Profile: Philip Reeve author of Mortal Engines and Railhead

Philip Reeve is an award-winning British author and illustrator, celebrated for his vast, imaginative worlds and intricate storytelling. While best known for his epic Mortal Engines series, his body of work spans whimsical steampunk space operas, futuristic railway adventures, and charmingly illustrated children's books. He was born on February 28, 1966, in Brighton, England.

Early Life and Illustration Career

Reeve grew up in Devon, England, and honed his artistic talents studying illustration at Camberwell College of Arts. Before becoming a full-time novelist, he had a successful career as an illustrator and cartoonist. Notably, he contributed his skills to the hugely popular Horrible Histories book series, giving his work a foundation in making history accessible and engaging, a skill that would later define his writing.

The Mortal Engines Saga

Reeve burst onto the literary scene with his debut novel, Mortal Engines, published in 2001. The book introduced the world to the stunningly original concept of Municipal Darwinism, a post-apocalyptic future where entire cities are mounted on wheels and prey upon one another for resources. The Mortal Engines quartet became a global phenomenon, winning numerous awards, including the Nestlé Children's Book Prize and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize.

The saga was adapted into a feature film in 2018 by filmmaker Peter Jackson. While the movie received mixed reviews, it was widely praised for its stunning visual effects and faithful production design, bringing Reeve's world to a new audience. The universe was further expanded with the excellent Fever Crumb prequel trilogy and the Night Flights companion stories.

Other Worlds and Collaborations

Beyond the world of traction cities, Reeve has crafted several other beloved series. The Larklight trilogy is a whimsical steampunk adventure set in a Victorian-era solar system, blending history with imaginative space fantasy. The Railhead trilogy offers a more futuristic vision, set in a galaxy connected by a vast network of interstellar railways controlled by artificial intelligences.

In recent years, Reeve has also embarked on a highly successful collaboration with author and illustrator Sarah McIntyre. Together, they have created a series of joyful, hilarious, and heavily illustrated books for younger readers, such as Oliver and the Seawigs and The Legend of Kevin, showcasing his versatility and sense of humor.

Themes and Lasting Impact

Reeve's writing has been praised for its imaginative world-building, strong characters, and compelling storytelling. His books often tackle complex themes, such as the long shadow of history, environmental collapse, the dangers of ideology, and class warfare, making them resonate with both young and adult readers. He currently lives in Dartmoor, Devon, with his wife and son. His twitter feed is great!

Philip Reeve Books in Chronological Order

Here is a corrected list of Philip Reeve's major book series, organized by the publication date of the first book in each series.

The Mortal Engines Quartet

1. Mortal Engines (2001)
2. Predator's Gold (2003)
3. Infernal Devices (2005)
4. A Darkling Plain (2006)

The Larklight Trilogy

1. Larklight (2006)
2. Starcross (2007)
3. Mothstorm (2008)

The Fever Crumb Trilogy (Mortal Engines Prequels)

1. Fever Crumb (2009)
2. A Web of Air (2010)
3. Scrivener's Moon (2011)

The Railhead Trilogy

1. Railhead (2015)
2. Black Light Express (2016)
3. Station Zero (2018)

Other Mortal Engines Universe Books

• Night Flights (2018) - *A collection of short stories.*

(Note: This list focuses on his major series. Reeve has also written numerous standalone novels and illustrated books for younger readers.)

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