Jamie Russell on Mech Brigade and the best sci-fi novels for early teens

We’re excited to share a Q&A with Jamie Russell, author of Mech Brigade, a high-octane sci-fi adventure perfect for early teen readers which we are delighted to have shared with our Macaw subscribers this month. When thirteen-year-old Miles is thrust into a desperate war against alien invaders, he must learn to pilot a rogue mech, uncover the truth about his missing father, and question everything he thought he knew about loyalty and duty. Here, Jamie reveals the inspirations behind the book, his thoughts on AI and authority, and the powerful themes at the heart of Miles’s journey—a thrilling blend of action, courage, and questioning the world around you.

What inspired you to write Mech Brigade?

I really wanted to write a novel about what it’s like to be in the military. I grew up reading sci-fi novels like Ender’s Game and Starship Troopers and I wanted to write something like that with soldiers fighting a war in the far future. Then I watched a documentary about US Marine recruits going through basic training. The minute they arrive at boot camp they have drill instructors shouting at them and they lose their freedom and independence as they have to do everything they’re told. I started thinking about how that might feel for the recruits and whether anyone might rebel and try to find their own way.  

What do you hope young readers will take away from the story and the version of the world it is set in?

Mech Brigade is about rebelling against authority and questioning orders. Miles starts the story by signing up to join the mech brigade and fight the alien spinners. He believes all the propaganda about the spinners being evil and violent and a threat to Earth and he wants to do his duty. As the story unfolds, though, he starts to realise that everything he’s been told is a lie and he needs to find the courage to fight back against it. I think there’s a really good lesson there for all of us in today’s world – it’s about asking questions, making sure what you’re being told is accurate, and working out what your own moral code is.  

Did researching and writing the book change how you feel about AI, either positively or negatively?

I think AI has the potential to be a hugely useful tool. The big problem is that it is being run by enormous companies who care more about making money than about doing good. Google’s motto used to be ‘Don’t be evil’ but over the years that motto changed to ‘Do the right thing’ and now the motto seems to have totally vanished! Earlier this year, Google announced they were lifting the ban on using AI to develop weapons. I think that’s really scary. We’ve heard about self-driving cars glitching and crashing. Can you imagine what happens when a self-driving mech armed with rocket launchers mistakes your dog for an attacking alien? That’s why I love the relationship between Miles and Ironclad. They work best together – human and AI in partnership rather than one replacing the other. 

What would your own mech look like? How would it reflect your strengths and personality?

Oh, I would love to pilot a mech! But if it was an extension of me it would probably spend all its time sitting at a desk writing stories! Probably not a very good use of such a powerful machine! In the book there’s a scene where Miles pilots Ironclad for the first time and he gets to run super fast and jump off a cliff. I think in the future we will see machines being used to make our bodies stronger and more powerful. Maybe mine can help me type faster!

Can you tell us anything about what the future holds for Miles?

I would love there to be more stories about Miles and Ironclad. I think Miles still has a lot of questions he needs answers to about his dad and the Spinners. But I can also imagine Miles and Ironclad just wandering from place to place using their unique skills to help people like a rescue team. They have a great friendship – they annoy the heck out of each other, but deep down they really love one another.   

Why did you choose to write books for this age group?

I’ve been a writer for 20 years but I never wrote anything for younger readers until one day my daughters asked me to write something they’d want to read. They were big gamers and they loved sci-fi (just like me!), so I started to tell them a story about a girl called Casey who discovers that her favourite videogame is actually an alien training tool. I told them bits of that story on the walk to school every morning and eventually I decided to sit down and write it. That story became Skywake Invasion, my first book for younger readers.  

Do you have a favourite place to write?

Some authors can be quite particular about where they like to write and can only really focus if they’re in their favourite spot. I’m lucky because I can write anywhere – trains, coffee shops, parks, libraries, you name it. Once I start writing, I vanish into my own head so it doesn’t really matter where I am sitting because in my head I’ll transported into the future, or an alien planet, or inside a giant mech! 

Which other sci-fi thrillers for early teens would you recommend our subscribers read next?

I am a huge fan of Jennifer Killick’s books, especially Crater Lake and its sequel. I also love Alastair Chilsholm’s books Orion Lost and I Am Wolf. Check them out! 

Copies of our Mech Brigade pack, including a copy of the book and loads of fun activities to go with it, are now available for individual purchase. Grab a copy while stocks last!

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