Pages

Saturday 3 October 2015

The A to Z of Railhead - C is for Cleave (by Philip Reeve)

It was only a year or so ago that I was bemoaning the general lack of space set science fiction for young adult and younger readers (although if you're a long time reader of The Book Zone you will know that I have been moaning about this for a good few years). However, in the last 18 months publishers have obviously decided that space is cool and marketable again (anything to do withh the forthcoming Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens?). In my opinion, Philip Reeve's Railhead is the best book so far (and by far) in this long overdue new wave of YA space opera (it's TRAINS IN SPACE. Need I say more? It was published two days ago and it is flippin' brilliant!)) and today I am honoured to be welcoming the great Mr Reeve himself to The Book Zone as part of the A to Z of Railhead tour. 



C is for Cleave

When I started to write Railhead, I wanted to write about a future that was worth living in - a positive vision to set against all the dystopias and apocalypses of recent fiction. So how did I end up starting in a dump like Cleave?

Zen's hometown was a sheer-sided ditch of a place. Cleave’s houses and factories were packed like shelved crates up each wall of a mile-deep canyon on a one-gate world called Angkat whose surface was scoured by constant storms. Space was scarce, so the buildings huddled into every available scrap of terracing, and clung to cliff faces, and crowded on the bridges which stretched across the gulf between the canyon walls - a gulf which was filled with sagging cables, dangling neon signage, smog, dirty rain, and the fluttering rotors of air taxis, ferries and corporate transports.

Well, maybe a hero needs to start out in some place where he’s not content. Otherwise, why would he go looking for adventure?

Between the steep-stacked buildings a thousand waterfalls went foaming down to join the river far below, adding their own roar to the various dins from the industrial zone. The local name for Cleave was Thunder City.

A few years ago, on my wife’s birthday, we went to Lydford Gorge, on the far side of Dartmoor. It’s a place about as unlike a futuristic industrial city as you could imagine. The river Lyd flows through the deep gorge. There is a famous waterfall called The White Lady, and a beautiful, mossy path leading up through the oak woods, beside the rapids. There’s also a spot called where the river plunges down into a deep chasm. Some previous landowner bolted metal walkways to the rock-faces so that sightseers could venture closer. The walkways are rusted now and maybe unsafe; they were certainly closed off the day that we were there. But looking at them from the higher path made me think about a whole city built in that way, jutting from vertical cliff faces, half drowned in waterfall spray. Ideas lie in wait for us in the landscape, and they’re not always the ideas that we expect.





11 comments:

  1. I never had a thing nor belief with spell casters until I saw a need for it when someone so dear to my heart left me for another man who doesn't even give a damn about her. Thanks to Dr. Odinani Owelle who used a spell to bring back my girlfriend to me in just two days when she came weeping and asking I forgive her for ever letting go and that she was gonna make up every bit of lost time and make me happier than ever for making me sob one bit
    I came in contact with Dr. Odinani Owelle in a blog and thought of giving it a trial because I could not imagine that someone I love with all my heart was gonna leave me right under my close watch, the and then did I get to know that my close watch was not good enough. Like promised, Dr Odinani Owelle kept to his just words that brought back my love home to daddy and I am gonna love her more.
    Wanna reach out to all the broken homes and relationships via this post of mine to believe that their problems can always be fixed, just get the right person to do it and I testify that there is no other right person as Dr. Odinani Owelle the real spell cast in the world Contact Him on hi's email adders odinanisolutioncentre@gmail.com.
    1. Getting your lover or husband back
    2. Spiritual bulletproof
    3. Training
    4. Money spell
    5. Long life spell
    6. Prosperity spell
    7. Protection spell
    8. Get a job spell
    9. Becoming a manager spell
    10. Get a huge loan without paying any fee spell
    11. Getting your scam money back
    12. Child spell
    13. Pregnancy spell
    14. Freedom spell
    15. Love spell
    16, vanishing spell
    17. Invisible human spell
    18. Success or pass spell
    19. Marriage spell
    20. Avenging spell
    21. Popularity spell
    22. Killing spell
    23. Cancer spell...........

    odinanisolutioncentre@gmail.com.


    ReplyDelete
  2. 'This testimony is worth sharing to the world. I am here to tell the world of the good works of  Dr BALBOSA. My name is Olivia Bolton am from the UK.. My man left me and my kids for another older woman. It was not so easy for me.. I love my husband so much and I did not lose hope and I kept praying and God finally answered my prayers...i searched online for a spell caster to help me unite me and my lover back forever and i saw so many testimonies of  how DR BALBOSA has helped so many people online and i decided to give him a trial … I contacted him and explained to him. He told me not to worry that he will bring back my man within 24 hours. He consulted his powers and assured me not to worry . He did his work and cast the spell and to my greatest surprise, my husband came back the same day begging and crying  just as  Dr BALBOSA said. He begged me for forgiveness and he promised never to leave me for any reason. We are happy and we live together as one. Contact Dr BALBOSA now on: balbosasolutionhome@gmail.com and you can also contact him on WHATSAPP +2347048047728... don't lose hope have a lovely day




    'This testimony is worth sharing to the world. I am here to tell the world of the good works of  Dr BALBOSA. My name is Olivia Bolton am from the UK.. My man left me and my kids for another older woman. It was not so easy for me.. I love my husband so much and I did not lose hope and I kept praying and God finally answered my prayers...i searched online for a spell caster to help me unite me and my lover back forever and i saw so many testimonies of  how DR BALBOSA has helped so many people online and i decided to give him a trial … I contacted him and explained to him. He told me not to worry that he will bring back my man within 24 hours. He consulted his powers and assured me not to worry . He did his work and cast the spell and to my greatest surprise, my husband came back the same day begging and crying  just as  Dr BALBOSA said. He begged me for forgiveness and he promised never to leave me for any reason. We are happy and we live together as one. Contact Dr BALBOSA now on: balbosasolutionhome@gmail.com and you can also contact him on WHATSAPP +2347048047728... don't lose hope have a lovely day

    ReplyDelete
  3. We Bring To You Good News From Hennager Blank ATM Cards And Bitcoin Investments..

    Have you been trying to get a real blank ATM Card or bitcoin and it has been a problem trying to get one? Here is Hennager Blank ATM Card easy and affordable to get and it can be delivered to you waiting 24hrs after you have made your order from me at: hennager4040@gmail.com

    We have special cash loaded programmed ATM card and bitcoin for you to meet up with those needs of yours and also start up your own business. Our ATM card can be used to withdraw cash at any ATM or swipe, stores and POS. Our cards has daily withdrawal limit depending on the card balance you order.You can make from $2500 to $50,000.00 In USD And EUR,with our Programmed card. Contact us today for your own order at : hennager4040@gmail.com

    Here are the price list for ATM Cards:
    Balance Price

    $2700---------------$155
    $5500---------------$255
    $11,000-------------$500
    $13,000-------------$680
    $15,000-------------$760
    $17,000-------------$880
    $20,000-------------$970
    $25,000-------------$1000
    $30,000-------------$1100
    $35,000-------------$1200
    $40,000-------------$1300
    $45,000-------------$1350
    $50,000-------------$1500

    Western Union/Money Gram Transfer
    Walmart Transfer
    Removing of name from debit record and criminal
    Account top-up
    Bitcoin Investments
    We can also help you hack into any software you wish or want us to hack into and help you retrieve your bitcoin account password or hack into any bitcoin wallet..

    Do contact for more info and also on how you are going to get your order..
    Order yours today via Email: Gmail-Compose mail to: hennager4040@gmail.com
    Hangouts: hennager4040@gmail.com
    TEXT: +1917 999 1112

    Hennager Peter.

    ReplyDelete
  4. DR EMU WHO HELP PEOPLE IN ANY TYPE OF LOTTERY NUMBERS
    It is a very hard situation when playing the lottery and never won, or keep winning low fund not up to 100 bucks, i have been a victim of such a tough life, the biggest fund i have ever won was 100 bucks, and i have been playing lottery for almost 12 years now, things suddenly change the moment i came across a secret online, a testimony of a spell caster called dr emu, who help people in any type of lottery numbers, i was not easily convinced, but i decided to give try, now i am a proud lottery winner with the help of dr emu, i won $1,000.0000.00 and i am making this known to every one out there who have been trying all day to win the lottery, believe me this is the only way to win the lottery.

    Dr Emu can also help you fix this issues

    (1)Ex back.
    (2)Herbal cure & Spiritual healing.
    (3)You want to be promoted in your office.
    (4)Pregnancy spell.
    (5)Win a court case.

    Contact him on email Emutemple@gmail.com
    What’s app +2347012841542
    Website Https://emutemple.wordpress.com/
    Facebook page Https://web.facebook.com/Emu-Temple-104891335203341

    ReplyDelete
  5. I really want to thank Dr Emu for saving my marriage. My wife really treated me badly and left home for almost 3 month this got me sick and confused. Then I told my friend about how my wife has changed towards me. Then she told me to contact Dr Emu that he will help me bring back my wife and change her back to a good woman. I never believed in all this but I gave it a try. Dr Emu casted a spell of return of love on her, and my wife came back home for forgiveness and today we are happy again. If you are going through any relationship stress or you want back your Ex or Divorce husband you can contact his whatsapp +2347012841542 or email emutemple@gmail.com website: Https://emutemple.wordpress.com/ Https://web.facebook.com/Emu-Temple-104891335203341

    ReplyDelete
  6. Are you in a financial crisis, looking for money to start your own business or to pay your bills?
    GET YOUR BLANK ATM CREDIT CARD AT AFFORDABLE PRICE*
    We sell this cards to all our customers and interested buyers
    worldwide, The card has a daily withdrawal limit of $5000 and up to $50,000
    spending limit in stores and unlimited on POS.
    Email blankatmmasterusa@gmail.com
    WhatsApp:+1(437) 536-6082

    **WHAT WE OFFER**
    *1)WESTERN UNION TRANSFERS/MONEY GRAM TRANSFER*
    *2)BANKS LOGINS*
    *3)BANKS TRANSFERS*
    *4)CRYPTO CURRENCY MINNING*
    *5)BUYING OF GIFT CARDS*
    *6)LOADING OF ACCOUNTS*
    *7)WALMART TRANSFERS*
    *8)BITCOIN INVESTMENTS*
    *9)REMOVING OF NAME FROM DEBIT RECORD AND CRIMINAL RECORD*
    *10)BANK HACKING*
    **email blankatmmasterusa@gmail.com
    **you can also call or WhatsApp us Contact us today for more enlightenment *
    CONTACT INFO:
    WhatsApp:+1(437) 536-6082
    Copyright ©️ 2022.
    IT HAS BEEN TESTED AND TRUSTED
    🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌👍👍👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

    ReplyDelete
  7. Let me introduce myself I'm Gisela Ursula from Berlin A friend of mine recommended Wizard Brixton to me when I had issues with my Investment. I invested with a broker trade site where I ended up paying more just to withdraw my profit which I paid capital for.
    After being convinced of paying 7 times the fee I noticed it is all fraud and these scammers never give up until one has to stop by itself. I lose €305,391.04 Euro to this bitcoin trade broker's scam after I noticed I was being used and scammed I asked for help from a friend called Günter Karl she referred me to Wizard Brixton
    and I wrote to wizardbrixton AT Gmail DOT com and then explained everything to him, he responded fast and I decided to work with him, in less than 72 hours I received my lost funds. All thanks to Wizard Brixton who gave me back my life again. WhatsApp Wizard Brixton (+1) (807)/ 234. 0428

    ReplyDelete
  8. ( CYSCredits@Post.com ) OFFER ALL KIND OF LOANS - APPLY FOR AFFORDABLE LOANS ( CYSCredits@Asia.com )

    Do You Need A Loan To Consolidate Your Debt At 1% ? CYSCredits@Asia.com ( CYSCredits@Post.com ) Or A Personal Loans * Business Loans etc. Interested Parties Should Contact Us For More Information Via Email: ( CYSCredits@Asia.com ) CYSCredits@Post.com

    Please Fill the Application Form Below: -
    Complete Name: -
    Loan amount needed: -
    Loan Duration: -
    Purpose of loan: -
    City / Country: -
    Telephone: -
    Name Of The Site You/Link Hear About Us:

    ( CYSCredits@Post.com ) OFFER ALL KIND OF LOANS - APPLY FOR AFFORDABLE LOANS ( CYSCredits@Asia.com )

    Do You Need A Loan To Consolidate Your Debt At 1.0%? CYSCredits@Asia.com ( CYSCredits@Post.com ) Or A Personal Loans * Business Loans etc. Interested Parties Should Contact Us For More Information Through Via E-mail: ( CYSCredits@Asia.com ) CYSCredits@Post.com

    We Offers Financial Consulting To Client, CYSCredits@Asia.com ( CYSCredits@Post.com ) Companies Seeking Debt / Loan Financing And Seeking For Working Capital To Start A New Business Or To Expand Existing Business. Interested Parties Should Contact Us For More Information Through Via E-mail: ( CYSCredits@Asia.com ) CYSCredits@Post.com

    Do You Need A Loan To Consolidate Your Debt At 1.0%? ( CYSCredits@Asia.com ) CYSCredits@Post.com Or A Personal Loans * Business Loans etc. Interested Parties Should Contact Us For More Information Through Via E-mail: ( CYSCredits@Asia.com ) CYSCredits@Post.com

    ( CYSCredits@Post.com ) OFFER ALL KIND OF LOANS - APPLY FOR AFFORDABLE LOANS ( CYSCredits@Asia.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I was at the verge of losing my marriage when Dr Isikolo stepped in and rescued me. My husband had filed for divorce after an unending dispute and emotional abuses we both suffered due to misunderstandings. He left the house and refused to come back. I sought for Dr Isikolo knowing I don’t wish to suffer another penury due to divorce cases and losing my man. I complied with his work procedures which was very easy and he worked for me. The love and connection between me and my partner was restored and he came back and got the divorce case canceled. It’s all for a fact that Dr Isikolo is honest and transparent in helping people and you too reading this can get the solution you seek in restoring joy and happiness to your marriage or relationship. Contact him now. Just text him via WhatsApp +2348133261196 or email him via: (isikolosolutionhome@gmail.com)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Read more about Dr Isikolo via his website: (https://isikolotemple.com)
    Hi everyone. My name is Clara Wilfred I am here to thank great Dr Isikolo for fixing my marital problems. My marriage crashed due to unending problems and difficulties I had with my husband. He left without looking back and I was alone for so many months. His family intervened and still nothing changed. I was wrecked emotionally and lost hope in finding love again because he was everything in a man I ever wanted. Just like so many people, I got to know about DR ISIKOLO when I started searching for help. We discussed my problems at length and he assured me of getting the solution I needed. I had no choice than to comply with his procedures and he didn't delay anything. He did a love reunion bond for me and my husband and the love and happiness we shared was restored and he came back to me exactly after 48 hours as DR ISIKOLO promised. He is indeed a wonderful helper and he is trustworthy. if you have any problems, just text him via WhatsApp +2348133261196 or email him via: isikolosolutionhome@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AN ONLINE HACKERS, FRIENDS DARE. IF YOU NEED GENUINE AND PROFESSIONAL HACKING SERVICES CONTACT : GEO COORDINATES HACKER
    They are professional hackers. They are the best hackers and software developers to penetrate any website, all other hackers get in touch with them to get the best Algorithm software. Their services are 100% guaranteed. Thank God for directing me to Geo Coordinates Hacker. Nothing is worse than losing access to your bitcoin wallet. Just the thought of knowing my whole life savings was gone I went into depression. I felt my life was over and just when I thought all hope was lost, was a friend of mine who introduced me to Geo Coordinates Hacker. I was able to gain access to my wallet in just a matter of days, if you are going through a similar situation or any hacking trouble, don't lose hope with an amazing hacker like Geo Coordinates Hacker. You are sure of 100% recovery, he is reliable and very timely, you will never regret any of their services. Here is the contact info if any one also needs his help. Email: geocoordinateshacker@proton.me.

    ReplyDelete