: The series introduces "Stalkers"—undead cyborg soldiers made from the corpses of fallen warriors. The character Shrike , a Stalker who raised Hester, provides one of the most heartbreaking emotional arcs in the story.
The central hook of the series is . In this world, ecosystems have been replaced by a mechanical hierarchy. Large "Traction Cities" like London roam the Great Hunting Ground, chasing down and dismantling smaller "prey" suburbs to scavenge fuel, metal, and slaves. MГЎquinas Mortales
: A scarred, fierce young woman seeking vengeance against the man who murdered her mother. Unlike many YA protagonists, Hester is often described as traditionally "unattractive" and morally complex, driven by rage rather than heroism. In this world, ecosystems have been replaced by
: The ancient conflict that destroyed modern civilization in under an hour using "Old Tech" weapons. Unlike many YA protagonists, Hester is often described
: It is perhaps the most ambitious modern example of steampunk, blending Victorian-era social structures with futuristic, rusted technology.
Together, they uncover a conspiracy involving the resurrection of , an ancient superweapon that threatens to end the era of Traction Cities by obliterating the Anti-Tractionist strongholds. The 2018 Film Adaptation