Larklight Audiobook By Philip Reeve cover art

Larklight

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Larklight

By: Philip Reeve
Narrated by: Greg Steinburner
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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?

Author Phillip Reeve was shortlisted for the Whitbread Prize Children's Book Award.

©2006 Philip Reeve (P)2007 Recorded Books Fantasy & Magic Science Fiction & Fantasy

Critic reviews

"A Jules Verne-like concoction filtered through the sensibilities of Douglas Adams....The climax is an absolute hoot, and leaves the door wide open for any number of sequels. Ages 10-up." (Publishers Weekly)

"This wonderfully imaginative story would make a perfect gift for any adventurous preteen." (Children's Literature)

"This fun read will appeal mostly to fans of the steampunk genre." (VOYA)
Imaginative Worldbuilding • British Humor • Pleasant Voice • Unique Characters • Lighthearted Adventure • Original World

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I absolutely love this book, such a fun adventure, clean for kids and exciting for all ages. Highly recommend for the adventurer in you! Great story, great humor and the narrator crushed it!

So Good

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what an imagination. very enjoyable. recommend for all ages. can't wait to hear book 2

surprisingly delightful

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Very like mortal engines great voice for the reader too really made the book
Loved it

The empire’s style

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I'm of two minds with Larklight. First and foremost I am bowled over by the world Reeve has created. I can't recall ever reading a book with a more fully realized and original world. It seems as if every page contains a new species, device or concept - it's almost overwhelming. At the same time, the bits and pieces pulled from Victorian England are - to my remembering - historically accurate. Absolutely worth reading for this alone.

On the other hand, the plot itself isn't as compelling and drags at the end. Furthermore, the characters aren't nearly as well rendered as their environment, making it difficult to be that emotionally invested in what happens to them. It's almost as if Reeve had to decide where to put his efforts and plunked all his eggs into the world-building basket. What he created was extraordinary, and I hope that future efforts spread his talent around a bit more evenly.

Victorian space adventure

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This story harkens back to the HG Wells style of classic Sci-Fi with a lighthearted spirit. The narration by the young protagonist is really fun. Highly recommended. The sequel is just as good.

Fantastic Story!

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