Review Detail

Thunder City by Philip Reeve is a standalone novel set in the world of Mortal Engines. I was so excited to see a new story set in this world. I first read Mortal Engines when I was in high school and fell in love with the dystopian, steampunk world. In this new story, we meet an interesting group of characters from all walks of life: a mercenary, a slave, a Revenant, an elite, an artist, and a middle-aged tutor. When the Traction City of Thorbury is overtaken by a rogue mercenary group and their mayor killed, its only hope is the a matronly tutor who embarks on a daring journey to bring the mayor’s son home.

Miss Torpenhow is in the middle of her tutoring session with Helen Angmering, the mayor’s daughter, when the city overtakes a small suburb, and in true Municipal Darwinism “eats” the town. However, this town came with a surprise, a group of mercenaries and a former citizen who is out to claim the town as his own. After witnessing the mayor’s murder at Strega’s hands, Miss Torpenhow embarks to Paris to bring Max, the mayor’s son, home to reclaim what is rightfully his.

In another part of the world, in a city built for amusement, Tamzin Pook is fighting daily for her life in the ring with Revenants. It isn’t unitl Miss Torpenhow shows up and aids in her escape that Tamzin finds that there is life outside of the ring, a life she didn’t know she wanted. Tamzin agrees to help Miss Torpenhow rescue Max who has been imprisoned “for his own sake.” And thus starts the adventure.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was so much fun to return to the Mortal Engines world. Prior to picking this one up, I did listen to the quartet on audiobook to immerse myself in the world. I love that Reeve introduces us to a new set of characters, a new city, and new experiences outside of the core characters from the original series. It was easy to jump right in and get swept away in the adventure and dangers of the world. Even if you are new to the series or haven’t read the originals, this one easily stands on its own.

Overall, I highly recommend Thunder City. It is a fast-paced adventure, full of thrills. The characters are fully fleshed out, and there is a beautiful found family created amongst them. For fans of the Moral Engines world or those who love a good dystopian, look no further than Thunder City.