Relation to Real Life
Darwinism and Clankerism- these ideas of being able to cross breed animals and entwine DNA would not have been known back then during the real World War. Darwin did make his discoveries on Evolution and stuff though. The basis of the Clanker idea is walking machines. To this day, people are still trying to make a successful walking machine, but it hasn't been done yet.
World War I- Yes, it is an actual war that the books surround and it took place in 1914- 1918. However, in the books WWI spans somewhere around one year.
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria- the Austrian peacemaker, who is also Alek's father, did actually become a victim of assassination. His death in Serbia did happen and his death signified the start of the World War.
Alekzander Ferdinand of Hohenburg- not actually a real person. Franz had three kids, not one of them was Alek. He also doesn't have any siblings unlike real life.
Most to all of the other characters were fake except...
Dr. Nora Barlow- actual grand-daughter to Darwin himself. Though it has no relation to this book she did have a husband that isn't mentioned in the books.
The S.S. Leviathan- was a naval ship that transported American troops back to the United States. In the book, it is a giant flying whale beastie that caries people, and hydrogen sniffers, bats, and bees.
World War I- Yes, it is an actual war that the books surround and it took place in 1914- 1918. However, in the books WWI spans somewhere around one year.
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria- the Austrian peacemaker, who is also Alek's father, did actually become a victim of assassination. His death in Serbia did happen and his death signified the start of the World War.
Alekzander Ferdinand of Hohenburg- not actually a real person. Franz had three kids, not one of them was Alek. He also doesn't have any siblings unlike real life.
Most to all of the other characters were fake except...
Dr. Nora Barlow- actual grand-daughter to Darwin himself. Though it has no relation to this book she did have a husband that isn't mentioned in the books.
The S.S. Leviathan- was a naval ship that transported American troops back to the United States. In the book, it is a giant flying whale beastie that caries people, and hydrogen sniffers, bats, and bees.