'A superbly assured debut… an effortless, atmospheric evocation of place and history combine in an unforgettable, immersive reading experience.'
Monstrous Devices
THE TIMES CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE WEEK
Damien Love‘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?
Reviews
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
Damien Love
Damien Love was born in Scotland and lives in Glasgow. 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 was his first novel. Learn more at damienlove.com.
Author page
