Edge Chronicles 3: Midnight Over Sanctaphrax (The Edge Chronicles) [Deckle Edge] [Hardcover]

Paul Stewart (Author), Chris Riddell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 14, 2004 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: The Edge Chronicles (Book 3)

SANCTAPHRAX WILL BE destroyed by the energy of the Mother Storm. . . .

Far over the Edge, the Mother Storm is brewing—a storm more terrifying than any seen in the lifetime of any Edgelander. Sweeping in from the open sky, it must strike the source of the Edgewater River to bring new energy to the land. But in its way is Sanctaphrax, a magnificent city built on a floating rock and tethered to the land by a massive chain. Only one person can save the Edgelands from certain disaster: Twig, the young sky pirate captain who dared to sail over the Edge—and returned with his memory shattered and his crew flung far and wide. But to recover his memory and take action, Twig must first find his lost crew. And this means a journey back into the Deepwoods, and beyond. . . .

“As before, Stewart’s descriptions are brilliant; Riddell’s line drawings are exquisitely detailed and notably grotesque. . . . Altogether this series is so exceptional that if I had any chance of collecting, I’d bet good money on it still being in print a century from now. . . . When’s the next book coming?”—Interzone

“Fabulously illustrated. . . .”—The Sunday Times

“Richly inventive. . . .”—Literary Review

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9–The young sky-pirate Captain Twig has been sent on a quest by his father Cloud Wolf. To save his world, he must sever the Anchor Chain of the floating city Sanctaphrax–home to academics and alchemists–before the Mother Storm arrives to reseed Riverrise with her rain. Unfortunately, Twig's memory of his father's instructions is gone, and his crew is scattered. Accompanied by Cowlquape, a Sanctaphrax apprentice, he scours the lands below for his crew and clues to the memories he has lost. Midnight is peopled with complex characters like woodelves, who can read minds; and wigwigs, fuzzy, Tribblelike creatures that happen to be carnivorous. Riddell's illustrations perfectly complement Stewart's text, but could mistakenly lead those perusing the book to assume it is for younger readers. It is not. Violence occurs, and characters die, some deservedly, others not. Stewart tackles issues of slavery and class structure while still maintaining a good adventure story with a very Hobbit-like feel to it. Readers unfamiliar with the series will have no trouble following this story, but expect a demand for Beyond the Deepwoods and Stormchaser (both Random, 2004).–Lisa Prolman, Greenfield Public Library, MA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-6. Twig, the young sky pilot first introduced in Beyond the Deepwoods [BKL Jl 04]^B steers his ship into a storm, through a treacherous weather vortex and beyond, where he finds his father and discovers what he must do to save his world, the Edge. In the violent aftermath of this meeting, his ship is blown apart, and his crew is blasted away like shooting stars. Twig loses not only the ship but also his memory of how to save his homeland. On a quest to find his crew, he befriends a sympathetic young scholar who joins him on his journey. Though at some points the book requires a monumental suspension of disbelief and a hearty appetite for words such as gasped and juddered, the action-oriented plot and fantastic world of this third volume in Chronicles of Edge will delight fans and entice new readers. Riddell again contributes skillful ink drawings. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: David Fickling Books; First Edition edition (September 14, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385750722
• ISBN-13: 978-0385750721
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 1.1 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #442,717 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Over the Edge, January 21, 2005

By 

Amanda Richards (Georgetown, Guyana) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Edge Chronicles 3: Midnight Over Sanctaphrax (The Edge Chronicles) (Hardcover)

In "Stormchaser", our young hero, Twig, and his crew were last seen heading into the eye of a mighty storm, way past the Edge, being towed by a gigantic bird.

In the eye of the storm, he finds someone he had thought was lost forever, and learns of the terrible sacrifice that must be made for the continued existence of life on The Edge.

He shares the information with one of his trusted crew members just before the storm implodes, scattering skyship and crew to the winds, and wiping certain memories from the unprotected pirates.

Rescued by the Professor of Darkness, who has unknowingly been observing the event, Twig tries to piece together both his life and his crew. He recruits a bright young apprentice to help him, and bit by perilous bit he finds his friends, who glow warmly whenever they are reunited.

A timely reminder puts Twig back on course on his quest to save the Edge and its inhabitants, as midnight falls over Sanctaphrax, and Twig tries to be a big shot hero.

As one era drifts away, another is born, and the waters of the Edgewater River flow in celebration.

Darkly exciting, gruesome, gritty and gross, this is the most action packed book of the Chronicles so far, and is sure to appeal to a far larger crowd than the recommended target audience.

Amanda Richards, January 21, 2005

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars .) .) My heart beats fast, I want it to last .) .), April 19, 2006

By 

MooShoo Pork (Nowhere) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Edge Chronicles 3: Midnight Over Sanctaphrax (The Edge Chronicles) (Hardcover)

This is DEFINTELY the best Edge Chronicle ever. Twig has now fully matured (his hair is as awesome as ever) and he must embark on a mission to save his crew, which has been dispersed by the Mother Storm. Even if most of it isn't told from Twig's POV (meet Cowlquape, the biggest loser in Sanctaphrax) it's still nice to hear about Twig.

This book is pretty episodic, with Twig jumping from one place to another. Unlike "Beyond the Deepwoods" there is a purpose for all this because Twig is trying to find his crew members. In this book Twig travels everywhere: Sanctaphrax, Undertown, Great Shryke Slave Market, and ultimately Riverrise, the holiest place on the Edge. All the while he is accompanied by Cowlquape, who is such a loser it's almost insulting to Twig. Nevertheless, his patheticness makes Twig seem even larger than larger-than life, and I appreciate this.

Edge Fans (and especially Twig fans) like me will be sad to see the brave young captain for the last time. It's so sad that it has to end here. The next time we meet him he is a brave OLD captain and his hair isn't the same :(

P.S. the period/parenthesis arrangement at the top is my pathetic attempt at musical notes. It's not easy one a computer, you know!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book 3 of the edge chronicles, October 9, 2005

By 

T. Bannister "meg" (milky way) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Edge Chronicles 3: Midnight Over Sanctaphrax (The Edge Chronicles) (Hardcover)

I have read all of the edge chronicles books and i love them all so much. But Midnight over Sanctaphax is definitly my favourite. It is full of perils and adventure. And now my favourite character-Twig-is the role model for young Cowlquape, and he is just awesome. I highly suggest this book to anybody looking for a fun read or a grand adventure.