Leviathan 51-97

We last left off with Alek having to face a french dreadnought machine. The dreadnought fired constantly and Alek and his group were getting destroyed. Luckily they were in a smaller machine. They used this to their advantage to hide in the trees. This allowed them more cover and soon the dreadnought had lost sight of them. However the dreadnought had scouts as well. These scouts went on horseback and could easily locate the machine that Alek was in. However the guns of their machine made small work of these scouts. They were finally away from danger. Alek is in this machine for what seems to be about 2 weeks. He learns from Volder that they are heading to Switzerland, where Alek will learn more about the plans his father has left behind. In the mean time Alek has learned many survival tips. He has learned how to make a fire and how to cook for the team. He also learned how to set up the cannons and move the machine itself. They are currently resting in a barn which they found. Volger and Alek are able to talk. Here Volger also begins fencing with him to make sure he hasn't forgotten. We learn that because of Alek's parents death, a war is brewing in Europe.

The story then switches over to Deryn again. She just saw the storm and so has the ground crew now. They start to reel her in but there is a mistake. The rope gets caught in a chimney, and if they don't get out the hydrogen in the Huxley will blow up. The ground crew has to give more slack for this reason. Then the wind suddenly changes and they are heading straight for a brick wall. Thinking quickly, Deryn unfastens the rope that is connecting her to the ground crew. The Huxley then goes into the air and barely misses the wall. Now though she is stuck floating in the air. They are floating in the air and 6 hours later they see another air beast. This beast is known as the Leviathan and is one of the most famous air beasts in the world. It helps Deryn in and she is now safe. She realizes she will be with the Leviathan for a few days, something she is not disappointed about. Now that she is finally safe she can enjoy more flying.

This book is sounds like it is based off of World War 1. The Leader of Austria has been assassinated and now a series of treaties will kick so that each country in Europe will be involved in a war. This is good because I can use this to foreshadow what might happen while I read. Also their are a number of references to Darwin. According to this book Darwin and his research allowed humans to use animals as machines. Scientists were able to use Darwin's ideas to change how animals work. In some instances they even combined animals together so they could work like a machine. This idea seems very unique and unheard of.