The Stone Key

Last updated
The Stone Key
The Stone Key by Isobelle Carmody.jpg
The Stone Key first edition cover.
Author Isobelle Carmody
Cover artistLes Petersen, Getty Images
Country Australia
LanguageEnglish
Series Obernewtyn Chronicles
Genre Fantasy, science fiction, young adult
Publisher Viking Children's Books
Publication date
4 February 2008
Pages1000
ISBN 978-0-670-07134-0
OCLC 225756476
LC Class PZ7.C2176 St 2008
Preceded by The Keeping Place  
Followed by The Sending  

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.

Contents

Background

Wavesong cover Wavesong book cover.jpg
Wavesong cover

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]

YearCountryPublisherMedia TypeCover DesignerPagesISBN
2008AUS Penguin Books PaperbackLes Petersen1000 9780670071340

Split Books: [8]

YearCountryTitlePublisherMedia TypeCover DesignerPagesISBN
2008USWavesong Random House PaperbackLes Petersen467 9780375857713
2011UK Bloomsbury Publishing Paperback480 9781408806944
2008USThe Stone KeyRandom HousePaperback483 9780375857720
2011UKBloomsbury PublishingPaperback576 9781408806951

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isobelle Carmody</span> Australian writer

Isobelle Jane Carmody is an Australian writer of science fiction, fantasy, children's literature, and young adult literature. She is recipient of the Aurealis Award for best children's fiction.

<i>Obernewtyn Chronicles</i> Novel series by Isobelle Carmody

The Obernewtyn Chronicles is a series of science fiction and fantasy novels by Australian author Isobelle Carmody. The series has a post apocalyptic setting and depicts a world long after its destruction by a global nuclear holocaust.

<i>Obernewtyn</i> (novel) 1987 novel by Isobelle Carmody

Obernewtyn is the first novel in the Obernewtyn Chronicles series by Australian author Isobelle Carmody. Carmody began writing it at the age of fourteen, and reworked the novel through high school and university. Much of the inspiration for the protagonist, Elspeth Gordie, comes from her own life experiences. It was published by Penguin Books in Australia in 1987 and shortlisted for the Book of the Year for Older Readers in the Children's Book Council of Australia Awards.

<i>The Farseekers</i> 1990 novel by Isobelle Carmody

The Farseekers is the second novel in the Obernewtyn Chronicles series by Isobelle Carmody. It was first published by Penguin Books in Australia in 1990. In 1991, it was selected as an Honour Book for "Book of the Year for Older Readers" in the Children's Book Council of Australia Awards.

<i>The Keeping Place</i> 1999 novel by Isobelle Carmody

The Keeping Place is a science fiction novel by Australian writer Isobelle Carmody, set in a post-apocalyptic world. It is the fourth book in the Obernewtyn Chronicles.

<i>Darkfall</i> (Carmody novel) 1997 novel by Isobelle Carmody

Darkfall is the first novel in the Legendsong Saga series by Australian author Isobelle Carmody. Carmody wrote the first drafts for all three books in the trilogy concurrently whilst living in Prague. It was published by Viking Books in Australia in 1997 and shortlisted for ‘Best Fantasy Novel’ at the 1998 Aurealis Awards and for ‘Australian Long Fiction’ at the 1998 Ditmar Awards.

Michael Pryor is an Australian writer of speculative fiction.

The Aurealis Awards are presented annually by the Australia-based Chimaera Publications and WASFF to published works to "recognise the achievements of Australian science fiction, fantasy, horror writers". To qualify, a work must have been first published by an Australian citizen or permanent resident between 1 January and 31 December of the corresponding year; the presentation ceremony is held the following year. It has grown from a small function of around 20 people to a two-day event attended by over 200 people.

<i>The Sending</i> 2011 novel by Isobelle Carmody

The Sending is the sixth novel in the Obernewtyn Chronicles by Australian author Isobelle Carmody, and is the penultimate book in the series. It was originally intended to be the final book, but this was changed to allow Carmody to elaborate plot strands without it becoming too long. The book follows the journey of Elspeth as she is finally called to set out on her fated quest to destroy the computermachines before they unleash a second apocalypse. The book was published in Australia and the United States on 31 October 2011, and was released in the United Kingdom in July 2012.

<i>The Storm Weaver and the Sand</i>

The Storm Weaver and the Sand is a 2002 fantasy novel by Sean Williams. It follows the second book in the series, The Sky Warden & the Sun, with Sal and Shilly finding shelter with the Stone Mages only to be betrayed and put forward for judgement by the Sky Wardens.

<i>The Crooked Letter</i> 2004 novel by Sean Williams

The Crooked Letter is a 2004 fantasy novel by Sean Williams. It follows the story of Seth and Hadrian who have gone to Europe on holidays. Seth is murdered and they discover that Earth is just one of many realms.

<i>Greylands</i> Novel by Isobelle Carmody

Greylands is a 1997 young adult novel by Isobelle Carmody. It follows the story of Jack who in order to come to terms with his mother's death writes a story in which he enters another world where he confronts his fears and finds answers to his questions. In 2012, Greylands was self-published into an ebook and republished by Ford Street Publishing.

<i>Alyzon Whitestarr</i>

Alyzon Whitestarr is a 2005 young adult novel by Isobelle Carmody.

"The Sword of God" is a 1996 fantasy novelette by Australian writer Russell Blackford.

<i>Dream Weavers</i> (anthology)

Dream Weavers is a 1996 fantasy anthology edited by Paul Collins.

<i>Dreaming Down-Under</i> Anthology edited by Jack Dann and Janeen Webb

Dreaming Down-Under is a 1998 speculative fiction anthology edited by Jack Dann and Janeen Webb.

<i>Ashling</i> 1995 novel by Isobelle Carmody

Ashling is the third book in the Obernewtyn series by Isobelle Carmody.

Patricia Bernard is an Australian writer of speculative fiction.

<i>Zones</i> (novel) 1997 novel by Damien Broderick

Zones is a 1997 young adult science fiction novel by Damien Broderick and Rory Barnes. It follows the story of Jenny who receives a phone call from another year.

"Green Monkey Dreams" is a 1996 fantasy short story by Australian writer Isobelle Carmody.

References

  1. "Bibliography: The Stone Key". isfdb.org. ISFDB . Retrieved 24 April 2010.
  2. "News from Isobelle Carmody", Obernewtyn.net. Retrieved on 21 July 2008
  3. 1 2 "The Locus Index to SF Awards: 2009 Aurealis Awards". Locus Online. Archived from the original on 3 January 2010. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
  4. "Stone Key: The Obernewtyn Chronicles Volume 5 by Isobelle Carmody".
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-10-07. Retrieved 2011-08-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. 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
  7. "Bibliography: The Stone Key". isfdb.org. The Internet Speculative Fiction Database. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  8. "Bibliography: Wavesong". isfdb.org. The Internet Speculative Fiction Database. Retrieved 31 August 2011.