Midnight over Sanctaphrax (Edge Chronicles 3)

Product Description
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

From the Hardcover edition.

Publishers Weekly
Midnight Over Sanctaphrax: The Edge Chronicles by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell is the third title in the series. Here, Twig, the teenage sky pirate from the earlier titles, and his crew of elves, goblins and other creatures find Twig’s father after braving a weather vortex. They are then entrusted with a quest that will save the lands of the Edge. Of the series’ launch title, Beyond the Deepwoods, PW said: ‘The narrative will cast a spell over readers from the beginning with its utterly odd, off-kilter sense of logic and a vocabulary that is equal parts Dr. Seuss and Lewis Carroll.’ Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal
Gr 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 2004 Reed Business Information.