This book is a delight.

It is a well-executed steampunk WWI AU with enjoyable characters and excellent pacing!

More than that it is the tale of Alek, the most adorably dopey Austrian prince OF ALL TIME, who wanders around being full of ~heart~ but a bit inept due to dopiness and Deryn, a girl masquerading as a boy in order to serve in the British air navy, who is essentially The Most Interesting Man in the World.

The story basically goes:

Alek: DOOFS IS WELL-MEANING
Deryn: saves the entire British air navy like three times destroys some German zeppelins with her bare hands or some shit
Alek: RETURNS FROM WANDERING INTO MACHINE GUN FIRE Oh, Mr. Sharp! You're so brave and noble and adventurous and daring. D-do you think we could possibly be friends?
Deryn: has an awkward moment just to see what it feels like I HAVE COME TO RAVISH YOU- UH...I MEAN. I'M A BOY. YES A BOY. ALLLLL BOY. B-O-Y. WE CAN TOTES BE FRIENDS. JUST FRIENDS. YES.
Alek: How amazing! WE WILL BE THE BEST OF FRIENDS. I would like to stay with you foreverrrr if I coooould.
Deryn: is consumed by lust for the rest of the day

In short, every time Deryn shows up it's like:

~OH "DYLAN" SHARP~

BODICES RIPPING

AUSTRIAN PRINCES TURNING GAY

And you love it.

Now that I have referenced enough Kate Beaton and ridiculous beer commercials, this review can end.