Behemoth (Book Two, Leviathan Trilogy)

In the second installment of the Leviathan trilogy, the Leviathan and its crew are on their way to Istanbul. Their mission is to deliver an egg of a fabricated animal called a Perspicacious Loris, to the Turkish Sultan as an attempt to keep the Turks out of the war. However, on their way to the Ottoman Capital, the Leviathan, Britain's greatest fabricated organic airship, is attacked by two German ironclads. Alek, heir to the Austro-Hungarian empire, and Klopp, Alek's faithful engineer, are working on the Leviathan's engines that they reluctantly provided to save the ship (in book one), when they glimpse the German's new weapon, a Tesla Cannon. Against orders, they thrust the airship into reverse and save the Leviathan. However, Alek is shot with an air-pistol by the Leviathan's Chief Engineer, and Alek's men are placed under guard. Finally, after many weeks of travel, the Leviathan and it's crew finally reach Istanbul. Deryn and Dr. Barlow, the granddaughter of Darwin, are taken to the Sultan as an emissary, along with the Loris egg. When they meet the Sultan, however, his enormous Clanker automaton crushes the Loris's egg which  ends diplomatic relations. Later that night, Alek and his men attempt to escape from the Leviathan but   are discovered. Volger and Hoffman, two of Alek's men, remain behind to create a diversion, leaving Alek with Klopp and Bauer to escape into Istanbul. Amidst the chaos, a secret war is being fought, one that may decide on which side the Ottomans enter the war. This may, in fact, be the turning point of the war that encompasses the globe. The strangest part, Alek and Deryn seem to be in the center of this revolution.

Behemoth is a very intense book. Filled with battles, secrets, blackmail, and a global struggle. After the scene where Alek tries, and succeeds, to escape I was on the edge of my chair, wondering about what would happen next. Fans of the series will love Behemoth!