David Barker Author Interview

PAX and the Secret Swarm

Today I have a very special post. As part of the blog tour for the third book in the Pax trilogy, I have a Q&A with David Barker himself! Read on for a bit about the book, and David's fascinating answers. Also check out my posts on the previous 2 books of the series: 

PAX and the Missing Head

PAX and the Forgotten Pincher

Book Summary

As New London edges closer to war, Pax must decide what he is prepared to sacrifice to achieve the impossible – a united kingdom.

Pax and his friends head back to Scholastic Parliament for their third and final year, their focus shifting to their plans for the future. Meanwhile, the mayor’s renewed plans in his fight against the Countryside Alliance demand even greater sacrifices from the citizens of New London.

Stumbling upon secrets that could change the fate of New London forever, Pax finds himself at the centre of a conspiracy that threatens him, his friends, and everyone in the city. Can he bear to risk everything he holds dear for the thing he’s always wanted?

A high-stakes sci-fi thriller set in a fractured, futuristic London.

Interview

Where did you get your original inspiration for the character of Pax?

I think I came up with the idea for an isolated London and British civil war back when the Brexit vote was recent news and when Trump was threatening to build a giant wall on the border with Mexico. Then followed the idea of turning the Houses of Parliament (one of my all-time favourite buildings!) into a school. And that’s when the image of a young boy sneaking around at night with a tiny robot companion sprang to mind. Pax.

Did you have the plot for the whole trilogy set out from the start or did your characters surprise you by doing something you weren't expecting?

I had a very firm grasp of the plot to book one from the off and I knew the broad outlines of the plot for the other two books in the series. But there have certainly been some surprises along the way – including the mayor’s daughter, Megan’s role in the books and many of the sub-plots such as the Graphene Hawks. I’m being a bit vague on purpose to avoid spoilers.

It seems the environment and sustainability is a strong theme, with the vertical farms etc. Are you hoping readers will come away with a sense of wanting to help avoid this kind of future coming true?

For sure there are elements of climate change hinted at throughout the books, and even more so in my Gaia trilogy of thrillers setting during a world war for water. Of course, the whole idea of recycling old bits of tech equipment is an important part of Pax’s back story. I find it hard to write stories set in the future without incorporating these elements in them. I hope it helps readers to think about these issues without getting in the way of the story. If it manages to persuade a few people to change their habits for the better, that would be marvellous.

Please tell us about your next book or books.

I’ve just signed a two-book deal with Tiny Tree for a couple of standalone adventures. The first is a sci-fi story, based loosely on a retelling of Oliver Twist, set in a city on the Moon. It has the same dystopian feel as Pax, but with a very different setting and a very different set of problems for the hero to overcome. There will be heists and jet-pack races! The second story is a fantasy set on a planet where one half is permanently in daylight and the other is night. A young girl has to flee into darkness when her village is attacked. Guided by a strange glowing boy she has to find a mythical artefact that holds the key to rescuing her family. Think Noughts and Crosses with dragons.

And finally, what is your favourite cocktail?

I don’t drink cocktails often (sorry!) but one we’ve enjoyed recently is a Limoncello Spritz: 2 parts Limoncello, 3 parts Prosecco, 1 part soda water poured over ice. Delicious!

That Limoncello Spritz does sound delicious. And I love that Megan's character took on a life of it's own! My thanks for David for his great answers and I'm sure we're all looking forward to reading his new books when they are released. Hopefully we won't have to wait too long.

PAX and the Missing Head by David Barker

Book Summary

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.

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 😂

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.

Author Bio

"I attended the Faber Academy in 2014 and from that had three climate-fiction thrillers published (The Gold Trilogy, Bloodhound Books). I joined SCBWI in 2018 as I shifted my focus to a younger audience. My MG debut, Pax & The Missing Head publishes with Tiny Tree in late 2023. I live in Berkshire with my wife and daughter. I have a passion for stories, sport and boardgames."

I've made my own version of a Parliament Royale, it might give you courage while taking the terrifying scholastic test! In a a shaker full of ice, add the following, 40 ml citrus gin, 20ml apple sourz, 15ml lemon juice and a few drops of angostura bitters. Pour into a flute and top with champagne.

PAX and the Forgotten Pincher by David Barker

Book Summary

Cut off from the rest of the country, New London life is tough, the truth is slippery and friendships are vital.

Pax has made it through the trials of his first year at Scholastic Parliament, but any hopes of a quieter second year are quickly dashed when he makes a shocking discovery in the school’s basement. A new student also joins the school, acting suspiciously and muscling in on Pax’s friendship with Samuel. At least being reigning champions in the Parliamentary Polls allows Pax and his friends the freedom to explore the city at weekends. But drone raids and cyber-attacks disrupt life in New London while a paranoid mayor cracks down hard on terrorism.

The second book in the Pax series is even better and more gripping than the first! Adventurous and emotional with just a little touch of romance.

The characters are more defined now and Pax, Samuel and Megan have built up a great friendship after the events in book one, but the introduction of a fourth student to their little group mixes everything up and causes havoc.

I love the references to what was the distant past for them. An iPhone is an ancient bit of technology to Pax, but still looks modern to Albert. And the way words are contorted, Pincher sounds far more sinister than pensioner. No wonder people are terrified of them!

Today I've made a Bee-Bop's Knees (renamed for the robot Bee-Bop, you'll see why when you read the book). In a shaker with ice, add 60ml gin, 22.5ml lemon juice, 15ml honey syrup (reduce if you don't want it too sweet) and 10ml orange juice.

Interview with David Barker
Author of Moonlight Robbery

Today I have an interview with David Barker, author of Moonlight Robbery. You can read my reviews of David's previous books and interview here. But before we get into the questions, here's a bit about the newest book which was released just a couple of days ago.

Book Summary

The Pitadel is a towering city built inside a vast lunar crevasse. Life there is divided by tiers – those at the top live in comfort, while those in the lower levels struggle to survive.

Twelve-year-old Max once lived in the upper levels with his relatives, trying to stay out of trouble by following the strict rulebook he made for himself. But when his cruel uncle throws him out of an airlock, Max’s carefully ordered life falls into chaos. Rescued by a daring young scavenger, Max is taken in by the Jetsams, a group of street-smart kids who scrape together a living in the lowest tiers of the Pitadel. It’s a dangerous world of secrets and survival, and Max isn’t sure he belongs.

But when Max discovers that his family is going to steal the inheritance left behind by his explorer father, he realizes salvation may be hidden somewhere deep within the Pitadel. To uncover the truth, Max will need help from his new friends and a plan bold enough to outsmart criminals, corrupt adults, and the city itself. But first he must do the one thing he’s always sworn never to do…

…Break his own rules!

Interview

I'm really looking forward to reading this new book! What made you choose this setting after the dystopian previous books?

I’ve always been fascinated by space and particularly the Moon. It’s so bright and serene in the night sky, with its ever changing phases. Although I’m not old enough to remember the Apollo landings, the fact that we have landed there (and are about to return there with the Artemis missions) makes the Moon feel like a tangible venue, unlike the very distant stars and galaxies and therefore a plausible setting in the future. Of course, I haven’t entirely abandoned my dystopian leanings. There are aspects of life in the Pitadel – the city on the Moon in my story – that are similar to the troubles of New London from my previous series.

What is it about future setting for books that attracts you? And also what excites you about the future?

I think the future gives me, as a writer, a blank canvas on which to paint words. I don’t have to worry about historical accuracy or the grimy realism of modern life. I can just make up stuff! Of course, I do research what might be feasible in the future, so my readers can imagine life turning out to be like my books. I’m excited for the possibilities of technology and smart brains working together to solve our many problems – like green energy, climate change, recycling and protecting the natural environment.

Is there anything from your books that you would like to come true?

Jet pack racing would be a really cool version of Formula One to watch on TV. And I hope we do get to go to the Moon as a form of fancy tourism once bases have been built there, though I suspect it will be rather expensive. I better start saving now!

I love the sound of the Jetsams and already feel protective of Max. I hope they will look after him. Can you tell us a little about him? Is he anything like Pax?

He does share certain characteristics with the main character from the London Falling series aside from their names rhyming. First, both of them are very smart, good at coding and neither of them have parents (for very different reasons). And they both have a strong sense of justice. But Max never gets a chance to join an elite school, instead he escapes his troubled upbringing by accident in the very first chapter. Thank the stars for Art! Unlike Pax, Max is very loathe to break any rules. In fact, he has a whole list of them (43 at the start of the book) that he likes to recite to himself when he feels a panic attack coming on. And when he gets annoyed, he has a habit of shouting Oh, Craters!

Thank you so much to David for answering my questions, I agree that jet packs and moon holidays would be fantastic! I'm sure you're all intrigued now so go out and grab a copy of Moonlight Robbery.