A review by thebooklovingpanda
Black Light Express by Philip Reeve

5.0

I originally gave this just under 5 stars as I was reeling from that ending; it was a perfect ending for this book but not for the series, and I 100% could NOT reconcile myself with that ending being the series conclusion.

Spoiler

That goodbye reminded me of when Lyra and Will from His Dark Materials were forced to separate, and I shall say no more because those who've read HDM will know how heartbreaking that was.

And thank the Lord Almighty that on 15 Jan 2018 I was delivered from my misery because BLEEEPING BLEEEPITY BLEEEEP THERE IS A SEQUEL I DROPPED EVERYTHING I WAS HOLDING WHEN I SAW THE NEWS holy smokeroni HAVE MY FIFTH STAR TAKE IT

So now let's move on to what I loved - I actually disliked nothing and think it was a great call to momentarily shift away from Zen and Nova's narrative and revisit the characters that [b:Railhead|23532981|Railhead|Philip Reeve|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1427709283s/23532981.jpg|43134636] left in the Great Network.

1. Sassy, badass, diverse characters that practically leap off the page in their realness. My new favourite is the GhostWolf loco, he(?)'s so sarcastic, self-assured and made me laugh out loud I LOVE IT. Threnody (another a character I love) said the GhostWolf was the bravest train she'd ever known and I agreeee I was proper sobbing in fear when he was in danger - tbh I did that for all the characters though, that's how attached to all of them I was. There was no character I didn't connect with, which, in a book with at least 7 main characters is very impressive. Should I also add that there's casual gender fluidity as well? (

Spoiler

The name Flex for that android makes more and more sense!

)

2. The plot twists. This was a thrilling ride, literally and figuratively. You get drawn in gradually, with building tension and unease then suddenly SHIT WENT DOWN. It also lulls you into a false, VERY FALSE sense of security and then BOOM more shit descendeth. And the plot wound and darkened and more terrifying as it went on, which was super gripping to read.

3. The spectacular world-building. In [b:Railhead|23532981|Railhead|Philip Reeve|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1427709283s/23532981.jpg|43134636], it was already incredible, and Reeve has extended it even further with new worlds beyond the Great Network! Aliens, different cultures, wondrous new planets - ARGH I loved it!!

4. The freaking PURE AF OTPS that I will ship until I die. Zen and the android Nova ended me so many times, as though [b:Railhead|23532981|Railhead|Philip Reeve|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1427709283s/23532981.jpg|43134636] didn't do that enough.

...the light of all those nameless stars spilled on the bed where Nova lay holding Zen. If he had turned his head he could have watched star-gardens glowing in the sky and water, but he could not look away from her face. The light of a thousand suns and suns-to-be brushed her too-wide mouth and shone in her not-quite eyes.

I actually can't deal, their relationship arc throughout the two books was stellar but oh my lord it hurt me.

Me @ that ending:

Can I also just mention Malik and his boyfriend Mordaunt 90 - an emotional rollercoaster, that one.

5. Full on belly laughs. This book is chock-full of humour. Even the Glossary managed to elicit a giggle:

Mordaunt 90 Network famously liked to appear as a centaur, while Vohu Manu would sometimes arrive in the guise of a small flying dog named Pugasus.

Basically, this book is amazing and I hate how underrated it is!! It's not hard to read but did make me think, laugh, cry and wonder - everything I've ever wanted from a book!