Author:David Whitley
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?
Pratchett's ear for dialogue is superb . . . His deep feeling for landscape, animals, kindness and courage make his adventures deeply satisfying as well as clever
—— The TimesOodles of dry wit, imagination and shrewdly observed characters
—— Independent on SundayA great Pratchett strength is the sense that if the jokes . . . were dropped there would still be a good, engaging fantasy thriller here
—— IndependentFantastically inventive and humorous fantasy adventure. Fans will be sky high
—— The Sunday TimesFunny, typically humorous . . . A must for any Terry Pratchett fan . . . With its witty and slightly confusing plot-twists and hilarious dialogue, this is, without doubt, another great children's book
—— Bristol Evening PostSuitable for the 10 year old as well as the trendy student
—— Derby Evening TelegraphWitty, pacy . . . An ideal introduction to Pratchett's work
—— South Wales ArgusWitty and daring
—— Teen TitlesI feel it’s a new dimension in imagination and the prose is beautiful. It is exciting and adventurous.
—— The Irish TimesA unique piece of high fantasy...now very witty and politically aware in its revised version with the new ending
—— VectorMouth-watering attention to names and place names... adding greatly to the story's enjoyment factor.The story itself - part saga, legend and adventure - swings along at a fair old clatter. Terry Pratchett's writing is vivid and immediate. He wastes no time. There is little padding. The swiftness of the storyline is everything....For young readers unaware of Pratchett's oeuvre, The Carpet People is a fine introduction
—— Junior Bookshelf