Christopher Edge

Wow, what a read!! – In the current reading world where I rarely finish a book, this one I read all the way through in record time. The story was well-written, fast-paced, and each chapter seemed to end in a cliff-hanger that would just pull me into the next chapter.

Features strong female character, Eden, who gets pulled into an online Escape Room and must find a way to get out before she gets stuck there permanently. She meets an online player, Ted, who’s father helped design the game show more who is trying to finish his assigned mission before the sign sets. The story does include lots of online game terminology, however, explains it very simply within the story line so that anyone can understand.

Author, Christopher Edge, has a wonderful way with words that brings about a total immersion in imagery. For example a description of a bird: …its feathers are flecked with tiny white stars, making it look like it’s wrapped in the universe. (page 7) – And another example: …if I had to describe the smell of this place, I’d say it was box-fresh, like its only just been opened. (page 17) – And one more example: …I listen to the silence. As we walk, it seems to distort into stilled fragments of soundless noise, like we’re scanning a radio but never finding a channel. (page 178)

I will be looking for more titles by this author. Written for the UK market, but does not have anything to hinder a US market from reading and enjoying.

I was given access to a free PDF version in exchange for a honest review. show less

This short novel triumphantly crosses the line between children', YA and adult literature, placing itself comfortably in the numerous yet selected company of my favourite books. A compelling reading with a powerful ending. I appreciated the treatment of the relationship between the two sisters, two well-rounded and believable characters whose conflict never flattens into tipical clichés of children's and YA literature. I cried my share, I marvelled at the sci-fi element, and I liked a lot show more the way physics' concepts are introduced, although sometimes I felt the author was stretching and over-simplifying science a bit in order to make the topic palatable to younger readers. I am no scientist myself, however, so I may be wrong. All in all it was a very pleasant read. Now I want to give try to the author's other books. show less

Jamie is a 6th grader whose dad is an astronaut aboard the International Space Station, preparing for a groundbreaking spacewalk to send Light Swarm Probes toward Tau Ceti - a star twelve light years away - to try to make contact with extraterrestrial life. As the book explains, the mathematical probability of there being life out there is high. There's a lot of math in the book, actually (equation is in the title), which Jamie comes to understand and appreciate better once he starts show more receiving messages through his cell phone from an alien. Jamie is bewildered at first, but comes to rely on the alien to help him through his loneliness, as well as the worry and resentment that comes from his dad having such a high-profile, all-consuming job.

I wasn't sure how I felt about this book, but ultimately found it touching and fascinating. A good book to recommend to kids interested in physics, math, space, and larger dreams like teleportation and communication with other life forms out there. The book also includes supplemental material discussing the science behind many of the ideas and historical events in the book. I'm excited to push this in the fall, and think it could find a good audience among my students. show less

After inheriting a newspaper empire, thirteen year old Penelope Tredwell does what any inquisitive thirteen year old would do…she goes into the family business, incognito. Writing under the name Montgomery Flinch, no one in the greater London area has any idea that their recent reading obsession comes by way of Penelope herself. Her tales of terror and mystery have a larger audience than almost any publication and it grows daily. When Montgomery Flinch’s presence is requested at a local show more insane asylum, Bedlam, Penny sees this as her next big story. Little does Penny know but within the walls of Bedlam she may discover more than she bargained for and it may leave her as mad as the residents she finds herself intrigued with.

Twelve Minutes to Midnight by Christopher Edge was my first completed read of 2012 and I’m having a hard time finding anything that holds a candle to it’s brilliance. For a middle grade fiction novel from a debut author this was completely unexpected. Twelve Minutes to Midnight was the first middle grade novel since reading Juniper Berry by MP Kozlowsky that I felt truly tackled the more inquisitive and thrill seeking minds of young readers. This will be the perfect read for young readers who may be looking to young adult books, but are not quite ready for the “relationship” aspects found in that genre. Not only that, but I’m positive they won’t be able to put Twelve Minutes to Midnight down until they discover what’s behind the creepy occurrences at Bedlam.

Not only is Twelve Minutes to Midnight perfect for young readers, but truly anyone who is looking for an extremely well written thrilling mystery. Initially I was drawn to the story because of the setting. Yes, I’m completely enthralled with stories that involve Victorian Britain coupled with a bit of mystery. Because of that I think steampunk fans will thoroughly enjoy this story. Obviously the setting, including the incorporation of an insane asylum, lends itself to the creepiness factor and I will fully admit to be terrified a few times during my nighttime readings. It was fantastic!

Each of the characters in the story were wonderful, especially the leading lady. Penny was the perfect inquisitive thirteen year old. The time in which she was growing up wasn’t one in which many female authors were looked kindly upon and women in general certainly didn’t have much business being involved in the affairs of typically male roles. So to have Penny assert herself as the editor in chief, writer and many other positions at the Penny Dreadful was something of a stretch for her, but it was handled perfectly. Penny was obstinate at times, but also knew when to step back. Of course she still managed to get herself as well as her good friend, Alfie, into quite a bit of trouble while snooping around for her stories. It also must be said that the actor Penny hires to “play the part” of Montgomery Flinch is perfect! His cowardice and neediness is so contrary to the role he’s playing that you can’t help but be annoyed and laugh all at the same time. It also creates the perfect conflict when they Penny and Monty make an appearance at Bedlam. All of these characters as well as the occasional appearance of a famous author here and there (Sir Conan Doyle for one) make for a marvelous cast that have you flipping the pages until the very end.

Twelve Minutes to Midnight by Christopher Edge is my first “must-read” of 2012 and will continue to be one that other middle grade novels will be held up against. Christopher Edge has proven that he not only knows how to enthrall young and old readers alike, but that he also has an incredible ability to capture a time period so perfectly that readers will become lost within it’s pages. Penelope Tredwell is a character to be reckoned with. Her courage and determination often lead her into sticky situations but her inquisitive nature always leads her to the answers she’s searching for. Twelve Minutes to Midnight is a mystery that has readers guessing all the way to the last page and is filled with just enough creepiness to make the story one that’s best read during the day…or night depending on which you prefer. I’ll be eagerly anticipating and hoping for another installment in Penny’s story, but until then Twelve Minutes to Midnight by Christopher Edge may just need another read through!

Originally reviewed and copyrighted at my site There's A Book. show less