The Great Network is an ancient web of routes and gates, where sentient trains can take you anywhere in the galaxy in the blink of an eye. Zen Starling is a nobody. A petty thief from the filthy streets of Thunder City who aimlessly rides the rails of the Network. So when the mysterious stranger Raven offers Zen a chance to escape the squalor of the city and live the rest of his days in luxury, Zen can’t believe his luck. All he has to do is steal one small box from the Emperor’s train with the help of Nova, an android girl. But the Great Network is a hazardous mess of twists and turns, and that little box just might bring everything in this galaxy — and the next — to the end of the line. The highly anticipated novel from Carnegie-medal-winning author Philip Reeve, Railhead is a fast, immersive, and heart-pounding ride perfect for any sci-fi fan. Step aboard — the universe is waiting.
**
Amazon.com Review
“Starlight Express meets Trainspotting—as run through Reeve's fertile imagination. Imagine: a world where solar systems are connected by mysterious train tracks. Onboard, you can rocket light-years in an instant, planet to planet, although some are mined-out wastelands and all are controlled by corporate families now that the Guardians—godlike Old Earth artificial intelligence—stay in the Datasea. Petty thief Zen Starling doesn't think much of Guardians or corporate families; he does what he needs to to support his family. But when Raven, a strange pale man in a world where shades of brown are the norm for humanity, recruits him, Zen (with Motorik companion Nova, upgraded into an individual) finds himself impersonating a member of the Emperor's family, stealing an ancient treasure, and possibly inciting world war. Reeve's writing never flags, with moments of pathos and magic seamlessly interwoven. Dozens of characters collide—the sentient trains; the Motorik; the Emperor's daughter Threnody and her boring but stalwart betrothed; Hive Monks; the Railforce agent who has tracked Raven across lifetimes—each one nearly as fascinating as the world Reeve has created (don't miss the glossary at the end). As he did with the Mortal Engines series, Reeve has crafted something at once weirdly familiar and marvelously original. Thank the stars there's at least one sequel planned already. (Science fiction. 12 & up)” – Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
Review
'There is plenty here to please fans: vivid world-building, extraordinary beings and a story of epic proportions.' Fiona Noble, The Bookseller 'There were so many other extraordinary beings and imaginative details that pulled together to create a thrilling ride into a whimsical futuristic world.' Library4Deliquents 'This book was so good; I loved every second of it.' Megan Chambers, age 14, for lovereading4kids.co.uk 'A stand-out book in the overcrowded modern sci-fi genre, Railhead is an utterly brilliant and original story.' Louisa Cunliffe, age 18, for lovereading4kids.co.uk '...satisfying, twisting and turning without losing momentum' Brosencrantz blog '...the emotions of the characters (even the robot who wants freckles) draws you in wholeheartedly. Railhead is superb.' Martin Chilton, The Telegraph in 'The Best Young Adult Books of 2015' '...this novel may be the stand out sci-fi novel of the year.' Starburst Magazine 'It's a must read for sci-fi fans!' Minion Potter, The Guardian 'an electrifying triumph' 'Staff Picks', Mail Bookshop 'it's an adrenaline ride that takes the reader through multiple emotions' MinervaReads Book Blog 'Its greatest pleasures are its details, which are as richly imagined as in the best adult science fiction' SF Said, The Guardian 'Philip Reeve has again created a detailed, plausible new world in Railhead ... may well be up there with the world he created in his Mortal Engines quartet' Toby Clements, The Daily Telegraph, Selected as Editor's Choice and one of the best books for Christmas 2015 'a futuristic vision that enthrals and chills' Suzi Feay, The Financial Times 'Scope and potential fizz and pop' Catholic Universe 'Philip Reeve ... creates another of his extraordinary imaginary worlds, this time for teenagers' The Oldie 'A futuristic vision that enthrals and thrills' Suzi Feay, The Financial Times online 'The world itself is magnetic' Ella Walker, Evening Echo (Cork) --Evening Echo
Starlight Express meets Trainspotting as run through Reeve's fertile imagination. Imagine: a world where solar systems are connected by mysterious train tracks. Onboard, you can rocket light-years in an instant, planet to planet, although some are mined-out wastelands and all are controlled by corporate families now that the Guardians godlike Old Earth artificial intelligence stay in the Datasea. Petty thief Zen Starling doesn't think much of Guardians or corporate families; he does what he needs to to support his family. But when Raven, a strange pale man in a world where shades of brown are the norm for humanity, recruits him, Zen (with Motorik companion Nova, upgraded into an individual) finds himself impersonating a member of the Emperor's family, stealing an ancient treasure, and possibly inciting world war. Reeve's writing never flags, with moments of pathos and magic seamlessly interwoven. Dozens of characters collide the sentient trains; the Motorik; the Emperor's daughter Threnody and her boring but stalwart betrothed; Hive Monks; the Railforce agent who has tracked Raven across lifetimes each one nearly as fascinating as the world Reeve has created (don't miss the glossary at the end). As he did with the Mortal Engines series, Reeve has crafted something at once weirdly familiar and marvelously original. Thank the stars there's at least one sequel planned already. (Science fiction. 12 & up) --Kirkus Reviews
Description:
The Great Network is an ancient web of routes and gates, where sentient trains can take you anywhere in the galaxy in the blink of an eye. Zen Starling is a nobody. A petty thief from the filthy streets of Thunder City who aimlessly rides the rails of the Network. So when the mysterious stranger Raven offers Zen a chance to escape the squalor of the city and live the rest of his days in luxury, Zen can’t believe his luck. All he has to do is steal one small box from the Emperor’s train with the help of Nova, an android girl. But the Great Network is a hazardous mess of twists and turns, and that little box just might bring everything in this galaxy — and the next — to the end of the line. The highly anticipated novel from Carnegie-medal-winning author Philip Reeve, Railhead is a fast, immersive, and heart-pounding ride perfect for any sci-fi fan. Step aboard — the universe is waiting.
**
Amazon.com Review
“Starlight Express meets Trainspotting—as run through Reeve's fertile imagination. Imagine: a world where solar systems are connected by mysterious train tracks. Onboard, you can rocket light-years in an instant, planet to planet, although some are mined-out wastelands and all are controlled by corporate families now that the Guardians—godlike Old Earth artificial intelligence—stay in the Datasea. Petty thief Zen Starling doesn't think much of Guardians or corporate families; he does what he needs to to support his family. But when Raven, a strange pale man in a world where shades of brown are the norm for humanity, recruits him, Zen (with Motorik companion Nova, upgraded into an individual) finds himself impersonating a member of the Emperor's family, stealing an ancient treasure, and possibly inciting world war. Reeve's writing never flags, with moments of pathos and magic seamlessly interwoven. Dozens of characters collide—the sentient trains; the Motorik; the Emperor's daughter Threnody and her boring but stalwart betrothed; Hive Monks; the Railforce agent who has tracked Raven across lifetimes—each one nearly as fascinating as the world Reeve has created (don't miss the glossary at the end). As he did with the Mortal Engines series, Reeve has crafted something at once weirdly familiar and marvelously original. Thank the stars there's at least one sequel planned already. (Science fiction. 12 & up)” – Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
Review
'There is plenty here to please fans: vivid world-building, extraordinary beings and a story of epic proportions.' Fiona Noble, The Bookseller 'There were so many other extraordinary beings and imaginative details that pulled together to create a thrilling ride into a whimsical futuristic world.' Library4Deliquents 'This book was so good; I loved every second of it.' Megan Chambers, age 14, for lovereading4kids.co.uk 'A stand-out book in the overcrowded modern sci-fi genre, Railhead is an utterly brilliant and original story.' Louisa Cunliffe, age 18, for lovereading4kids.co.uk '...satisfying, twisting and turning without losing momentum' Brosencrantz blog '...the emotions of the characters (even the robot who wants freckles) draws you in wholeheartedly. Railhead is superb.' Martin Chilton, The Telegraph in 'The Best Young Adult Books of 2015' '...this novel may be the stand out sci-fi novel of the year.' Starburst Magazine 'It's a must read for sci-fi fans!' Minion Potter, The Guardian 'an electrifying triumph' 'Staff Picks', Mail Bookshop 'it's an adrenaline ride that takes the reader through multiple emotions' MinervaReads Book Blog 'Its greatest pleasures are its details, which are as richly imagined as in the best adult science fiction' SF Said, The Guardian 'Philip Reeve has again created a detailed, plausible new world in Railhead ... may well be up there with the world he created in his Mortal Engines quartet' Toby Clements, The Daily Telegraph, Selected as Editor's Choice and one of the best books for Christmas 2015 'a futuristic vision that enthrals and chills' Suzi Feay, The Financial Times 'Scope and potential fizz and pop' Catholic Universe 'Philip Reeve ... creates another of his extraordinary imaginary worlds, this time for teenagers' The Oldie 'A futuristic vision that enthrals and thrills' Suzi Feay, The Financial Times online 'The world itself is magnetic' Ella Walker, Evening Echo (Cork) --Evening Echo
Starlight Express meets Trainspotting as run through Reeve's fertile imagination. Imagine: a world where solar systems are connected by mysterious train tracks. Onboard, you can rocket light-years in an instant, planet to planet, although some are mined-out wastelands and all are controlled by corporate families now that the Guardians godlike Old Earth artificial intelligence stay in the Datasea. Petty thief Zen Starling doesn't think much of Guardians or corporate families; he does what he needs to to support his family. But when Raven, a strange pale man in a world where shades of brown are the norm for humanity, recruits him, Zen (with Motorik companion Nova, upgraded into an individual) finds himself impersonating a member of the Emperor's family, stealing an ancient treasure, and possibly inciting world war. Reeve's writing never flags, with moments of pathos and magic seamlessly interwoven. Dozens of characters collide the sentient trains; the Motorik; the Emperor's daughter Threnody and her boring but stalwart betrothed; Hive Monks; the Railforce agent who has tracked Raven across lifetimes each one nearly as fascinating as the world Reeve has created (don't miss the glossary at the end). As he did with the Mortal Engines series, Reeve has crafted something at once weirdly familiar and marvelously original. Thank the stars there's at least one sequel planned already. (Science fiction. 12 & up) --Kirkus Reviews