Reviews

Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve

tomasthanes's review against another edition

4.0

For a book that seems like a "quick read" (it's over 300 pages) and maybe "YA", [b:Mortal Engines|287861|Mortal Engines (The Hungry City Chronicles, #1)|Philip Reeve|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1352173057s/287861.jpg|3981652] by [a:Philip Reeve|27379|Philip Reeve|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1436868938p2/27379.jpg] has a LOT of world building in place. Very thorough and very enjoyable. There are a lot of details inside of each "predator city" as well as on the ground. Different cultures and the ruins of our civilization. It seems like most of the oceans are gone. Oh, and airships and androids ("resurrected men")! I recommend this book.

It's the first book in a ("Predator Cities") series of four books.

artpsycho's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

breamfish1138's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Started reading this because I wanted a nostalgia hit, thinking it would be a blast back to my childhood. Ended up questioning everything at 1:15 at night. Highly recommended if you like grimdark/dystopia.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Colonisation, Abandonment, Animal death, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Violence, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Blood, Body shaming, Child abuse, Classism, Genocide, Gore, Murder, Misogyny, Gun violence, Mental illness, War, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Self harm, Racism, Slavery, and Suicidal thoughts

This is bleak AF, particularly

the ending, which is heartbreaking and feels downright apocalyptic.

anelson2024's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

wondernikel's review against another edition

3.0

Nice beginning to a machine driven dystopia quartet...Definitely, enjoyed the characters. The storyline they follow is no different than any other dystopia set. The backbone is decent! Not a bad way to spend a few hours!

jaimiedorea10's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny fast-paced

4.5

Wow. Very fun read. Good story with lots of good world building and character development. Unexpectedly funny too with great side characters. Was not expecting that ending. Definitely want to read the next one. watched the movie like a month ago and it was so bad compared to this. Peter Jackson should have just stuck to the plot.

janeylane5's review against another edition

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

pied_piper's review

adventurous tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

ataraxiara's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

melissa_bookworm's review against another edition

3.0

I didn't really connect with this one. It was just 'okay'. The concept of traction cities was interesting as well as the 'eating' of other cities. Might go into more detail later, it didn't blow me away.