The Lightning Key

The Wednesday Tales #3

by Jon Berkeley, Brandon Dorman (Illustrations)

Now that Miles Wednesday has discovered his link to a magical Tiger's Egg, he's suddenly at the wheel of a great voyage. Determined to recover the stolen stone and free the trapped soul within, Miles sets off with Little, a Song Angel, and the wisecracking blind explorer Baltinglass of Araby. Their destination points far across sea and desert to the home of Miles's aunt Nura, who may be their only hope in releasing the Egg's true power.

But along the way, their travels are quickly riddled with thrills and near catastrophes—from soaring across the sky in an airborne schooner to run-ins with the twisted circus ringmaster, the Great Cortado, and his bumbling sidekick, Doctor Tau-Tau. Most threatening is a dark Sleep Angel who's descended from the Realm to seize the Egg and forfeit Miles's life. Will Miles crack the secrets of the Egg and stand up to the Realm in the face of grave danger? And above all, will he ever be able to bring back his father?

Jon Berkeley's masterful, witty finale to The Wednesday Tales completes the spectacular adventure of Miles Wednesday and his remarkable search to uncover the secrets of his own identity.

Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Childrens, Middle Grade, Magic, Animals, Fiction

399 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Jon Berkeley was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland and says he went to a school where "you were only allowed go to the bathroom if you asked in Irish." His love of art led him to study at the National College of Art and Design. From there he went to work as an illustrator in Hong Kong, Barcelona, London and Sydney.

Jon worked as an illustrator for twenty years before turning his hand to writing. He wrote Chopsticks in 2004, a story about the friendship between a mouse and a dragon, and his first novel, The Palace of Laughter, is in bookshops now! Jon currently lives in Spain with his wife and their five kids, five cats and a "small colony of stick insects."

Reviews

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story delighted me. I loved the whole thing, and the ending was just perfect. Beginning this series, I was unsure whether it was going to be satisfying or if it would spiral off down the stairs of mediocrity, but I have been delighted. Each sequel, contrary to the norm, only seems to improve. Every character adds a different twist to the tale, and my favorite twist in this book was the Baltinglass of Araby. I enjoyed his ventures in the previous books, but he took on a larger role in this installment, and the story was the richer for it. I would recommend this series to anyone who loves a good magic-less fantasy.

[Madeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Lightning Key is a solid conclusion to The Wednesday Tales. As far as strange and fantastical middle grade series go, this series hasn't been a stand-out to me, but it has been consistently solid. This final instalment forged a different path, taking the story further geographically, which probably was a good move for refreshing the rhythm of these novels. The extra fantastical elements of the story, in the Realm, were also interesting... but again, just not something that seized me. Another reader—a younger reader, maybe—might find more joy there. For me, it was nice and good and okay. No complaints, but no great praise either.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tigers, and Angels, and Lightning, OH MY!
Jon Berkeley has an amazing imagination (yeah, maybe a little demented but fun.)
The Lightning Key, the third in The Wednesday Tales series was a fun read.
I have enjoyed this dark series, about a young boy, Miles who in previous books was orphaned, on the streets, in a circus, befriended a tiger, and adopted an angel for a sister (yes a real angel.) This one wasn't quite as scary, which I liked. Probably for the 9+ crowd. Many crazy things have happened in Miles' short life, and believe me many more happen in this book. I especially loved the characters in this book more than in previous ones. Little, the song angel who fell to earth for Miles, is sweet and strong. Baltinglass of Arabe, the eccentric old adventurer is a hoot. The angels stalking Miles for his soul are even interesting. And, not to spoil anything, but there is a happy ending finally for sweet Miles.

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miles is really in for it now: not only is a Sleep Angel hunting him down because of his connection to the Tiger Egg, but when it is stolen by Doctor Tau-Tau and the Great Cortado, their journey across the sea with Baltinglass of Araby leads them into the greatest dangers of their lives - one that could hold the answers to fixing the family Miles lost. Berkeley brings this entertainingly brilliant trilogy to a heartfelt close that will give readers chills and tears. With connections from the past growing both weaker and stronger, Miles will need to sort through who to trust to make it out alive!

[Nancy Runstedler · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75*
Enjoyable middle grade series I missed when it was first published. Really liked the main character, Miles, and especially loved the supporting character of Baltinglass. Some of his dialogue was simply priceless. Recommended series.

[Ruiqi Reed]

It is possible that the reason I could never understand what was happening is because this is the third in a series. Oops. I do tend to read books out of order!

[Madelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent ending

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding Tangerine (the orange teddy bear) torn open and the Tiger’s Egg stolen, Miles Wednesday had a goal of finding the Egg, learning how to use it and then finally finding a way to get his father back into his life. The adventure begins with the help of his Song Angel friend Little, they are joined by a blind explorer, Baltinglass of Araby. The discovery that the Great Cortado and Doctor Tau-Tau are working together to keep the egg away from Miles and to learn the secrets of controlling the egg’s power makes Miles even more determined to find the information first. Miles quick mind makes plans on the spot, Baltinglass has a reason for all the crazy things he does and Little has a great heart and ability to encourage Miles in just the right way that together they may be able to solve the riddles that will release the power of the Tiger’s Egg.

Book 3 of The Wednesday Tales…..
Attention grabber from the first chapter, this is a fantastic fantasy. This story has been tagged for kids 8-12, the writing fits in that age group, except for some of the names of people and places (use your imagination to get the pronunciation). I really liked the start of each chapter with its adjective-packed and object-described first sentence that helped you remember what was happening or where they were. I read this as a stand alone, but I think some of it would have made sense sooner if I had read the previous books (Palace of Laugher & Tiger’s Egg). This book will be great for kids who like fantasy, with its great characters, and descriptions of the Realm, the tiger, the airship and each time they are confronted with Cortado and Tau-Tau.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful unexpected and delightful conclusion to The Wednesday Tales. To my mind this is excellent childrens' literature. I am so happy to read a book that can be read on multiple levels. For the fast and furious or slow and reluctant reader. This can be read on the surface as a fantastical adventure- monsters, villains, deserts, buffoons, wise fools, flying machines and grand friendships and mysterious alliances. For the discerning child who wants depth and complexity Miles struggles with grand themes of family, love, fidelity, honesty, moral choices, empathy and more.
The duo's arch enemy The Great Cortado, once sequestered in an insane asylum has escaped, most certainly to find and harm Mile's in his search for the power of the Tiger's Egg. We wonder as the story progresses, will Mile's ever solve the mystery of his family? Questing across northern Africa with the blind and intrepid Baltinglass of Araby seeks answers as he searches for his family and his role in using the Tiger's Egg. Will he find any solace in what he learns as we marvel at the deep friendships he does make. Once again Mr. Berkeley enchants us in his gentle way nudging us to examine our lives, what we value and our relationships as we travel albeit a less fantastic but sometimes no less emotionally perilous road through our lives.

[Denise Valtr · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good. It showed if you never stop doing something you can accomplish it.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would've given the first half to two-thirds of this book a 2.5 if I could, because I found the non-stop run-ins and re-run-ins with Cortado and Tau-Tau tiring and implausible (e.g. the way Captain Tripoli handles "imprisoning" the villain and accomplice is just so obviously faulty and doomed that it ends up feeling, by accident, like the ineffective measures taken in the Lemony Snickets books to protect the Baudelaire children), and, also, because the introduction of one portion of the storyline seemed thrown in haphazardly, compared to the rest of the story which really does feel like it was thought out across the three books from the very outset. However, the last one-third to half of the book was exciting and really drew all the threads across the series together, and I'd give that part a 4.5 or 5.

My 9-year-old and his buddy both gave this one 5 stars.

I also really wish I had my own Tangerine the bear...

[Emily Rozmus · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first book of this series. I found it to be highly imaginative and full of remarkable characters. Sadly, the story just didn't stick in my memory long enough. Each book was spaced out about 2 years and I managed to forget a lot of the details in that time span. Each of the books was entertaining, but seemed to be off-kilter when compared to the mood of the one that preceded it. It was true with this one as well. The trek of Miles, Little and Batinglass of Araby through the desert was fun, but just didn't seem to match up with the circus setting of the two other books. Plus, I cannot even remember why Miles was being hunted by the Angel. I realize it is becasue he has the tiger's egg, but why? Great characters and action-packed plot, but the ending is not as dynamic as one would like. If you have read the first two, read this one, but don't expect to be amazed.

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderful unexpected and delightful conclusion to The Wednesday Tales. I am happy to read a book that can be read on multiple levels. For the fast and furious or slow and reluctant reader. This can be read on the surface as a fantastical adventure- monsters, villains, deserts, buffoons, wise fools, flying machines and grand friendships and mysterious alliances. For the discerning child who wants depth and complexity Miles struggles with grand themes of family, love, fidelity, honesty, moral choices, empathy and more.
Once again Mr. Berkeley enchants us in his gentle way nudging us to examine our lives, what we value and our relationships as we travel albeit a less fantastic but sometimes no less emotionally perilous road through our lives.

[EAL · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I did not love this book as much as the first, it was very good. I've been looking for it ever since I finished The Tiger's Egg probably over a year ago...well. Something I like about this book better than the first is how there are fewer random "episodes" that don't contribute to the main storyline as much as they could. The prose didn't feel as noticeably flowy as before, which could be both good and bad. I felt that there was a lack of atmosphere. But something I liked very much: how the Realm was described, especially how to get to it. And the ending was bittersweet and hopeful at the same time. Wonderful characterization. All in all, this book lacked some of the spark of the first one, but the series has done some growing up and I like what it's become.

[Reita · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an advanced copy I'm reading. I have not read the first 2 books in the series but this book can stand alone. The main character is only 12. Of course there is fantasy and odd things happening in the story but it seems too juvenile for me. When I'm finished I may think otherwise.
I've finished it and I almost didn't. By the last third of the book, it held my interest to the point that I had to finish it to find out what happened to the characters. I'm going to read the first book in the series and see what it is like. I'll let you know.

[Jgudmann3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miles Wednesday and his adopted little sister, Little. The great Cortado and Dr. Tau Tau stole the real tigers egg, at least they think they have the real one. But Miles and Little have the real one, and they are trying to get to miles aunt, so she can tech them how to use the tigers egg. When they get the tigers egg and they fin out how to use it they can get his father back from the form of the Null (a monster/bear), which Dr. Tau Tau did to him.

[Cedes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the 1st and 2nd books of the Wednesday Tales so I'm sure I'll like this one.

RLY good book so far not as good as the 1st or 2nd...yet :) but rly good none the less
i think its so kool that Miles is finally able 2 meet sum1 in his family again

*and bcuz of my obsessive disorder (i dont rly hav a obsessive disorder), i read the last page and i luv LUV LUV how it ends :D*

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was the perfect ending to this trilogy. it explains everything and makes you so happy but scared and excited but still like you can never put it down or you'll die! this book was amazing and had everything it needed and set everything straight as it should have. this is a trilogy i recommend to all!

[H. Givens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic trilogy with all the things I love about kidlit. Emotional truth and a magnificent plot that runs all around the world to strange locations full of odd, unforgettable people. It's in the vein of Lemony Snicket or Leven Thumps, but it's completely creative -- tigers, angels, eggs, zeppelins -- not quite like anything else. I want more by this author.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters in The Wednesday Tales are some of my most favorite! Esp. Baltinglass of Araby. I am having a blast reading this third installment, although, I regret it will be the last of the series :(

[Tjala · Rating 3 out of 5]

certainly not the best ib the series but it was a good conclusioin and i enjoyed it when i finally got into it!!
i love baltinglas as a character hes really well presented and very likeable to the audience!

[Sirona Leopold Montenegro Valverde · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's unfortunate when you don't know how to start a review whith three beers in your system! Then again, it may as well be that I just can't think of a stretched out way of saying that the book series you cared so much about seeing it unfold has become unpleasantly generic.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Satisfy conclusion for the series. I think this one is my favorite. I knew the characters and really enjoyed the journey they took to reach the end.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gets back to the feeling of the first after the more serious tone of the second in the series. Baltinglass of Araby just MAKES this book for me. He's a live wire and a fun guy to have around.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

third book of palace of laughter series!! Its really good but sad at the end... :(

[Holyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my favorite in the Wednesday Tales trilogy. All my favorite characters returned (with some surprises) and the adventures are even more exciting than in the first two books....

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute story about an orphan Miles who is searching for this family who, he just found out exists

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.25
I think the ending seemed kind of rushed, but the book was a lot better than I expected (and Baltinglass is a hilarious character).

[Aubrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh Miles Wednesday, how I loved reading your book!!!!!!! It was perfect, I loved it.

[Annika · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good end to the series. I hope that there is another book though. It made me sad that it was over.