'I enjoyed everything about Damien Love's debut.' Anthony Horowitz, bestselling author of the Alex Rider series

'Hugely original, exciting debut novel... a fantastical but entirely believable world with scary killer robots oiled to perfection with automaton history, surprising characters and dry humour... Get hold of a copy, wind it up and let yourself go.' The Times

'An effortless, atmospheric evocation of place and history combine in an unforgettable, immersive reading experience.' Guardian

'This grandad and grandson adventure has all the hallmarks of a whopping kids' thriller.' The Big Issue, Kids' Books of the year

When twelve-year-old Alex receives an old tin robot in the post, the note from his grandfather simply reads: 'This one is special'. But as strange events start occurring around him, it doesn't take Alex long to suspect that the small toy is more than special; it might also be deadly.

Just as things are getting out of hand, Alex's grandfather arrives, whisking him away from his otherwise humdrum life and into a world of strange, macabre magic. From Paris to Prague, they flee across snowy Europe in a quest to unravel the riddle of the little robot, and outwit relentless assassins of the human and mechanical kind. How does Alex's grandfather know them? And can Alex safely harness the robot's power, or will it fall into the wrong, wicked hands?

A LoveReading4Kids DEBUT OF THE MONTH and BOOK OF THE WEEK

About the Author

Damien Love was born in Scotland and lives in Glasgow, where, even as you read these words, it is raining. He is the author of several books on film and filmmakers. He has the ability to talk to cats, but there is no evidence that they understand him. Monstrous Devices is his first novel. Learn more at damienlove.com.

Reviews

'A superbly assured debut... an effortless, atmospheric evocation of place and history combine in an unforgettable, immersive reading experience.'

* Guardian *

'Hugely original, exciting debut novel by Damien Love. He has built a fantastical but entirely believable world with scary killer robots oiled to perfection with automaton history, surprising characters and dry humour... Get hold of a copy, wind it up and let yourself go.'

* The Times *

'One of the most acclaimed, exciting new children's series in years... A hugely appealing adventure for all ages, which seems almost certain to be adapted for the screen.'

* The Herald *

'A breakneck adventure story, told thrillingly.'

* Sunday Times *

'Another assured debut that takes its protagonist somewhere unexpected... Fans of Anthony Horowitz will love Monstrous Devices.'

* Irish Times *

'I was gripped from the first page of Monstrous Devices by Scottish author Damien Love. It is making me look at robots suspiciously . . . and I can't wait to see what happens next!'

* Scottish Book Trust *

'An ingenious tale, the familiar fights and flight scenario kept interesting by the figure of grandfather, a kind of ageing James Bond.'

* Books for Keeps *

'An adventure story [that] moves at a fast pace.'

* School Librarian *

'Raiders of the Lost Ark meets Toy Story.'

* Publishers Weekly *

'Monstrous Devices effortlessly brings mythic legend and modern life together in one exhilarating, breathless chase. With humour, relentless adventure, and true insight, he compels us to look closely at our wishes and illusions, at the dark and light forces of creation, at what really makes us tick.'

* S. E. Grove, bestselling author of The Glass Sentence *

'Damien Love's Monstrous Devices is an atmospheric, adventure-packed debut, which will surely appeal to fans of Jonathan Stroud's immersive, multi-layered novels.'

* Love Reading, debut of the month *

'This is an immensely entertaining adventure tale, with Scottish author Love's masterful manipulation of pacing alternately drawing out tension or speeding up life-and-death clashes to keep the pages furiously turning. Atmospheric and cinema ready.'

* BCCB review *

'I enjoyed everything about Damien Love's debut - its title, its breakneck action, its sly sense of humour. If you imagine Rick and Morty colliding with early Spielberg, you get some idea of this delirious adventure...and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see it on the screen. I wish my first novel had been as imaginative and assured.'

* Anthony Horowitz *

'What fun! An evil villain, a host of scary robots, big and small, and a hero with commendably bad personal habits. Loved it!'

* John Flanagan, New York Times bestselling author of the Ranger's Apprentice series *

'It is hard to believe that this fantastic, mega-original novel is Love's first book. The author speeds through his thrillingly ingenious tale with the confidence and creativity of a seasoned storyteller.'

-- South China Morning Post

'A great read. The descriptive writing really created an incredible image in my mind of what was happening. Can't wait for the sequel.'

* Max, aged 14 *

'Mysterious and frightening...a well-crafted adventure that's filled with desperate chases, narrow escapes, fight scenes, and twists.'

* Publishers Weekly, starred review *

'The elements of the story are strong and put me on the edge of my seat throughout reading this masterpiece.'

* Olly, aged 16 *

'Adventure, mystery and tin-toy terror! An absolutely ripping read from start to finish.'

-- Tom Huddleston, author of Floodworld

'A well-knit debut generously stocked with chills, thrills, and chancy exploits.'

* Kirkus *

'The action was so gripping that I thought I was in the book... great for all young ages that love a fantasy filled with amazing description and daredevil stunts. Can't wait for the sequel!'

* Barnaby, aged 11 *

'What a heart-stopping adventure...With twists and turns, thrills, suspense and secrets, this is captivating.'

* Harry, aged 13 *

'Action-packed and cinematic with a great side-serving of dark gloopy weirdness'

-- Sinead O'Hart, author of The Starspun Web

'This debut novel exhibits a canny ability to conjure just the right word, the picture-perfect metaphor, the witty one-liner to bring a story to life. This grandad and grandson adventure has all the hallmarks of a whopping kids' thriller; a mysterious quest, a dream-like flight across snowy lands, a sinister magic, a throng of foes, and, most important of all, a huge heart.'

-- Big Issue Kids' Books of the Year

'Looking for the perfect story to escape from everyday life? Then Damien Love's debut novel is a spellbinding, roller coaster of a ride... This action packed story provides thrills and chills and gives readers plenty of spine tingling moments.'

-- Kids' Book Review

'The cinematic writing combined with the dark plot makes it a gripping read for 10+.'

-- Sunday Business Post, Best books for Christmas

'I found this book very creative... I think it's a very good book and is rather funny... I especially like the grandfather character because he's a calming, funny, father figure to Alex.'

-- Teen Titles



Book Information
ISBN 9781786077523
Author Damien Love
Format Hardback
Page Count 352
Imprint Rock the Boat
Publisher Oneworld Publications
Dimensions(mm) 201mm * 135mm * 30mm