From the Bookshelf of Aussie Readers…

Worldshaker (Worldshaker, #1)

Richard Harland

Why we're reading this: Col is a wealthy child of privilege. Raised to succeed his grandfather as the Supreme Commander of the ju…more
[close] Col is a wealthy child of privilege. Raised to succeed his grandfather as the Supreme Commander of the juggernaut Worldshaker, he has lived a pampered life on the Upper Decks. He has never questioned his place in the world or his bright and illustrious future. But when a Filthy girl stows away in his cabin, suddenly nothing is clear anymore. Quick and clever, Riff is nothing like the Filthies that Col always learned about—the dumb, slow, less-than-human folk who toil away Below, keeping Worldshaker moving. Filthies are supposed to be animal-like, without the power of speech or the ability to think for themselves—but Riff is clever and quick and outspoken, and Col is drawn to her despite himself.
As Col begins to secretly spend more time with Riff, he begins to question everything he was raised to believe was true, and realizes that if Riff is right, then everything he was raised to believe is a lie. And Col himself may be the only person in a position to do something about it—even if it means risking his future.

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What Members Thought

Jun 28, 2010 Kate Forsyth rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: children-s-fantasy, steam-punk

I should probably declare that Richard Harland is a good friend of mine and so I really, really wanted to like this book. Luckily, I loved it! I’ve been told it’s a YA steam punk novel – steam punk is not a new genre but it’s hot at the moment and once I realised it simply meant books set in a sort of alternative Victorian world with lots of steam-propelled gadgets and frockcoats and corsets, I knew I’d enjoy it. It’s an action-packed novel full of humour and drama and Dickensian characters and ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Jun 02, 2010 Tracey rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-sci-fi, 2010, young-adult

I picked this up in the adult book reading section and really think it needed to be over in the young adult section as I think the book would sit better there.

It was enjoyable read.

The world Harland has created has a great deal of interest and there was enough smattering of a back story to understand how this place came into being. There are lot of themes/views/politics running slyly through the book which includes colonialism, communism, class struggles, and exposing the voice of the 'other'. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jul 01, 2022 Dee-Ann rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: action-adventure, ya-literature, romance, movie-material, dystopian, surprise-twist, strong-women, gritty

I read this book to help my son with an English assignment, so that he had someone to talk to about it. I enjoyed reading it. The class, hierarchy system was disturbing but probably stems from reality. Loved the adventure and the turning of Col.

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Jun 11, 2011 Tahlia Newland rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Excellent book. A bit young for me, but well written, no plot holes, great character names. Really good for younger teens especially boys.

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Jun 29, 2014 Kate V rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Finally picked this Steampunk novel out of the bookshelf 2 years after Richard Harland signed it at Supanova. Its turning out to be a ripping good yarn.

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