Mortal Engines (Mortal Engines, Book 1)

Philip Reeve

Jun 2012 · Sold by Scholastic Inc.

About this ebook

The epic city-eat-city adventure is now a major motion picture produced by Peter Jackson!

"A breathtaking work of imagination, Hester Shaw is a heroine for the ages. The moment we finished reading this book we knew we wanted to make it into a movie." -- Producer Peter Jackson* "Reeve's [Mortal Engines] remains a landmark of visionary imagination." -- School Library Journal, starred review​​​Now a major motion picture produced by Peter Jackson!London is hunting again. Emerging from its hiding place in the hills, the great Traction City is chasing a terrified little town across the wastelands. Soon London will feed.In the attack, Tom Natsworthy is flung from the speeding city with a murderous scar-faced girl. They must run for their lives through the wreckage -- and face a terrifying new weapon that threatens the future of the world.Beloved storyteller Philip Reeve creates a brilliant new world in the Mortal Engines series, called "phenomenal... violent and romantic, action-packed and contemplative, funny and frightening" by the Sunday Times.

Ratings and reviews

Wonderful book, great for anyone who enjoyes steampunk and in-your-face sci-fi. A warning though; the beginning throws you in to a world so strange and new, the odd concepts and Anglish words can be a little disorienting. It's easier to go on anyway, confused until you get used to it and begin to understand. The meanings of the new concepts are never spoonfed; you have to discern for yourself throughout the book what everything means. Personally, although this is a strong choice, I think it allows so much more room for imagination and immersive reading than many other authors are willing to provide.

Good, just good. If you enjoy imagery then this Is definitely a book for you. But not just imagery, it's quite a unique and interesting story, yet you feel like there are missed opportunities in the end. Dialogue is the biggest issue I have, it's quite jarring at times. But it is worth a read/listen just for the story.

Great idea, lazy execution. This lazy, adverb filled type of prose is quite common in YA novels. The story idea is actually very unique, but it's marred by cheap dialog, and uninspired characters.

About the author

Philip Reeve is the bestselling author of the Mortal Engines quartet, which is now a major motion picture, and the award-winning Fever Crumb series. His other books include the highly acclaimed Here Lies Arthur and No Such Thing As Dragons. He lives in England with his wife and son. Visit him online at philip-reeve.com.