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The Secret Hour (Midnighters #1) Paperback – January 2, 2008

by Scott Westerfeld (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 541 ratings
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This is the first book in New York Times bestselling author Scott Westerfeld’s Midnighters series.

A few nights after Jessica Day arrives in Bixby, Oklahoma, she wakes up at midnight to find the entire world frozen. For one secret hour each night, the town belongs to the dark creatures that haunt the shadows. And only a small group of people—Jessica included—is free to move about then. They are The Midnighters.  

The Secret Hour is the first book in the Midnighters trilogy, from the acclaimed New York Times bestselling author of the Uglies series.

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Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 3
    Midnighters
  2. Print length
    304 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    HarperTeen
  5. Publication date
    January 2, 2008
  6. Grade level
    8 - 9
  7. Reading age
    13 years and up
  8. Dimensions
    0.61 x 5 x 7.12 inches
  9. ISBN-10
    0060519533
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0060519537
  11. Lexile measure
    740L
  12. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

A few nights after Jessica Day arrives in Bixby, Oklahoma, she wakes up at midnight to find the entire world frozen, except for her and a few others who call themselves 'midnighters'. Dark things haunt this midnight hour – dark things with a mysterious interest in Jessica. The question is ?hy;

The Secret Hour is a compelling tale of dark secrets, midnight romance, eerie creatures, courage, destiny, and unexpected peril.

About the Author

Scott Westerfeld is the author of ten books for young adults, including Peeps, The Last Days, and the Midnighters trilogy. He was born in Texas in 1963, is married to the Hugo-nominated writer Justine Larbalestier, and splits his time between New York and Sydney. His latest book is Extras, the fourth in the bestselling Uglies series.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperTeen; Reprint edition (January 2, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0060519533
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0060519537
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 years and up
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 740L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 8 - 9
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.7 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.61 x 5 x 7.12 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 541 ratings

About the author

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Scott Westerfeld

Scott Westerfeld

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Scott Westerfeld's teen novels include the Uglies series, the Leviathan, Zeroes, and Midnighters trilogies, and Afterworlds. His graphic novel, Spill Zone, will be continued in SPILL ZONE 2: THE BROKEN VOW, which comes out July 10, 2018.

Scott was born in Texas, and alternates summers between Sydney, Australia, and New York City.

His next prose novel, IMPOSTORS, set in the world of Uglies, comes out September 11, 2018.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
541 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Yolanda S. Bean
5.0 out of 5 stars What a fun and unique book!
Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2011
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I have to admit, lately my forays into the YA world have not really panned out, so I started this book with no small amount of trepidation. Now that I have finished, I truly regret not buying the whole trilogy at once! While the main plot definitely tied up nicely, there is enough of a cliffhanger that I can't wait to start the sequel!

I loved the premise of a secret 25th hour in the day - I know there are definitely days when I have wished for just a little more time in the day (or even just an extra hour's worth of sleep), and who hasn't wished for superpowers, too? In Bixby, OK a select group of high schoolers experience just that, every single day. Westerfield combines these wishes into a wonderful blend of fantasy novel, suspenseful scares (these high schoolers aren't the only ones who get to enjoy this mystical hour) and familiar growing-up woes (curfews, moving to a new town) all mesh into a completely creative new whole. With the magic of thirteen, the author peppers the book with thirteen-letter words, offering a richer vocabulary to his readers than many novels targeted towards adult audiences. It was also completely age appropriate and a total page-turner. I really enjoyed it!
3 people found this helpful
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Mercedes
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2010
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This is not the norm for the books on the shelves today. Meet Jessica Day, she's new to town and soon after arriving finds herself awake at midnight. Noticing that every thing in her room has a bit of a blue tint she ventures out here window to discover that the world is frozen in place and time. She'll soon discover that nothing everything is a neat as it first appears. The creatures that inhabit the dark time don't want her there. With the help of the school outcasts who are also fellow midnighters, she'll soon discover her midnight talent. Along the way she'll find her first love and learn to fly.

This book is excellent. I love the concept of this book, the midnight hour, the 13 letter words, and the unique powers each midnighter has. I've read this book now 2 times and loved it both times. It's not vampires, werewolves, ghosts, or anything like the usual. It's different and a bit of sci-fi. Read this book and the series, you'll love it.
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AKS
4.0 out of 5 stars intriguing story, engaging writing
Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2010
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Although the book was published at 2005, I have just finished reading it. I found Midnights an intriguing story with engaging writing. Mr. Westerfeld did wonderfully in this book.

The story introduced an eerie world where time practically stopped for an hour at midnight, and only those who were born exactly at midnight were able to roam during that extra hour. The protagonists consisted of 5 characters in which each had their own special powers. Although there were other evil creatures, darklings and slithers, roaming in that same hour, they co-existed peacefully with the "midnighters" until the newest midnighter, Jessica Day, showed up. The darklings and slithers basically went all ballistic trying to kill Jessica for fear of her power, even though she had no idea of what it was.

The story was original and fast-paced. All the twists and turns were captivating. However, there were 2 plots that I wish the author had elaborated more.

1. While Rex, Melissa, and Dess could keep their powers during the normal hours, Jonathan couldn't. I can understand that it would be strange to see Jonathan fly and leap through tall buildings, but I think having an explanation to why he couldn't is better.

2. Jessica needed to spill her blood on the stone in order for it to reveal her power. However, it didn't explain how Rex and Melissa knew this was what Jessica needed to do. Could it be some lore that Rex had read before?

Anyhow, this book is a good read and worthy. The language is smooth and clean. The romance is serene and convincing. I look forward to reading the rest of the series, and I'm sure my middle schooler would enjoy it a lot too.
One person found this helpful
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Bridget Bryson
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping & unexpected!
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2022
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I read this to review before purchasing for our middle school library. Wow! What a book. Great story - exciting with continued surprises. My students will love this - and now I need to get a copy of book 2!
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M. Habeck
5.0 out of 5 stars Keeps You In Your Seat
Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2011
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I was looking for another book series to read after finishing the Hunger Games trilogy, the Uglies series, The Maze Runner, Divergent, and the Maximum Ride series. I really had enjoyed Scott Westerfeld's Uglies, Pretties, Specials, and Extras books. When I came across this book, I thought I'd give it a chance based on how much I liked his other books - and I'm really glad I did.

Midnighters is about a young girl who moves with her family to Bixby, OK. She discovers that at midnight time basically freezes for everyone else except for her, and a few other "midnighters." A whole new world basically exists in the 25th hour of the day. This is her story of discovery... why is she able to be in this special hour? ... what else lurks in this world? ... is she safe? ...

The book is a quick read in that once you pick it up, you won't put it down. So whether you're a fast reader or a slow reader, you're probably only going to pick up the book 4-5 times because you'll be so compelled keep reading, you'll finish it in a few sittings.

I think you'll enjoy this story, especially if you enjoyed any of the other books/series I mentioned above. I just bought the second book in the series and am expecting great things!
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Ivy
5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable series
Reviewed in Canada on December 15, 2023
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First of 3 good books, light read for the imaginative. Scott’s work always takes a step outside of the ordinary for a trip on the what ifs
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ordinatheur
3.0 out of 5 stars Lots of suspense but...
Reviewed in France on December 9, 2013
Verified Purchase
I had enjoyed the Uglies series very much even though I was at times disappointed by the characters' relationships.
So I bought the Midnighters series and again, got the same feeling : it's a real page-turner, with a great IDEA at its core (that of people being born at Midnight getting a special hour every day, along with the monsters looming in the corners of that hour) but the relationships between the characters are again sagging at the end.
It's as if the author gets fed up with them after a while or does not want them to become happy.
So the series only ranks three stars for me...
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Stephy
5.0 out of 5 stars Really good read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 8, 2012
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Having read & loved another series of books by Scott Westerfeld (Uglies Series, check it out if you haven't read it!), I decided to see what else he had written.
I went into reading this book not really knowing anything about the plot, but I found it really imaginative and well written. It really kept me enthralled and I was eager to find out what happened and keep reading. I'm excited to get started on the second & third book!
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jim&Linda
5.0 out of 5 stars Use your imagintation and you will enjoy
Reviewed in Australia on February 17, 2015
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loved it, young adult but still interesting for a light read
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山科のうし
5.0 out of 5 stars ひねくれ高校生たちがからむドラマっぽいSFオカルトホラー
Reviewed in Japan on February 23, 2011
Verified Purchase
本屋の売り場で翻訳を見たのがきっかけ。
訳者は金原瑞人さんで、当然のように好意的な後書きがあったが、ほかにあさのあつこやルグインのほめ言葉があったのが効いた。

1巻目で満足。すぐに残り2巻を発注。

それだけの魅力があったということだ。
けっこう凝ったスタイルだが、そこはヤングアダルト用なので読みやすい。
話の展開も、ちょうど昔のアメリカ発のTVドラマ『ロズウェル』やら『ダークエンジェル』を思わせるドラマっぽい感じ。
絶対ドラマか映画になるだろうと思った。
単なる善男善女ではない、というかかなりひねくれた、ヒーローらしくない人物構成もいい。
いまどきアメリカの高校生というのはこんなだろうかと思わせる。

オクラホマのある町の高校にシカゴからの転校生ジェシカがやってくるところから話は始まるのだが、
実はこの町には数千年の隠れた歴史があって、要するに妖怪のような化け物たちとの争闘の歴史である。
追い込まれた化け物たちが時間の狭間の深夜12時から1時間、自分たちだけが生き、通常の生き物がフリーズする世界に逃げ込む。
ところが人間の中にもその世界で動ける一部の能力者がいて、それが4人の高校生。
彼らと化け物たちは奇妙な形で共存している。
実はまだ気づいていなかったがジェシカもそうで、物語はそのジェシカがミッドナイトの世界を知っていく展開になる。
だが、ジェシカはどうもただの能力者ではない・・・という展開。
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