Books by Christopher Edge always jump to the top of my reading pile and How to Steal the Future was no exception. As soon as I saw it, I knew it would be a gripping adventure full of the unexpected. As I read, my mind kept going over possible twists and alternative realities for which Christopher Edge is so notorious. Despite this, I didn’t see the final chapters coming at all. Readers become trapped in a cleverly plotted science fiction puzzle with no option but to keep moving forward, hoping the characters will guide them through. Pacey, thrilling and cryptic, this book will have older middle grade and teen readers hiding it under the covers at bedtime so they can sneak in just one more chapter.
Drew Blake enters a heavily guarded, always changing maze in search of secret technology that allows the finder to see the future. Many young people have attempted it before him, including his sister, Evie, who has gone missing. Determined to find her and discover a positive way to harness this potential power, Drew is thwarted at every turn. He has only 67 minutes to make his way to the centre but the instability of the maze, its seeming power over his mind along with other young people he meets inside throw up every conceivable challenge. This is no ordinary maze and any logical solution fails. Moral questions of ‘What would you do if you knew the future?’ and ‘Why have only children been sent to find this new technology?’ will leave readers debating what they would do in Drew’s situation and how we can control the impact of AI.
Literary links add depth to an already complex story. The Ancient Greek myth of the Minotaur in the labyrinth raises the question of the purpose of the maze. Is Drew the next Theseus, finding his way out with a golden thread? Mentions of Hansel and Gretel, Alice in Wonderland and even Mr Men challenge readers to make connections and infer solutions. The science of quantum computing, the potential of artificial intelligence and the power of human consciousness come together to create a story of determination, resilience and hope – qualities only a human can possess.
Ambitious concepts and vocabulary combined with escape room type puzzles, perilous traps and frightening consequences make this a fantastic book for more advanced readers and thinkers in Year 5+. It’s an ideal recommendation for Key Stage 3 students who are interested in science fiction and computing and definitely a book that will keep young people reading during those tricky secondary transition years.
Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Books for an early copy of this outstanding book which publishes in July 2026.
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