Predator's Gold (Hungry City Chronicles #2)

Predator's Gold is the second book in Philip Reeve's Hungry City Chronicles - a futuristic steampunk adventure series.

Taking place two years after the first book, Tom and Hester have been traveling around the north on the airship Jenny Haniver.

While fleeing from the Green Storm, a radical splinter group of the anti-traction league (a group that wants cities to stop moving around the world on tracks, settle down and re-green the planet), Tom and Hester land on the small city of Anchorage.

Anchorage is making its way across the ice, around Greenland, in an attempt to make it to the Dead Continent of America - all based on the book of an alternative historian.

Together with the people of Anchorage, Tom and Hester will fight the Green Storm, fight ice pirates, and run from the larger city of Arkangel, all in an attempt to survive.

Reeve is a master storyteller who has created a fascinating and believable future with compelling characters and a thrilling plot.

Reeve, Philip. (2003). Predator's Gold. New York: EOS.

Mortal Engines (Hungry City Chronicles #1)

Mortal Engines is the first book in Philip Reeve's Hungry City Chronicles. Though the series takes place way in the future, it has the feel of a steampunk novel.

In the future, cities move about. They are on huge tracks and the travel to find resources - meaning smaller cities, suburbs and town they can overpower and incorporate into themselves. It is a time of Municipal Darwinism.

Tom is a low level apprentice in the Historian guild in the city of London. His parents died when he was younger and since they were historians he is being raised to be one. When London overtakes a smaller town, Tom is sent to the Gut to make sure any artifacts with possible historical significance are given to the Museum to process.

In the Gut he runs into the city's Head Historian, the archeologist (and Tom's hero) Thaddeus Valentine and his daughter Katherine. When a young woman who has been captured with the new city breaks out of line and tries to kill Valentine, Tom stops her and the runs after her to capture her.

In the chaos both Tom and the girl he was chasing, Hester Shaw, end up down a garbage chute and dropped below the city into the Out-Country - sea of mud and huge caterpillar tracks from passing cities. Now London is steaming off to the horizon while Tom and Hester have to find a way back, Tom back to the only city he has ever lived in and Hester to avenge the killing of her parents.

Reeve is a master of imagination and plot. Mortal Engines is the first book in a six book series that will delight fans of adventure, science fiction and steampunk. After reading his Larklight trilogy, I vowed to read all of Reeve's books -and am looking forward to every page of the Hungry City Chronicles.

Reeve, Philip. (2001). Mortal Engines. New York: EOS.

Mothstorm (Larklight #3)

Mothstorm is the final book in the Larklight trilogy by Philip Reeve, illustrated by David Wyatt.

After an already crazy year involving space pirates, time travel, giant spiders, Moogs, and even more, the Mumby family is ready to relax and enjoy a nice, calm Christmas with friends. But just after Jack Havock and his gang arrive at Larklight, a British warship also docks.

Something strange is going on near Georgium Sidus (only those without manners call it Uranus). Those in authority thought that Mrs. Mumby may know what the strangeness means.

So the Mumbys are off to the far reaches of the British space to see Georgium Sidus. When their ship arrives it is attacked by giant moths. And once again a space battle that will decide the future of the universe is underway!

Reeve has more imagination than should fit into one head. He is quite brilliant. Any readers who like to laugh must read this series. It is a must have for every library collection. Do not let the fact that this series was published for children make you think it is any less intelligent than adult science fiction - it is just as intelligent and much more quirky.

Reeve, Philip. (2008). Mothstorm. New York: Bloomsbury.

Starcross (Larklight #2)

Starcross is the second book in the Larklight series by Philip Reeve and illustrated by David Wyatt.

Firstly, Philip Reeve is as mad as Jasper Fforde! The each have more imagination than some whole cities.

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Now that Larklight is safe from the menace in the first book, Mrs. Mumbly is having some interior decorating updated. The house is so noisy that when an invitation comes to visit the hotel Starcross, the Mumbly jump at the chance.

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Starcross boasts the finest sea-bathing in the Asteroid Belt. The fact that there are no seas in the Asteroid Belt should be the first clue that something is amiss.

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The Mumblys will be faced with French spies, Yankee rebels, man-eating starfish, and sinister top hats before the book is complete.

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If you need a fun read, read the Larklight series! It is pure awesomeness.

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Reeve, Philip. (2007). Starcross. New York: Bloomsbury.

Larklight (Larklight #1)

Larklight: A Rousing Tale of Dauntless Pluck in the Farthest Reaches of Space by Philip Reeve, and illustrated by David Wyatt, is the first book in the Larklight series.

Art and Myrtle Mumby live with their father at Larklight - a house that floats behind the moon. Their father is a scientist who studies the creatures who swim through space.

When a notice comes that a gentleman will be visiting Larklight, Myrtle is excited about having company. Few visitors come and the Mumbly's rarely leave the house. But the guest is no gentleman - he is a giant spider who has come to attack Larklight.

Fleeing in an escape pod, Art and Myrtle begin an adventure that will take them to the far reaches of the universe and bring them face to face with every type of creature imaginable.

Reeve could be compared to some the most creative science fiction writers of all time, like Jules Verne, or he could be compared to the wacky and creative thinking of Jasper Fforde. Read this book - it has adventure, history (though a bit altered), pirates, romance, and more.

Reeve, Philip. David Wyatt, Illustrator. (2006). Larklight. New York: Bloomsbury