Fantasy Book Review: The Midnight Charter by David Whitley
Part conspiracy thriller, part fantasy, The Midnight Charter is a brilliant and compelling novel for 10+ readership which deals with issues of morality, corruption and power and asks important questions about today’s society.
In the city of Agora, anything can be bought and sold. Even children are possessions until their twelfth birthday. Mark has been sold by his father, and Lily, an orphan from birth, has bartered for her life. Thrown together by chance, in the ancient tower of Count Stelli, they face an existence of poverty and servitude, unless they can find a way to break free.
But, unbeknown to Mark and Lily, they are being watched by the ruler of the city. Can they survive the traps and treachery that await them and discover the dark secret that binds them together? Their lives depend on this question: what is the Midnight Charter?
The Midnight Charter is a thoroughly enjoyable book. There is an 18th century feel and the city of Agora, where money does not exist, is wonderful in its creation. Comparisons are difficult but there is a period-feel reminiscent of Marcus Sedgwick’s The Book of Dead Days.
This is a book that we highly recommend and we certainly look forward to David Whitley’s future works.
David Whitley was born in 1984 and graduated from the University of Oxford with a double First in English Literature and a passion for writing children’s fiction. In 2005 David appeared on BBC2’s University Challenge where he was a member of the winning Corpus Christi team who beat all competitors to become Series Champions. David currently lives in Cheshire and is working on his second novel.
Read the full review of David Whitley’s The Midnight Charter
Posted: June 9th, 2009
Author: Floresiensis
Categories: Children's Fantasy Books, Fantasy Book Review
Comments
Hi there. Thank you so much for your kind words about my book! As a debut novelist, it’s really great to know that you liked it so much!
If you or your readers would like to know more about The Midnight Charter and its forthcoming sequels, then please do visit my website, at http://www.david-whitley.co.uk where there is also the first instalment of a new short story set in Agora!
(I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve put an extract from your excellent review on my website – complete with a link, of course)
Thank you again,
- David.
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