Night Flights is an essential and captivating short story collection by Philip Reeve, offering a crucial, multi-faceted portrait of one of the most legendary characters in the Mortal Engines universe: the fierce aviatrix Anna Fang. Published by Scholastic Press in 2018, these three stories bridge the gaps in Anna's history, showing her evolution from a hunted slave to a cunning spy and finally to a ruthless political operative. It is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the woman behind the myth.
"Frozen Heart" - The Origin
The first story provides the brutal origin that the main novels only hinted at. We meet a young Anna as a slave on the frozen, predator city of Arkangel. She is the property of the cruel Under-Guildmaster Stilton, who uses her as a disposable pilot for his air-yacht. Reeve vividly portrays the hopelessness of her situation and the cold fury that builds within her. Her daring escape, which involves stealing the very airship that will become the famous *Jenny Haniver*, is not just a thrilling action sequence; it is the forging of her moral compass. This experience establishes the deep-seated hatred of Municipal Darwinism and the unwavering will that drives her to join the Anti-Traction League.
"Traction City Blues" - The Spy
The second story leaps forward, showcasing a very different Anna Fang. Here, she is an accomplished Anti-Traction League agent, infiltrating the heart of her enemy: London itself. Posing as a wealthy socialite, her mission is to gather intelligence on Thaddeus Valentine and his work on the city-killing superweapon, MEDUSA. The story takes on a noir-style tension as Anna plays a dangerous game of wits with London's authorities and has a chilling encounter with one of their "Resurrected Men," a relentless Stalker. This tale demonstrates Anna's cunning, her resourcefulness under pressure, and her ability to navigate the complex social webs of the great predator cities.
"Teeth of the Sea" - The Operative
The final story is a self-contained adventure that tests Anna's ideology. She is dispatched by the League to the island of Pulau Pinang to assassinate its Sultana, who, while officially neutral, is secretly supplying traction cities with slaves and resources. This mission forces Anna to confront the dirty work required to fight a war. Her moral compass is her own, and she must decide if a political assassination is a justifiable act for the greater good. It is a quick but exciting romp that shows her at her most capable and highlights the morally grey choices required of a leader in wartime.
Acclaim for a Legendary Heroine
Night Flights has received high praise from reviewers and won the Locus Award for Best Young Adult Book in 2019. The Guardian called it "A brilliantly realised addition to Reeve's Mortal Engines universe," while Kirkus Reviews described it as "a gripping trio of tales that showcases Anna Fang's fierce determination and cunning intelligence." The accolades are well-deserved, as the collection expertly crafts a complete and compelling arc for its central character.
In conclusion, Night Flights is an outstanding collection that showcases Reeve's mastery of storytelling. More than just extra adventures, these stories are essential for understanding the unwavering, sometimes ruthless, dedication of Anna Fang. It is a must-read for fans of the Mortal Engines series who want to witness the forging of a legend.
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