Reeve, Philip. Mortal engines.

REEVE, Philip. Mortal engines. (The Hungry City Chronicles.) Harper Collins. 373p. c2001. 0-06-008209-7. $6.99. JS *

To quote from the review of the hardcover in KLIATT, November 2003: The opening line of this SF novel sets the stage beautifully: "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." It's "town-eat-town" (also known as "Municipal Darwinism") in this bleak future world, as cities on the move hunt down other cities to loot. Orphaned Tom, age 15, is a lowly Apprentice Historian (Third Class) who lives in London as it roars around on huge caterpillar tracks. His idol is the Head Historian and famous archeologist, Thaddeus Valentine; it doesn't hurt that Valentine has a beautiful young daughter, Katherine. When a strange, scarred girl named Hester shows up and tries to stab Valentine, Tom tries to save him--only to have Valentine unexpectedly fling both of them off the moving city onto the ravaged bare earth. And so Tom's adventure begins, as he and Hester search for London and for Valentine, her reason for seeking vengeance is revealed, and they encounter a kind aviatrix who is really an agent for the Anti-Traction League, a pirate suburb, and a dreadful Stalker, part-man, part-machine. Meanwhile, Katherine and a helpful young engineer do some dangerous investigating aboard London as it seers to conquer the planet with a terrifying weapon.

This wildly imaginative British tale is full of marvelous details (e.g., "Neuvo-Mayan Battle Frisbee"), humor, and grand adventures. There are echoes of the Star Wars sagas and Raiders of the Lost Ark, as well as old-fashioned pirate tales. It all adds up to a wonderful if rather violent read; there are some grisly deaths. Fans of Philip Pullman's work will love this, as will all SF and fantasy readers. (An ALA Best Book for YAs) Paula Rohrlick, KLIATT