Philip Reeve is the British author of several well-received fantasy and science-fiction books. He is a notable writer of Young Adult Literature, though many of his works — especially Mortal Engines — can certainly be enjoyed by adults as well.
His works include:
- Mortal Engines (2001-2006) novels and their prequel series, Fever Crumb (2009-2011).
- Larklight (2006-2008), a series of young adult sci-fi/fantasy books; it is Lighter and Softer than Mortal Engines, and perhaps appropriate for a slightly younger audience, but shares several themes, and a certain quintessential British-ness.
- Here Lies Arthur (2007), a historical fiction YA novel.
- No Such Thing As Dragons (2009)
- "The Roots of Evil", Doctor Who: 11 Doctors 11 Stories (2013)
- Railhead (2015-2018), a trilogy of Post-Cyberpunk sci-fi novels about trains IN SPACE!! that occupies a middle ground on the Sliding Scale of Cynicism Versus Idealism, being cheerier than the infamously bleak Mortal Engines but retaining some darker and more mature themes.
Tropes commonly seen in Reeve's work include:
- Action Girl: Hester in Mortal Engines is an excellent example, and far more inclined to action than most of the male characters; the titular protagonist in Fever Crumb has her moments as well, though she is more of an intellectual. Some characters in Larklight also fit here, although in those books they are found more in the supporting cast. Also found in the Railhead books, and certainly in Here Lies Arthur.
- Diesel Punk: Reeve's stories can sometimes be mistaken for Steampunk, but really they fit better here. The giant mobile cities in Mortal Engines have this aesthetic, and, to some extent, so do the trains in Railhead. Larklight is a bit closer to Steampunk in setting, but really mostly ends up doing its own thing.
- Sliding Scale of Gender Inequality: Reeve's work tends to lean to the "Men are More Equal" side of things, as most of the societies Reeve imagines in his books do tend to be more male-dominated, but he also writes plenty of female characters who are willing to challenge the status quo. In Mortal Engines, women are shown filling all the same roles as men, including as political leaders, scientists, and soldiers; however, men still seem to be more common in more traditionally masculine jobs. Larklight is set in a quasi-Victorian British Empire with spaceships, and women are generally expected to fill more traditional roles, but a few characters break with tradition, and gender equality is discussed. Notably, Here Lies Arthur re-interprets the ancient tale of Arthur in a way that gives a female character quite a bit of importance.
- Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism: Generally Reeve's work tends to be more cynical. Mortal Engines is quite gritty, but even the lighter-and-softer Larklight books still portray a fair amount of cynicism, such as when they parody British Imperialism.
