Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Mortal Engines - Die verlorene Stadt: Roman” as Want to Read:
Mortal Engines - Die verlorene Stadt: Roman
(Mortal Engines Quartet #4)
by
"Mortal Engines – Die verlorene Stadt" ist der vierte Band in Philip Reeves monumentaler Fantasysaga voller Luftschiffe und Piraten, Kopfgeldjäger und fahrender Städte.
Ein neues Zeitalter des Friedens und des Wohlstands ist zum Greifen nah. General Naga, der Anführer des Grünen Sturms, ist fest entschlossen, den Krieg gegen die fahrenden Städte zu beenden und die Welt zur ...more
Ein neues Zeitalter des Friedens und des Wohlstands ist zum Greifen nah. General Naga, der Anführer des Grünen Sturms, ist fest entschlossen, den Krieg gegen die fahrenden Städte zu beenden und die Welt zur ...more
Kindle Edition, 576 pages
Published
May 22nd 2019
by FISCHER E-Books
(first published March 20th 2006)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
Mortal Engines - Die verlorene Stadt,
please sign up.
Popular Answered Questions
Jason Harris
Absolutely not. The series follows characters over the span of 30-35 years. Starting at this would be be confusing.
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of Mortal Engines - Die verlorene Stadt: Roman

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

Jan 23, 2018
Sara Saif
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2018,
seriously-so-good-i-can-t-even
And so they lived happily ever after... (What I wanted)
What I got: And so the world moved on... (Which was definitely crueler)
It's one of the most under-appreciated books of recent years and given the fact that it's unique, unusual and witty, I suggest you go develop some taste and read it.

The story comes full circle in A Darkling Plain and if there's one thing I've come to learn about Philip Reeve it's that he takes you off-guard. He concluded each of his four books so satisfyingly I was almost
...more
WARNING: This diatribe contains potential spoilers and rude language. It is also long. Proceed with caution.
Dear Philip Reeve: I really enjoy the books in your Hungry City Chronicles. They are fine stories with creative and compelling plots, often amusing dialog and interesting characters. You are, however, starting to piss me off. I'm on page 61 of the fourth book and I come to the following passage:
"Lady Naga made a horrible gurgling noise, like the last of the bathwater heading down the plugh ...more
Dear Philip Reeve: I really enjoy the books in your Hungry City Chronicles. They are fine stories with creative and compelling plots, often amusing dialog and interesting characters. You are, however, starting to piss me off. I'm on page 61 of the fourth book and I come to the following passage:
"Lady Naga made a horrible gurgling noise, like the last of the bathwater heading down the plugh ...more

I love this series and in particular I love the end to this series. Although...
No, I'm not going to put in a major spoiler and ruin it for everyone even though it's tempting.
But to be brief as I always am when writing reviews. After all what is a review for but to inform the reader that they want to read the book and to give a little detail about the book.
But basically all any science fiction aficionado needs to know is that there are reanimated men as stalkers, there are orbiting death weapons ...more
No, I'm not going to put in a major spoiler and ruin it for everyone even though it's tempting.
But to be brief as I always am when writing reviews. After all what is a review for but to inform the reader that they want to read the book and to give a little detail about the book.
But basically all any science fiction aficionado needs to know is that there are reanimated men as stalkers, there are orbiting death weapons ...more

I gave the first three books 4-stars (exciting but with thin characters) and half-way through A Darkling Plain was of a mind to give this 5-stars, to acknowledge the worldbuilding and story aspects that spanned all the books, even though it struggled with the same problems. (See what I did there, Philip? 'Even though it struggled' instead of 'even though it was struggling'.) The final third of the book cemented a begrudging 3-stars, it was just terrible.
Before I even talk about the story and ch ...more
Before I even talk about the story and ch ...more

Mar 26, 2019
Alaina
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy,
2019,
dystopia,
romance,
sci-fi,
fiction,
young-adult,
audiobook,
contemporary,
march-2019
This series was just such a disappointment after the first book, which I loved. I just feel like the characters were turning into their worst version of themselves.. or at least people that annoyed me to no end.
So many things in this book bothered me. I have no idea why Tom and Hester acted the way they did. It seemed like they weren't really parents at this point. Plus the whole leaving Wren to go find his wife with just a stupid ass note - oh hell no. Murder was in my eyes.
Not like I actually ...more
So many things in this book bothered me. I have no idea why Tom and Hester acted the way they did. It seemed like they weren't really parents at this point. Plus the whole leaving Wren to go find his wife with just a stupid ass note - oh hell no. Murder was in my eyes.
Not like I actually ...more

Aug 23, 2012
Sesana
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
science-fiction,
young-adult
A Darkling Plain is the longest of the Hungry City books, by a fairly large margin. But there is, after all, a lot going on here. There's hardly any padding, so it earns it's 500+ pages honestly.
Thinking about the book, I suspect that I wouldn't have liked it so much, or been so glued to it, if I hadn't already been deeply invested in these characters from previous books. Tom and Hester especially, who see their story draw to what is probably its unavoidable close. The ending is fantastic, emot ...more
Thinking about the book, I suspect that I wouldn't have liked it so much, or been so glued to it, if I hadn't already been deeply invested in these characters from previous books. Tom and Hester especially, who see their story draw to what is probably its unavoidable close. The ending is fantastic, emot ...more

WOW WELL THAT WAS A TRAGIC ENDING.

This book was a decent end to the series. I didn't like the third book, so many of the things in this book that were connected to that weren't great in my opinion, but I did think the author did a good job creating an ending that wrapped everything up. I just feel a bit like it would have been fine if the series was shorter, because now it got drawn out in a way I didn't particularly care for. The conflicts were fairly complex, and I just wasn't that invested. Neither was I too invested in the c
...more

A amazingly creative world marred by really bad characters, author hang ups and the very visible hand of God.
World: The world is simply the best thing about this series. The dense, creative and mind blowingly deep world that Reeve has created here is the sole reason that I was able to finish this series. The sandbox that is created here gives a huge sense of discovery and wonder with the little bits and pieces of the past the Reeve sprinkles into his world (like the iPod) to tease and delight re ...more
World: The world is simply the best thing about this series. The dense, creative and mind blowingly deep world that Reeve has created here is the sole reason that I was able to finish this series. The sandbox that is created here gives a huge sense of discovery and wonder with the little bits and pieces of the past the Reeve sprinkles into his world (like the iPod) to tease and delight re ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

Whew! Well, that's finally done.
The entire Mortal Engine series is a sad collection of missed opportunities. It has a weird entertainment value, which is why I read all four books. The plotting is fast-paced and rarely takes a breath. The world building--provided you can get past the impossible physics of mobile cities--is imaginative and the imagery original and cinematic. The characterization, with its reliance on often impossibly naive protagonists, nonetheless, is a realistic depiction of th ...more
The entire Mortal Engine series is a sad collection of missed opportunities. It has a weird entertainment value, which is why I read all four books. The plotting is fast-paced and rarely takes a breath. The world building--provided you can get past the impossible physics of mobile cities--is imaginative and the imagery original and cinematic. The characterization, with its reliance on often impossibly naive protagonists, nonetheless, is a realistic depiction of th ...more

You have noooo idea how happy I am that this series is over and I don’t have to torture myself any longer.
There were so many mehhhh moments with this book that I don’t want to overdo it but keep this short and sweet. So let’s bring out the wonderful dot points!
• Was this even edited?
• Why are we still in their heads?!?! Annoying
• World building can no longer save this book like it did the last three
• Everything is tense but with no climax – it’s a massive blue-balls moments
• Needed salt… or some ...more
There were so many mehhhh moments with this book that I don’t want to overdo it but keep this short and sweet. So let’s bring out the wonderful dot points!
• Was this even edited?
• Why are we still in their heads?!?! Annoying
• World building can no longer save this book like it did the last three
• Everything is tense but with no climax – it’s a massive blue-balls moments
• Needed salt… or some ...more

What a great book to end the series! Still a bit traumatized by all that's happened but I guess I should've gotten used to it since book 1.
...more

dear reader,
I can't believe this story is coming to an end. I will miss it SO much!
The final installment for The Hungry City Chronicles is finally here, and is a triumph. Who wouldn’t consider it a triumph after diligently reading through the previous books, enduring every twist and battle, to not have an appropriate ending for the characters and the story in general? It was a bit hard to get used to the idea that Tom and Hester weren’t together (or that their love had faded in the story), inste ...more
I can't believe this story is coming to an end. I will miss it SO much!
The final installment for The Hungry City Chronicles is finally here, and is a triumph. Who wouldn’t consider it a triumph after diligently reading through the previous books, enduring every twist and battle, to not have an appropriate ending for the characters and the story in general? It was a bit hard to get used to the idea that Tom and Hester weren’t together (or that their love had faded in the story), inste ...more

I don't know if A Darkling Plain was all that much longer than the previous three books in the Hungry City Chronicles, or if it just felt like it. The book is a direct sequel to Infernal Devices. In many ways this is where it all happens, where it all goes down. All the books leading up to this point, this big showdown between warring powers. More action, less set-up. And action is good, right? But here's the thing, I personally liked the less climatic but funnier books which set this one up. Th
...more

5 stars
So I liked the first one, the second was OK but I really only read the third based on the fact the blurb seemed to take an nteresting turn. I loved it and then it all gets wrapped up by this one.
I loved this one too.
It had all the good bits from the others and then some.
The world building was again excellent and we even had some more old and new tech to understand. But again even though it seemed complex it still burst off the pages.
I think the characterizations were spot on in this one. ...more
So I liked the first one, the second was OK but I really only read the third based on the fact the blurb seemed to take an nteresting turn. I loved it and then it all gets wrapped up by this one.
I loved this one too.
It had all the good bits from the others and then some.
The world building was again excellent and we even had some more old and new tech to understand. But again even though it seemed complex it still burst off the pages.
I think the characterizations were spot on in this one. ...more

With a tentative truce agreed between The Green Storm and Municipal Darwinists, all seemed settled but for some, there must always be war and for others, there will be no peace until all mankind has been swept off the planet. Reeve did everything right in this final installment. The characters (Tom and Hester) that I had cared for so much from Mortal Engines are given the right ending and all aspects of the story including characters old and new and bound together in just the right way.
Although ...more
Although ...more

This was really a solid series overall. Some ups and downs, but the pros significantly far outweigh the cons in my mind. An imaginative and dark world, with very cool societal and technological concepts. As far as Young Adult Dystopian series go, I'm not sure why this one is glanced over for series I consider of significantly poorer quality(The movie didn't do it any justice or bring in any fans. Still mad about the little baby scar they gave Hester as well!).
I think the main thing is that the m ...more
I think the main thing is that the m ...more

Uhm......the book was okay.
1.) Hester struggling emotions were expressed over 4 books as she struggled to reconcile with her identity as Valemtines daughter.
2.) Alot of action takes place with little to no details. I wish there was more details to add to the fast paced plot.
3) one pro was similar character display of Pennyroyal. He is selfish and only cares for himself.
1.) Hester struggling emotions were expressed over 4 books as she struggled to reconcile with her identity as Valemtines daughter.
2.) Alot of action takes place with little to no details. I wish there was more details to add to the fast paced plot.
3) one pro was similar character display of Pennyroyal. He is selfish and only cares for himself.

Within the Predator Cities quartet, Philip Reeve has created an imaginative world and a cast of memorable characters. Each book is an invitation to a different time and place, transporting the reader to a remarkable world full of perilous action and extraodrinary adventure.
Spoilers Ahead: (view spoiler) ...more
Spoilers Ahead: (view spoiler) ...more

Overall, this series is probably closer to a 1* for me. It is sad for me to say that I am thankful to be finally finished with this series. It was fairly painful to read and I think it has ended pursuit of never DNFing any book I start.
This version of a post apocalyptic world is very interesting to me, the world is imaginative, but the story begs to be written better. Characters were one dimensional, predictable, and hard to care about. Dialogue was extremely simple and cringe-worthy. It was a b ...more
This version of a post apocalyptic world is very interesting to me, the world is imaginative, but the story begs to be written better. Characters were one dimensional, predictable, and hard to care about. Dialogue was extremely simple and cringe-worthy. It was a b ...more

Mar 02, 2019
Zehra
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
favorites,
in-english
That's it, huh. The fourth book in the Mortal Engines Quartet and I still have. So. Many. Questions. But okay, let's be honest, a darkling plain was pretty good and so action packed that I sometimes felt like vibrating from my place.
I actually wanted to whine and shout about the ending because there is still so much to talk about but the last five pages changed my mind. They made me bawl my eyes out and I actually felt good with how it ended. ...more
I actually wanted to whine and shout about the ending because there is still so much to talk about but the last five pages changed my mind. They made me bawl my eyes out and I actually felt good with how it ended. ...more

I was getting sceptical about this series in the third book, not really liking how Hester was being treated by the author. But this book, this final book in the series just brought everything together in a great finale. It really feels like everything is wrapped up. This is a story that hardly has any true villains, there are only different point of views and I love those kinds of stories. Sure there are people that take a little bit too much liking in Municipal Darwinism and eating other cities
...more

At once heartbreaking and heartwarming, the conclusion to the Predator Cities saga is incredible. I will long remember the brutal poignancy of its story and themes. This is a story about what it means to be human in a world of machines and automation. What it means to have a heart when all else is run by batteries. It’s about legacy and memory and hope and love.
The series has moved along with clockwork efficiency, cold as a machine sometimes, and yet it oozes heart and warmth. It’s hard to belie ...more
The series has moved along with clockwork efficiency, cold as a machine sometimes, and yet it oozes heart and warmth. It’s hard to belie ...more

This was a hodge-podge - just a big mess of various threads, each eventually being resolved but not in any truly coherent or satisfying way. I can't think of one character that I liked. There were interesting predicaments, but I got no sense of the author's overall vision, and found many of his decisions to be detestable. I'm glad to be done with this series and will not consider the partner one (Fever Crumb).
...more

Really enjoyed the conclusion of this series! Still had a lot of good action and adventure that I’ve come to expect from this series. Also it was wonderful ending to all the characters stories that you’ve grown to know and love. So I was very satisfied with the ending and it just felt complete. Great series!

Jul 21, 2020
Hannah
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
ebooks-audio,
scifi-dystopian
4.5 stars.
This was a fantastic conclusion to a series I have really enjoyed. This was my first time using audio for the series, and it was just as great an experience as reading the books physically. I really love this world and cast of characters a lot, and I'm happy with the ending. ...more
This was a fantastic conclusion to a series I have really enjoyed. This was my first time using audio for the series, and it was just as great an experience as reading the books physically. I really love this world and cast of characters a lot, and I'm happy with the ending. ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Philip Reeve was born and raised in Brighton, where he worked in a bookshop for a number of years while also co-writing, producing and directing a number of no-budget theatre projects.
Philip then began illustrating and has since provided cartoons for around forty children's books, including the best-selling Horrible Histories, Murderous Maths and Dead Famous series.
Railhead, published by Oxford Un ...more
Philip then began illustrating and has since provided cartoons for around forty children's books, including the best-selling Horrible Histories, Murderous Maths and Dead Famous series.
Railhead, published by Oxford Un ...more
Other books in the series
Mortal Engines Quartet
(5 books)
Related Articles
Get ready for some out-of-this-world reading and some insane near-realities with the science fiction and fantasy books that are catching the...
272 likes · 28 comments
4 trivia questions
More quizzes & trivia...
“That's what History teaches us, I think, that life goes on, even though individuals die and whole civilizations crumble away: The simple things last; they are repeated over and over by each generation.”
—
17 likes
“It will be all right, Tom. Wherever we go now, whatever becomes of us, we'll be together, and it will all be all right.”
—
7 likes
More quotes…