Straightforward but Chatty
We don't need to worry too much about where or when something is happening because the narrator makes figuring that out easy—while he or she jumps back and forth from Deryn's to Alek's perspectives, in general the plot moves along in a linear way.
But get out your listening ears, Shmoopsters, because these people can talk. There's as much dialogue as there is action in this book, and most of it goes a good long way toward explaining how this world works and what's going on. For example, not really up on your World War I politics? Just check out the conversation in which Alek and Volger explain it—while sword fighting—in Chapter 9:
"And who is most closely allied with Russia?" Volger asked, not even a little breathless.
"Britain," Alek said.
"Not so." Volger's blade slipped inside Alek's guard, whacking his right arm hard.
"Ouch!" Alek dropped his guard and rubbed the wound. "For heaven's sake, Volger! Are you teaching me fencing or diplomacy?"
Volger smiled. "You are in need of instruction in both, obviously."
"But the British navy command met with the Russians last year! Father said it drove the Germans wild with worry."
"That is not an alliance, Alek. Not yet." Volger raised his sword. "So who is allied with Russia, then?" (9.69-75)
We get more of the same of this for several pages, and we have to say it's a pretty clever way to include all this somewhat snooze-worthy diplomacy information—a history lesson disguised as a sword fight is much better than, say, a boring lecture. This action/info pairing happens quite a bit. You can also tune in to any of the many conversations Dr. Barlow and Deryn have about Darwinist science—and when you do, we guarantee you'll learn a lot about what's up with the world of Leviathan.