Alright, folks, buckle up! This is my review of Mortal Engines, a book that threw me straight into a world where actual cities move around on giant wheels. I picked this one up after a friend dared me, and let me tell you—it was like someone mixed Mad Max with a LEGO set after too much coffee. If you’re after wild machines, oddball characters, and the sort of action that keeps you up past bedtime, you might want to stick around for this. But hey, it’s not perfect, so I’ll tell you the good, the bad, and the truly weird (because trust me, it gets weird).
Review of Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve
In a nutsheel
Mortal Engines is a young adult steampunk adventure by Philip Reeve. The story takes place in a future where entire cities roll across the world on giant wheels, gobbling up smaller towns to survive. The book throws you into a wild chase full of fast-moving action, odd inventions, and a society that loves big machines even more than I love late-night snacks.
Without giving away too much, expect themes like survival, friendship, trust, and the dangers of letting power run wild. It’s packed with humor, heart, and some moral questions to chew on (like whether cities should eat each other—but hey, I’m still not over that one!). Philip Reeve keeps things moving with a cast of memorable characters and a setting like nothing else I’ve read.
Why Mortal Engines’ Moving Cities Stick in Your Brain
Let me tell you, the city of London on big wheels is not something you see every day. In Mortal Engines, Philip Reeve cooks up a wild, rolling world where massive cities chase each other down like hungry lions. I’m not kidding—whole towns strut across the landscape on mechanical legs. The whole time I read it, I just kept thinking, ‘Why hasn’t anyone done this before?’ Because, let’s be honest, most fantasy books either float cities in the sky or tuck them under ground. No one else turns the city into a monster-truck.
What makes the world-building in Mortal Engines unique is how dirt, smoke, and noise become part of the story. The cities eat each other, and it’s not just a fun idea — it shapes how people act, what they wear, and how they talk. I loved spotting the smaller details, like engineers running around with spanners, and the lords complaining about the cost of fuel. Even the air tastes like oil and old socks when Philip Reeve writes it. My buddy Tim said it made him want to put wheels on his house. That’s how cool it is.
It’s not all perfect, though. Sometimes, you might need to stop and draw a quick map in your head just to keep up. All that movement can make you dizzy if you’re like me, who gets lost in a mall with only two floors. But honestly, that’s a small price to pay for such a fresh setting. I’d rather be confused by new things than bored by the same old castles.
Now, as these towns crash and bash along, there are people on board, too—their stories and feuds are where things get tasty, so next up we’ll chat about character growth and relationships. Grab your seatbelt!
Character Growth and Relationships in Mortal Engines
If there’s one thing that always gets me hooked on a story, it’s seeing characters change. In Mortal Engines, the author, Philip Reeve, knows how to give his heroes and villains a serious shake-up. Let’s be honest, the folks in this book start off about as lost as me without my morning coffee. But as they face danger, betrayal, and a few machine-related disasters, everyone seems to grow up fast.
Now, Tom Natsworthy. At first, he’s your classic “average Joe” (except he lives in a roving city). He’s starstruck and a little awkward, but when things get wild, Tom feels more than just wind in his hair—he learns to think for himself. This is not just about growing a spine, it’s about learning who you want to be, even when the city you live in is stomping over everything you know.
Hester Shaw is my favorite. She starts off angry at the world. I mean, wouldn’t you be if someone tried to drop you off a city? Her friendship (and maybe more? no spoilers!) with Tom helps her find hope. The back-and-forth between these two is sometimes funny, other times heartbreaking. I once yelled at the pages, “Just talk to each other!” The tension is real.
The side characters are no slouches, either. Katherine, the mayor’s daughter, gets a reality check that forces her to rethink everything. Even the baddies have moments that make you sit up and say, “Whoa, I did not see that coming.”
So, if you love watching people change and relationships get messy, Mortal Engines delivers. Next up, get ready for some breakneck speed, because we’re talking action and suspense—hold onto your socks.
Fast-Paced Action and Suspense in Mortal Engines
If you want to read a book that keeps your heart racing, Mortal Engines does the trick. Seriously, this book made me nail-bite more than when I watched my grandma play bingo. Philip Reeve throws you right into the action—giant cities chasing each other, airships zipping overhead, and all sorts of chases that would make Tom Cruise jealous. The suspense never lets up. I found myself reading way too late, muttering, “Just one more chapter,” until my eyeballs protested.
What I loved most was how the pace never really slowed. Reeve doesn’t waste time on fluff. There’s always something wild happening—duels, escapes, betrayals, explosions (so many explosions). If you’re a fan of cliffhangers, get ready, because every chapter feels like you’re hanging off a ledge with one pinky.
Of course, sometimes the fast pace means you might forget who’s running after whom, or which city is going to gobble up the next. I had to flip back a couple of times, but that’s half the fun. The story never gets boring, and the tense moments keep you guessing about what the characters will do next. Your pulse gets a workout, for sure.
Ready for something deeper? Next up, we’ll talk about the tricky social themes and moral questions that Mortal Engines slips in between all those epic explosions.
Big Questions on Wheels: Social Themes in Mortal Engines
One thing that stuck with me about Mortal Engines is just how sneaky it is with its big questions. Sure, you’ve got cities rolling around eating each other like mechanical bears, but under all that is a world full of tough choices and shaky morals. The book keeps asking: how far would you go just to survive? When cities gobble up each other for fuel, it’s not just cool mayhem – it’s a whole vibe about greed and power.
I liked the way the story talks about what we value. In this world, people scrap old tech and dreams for quick gain. Sometimes it felt like me hunting through my attic for stuff to sell online, only with way less danger and sword fights. The book doesn’t let you forget that all these mad machines started with people. There’s a sweet-and-sour flavor to the choices the leaders make: do you protect your city at whatever cost, or do you try to do the right thing? No pressure, right?
Mortal Engines also pokes at the class system and how some folks get the short end of the stick, all while the rich folks look down from their shiny airships. I won’t spoil anything, but the bad guys aren’t all bad and the good guys aren’t always smart. That’s a plus for me – it kept me guessing, even when I was yelling at the page.
So, should you read it? If you like a book that makes you think without making your head hurt, Mortal Engines is a solid yes from me. Just don’t try turning your house into a moving fortress after.
Conclusion
Alright folks, that’s a wrap on my Mortal Engines review! It’s a wild ride with rolling cities, action-packed chases, and characters who make some real boneheaded decisions (just like me in Monopoly). The setting is fresh, the pace never drags, and there are themes to chew on if you like a book with some meat. Sure, not every twist is a winner and sometimes the world can be a bit much to picture, but overall, it’s worth your time. If you want something different and a little weird (in a good way), give Mortal Engines a shot. Now, I’m off to figure out how to put my house on wheels. Wish me luck!
