Darkling Plain (Mortal Engines, #4)

by Philip Reeve

In "A Darkling Plain", Philip Reeve brilliantly completes the breath-taking adventures that began with "Mortal Engines". Wren Natsworthy is enjoying life as an aviatrix but her father Tom is troubled by matters of the heart - the last, shocking, encounter with Hester, and the old wound caused by Pennyroyal's bullet. Meanwhile the fragile truce between the Green Storm and the Traction Cities splinters and hostility breaks out again. Events are set on a collision course as things end where they began, with London...

• ISBN13: 9780439943468
• Publish Date: 1 April 2007 (first published 1 June 2006)
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 26 February 2010
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Scholastic
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 544
• Language: English

Reviews

[rakesandrogues]

Traction cities, airships, battles, Stalkers, and a sprinkle of romance. The Mortal Engines Quartet comes to an end in A DARKLING PLAIN and readers of the series will not be disappointed. Everything we know and love about the series are found all in the massive 500+ page novel. A DARKLING PLAIN is not really something one could read in one sitting because of its length. But once it’s been finished, you’ll be craving for more!

There were so many story lines to keep track of in A DARKLING PLAIN. I have to admit that it was overwhelming at times, but for the most part, the different stories pushed me to keep reading forward. One moment I would be enthralled with Fishcake’s story line and the chapter would leave off at a cliffhanger. It keeps me waiting for the next chapter with Fishcake, but then I find myself completely immersed into the next chapter that I almost forget about my anticipation for the next Fishcake story.

I loved how the different story lines intersected, diverged, and intersected once more throughout the whole story. It was fascinating to see how all the characters are connected in some way or another despite the differences in their origin, class, job, or political views.

One thing I love most about Reeve’s books are the strong, courageous female characters that he creates like Wren.I found Wren irritating in the previous book so I was very happy with how she progressed as a character. I definitely feel that she matured throughout the book and I came to love her.

Shrike continues to be my favorite character out of the whole series. I loved how he has changed as a character from Mortal Engines to A DARKLING PLAIN. His story line was the one I looked out for the most.

I think one of the strongest points of the book is the ending. I don’t want to give anything away, but I have to say that I absolutely loved it. Endings are very important to me, and I don’t think that the series could have ended any better!

This book is strongly recommended for those who have read Reeve’s other books, of course including the first three in the Mortal Engines Quartet. Readers will not be disappointed with the series finale. If you have not read the series, and this review has captured your interest, I strongly recommend reading from the beginning.