What do you think?
Rate this book
Lost Civilization #2
Leviathan
Previously published cover of ASIN B003UHVV9Y
Before the dawn of history, there was the first civilization with its gleaming spires and proud kings. In that distant era, the giants unleashed an ancient horror as they collected weapons once used by the primeval powers. They summoned a creature from the murky depths to destroy the humans plaguing them. Among the doomed are Herrek the Giant-Slayer, Joash, and Adah of Poseidonis.
LEVIATHAN is the second book in Lost Civilizations. It is a continuation of the war between Nephilim and men that occurred before the oceans overran the Pre-Cataclysmic World. LEVIATHAN is a fantasy novel by bestselling author Vaughn Heppner.
Before the dawn of history, there was the first civilization with its gleaming spires and proud kings. In that distant era, the giants unleashed an ancient horror as they collected weapons once used by the primeval powers. They summoned a creature from the murky depths to destroy the humans plaguing them. Among the doomed are Herrek the Giant-Slayer, Joash, and Adah of Poseidonis.
LEVIATHAN is the second book in Lost Civilizations. It is a continuation of the war between Nephilim and men that occurred before the oceans overran the Pre-Cataclysmic World. LEVIATHAN is a fantasy novel by bestselling author Vaughn Heppner.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2010
67 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Vaughn Heppner
147 books569 followersYou can visit Vaughn at www.vaughnheppner.com
I was born in Canada and remember as a small boy crawling in my snow-fort. I closed my eyes, and when I tried to open them, they were frozen shut. I didn't panic, but wiped away the ice crystals, unglued my eyes and kept on building my tunnel. Those were great days! I moved to Central California before seventh grade and couldn't believe I lived in a land where oranges grew on trees and you could pick grapes from the vine.
I used to wonder what I wanted to do with my life, what kind of work specifically. I was miserable not knowing and bordering on desperate. Then one day a friend gave me his typewriter. I began working on a novel. A different person told me it was much easier on a computer, so I bought one and began getting up at 4:30 A.M. each morning before work, writing for three hours. My eyes were unglued once again as the pang of misery left my gut. I knew exactly what I wanted to do: write. So now that's what I do, I write, and write, and write, and I love it.
I was born in Canada and remember as a small boy crawling in my snow-fort. I closed my eyes, and when I tried to open them, they were frozen shut. I didn't panic, but wiped away the ice crystals, unglued my eyes and kept on building my tunnel. Those were great days! I moved to Central California before seventh grade and couldn't believe I lived in a land where oranges grew on trees and you could pick grapes from the vine.
I used to wonder what I wanted to do with my life, what kind of work specifically. I was miserable not knowing and bordering on desperate. Then one day a friend gave me his typewriter. I began working on a novel. A different person told me it was much easier on a computer, so I bought one and began getting up at 4:30 A.M. each morning before work, writing for three hours. My eyes were unglued once again as the pang of misery left my gut. I knew exactly what I wanted to do: write. So now that's what I do, I write, and write, and write, and I love it.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 1, 2017
4.5 Stars
Leviathan by Vaughn Heppner is book two in the Lost Civilization series. It picks up right where the fantastic first book Giants left us. I dove into this series head first as it is tailor made for my likes and favorites. This is also appropriate as this book has a giant sea monster as a main character. I was so engrossed with the story, the writing, and the characters from book one that I immediately went on to this one.
The Lost Civilization series is a fantasy that will appeal to a wide audience. These books would be appropriate for the older young adult crowd. I will summarize this review with my 5 reasons why you too should read this book.
1. the subject and plot.
First and foremost is the subject and the plot. Vaughn Heppner has created a wonderful world where God's children, the Fallen, Man, and Beast all walk the Earth and compete for life ever after. I absolutely loved the depth of the world building and the religious undertones. I wanted more and more. Simply awesome.
2. the lead character Joash is memorable.
Joash is a passionate man and a great lead character. His passion and devotion are true signs that he is a seraph
3. the writing by Vaughan Heppner
This is fantasy made for page turning. This is not the next A Game of Thrones weighed down by political machinations. It is however a fun, imaginative, and action based high fantasy that will keep your attention from start to finish. The writing made the great world even better.
5. Gods, Giants, and Nephilim and now sea monsters too
Enough said.
Finally, I have to repeat that I absolutely enjoyed this book and can't wait to see where it goes. A great read.
A great read. On to book three.
September 12, 2019
The religious themes are becoming more prevalent as these stories move forward. That isn't a bad thing, but it wasn't what I was expecting when I picked up the first book. I enjoy how the author mixes the religious overtones with fantasy and mythology, unfortunately, at least for me, it got stale pretty quickly. The pacing of the story was a bit slow for me and so it bogged down a few times. Don't get me wrong, these are good stories and these are just my own opinions and insights. I may pick up the 3rd book later this year, but for now, I'm off to find another adventure.
July 1, 2022
Okay Story
I'm reading an story, not poetry. I want writing that's going to get out of the way of the story. If I focus too much on how things are said, it jerks me out of the story.
I'm reading an story, not poetry. I want writing that's going to get out of the way of the story. If I focus too much on how things are said, it jerks me out of the story.
May 24, 2019
The series has me enthralled
Each book is full of adventure and holds your interest. I am enjoying the series very much. This author is very talented.
Each book is full of adventure and holds your interest. I am enjoying the series very much. This author is very talented.
April 28, 2012
Heppner has done it again! He has produced an amazingly compelling story that sucks you in from the first word and doesn't let you go until you look up in surprise when the book's all over. This book, just like the first in the series (Giants), is a thumping good read of the first order. Heppner's storytelling's is split pretty equally between Joash, our young adult narrator of the first book and his companions who become separated from each other due to a shipwreck by a sea monster.
The goal of the book is to determine the reason that the First Born, the Giants, the Gibbers and the Nephilim wanted the adamantine armor, sword and shield. Through many adventures,loss of life and heroics the Elonites have determined the reasons for gaining the adamantine weapons. The reasons are so perilous that one could bring hell on Earth and the other could wipe everything off the face of the planet. There is no choice - they must be stopped.
When sailing back home they are attacked by a sea monster who was in league with a First Born in on the Plan. Joash is with Heret and Joash's dog Harn. Lord Uriah, his sister Lillith the Great Prioress, Aurochs the former pirate, Amery, Uriah's Granddaughter and Adah the Singer from Posidonis all ended up in a lifeboat dodging pirates. Each group thinks the other is dead so that it falls to them to tell the world of the looming disaster that awaits mankind if the evil one's succeed. One group will be successful, the other will get caught by the enemy. The ending again wraps up neither too short nor too rushed. No cliffhangers, just nicely wrapped up storylines leaving you in little doubt where the next book is heading. Again, even though I would like to give an extra star for this, I can't possibly because I'm already all maxed out.
Again, the characterization was absolutely genuine and three dimensional. New characters like Aurochs and Idra are fully 3D. There are no moments when you scratch your head and say WTF as the characters act out of context or just to further the story. You care about all the good characters, even some of the evil ones are interesting such as Mimir the Wise and the Father of all Giants, Jotun. The pacing in this book is identical to last - gripping your brain and not letting up for a nanosecond with times of increased dramatic tension. It is really masterful. The growth of the characters, or not, is a direct result of their faith, background and suffering. Joash continues to meet his challenges head on, no matter what those around him are doing. His girlfriend, on the other hand, was so severely damaged in her earlier life that she finds it easier to succumb to horror and depression. Herret is a warrior who has rarely lost. When he's knocked on his bottom like child by a First Born, all he can think of is vengeance. When the immaturity of this is pointed out to him he indulges in a bit of reality postponement. All of these are credible behaviors for the characters that Heppner's written.
All in all, I would highly recommend the first two books in this Lost Civilizations series to anyone who likes any type of fantasy or mythology, or is just interested in one man's unique take on a phase of the world's creation and growth. It truly is a thumping good read of the first order. I am on to book three. Give it a shot!
The goal of the book is to determine the reason that the First Born, the Giants, the Gibbers and the Nephilim wanted the adamantine armor, sword and shield. Through many adventures,loss of life and heroics the Elonites have determined the reasons for gaining the adamantine weapons. The reasons are so perilous that one could bring hell on Earth and the other could wipe everything off the face of the planet. There is no choice - they must be stopped.
When sailing back home they are attacked by a sea monster who was in league with a First Born in on the Plan. Joash is with Heret and Joash's dog Harn. Lord Uriah, his sister Lillith the Great Prioress, Aurochs the former pirate, Amery, Uriah's Granddaughter and Adah the Singer from Posidonis all ended up in a lifeboat dodging pirates. Each group thinks the other is dead so that it falls to them to tell the world of the looming disaster that awaits mankind if the evil one's succeed. One group will be successful, the other will get caught by the enemy. The ending again wraps up neither too short nor too rushed. No cliffhangers, just nicely wrapped up storylines leaving you in little doubt where the next book is heading. Again, even though I would like to give an extra star for this, I can't possibly because I'm already all maxed out.
Again, the characterization was absolutely genuine and three dimensional. New characters like Aurochs and Idra are fully 3D. There are no moments when you scratch your head and say WTF as the characters act out of context or just to further the story. You care about all the good characters, even some of the evil ones are interesting such as Mimir the Wise and the Father of all Giants, Jotun. The pacing in this book is identical to last - gripping your brain and not letting up for a nanosecond with times of increased dramatic tension. It is really masterful. The growth of the characters, or not, is a direct result of their faith, background and suffering. Joash continues to meet his challenges head on, no matter what those around him are doing. His girlfriend, on the other hand, was so severely damaged in her earlier life that she finds it easier to succumb to horror and depression. Herret is a warrior who has rarely lost. When he's knocked on his bottom like child by a First Born, all he can think of is vengeance. When the immaturity of this is pointed out to him he indulges in a bit of reality postponement. All of these are credible behaviors for the characters that Heppner's written.
All in all, I would highly recommend the first two books in this Lost Civilizations series to anyone who likes any type of fantasy or mythology, or is just interested in one man's unique take on a phase of the world's creation and growth. It truly is a thumping good read of the first order. I am on to book three. Give it a shot!
January 27, 2021
An excellent follow up to Giants. The story continues with Joash and the survivors struggling to get the boat sea worthy so that they can finally escape the Giants Land with their knowledge of a Nephilim plot. Joash discovers more about his 'specialness' and about what becoming a Seraph will mean. More of the Nephilim plot is discovered and we learn that they are targeting entering the Garden of Eden to take control of the Tree of Life and become immortal.
As they try to escape the Nephilim set an ancient sea creature the Nidhogg on their trail and their only hope comes when the captain uses and ancient silver horn to summon a Leviathan to come to their aid.
In their struggle the ship is badly damaged and the survivors are separated leaving each to believe they are sole survivors. Each group must decide the best way to continue their mission to prevent the Nephilim from re-entering the Garden of Eden.
As they try to escape the Nephilim set an ancient sea creature the Nidhogg on their trail and their only hope comes when the captain uses and ancient silver horn to summon a Leviathan to come to their aid.
In their struggle the ship is badly damaged and the survivors are separated leaving each to believe they are sole survivors. Each group must decide the best way to continue their mission to prevent the Nephilim from re-entering the Garden of Eden.
May 16, 2014
In "Leviathan," the second of Vaughn Heppner's Lost Civilizations series, hero Joash realizes some of his abilities as a seraph. A seraph is a true believer, whose abilities are strengthened by knowledge and faith in Elohim. This fantasy takes place in what the author describes as a pre-cataclysmic world before the oceans overrun civilization. Interesting concept certainly. Much of the tale takes place on the water with the giants, led by a first-born horror that combined formerly celestial blood with a sabretooth, tear up our human heroes. They do so with a horror called from beneath the waves. Lord Uriah pulls out an amazing save, and Joash continues to persevere with his beloved Adah and companion Herreck. This is great sword and sorcery and highly original.
May 27, 2012
I gave the first book in this series four stars, and I wanted to give this one four stars too, but I just couldn't do it. Heppner again delivers some good action and adventure. He is very creative and the writing quality in this one was better than the first. But I just thought it bogged down a few too many times with the various flashbacks (although I'm not quite sure that is the right thing to call the creative ways in which Heppner filled in the back stories of certain people). Another problem is that there were just too many characters and lands to keep track of.
I still plan to read the next book in the series.
I still plan to read the next book in the series.
April 18, 2015
Second in the series creates desire to know more.
Joash, Herrick, Adah, and Gens follow another to the crypt of a giant. There they would obtain emeralds. But twists and turning of events changes this endeavor into a fight for their very lives. They must escape and warn others before the children of the nephillim kill them. What devious plan do the giants and those they align themselves with have in mind? Shipwrecks, native captures, then captures by giants and tordock. Others lost at sea saved by merchants and chased by pirates. Who knows what next lies ahead. Good reading.
Joash, Herrick, Adah, and Gens follow another to the crypt of a giant. There they would obtain emeralds. But twists and turning of events changes this endeavor into a fight for their very lives. They must escape and warn others before the children of the nephillim kill them. What devious plan do the giants and those they align themselves with have in mind? Shipwrecks, native captures, then captures by giants and tordock. Others lost at sea saved by merchants and chased by pirates. Who knows what next lies ahead. Good reading.
March 12, 2011
I don't know if I'm going to continue with this series, they aren't getting much better, but they're not too horrible either. Hm. Most of y reviews seem to be like this. maybe it's because there aren't really that many good books out there, or I'm reading the cheap books which means lower quality. I dunno.
May 5, 2017
This book begins right where Giants left off and kept the action up most of the way through. Which is why the ending is so baffling. It ends on such a “blah” that I haven’t bothered to continue reading the series. It’s almost like he couldn’t decide how to end the book, so he just left it and went on to his ideas for the next project.
April 9, 2012
I tend to like alternative-history type stories and while this one is entertaining, it's not epic. I continued the series during my maternity leave when light reading that wasn't too mentally challenging was in order and this fit the bill. Good, not great.
February 9, 2016
A Great Series
See my review of the previous book.
Thanks Vaughn! I'm looking forward to your next installment in this creative series!
See my review of the previous book.
Thanks Vaughn! I'm looking forward to your next installment in this creative series!
May 15, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. I am certainly enjoying the series.
April 15, 2017
Fantastic and fun imagination!!
Fantastic imagination into our myths of monsters and "gods." It was a pleasure to read. I recommend for those who enjoy fantasy books.
Fantastic imagination into our myths of monsters and "gods." It was a pleasure to read. I recommend for those who enjoy fantasy books.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews