Infernal Devices (Reeve novel) facts for kids

Infernal Devices is the third book in the exciting Mortal Engines Quartet series, written by the talented author Philip Reeve. It was first published in 2005. This book continues the thrilling adventures of characters in a future world where entire cities move on giant wheels!

What is Infernal Devices About?

This book takes you deeper into a unique world where cities are like huge machines, constantly moving and sometimes even "eating" smaller towns. It's a world changed by a terrible event called the Sixty Minute War. The story follows the adventures of young heroes trying to survive and find their place in this strange future.

The World of Traction Cities

In the Mortal Engines series, cities are called Traction Cities. They are built on huge tracks or wheels and move across the land. These cities often hunt and capture smaller towns for their resources, a process known as Municipal Darwinism. This creates a dangerous and exciting setting for the characters.

Main Characters and Their Journey

The story of Infernal Devices focuses on several key characters:

• Tom Natsworthy and Hester Shaw: They are two main characters from the earlier books. They have built a new life for themselves, but danger always seems to find them.
• Wren Natsworthy: She is Tom and Hester's daughter. Wren is adventurous and curious, often getting into trouble as she explores the world.
• Theo Ngoni: A young pilot from the Anti-Traction League, a group that believes cities should stay still. He becomes an important friend and ally to Wren.

Their journey in Infernal Devices involves facing new threats and making difficult choices. They travel across vast, dangerous landscapes, meeting new friends and enemies along the way.

The Green Storm and Dangerous Machines

A major part of the story involves a powerful group called the Green Storm. This group wants to stop the moving cities and bring peace to the world, but they use extreme methods. The "Infernal Devices" in the title refer to dangerous, ancient machines that could cause a lot of destruction. The characters must try to understand these devices and prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.

Themes in the Book

Infernal Devices explores several important ideas:

• Survival: The characters are always trying to survive in a harsh world.
• Family and Friendship: The book shows how important family bonds and loyal friendships are, even when things are tough.
• Technology and Its Dangers: It makes you think about how powerful old technology can be and the problems it can cause if misused.
• War and Peace: The story looks at different ideas about how to achieve peace and whether violence is ever the answer.

Philip Reeve tells this story with lots of action and suspense, making it a thrilling read for anyone who loves adventure and science fiction.