Gripping tale of adventure

A ship sails through seas thick with icebergs on a mission lasting hundreds of years to preserve the knowledge of its creator, while the world falls into a fear of machines.

The members of the Devouts are sworn to destroy all machines and are following the ship ... Petrel is a 12-year-old outcast who lives in secret nooks and crannies of the ship, stealing food when she can.

Her parents broke the prime ship rule against interbreeding between different ''tribes'', and were put to death.

Known to the crew as the Nothing girl, she nevertheless has a part to play as the voyage proceeds.

From the talented author of The Keepers series (which I am now inclined to read) this is a gripping tale, skilfully told, which moves at a cracking pace.

It is the first in a series but seems complete on its own. Ages 12+.

- René Nol is a Dunedin reader.