Philip Reeve First Editions

4 Dec. 2002: Mortal Engines Shortlisted for Whitbread Prize and Winner of Gold Smarties Award
Autumn 2003. Mortal Engines awarded Blue Peter Book of The Year 2003.

"Mortal Engines"

Philip Reeve lives in a hamlet high above moorland in Devon. Enthusiasts of his first, much-acclaimed novel “Mortal Engines”, may wish to note that a traction-bound urban predator such as Tunbridge Wheels would experience some difficulty in overwhelming this remote spot.

Philip Reeve has been described as having a “startling imagination” and is clearly a man of many talents. While living in Brighton, he made amateur films, turning to illustration of children’s books to help fund this enthusiasm. He is already well known for his cartoon illustrations in the “Murderous Maths” and “Horrible Histories” series and is at present involved with others in the writing and promotion of a musical called “The Ministry of Biscuits”.

"Mortal Engines" has just won the Gold Smarties Award and is shortlisted for the children's Whitbread prize - a remarkable achievement for a debut novelist. The Whitbread results will be announced early in 2003.

Philip Reeve seems slightly surprised to learn of the extent of the success of “Mortal Engines”, although he admits he had heard friends and reviewers had found it impossible to find copies in bookshops for the first three weeks after publication. On mention of the book’s darker side - good does not always triumph over evil and the hero and heroine suffer – Reeve acknowledges that this has upset some readers, which he regrets, but says that he had not wished to compromise in this respect to achieve an artificially happy outcome. By the same token, his villains have redeeming features. This is a compelling book – a great adventure set in a wasteland dominated by urban predators. The first sentence admirably sets the scene:

“It was a dark, blustery afternoon in spring, and the city of London was chasing a small mining town across the dried-out bed of the old North Sea.”

“Mortal Engines”

by Philip Reeve

Philip Reeve
Predator's Gold
London, Scholastic, 2003.
Fine (unread) in Fine, protected dustjacket.
SIGNED by author on title page.
Promotional bookmark loosely laid in.

Reader's Review:
It is a common place in the literary world that an author’s best work is often contained in his debut book and that subsequent books decline in standard as publishers’ demands are striven for rather than excellence pursued. Here we have a denial of that trend.
Philip Reeve’s ‘Mortal Engines’ was a tale to enthrall readers of all ages. By refusing to capitulate to the tyranny of the deadline, Philip Reeve has produced a sequel that is not one wit the inferior of its predecessor.
The adventures of Tom and Hester are resumed as they enter the frozen wastes of the Arctic ice pack. Here mobile cities continue to prey upon each other. After a spell evading the hazards of the north in their airship they land on the moribund town of Anchorage which is engaged in a last, desperate bid for survival by heading towards the dead lands of North America. Rumour has it that there are untainted oases where they can rebuild their future.
The rest of the book is concerned with the many dangers encountered on the journey over the ice towards this legendary land, that may well not exist.
As always, Philip Reeve’s characters are exceptionally well drawn; his narrative compelling; and his attention to detail meticulous. Do not pick up "Predator's Gold" in the evening if you have anything to do the next day. RRJ

Reeve, Philip.

Mortal Engines.

London, Scholastic, 2001.

Fine in Fine, protected dustjacket.

Signed by author.

Scarce promotional postcard laid in.

Much acclaimed mechanistic fantasy winner of Gold Smarties Award, winner of Blue Peter Book of The Year and shortlisted for Whitbread award.

Reeve, Philip

A Darkling Plain

London, Scholastic, 2006

Fine (unread) in Fine dustjacket.

Signed by author.

Fourth and final book in the "Mortal Engines" series.  Winner of the 2006 Guardian Children's Fiction Award.

Reeve, Philip

Starcross

London, Bloomsbury, 2007.

Fine in illustrated boards (no dustjacket as issued). Hardback.

Signed by the author.

Second book in the Larklight series.

Reeve, Philip

Larklight

London, Bloomsbury, 2006

Fine in illustrated boards (no dustjacket as issued).

Signed by the author.

Reeve, Philip.

Mortal Engines.

London, Scholastic, 2001.

Fine as issued in Fine dustjacket.  Multi-award winning children's fantasy novel.