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Tuesday, May 30, 2006 Mortal Engines This is a book that i would recommend to everyone. It is technically a book for children but I think it's suitable for all ages. It was also shortlisted for the Whitbread Children's book of the year. The setting is a futuristic one in which there are moving cities, known as Traction Citys. It had been years after the Sixty Minute War in which much of the Earth had been devastated. Our first hero of the story is Tom Natsworthy, an apprentice in the Guild of Historians. He foils an assassination attempt on Thaddeus Valentine, a beloved hero of London. The assassin managed to evade capture and leapt off London. Unexpectedly, Tom was pushed off the city by his idol, Valentine. Still in shock, Tom decided to pursue his home city together with the disfigured assassin, Hester Shaw who claimed Valentine killed her parents. Along the way, they met Feng Hua, a charming woman who took them along onboard her airship, the Jenny Haniver. The trio were attacked by a Stalker, a resurrected killer at the aircity of Airhaven. Hester and Tom escaped by an balloon only to find themselves still being chased by the Stalker named Shrike. In a parallel storyline, Katherine, daughter of Valentine(Head Historian) is determined to find out why Hester Shaw wishes to kill her father. With the help of Apprentice engineer Pod, she uncovered dark secrets about Valentine. He had murdered Hester's parents in order to steal a important component of MEDUSA. Hester had surprised him that night and Valentine had lashed out blindly at her, thinking her dead. Katherine was further shaken when her father told him that all he did was so that Katherine would be able to live like a high born lady. London witnessed the destructive power of MEDUSA when it was used against Panzerstadt-Bayreuth, a much larger city which was chasing London. Katherine was horrified to find the people of London cheering wildly at the huge number of dead caused by MEDUSA and vowed to destroy the weapon. Meanwhile, Tom and Hester were reunited with Feng Hua who revealed herself as an agent of the Anti-Traction League. They quickly travelled to Batmunk Gompa, to warn the people about incoming London, who intended to breach the Shield Wall with MEDUSA and feed on the cities behind it. Valentine had snuck into the city undetected and managed to destroy the Air Fleet which was the only protection the League had against London. Feng Hua arrived too late to save the Fleet but welcomed the chance to face off against "London's greatest agent, Valentine". In a climatic battle, she defeated Valentine. Sadly, however, Valentine tricked her and ran her through without hesitation. Tom saw Feng Hua's death and swore to avenge her. Together with Hester, he set off in the Jenny Haniver for London. The Mayor of London discovered Katherine's plans and sent in his security force to capture her. They had underestimated the Historians who rallied to her defence and killed the Engineers. They sent her on her way to MEDUSA and promised to hold the Engineers at bay for as long as they can. After landing Hester on London, Tom was attacked by the 13th Floor Elevator, crewed by Valentine's men. He managed to shoot it down but in a sick twist of fate(Mortal Engines is full of it, I assure you) it crashes down on London, killing Pod. With her best friend dead, Katherine soldiered on toward MEDUSA. Hester was detected and captured by Stalkers who brought her to the Mayor, at MEDUSA. Watching from the shadows, Katherine saw Hester and heard the Mayor order Valentine to kill her. On impulse, she dashed out and threw herself in front of Hester, taking the thrust meant for her. With her dying breath, Katherine fufilled her mission of destroying MEDUSA. Valentine and Hester, enemies united by a common cause, fled the area to seek the Jenny Haniver, which had a medical bay that was Katherine's last chance of survival. Unfortunately, she died before help arrived and only Hester escaped onboard the airship. |
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