Scavenger 1: Zoid

York is a Scavenger – but he doesn’t live on earth. His home is a vast spaceship drifting through space. Once it was controlled by its human crew. The robots designed to help them, rebelled; now the humans exist in small embattled colonies. The Zoids, as the robots are known, are evolving, becoming ever more dangerous. When York’s community is overrun and his people captured, it is up to York to save them. His quest takes him deeper into the ship than he has ever been. He needs help; it comes in the form of Bella, a zoid, but a zoid with a difference.

Stewart and Riddell do not disappoint in this their latest collaboration. The writing is lively, the illustrations, so integral to the text, equally so. The adventure moves briskly along following the traditional lines of the quest, with difficulties, betrayals and battles on the way. York is a likeable hero and Bella an interesting companion. As is to be expected from the authors, imaginative creations abound. However, this is science fiction rather than fantasy and will also appeal to followers of Star Trek, Star Wars and  Dr Who. There will be further adventures as York and Bella venture deeper into the spaceship.