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    Mortal Engines: Mortal Engines, Book 1
    Mortal Engines: Mortal Engines, Book 1
    Mortal Engines: Mortal Engines, Book 1
    Audiobook8 hours

    Mortal Engines: Mortal Engines, Book 1

    Written by Philip Reeve

    Narrated by Barnaby Edwards

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    It was a dark, blustery afternoon in spring, and the city of London was chasing a small mining town across the dried-out bed of the old North Sea ...

    The great traction city London is on the move again. It has been lying low, skulking in the hills to avoid the bigger, faster, hungrier cities loose in the Great Hunting Ground. But now, as its great mountain of metal lumbers along in hot pursuit of its quarry, the sinister plans it has harbored for years can finally start to unfold behind its soaring walls...

    Thaddeus Valentine, London's Head Historian and most famous archaeologist, and his daughter, Katherine, are down in The Gut when the young assassin with the black scarf strikes. Only the quick intervention of Tom, a lowly third-class apprentice, prevents Valentine from being stabbed in the heart. Madly racing after the fleeing girl, Tom suddenly glimpses her hideous face: scarred from forehead to jaw, nose a smashed stump, a single eye glaring back at him. "Look at what your Valentine did to me!" she screams. "Ask him! Ask him what he did to Hester Shaw!" And with that she jumps down the waste chute to her death. Minutes later Tom finds himself tumbling down the same chute and stranded in the Out-Country, a sea of mud scored by the huge caterpillar tracks of cities like the one now steaming off over the horizon.

    In a stunning literary debut, Philip Reeve has created an unforgettable adventure story set in a dark and utterly original world fueled by Municipal Darwinism and betrayal.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherScholastic
    Release dateOct 31, 2017
    ISBN9781338214321
    Mortal Engines: Mortal Engines, Book 1
    Author

    Philip Reeve

    Philip Reeve wrote his first story when he was just five years old, about a spaceman named Spike and his dog, Spook. Philip has continued writing and dreaming up adventures and is now the acclaimed author of the Mortal Engines series, the Fever Crumb series, Here Lies Author (2008 Carnegie Medal Winner), and many other exciting tales. Born and raised in Brighton, England, Philip first worked as a cartoonist and illustrator before pursuing a career as an author. He lives in Dartmoor with his wife, Sarah, and their son, Sam.

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    Reviews for Mortal Engines

    4.5/5

    501 ratings22 reviews

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      I actually read the “Fever” series first. Which was interesting because I had a backward approach to learning about this post-apocalyptic world but I am reading in the correct historic timeline. This is good young adult fiction. It’s got an interesting premise, good pacing, solid characters, and most importantly the writing isn’t juvenile. I am happy to report that I’ll likely read every book in these series rather than lose interest halfway through. This one tugged at my emotional heartstrings. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      After having seen the movie first, I wasn't prepared for how much more I would like the characters and how tragic it was in parts. The narration was clear and didn't get in the way of the story at all. Throughly enjoyed

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Very unique setting. This is the first time I've ever heard the term, "municipal Darwinism." Clever comments from characters on modern technology. Characters are well developed and relatable. Great story!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      It's a good production of a remarkably well written book. Right at the beginning, Phillip Reeve places the theme that things aren't what you think they ought to be and carries it through to the end. Ignoring the theme, the world of Mortal Engines has been so deftly crafted that you can get completely lost. Such a delight of a book!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Writing was very engaging. Author's really built out this world. Narrator was awesome for this title and really helped get you transported into this world.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Very thrilling read. The narrator Barnaby Edwards made the characters come to life! I can’t wait to read the 2nd book.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      A good listen read fever crumb first it comes first

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Best book I’ve read in a while! It was easy to connect to each main character and get caught up in the vividly realized world of mortal engines. Written with some light wit, deep underlying meaning and descriptions that painted an exact picture in your mind of the scene you were in. I loved it.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Fantastic take on the post-apocalyptic world! Can't wait to see the movie
    • 4/5
      Very enjoyable ride. Author has developed an original world & I’m anxious to continue listening to this series. Good narration with interesting characters. Not sure if I would characterize this novel as Steampunk but similar storyline. Would recommend to fans who enjoy fantasy, steampunk & dystopian novels.
    • 5/5
      This is a great book.
      I like the complex characters.
    • 5/5
      An amazing production! Great voices! Inspiring story about our future history...
    • 5/5
      Very well written. The story was engaging and I couldn’t stop listening.
    • 5/5
      Fun, easy read. I can't wait to start the next book in the series.
    • 4/5
      Almost made me cry. Good to read this book again.
    • 4/5
      Pretty entertaining for YA. Always silly to me that in dystopian books 1,000 years can go by and people still use things like swords and hot air balloons. Oh well, it's fantasy.
    • 5/5
      Third time reading this book which was one of my childhood favourites. I love listening to the audiobook it was a whole other experience.
    • 4/5
      Good narrative, a bit cliche. It gets quite predictable at the end.
    • 3/5
      The story moved along with many vivid scenes, but the simplistic motivations of the characters weakened the book
    • 5/5
      Revisiting it all these years later and it's still fantastic!
    • 2/5
      Probably the most formulaic story I've heard in quite awhile, which was disappointing since the concept was unique.
    • 5/5
      Very creative. You can not wait to hear what happens next.