Winner of the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize 2006.
All the interweaving stories of the first three titles in the Predator Cities quartet are brought together in this breathtaking climax. The quartet is a stunning blend of past and future technologies where the world of the traction era and mobile cities fight for survival in a post-apocalyptic future. Truly action-packed and set in a richly inventive world with a cast of inventive characters. It is a creation on a vast and imaginary scale.
A comment from the author's publisher and Editor, Marion Lloyd
Philip Reeve's Predator Cities quartet defies easy categorisation, but its brilliantly inventive fantasy world immediately grabbed the attention of readers, reviewers and literary prize-givers as soon as the first book appeared. There are now five inspiring adventure stories (including Fever Crumb, the prequel to the quartet), in whose futuristic, post-apocalyptic setting, moving cities trawl the Earth.
They attack and consume each other in wastelands where natural resources are scarce, and Ancient technology is fought for. Fast-paced, sometimes violent, always surprising and original, Reeve's epic sequence of love, war and adventure are richly rewarding for both adults and children.
A reader review from Hugh: "It is a brilliant mix of action, suspense and emotion. I love how you can really understand the character's feelings. Hester isn't just Hester, but a sad woman who lives with a robot. She has a kind heart but pretends not to show it. I have now read the full series and I will be sad because there won't be another!"
Charlie Higson, April 2012 Guest Editor on Lovereading4kids says: "Reeve is my favourite living children’s author. His book, Here Lies Arthur, is a really clever and exciting reworking of the King Arthur legends that looks at the power of story telling, and his Predator Cities quartet was one of the series I looked at when I was starting to write for kids.
I wanted to take the temperature, get some tips and pointers – how complex could you make the stories? How much violence was permitted? Could you kill off swathes of favourite characters? The answer was you can do what you like if you write well and draw your readers in, two things that Reeve does masterfully.
The concept of this series – that in the future the oceans will dry up and our cities will be placed on giant caterpillar tracks so that they can trundle around fighting each other, is irresistible. Even if you think you don’t like sci-fi, you’ll love these adventures.
The fourth and final brilliant and breathtaking instalment in Philip Reeve's award-winning quartet.
To read the Predator Cities series in order:
1) Mortal Engines
2) Predator's Gold
3) Infernal Devices
4) Darkling Plain
Perfect for Reluctant Readers as well as keen readers. To view other titles we think are suitable for reluctant readers please click here.
If you love Philip Reeve's Predator Cities sequence you should also read Haywired by Alex Keller. Also, click here to read Alex Keller's interview with Philip Reeve in The Solitary Bee.
Agents for peace are bringing an end to the devastating conflict between the roaming Traction Cities and their fanatical enemies while Wren and her father Tom travel the Bird Roads in their airship, trying to forget that Hester has betrayed them. In the ruined wreckage of the city of London they make a discovery that willhange the world, while Hester must face an implacable foe with the means and the will to destroy the entire human race.
| Reading age: | 12+ |
| Primary Genre | Young Adult Fiction |
| Recommendations: |
Agents for peace are bringing an end to the devastating conflict between the roaming Traction Cities and their fanatical enemies while Wren and her father Tom travel the Bird Roads in their airship, trying to forget that Hester has betrayed them. In the ruined wreckage of the city of London they make a discovery that willhange the world, while Hester must face an implacable foe with the means and the will to destroy the entire human race.
Predator Cities 4: A Darkling Plain is aimed at readers aged 12 and over.
Predator Cities 4: A Darkling Plain features in the following genres: Young Adult Fiction, eBooks of the Month, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Recommendations
Paperback. Not Available.
Predator Cities 4: A Darkling Plain was written by Philip Reeve and published by Marion Lloyd Books an imprint of Scholastic
Predator Cities 4: A Darkling Plain has 568 pages
Yes it is part of Predator Cities Quartet series
