Product Description

The author of the best-selling and critically beloved Mortal Engines quartet has written a stunning prequel. Fever Crumb is set a generation before the events of Mortal Engines, when cities are just beginning to devour each other. Is the mystery of Fever, adoped daughter of Dr Crumb, the key to the secret that lies at the heart of London?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3314 in Books
• Published on: 2009-05-04
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 336 pages

Customer Reviews

Great book, but not the best
Fever Crumb is a great book... with a rather silly name.

And I think that's probably the most disappointing part of the book. The others in the series are named Mortal Engines (taken from Othello), Predators Gold, Infernal Devices and A Darkling Plain (from a Matthew Arnold poem) which I believe are all great titles, yet Fever Crumb sounds a bit silly when compared.

However, as this is not a direct prequel and more just a book set in the same world I don't suppose it matters that much.

Fever Crumb is the main character in the book and it is her quest to find out who she really is. Along the way she will meet murderous Skinners (a group who helped over throw the previous dictatorship of the 'patchskins') insane Stalkers (cyborg soldiers) and the first of the Traction Cities.

Fast paced and full of action Fever Crumb is not a book that is easy to put down, but truth be told you probably wont need to put it down as it is sadly quite short. Fever is likeable, as are the other good characters, whilst the baddies are suitably frightening, but I cant help but feel its aimed at a slightly younger audience than the previous 4.

All in all this is a fun and exciting book which, although not as good as the other 4, is still a worthy addition to the series.

Crumbs- this is good
Having considered the Mortal Engines quartet to be as good as Philip Pullmans work, I was a little concerned a prequel might be a marketing mans idea- Mortal Engines really extends the range of what childrens fiction can do so why on earth cash in with a prequel "set centuries before the events of Mortal Engines". I am delighted to say my fears were unfounded. Reeve's new book is a wonderfully witty but also haunting and elegiac story that manages both to tell a rip-roaring, well paced story whilst also creating a world his readers will recognize and another fabulous set of characters that come off the page with real verve and drive. There are great jokes that will please his adult readers as well as colour and excitement aplenty for younger fans. Fever Crumb has an almost Dickensian resonance, whilst also managing to combine adventure, comedy and sure footed plotting with an ease that still astounds. Philip Reeve can be proud of his achievement. The prequel label ignores the fact that the story stands up in its own right and is a worthy introduction to the rest of the books. Crumbs, its good. My only caveat is the hardback editions huge hole on the cover which is rough to the hand and makes the book occasionally difficult to hold...however, there are no holes in the storytelling- Fever Crumb rocks!

Great prequel
I was slightly worried on buying this prequel that i'd be disappointed, and that it would ruin the rest of the quartet for me. Luckily I needn't have worried. Fever Crumb rose to all my expectations. The characters were interesting, funny and likeable and the plot exciting and fast paced. Finally, we learn about the rise of the traction city, and the origins of Shrike. I hope Reeve writes another book about the traction cities.