The Stone Key
The Stone Key is a 2008 science fiction novel by Isobelle Carmody, set in a post apocalyptic world. It is the fifth book in the Obernewtyn Chronicles.
 The Stone Key first edition cover. | |
| Author | Isobelle Carmody |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Les Petersen, Getty Images |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Series | Obernewtyn Chronicles |
| Genre | Fantasy, science fiction, young adult |
| Publisher | Viking Children's Books |
Publication date | 4 February 2008 |
| Pages | 1000 |
| ISBN | 978-0-670-07134-0 |
| OCLC | 225756476 |
| LC Class | PZ7.C2176 St 2008 |
| Preceded by | The Keeping Place |
| Followed by | The Sending |
Background
The Stone Key was first published in Australia on 4 February 2008 by Viking Children's Books in trade paperback format.[1] In the United States it has been separated into two books, entitled Wavesong and The Stone Key respectively.[2] The Stone Key was a short-list nominee for the 2008 Aurealis Award for best young-adult novel but lost to Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta.[3]
Synopsis
When Elspeth sets out from Obernewtyn to Sutrium to testify at the trial of a rebel traitor, she quickly learns not everyone has welcomed the changes caused by the rebellion. Pitted against an invasion, Elsepth finds herself on her strangest and most dangerous journey yet. Drawn into the heart of the Herder Faction, she learns of the terrible plot to destroy the west coast. To stop it, Elspeth risks everything, for if she dies, she will never be able to complete her quest to destroy the weaponmachines which wiped out the Beforetime; but if she succeeds, it might just bring her to the final clue needed to find them...[4][5]
Reception
A reviewer for the Canberra Times feels that the message of The Stone Key is that "freedom... is messy".[6]
Awards and nominations
In 2008, The Stone Key was shortlisted for "Young Adult Novel" in the Aurealis Awards.[3]
Publication history
Single Book Publications:[7]
| Year | Country | Publisher | Media Type | Cover Designer | Pages | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | AUS | Penguin Books | Paperback | Les Petersen | 1000 | 9780670071340 |
Split Books:[8]
| Year | Country | Title | Publisher | Media Type | Cover Designer | Pages | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | US | Wavesong | Random House | Paperback | Les Petersen | 467 | 9780375857713 |
| 2011 | UK | Bloomsbury Publishing | Paperback | 480 | 9781408806944 | ||
| 2008 | US | The Stone Key | Random House | Paperback | 483 | 9780375857720 | |
| 2011 | UK | Bloomsbury Publishing | Paperback | 576 | 9781408806951 | ||
References
- "Bibliography: The Stone Key". ISFDB. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
- "News from Isobelle Carmody", Obernewtyn.net. Retrieved on 21 July 2008
- "The Locus Index to SF Awards: 2009 Aurealis Awards". Locus Online. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
- http://www.penguin.com.au/products/9780143009436/stone-key-obernewtyn-chronicles-volume-5
- http://www.readings.com.au/product/9780670071340/isobelle-carmody-the-stone-key-the-obernewtyn-chronicles-book-five
- http://iw.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_action=doc&p_theme=aggdocs&p_topdoc=1&p_docnum=1&p_sort=YMD_date:D&p_product=AWNB&p_docid=11E901EEE5FB82C0&p_text_direct-0=document_id=(%2011E901EEE5FB82C0%20)&p_nbid=E64G5BAQMTMxODk5ODI1Mi43NDQ1NTM6MTo3OnJhLTg5OTA
- "Bibliography: The Stone Key". The Internet Speculative Fiction Database. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
- "Bibliography: Wavesong". The Internet Speculative Fiction Database. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
External links
- The Stone Key title listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database