Predator's Gold

Reeve, Philip. 2003. Predator's Gold. HarperCollins, 325 pages.

Freya awoke early and lay for a while in the dark, feeling her city shiver and sway beneath her as its powerful engines sent it skimming across the ice. Sleepily, she waited for her servants to come and help her out of bed. It took her a few moments to remember that they were all dead.

Predator's Gold is the sequel to The Mortal Engines. It continues the story of Tom and Hester; it's been two years since the destruction of London and the pair's close call. Never wanting to lead a dull life--well, Hester sure doesn't!--the two are always seeking one adventure after another. And adventure is what they find when their fate leads them to the city of Anchorage. Anchorage, like London, is a city on the move. Though to clarify, they're not seeking to destroy other cities, they want merely to survive. Led by a young teen girl, Anchorage has seen better days and then some.

This is a completely new adventure with mostly new characters. It was fun. It was funny. Much funnier than The Mortal Engines. Just the way the story is written--the narrative style--is comical. Such as the names he has for his characters. They're just really something. Completely unique. I guess you'll have to take my word on that!

One of my favorite things about Predator's Gold was the introduction of Professor Nimrod B. Pennyroyal, an alternate "historian" who tells stories of his encounters with the American natives Machine Washable, Allow Twelve Days For Delivery, and Zip Code. Then again, I also liked the very minor character of Widgery Blinkoe and his five wives. And Caul, that little burglar with a big heart, was a pleasure to get to know.

There was so much to love. It's entertaining and satisfying.

© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews