Reviews for Philip Reeve's Mortal Engines highlight its imaginative world-building and fast-paced narrative as major strengths. Readers appreciate the unique concept of mobile cities, vivid descriptions, and engaging characters. However, some criticize predictable plot elements and a reliance on familiar genre tropes. Overall, it’s noted as an inventive and thrilling read.

Fans of dystopian and steampunk genres will enjoy Philip Reeve's Mortal Engines. Readers who appreciate the adventurous spirit of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials or the imaginative world-building of Suzanne Collins's The Hunger Games will find themselves captivated by the novel's intricate landscapes and dynamic characters.

In Philip Reeve's Mortal Engines, 15-year-old Tom Natsworthy, an apprentice historian in the traction city of London, is thrust into an adventure after a chance encounter with Hester Shaw, a scarred girl seeking revenge. As they uncover dark secrets about London's leaders and their plans to use a deadly weapon, Tom and Hester must navigate a treacherous dystopian Europe to prevent a catastrophic war.

London, Great Hunting Ground / Distant future

Adventurous / Fantastical / Suspenseful / Dark / Mysterious

- Mortal Engines, published in 2001, was Philip Reeve's debut novel and quickly gained attention for its unique premise of cities on wheels, launching the popular quartet known as the Mortal Engines series.
- The term "Municipal Darwinism" coined in the book reflects a satirical twist on Darwin's evolutionary theory, applied to the world within the story where entire cities prey on smaller ones in a literal survival of the fittest.
- The novel received the 2002 Nestlé Smarties Book Prize, showcasing Reeve's talent for engaging young adult readers with imaginative and thought-provoking storytelling.

**Tom Natsworthy**  
Tom is the main protagonist, starting as a friendless orphan whose journey throughout the novel helps him learn about the world beyond his initial perspectives.

**Hester Shaw**  
Hester is a character with a prominent facial scar that drives her motives for much of the story, and her interactions with other characters lead her to openness and personal growth.

**Thaddeus Valentine**  
Valentine is a charismatic and ambitious antagonist, whose past and present actions impact the lives of several central characters.

**Katherine Valentine**  
Katherine is Valentine’s daughter, who starts the story in a life of comfort but evolves in her understanding of the world and those around her.

**Magnus Crome**  
Crome is the authoritative Lord Mayor of London and represents the novel's main threats through his unyielding quest for power.

**Anna Fang**  
Anna is a skilled pilot who stands against the moving cities and influences the protagonist’s journey with her perspective.

**Grike**  
Grike is the last existing Stalker, linked to Hester’s past, and plays a significant role in her emotional journey.

**Bevis Pod**  
Bevis is an apprentice Engineer from the lower tiers of London, whose experiences highlight the inequalities within the city's society.

**Chudleigh Pomeroy**  
Pomeroy is the Deputy Director of the Guild of Historians who assists in crucial events towards the story's climax.

**Pandora Shaw**  
Although deceased, Pandora is a significant figure whose past actions and connections influence several key plot points and characters' motivations.

Philip Reeve

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Mortal Engines Quartet

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Mortal Engines Summary and Study Guide

Background

Mortal Engines Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1, Chapters 1-4

Mortal Engines Part 1, Chapters 1-4 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 5-8

Mortal Engines Part 1, Chapters 5-8 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 9-12

Mortal Engines Part 1, Chapters 9-12 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 13-16

Mortal Engines Part 1, Chapters 13-16 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 17-18

Mortal Engines Part 1, Chapters 17-18 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 19-23

Mortal Engines Part 1, Chapters 19-23 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 24-26

Mortal Engines Part 2, Chapters 24-26 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 27-30

Mortal Engines Part 2, Chapters 27-30 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 31-34

Mortal Engines Part 2, Chapters 31-34 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 35-37

Mortal Engines Part 2, Chapters 35-37 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

Mortal Engines Character Analysis

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Themes

Mortal Engines Themes

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Mortal Engines Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Mortal Engines Important Quotes

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Mortal Engines Essay Topics

Mortal Engines

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