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The Agora Trilogy #1
The Midnight Charter
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?
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?
378 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
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May 10, 2010
Mark and Lily live in a society based completely on trade. No one does anything for free, and debtors are severely punished.
This story has interesting concepts about trade and charity, but it really doesn't feel like a story for the intended audience. Other reviewers have called this YA, but it's supposed to be middle grade (9-12). Mark and Lily don't act like any twelve-year-old I've ever known. Not even the ones who basically take care of themselves. They behave more like sixteen or seventeen year olds, and I think that's reflected in these other reviews.
But my biggest complaint with this story is the lack of consistency. Everywhere.
The flow from chapter to chapter is always broken by lots of time and events that the reader hasn't seen, and so we need to play 'catch up' each time we start a new chapter. As a result, the beginning of the story jumped around so much that I was impatient for the real story to start.
The characters aren't really consistent, either. For example, one minute Mark is refusing the use of bottled emotions, and the next time we see him he's handing them out to other people. What changed his mind? Lily is more consistent, but even she jumped around a bit. For example, why didn't she immediately ask Mark to become a patron of the Almshouse? She's smart and resourceful, and I think that would have been one of the first places she'd have gone. But she didn't, and that made later parts of the story feel contrived.
The Midnight Charter itself isn't even consistent. If a charter is the basis for an organization, spelling out the mission and direction the group wishes to take, then what is a prophecy doing in the middle of it? Seems like a prophecy would have come after the charter had been written.
I also agree with many other reviewers in that the story's messages are heavy handed, and unoriginal. Also, the whole story doesn't feel like it can stand well on its own. It feels like it had no other purpose than to lead up to the next book, and got stretched out with filler along the way. I don't mean to sound harsh here, but this is a pet peeve of mine - if a story needs to be told in three installments, then do it that way. If it doesn't, don't force it to because the end result is a weak story. I think that happened here.
Overall, I didn't feel that the story was carefully planned out, and instead feel that I'm being manipulated into buying another book in order to read the real story behind the Midnight Charter. Not the way I like to end a book.
I think teenagers might find this book interesting, but will likely be put off by how young Mark and Lily are. I just don't see kids 9-12 enjoying this.
This story has interesting concepts about trade and charity, but it really doesn't feel like a story for the intended audience. Other reviewers have called this YA, but it's supposed to be middle grade (9-12). Mark and Lily don't act like any twelve-year-old I've ever known. Not even the ones who basically take care of themselves. They behave more like sixteen or seventeen year olds, and I think that's reflected in these other reviews.
But my biggest complaint with this story is the lack of consistency. Everywhere.
The flow from chapter to chapter is always broken by lots of time and events that the reader hasn't seen, and so we need to play 'catch up' each time we start a new chapter. As a result, the beginning of the story jumped around so much that I was impatient for the real story to start.
The characters aren't really consistent, either. For example, one minute Mark is refusing the use of bottled emotions, and the next time we see him he's handing them out to other people. What changed his mind? Lily is more consistent, but even she jumped around a bit. For example, why didn't she immediately ask Mark to become a patron of the Almshouse? She's smart and resourceful, and I think that would have been one of the first places she'd have gone. But she didn't, and that made later parts of the story feel contrived.
The Midnight Charter itself isn't even consistent. If a charter is the basis for an organization, spelling out the mission and direction the group wishes to take, then what is a prophecy doing in the middle of it? Seems like a prophecy would have come after the charter had been written.
I also agree with many other reviewers in that the story's messages are heavy handed, and unoriginal. Also, the whole story doesn't feel like it can stand well on its own. It feels like it had no other purpose than to lead up to the next book, and got stretched out with filler along the way. I don't mean to sound harsh here, but this is a pet peeve of mine - if a story needs to be told in three installments, then do it that way. If it doesn't, don't force it to because the end result is a weak story. I think that happened here.
Overall, I didn't feel that the story was carefully planned out, and instead feel that I'm being manipulated into buying another book in order to read the real story behind the Midnight Charter. Not the way I like to end a book.
I think teenagers might find this book interesting, but will likely be put off by how young Mark and Lily are. I just don't see kids 9-12 enjoying this.
July 12, 2010
David Whitley é um jovem autor que em 2005 ganhou o prémio Cheshire Prize for Literature. Depois de ter lido esta obra, consegui perceber o porquê. Um livro de uma imaginação fantástica, de um enredo de nos prender à leitura e que vai pondo à prova todos os conceitos que temos relacionados com elementos da nossa personalidade e da forma como nos relacionamos com os outros.
Numa cidade em que se pode vender tudo, até mesmo a vida, vemo-nos deparados com duas crianças que desde cedo começam a mexer com os conceitos predefinidos da cidade. Agora é uma cidade onde para se ter algo, tem que se dar outro algo em troca. Não há dinheiro, há sim a constante troca de bens. É regida no conceito de equitatividade e quem tentar mexer com a estabilidade desse conceito é visto com maus olhos.
Aos treze anos, já se é adulto. E quando se chega a esta idade, a suposta noção de liberdade não é nada mais nada menos que uma utopia. Como se pode ser livre se para se poder ter algo tem que se dar algo em troca? Como se pode dar algo em troca se não se vender a alguém para poder ganhar esse algo? E tudo é feito à base de contratos. Uma simples troca comercial envolve um contrato. Um simples acordo de palavras, envolve um contrato.
Até ao dia em que Lily se pergunta porque é que não se pode dar nada sem se receber nada em troca. E é aqui que um novo conceito de caridade chega à população de Agora.
Do lado de Mark, que foi vendido pelo pai por remédios para a sua doença, este torna-se algo completamente inesperado aos olhos da sociedade. Será que estes factos têm algo a ver com o Pacto da Meia-Noite? Que poderão fazer estas crianças para deixarem os responsáveis de Agora tão inquietos?
Um livro sensacional, com uma escrita simples, fluída e cativante, criativa, sem exagerar nas descrições, e perfeitamente explorada. Consegue transmitir de forma clara os cenários, o que faz com que nos transportemos de bom grado para aquele mundo vendo as personagens a deslizarem na nossa mente.
Gostei imenso do conceito de Agora, a cidade isolada em que é suposto não existir nada fora das muralhas da cidade. O mistério que é criado à volta do Directório em que, supostamente, as pessoas que lá vão desaparecem.
Mas o que me marcou ainda mais, foram os sentimentos e as lutas de Lily e Mark que, levando vidas tão diferentes, os seus caminhos vão-se cruzando e divergindo, mas a sua amizade nunca quebra.
O fim, deixa imenso em aberto e não pude deixar de ir logo investigar se haveria continuação. E vai haver! No início da leitura não sabia, mas este é o primeiro livro de uma trilogia, que promete ser de grande qualidade.
Numa cidade em que se pode vender tudo, até mesmo a vida, vemo-nos deparados com duas crianças que desde cedo começam a mexer com os conceitos predefinidos da cidade. Agora é uma cidade onde para se ter algo, tem que se dar outro algo em troca. Não há dinheiro, há sim a constante troca de bens. É regida no conceito de equitatividade e quem tentar mexer com a estabilidade desse conceito é visto com maus olhos.
Aos treze anos, já se é adulto. E quando se chega a esta idade, a suposta noção de liberdade não é nada mais nada menos que uma utopia. Como se pode ser livre se para se poder ter algo tem que se dar algo em troca? Como se pode dar algo em troca se não se vender a alguém para poder ganhar esse algo? E tudo é feito à base de contratos. Uma simples troca comercial envolve um contrato. Um simples acordo de palavras, envolve um contrato.
Até ao dia em que Lily se pergunta porque é que não se pode dar nada sem se receber nada em troca. E é aqui que um novo conceito de caridade chega à população de Agora.
Do lado de Mark, que foi vendido pelo pai por remédios para a sua doença, este torna-se algo completamente inesperado aos olhos da sociedade. Será que estes factos têm algo a ver com o Pacto da Meia-Noite? Que poderão fazer estas crianças para deixarem os responsáveis de Agora tão inquietos?
Um livro sensacional, com uma escrita simples, fluída e cativante, criativa, sem exagerar nas descrições, e perfeitamente explorada. Consegue transmitir de forma clara os cenários, o que faz com que nos transportemos de bom grado para aquele mundo vendo as personagens a deslizarem na nossa mente.
Gostei imenso do conceito de Agora, a cidade isolada em que é suposto não existir nada fora das muralhas da cidade. O mistério que é criado à volta do Directório em que, supostamente, as pessoas que lá vão desaparecem.
Mas o que me marcou ainda mais, foram os sentimentos e as lutas de Lily e Mark que, levando vidas tão diferentes, os seus caminhos vão-se cruzando e divergindo, mas a sua amizade nunca quebra.
O fim, deixa imenso em aberto e não pude deixar de ir logo investigar se haveria continuação. E vai haver! No início da leitura não sabia, mas este é o primeiro livro de uma trilogia, que promete ser de grande qualidade.
June 19, 2010
I tried and tired to like the book but it resisted me in every single way. I have no idea why this would be marketed for 9-12 year olds, from the opening lines the books talks about death , plague, disease, being sold by your parents and other fun things, not to mention that it's boring, there I said it. The whole book felt like a pretty ornament with beautiful words and strange things that were happening but it felt like a façade with a very boring inside. I was not drawn to it at all, and comparing it to Philip Pullman is simply horrendous, I read that trilogy and this novel pales in comparison. At first I was impressed that someone younger than me wrote it, but once I got into the book I felt that it had no soul, it was very flat and it was a bit of a chore to be honest. Yes its in a shape of a book, it has pages and letters but it didn't feel like real book, something was missing. By the time I got to the end I didn't care what happened to Mark or Lily. I read books to be whisked away and captivated, this made me want to clean my room and do dishes, anything but reading it. I'm sure it will have it's fans, people have different likes and dislikes but it wasn't for me at all.
Also I thought that the whole concept was not that far fetched at all, at one point Lily tells Mark that they all have services for sale, um yeah..it's called real life, going to work? When I finished this novel, the one and only thing I could ask myself was "why?" why was this written...I rarely have such negative reactions for a book but this just didn't' do it for me.
Also I thought that the whole concept was not that far fetched at all, at one point Lily tells Mark that they all have services for sale, um yeah..it's called real life, going to work? When I finished this novel, the one and only thing I could ask myself was "why?" why was this written...I rarely have such negative reactions for a book but this just didn't' do it for me.
March 6, 2018
The Midnight Charter is kind of a Dystopian story, but not quite. It’s like the origins of pretending to be dystopian, you know? It follows Mark and Lily, two eleven year old kids that are “slaves” of an oppressive system in which EVERYTHING can be exchanged for something else. Furniture, people lives, emotions. Everything has a value in the market, but not really a moral or emotional one. This is Ágora, the city that wants everyone to be equals and fails.
At the beginning of the book, Mark is almost-dying-sick and has been sold by his father. There he meets Lily, an orphan that works in the same house. As the story progresses, they take different roads and their journey begins. It’s a story about human nature, compassion, finding oneself and trying to determine what your priorities and values in life are. What you are made of.
I really enjoyed the setting and world building of this book. I think the fact that the city is divided like the zodiac is pretty cool. But the plot itself was a little superficial, plus the ending was flat. The story did not have a climax, it felt like a straight line. All in all I enjoyed it, but it would have been better if it had a little more spunk. I’m giving it 3.5 stars!
At the beginning of the book, Mark is almost-dying-sick and has been sold by his father. There he meets Lily, an orphan that works in the same house. As the story progresses, they take different roads and their journey begins. It’s a story about human nature, compassion, finding oneself and trying to determine what your priorities and values in life are. What you are made of.
I really enjoyed the setting and world building of this book. I think the fact that the city is divided like the zodiac is pretty cool. But the plot itself was a little superficial, plus the ending was flat. The story did not have a climax, it felt like a straight line. All in all I enjoyed it, but it would have been better if it had a little more spunk. I’m giving it 3.5 stars!
April 20, 2010
Unique idea for a fantasy setting: a society where money isn't used, but everyone has a value. People barter, signing contracts that they will do such and such for someone else; all kids are worth a certain amount to their parents and some kids get sold by their parents when they can't pay their debts any other way. But at age 13 kids have their "Title Day" and become an adult, earning their signet ring which is how they legally seal contracts (in wax, vaguely medieval). Mark and Lily meet when Mark is sold by his father, thinking he has the plague; through circumstances Mark ends up as servant and then apprentice to an astrologer, a rich important man in the city who will help him become rich and famous, while Lily,a servant, goes out to apprentice to the poor doctor who saved Mark's life, and she dedicates her life to helping the poor. There's a lot in here about power and the worth of people, and how power can corrupt you. It's kind of a dark book but very intriguing. And of course, there's going to be a sequel.
March 25, 2019
Für dieses Buch entschied ich mich im Rahmen einer meiner Jahres-Challenges, um den sagenumwobenen SuB etwas zu verkleinern.
Und wieder einmal zog mich ein Buch aus dem Fantasy-Genre an, wobei ich sagen muss, das Fantasy diesmal ein sehr dehnbarer Begriff war, denn wirklich außergewöhnliche Sachen geschahen fast überhaupt nicht.
Gerade der Anfang machte es mir sehr schwer, da man in die Geschichte gerade zu hinein geworfen wird und dann erstmal schauen muss, was hier eigentlich los ist. Um dann endlich den AHA- Effekt ausgelöst zu bekommen, dauerte es dann eine ganze Weile, da ich einfach nicht verstand was mir die Informationen sagen wollten.
Tatsächlich erlebt man im Buch ehr einen Umbruch der derzeitigen Lebensart, von den Bewohnern der Stadt Agora. Diese haben zum Eintritt des Buches ein sehr hartes Leben, das bereits in frühen Kindheitstagen beginnt, da in Agora das Prinzip des Tausches gilt. Doch was bietet man an wenn man nix hat? Richtig, nix, weshalb die vielen obdachlosen Personen im Buch einen sehr schnell an den Punkt bringen, wo man nur noch Mitleid fühlte.
Anstatt magische Dinge zu erleben oder ein wenig mehr über die Stadt Agora und ihren Hang zu den Sternen zu erfahren, erlebte ich nur den Aufbau eines Obdachlosenheimes. Dabei zeigte die Geschichte emotionale Tiefe, verfehlte aber vollkommen das Genre. Viele Fragen die sich in meinem Kopf gebildet hatten, blieben unbeantwortet. Wie z.B. warum die Stadt auf Sternendeuter setzte. Gab es nix magischeres um die Zukunft vorher zu sagen?
Wirklich packen konnte mich die Geschichte daher nicht. Mir fehlte es an allen, besonders am Magischen. Ich hatte mir mehr erhofft und ging ziemlich enttäuscht aus diesem Buch. Dazu muss ich sagen, das es einen Nachfolger gibt, welcher bei mir aber auf Desinteresse stößt und daher nicht gelesen wird.
Die Hauptcharaktere im Buch waren für mich leider viel zu vorhersehbar und strotzten nur so vor Klischee´s. Da wäre Mark, welcher als Kind verkaufte wurde und der kaum das er ein höheres Ansehen hat, zum totalen Ich-Denker wird. Mein einziger Gedanke? War ja klar.
Die Einzige die mich überraschte war Lilly, da sie etwas wagen wollte und sich dafür nicht zu schade war, auch mal ein wenig Drecksarbeit zu verrichten. Sie wollte das Agora aufwacht und endlich wieder lernt, zu geben ohne gleich etwas zurück zu bekommen. Dies und ihre Aufopferung für die Armen und Schwachen, hatte etwas sehr bewegendes.
Ansonsten war es so wie es eben war. Die Reichen wurden immer reicher, die Mächtigen immer mächtiger und die Armen immer ärmer. Viel Platz für Spannung oder Überraschungen gab es hier nicht, weshalb man die Personen sehr schnell durchschauen konnte.
Einzig das Ende weckte mein Interesse, da es doch noch einen Weg zeigte, dieser Stadt zu entkommen.
Wenn dieses Cover eines war, dann wirklich wunderschön gestaltet. Der Hintergrund, das mittige Symbol mit den 12 Sternzeichen,aber auch die Eckgestaltung sagten mir durch weg zu.
Auch die Schriften für Buchtitel und Autorennamen waren weise gewählt, wobei das Wort "Träume" hierbei am stärksten hervor gehoben wurde.
Dieses Buch hätte viel mehr gekonnt. Denn so schaffte es nur einen mittelmäßigen Auftritt, bei welchem nicht ganz klar war, um was es sich in dieser Welt wirklich drehen sollte.
Und wieder einmal zog mich ein Buch aus dem Fantasy-Genre an, wobei ich sagen muss, das Fantasy diesmal ein sehr dehnbarer Begriff war, denn wirklich außergewöhnliche Sachen geschahen fast überhaupt nicht.
Gerade der Anfang machte es mir sehr schwer, da man in die Geschichte gerade zu hinein geworfen wird und dann erstmal schauen muss, was hier eigentlich los ist. Um dann endlich den AHA- Effekt ausgelöst zu bekommen, dauerte es dann eine ganze Weile, da ich einfach nicht verstand was mir die Informationen sagen wollten.
Tatsächlich erlebt man im Buch ehr einen Umbruch der derzeitigen Lebensart, von den Bewohnern der Stadt Agora. Diese haben zum Eintritt des Buches ein sehr hartes Leben, das bereits in frühen Kindheitstagen beginnt, da in Agora das Prinzip des Tausches gilt. Doch was bietet man an wenn man nix hat? Richtig, nix, weshalb die vielen obdachlosen Personen im Buch einen sehr schnell an den Punkt bringen, wo man nur noch Mitleid fühlte.
Anstatt magische Dinge zu erleben oder ein wenig mehr über die Stadt Agora und ihren Hang zu den Sternen zu erfahren, erlebte ich nur den Aufbau eines Obdachlosenheimes. Dabei zeigte die Geschichte emotionale Tiefe, verfehlte aber vollkommen das Genre. Viele Fragen die sich in meinem Kopf gebildet hatten, blieben unbeantwortet. Wie z.B. warum die Stadt auf Sternendeuter setzte. Gab es nix magischeres um die Zukunft vorher zu sagen?
Wirklich packen konnte mich die Geschichte daher nicht. Mir fehlte es an allen, besonders am Magischen. Ich hatte mir mehr erhofft und ging ziemlich enttäuscht aus diesem Buch. Dazu muss ich sagen, das es einen Nachfolger gibt, welcher bei mir aber auf Desinteresse stößt und daher nicht gelesen wird.
Die Hauptcharaktere im Buch waren für mich leider viel zu vorhersehbar und strotzten nur so vor Klischee´s. Da wäre Mark, welcher als Kind verkaufte wurde und der kaum das er ein höheres Ansehen hat, zum totalen Ich-Denker wird. Mein einziger Gedanke? War ja klar.
Die Einzige die mich überraschte war Lilly, da sie etwas wagen wollte und sich dafür nicht zu schade war, auch mal ein wenig Drecksarbeit zu verrichten. Sie wollte das Agora aufwacht und endlich wieder lernt, zu geben ohne gleich etwas zurück zu bekommen. Dies und ihre Aufopferung für die Armen und Schwachen, hatte etwas sehr bewegendes.
Ansonsten war es so wie es eben war. Die Reichen wurden immer reicher, die Mächtigen immer mächtiger und die Armen immer ärmer. Viel Platz für Spannung oder Überraschungen gab es hier nicht, weshalb man die Personen sehr schnell durchschauen konnte.
Einzig das Ende weckte mein Interesse, da es doch noch einen Weg zeigte, dieser Stadt zu entkommen.
Wenn dieses Cover eines war, dann wirklich wunderschön gestaltet. Der Hintergrund, das mittige Symbol mit den 12 Sternzeichen,aber auch die Eckgestaltung sagten mir durch weg zu.
Auch die Schriften für Buchtitel und Autorennamen waren weise gewählt, wobei das Wort "Träume" hierbei am stärksten hervor gehoben wurde.
Dieses Buch hätte viel mehr gekonnt. Denn so schaffte es nur einen mittelmäßigen Auftritt, bei welchem nicht ganz klar war, um was es sich in dieser Welt wirklich drehen sollte.
September 19, 2009
Do you need something? Well you aren't going to get it if you don't have something worthwhile to trade...not in Agora anyways.
Mark comes from the slums of Agora, only managing to escape the deadly plague because his father sold him. Lily is the servant who takes care of Mark in his new home. In their world where everything -including their lives- can be bought and sold, their only goal is survival.
When the two get a chance to switch lives, they take it. Lily goes outside in the world and Mark remains in the tower, acting as a servant to the mysterious Count. While Mark moves up in fame and fortune, becoming a wondrous astrologer, Lily starts the first Almshouse for the poor. Both of their lives remain entwined, seemingly by destiny. But when Lily discovers the Midnight Charter -started by Agora's founders- she realizes that her city and its elite have some very serious secrets. She and Mark are forced to make dangerous decisions...some that may alter the very future of Agora itself.
Creative and interesting, but also a book that makes you think. The Midnight Charter does have a distinct message hidden in it, but not the cliche messages that often bore one to tears when reading a YA novel.
In the beginning the book slid along quickly and smoothly, keeping me completely mesmerized by Agora's political intrigue and intertwined secrets. As the book slows down a bit, you are attached enough to the characters to continue reading. And if you stick with it to the end, well, the revealing of the mysteries was all the reward I needed.
Overall, I recommend this book for people who enjoy hidden meanings spiced masterfully with entertainment. I would read this book again, simply to uncover more and more of the secrets.
Mark comes from the slums of Agora, only managing to escape the deadly plague because his father sold him. Lily is the servant who takes care of Mark in his new home. In their world where everything -including their lives- can be bought and sold, their only goal is survival.
When the two get a chance to switch lives, they take it. Lily goes outside in the world and Mark remains in the tower, acting as a servant to the mysterious Count. While Mark moves up in fame and fortune, becoming a wondrous astrologer, Lily starts the first Almshouse for the poor. Both of their lives remain entwined, seemingly by destiny. But when Lily discovers the Midnight Charter -started by Agora's founders- she realizes that her city and its elite have some very serious secrets. She and Mark are forced to make dangerous decisions...some that may alter the very future of Agora itself.
Creative and interesting, but also a book that makes you think. The Midnight Charter does have a distinct message hidden in it, but not the cliche messages that often bore one to tears when reading a YA novel.
In the beginning the book slid along quickly and smoothly, keeping me completely mesmerized by Agora's political intrigue and intertwined secrets. As the book slows down a bit, you are attached enough to the characters to continue reading. And if you stick with it to the end, well, the revealing of the mysteries was all the reward I needed.
Overall, I recommend this book for people who enjoy hidden meanings spiced masterfully with entertainment. I would read this book again, simply to uncover more and more of the secrets.
January 14, 2024
✿ LECTURA DE BIBLIOTECA ✿
MI SEGUNDA MEJOR LECTURA DEL AÑO. Pensé que ningún libro iba a destronarlo, pero me llevé una grata sorpresa JAJAJA pero no voy a hablar de eso ahora.
Primero: AMÉ a Laudate. Lo amo. Mi varón.
Luego, creo que conecté tanto con esta historia debido a que usó algo que planeo hacer con una de mis propias novelas. Fue muy lindo verlo ejecutarse en una historia ajena.
NO hay ningún tipo de relleno, todo personaje tiene su razón de ser y jamás hay cabos sueltos (a excepción del final porque es una TRILOGÍA Y NO TRADUCEN LOS OTROS Y TAMPOCO LOS ENCUENTRO EN INGLÉS AYUDA ME VOY A MATAR) Lo único que quizás fue un poco "vaya, qué conveniente" fue un encuentro pero amé todo tanto que podemos ignorarlo.
No sé por qué este libro me dio vibes steampunk, medioevo, todo junto, es como un avance pero un retroceso porque no se valoran los sentimientos y todo es un negocio... y hasta mencionan signos del Zodiaco, todo está dividido en partes y cada una es un signo, con eso me ganan a la mitad, jajajaja.
No es infantil, se tocan temas fuertes que se van profundizando, como adicciones o corrupción... por nombrar algunas. Podría escribir mucho más pero me da miedo spoilear.
SOLO LEAN, LEAN. Es una de esas joyas infravaloradas.
MI SEGUNDA MEJOR LECTURA DEL AÑO. Pensé que ningún libro iba a destronarlo, pero me llevé una grata sorpresa JAJAJA pero no voy a hablar de eso ahora.
Primero: AMÉ a Laudate. Lo amo. Mi varón.
Luego, creo que conecté tanto con esta historia debido a que usó algo que planeo hacer con una de mis propias novelas. Fue muy lindo verlo ejecutarse en una historia ajena.
NO hay ningún tipo de relleno, todo personaje tiene su razón de ser y jamás hay cabos sueltos (a excepción del final porque es una TRILOGÍA Y NO TRADUCEN LOS OTROS Y TAMPOCO LOS ENCUENTRO EN INGLÉS AYUDA ME VOY A MATAR) Lo único que quizás fue un poco "vaya, qué conveniente" fue un encuentro pero amé todo tanto que podemos ignorarlo.
No sé por qué este libro me dio vibes steampunk, medioevo, todo junto, es como un avance pero un retroceso porque no se valoran los sentimientos y todo es un negocio... y hasta mencionan signos del Zodiaco, todo está dividido en partes y cada una es un signo, con eso me ganan a la mitad, jajajaja.
No es infantil, se tocan temas fuertes que se van profundizando, como adicciones o corrupción... por nombrar algunas. Podría escribir mucho más pero me da miedo spoilear.
SOLO LEAN, LEAN. Es una de esas joyas infravaloradas.
March 13, 2013
This review was originally posted on ThirstforFiction.com
In a world where everything is bought and living is hard, Mark has been sold by his father to a Doctor who may be able to cure him of the Plague. But on his 12th birthday, Mark must choose how he wants to live. Taking a very different path from his friend Lily, he unknowingly begins the fulfilment of the Midnight Charter, the outcomes of which will decide the outcome of Agora...
With the Midnight Charter, David Whitley has created an unexpected and beautiful tale of friendship, love, forgiveness and reconciliation. It has a powerful message, something I really had not expected before starting the Midnight Charter. Reading the blurb, it just sounds like a mediocre fantasy, and I cannot emphasise enough how untrue this is. This is one of the only fantasies I have read that made me think. A few of you may have read some of William Nicholson's fantasy stories; I hold them in great esteem. I can honestly say that the Midnight Charter is even better. read more...
In a world where everything is bought and living is hard, Mark has been sold by his father to a Doctor who may be able to cure him of the Plague. But on his 12th birthday, Mark must choose how he wants to live. Taking a very different path from his friend Lily, he unknowingly begins the fulfilment of the Midnight Charter, the outcomes of which will decide the outcome of Agora...
With the Midnight Charter, David Whitley has created an unexpected and beautiful tale of friendship, love, forgiveness and reconciliation. It has a powerful message, something I really had not expected before starting the Midnight Charter. Reading the blurb, it just sounds like a mediocre fantasy, and I cannot emphasise enough how untrue this is. This is one of the only fantasies I have read that made me think. A few of you may have read some of William Nicholson's fantasy stories; I hold them in great esteem. I can honestly say that the Midnight Charter is even better. read more...
May 5, 2022
Carino, però a quanto pare ci sarà un seguito, perciò attendo con santa pazienza...
April 10, 2010
The Midnight Charter is the first in a promised fantasy trilogy. It is author David Whitley's first novel, and as debut releases go there is a fair amount of pressure following this book around. For a start he is only 24 years old, but even more poignant for such a young author is that this book is published by Puffin. Which means that it has been released in 20 countries in 13 languages (well, you don't expect a company like Puffin to do things by half do you?). And when you add together a young, talented writer with a major book publisher, you certainly create a level of expectation. So how does the book actually fare?
PREMISE
The Midnight Charter is set in the fictional fantasy city of Agora, a place where money does not exist and quite literally anything can be bought and sold. Which means that residents of the city get by not just by trading traditional physical possessions, but also more novel items such as their emotions, and even their own children, who do not become 'free' to trade independently until their twelfth birthday. The police of this society are called Receivers, who ensure that deals are kept to as well as enforcing the harsh and punishing law on more traditional crimes. The mysterious Director or Receipts watches over the entire city, and though he is rarely seen there is nobody than cannot be touched by his influence.
In the absence of money, status is determined by reputation, with one wrong deal or dishonourable act more than sufficient to knock a person from the top to the bottom of the ladder. Those with nothing left to trade are called 'debtors', and in a world where things always have to be traded these helpless individuals have no way of climbing back up the social ladder. This highly pressurised and cut throat society is very much self centred, and charity as a concept simply does not exist.
I have to admit that this premise really appealed to me. In basing the main feature of his world on what is essentially capitalism with a twist, David Whitely avoids the normal clichés of magic and strange fantasy creatures, which in itself feels so very refreshing. Yet at the same time the world does contain this fantastical element of mystery and adventure rather than simply being a twist on the normal world. It is an original approach, and one that for me really does pay off.
CHARACTERS AND PLOT
The book centres around two children called Mark and Lily, who at the start of the book are not yet teenagers. Mark is only a couple of weeks off reaching his twelfth birthday (and therefore effectively his independence), whilst Lily is only a couple of months past the same point. Mark has just been sold to a doctor, who himself lives and works from a tower owned by his grandfather, a powerful and strict Count who is one of the cities most highly regarded astrologers. Lily is the Count's only servant, and helps Mark to adjust to his new life.
However, this status quo is not maintained for long. The Count expels the doctor from the tower, and in a last minute dramatic act Lily trades places with Mark to become the doctor's servant, and leaves the tower with him. Mark manages to move from a simple servant to the Count's apprentice, and within a few short months is the most famous young astrologer in the city. With the city's make up being based so heavily on astrology (each district, for example, is named after a star sign), those with a talent in that area are always hot property, and as a result fame and fortune come beckoning for Mark. By contrast, Lily and the doctor struggle to support themselves whilst helping other people. In considering how to help those who cannot trade anything for the services provided to them, Lily comes up with an idea that will send ripples through society's norms. Yet the lives of Lily and Mark are being watched closely by powerful and mysterious forces that work to conspire against them as their fates seem inexplicably intertwined, and eventually both are forced to confront the question of just how in control of their own lives they are. More importantly, just what is the Midnight Charter, which seems to influence so many powerful people?
Whilst there is a smattering of supporting characters in the book, Lily and Mark remain the central focus throughout, and in reality that focus never strays from them. So it's a good job, then, that their characters are so well defined. Lily is a fiery and resilient character who fights for her principles, whilst Mark retains and air of innocence and naivety despite his rapid rise to fame. The personalities of both of the characters develop to an extent as they experience more within this harsh world, but these fundamental traits remain strong throughout, and the way that the characters are developed really is quite impressive.
These two main characters do not exist in a vacuum, however, and there is an ample supporting cast of characters. None of these are given anywhere near the character development that Lily and Mark are, but this isn't really necessary when the main characters are so prominent. It is very much a story about Lily and Mark, and therefore the role of the supporting characters as just that, namely people who aid the story and are developed through their interactions with the two main characters, is perfectly adequate. That said, Whitely doesn't neglect his supporting cast entirely in terms of their importance, and delivers some excellent twists and turns through them on occasion. He also ensures that each character is painted fully into their role, so the reader is wary of the sneakier and more evil characters, whilst sympathising with the good ones, which is a mark of good judgment more than anything and gives proceedings some much welcome depth and complexity.
MY OPINION
As debut novels go, this really is impressive work. The writing style is very easy and results in the book being a real page turner. Whilst more than ample time is spent setting the scene, which may turn off more impatient readers, when the book hits its stride it doesn't let up for one second, and from about half way through the book reaches a fantastic pace that the reader can't help but be carried along by.
That said, this slower start results in the city of Agora become really well defined to the reader before the plot proper gets going, which in itself has its benefits. Personally I felt that the varied districts and settings of the city served to set the tone of any particular scene in an impressive manner. Character interaction, like in most novels, is key in the Midnight Charter, but the physical settings in which these events take place help to create a truly vivid world littered with excellent little touches, and enriches the novel as a whole.
As mentioned above, the characters of Lily and Mark are very well developed and they make excellent main characters. Personally I found that Lily was a particularly well defined character, and I really enjoyed reading the sections in which her stubborn and fiery personality comes to the fore. Throughout the book there are numerous meetings between Lily and Mark and the stark contrast in their personalities makes for some really engaging dialogue sections.
The plot itself, whilst slow to start, quickly becomes interesting and engaging. Certainly my eyes were virtually glued to the last eighty or so pages. I seem to remember audible cursing when reading the book on a train that subsequently arrived at my stop with fifty or so pages to go. I genuinely didn't want to stop reading, and it has been a while since I was that engrossed in the closing pages of a book. Which of course is an excellent sign. Speaking of excellent signs, the ending to the book is superb and sets up the next instalment in the trilogy, Children of the Lost (due out in 2010), very well indeed. I really can't wait for it, which I imagine will be most people's reaction.
The Midnight Charter is effectively aimed at the 11+ range, but will certainly appeal to adults just as well. I would highly recommend it to both seasoned fantasy readers, and those who enjoy the more mainstream offerings of Harry Potter, Dark Materials and so on. To that end, it would actually make a fantastic present for anyone who has previously enjoyed those books (Christmas is, after all, on the way).
It is excellent to see a new writing talent burst onto the fantasy scene, and that is exactly what David Whitely has done. A long and successful career beckons on the evidence of this debut novel.
PREMISE
The Midnight Charter is set in the fictional fantasy city of Agora, a place where money does not exist and quite literally anything can be bought and sold. Which means that residents of the city get by not just by trading traditional physical possessions, but also more novel items such as their emotions, and even their own children, who do not become 'free' to trade independently until their twelfth birthday. The police of this society are called Receivers, who ensure that deals are kept to as well as enforcing the harsh and punishing law on more traditional crimes. The mysterious Director or Receipts watches over the entire city, and though he is rarely seen there is nobody than cannot be touched by his influence.
In the absence of money, status is determined by reputation, with one wrong deal or dishonourable act more than sufficient to knock a person from the top to the bottom of the ladder. Those with nothing left to trade are called 'debtors', and in a world where things always have to be traded these helpless individuals have no way of climbing back up the social ladder. This highly pressurised and cut throat society is very much self centred, and charity as a concept simply does not exist.
I have to admit that this premise really appealed to me. In basing the main feature of his world on what is essentially capitalism with a twist, David Whitely avoids the normal clichés of magic and strange fantasy creatures, which in itself feels so very refreshing. Yet at the same time the world does contain this fantastical element of mystery and adventure rather than simply being a twist on the normal world. It is an original approach, and one that for me really does pay off.
CHARACTERS AND PLOT
The book centres around two children called Mark and Lily, who at the start of the book are not yet teenagers. Mark is only a couple of weeks off reaching his twelfth birthday (and therefore effectively his independence), whilst Lily is only a couple of months past the same point. Mark has just been sold to a doctor, who himself lives and works from a tower owned by his grandfather, a powerful and strict Count who is one of the cities most highly regarded astrologers. Lily is the Count's only servant, and helps Mark to adjust to his new life.
However, this status quo is not maintained for long. The Count expels the doctor from the tower, and in a last minute dramatic act Lily trades places with Mark to become the doctor's servant, and leaves the tower with him. Mark manages to move from a simple servant to the Count's apprentice, and within a few short months is the most famous young astrologer in the city. With the city's make up being based so heavily on astrology (each district, for example, is named after a star sign), those with a talent in that area are always hot property, and as a result fame and fortune come beckoning for Mark. By contrast, Lily and the doctor struggle to support themselves whilst helping other people. In considering how to help those who cannot trade anything for the services provided to them, Lily comes up with an idea that will send ripples through society's norms. Yet the lives of Lily and Mark are being watched closely by powerful and mysterious forces that work to conspire against them as their fates seem inexplicably intertwined, and eventually both are forced to confront the question of just how in control of their own lives they are. More importantly, just what is the Midnight Charter, which seems to influence so many powerful people?
Whilst there is a smattering of supporting characters in the book, Lily and Mark remain the central focus throughout, and in reality that focus never strays from them. So it's a good job, then, that their characters are so well defined. Lily is a fiery and resilient character who fights for her principles, whilst Mark retains and air of innocence and naivety despite his rapid rise to fame. The personalities of both of the characters develop to an extent as they experience more within this harsh world, but these fundamental traits remain strong throughout, and the way that the characters are developed really is quite impressive.
These two main characters do not exist in a vacuum, however, and there is an ample supporting cast of characters. None of these are given anywhere near the character development that Lily and Mark are, but this isn't really necessary when the main characters are so prominent. It is very much a story about Lily and Mark, and therefore the role of the supporting characters as just that, namely people who aid the story and are developed through their interactions with the two main characters, is perfectly adequate. That said, Whitely doesn't neglect his supporting cast entirely in terms of their importance, and delivers some excellent twists and turns through them on occasion. He also ensures that each character is painted fully into their role, so the reader is wary of the sneakier and more evil characters, whilst sympathising with the good ones, which is a mark of good judgment more than anything and gives proceedings some much welcome depth and complexity.
MY OPINION
As debut novels go, this really is impressive work. The writing style is very easy and results in the book being a real page turner. Whilst more than ample time is spent setting the scene, which may turn off more impatient readers, when the book hits its stride it doesn't let up for one second, and from about half way through the book reaches a fantastic pace that the reader can't help but be carried along by.
That said, this slower start results in the city of Agora become really well defined to the reader before the plot proper gets going, which in itself has its benefits. Personally I felt that the varied districts and settings of the city served to set the tone of any particular scene in an impressive manner. Character interaction, like in most novels, is key in the Midnight Charter, but the physical settings in which these events take place help to create a truly vivid world littered with excellent little touches, and enriches the novel as a whole.
As mentioned above, the characters of Lily and Mark are very well developed and they make excellent main characters. Personally I found that Lily was a particularly well defined character, and I really enjoyed reading the sections in which her stubborn and fiery personality comes to the fore. Throughout the book there are numerous meetings between Lily and Mark and the stark contrast in their personalities makes for some really engaging dialogue sections.
The plot itself, whilst slow to start, quickly becomes interesting and engaging. Certainly my eyes were virtually glued to the last eighty or so pages. I seem to remember audible cursing when reading the book on a train that subsequently arrived at my stop with fifty or so pages to go. I genuinely didn't want to stop reading, and it has been a while since I was that engrossed in the closing pages of a book. Which of course is an excellent sign. Speaking of excellent signs, the ending to the book is superb and sets up the next instalment in the trilogy, Children of the Lost (due out in 2010), very well indeed. I really can't wait for it, which I imagine will be most people's reaction.
The Midnight Charter is effectively aimed at the 11+ range, but will certainly appeal to adults just as well. I would highly recommend it to both seasoned fantasy readers, and those who enjoy the more mainstream offerings of Harry Potter, Dark Materials and so on. To that end, it would actually make a fantastic present for anyone who has previously enjoyed those books (Christmas is, after all, on the way).
It is excellent to see a new writing talent burst onto the fantasy scene, and that is exactly what David Whitely has done. A long and successful career beckons on the evidence of this debut novel.
September 21, 2019
I would be VERY curious to see what young adults thought of “The Midnight Charter”. Maybe, as an adult, I have forgotten what appeals to that age group. And yet, there are many children and young adult books that I’ve read lately and enjoyed immensely. I chose this book because the summary mentioned that it was for readers of Philip Pullman. I very much enjoyed Pullman’s books and plan to read them again someday. His books had magic, adventure and danger, and a strong underlying message. They can be enjoyed by children and adults.
I didn’t find anything magical in “The Midnight Charter”. There was certainly danger…but no real adventure (until the last page of the book or so)…and the underlying message wasn’t very underlying. It was beat you over the head obvious and made the story incredibly depressing.
None of the characters were compelling to me; I didn’t feel that I knew enough about either of them to believe in their words or actions. And even Lily, the heroine of the book, couldn’t arouse much interest. I didn’t feel the passion behind her words, behind her obsession.
Again and again, I looked at the glowing reviews on the back cover. They mention being inspired, they mention amazing twists and turns…and not being able to put the book down.
For those readers, I am very glad. Because I agree with the book’s message that greed is destructive and that caring for others should matter as much, if not sometimes more, than caring for oneself. But – to use a line from the book, “Truth is never more addictive than when it comes to you in the tiniest grains.” But to which I would add; the truths in this book would be far more addictive were they delivered with a spoonful of hope.
One thing I can agree with from the back of my copy? This book does have a GREAT first sentence.
I didn’t find anything magical in “The Midnight Charter”. There was certainly danger…but no real adventure (until the last page of the book or so)…and the underlying message wasn’t very underlying. It was beat you over the head obvious and made the story incredibly depressing.
None of the characters were compelling to me; I didn’t feel that I knew enough about either of them to believe in their words or actions. And even Lily, the heroine of the book, couldn’t arouse much interest. I didn’t feel the passion behind her words, behind her obsession.
Again and again, I looked at the glowing reviews on the back cover. They mention being inspired, they mention amazing twists and turns…and not being able to put the book down.
For those readers, I am very glad. Because I agree with the book’s message that greed is destructive and that caring for others should matter as much, if not sometimes more, than caring for oneself. But – to use a line from the book, “Truth is never more addictive than when it comes to you in the tiniest grains.” But to which I would add; the truths in this book would be far more addictive were they delivered with a spoonful of hope.
One thing I can agree with from the back of my copy? This book does have a GREAT first sentence.
February 10, 2021
So, i came across this book in a second hand store. I was just curios about the exchange-based society and altought I enjoyed reading it there were few things that just didn't make a lot of sense to me.
So, let's start by talking about the writing in itself. I found it a little... Heavy. I have to say, i have read the Italian translation of it, so, it could be a really bad translation job. But even so, i struggled through out the whole book to remember that the characters were actually really young. About 12. It Is specified in the book that at 12 they are considered adults in the society but even so, the writing didn't Reflect their young age. To me they sounded like at least 16years old. Lily's in particular. I gave her at first 18. And Laud? In his first appearing, the way he talks and the way he is described made me think he was about 35. Turns out he is only 15!!
I think that the characters lacked a lot of child like features, fears and expressions. They just sounded like the rest of the adults, sometimes they sounded even Older than the adults themselves!
The other thing is that we really have a few window over the story, sinceramente it goes rally fast forward skipping months or even Years between a chapter or another , so. Many of the achivements that the characters had, were just suddenly there. We didn't get to enjoy their journey through the achivements.
I feel so disappointed that many of the characters remained superficial, like the Sozinho, or the daughter of the director of the orphanage, as Benedicta , Laud or Theo. They were interesting characters and we got to read so little about them!!
I am still unsure of I am going to buy the sequel, i feel kinda of curios to know whats outside, but i still have to Accept the limits of this book.
I still raccomand it for a light read, without too much expectation on the writing.
So, let's start by talking about the writing in itself. I found it a little... Heavy. I have to say, i have read the Italian translation of it, so, it could be a really bad translation job. But even so, i struggled through out the whole book to remember that the characters were actually really young. About 12. It Is specified in the book that at 12 they are considered adults in the society but even so, the writing didn't Reflect their young age. To me they sounded like at least 16years old. Lily's in particular. I gave her at first 18. And Laud? In his first appearing, the way he talks and the way he is described made me think he was about 35. Turns out he is only 15!!
I think that the characters lacked a lot of child like features, fears and expressions. They just sounded like the rest of the adults, sometimes they sounded even Older than the adults themselves!
The other thing is that we really have a few window over the story, sinceramente it goes rally fast forward skipping months or even Years between a chapter or another , so. Many of the achivements that the characters had, were just suddenly there. We didn't get to enjoy their journey through the achivements.
I feel so disappointed that many of the characters remained superficial, like the Sozinho, or the daughter of the director of the orphanage, as Benedicta , Laud or Theo. They were interesting characters and we got to read so little about them!!
I am still unsure of I am going to buy the sequel, i feel kinda of curios to know whats outside, but i still have to Accept the limits of this book.
I still raccomand it for a light read, without too much expectation on the writing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2022
J’ai trouvé ce roman dans une boîte à livres juste avant le confinement et je ne l’avais jamais lu jusqu’ici. Comme on dit, il n’est jamais trop tard pour bien faire ! Je suis assez mitigée sur ce roman, à vrai dire. J’ai eu du mal à accrocher au début, puis je me suis laissée entraîner par l’univers et tout ce qui s’y déroulait. Les actions s’enchaînent, les amitiés, les alliances, se font et se défont sur le fond d’un pacte obscur dont la population ignore tout. Nos deux protagonistes s’éloignent et se rapprochent, tour à tour, dans un jeu de danse étrange. Ils paraissent un instant détenir le monde entre leurs mains avant que celui-ci ne s’effondre sur eux. Un univers sombre, où les rues s'obscurcissent même à la lumière du jour et où les trahisons sont monnaie commune. Un univers où les sentiments se vendent et s’achètent et où tous les actes sont régis par des contrats. Un univers qui ressemble beaucoup au nôtre, si on y regarde d’un peu plus près…
Si j’ai réussi à apprécier ma lecture, je ne pense cependant pas acheter la suite de la série. Une jolie découverte tout de même !
Si j’ai réussi à apprécier ma lecture, je ne pense cependant pas acheter la suite de la série. Une jolie découverte tout de même !
April 20, 2023
Em Agora, uma cidade onde o comércio é a base da sociedade e é possível trocar tudo, incluindo emoções, acompanhamos a vida de Mark e Lily, dois amigos que inicialmente trabalhavam para o astrólogo Conde Stelli e o seu neto, o médico Theo, mas que acabam por seguir rumos diferentes — e até mesmo opostos. Mark torna-se um jovem aprendiz de astrologia em ascensão, e Lily funda um hospício revolucionário: um lugar para cuidar das pessoas "devedoras" sem que estas lhe dessem nada em troca.
Adorei este livro. David Whitley conseguiu juntar todos os ingredientes necessários para formar um bom livro de fantasia infanto-juvenil: um world building espetacular, personagens intrigantes, uma boa dose de mistério e uma forte mensagem sobre a humanidade. Adorei o estilo de escrita, que achei extremamente poético e me fez lembrar os livros de Ulysses Moore.
Comprei "O Pacto da Meia-Noite" por acaso, numa feira da ladra (ironicamente), e estou super contente com esta leitura.
Adorei este livro. David Whitley conseguiu juntar todos os ingredientes necessários para formar um bom livro de fantasia infanto-juvenil: um world building espetacular, personagens intrigantes, uma boa dose de mistério e uma forte mensagem sobre a humanidade. Adorei o estilo de escrita, que achei extremamente poético e me fez lembrar os livros de Ulysses Moore.
Comprei "O Pacto da Meia-Noite" por acaso, numa feira da ladra (ironicamente), e estou super contente com esta leitura.
February 2, 2019
Agorà: una città in cui tutto si può vendere e comprare, perfino le emozioni. Un mercato totale, dove il denaro non esiste. Dove vendere è l'unico sistema di vita, e indebitarsi significa morire. La Gilda degli Astrologi ha in pugno la città, ma una misteriosa società segreta, la Società della Bilancia, trama nel buio. Nella Torre dell'Osservatorio, uno dei cuori del potere di Agorà, si incontrano due ragazzi, Mark e Lily. Mark è stato venduto da suo padre, Lily è stata abbandonata dai suoi genitori in orfanotrofio. Diversi come il giorno e la notte, i due diventano amici, legati da qualcosa che va oltre l'affetto, uniti da un destino, da una profezia, da un patto.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2019
I'm finally going back and reading books that I placed on my "To Read" list long ago.
Engaging characters, suspenseful in a 'big conspiracy' way, richly detailed world building.
I didn't realize when I put this on my "To Read" list back in 2009 that it was the first of a trilogy. It is definitely written as a beginning to a much larger story. I am slightly interested in what happens next, but I don't feel like I have to know immediately.
Engaging characters, suspenseful in a 'big conspiracy' way, richly detailed world building.
I didn't realize when I put this on my "To Read" list back in 2009 that it was the first of a trilogy. It is definitely written as a beginning to a much larger story. I am slightly interested in what happens next, but I don't feel like I have to know immediately.
August 14, 2018
I thought this was quite interesting. I had no idea that it was written for middle readers, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I'd really like to read the other in this series because I enjoyed Lily and would like to see how her journey ends.
February 28, 2023
Read this during a few work shifts. It wasn't bad and the book wasn't that hard of a read but it bored me. I guess I'm just too picky. I really liked the idea of a world were basic living function was based off of trading shit.
March 23, 2018
I Love this Book 💟🌃
June 10, 2019
I enjoy this book because of how it the setting of the book is mystery and I love it. It just creates this feeling of that you're like the person going through a lot and I recommend people to get it.
Read
August 15, 2019Intriguing, timely, relevant
Read
April 16, 2020I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read the sequel!!
March 25, 2021
Interesting
November 18, 2022
3.5 stars
October 9, 2023
i wanted to like it, i tried very hard to like it, but it was BORING.
April 16, 2025
Esta review vai ser em português, pois a versão que li foi a portuguesa. Versão essa que ignora o facto de ser uma trilogia e eu não sabia disso até ao final do livro onde fiquei cheio de perguntas por responder e das quais não terei resposta a não ser que leia os restantes livros, que terão de ser em inglês (estou a ponderar também se mais valia reler este em inglês).
Foi uma boa história, as personagens são bastante consistentes e têm um grande sentido de realismo no seu carácter. Porém sinto que podiam ter sido mais descritas. Na maior parte do livro, eu não sabia como estavam vestidas nem as suas posições relevantes ao cenário. Quem estava em cena e afins. Sentia que cada personagem, quando agia, estava no local certo à hora certa (ou errada) mas eu sem entender muito bem como lá chegavam. O livro tem um grave problema em dar descrições, seja no que fosse, ou aonde fosse, deixa muito vago, apesar de dar pontos interessantes em tudo o que transcreve. Diria que o livro tem 3 ou 4 cenários de história super importantes/interessantes mas apenas um ou dois é que parecem relevantes pois nada frutece das situações, ou seja, podiam ser retiradas que pouco ou nada daria relevância ao todo do livro, ou então sinto que haveria uma forma melhor de o ter feito. Dito isto entendi a intenção do escritor e mesmo assim gostei do que estou a criticar. Adorei as descrições das emoções, o modo como tenta ilustrar a sujidade das ruas, das pessoas, o desespero, as emoções, a presença forte de certas personagens, amei isso apesar de tudo. Talvez em inglês seja ainda mais apelativo, algo a ver.
Foi uma boa história, as personagens são bastante consistentes e têm um grande sentido de realismo no seu carácter. Porém sinto que podiam ter sido mais descritas. Na maior parte do livro, eu não sabia como estavam vestidas nem as suas posições relevantes ao cenário. Quem estava em cena e afins. Sentia que cada personagem, quando agia, estava no local certo à hora certa (ou errada) mas eu sem entender muito bem como lá chegavam. O livro tem um grave problema em dar descrições, seja no que fosse, ou aonde fosse, deixa muito vago, apesar de dar pontos interessantes em tudo o que transcreve. Diria que o livro tem 3 ou 4 cenários de história super importantes/interessantes mas apenas um ou dois é que parecem relevantes pois nada frutece das situações, ou seja, podiam ser retiradas que pouco ou nada daria relevância ao todo do livro, ou então sinto que haveria uma forma melhor de o ter feito. Dito isto entendi a intenção do escritor e mesmo assim gostei do que estou a criticar. Adorei as descrições das emoções, o modo como tenta ilustrar a sujidade das ruas, das pessoas, o desespero, as emoções, a presença forte de certas personagens, amei isso apesar de tudo. Talvez em inglês seja ainda mais apelativo, algo a ver.
June 9, 2025
I'll be honest. Is this book filled with more than a few weird time jumps? Yes. Do the characters act AT ALL like their age? Absolutely no. Do I care? Also no. I read this for the first time when I was 11, so I guess my judgement is a bit influenced by how great of a first impression I had of it.
I love this kind of setting and genre, and the medieval-like vibes were extremely fitting, with the yearly festival, the wax sealing method of contract-signing, the infectious diseases spreading in the poor parts of the city... Just the right frame for secret societies, conspiracies and murders.
Also, the author has a real talent in building characters. Again, the only person acting like a child in a book full of 13-year-olds isn't a kid (and by the way I'll just spend a word saying how creeped out I once was by Cherubina?? Living in a room full of dolls representing real people is WILD.), but you might want to remember that in the society they live in is normal to just throw a 12-YEAR-OLD on the streets if they don't have a job or something to sell, so... maybe they didn't get much of a choice.
It is pretty clear who we're supposed to like more between the two main characters, and that is of course Lily. Not only her behaviour is much more likeable than Mark's, as she's responsible, altruistic and just all throughout the book, never changing her ideals for anyone, but the writing itself gives this very impression. The way Lily's chapters are written versus Mark's reflect their minds and personality: when we see Lily's POV we get all these insights, these thoughts, reflections, worries and hopes, mirroring the way she worries about people and always thinks twice, always feels like she should be doing something, or trying to read others. On the other hand, Mark's chapters are much more filled with description of events and things that are happening or have already happened, just as he's more practical and business-like. Whenever he's confronted by Lily he tries to shut his mind and push the negative thoughts aside, just as he's been taught to do by his counselor Snutworth (whom I personally associate with Snape but that may be just me). For me, that perfectly fits in Mark's personality, considering he lived most of his life being a fisherman and knows nothing of the real world. He's much more passive in this story, easy to manipulate and doesn't give much tought to his decisions, trusting his advisor with all his affairs. That's not to say he's bad, he simply never really learned to think on his own, and building his public persona and keeping busy was probably a way to avoid thinking about his family and escape the fear of going back to his previous life, which he associated with basically everything bad that ever happened to him.
The secondary characters are nice and layered too, I loved how no one is 100% evil or 100% good, even if it may seem like they are until the very end of the book. They all had their reasons for their actions and a specific place in the story, with their roles to play, valid motives and backstories. After you turn the last page, you feel like you can't really hate anyone and yet there are many despicable people in this book. Shoutout to Theo and Ben though, for staying my favourites characters throughout the many times I've read this book, although in this last reading I particularly appreciated Laud and Lily too.
I remember absolutely hating the cliffhanger ending because I couldn't go and read the next book in the serie as it hasn't been published in my language, so I had to wait to be good enough to be able to read it in english. Besides that, now I can say the ending is right for a ya/middle grade book that's the first in a trilogy, as it's less of an ending and more of a new beginning in a different setting, leaving space for new plots and twists to come.
Alright maybe I'm still not over this book (or this serie as a whole), this is the longer review I've ever left, but what can I say, I guess whatever you read as a child stays with you forever.
I love this kind of setting and genre, and the medieval-like vibes were extremely fitting, with the yearly festival, the wax sealing method of contract-signing, the infectious diseases spreading in the poor parts of the city... Just the right frame for secret societies, conspiracies and murders.
Also, the author has a real talent in building characters. Again, the only person acting like a child in a book full of 13-year-olds isn't a kid (and by the way I'll just spend a word saying how creeped out I once was by Cherubina?? Living in a room full of dolls representing real people is WILD.), but you might want to remember that in the society they live in is normal to just throw a 12-YEAR-OLD on the streets if they don't have a job or something to sell, so... maybe they didn't get much of a choice.
It is pretty clear who we're supposed to like more between the two main characters, and that is of course Lily. Not only her behaviour is much more likeable than Mark's, as she's responsible, altruistic and just all throughout the book, never changing her ideals for anyone, but the writing itself gives this very impression. The way Lily's chapters are written versus Mark's reflect their minds and personality: when we see Lily's POV we get all these insights, these thoughts, reflections, worries and hopes, mirroring the way she worries about people and always thinks twice, always feels like she should be doing something, or trying to read others. On the other hand, Mark's chapters are much more filled with description of events and things that are happening or have already happened, just as he's more practical and business-like. Whenever he's confronted by Lily he tries to shut his mind and push the negative thoughts aside, just as he's been taught to do by his counselor Snutworth (whom I personally associate with Snape but that may be just me). For me, that perfectly fits in Mark's personality, considering he lived most of his life being a fisherman and knows nothing of the real world. He's much more passive in this story, easy to manipulate and doesn't give much tought to his decisions, trusting his advisor with all his affairs. That's not to say he's bad, he simply never really learned to think on his own, and building his public persona and keeping busy was probably a way to avoid thinking about his family and escape the fear of going back to his previous life, which he associated with basically everything bad that ever happened to him.
The secondary characters are nice and layered too, I loved how no one is 100% evil or 100% good, even if it may seem like they are until the very end of the book. They all had their reasons for their actions and a specific place in the story, with their roles to play, valid motives and backstories. After you turn the last page, you feel like you can't really hate anyone and yet there are many despicable people in this book. Shoutout to Theo and Ben though, for staying my favourites characters throughout the many times I've read this book, although in this last reading I particularly appreciated Laud and Lily too.
I remember absolutely hating the cliffhanger ending because I couldn't go and read the next book in the serie as it hasn't been published in my language, so I had to wait to be good enough to be able to read it in english. Besides that, now I can say the ending is right for a ya/middle grade book that's the first in a trilogy, as it's less of an ending and more of a new beginning in a different setting, leaving space for new plots and twists to come.
Alright maybe I'm still not over this book (or this serie as a whole), this is the longer review I've ever left, but what can I say, I guess whatever you read as a child stays with you forever.
October 3, 2010
I am absolutely amazed by this book. It contains a fantastically spooky setting, very interesting characters and some highly thought-provoking themes. I have started the second book in the trilogy, The Children of the Lost, as soon as I finished this one!
I can't tell you what the Midnight Charter is because that would be spoiling and that is just plain wrong (no, no, I am not hinting to you Mockingjay spoiler-morons).
We start the book with Mark, a young boy suffering from the grey plague who has been sold to a Doctor by his father. Not very surprising in a city where you can sell everything, including your children and your emotions. He meets Lily who is an orphan and has been sold to a book-binder by the orphanage. Together they will try to survive in the Agora.
The city of Agora lives in autarky meaning no one gets in or out of its walls. The organisation of Agora seems very real and is quite scary! There is the faceless Directory which controls everything and then there is what could be called the Judiciary branch (with a Lord Chief Justice) and there is Astrology which has a strong influence on people's lives. You never know who is a 'good' character or a 'bad', so you keep guessing until the very end, which is awesome!
The major theme in the book is the selling thing. It is one of the best books talking about materialism that I have read. Money doesn't exist in this story, you exchange something for something else, and it makes the transactions so much more vivid. It brings the reader very interesting thoughts and makes you look at your life and your own behaviour towards "things". To be honest, I was blown away. Of course, the book would have talked about the subject more accurately had it been aimed at adults, but I liked the simplifications in this one.
Lily, on the other hand, feels that this system is bad and corrupted. She wants to introduce a new way of thinking - charity. I love this duality present in the book, because saying "charity is good" or "charity doesn't solve the problem" etc. isn't what it is all about. To understand an issue, you have to start by asking the good questions, and I find that, throughout the book, Lily is giving amazing arguments but also asking the good questions to the Agora society.
The book would have been brilliant only with this. But it has so much more. I liked the characters and how they would make mistakes and maybe not even realise how far they have gone. I like Lily because she is a very strong female character and she doesn't let others dictate what she should do and what she should think is right. Mark is also an interesting character and his evolution throughout the book was amazing to read. All the other characters are very well developed and I found myself liking most of them!
I have to admit that I was a little confused with the age of the characters at first, I thought they were in their late teenage years whereas they were only 11 and 12 years old when the story begins. I can't help but wonder what 11 years old read in this book that contains many serious themes. Do they see as much as I do? Do they understand the debate as much as I do? I'm sure they do, and probably better than me.
It is also a book that can be read by girls and boys, which is rare enough to be noted!
The book may not be perfect, nor a masterpiece, but I was entirely taken by the story. The plot is very thought-provoking and challenges your convinctions on life, trade and charity. If you are a fan of fantasy and like to read a fascinating story as well as an interesting book, don't hesitate to discover this trilogy!
I can't tell you what the Midnight Charter is because that would be spoiling and that is just plain wrong (no, no, I am not hinting to you Mockingjay spoiler-morons).
We start the book with Mark, a young boy suffering from the grey plague who has been sold to a Doctor by his father. Not very surprising in a city where you can sell everything, including your children and your emotions. He meets Lily who is an orphan and has been sold to a book-binder by the orphanage. Together they will try to survive in the Agora.
The city of Agora lives in autarky meaning no one gets in or out of its walls. The organisation of Agora seems very real and is quite scary! There is the faceless Directory which controls everything and then there is what could be called the Judiciary branch (with a Lord Chief Justice) and there is Astrology which has a strong influence on people's lives. You never know who is a 'good' character or a 'bad', so you keep guessing until the very end, which is awesome!
The major theme in the book is the selling thing. It is one of the best books talking about materialism that I have read. Money doesn't exist in this story, you exchange something for something else, and it makes the transactions so much more vivid. It brings the reader very interesting thoughts and makes you look at your life and your own behaviour towards "things". To be honest, I was blown away. Of course, the book would have talked about the subject more accurately had it been aimed at adults, but I liked the simplifications in this one.
Lily, on the other hand, feels that this system is bad and corrupted. She wants to introduce a new way of thinking - charity. I love this duality present in the book, because saying "charity is good" or "charity doesn't solve the problem" etc. isn't what it is all about. To understand an issue, you have to start by asking the good questions, and I find that, throughout the book, Lily is giving amazing arguments but also asking the good questions to the Agora society.
The book would have been brilliant only with this. But it has so much more. I liked the characters and how they would make mistakes and maybe not even realise how far they have gone. I like Lily because she is a very strong female character and she doesn't let others dictate what she should do and what she should think is right. Mark is also an interesting character and his evolution throughout the book was amazing to read. All the other characters are very well developed and I found myself liking most of them!
I have to admit that I was a little confused with the age of the characters at first, I thought they were in their late teenage years whereas they were only 11 and 12 years old when the story begins. I can't help but wonder what 11 years old read in this book that contains many serious themes. Do they see as much as I do? Do they understand the debate as much as I do? I'm sure they do, and probably better than me.
It is also a book that can be read by girls and boys, which is rare enough to be noted!
The book may not be perfect, nor a masterpiece, but I was entirely taken by the story. The plot is very thought-provoking and challenges your convinctions on life, trade and charity. If you are a fan of fantasy and like to read a fascinating story as well as an interesting book, don't hesitate to discover this trilogy!
March 2, 2015
Lily and Mark are both born and raised in The City. Everyone knows that there isn't anything outside of the City, so as they become adults (at age thirteen) and learn to traverse the give and take of the City's commerce they take it as a given. However, so much more is happening between the lines of the contracts upon which the City is built and both Lily and Mark have quite the part to play!
I honestly wasn't sure I'd be able to get into this story. Post-disaster worlds were kind of ruined for me by Jeanne DuPrau (The City of Ember was great, the rest of her books...), which make any books of the genre have to work extra hard just to get my attention not to mention keeping my interest! However, Whitley gives this world a unique feel, and though there are hints of things beyond the borders of our characters' knowledge, they aren't able to obsess about it and their discoveries happen over large periods of time. That has always seemed weird to me for most similar stories; the main character who has been struggling to survive suddenly has heaps of time to focus on all the behind the scenes weirdness and suddenly, TA DA! mystery solved? A bit sketchy; but as I said Mr. Whitley does not fall into that trap. His characters are very much involved in their world (hence them being who they are) and though they do have some dramatic changes on-going, their decisions aren't consequence free and take several years to happen.
Also, this book is part of a projected trilogy, so don't expect all of your questions to be answered, the world to be fully developed or even to know what to expect from the next books as things could easily dramatically change. Just that kind of a story!
Before I forget, the real reason, for me, that this book gets four stars is because of how much it values life. Slight spoilers in this so..
Content notes: No language issues. No sensuality issues. There is a murder and some perilous times, however, the murder happens off page and the peril is generally resolved with only a few cuts and bruises. In this world, the most drastic violence is done to a person's name rather than their person, with mistakes and slight failures often leading to becoming pariahs that no one will sign a contract with (effectively excluding them from all legal commerce or jobs). There is also an ongoing plague, especially amongst the slum portion of the city, that causes off page deaths, but after the first section of the book, it seems to reduce in importance and the described effects are mostly the skin color changing to grey and the person dying.
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