Synopses & Reviews
In a society based on trade, where everything can be bought and sold, the future rests on the secrets of a single document-and the lives of two children whose destiny it is to discover its secrets. In this spellbinding novel, newcomer David Whitley has imagined a nation at a crossroads: misshaped by materialism and facing a choice about its future. He has brought to life two children who will test the nation's values-and crafted a captivating adventure story that will keep readers turning the pages until the very end. THE MIDNIGHT CHARTER combines great storytelling with a compelling vision - a many layered adventure with powerful and timely implications.
Review
“Exciting and gripping from the first heart-stopping line, this first book in a trilogy takes readers only part of the way to resolving the predictions of the Midnight Charter and its relationship to Mark and Lily. Readers will anxiously await the next installment as they reach the cliff-hanger ending.” —School Library Journal
“One of the most original and creative books I've read in a long time.” —Wands and Worlds.com
“Charity, greed, freedom, fate and political scheming are all woven through debut author Whitley's richly conceived world. Readers will be buoyed by every small triumph that cannot be recorded in an account book.” —Publishers Weekly
“Whitley threads together a thrilling pageturner with the two young heroes' lives intertwining in surprising and illuminating ways.” —Shelf Awareness
“Deft world-building and crafty plotting combine for a zinger of an ending that will leave readers poised for book two. Surprisingly sophisticated upper-middle-grade fare, with enough meat to satisfy older readers as well.” —Kirkus Reviews
Review
“Charity, greed, freedom, fate and political scheming are all woven through debut author Whitleys richly conceived world. Readers will be buoyed by every small triumph that cannot be recorded in an account book.”—Publishers Weekly “Exciting and gripping from the first heart-stopping line, this first book in a trilogy takes readers only part of the way to resolving the predictions of the Midnight Charter and its relationship to Mark and Lily. Readers will anxiously await the next installment as they reach the cliff-hanger ending.”—School Library Journal “Deft world-building and crafty plotting combine for a zinger of an ending that will leave readers poised for book two. Surprisingly sophisticated upper-middle-grade fare, with enough meat to satisfy older readers as well.”—Kirkus Reviews “Whitley threads together a thrilling page-turner with the two young heroes lives intertwining in surprising and illuminating ways.”—Shelf Awareness “One of the most original and creative books Ive read in a long time.”—Wands and Worlds.com An Indie Bound Pick of the Lists/Top Ten Selection
Review
"Young readers who enjoy tales of mystery and fantasy will find much to admire in Whitley's story...Simon Vance's thoughtful, unrushed narration is the perfect foil for the book's brooding atmosphere. Vance is a master narrator who brings characters of every type to life." - AudioFile "[Simon Vance's] skill is his ability to provide just the perfect pace and emphasis to convey wonder and amazement as well as dismay and disbelief... His almost imperceptible change in pacing, pitch, and rhythm perfectly conveys the author's intent." - Voya Voice of Youth Advocates
Synopsis
In the city of Agora, where everything can be bought and sold, two children stumble upon the mysterious—and dangerous—Midnight Charter. What is the Charter, what part are they to play in it, and who among the Citys powerful elite can they trust?
Synopsis
In the ancient city of Agora, two orphans fates have suddenly changed.
He has escaped the plague. She has been released from life as a servant.
But both are still fighting to survive.
And together, they will play a role in fulfilling the prophecy of the mysterious Midnight Charter.
If they live . . .
Synopsis
In this spellbinding novel, two children test the nation's values in an adventure story that will keep readers turning the pages until the very end.
About the Author
David Whitley, a recent graduate of Oxford, wrote his first children's novel at age 17; it was shortlisted for the Kathleen Fidler Award. At 20, he was the youngest person ever to win the Cheshire Prize for Literature for a children's short story. He lives in England.
Simon Vance is the critically acclaimed narrator of approximately 400 audiobooks, winner of forty-one AudioFile Earphones Awards, and a six-time Audie recipient. He was the winner of the 2012 Audie Award for Best Male Narrator, and was named the 2011 Best Voice in Biography and History and the 2010 Best Voice in fiction by AudioFile magazine. Simon was named a "Golden Voice" by Audiofile Magazine, and Booklist Magazine named him their "Voice of Choice"