Philip Reeve returns with ‘Bridge of Storms’
Children’s author Philip Reeve, known for his acclaimed Mortal Engines series, is back with a new installment titled Bridge of Storms, which is set for release on February 12. The sequel to Thunder City delves into a historical context 100 years prior, maintaining the dystopian themes for which Reeve is famous, reports BritPanorama.
Reeve, now 59, has spent 25 years publishing the Mortal Engines series, which began with the first book in 2001. His works feature a world where massive “traction cities” traverse a post-apocalyptic landscape, absorbing smaller settlements under the concept of Municipal Darwinism. The series has sold over half a million copies in the UK and expanded into various spin-offs, including Fever Crumb and Thunder City.
Despite the significant success, Reeve has remained largely out of the public eye, preferring to focus on his writing from his garden shed rather than engaging with the broader publishing community. “I’m not really part of [that world],” he states, emphasizing his intention to create without distraction. His latest book revisits familiar characters such as Tamzin Pook and the robotic “revenant,” Vespertine, who aim to protect the quaint yet vulnerable city of Museion.
The narrative unfolds as the protagonists navigate a deal to integrate Museion with London, aiming to evade extinction at the hands of more aggressive forces. The tale blends a whimsical yet serious landscape, where Reeve shows his talent for balancing hilarity and tension throughout the story’s progression.
Reviews of Reeve’s work highlight his ability to engage through comedy and lighthearted dialogue, while also embedding thoughtful commentary about knowledge as a precious entity in the current climate of misinformation. “I want to be entertained and taken away from the real world and its problems,” Reeve remarks on his approach to storytelling.
Additionally, Reeve reflects on personal themes that underlie his literature. He acknowledges a “wistful” quality to his writing, indicating a sense of loss amid his fictional worlds. As someone who shares his home in Devon with his wife, Sarah, he values nostalgia and the memories tied to his creations.
Having explored various genres beyond the Mortal Engines series, Reeve’s other works, including his Carnegie Medal-winning Here Lies Arthur, demonstrate his breadth as a writer. He continues to draw on both personal experiences and broader literary influences as he develops new stories.
The formation of Reeve’s signature world began with a fleeting thought inspired by the Apollo Moon landings in 1989, evolving into the intricate universe that fans have come to love. His ongoing commitment to storytelling speaks both to market demands and his own creative passion, ensuring that readers will be anxious for his next explorations beyond the Atlantic.
Bridge of Storms is anticipated as another highlight in Reeve’s body of work, reassuring fans that his unique blend of imagination and authenticity endures.
