Cover Illustration by Becka Moor
Published by Firefly Press on 7th September
Tapper Watson and the Quest for the Nemo Machine is a blast of an adventure: a perfect blend of Greek mythology and science-fiction written with such warmth and wit. Oh, and it’s brilliantly bizarre, and wonderfully weird and wacky – and I absolutely loved it!
13-year-old Erisean boy, Tapper Watson, loves adventure stories but is not so keen on real life adventure which is a little unfortunate as he has found himself aboard an interworld submarine with two smugglers who have been employed by his Uncle Five to make delivery of some expensive cargo to another world.
When the submarine is damaged, they make an unscheduled visit to Earth where he meets Fern Shakespeare and her talking plant, Morse, who communicates using morse code (just adorable). Fern’s father is a submarine mechanic and just who is needed to repair the Boldly Goes. He is also the inventor of the missing Nemo Machine, a machine which can restore memories lost by drinking water from the river Lethe. When disaster strikes, Fern needs to find the Nemo Machine …
And so begins a thrilling, action-packed adventure as Fern and Tapper find themselves diving away from trouble aboard the Boldly Goes to escape Earth as they race through worlds to find the missing Nemo Machine before it is too late. But they are not the only ones seeking the Machine, and soon they find themselves being chased by lobster mobsters (I know – brilliant!) with Medusa blasters. Can they outrun their pursuers and complete their quest? Who else could want the Machine so badly that they are prepared to do anything to get it?
Oh my goodness! I loved this adventure so much! The blend of Greek mythology and science-fiction works so well and feels really fresh and inventive. I really enjoyed the playfulness with changing well-known phrases which made me giggle as did lots of the interactions which makes this a brilliant read for both adults and children. I also really loved that this felt like a Greek myth quest, but with a science-fiction setting and references. I loved the fast-paced action and wit, the wackiness and wonder of the world-building, the absolutely fantastic characters, the sense of peril and the unexpected twists and turns that kept me turning pages.
What if heroes are ordinary people who don’t give up when things get dangerous?
I adored both Tapper and Fern who come from very different worlds which often makes them argue as they adjust to each other’s beliefs and personalities rather than bonding in friendship quickly. Tapper is the youngest of 68 cousins whilst Fern is an only child; they are each a little jealous of the other. I think that there is a lot of change for most characters in this story (there is one who is deliciously evil and doesn’t change, but I won’t say anything further!). Tapper wants to find his adventures through his story heroes safely at home, but finds the courage to face dangerous situations and become the hero of his own story.
This is a wonderfully witty, action-packed and unmissable adventure, perfect for those of 9+. It’s certainly one I can’t wait to share with my class at the start of the new year.
Thank you for the Publisher, Firefly Press, for providing me with a proof copy which has not affected my honest review of the book.
Book Craic 