Thursday Tea: Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
Leviathan is an alternate history that takes place in Europe during World War I. The book opens with Prince Alek home alone while his parents are on a trip to Sarajevo. If you know your history, then you know what happens to the archduke and his wife, but you don't know what happens to their son in this brave new world of Darwinist monsters and stormwalkers.
The Tea: This week I'm drinking Keemun from Teaism, which I bought in Washington, DC, when I was there for the National Book Festival and the Baltimore Book Festival. Julie from Booking Mama, Swapna from S. Krishna's Books, and I stopped in for something cold to drink. Naturally, I had to buy at least one tea. The shop describes Keemun this way: "Perhaps the most important black tea from China with a slight smokiness and notes of sugar cane and red wine. Lower grades are often used in English Breakfast blends." All I can say is that I really love it and can't wait to get more.
The Assessment: Alek might well have drunk Keemun, but even if he didn't drink that leaf, he surely was drinking another type of tea. We're talking Europe at the brink of the first war. I'm guessing pretty much everyone drank some kind of tea.
What About You? Whether you're just shoveling out from a snow storm or contemplating heading to the beach for a swim, what are you reading this week, and what's in your mug or cup?
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Thursday Tea was the brainchild of Anastasia at Birdbrain(ed) Book Blog.
ISBN-13: 9781416971740
30 comments:
I need to read Leviathan. I bought it a while ago, and the sequel as well.
I also have Leviathan and Behemoth on my TBR list and am looking forward to them already.
I bought Leviathan for my twelve-year-old nephew for Christmas and he's almost done reading it - he knows I'm anxiously waiting for him to send it my way when he's finally done!
This morning, I'm sipping on my Keurig produced fantastic cup of Caribou bold blend w/ one Sweet & Low, no cream - I'll be picking up my Nook Color and reading The Passage by Justin Cronin which is absolutely incredibly so far!
This sounds like an interesting book. I'm always on the lookout for good reading. Thanks!
Later today, I'll be posting a review of seven (not new) books I read in December.
My husband drinks keemun like it is going out of style. I'm more of a chai with soy milk and honey kind of girl. At least recently.
I keep wondering whether to try this one as I really didn't like my last venture into SteamPunk. I read Cherie Priest's Boneshaker and hated it.
Alek would have been drinking this, for sure, and if it's used in English Breakfast, then Deryn probably would as well! :)
As for me, at the moment I'm halfway through a mug of Republic of Tea's Comfort and Joy, which is very tasty despite getting "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" stuck in my head *every time* I make a cup.
Well, I'm still hoping to dry out before the end of the month. But, now some tea sounds just perfect.
I'm not a steampunk fan so I think I'll pass on this one. I will pass on the title to my niece. She's a huge steampunk reader.
Oh, well this reminds me that I need to get that bag of flavored tea we got as a gift :)
I really have only tried tea, and masala chai and coffee. Nothing else.
I think I should try some of the flavors and this one sounds like something I will definitely enjoy.
I have been meaning to read this author for sometime, I will have pick this one up soon from a bookstore I think.
I am reading Alan Bradly :)
It is a perfect day here for tea! I'll probably brew a cup of earl gray.
I read Leviathan last year and while it was my first time reading steampunk, I want to know what happened to Alek and Deryn. I'll probably get to Behemoth this year.
I have been thinking about trying out the steampunk genre, but I am not really convinced. I´m looking forward to your review which might help.
And my mug is coffee (empty, sadly).
My sister got me some sort of organic black tea for Xmas and I've been drinking alot of it. Great for the cold days, but recently it has been on the verge of sweaty warm. Still I can't resist a cup at night.
Carl read this and really liked it, but I'm not sure steampunk is for me. Glad you're enjoying it.
I loved this book, especially the illustrations!
I read Leviathan and really liked it, but haven't managed to get to Behemoth yet. I'm glad you're enjoying steampunk! I have dipped my toes in with a few books so far and I like what I have been reading.
I'm going to try to get to some Westerfield books this year. I've been meaning to for a couple of years.
I almost bought this book the other day, and decided to skip it. It looks like I made a mistake, and hopefully soon I can correct it! I am reading The Valcourt Heiress rightnow, and although I claim to dislike historical romance, I am actually having a pretty awesome time with it. The drink of choice is dark chocolate black cherry tea, with lots of milk and equal. Very nice tea, if you can come across it. Your choice of tea sounds absolutely delicious, and I would love to try some!
I loved Leviathan and just finished Behemoth recently, which was also good. I know you're listening on audio, but if you have a chance to look at a print copy from the library or a friend, the illustrations are amazing!
We've been drinking acai berry tea and loving it! My son read Leviathon but he didn't love it. I guess I need to give it a whirl.
I really need to read Leviathan. Will add it to my wish List. My niece works at Teavana so I just got 4 different types of tea for a belated bday present. I'm enjoying drinking Earl Grey Creme Black tea.
Are you loving it so far? I loved it! Alan Cumming was a perfect choice I think.
I have yet to try Steampunk but perhaps will start here. I am reading Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani & had some warm apple cider. I will have to try that tea also since I love my cuppa tea.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
I'm not a tea drinker but Keemum from Teasim sounds like heaven! I'm reading a ton of different books right now but I think I might settle down with Love by Toni Morrison.
I think I'd like to pick this up... cool cover too!
Never been a fan of hot tea, but I love this feature! I am reading Blood Red Road by Moira Young and usually with a diet coke.
I haven't read steampunk yet. I think some books have had those elements, but I didn't seek them out on purpose. I keep looking at everyone's recommendations and wondering where to start but nothing has really grabbed me yet. Though I should probably read Westerfield at some point.
I'm drinking hot apple cider right now but my latest tea is Emperor's White by The Republic of Tea.
Leviathan is one of those books I'd like to read. I'm still trying to get into steampunk. Which is odd that I haven't because I read a lot of scifi.
hmm, I haven't read LEVIATHAN (but I am steampunk-curious) ... your tea sounds lovely!
I haven't tried anything steampunk but I do have Cherie Priest's Boneshaker in my pile. I heard so much about this one too. Glad you like it!
I've looked at this book several times, but haven't managed to pick it up yet... haven't decided on whether or not I want to read it - which I find odd, as I am a steampunk fan.
I listened to Leviathan on audio also, but then I read its sequel, Behemoth, in book format. Though I love audios and thought Leviathan was very well done, the illustrations in the books are spectacular and add a lot to the experience of reading them!
Here's my review:
http://greatbooksforkidsandteens.blogspot.com/2011/01/teenya-review-leviathan-and-behemoth.html
Sue
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