''The Stone Key'' is a 2008

science fiction Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel unive ...

novel by

Isobelle Carmody Isobelle Jane Carmody (born 16 June 1958) 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. Biography Isobelle Carmody wa ...

, set in a

post apocalyptic Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction is a subgenre of speculative fiction in which the Earth's (or another planet's) civilization is collapsing or has collapsed. The apocalypse event may be climatic, such as runaway climate change; astro ...

world. It is the fifth book in the Obernewtyn Chronicles.

Background

''The Stone Key'' was first published in Australia on 4 February 2008 by Viking Children's Books in trade paperback format. In the United States it has been separated into two books, entitled ''Wavesong'' and ''The Stone Key'' respectively. ''The Stone Key'' was a short-list nominee for the 2008

Aurealis Award for best young-adult novel 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 fi ...

but lost to '' Finnikin of the Rock'' by

Melina Marchetta Carmelina Marchetta (born 25 March 1965) is an Australian writer and teacher. Marchetta is best known as the author of teen novels, '' Looking for Alibrandi'', ''Saving Francesca'' and '' On the Jellicoe Road''. She has twice been awarded the C ...

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...

Reception

A reviewer for the ''Canberra Times'' feels that the message of ''The Stone Key'' is that "freedom... is messy".

Awards and nominations

In 2008, ''The Stone Key'' was shortlisted for "Young Adult Novel" in the

Aurealis Awards The Aurealis Award for Excellence in Speculative Fiction is an annual literary award for Australian science fiction, fantasy and horror fiction. Only Australians are eligible for the award. History The Aurealis Award was established in 1995 b ...

Publication history

Single Book Publications: Split Books:

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Stone Key 2008 Australian novels Science fantasy novels 2008 science fiction novels Australian fantasy novels Australian science fiction novels Australian young adult novels Young adult fantasy novels Children's science fiction novels Obernewtyn Chronicles