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Pax and the Missing Head
In a country beset by civil war, New London defends itself behind a giant wall. Inside the city, children are forced to work from an early age, except for the lucky few who train to be leaders in the re-purposed Palace of Westminster. 12-year-old orphaned Pax is brilliant at recycling old tech. He enjoys working on the verti-farms and just wants a bit of peace and quiet. But when that is taken away from him, his only hope is to pass a near-impossible exam and join the other students in Scholastic Parliament. There he’ll make new friends and new enemies. He’ll get tested like never before. And he’ll discover that not everything is quite what it seems under the mayor’s harsh leadership.
216 pages, Paperback
Published October 12, 2023
1 person is currently reading
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 23, 2023
Pax and the Missing Head is set in the dystopian city of New London which is hidden behind a massive wall to defend itself from a raging civil war. Our main character, 12-year-old Pax, is an orphan who has grown up in a workhouse.
It’s clear right from the start that Pax is really great at tinkering with equipment and mending things, but because he is so young the ‘Worshipful company of Engineers’ won’t let do that officially, so instead along with his best and pretty much only friend, Charlie, he has to do the various menial tasks Commandant Hanson assigns. Unfortunately for Pax, the friendship with Charlie is pretty one-side and Charlie is determined to join the army as soon as possibly so he can get away from the menial takes and get some proper food.
Then one day Pax gets the opportunity to escape this serf like existence and go to a prestigious school, make new friends (and enemies) and be set on a path that will change his life forever.
There is definitely a 1984 feel to things. They get fed a constant stream of propaganda and security cameras and microphones are everywhere. If they slack at their jobs for even a few minutes they are sure to be spotted by a drone and assigned punishment duties, and if they say something wrong, who knows! You can also definitely see other influences too, I was thinking Harry Potter and Hogwarts more than once. Overall its a very good read and exciting start to a new series!
Thank you Tiny Tree and TWR for my copy!
It’s clear right from the start that Pax is really great at tinkering with equipment and mending things, but because he is so young the ‘Worshipful company of Engineers’ won’t let do that officially, so instead along with his best and pretty much only friend, Charlie, he has to do the various menial tasks Commandant Hanson assigns. Unfortunately for Pax, the friendship with Charlie is pretty one-side and Charlie is determined to join the army as soon as possibly so he can get away from the menial takes and get some proper food.
Then one day Pax gets the opportunity to escape this serf like existence and go to a prestigious school, make new friends (and enemies) and be set on a path that will change his life forever.
There is definitely a 1984 feel to things. They get fed a constant stream of propaganda and security cameras and microphones are everywhere. If they slack at their jobs for even a few minutes they are sure to be spotted by a drone and assigned punishment duties, and if they say something wrong, who knows! You can also definitely see other influences too, I was thinking Harry Potter and Hogwarts more than once. Overall its a very good read and exciting start to a new series!
Thank you Tiny Tree and TWR for my copy!
October 25, 2023
I don’t often read middle grade fantasy, but this is one you’ll want to know more about. Although it was clearly written for middle graders and young adults, I think it’s engaging enough for adults too, especially if you like adventure. The story is set into a steampunk, dystopian fantasy world where the weight of an oppressive rule is felt by all. You’ll step into the shoes of Pax, a young man yearning to break free from a life of labor in a dystopian future London.
In this story, meet Pax, a young man who defies the norms of a bleak future London. An orphan, he’s just like everyone else in New London, serving the government in one way or another. His days are filled with manual work, and he has few friends and even fewer hopes. But Pax has a unique talent for engineering and fixing things. It’s a narrative that draws parallels to the challenges faced by Harry Potter, only this time set against the backdrop of a dystopian London enclosed by the imposing New London Wall.
As you read, you'll totally relate to Pax's struggles, his search for friendship, and dealing with bullies like mean-boy Zach. You’ll share in his triumph when he discovers his kindred spirits within the Scholastic Parliament.
Let’s talk about New London, a place I found deeply disheartening. The setting is a stark reminder of how societies can spiral into dystopia when subjected to conflict and authoritarianism.
What drew me to this book was the fascinating setting—what I imagine to be a dystopian version of London. Pax’s aspirations to join the Scholastic Parliament are your gateway to exploring the intricacies of this world. Pax, with his rule-bending skills and his charming robots, is a pretty cool character.
Read more at https://www.summonfantasy.com/reviews...
In this story, meet Pax, a young man who defies the norms of a bleak future London. An orphan, he’s just like everyone else in New London, serving the government in one way or another. His days are filled with manual work, and he has few friends and even fewer hopes. But Pax has a unique talent for engineering and fixing things. It’s a narrative that draws parallels to the challenges faced by Harry Potter, only this time set against the backdrop of a dystopian London enclosed by the imposing New London Wall.
As you read, you'll totally relate to Pax's struggles, his search for friendship, and dealing with bullies like mean-boy Zach. You’ll share in his triumph when he discovers his kindred spirits within the Scholastic Parliament.
Let’s talk about New London, a place I found deeply disheartening. The setting is a stark reminder of how societies can spiral into dystopia when subjected to conflict and authoritarianism.
What drew me to this book was the fascinating setting—what I imagine to be a dystopian version of London. Pax’s aspirations to join the Scholastic Parliament are your gateway to exploring the intricacies of this world. Pax, with his rule-bending skills and his charming robots, is a pretty cool character.
Read more at https://www.summonfantasy.com/reviews...
October 30, 2023
‘Pax and the Missing Head’ by David Barker is a real delight.
Its a childrens book but I challenge anyone of any age not to enjoy it.
Pax is living in New London in a country that is in a civil war. As a young worker Pax hopes for bigger things and finally gets his chance when trying to get a place at Scholastic Parliament.
The characters in this book are delightful and the story is compelling. The book has a familiarity to a certain story of a famous school for wizards but dont let that put you off as its a great story and hopefully there will be more to this series.
This book is surely to be popular as a story book for children and is so well written.
Thanks to the author, and publisher for allowing me to be part of this blog tour.
Its a childrens book but I challenge anyone of any age not to enjoy it.
Pax is living in New London in a country that is in a civil war. As a young worker Pax hopes for bigger things and finally gets his chance when trying to get a place at Scholastic Parliament.
The characters in this book are delightful and the story is compelling. The book has a familiarity to a certain story of a famous school for wizards but dont let that put you off as its a great story and hopefully there will be more to this series.
This book is surely to be popular as a story book for children and is so well written.
Thanks to the author, and publisher for allowing me to be part of this blog tour.
October 24, 2023
Pax and the Missing Head by David Barker is a middle grade fantasy/sci fi set in New London. New London is sealed off and ‘protected’ behind a giant wall. I put protected in inverted commas because as one goes alone you realise that control of their populace seems far more important to the power that be than any civil war that is going on.
Pax, the main character, is an orphan , who along with everybody else in New London world for the government in some way. Pax’s main jobs are basically manual labour involving cleaning things (including the toilets when he ‘messes up’ - messes up being getting spotted while not working hard enough.
The book reminds me a bit of several others, both adult sci fit and dystopias and also middle grade and YA books. Like Divergent the city is sealed off from the outside world and you are told a story about what is out there but you don’t really know how real that dislike Harry Potter our main character is an orphan who is whisked away from a ‘meh’ existence to an interesting and exciting boarding school etc. Like 1984 the government is all-powerful and monitoring you every move.
Its a well written, solid start to an interesting new series and I’m excited to see where it goes!
Pax, the main character, is an orphan , who along with everybody else in New London world for the government in some way. Pax’s main jobs are basically manual labour involving cleaning things (including the toilets when he ‘messes up’ - messes up being getting spotted while not working hard enough.
The book reminds me a bit of several others, both adult sci fit and dystopias and also middle grade and YA books. Like Divergent the city is sealed off from the outside world and you are told a story about what is out there but you don’t really know how real that dislike Harry Potter our main character is an orphan who is whisked away from a ‘meh’ existence to an interesting and exciting boarding school etc. Like 1984 the government is all-powerful and monitoring you every move.
Its a well written, solid start to an interesting new series and I’m excited to see where it goes!
October 28, 2023
Middle Grade fantasy isn't my usual wheelhouse but Pax and the Missing Head, the first in what promises to be an intriguing new series from David Barker, proved to be an engaging adventure story set in a dystopian future London.
Twelve-year-old Pax lives within the walled city of New London. Outside the walls, civil war is raging but the people of New London are protected. Or rather, they're protected for as long as they can work. Get too old to contribute - or refuse to undertake your assigned job role - and you're at risk of being banished to the clutches of the Countryside Alliance. With freedom almost non-existent, Pax's life is a constant round of work but at least the verti-farms aren't too bad an assignment, whilst his shifts in the electronics recycling centre give him plenty of opportunities to exercise his talent for engineering.
But when all of this is taken away from him by Commandant Hanson, Pax's only chance of escaping a life of menial drudgery is to pass the exam that will get him into the Scholastic Parliament: a school for talented young people. Bigger things lie in wait for Pax as he enters the Parliament's doors and his life will certainly change. But can he ever escape the grasp of the system he was born into?
It took me a little while to find my feet with Pax and the Missing Head. Although Pax himself was an immediately likeable and engaging central character, there was a fair amount of world building to get through before the story really kicked into gear and, for the first few chapters, I wasn't entirely sure what the book was going to be about.
Once Pax arrived at the Scholastic Parliament however, we're in much more familiar territory, with some good old-fashioned school-based shenanigans. Pax is soon making friends (and enemies) whilst learning new subjects and trying to help his team - The Judges - win the parliamentary championship. All of which is immeasurably complicated when the Parliament's Head Teacher goes missing and sinister government forces try to impose their will on the school and its residents.
There's a lot to like about Pax and the Missing Head and it's certainly a boisterous adventure that will appeal to upper middle grade and younger YA readers. The world is interesting and engaging, with shades of both Harry Potter (in the Scholastic Parliament setting) and the dystopian worlds of both 1984 and The Hunger Games (within the wider world), and David Barker does a great job of keeping the dystopian elements the right side of middle-grade appropriate whilst still conveying the oppressive atmosphere of an authoritarian state. However, some elements didn't come to the fore as much as I had expected given their prominence earlier in the book. This may well be world-building for future titles in the series but, personally, I'd have liked to know a little more about the civil war between the City-States and the Countryside Alliance, as well as about the divide between older and younger residents of New London.
That said, I really enjoyed the focus within the book on supportive friendships and loved seeing Pax grow in confidence once he's given the support and encouragement that has clearly been lacking from his life. All of the characters are lively and interesting - even the villains - and, once Pax arrives at Scholastic Parliament, the plot rattles along nicely and has plenty of action to keep the pages turning.
Overall, Pax and the Missing Head is an enjoyable start to what promises to be an interesting and engaging Middle Grade series.
NB: This review also appears on my blog at https://theshelfofunreadbooks.wordpre... as part of the blog tour for the book. My thanks go to the publisher for providing a copy of the book in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Twelve-year-old Pax lives within the walled city of New London. Outside the walls, civil war is raging but the people of New London are protected. Or rather, they're protected for as long as they can work. Get too old to contribute - or refuse to undertake your assigned job role - and you're at risk of being banished to the clutches of the Countryside Alliance. With freedom almost non-existent, Pax's life is a constant round of work but at least the verti-farms aren't too bad an assignment, whilst his shifts in the electronics recycling centre give him plenty of opportunities to exercise his talent for engineering.
But when all of this is taken away from him by Commandant Hanson, Pax's only chance of escaping a life of menial drudgery is to pass the exam that will get him into the Scholastic Parliament: a school for talented young people. Bigger things lie in wait for Pax as he enters the Parliament's doors and his life will certainly change. But can he ever escape the grasp of the system he was born into?
It took me a little while to find my feet with Pax and the Missing Head. Although Pax himself was an immediately likeable and engaging central character, there was a fair amount of world building to get through before the story really kicked into gear and, for the first few chapters, I wasn't entirely sure what the book was going to be about.
Once Pax arrived at the Scholastic Parliament however, we're in much more familiar territory, with some good old-fashioned school-based shenanigans. Pax is soon making friends (and enemies) whilst learning new subjects and trying to help his team - The Judges - win the parliamentary championship. All of which is immeasurably complicated when the Parliament's Head Teacher goes missing and sinister government forces try to impose their will on the school and its residents.
There's a lot to like about Pax and the Missing Head and it's certainly a boisterous adventure that will appeal to upper middle grade and younger YA readers. The world is interesting and engaging, with shades of both Harry Potter (in the Scholastic Parliament setting) and the dystopian worlds of both 1984 and The Hunger Games (within the wider world), and David Barker does a great job of keeping the dystopian elements the right side of middle-grade appropriate whilst still conveying the oppressive atmosphere of an authoritarian state. However, some elements didn't come to the fore as much as I had expected given their prominence earlier in the book. This may well be world-building for future titles in the series but, personally, I'd have liked to know a little more about the civil war between the City-States and the Countryside Alliance, as well as about the divide between older and younger residents of New London.
That said, I really enjoyed the focus within the book on supportive friendships and loved seeing Pax grow in confidence once he's given the support and encouragement that has clearly been lacking from his life. All of the characters are lively and interesting - even the villains - and, once Pax arrives at Scholastic Parliament, the plot rattles along nicely and has plenty of action to keep the pages turning.
Overall, Pax and the Missing Head is an enjoyable start to what promises to be an interesting and engaging Middle Grade series.
NB: This review also appears on my blog at https://theshelfofunreadbooks.wordpre... as part of the blog tour for the book. My thanks go to the publisher for providing a copy of the book in return for an honest and unbiased review.
October 30, 2023
The story:
Born in 2045, Pax is 12 years old, loves mending things, and when we meet him is halfway up a verti-farm, tending crops grown in a high-rise building in the heart of New London. The city is surrounded by The Wall, under the leadership of Lord Mayor Silas Letherington. The Great Divide has split the country into the Guild of Cities and the Countryside Alliance. As civil war rages, the children of New London serve in the workhouses, apart from those lucky enough to attend Scholastic Parliament, training to be leaders.
When Pax passes the entrance exam to attend, he thinks his luck is finally changing, especially as he finds himself with real friends for the first time. But the Lord Mayor has some dangerous plans that will change the world Pax knows — will he be able to find out the truth, and at the same time avoid being expelled?
My thoughts:
“Pax and the Missing Head” by David Barker is a great middle-grade adventure, set in the futuristic world of New London. Civil war, driven by the ever-increasing costs of an aging population, has divided the nation between old and young, with the young workers of the walled cities versus the old and the rich of the Countryside Alliance. But as in every good dystopian story, all is not as it seems, and Lord Mayor Silas Letherington seems less keen on defence and more in favour of attack…
Pax is a young “seedling” — a boy born via artificial means — whose home is the workhouse. Scholastic Parliament, where future leaders are trained, seems a distant dream. But when Pax is pushed too far by a vindictive workhouse boss, he takes advantage of every New London child’s right to sit the entrance exam. And Pax is a determined and resourceful character, using his skills with electronics to make sure an “accidental” power cut doesn’t derail his exam.
Finding himself as a first year in the Party of Judges, his life moves to the Palace of Westminster, home of the school. There he begins to make friends, but also enemies in the bully Zachariah, a member of the Party of Loyals. Each of the four school parties competes throughout the school year to earn points in the Parliamentary Poll, with the losing party suffering expulsions by random draft.
The missing Head of the title refers to Headmistress Miss Adams, someone Pax is pretty sure knows more about the Mayor’s plans. So when she goes missing after an accident, Pax is determined to find out the truth, while at the same time trying to ensure his party doesn’t come last in the Poll.
I found this to be a real page-turner of a read, and Pax is a resourceful and likeable main character. He is skilled in robotics but his life in the workhouse has left him unsure of making friends, and it was great to see his friendship group, and his confidence, growing as the story progresses. Overall, this is an exciting, well-written adventure and a great introduction to dystopian fiction for middle-grade readers. I hope we get to read more about Pax and his friends in future stories!
Born in 2045, Pax is 12 years old, loves mending things, and when we meet him is halfway up a verti-farm, tending crops grown in a high-rise building in the heart of New London. The city is surrounded by The Wall, under the leadership of Lord Mayor Silas Letherington. The Great Divide has split the country into the Guild of Cities and the Countryside Alliance. As civil war rages, the children of New London serve in the workhouses, apart from those lucky enough to attend Scholastic Parliament, training to be leaders.
When Pax passes the entrance exam to attend, he thinks his luck is finally changing, especially as he finds himself with real friends for the first time. But the Lord Mayor has some dangerous plans that will change the world Pax knows — will he be able to find out the truth, and at the same time avoid being expelled?
My thoughts:
“Pax and the Missing Head” by David Barker is a great middle-grade adventure, set in the futuristic world of New London. Civil war, driven by the ever-increasing costs of an aging population, has divided the nation between old and young, with the young workers of the walled cities versus the old and the rich of the Countryside Alliance. But as in every good dystopian story, all is not as it seems, and Lord Mayor Silas Letherington seems less keen on defence and more in favour of attack…
Pax is a young “seedling” — a boy born via artificial means — whose home is the workhouse. Scholastic Parliament, where future leaders are trained, seems a distant dream. But when Pax is pushed too far by a vindictive workhouse boss, he takes advantage of every New London child’s right to sit the entrance exam. And Pax is a determined and resourceful character, using his skills with electronics to make sure an “accidental” power cut doesn’t derail his exam.
Finding himself as a first year in the Party of Judges, his life moves to the Palace of Westminster, home of the school. There he begins to make friends, but also enemies in the bully Zachariah, a member of the Party of Loyals. Each of the four school parties competes throughout the school year to earn points in the Parliamentary Poll, with the losing party suffering expulsions by random draft.
The missing Head of the title refers to Headmistress Miss Adams, someone Pax is pretty sure knows more about the Mayor’s plans. So when she goes missing after an accident, Pax is determined to find out the truth, while at the same time trying to ensure his party doesn’t come last in the Poll.
I found this to be a real page-turner of a read, and Pax is a resourceful and likeable main character. He is skilled in robotics but his life in the workhouse has left him unsure of making friends, and it was great to see his friendship group, and his confidence, growing as the story progresses. Overall, this is an exciting, well-written adventure and a great introduction to dystopian fiction for middle-grade readers. I hope we get to read more about Pax and his friends in future stories!
November 6, 2023
[This review can also be found on my BLOG]
**I was provided with a copy of the book by Tiny Tree Books for a blog tour with The Write Reads Tours in exchange for an honest review**
CW: violence, torture, injury, bullying, child labour, forced displacement
--
Pax and the Missing Head is an engaging middle grade adventure that introduces us to a new dystopian take on London and a talented young hero who is determined to beat the odds stacked against him.
New London is walled off and in a civil war with the Countryside Alliance and those within are protected as long as they work towards helping the place function. As an orphan, our protagonist Pax has grown up in one of the workhouses and contributes to society through menial tasks despite having a talent for tinkering with tech. When the Commandant of his workhouse makes his life hell, Pax decides to take his one chance at getting into the Scholastic Parliament, a school where his hopes of becoming an Engineer for the city can be accomplished. However, the path he sets down turns out to reveal more about the world around him than he ever expected.
Pax is a likeable albeit mischievous character and you can’t help but root for him as he faces challenges both personal and relating to the greater good over the course of the book. A big part of the story is to do with friendship and being supportive of one another which was absolutely wonderful to see.
I think what I liked the most was how Barker brilliantly fused together a dystopian world and an academic setting as well as how well the worldbuilding was woven around the driving plot. We get a real sense of this tech-enhanced London that is actually very bleak under the surface alongside following our protagonist on his journey.
The school setting too, despite bringing that vibe of nostalgia with things like interhouse competitions and rivalries also has that undercurrent of horror when we see some of the things that are the norm in this society. The story as a whole is for a younger audience and will very much be enjoyed by younger readers but how Barker also addresses mature themes which are prominent in adult dystopian fiction means people of all ages can take away something from this book.
By the end we’re left with a fair few unanswered questions of the wider world and story which have definitely got me intrigued to check out the next instalment in the series!
Final Rating – 4/5 Stars
**I was provided with a copy of the book by Tiny Tree Books for a blog tour with The Write Reads Tours in exchange for an honest review**
CW: violence, torture, injury, bullying, child labour, forced displacement
--
Pax and the Missing Head is an engaging middle grade adventure that introduces us to a new dystopian take on London and a talented young hero who is determined to beat the odds stacked against him.
New London is walled off and in a civil war with the Countryside Alliance and those within are protected as long as they work towards helping the place function. As an orphan, our protagonist Pax has grown up in one of the workhouses and contributes to society through menial tasks despite having a talent for tinkering with tech. When the Commandant of his workhouse makes his life hell, Pax decides to take his one chance at getting into the Scholastic Parliament, a school where his hopes of becoming an Engineer for the city can be accomplished. However, the path he sets down turns out to reveal more about the world around him than he ever expected.
Pax is a likeable albeit mischievous character and you can’t help but root for him as he faces challenges both personal and relating to the greater good over the course of the book. A big part of the story is to do with friendship and being supportive of one another which was absolutely wonderful to see.
I think what I liked the most was how Barker brilliantly fused together a dystopian world and an academic setting as well as how well the worldbuilding was woven around the driving plot. We get a real sense of this tech-enhanced London that is actually very bleak under the surface alongside following our protagonist on his journey.
The school setting too, despite bringing that vibe of nostalgia with things like interhouse competitions and rivalries also has that undercurrent of horror when we see some of the things that are the norm in this society. The story as a whole is for a younger audience and will very much be enjoyed by younger readers but how Barker also addresses mature themes which are prominent in adult dystopian fiction means people of all ages can take away something from this book.
By the end we’re left with a fair few unanswered questions of the wider world and story which have definitely got me intrigued to check out the next instalment in the series!
Final Rating – 4/5 Stars
October 27, 2023
This was an enjoyable dystopian, sci-fi middle grade read, set in a New London with robots, drones and AI, where aging populations are sent out of the walled off London, at the age of 60, along with the rest of the rich and the old. It isn’t made clear what has caused this divide of old and young, but New London is protected by a giant wall (think Divergent!) in an attempt to keep the outcast groups out of New London.
I always enjoy a school setting in a book, with our main character Pax, a seedling born to be a worker, joins in an attempt to escape Hairy Hanson and roles including the sewer cleaning, so he might become an engineer one day. The four school groups, the competitions and the friendships/bullies made this book interesting to follow, cheering for the Judges who attempt to beat the odds and win the yearly competition, whilst relating to Pax’s experiences, especially with being in a new environment and the torment he receives for being unlike the others. But not all is as it seems. I loved the little robots and trinkets that Pax makes over the course of the book. The robots especially with their own personalities.
1984 is one of my favourite all time books, and I definitely felt like there was a 1984 feel to Pax and the Missing Head. We had security cameras and a supercomputer who monitored all movements and reported back, a control of the information being disseminated to those at the school, and a phrase that was constantly used (in 1984 this was Big Brother is Watching You, and in Pax, this was “New London is no place for losers” “We Will Win”)
I wish we were told more about the civil war aspect and what was the catalyst in the wall formation and people being kicked out of New London. There are a lot of unanswered questions and incomplete plot points. However I believe this is book 1, so hopefully these get discussed more in the next!
This book was a nice easy read that you could follow and it was refreshing to read a middle grade dystopian book set in a familiar sort of setting, being a Londoner myself, but with a surprisingly bleak futuristic society.
I always enjoy a school setting in a book, with our main character Pax, a seedling born to be a worker, joins in an attempt to escape Hairy Hanson and roles including the sewer cleaning, so he might become an engineer one day. The four school groups, the competitions and the friendships/bullies made this book interesting to follow, cheering for the Judges who attempt to beat the odds and win the yearly competition, whilst relating to Pax’s experiences, especially with being in a new environment and the torment he receives for being unlike the others. But not all is as it seems. I loved the little robots and trinkets that Pax makes over the course of the book. The robots especially with their own personalities.
1984 is one of my favourite all time books, and I definitely felt like there was a 1984 feel to Pax and the Missing Head. We had security cameras and a supercomputer who monitored all movements and reported back, a control of the information being disseminated to those at the school, and a phrase that was constantly used (in 1984 this was Big Brother is Watching You, and in Pax, this was “New London is no place for losers” “We Will Win”)
I wish we were told more about the civil war aspect and what was the catalyst in the wall formation and people being kicked out of New London. There are a lot of unanswered questions and incomplete plot points. However I believe this is book 1, so hopefully these get discussed more in the next!
This book was a nice easy read that you could follow and it was refreshing to read a middle grade dystopian book set in a familiar sort of setting, being a Londoner myself, but with a surprisingly bleak futuristic society.
October 25, 2023
Rating 3.5/5
It's been quite some time since I read a middle grade book and I was looking forward to a bit of an adventure. Pax and the Missing Head originally jumped out at me because of the setting, a dystopian version of London in a world where the cities are at war with the Countryside Alliance, it just seemed like an exciting background to the story and I was looking forward to exploring it.
Pax was an interesting character, a bit of an outsider and very gifted with technology, he seems to have a knack for bending rules and getting away with it. This was often in aid of getting parts for his little robots or as the book went on to help get better team rankings in school; I have to say that I really liked the robots because they had a bit of personality.
I enjoyed the school setting and the competition between the school teams, I was cheering on the Judges when they were going up against the other teams in the different tasks they were set. It definitely made me more tense when Pax was doing things he shouldn't knowing that he could lose points that his team really needed.
I found the idea of what was outside of the wall surrounding New London very intriguing, we get a little glimpse of that but I would be interested to know more. I felt the same about the civil war aspect too, I would like to know more but I'm conscious that I am reading it as an adult and that that might not be something younger readers would feel. There were also a few plot points that I felt lost themselves throughout the book, but I think this might be the first in a series so there is a chance that these are things that will be resolved in the future.
This book was a nice easy read, fun with some lovely friendships and a lot of action. I was easily drawn into the story and I would be interested to see where it is going next.
Originally posted on everywhere and nowhere
It's been quite some time since I read a middle grade book and I was looking forward to a bit of an adventure. Pax and the Missing Head originally jumped out at me because of the setting, a dystopian version of London in a world where the cities are at war with the Countryside Alliance, it just seemed like an exciting background to the story and I was looking forward to exploring it.
Pax was an interesting character, a bit of an outsider and very gifted with technology, he seems to have a knack for bending rules and getting away with it. This was often in aid of getting parts for his little robots or as the book went on to help get better team rankings in school; I have to say that I really liked the robots because they had a bit of personality.
I enjoyed the school setting and the competition between the school teams, I was cheering on the Judges when they were going up against the other teams in the different tasks they were set. It definitely made me more tense when Pax was doing things he shouldn't knowing that he could lose points that his team really needed.
I found the idea of what was outside of the wall surrounding New London very intriguing, we get a little glimpse of that but I would be interested to know more. I felt the same about the civil war aspect too, I would like to know more but I'm conscious that I am reading it as an adult and that that might not be something younger readers would feel. There were also a few plot points that I felt lost themselves throughout the book, but I think this might be the first in a series so there is a chance that these are things that will be resolved in the future.
This book was a nice easy read, fun with some lovely friendships and a lot of action. I was easily drawn into the story and I would be interested to see where it is going next.
Originally posted on everywhere and nowhere
December 27, 2023
I really enjoyed David Barker's adult post-apocalyptic book, Blue Gold a few years ago and so was intrigued to read his middle grade dystopian novel. Pax and the Missing Head is certainly a bleak look at the future but there is an excellent balance between the dark themes explored and the lighter, more humorous or heartwarming moments.
Pax is one of the seedlings; a parentless child who lives in the workhouse where he is employed on a verti-farm. He tries to make the most of his days but it's clearly not an easy life, with high demands and harsh punishments meted out on those adjudged to step out of line. David Barker understands that stories for children need to immediately grasp their attention and so although he describes this oppressive, unfair world in vivid detail, he doesn't resort to pages of exposition. It does mean that there are unanswered questions about the ongoing civil war and the enormous wall which now encircles New London but there needs to be revelations held back in series such as this and I'm looking forward to discovering more as it progresses.
Most of the storyline here takes place in the Scholastic Parliament and David Barker cleverly makes good use of the Palace of Westminster setting, with the former corridors of power being the scene of several dramatic moments. I thought the social media chatline used by the pupils being called Hansard was an amusing touch too, although, of course, more likely to be appreciated by adults reading the book! Comparisons with other boarding school stories, particularly Harry Potter are inevitable but while Pax and the Missing Head utilises many of the familiar elements – four rival teams pitted against one another to earn points, various friendship issues, a school bully and lots of sneaking around in the dark – it doesn't feel derivative and is never less than a fresh and exciting mystery with real heart.
As Pax tries to negotiate his new surroundings he is ever conscious that the call-and-response mantra, "New London is no place for losers." "We will win." ensures the price for his team coming last in the Parliamentary Poll will almost certainly be particularly devastating for him. The ever-watchful supercomputer. Alderman who may be friend or foe, and the use of high tech punishments adds to the escalating sense of tension throughout and there's a gripping race against time as Pax and his friends have to figure out the truth of the missing Head while still trying to help their team, the Judges climb off the bottom place in the Parliamentary Poll. The brutally intense denouement to the book is packed with twists and turns and is truly nail-biting.
Despite being an action-packed read, the characterisation isn't lacking and although Pax is undoubtedly the best developed character, his friends and enemies are interesting and believable creations too. A word here for his robot friends, Bee-Bop and Roacher who are sure to become favourites with young readers. The ending to Pax and the Missing Head is excellent, with its satisfying conclusion still leaving room for more – most notably the truth about the terrifying sounding Pinchers. This is a thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking rollercoaster of a read; I will be recommending it to the children I work with and I'm looking forward to discovering what troubles lie in store for Pax as the London Falling trilogy progresses.
Pax is one of the seedlings; a parentless child who lives in the workhouse where he is employed on a verti-farm. He tries to make the most of his days but it's clearly not an easy life, with high demands and harsh punishments meted out on those adjudged to step out of line. David Barker understands that stories for children need to immediately grasp their attention and so although he describes this oppressive, unfair world in vivid detail, he doesn't resort to pages of exposition. It does mean that there are unanswered questions about the ongoing civil war and the enormous wall which now encircles New London but there needs to be revelations held back in series such as this and I'm looking forward to discovering more as it progresses.
Most of the storyline here takes place in the Scholastic Parliament and David Barker cleverly makes good use of the Palace of Westminster setting, with the former corridors of power being the scene of several dramatic moments. I thought the social media chatline used by the pupils being called Hansard was an amusing touch too, although, of course, more likely to be appreciated by adults reading the book! Comparisons with other boarding school stories, particularly Harry Potter are inevitable but while Pax and the Missing Head utilises many of the familiar elements – four rival teams pitted against one another to earn points, various friendship issues, a school bully and lots of sneaking around in the dark – it doesn't feel derivative and is never less than a fresh and exciting mystery with real heart.
As Pax tries to negotiate his new surroundings he is ever conscious that the call-and-response mantra, "New London is no place for losers." "We will win." ensures the price for his team coming last in the Parliamentary Poll will almost certainly be particularly devastating for him. The ever-watchful supercomputer. Alderman who may be friend or foe, and the use of high tech punishments adds to the escalating sense of tension throughout and there's a gripping race against time as Pax and his friends have to figure out the truth of the missing Head while still trying to help their team, the Judges climb off the bottom place in the Parliamentary Poll. The brutally intense denouement to the book is packed with twists and turns and is truly nail-biting.
Despite being an action-packed read, the characterisation isn't lacking and although Pax is undoubtedly the best developed character, his friends and enemies are interesting and believable creations too. A word here for his robot friends, Bee-Bop and Roacher who are sure to become favourites with young readers. The ending to Pax and the Missing Head is excellent, with its satisfying conclusion still leaving room for more – most notably the truth about the terrifying sounding Pinchers. This is a thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking rollercoaster of a read; I will be recommending it to the children I work with and I'm looking forward to discovering what troubles lie in store for Pax as the London Falling trilogy progresses.
October 23, 2023
Pax and the Missing Head is a futuristic novel that more than once reminded me of Harry Potter, it is set in a bleak dystopian world where the country is split into a big civil war between those in the countryside and those in the cities. Freedom is basically non-existent, and children are worked like slaves.
Pax, our main character, is an orphan forced to work on boring manual tasks by those in authority. He has few friends and fewer hopes, but is extremely talented at engineering and fixing things. He isn’t allowed to put these talents to use, but he sure is dreaming of doing just that!
At first I wasn’t so sure where the book was going, but I started to really enjoy it when Pax gets the chance to go to the Scholastic Parliament and get out of his boring day to day tasks and his rather unrequited friendship with Charlie for at least a little bit.
Pax and the Missing Head is marketed as a middle grade sci-fi, and from the start I felt this was the perfect tone and writing for middle grade stories. You read about Pax and want to follow him on his journey, want him to succeed and be happy. The further you get into the story though the more technological and specific the wording becomes, so I felt like it could be a bit too ‘highbrow’ (for lack of a better word maybe) for younger children.
The same I felt in a way about some of the themes in the story, from the civil war to the dystopian setting, but then again the author does a great job at keeping the tone ‘middle-grade-appropriate’, so it is put into a great framework. Oftentimes I felt it isn’t really fully MG, but also not quite YA yet.
I think Pax and the Missing Head reads like a great start to a new series, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next! 4 stars from me for this middle grade debut!
Check out my full review on my blog:
https://theartsyreader.com/book-revie...
Pax, our main character, is an orphan forced to work on boring manual tasks by those in authority. He has few friends and fewer hopes, but is extremely talented at engineering and fixing things. He isn’t allowed to put these talents to use, but he sure is dreaming of doing just that!
At first I wasn’t so sure where the book was going, but I started to really enjoy it when Pax gets the chance to go to the Scholastic Parliament and get out of his boring day to day tasks and his rather unrequited friendship with Charlie for at least a little bit.
Pax and the Missing Head is marketed as a middle grade sci-fi, and from the start I felt this was the perfect tone and writing for middle grade stories. You read about Pax and want to follow him on his journey, want him to succeed and be happy. The further you get into the story though the more technological and specific the wording becomes, so I felt like it could be a bit too ‘highbrow’ (for lack of a better word maybe) for younger children.
The same I felt in a way about some of the themes in the story, from the civil war to the dystopian setting, but then again the author does a great job at keeping the tone ‘middle-grade-appropriate’, so it is put into a great framework. Oftentimes I felt it isn’t really fully MG, but also not quite YA yet.
I think Pax and the Missing Head reads like a great start to a new series, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next! 4 stars from me for this middle grade debut!
Check out my full review on my blog:
https://theartsyreader.com/book-revie...
October 27, 2023
Pax and the Missing Head is a middle-grade novel set in a dystopian future. It contains forty chapters which are split into three sections.
Twelve-year-old Pax lives within the city walls of New London. The country is in a civil wall and the giant wall that surrounds the once capital is supposed to protect those within, but the people are not protected from a leader who has children working in terrible places and gives them little food. They are constantly watched and punished if they don’t support the cause.
After being moved from a job he loved to the sewers, Pax has had enough and takes the exam to get into the prestigious Scholastic Parliament where big things await him and his life will change immeasurably. But not everything is how Pax imagined it would be.
The first thing I noticed when I began reading Pax and the Missing Head is how the vibe of Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell comes through strongly and I can only presume the author is a big fan of the novel.
Pax is a thoughtful, caring character who loves tinkering with things and has a real knack when it comes to fixing or building anything electronic. His goal is to become an engineer one day. He can be quite tough on himself and doesn’t put himself on a pedestal, which is a mistake as he is far more capable at most things than he gives himself credit for.
The plot flowed well and the pacing was consistent throughout. This is a great introduction to dystopian fiction for young readers. There were a couple of things I’d loved to have found out more about but as this is the start of a series these questions may be answered in further books.
Overall, I enjoyed the read. It kept me entertained the whole way through and I look forward to meeting Pax again.
Twelve-year-old Pax lives within the city walls of New London. The country is in a civil wall and the giant wall that surrounds the once capital is supposed to protect those within, but the people are not protected from a leader who has children working in terrible places and gives them little food. They are constantly watched and punished if they don’t support the cause.
After being moved from a job he loved to the sewers, Pax has had enough and takes the exam to get into the prestigious Scholastic Parliament where big things await him and his life will change immeasurably. But not everything is how Pax imagined it would be.
The first thing I noticed when I began reading Pax and the Missing Head is how the vibe of Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell comes through strongly and I can only presume the author is a big fan of the novel.
Pax is a thoughtful, caring character who loves tinkering with things and has a real knack when it comes to fixing or building anything electronic. His goal is to become an engineer one day. He can be quite tough on himself and doesn’t put himself on a pedestal, which is a mistake as he is far more capable at most things than he gives himself credit for.
The plot flowed well and the pacing was consistent throughout. This is a great introduction to dystopian fiction for young readers. There were a couple of things I’d loved to have found out more about but as this is the start of a series these questions may be answered in further books.
Overall, I enjoyed the read. It kept me entertained the whole way through and I look forward to meeting Pax again.
November 2, 2023
An enjoyable and engaging read propelling us into the oppressive dystopian society of New London. I found myself quickly invested in this ruthless world as Pax’s story encompassing friendship, power, and hope unfolds.
Pax was a great character to guide us through this world. His voice kept it interesting throughout as we see events through his eyes. As an orphan living in a labour intensive workhouse he’s had a tough start with limited options on the horizon. He feels very alone without family and friends to support him and dreams of more. He’s clever and extremely talented – I adored Roacher and Bee-Bop! He’s such a likeable character, we feel for all that he’s been through pulling us deeper into the pages.
As the boredom and tiredness kick in, Pax takes a big risk which pays off against all odds! He finds himself in the enviable position of securing a place in the Scholastic Parliament. It’s an exciting and unnerving experience and I liked the boarding school vibes that ramp up the tension.
We see hints that things are not quite as they should be. There’s sinister schemes in play, division being used to further the corrupt government’s agenda, sabotage, and rescue missions afoot. Barker creates an air of mystery and a sense of foreboding that keeps us turning those pages as we hunt for answers!
Pax And The Missing Head is a wonderful introduction to dystopian fiction for a MG audience. It deals with some tough themes well and has action, adventure, sci-fi elements, and a host of interesting characters to get to know. It opens younger reader’s eyes to wider issues in an entertaining way. It will be interesting to see what’s next for Pax and the gang!
With thanks to @The_WriteReads, @WriteReadsTours, @TinyTreeBooks, and @BlueGold2ø1 for my gifted copy and place on the Tour.
Pax was a great character to guide us through this world. His voice kept it interesting throughout as we see events through his eyes. As an orphan living in a labour intensive workhouse he’s had a tough start with limited options on the horizon. He feels very alone without family and friends to support him and dreams of more. He’s clever and extremely talented – I adored Roacher and Bee-Bop! He’s such a likeable character, we feel for all that he’s been through pulling us deeper into the pages.
As the boredom and tiredness kick in, Pax takes a big risk which pays off against all odds! He finds himself in the enviable position of securing a place in the Scholastic Parliament. It’s an exciting and unnerving experience and I liked the boarding school vibes that ramp up the tension.
We see hints that things are not quite as they should be. There’s sinister schemes in play, division being used to further the corrupt government’s agenda, sabotage, and rescue missions afoot. Barker creates an air of mystery and a sense of foreboding that keeps us turning those pages as we hunt for answers!
Pax And The Missing Head is a wonderful introduction to dystopian fiction for a MG audience. It deals with some tough themes well and has action, adventure, sci-fi elements, and a host of interesting characters to get to know. It opens younger reader’s eyes to wider issues in an entertaining way. It will be interesting to see what’s next for Pax and the gang!
With thanks to @The_WriteReads, @WriteReadsTours, @TinyTreeBooks, and @BlueGold2ø1 for my gifted copy and place on the Tour.
October 31, 2023
This is Harry Potter with elements of multiple dystopian favorites, and I LOVE it.
Having been to London multiple times and living in England for nearly two years now has certainly helped increase my appreciation. So has my love for Middle Grade and Young Adult books, and the dystopian genre in general. (Sure, it kind of feels we live in a dystopia now, but MG and YA novels manage to retain a semblance of hope; we know the protagonists will triumph in the end, even if they suffer pain and loss along the way.)
The strongest part of the book, for me at least, is Pax. He's a very likeable protagonist, which I believe is important in stories like these. The other characters gave off familiar vibes (Samuel was kinda like Ron, Megan like Hermione, Zachariah Draco, Briony Cho), but that didn't really bother me because they worked quite well as Pax's friends and adversaries, and they eventually became characters of their own. I especially enjoyed the droids though — Bee-Bop, Roacher, heck even the Knights of the Round Table. (And Bee-Bop's stunt at Capture the Flag... was that a nod to Star Wars? I hope I'm right, because I cackled!)
I also enjoyed the reimagining of London, and the scifi elements used throughout.
All in all, this was a great first installment to a series. I can't wait for the next books and for more of Pax's adventures!
Having been to London multiple times and living in England for nearly two years now has certainly helped increase my appreciation. So has my love for Middle Grade and Young Adult books, and the dystopian genre in general. (Sure, it kind of feels we live in a dystopia now, but MG and YA novels manage to retain a semblance of hope; we know the protagonists will triumph in the end, even if they suffer pain and loss along the way.)
The strongest part of the book, for me at least, is Pax. He's a very likeable protagonist, which I believe is important in stories like these. The other characters gave off familiar vibes (Samuel was kinda like Ron, Megan like Hermione, Zachariah Draco, Briony Cho), but that didn't really bother me because they worked quite well as Pax's friends and adversaries, and they eventually became characters of their own. I especially enjoyed the droids though — Bee-Bop, Roacher, heck even the Knights of the Round Table. (And Bee-Bop's stunt at Capture the Flag... was that a nod to Star Wars? I hope I'm right, because I cackled!)
I also enjoyed the reimagining of London, and the scifi elements used throughout.
All in all, this was a great first installment to a series. I can't wait for the next books and for more of Pax's adventures!
January 17, 2025
12-year-old orphan, Pax, works on the verti-farms of the walled city of New London, but his real passion is technology and engineering. But when the cruel Commandant tries to reassign him to the sewers permanently, he takes a desperate chance and attempts the entrance exam for the Scholastic Parliament - a leadership academy based in the Palace of Westminster. But being accepted is only the first obstacle. Once he arrives at his new school, Pax must face a brutal house system, an aggressive bully and a power-hungry mayor who is attempting to turn the school into a military training base. The only person who can stop him is the headteacher, but she is mysteriously missing. (I was relieved to find out the ‘missing head’ was not an actual human head.)
‘Pax and the Missing Head’ is a fun, fast-paced adventure set in an intriguing dystopian version of the UK, segregated into urban and rural, young and old. Dystopian fiction is particularly popular with my Year 6 pupils at the moment and this story is a perfect bridge to the more complex YA dystopian series like The Hunger Games. Pax is a plucky and intrepid hero who finds new friends and learns how to use his skills to overcome the odds stacked against him since birth. I can’t wait to find out more about New London and the mysterious ‘Pinchers’ in Book 2.
‘Pax and the Missing Head’ is a fun, fast-paced adventure set in an intriguing dystopian version of the UK, segregated into urban and rural, young and old. Dystopian fiction is particularly popular with my Year 6 pupils at the moment and this story is a perfect bridge to the more complex YA dystopian series like The Hunger Games. Pax is a plucky and intrepid hero who finds new friends and learns how to use his skills to overcome the odds stacked against him since birth. I can’t wait to find out more about New London and the mysterious ‘Pinchers’ in Book 2.
October 24, 2023
First of all I must admit I really thought it was a completely different type of head from the title and description! I won't spoil it for you and anyway, probably everyone else got it right away :D
This is set in a very mysterious new world. It's not really clear what exactly has caused things to change so horrifically but New London is now protected from the outside by a giant steel wall keeping out the old and the rich. Pax has never been outside but loves to look beyond the wall from high up in the vertical farms where he works.
I thought New London was such a depressing place! It's quite scary how things could escalate into a life like that. Pax really just wants to keep his head down but he's obviously really smart and Alderman seems to know that he could do better and bigger things with his life. Speaking of which, the end of the book definitely leaves things open enough for Pax to takes things much further.
It was kind of sad how Pax found it so hard to make friends so I was cheering when he found his people at Parliament. Though of course, not everyone was so nice. I find reading about bullies so frustrating and I was desperate for Pax to get back at mean-boy Zach.
https://sabrinasbooktails.blogspot.co...
This is set in a very mysterious new world. It's not really clear what exactly has caused things to change so horrifically but New London is now protected from the outside by a giant steel wall keeping out the old and the rich. Pax has never been outside but loves to look beyond the wall from high up in the vertical farms where he works.
I thought New London was such a depressing place! It's quite scary how things could escalate into a life like that. Pax really just wants to keep his head down but he's obviously really smart and Alderman seems to know that he could do better and bigger things with his life. Speaking of which, the end of the book definitely leaves things open enough for Pax to takes things much further.
It was kind of sad how Pax found it so hard to make friends so I was cheering when he found his people at Parliament. Though of course, not everyone was so nice. I find reading about bullies so frustrating and I was desperate for Pax to get back at mean-boy Zach.
https://sabrinasbooktails.blogspot.co...
November 7, 2023
Pax and the Missing Head was a really fun start to the promise of a new middle grade adventure.
I thought Pax was a really great main character. He was so resourceful and smart – I was so impressed by his ability to just build anything out of the scraps left behind. He was also really brave and I liked that very little knocked him down.
I’m so glad he made a lot of friends along the way that really stuck with him. As a team, they were able to work well together and make use of each of their strengths. They were also there for Pax when he was constantly picked on by bullies.
I feel like you cannot go wrong with a good school setting with a bit of house competition. It’s such an easy way to raise the stakes and root for the underdogs (and boo whenever the bullies get a win).
I also loved the dystopian setting, where the “useful” people are kept safe behind a wall. I think there’s a lot more to discover about behind the wall and I’m excited to learn more about it in future books.
I really enjoyed this book. It was so easy to read because I got drawn into the story and its adventure, and I loved the characters at its core. I can’t wait to read more in the series.
I thought Pax was a really great main character. He was so resourceful and smart – I was so impressed by his ability to just build anything out of the scraps left behind. He was also really brave and I liked that very little knocked him down.
I’m so glad he made a lot of friends along the way that really stuck with him. As a team, they were able to work well together and make use of each of their strengths. They were also there for Pax when he was constantly picked on by bullies.
I feel like you cannot go wrong with a good school setting with a bit of house competition. It’s such an easy way to raise the stakes and root for the underdogs (and boo whenever the bullies get a win).
I also loved the dystopian setting, where the “useful” people are kept safe behind a wall. I think there’s a lot more to discover about behind the wall and I’m excited to learn more about it in future books.
I really enjoyed this book. It was so easy to read because I got drawn into the story and its adventure, and I loved the characters at its core. I can’t wait to read more in the series.
October 24, 2023
Pax and the Missing Head well written dystopian middle grade set in a unique and bleak world. Pax, a 12 year old orphan, loves to fix things, loves to tinker with things, but is forced to effectively work as a child slave doing repetitive, dull tasks. His best friend (in the early book), Charlie wants to join the army and fight in the civil war to escape the control and monotony, Pax tries to convince him otherwise, but Charlie is far less enamoured by Pathan Pax is with him and won't budge.
Luckily for Pax he gets his 'get out of jail free' card via a supposidely impossible test which results in humbling sent to an elite and mysterious boarding school! That is when Pax's story truly begins...
The book is well written throughout and I think fans of middle grade, YA and fantasy/dystopia would love it! I received my copy from the publisher via thewritereads.
Luckily for Pax he gets his 'get out of jail free' card via a supposidely impossible test which results in humbling sent to an elite and mysterious boarding school! That is when Pax's story truly begins...
The book is well written throughout and I think fans of middle grade, YA and fantasy/dystopia would love it! I received my copy from the publisher via thewritereads.
October 25, 2023
A captivating and gritty urban fantasy for young adults set in the dystopian world of New London, a city walled off from the outside in the midst of ongoing conflict and a disagreement on rulership. It is an entire under constant surveillance, where every action is witnessed by drones and used as evidence to punish. Pax initially works in the vertical gardens, but is soon punished with a trip to the sewers and threatened again with the mines until he decides to seek ammunity via academia. This story is a strong reminder on the unique balance between power control and abusive leadership, about a world increasingly watched via modern technology. On the other hand, the schooling element brings themes of friendship, bullying and loneliness with a hint of a Hogwarts feel. A superb read to be enjoyed by adults as well #paxandthemissinghead #davidbarker
November 1, 2023
I'm not sure I've read any middle grade dystopian books before, and I will definitely be checking out more after reading Pax And The Missing Head because it was so much fun!
Pax is a 12 year old orphan living in a workhouse which is behind a huge wall built to protect people from the raging civil war. Children are forced to work early in the workhouse apart from a lucky few who are chosen to go to the re-purposed Palace of Westminster.
Pax just wants peace and quiet and to be able to build his recycled bits and bobs into his little robots. When he's sent to work in the sewers, he has no choice but to sit a near impossible exam to be picked for the Palace. Despite people trying to sabotage his efforts he passes the exam and secures a place amongst the elite. Little does he know that's not where his troubles end......
I loved this story of found family and friendships along with the very fun adventures. I would have liked a bit more back story on the Civil War, but it didn't take anything away from the story. This is an action-packed , mission filled middle grade, and I'd definitely recommend it.
Pax is a 12 year old orphan living in a workhouse which is behind a huge wall built to protect people from the raging civil war. Children are forced to work early in the workhouse apart from a lucky few who are chosen to go to the re-purposed Palace of Westminster.
Pax just wants peace and quiet and to be able to build his recycled bits and bobs into his little robots. When he's sent to work in the sewers, he has no choice but to sit a near impossible exam to be picked for the Palace. Despite people trying to sabotage his efforts he passes the exam and secures a place amongst the elite. Little does he know that's not where his troubles end......
I loved this story of found family and friendships along with the very fun adventures. I would have liked a bit more back story on the Civil War, but it didn't take anything away from the story. This is an action-packed , mission filled middle grade, and I'd definitely recommend it.
November 1, 2023
I quite enjoyed meeting Pax and his friends in this fabulous new book for middle grade readers. I thought Pax was a fantastic character, one who doesn't realise his potential to do great things. He feels different and isolated because he is a seedling, grown in a lab, not born naturally. However, he is finally given the chance to prove his worth and start his journey of self discovery. I love how Pax is able to create such wonderful robotic creatures and use them to help himself and his friends. The story of being in an alternate London is a good concept and encourages the reader to want to know what's on the other side of the wall-very Divergent vibe. As his school year progresses, Pax develops into a stronger, more confident character. I'm really excited for the next book in the series to see where Pax goes.
December 6, 2023
What a fascinating look at a possible future! This is clever and well thought out and I loved reading all the little innovations and ideas.
I would have liked a bit more background - I gather that London and the rest of England are at war, but people still pass between them? When did this war happen? Why? None of that is addressed in the story, although I was reading a proof so there may be a forward in the actual book that explains, or they may be plot points in later volumes.
And I really hope there are later volumes - this could clearly run for some time, with plenty of ideas still to be explored. A fantastic run all around, and bring on the next one!
I would have liked a bit more background - I gather that London and the rest of England are at war, but people still pass between them? When did this war happen? Why? None of that is addressed in the story, although I was reading a proof so there may be a forward in the actual book that explains, or they may be plot points in later volumes.
And I really hope there are later volumes - this could clearly run for some time, with plenty of ideas still to be explored. A fantastic run all around, and bring on the next one!
February 5, 2024
This is an engaging read for fans of school-based adventures like Harry Potter. But this is no ordinary school and instead of magic, it’s the culture and technology that mark this setting out. The characters are believable and perfectly pitched for the target readership of a middle grade fantasy. It’s set in an imagined future London where there is a definite division between the haves and have-nots. Can the hero of the story, Pax, overcome his birthright and succeed? This is the first of a trilogy and sets things up very nicely for the next in the series while still being a complete story in its own right.
November 2, 2023
An entertaining middle grade sci fi set in a futuristic and dystopian New London. Our main character, Pax, like everybody else in New London works for the overpowering government who supervise, observe and rule over all the inhabitants with an iron fist.
The book deals with a lotto themes that are common in YA/middle grade, bullying, friendships, finding acceptance and reminded me a bit of Harry Potter in someways, particularly when Pax goes to join the Scholastic Parliament.
Solid 4 stars and recommended to fans of the genre.
The book deals with a lotto themes that are common in YA/middle grade, bullying, friendships, finding acceptance and reminded me a bit of Harry Potter in someways, particularly when Pax goes to join the Scholastic Parliament.
Solid 4 stars and recommended to fans of the genre.
October 31, 2023
Primarily aimed at the YA age group, Pax and the Missing Head is a highly enjoyable read, which I enjoyed way more than I should - I'm already itching to get my mitts on the second in this new dystopia fantasy series.
The plot was exciting, engaging and who knows, it could quite be a thing of the future! There was definitely the influence of Orwell behind this, the 1984 vibes hit me straight away.
I loved the authors world building, New London sounds such a dark and dismal place to live. The characters were great, I loved Pax, he was born to be a rule breaker...he needed something to brighten to his days didn't he?
A highly entertaining, enjoyable fun read which I would recommend to any age.
The plot was exciting, engaging and who knows, it could quite be a thing of the future! There was definitely the influence of Orwell behind this, the 1984 vibes hit me straight away.
I loved the authors world building, New London sounds such a dark and dismal place to live. The characters were great, I loved Pax, he was born to be a rule breaker...he needed something to brighten to his days didn't he?
A highly entertaining, enjoyable fun read which I would recommend to any age.
October 30, 2023
This is a delightful story aimed at middle grade children. Generally speaking, I am not a fan of dystopian novels with one or two exceptions such as Orwell's 1984.
If you would like to read my full review please visit my blog at:
https://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogsp...
If you would like to read my full review please visit my blog at:
https://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogsp...
October 1, 2024
I was engaged in the book all the way through. My heart went out to Pax who was faced with one challenge after another. I was absorbed by a grim version of dystopian London and found the description of technology within the Scholastic Parliament gave it an original edge.
November 23, 2023
3.5 stars!
October 28, 2023
Pax and the Missing Head is a great, captivating middle-grade dystopian, that I ended up really enjoying. I found it easy to get into because Pax is such a lovable character and I thought the gloomy New London city was very interesting. I am so surprised by how much is jam-packed in 200 pages with it still being an amazing, well thought-out story.
I thought Pax was great and I really liked his character. He was incredibly caring and smart but also a bit cheeky and mischievous when it came to the rules. This book really explores the friendship theme and I ended up loving both Sam and Megan who become close friends of Pax.
There is a lot to do with technology and AI in this book as Pax is a talented and aspiring engineer. It really adds to the futuristic feel and it makes the book that bit more exciting and fun.
Overall, Pax and the Missing Head is a fantastic middle-grade dystopian that younger and older readers can enjoy. The story is a lot of fun and the characters are so enjoyable. I’m really looking forward to find out out what happens next in the series.
I thought Pax was great and I really liked his character. He was incredibly caring and smart but also a bit cheeky and mischievous when it came to the rules. This book really explores the friendship theme and I ended up loving both Sam and Megan who become close friends of Pax.
There is a lot to do with technology and AI in this book as Pax is a talented and aspiring engineer. It really adds to the futuristic feel and it makes the book that bit more exciting and fun.
Overall, Pax and the Missing Head is a fantastic middle-grade dystopian that younger and older readers can enjoy. The story is a lot of fun and the characters are so enjoyable. I’m really looking forward to find out out what happens next in the series.
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