Author Philip Reeve was shortlisted for the Whitbread Prize Children's Book Award. In 1851 a mysterious visitor to Art Mumby's space home has plans for a calamity that will destroy not only the entire British Empire, but also the known universe. Can disaster be prevented with help from Art's irritating sister Myrtle, a few exotic space creatures, and an extraterrestrial pirate? "Both the story line and the language demonstrate Reeve's respect for his readership."-Booklist
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"The first installation of the Larklight series introduces readers to a science-fiction world with clear inspiration from Jules Verne and HG Wells, yet with an approach toward science that veers closer to the Ptolemaic. While the plot chugs along and the characters are interesting, perhaps the most winning aspect of this book to me is its intriguing post-colonial slant. For a children's book it is unusual to find something that does not shy away from some of the ugliness of imperialism when dealing with the historical (or in this case, pseudo-historical) British Empire - and better yet, it addresses these without resorting to tiresome and essentialist moralizing."
— Richard (4 out of 5 stars)
" A space adventure set in an alternate Victorian England? Yes, I'm all for that. "
— Sandy, 2/10/2014" These were set in the 1800's as if space travel had been discovered long ago. Yet every thing else in the story was the same as our 1800's. Very original, very cute, and witty. Great book and there are two more!!! "
— Kami, 2/6/2014" This was my first Steampunk book and it's made me a fan for life. Cute, funny, and well-written! "
— Benedict, 1/24/2014" A fun, silly book. Good for whiling away an afternoon. "
— Arwen, 1/15/2014" An entertaining young adult novel that takes the British empire into space. I laughed the whole way through it. "
— Dawn, 12/3/2013" Very interesting. Its victorian writing but the stories in space. Its like the whole victorian time is in space. weird i know but way cool. "
— Mirm, 11/18/2013" Very fun SF book set during Victorian times. The plot is inventive and Art and his sister are interesting first person narrators. The sequel Starcrossed is good as well. Great if you want a fun light-hearted adventure. "
— Ragan, 10/24/2013" This was a really fun book. Have you ever wondered what would have happened to the world is space flight was discovered by England while America was still a colony? This is a cute idea. "
— Ami, 10/3/2013" curious mixture of science fiction and 19th century culture and writing style, but i liked it. "
— Arlene, 9/3/2013" We are loving this book so far. It is a great steampunky space adventure. "
— Misty, 9/5/2012" Yay - something fresh and original! And well written! I shall hopefully get around to reading more of these. "
— Neville, 4/3/2012" very vreativee story and setting and alot of enjoyable humor "
— Rachel, 10/23/2011" A really fun story with great illustrations, humor, and evil spiders from space! "
— Christine, 4/26/2011" This is very funny series. Victorian mores meet Star Wars technology in one fun steampunk book. Told in two narrative voices, Arthur, the brother, and his sister, Myrtle, through her diary. A nine-year old girl I know well would like this! "
— Lori, 3/11/2011" Entirely delightful, with a rambunctious sense of wonder unimpeded by any stodgy reality, but still sensibly anchored in realistic processes. Adventure of the Jules Verne variety, with plenty of swashbuckling for the young (and young at heart). "
— Dee, 8/19/2009" Much like the sequel (which I read first). Light-hearted, entertaining, and a bit silly. "
— Linnae, 12/3/2008" Such a fun book. Slightly outrageous and unrealistic but that is part of what made it so fun. Many laugh out loud moments. I recommend it for a quick read that will make you laugh. "
— Cherilee, 8/15/2008" I read this to the girls at night and was very pleased. We all enjoyed it and the author is creative, lighthearted, and does fantasy well. We will happily finish the series. "
— Erinfarleys, 7/18/2008" Excellent, original story with characters you can actually believe in. Fantastic settings, machines and aliens that are not just derivatives of other 'standard' steampunk ideas. Highly recommended. "
— Eden, 5/6/2008" I haven't read much of what I believe is called "steampunk" so I probably found this cleverer than it may be in comparison to other such stories. It was fun to read science fiction based on science that no longer exists. A great romp, even if the main narrator was an obnoxious young British male. "
— Kathleen, 10/11/2007Philip Reeve is the bestselling author of the Predator Cities quartet and the award-winning Fever Crumb series. His other books include the highly acclaimed Here Lies Arthur and No Such Thing as Dragons. He lives in Dartmoor, England with his wife and son.
Greg Steinbruner is an actor, audiobook narrator, playwright, and public-speaking consultant. He studied at NYU’s Tisch School and writes, directs, and produces his own plays in New York City. He has lent his vocal talents to such books as The Magic Thief, Larklight, Starcross, and the Origami Yoda series.