance between Alek, a young Austro-Hun officer utilizing a variety of clockwork automatons, and Deryn Sharp, a daring young woman disguised as a boy and serving as a pilot for the British air service.

The main plot revolves around the race to secure a powerful new weapon: the Behemoth, a colossal, heavily armored land-based creature engineered by the brilliant but morally ambiguous Dr. Moreau. Both the Austro-Hungarian and British empires covet this technological marvel, recognizing its potential to shift the balance of power decisively. Alek and Deryn, unknowingly on opposing sides, find themselves increasingly drawn into a complex web of intrigue and danger as they separately pursue the Behemoth. Alek, working within the confines of his rigid military structure, is entangled with the machinations of his superiors and the unpredictable nature of the war itself. Deryn, constantly facing the threat of exposure as a female, fights to prove her worth and contribute to the British war effort while navigating the dangers inherent in her covert identity.

Their separate paths eventually converge, showcasing the inherent contradictions of the war itself. They grapple with the moral implications of technologically advanced weaponry and the escalating cost of the conflict. Both characters are forced to confront their own prejudices and biases, while discovering uncomfortable truths about the people and nations they fight for. Alek witnesses firsthand the brutality of the war and the limitations of his own belief system. Deryn struggles with deception, battling the guilt of her chosen identity and witnessing the human cost of the conflict from an increasingly close perspective.

Throughout Behemoth, the authors emphasize the themes of technological advancement, the horrors of war, and the complexities of identity. The contrasting views and experiences of Alek and Deryn highlight the multifaceted nature of conflict and the limitations of simplistic narratives of good versus evil. The Behemoth itself serves as a powerful symbol of the unchecked potential of technology and the dangerous consequences of unchecked ambition. The book ends with a cliffhanger, leaving the fate of the Behemoth and the future of the war uncertain, setting the stage for the explosive conclusion in the final installment.