Six Days ~ Philip Webb

War has devastated the planet. Russia is in charge. The Vlads have the poor survivors of biological warfare in London scavenging for an artifact of mythic powers. They are tearing London apart, grinding up the entire city.

Cass is a scavenger. She spends her days feeding bits of London into the grinders for her Vlad masters. Until the day her brother Wilbur climbs Big Ben.

Cass only just manages to save Wilbur from his latest attempt to find the artifact for himself. She needs the help of a mystery boy in the clock tower who is clearly not a local. Mystery boy joins Cass on the scav line. He has his own agenda, of course. He is in London to find the artifact also, but for him the artifact means finding so much more than power.

It becomes apparent that the artifact is the key to humanity's survival. There are only six days until true chaos will be unleashed unless it can be found and returned to its rightful owner. So Cass must risk the world to save the world.

Unlike many science fiction heroes, Cass is someone that you feel you would like, would want as a friend. Would certainly want to have on hand in emergencies! She embodies the true British ideal — "chin up and carry on". She is witty, clever and resourceful. And she cares. Deeply. She is never naive, but she also never gives in to despair. Even when time runs out.

As well as being a page turner, Six Days explores interesting moral and existential questions. Where should we draw the line in preserving the lives of those we love? Would an artificial intelligence be trust-worthy? Could life on Earth be the result of extra-terrestrial terra-forming?

And the post-apocalyptic slang of London commoners is truly high art! The words Cass uses to tell her story are inventive, honest and evocative. And giggle inducing. The names she calls Wilbur are priceless!