Arguably, every character gets the best lines in a Discworld novel, but I always grin when I see the unquoted small caps that indicate Death is about to make an appearance. Terry Pratchett managed to give Death a cheeky charm. Was there anything that man couldn’t do? I was drawn to City of Rust right away because of the characterful futuristic steam-punk junk yard vibe, and because it’s a sci-fi. I do love a sci-fi. This one is set in a future where land and air are dominated by junk. But when junk is all that is left, it becomes a commodity, a currency, a beast that sustains existence as much as it threatens it… You could say that this vision is a direct consequence of our current-day throw-away lifestyle. But let’s put that to one side and skip to the action. And there is a lot of action! How would you envisage teachers using your book in their classrooms? What age group is it aimed at? Do any activities or ideas spring to mind? Despite being a complete layman, she still has an unwavering passion for space, and loves nothing more than sharing that passion through her stories and author events. I always miss the characters I have to edit out. There are lots of really fun Junkers and drone racers that didn’t make it into the final edit of City of Rust. I do miss them, but I know their characters will pop up again, in other forms in other stories.

I’ve found that human beings learn from their misdeeds just as often as from their good deeds. I am envious of that, for I am incapable of misdeeds. Were I not, then my growth would be exponential.” ― Neal Shusterman, ScytheThe book also contains some heavy world building, so maybe getting readers to visualise things like Boxville and Glass City and the Sphereships would be great (I would also love to see what they come up with!). Being able to share whole worlds with readers. I’ll never get tired of people saying they liked a certain character, or wished they could taste a certain food, or that quote certain lines from the book that they liked. I just think… Wow, I made that up, this is crazy! Dapo Adeola, Tracy Darnton, Joseph Coelho and Chitra Soundar are among the 19 authors and illustrators longlisted for the Inclusive Books for Child... I always bang on about a book called The Otherlife by Julia Gray. It’s set in our world, but with a touch of Odin and Loki, heavy metal, and two of the most engaging characters I’ve ever read. I love it.

Firstly, welcome to The Reading Realm! I wondered if we could start with you introducing yourself and telling us about City of Rust? I love the creativity of bringing character to something unexpected like an inanimate object. These characters might not always have the best lines (because a lot of them don’t talk) but they nearly always steal the show.City of Rust is a must read for sci-fi fans, perfect for anybody who loves star wars, The Danger Gang or other out of this world adventures. There is a satisfaction that comes from the editing process though. I can’t remember which author said it (it wasn’t me), but they likened the process to carving a statue – the first draft is a lump of granite, then with each edit the shape and form begins to emerge. I think that sums it up perfectly. I wanted to write a fun adventure that also talked about themes surrounding the environment, STEM and the power of friendship. So here are some of the non-human characters that I’ve fallen in love with, and that have influenced my writing over the years:

I’m excited to see where and who my next story will take me to, an eggplant having an existential crisis like Marvin the Paranoid Android? …the beauty is, who knows? Coffee house Caffè Nero has announced the 16-strong shortlist for the inaugural Nero Book Awards, recognising the outstanding books of the past 12... I was captivated by the thrill of adventure in this book, I was on the edge on my seat reading through the chapters. I grew to adore the character Railey, a smart and tough girl who was ready to take it all on! Children aged 8+ will be captivated by the fun and adventure between two friends.

Reviews

The book would make an excellent text for using with a class - as a class novel to inspire work, as a guided reading text or as a class story. The story's strong ecological theme, the world building and strong characterisation make it a gift for any teacher looking for a compelling, engaging, edge of the seat adventure. City of Rust is the first middle-grade (ages 9+) offering from author Gemma Fowler. This delicious, dystopian novel is the perfect mixture of Mad Max, Cogheart (Peter Bunzl) and The Tin Forest (Helen Ward) – a perfect choice for young readers who have a thirst for sci-fi adventures. The intricate, golden cover design by Karl James Mountford immediately draws the reader into a junkyard world, where waste is treasure. There are drones, gyrospheres, runners(creative take on bounty hunters), floating ships, androids, gadgets, mechanics, & a creative futuristic rusty junk yard type world-that will actually make you think hard about our own current issues, & what the future may hold. The writing is so detailed, vivid, & atmospheric I felt like I was there w/them the whole way-so I was nervous, excited, scared, full of adrenaline, & on the edge of my seat the whole time basically lol. In this world junk has overtaken the world so much, it’s had to be taken out to space-which causes some unexpected dangers. Makes you wonder what we will do when there is no more room in the junkyards/dumps/etc. Also, it’s made junk a form of money in a way-so you need it to live, but fear for your life from it at the same time. As a fan of sci fi, many AI characters have influenced me over the years, from Marvin the Paranoid Android in Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, to the sinister HAL in 2001: A Space Odyssey, but it’s the benevolent Thunderhead that stays with me.