Arthur (Art) Mumby and his irritating sister Myrtle live with their father in the huge and rambling house, Larklight, travelling through space on a remote orbit far beyond the Moon. One ordinary sort of morning they receive a correspondence informing them that a gentleman is on his way to visit, a Mr Webster. Visitors to Larklight are rare if not unique, and a frenzy of preparation ensues. But it is entirely the wrong sort of preparation, as they discover when their guest arrives, and a Dreadful and Terrifying (and Marvellous) adventure begins. It takes them to the furthest reaches of Known Space, where they must battle the evil First Ones in a desperate attempt to save each other - and the Universe. Recounted through the eyes of Art himself, Larklight is sumptuously designed and illustrated throughout.
Larklight: Larklight Series, Book 1
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About the Author
Philip Reeve's first novel Mortal Engines was published to an incredible critical acclaim which his subsequent books have emulated. He is the author of the Larklight trilogy for Bloomsbury. Philip lives in Devon. David Wyatt, has illustrated many beautiful covers for authors including Terry Pratchett and Philip Pullman. He lives in Devon, and is a keen lutist, cyclist, and wanderer of the moors.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By LeMarchand
Format:Hardcover
Reeves' latest is an hilarious pastiche of the "Boys' Own Adventure" school of writing. Young Art Mumby and his frightful sister Myrtle live in a strange house in space called "Larklight" in a wittily-observed steampunk world where Her Majesty's Glorious Empire rules the Aether. When their home is attacked by space-spiders, they begin an adventure that takes them across the solar system.
Every aspect of the book is spot on: the tale is told both by Art and (via her diaries) Myrtle, and they both "sound" like Victorian children; the line illustrations are evocative; even the "advertisements" decorating the inside covers look authentic, but have a sly humour.
As someone who is considerably older (to say the least!) than what would seem to be the target audience, I have a sneaking suspicion that a lot of the book's humour and in-jokes (including a laugh-out-loud steal from HG Wells) will go over the heads of many youngsters, but the book would still work as a rip-roaring read. I'd also suspect that children who are prepared to try somethin a bit different would be best suited to reading the novel, as the linguistic flourishes may deter less able readers.
My recommendation: buy a copy for your young 'un and then read it yourself!
Every aspect of the book is spot on: the tale is told both by Art and (via her diaries) Myrtle, and they both "sound" like Victorian children; the line illustrations are evocative; even the "advertisements" decorating the inside covers look authentic, but have a sly humour.
As someone who is considerably older (to say the least!) than what would seem to be the target audience, I have a sneaking suspicion that a lot of the book's humour and in-jokes (including a laugh-out-loud steal from HG Wells) will go over the heads of many youngsters, but the book would still work as a rip-roaring read. I'd also suspect that children who are prepared to try somethin a bit different would be best suited to reading the novel, as the linguistic flourishes may deter less able readers.
My recommendation: buy a copy for your young 'un and then read it yourself!
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By B Clarke
Format:Hardcover
Set in a fantastical past which is so different from ours and using intensely stuffy last language I really didn't think this book would be for me. Then I read it...and read it...and read it! Hard to put down, hard not to like! It takes you on a roller coaster through amazing worlds with fantastic imagery and creatures. The drawings are excellent and a must for any imaginative child. The language is a little off-putting but you get used to it as the story grips you!
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By TeensReadToo
TOP 100 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover
When eleven-year-old Art Mumby finds out that a visitor is arriving at his run-down home, Larklight, which floats in space beyond the moon, he hardly expects to be thrust into a frightening adventure of pirates, plates, and a millenium-long conflict upon which the fate of the solar system rests. He tells the story of this adventure in LARKLIGHT (occasionally giving his older sister, Myrtle, a chance to narrate via her diary), and the story is nothing if not fantastic.
Philip Reeve (author of the HUNGRY CITY CHRONICLES) has created another fascinating world in LARKLIGHT. Art lives in the Victorian society of the 1800's--or rather, what Victorian society would have looked like if they'd developed space travel, and astronomy worked according to early speculations about aether (an air-like substance in space that people can move and breathe in), and interplanetary beings (Venus, Mars, and the moons of Jupiter are all home to a variety of life forms). Reeve cuts no corners, painting the cities and citizens of the solar system in dazzling detail. The setting is a gorgeous mix of fantasy and science fiction, and fans of both genres will find much to enjoy.
If the world wasn't exciting enough on its own, the adventure is of the edge-of-your-seat variety. Art and Myrtle tumble from one tense situation to another with alarming frequency. Most chapters end on cliffhangers, so be prepared to have trouble finding a place to pause. Reeve throws in enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing right until the end, and both Art and Myrtle get the chance to play hero.
Art, as the main character, is not yet a teen himself, so teens may find his narration a little immature for their liking. If they're willing to give him a chance, though, they will discover that LARKLIGHT is a fast-paced, imaginative journey well worth taking.
Reviewed by: Lynn Crow
Philip Reeve (author of the HUNGRY CITY CHRONICLES) has created another fascinating world in LARKLIGHT. Art lives in the Victorian society of the 1800's--or rather, what Victorian society would have looked like if they'd developed space travel, and astronomy worked according to early speculations about aether (an air-like substance in space that people can move and breathe in), and interplanetary beings (Venus, Mars, and the moons of Jupiter are all home to a variety of life forms). Reeve cuts no corners, painting the cities and citizens of the solar system in dazzling detail. The setting is a gorgeous mix of fantasy and science fiction, and fans of both genres will find much to enjoy.
If the world wasn't exciting enough on its own, the adventure is of the edge-of-your-seat variety. Art and Myrtle tumble from one tense situation to another with alarming frequency. Most chapters end on cliffhangers, so be prepared to have trouble finding a place to pause. Reeve throws in enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing right until the end, and both Art and Myrtle get the chance to play hero.
Art, as the main character, is not yet a teen himself, so teens may find his narration a little immature for their liking. If they're willing to give him a chance, though, they will discover that LARKLIGHT is a fast-paced, imaginative journey well worth taking.
Reviewed by: Lynn Crow
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable with brilliant world building and excellent characters
I have to admit, that this took me longer to read than most books because the first half was quite slow paced. Read more
Published 1 month ago by ramblingsofanelfpire
5.0 out of 5 stars
Larklight
Limelight is an awesome book. I would recommend it to anyone who likes a tense and not so quickly moving story but with Kitts of twists and turns.
Published 3 months ago by balsall
5.0 out of 5 stars
Breathtaking invention, charming images, ending borrowed from Wild...
After some initial resistance, I have fallen quite under the spell of Reeve & Wyatt's enchanting Larklight trilogy. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Tevis Fen-Kortiay
4.0 out of 5 stars
It's OK
I bought this coming off of the back of reading Philip Reeve's Hungry Cities Chronicles and I think that those are some of the best Young Adult literature around... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Edmund
5.0 out of 5 stars
Larklight Trilogy
It's a pointless exercise to review Larklight books individually. You need to read all three of them.
Seriously. You NEED to read them. Read more
Seriously. You NEED to read them. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Peter
5.0 out of 5 stars
my son loves these books
recommend for all children. this is a fast paced and original story that my son absolutely loved. the whole series is brilliant, I myself always read his books so we can discuss... Read more
Published on 12 July 2010 by Mrs. Nicola M. Wood
5.0 out of 5 stars
Imagination Galore
Larklight is a wonderfully imaginative story. Set in space the characters are actually all supposed to be living in the Victorian era. Read more
Published on 22 Dec 2009 by YA's The Word
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Opener
In much the same way that authors such as Alan Moore brought Victoriana to the adult audience, Philip Reeve does much the same for the younger reader bringing the now popular... Read more
Published on 2 Nov 2009 by Gareth Wilson - Falcata Times Blog
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Huzzar" - a rousing tale of dauntless pluck!
Just discovered this trilogy 2 days ago whilst idly cruising the shelves of our local shildren's library with my 12 year old daughter - and what a lovely 2 days of half term we... Read more
Published on 28 Oct 2009 by Mrs. F. P. Tompkins
5.0 out of 5 stars
Swashbuckling romp in space
What a fabulous book. I read it with my nine year old son, who loved it to bits, and couldn't wait to read the next two in the trilogy. Read more
Published on 14 Sep 2009 by G. Johnston
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