Bridge of Storms

By Author / Illustrator

Philip Reeve, Ian McQue

Genre

Fantasy

Age range(s)

Publisher

Scholastic

ISBN

9780702335488

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

12-02-2026

Synopsis

A brand new epic, thrilling, action-packed city-eat-city adventure in the iconic and globally bestselling series - celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026!

Brave fighter Tamzin Pook and her oddball gang of mercenaries are caught up in the squall of another adventure across the Hunting Grounds. When they visit the city of Museion, they find themselves unexpectedly chased by a gang of bloodthirsty raiders intent on their capture. Their epic attempt to escape leads to a showdown on a majestic bridge during a ferocious ice storm - can Tamzin and her friends lead Museion out of danger?

Page-turning, witty, astonishingly imaginative storytelling from a writer at the top of his game. The Mortal Engines series has sold over half a million copies in the UK alone via Nielsen Bookscan. Its epic appeal crosses all age ranges Reeve's novels have won the Guardian Children's Award, Blue Peter Award, Smarties Gold Prize and the Carnegie Medal. Mortal Engines is a blockbuster feature film produced by Lord of the Rings director, Peter Jackson.

"My favourite contemporary children's author is Philip Reeve" - Charlie Higson; "Like all Reeve's books, this is thrilling, witty and full of heart" - The I.

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Reviews

Sue

Tamzin Pook and her friends are on a new mission, heading for the city of Museion to help save it from the predator suburbs which are trapping it in a mountain valley known as the Frying Pan. However, a traitor within the city puts them all in danger, separating Tamzin and the rest of the Fire's Astonishment's crew, as they face old enemies and find new friends, trying to lead Museion out of danger.

It is so hard to summarise a story as creative as Bridge of Storms! Part of the Mortal Engines series, it completely immerses the reader in a vividly imagined world. Philip Reeve is an incredible author and these books remain some of my favourite stories. Although part of the bigger Mortal Engines landscape, it is perfectly possible to read and enjoy Bridge of Storms as a stand-alone story (although I am not sure why you would want to do this!). Enough of the back story is given to prevent readers from feeling lost, allowing them instead to become absorbed into Tamzin's world and thoroughly enjoy the adventure.

The story revolves around the crew of the 'Fire's Astonishment', an airship flown by Tamzin Oddington Doom, Max Angering, Hilly Torpenhow, Vespertine and Small Cat, a very mismatched group who have ended up together, joined by fierce bonds of loyalty and affection. In this story, they become separated, meaning the action flows from one to another, keeping the action flowing and the tension mounting. There is a lot packed in to these pages!

There are welcome touches of humour sprinkled through the story with some excellent chapter headings! Vespertine continues to be a favourite of mine with her constant care for Small Cat and her empathy for others which belie her appearance and the expectations of others.

The richly imagined world and characters found in these pages offer an incredibly satisfying read. I hope there are more adventures for Tamzin and her friends to come!

352 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher