Hey folks, Steve here with another book review! Today I’m talking about the wild ride that is Mortal Engines. If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if cities grew legs and chased each other around, well, you’re in luck. I strapped myself in (metaphorically, because my chair has no seatbelt) and read through the whole thing, taking notes and snacks along the way. Let’s see if this book is worth your hard-earned cash or if it belongs under the wheels of London. Spoiler: Get ready for moving cities, oddball heroes, and more plot twists than my last attempt at baking bread.
In a nutshell
Mortal Engines is a wild ride of a book by Philip Reeve. It is best described as action-packed science fiction, with some steampunk thrown in for good measure. Picture a world where big cities move around on wheels, munching up smaller towns like it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet. No, I’m not making this up!
At its core, the story follows two teenagers who get caught up in the chaos of these moving cities. The book mixes huge adventures with smart talk about technology, power, and what happens when people go a bit too far. Reeve tosses in a lot of big questions about right and wrong but never forgets to keep things fun. If you like wild worlds, crazy machines, and the feeling you’re always one step from total disaster, this one’s for you.
World-Building and Moving Cities: The Heart of Mortal Engines
I have a very strong opinion about moving cities in books, and let me tell you, the Mortal Engines book by Philip Reeve got my imagination running faster than a town on wheels. If you’ve ever wished your local town could just up and scoot over for a change of view, this book delivers that wild dream with a side of wackiness.
The world-building in Mortal Engines is bonkers, in the best way. We’re not talking about a plain old fantasy world—no elves having second breakfast here. Instead, entire cities roll around the wastelands on giant wheels, gobbling up smaller towns for their parts. London as a roving mechanical beast is one of the coolest (or maybe oddest?) ideas I’ve ever read, and I’ve read quite a few things—including one book about flying carrots, but that’s a story for another day.
Philip Reeve fills his world with quirky gadgets, oddball technologies, and a kind of “Mad Max for teens” vibe that makes you want to pack your bags and join a traction city. But, I have to say, sometimes the world is so detailed that I felt I needed a map, a compass, and maybe a sherpa just to keep track of where things were. (My friend Dave said he got lost around page thirty and still isn’t sure he found his way back.)
Still, it’s this bold vision that sets Mortal Engines apart—and trust me, you won’t forget it. Next up: buckle up for a look at the main characters and their growth, because these folks are more than just along for the ride…
Main Characters and Their Growth in Mortal Engines
Let’s talk about the real stars in Mortal Engines: Hester Shaw and Tom Natsworthy. Now, I’ll admit, when I first met Tom, he reminded me of myself in high school—awkward, hopeful, and always in the wrong place at the wrong time. Tom starts off as a classic underdog from the lower levels of London (not the city, the actual walking city on wheels; I’m still not over that). He dreams big but keeps tripping over his own shoes. When he crosses paths with Hester Shaw, life takes a hard left.
Hester probably won’t win any bake-offs, but she’s tough as nails. She’s got a serious grudge and a scar to match. At the start, she’s all business and revenge, but as the story moves on, she shows us she’s got a bit of a soft side buried under that scowl. Watching her trust others (even if she’s bad at it) made me root for her. These two bounce off one another like a pair of mismatched socks, and that’s what makes their growth so fun to follow. You see them change not just because the story needs it, but because crazy stuff keeps happening to them. Even the smaller side characters like Katherine and Bevis have their own moments, though let’s be real, they don’t steal the spotlight.
Character growth is what kept me turning the pages, even when my dog tried to eat the book. But if you think that’s all Mortal Engines has to offer, wait until you see how this story zips along with its plot pacing and wild twists!
Unexpected Turns and a Dash Through Danger: Plot Pacing and Twists in Mortal Engines
If there’s one thing the Mortal Engines book never does, it’s drag its feet. This story charges ahead like a hungry city after a snack – and trust me, you don’t want to be the snack. From the first chase to the last page, I found myself gripping the book like it owed me rent money. The pacing is fast, sometimes so fast that I had to double-check and make sure I hadn’t missed something during snack breaks (which are sacred, by the way).
The plot leaps from one wild event to another. Just when you think you’ve figured out where the story’s going, Philip Reeve yanks the rug out from under you and throws in a twist. Admittedly, a couple of these twists felt a bit over-the-top, like the author was on a sugar rush while writing. But overall, it keeps you guessing and stops anything from getting stale.
I read Mortal Engines with my friends, and we all agreed: it never lets you get bored. But with all the fast pacing and sudden curveballs, a few moments that could have been deep or emotional fly by too quick. It’s like being on a wild roller coaster – thrilling, but occasionally you wish for a breather.
So, if you love a book that doesn’t let you catch your breath and likes to pull the rug out from under your feet, you’ll have a blast. Next up, let’s put on our thinking caps as I chat about the series’ big ideas and moral lessons!
Themes and Moral Lessons in Mortal Engines: What Does It All Mean?
Alright, let’s get our hands oily and poke at what Mortal Engines really wants to tell us. This book is more than just giant cities on wheels playing bumper cars. It’s packed with big ideas and a few good warnings. I read it, I loved it, and I even lost sleep thinking about some of these themes.
First up, Mortal Engines shoves a mirror in our faces about technology. Sure, cities with wheels are cool, but the book asks, how far is too far? When does using every tool in the toolbox become just plain greedy? I honestly thought about my own laptop addiction and how I treat my phone like a tiny pet. There’s also the idea that sometimes, what makes life easier can, oops, end up making things worse for everyone. Good job, humans!
Next up, there’s a lot in here about power. Mortal Engines is not shy about showing how easy it is for people in charge to make terrible choices. Sometimes, those in charge act like toddlers at a candy store — grabbing for more without thinking about the mess. I appreciate that the book doesn’t wag its finger, but it sure nudges you with an elbow.
Finally, we get a lesson on forgiveness and second chances. The book isn’t just doom and gloom. People mess up — some pretty badly — but there’s hope for making things right again. That landed with me, because frankly, I spill coffee daily and would very much like a second chance at clean shirts.
Would I recommend Mortal Engines? Yes, for sure — especially if you like big ideas with your explosions. Just watch out for city traffic!
Conclusion
Well, that’s the end of my trip—er, review—of Mortal Engines. This book has cities rolling across wastelands, wild action, and characters who actually learn a thing or two (usually the hard way). The story keeps you turning the pages, even if you sometimes need a map to keep up.
The world-building is top notch. The big ideas about power and forgiveness make you think. But sometimes, the plot is bonkers fast and the world can be a little confusing.
Still, for fans of adventure and weird machines, this one’s a winner. Just keep your eyes peeled—nothing in this book ever sits still for long. That’s it for my review. Now I really want wheels on my house!
