About the Author

Philip Reeve wrote his first story when he was just five years old, about a spaceman named Spike and his dog, Spook. Philip has continued writing and dreaming up adventures and is now the acclaimed author of the Mortal Engines series, the Fever Crumb series, Here Lies Author (2008 Carnegie Medal Winner), and many other exciting tales. Born and raised in Brighton, England, Philip first worked as a cartoonist and illustrator before pursuing a career as an author. He lives in Dartmoor with his wife, Sarah, and their son, Sam.

Reviews

Reeve's planet-hopping Railhead (2016) ended dramatically with the opening of a new, interstellar train gateway, and this gripping sequel picks up as Nova (an androidlike Motorik) and thief Zen Starling emerge from it onto a new, previously disconnected world. . . .Action, imagination, and political intrigue pervade this book, but its most fascinating aspect is the gradually revealed mythology surrounding the Railmakers and Guardians--both godlike machine intelligences. A breathless, thought-provoking read in a series that shows no signs of losing steam.-- "Booklist Online"

STARRED REVIEW! As the narrative unfurls, the tangle of truth about the origin and control of the rails and K-gates is just as exciting as the hunt itself. The worlds and their inhabitants--track-building worms, delightfully aggressive retired war trains, unapologetic evildoers, and insects and multiple other nonhuman creatures--are distinct and crystal clear. . . .For fans of fantasy adventure, especially those who are new to the genre.-- "School Library Jouirnal"

This book, like RAILHEAD, moves at breakneck speed at times, and Reeves does an excellent job of bouncing back and forth between the different story lines, keeping each going and you interested so you never forget what was happening, all the time bringing the story lines together like different train lines connecting cities across the country. . . .I loved this book as much as the first, and I know this because, as with the first book, I was truly sad when the book ended. . . .The minds and personalities Reeves developed for the trains is as cool as the organic beings he has created. An awesome story that I hope goes on, and I believe you will enjoy. Highly recommended.-- "Critical Blast"