The Second Stone

The Triempery Revelations #3

by L.L. Stephens

Long live the king... if only they can find him. The Kheld King, Stefan Stauberg-Randolph, is dead. He leaves behind a land in chaos.

His brother Handurin is rightful heir to once-mighty Essera… only Handurin is missing. Safely ensconced in another reality, he doesn’t remember who he is, or why he was sent away, until the day an immortal wizard named Marenthro shows up on his doorstep.

Handurin isn’t too happy about having his world turned upside down. But he’s even less thrilled about Marenthro’s plans for his safe return to Essera—namely by seeking the protection of the one man who was Stefan’s most hated Dorilian Sordaneon.

Genres: Fantasy

554 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 18, 2023

Reviews

[Janny]

The Second Stone picks up the story of the ongoing attempt to reunify the Triempary, with Stefan's brother Hans returning to the world of his birth as a young adult, following his brother's death and with the throne he is heir to left vacant. His recall as a nine year old child will collide with the present - where he must determine whether Dorilian Sordaneon is the great enemy of his people, or the critical ally his grandfather Marc-Frederick went to extreme lengths to win over, and died with that work incomplete.

Hans enters the glittering world of the high born as a stranger in a strange land - saddled with his sibling's short sighted vision and prejudice, and ignorant of all he encounters - including the way the god-born view their world, and how their unique strength of outlook forges trustworthy relationships, or calls down the worst storm of deadly enmity.

A young man's ability to apply critical thinking against his early beliefs and first upbringing, and Dorilian's impetuous past and the price of temperamental mistakes will come into dangerously close proximity - with the potential for disaster a teetering step into imbalance away, as both characters explore who they are, and who they will become, in a critical relationship.

The original world, brilliant realization of political machinations, and a scary enemy at work in the shadows exploiting all the fractures between factions make for a thrilling read. I enjoyed this book, it has all the ingredients.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like with books 1 and 2. I cannot say enough good things about this series. highly highly recommend. Great story great characters beautiful writing.

[Nathalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series... or the first, depending on how you want to look at it. The author completed a series consisting of four books and was then advised by her editor to write the story of the main character, Dorilian, prior to the events of those four books. Two more books were written, and now readers have the option of starting to read the series with "The Second Stone" if they want to. Key moments from "Sordaneon" and "The Kheld King" are incorporated in the latter so newcomers to the series would not feel lost. My advice, being such a huge Dorilian fangirl, would be to start with "Sordaneon," though that one is still my favorite book in the series so far.

"The Second Stone" feels to me like a transitional book. It introduces us to Hans, Stefan's brother, of whom we've previously only caught a few glimpses. In "The Kheld King," he was whisked away for his safety by the wizard Marenthro to an "archived" world. However, circumstances in the Triempery are such that it is high time to bring him back. Danger lurks everywhere for him, and Marenthro advises him to seek help in the one place his enemies would never suspect him to go.

This book is at its best whenever Dorilian and Hans are in the same room. Their relationship is complicated, and their conversations are always compelling. In some ways, it echoes the relationship between Dorilian and Hans' grandfather, Marc-Frederic, though it is nowhere near certain that theirs will blossom as beautifully as what we saw happening in "Sordaneon" (and Dorilian would probably smite me for even suggesting it could! Marc-Frederic's death still being such a huge festering wound to his soul). Hans continuously feels very uncertain, sometimes inferior, and sometimes seems on the brink of falling into the same trap as his brother: letting fear for Dorilian overwhelm his rational thinking.

I'm giving this book one little star less than the previous ones (would be half a star if I could) because I was a little less spellbound this time around. It could be due to my impatience about seeing Hans find himself and grow into a more self-assured man, capable of seeing eye to eye with Dorilian, as I'm sure he will.

Dorilian still steals every scene he's in. How could he not, being the half-god that he is! Sadly, there is not enough Levyathan in this book. But to me, there could never be enough Levyathan in any of the books. I loved getting to know more about Endelarin, Tiflan, Legon, and especially Levyathan's sister, Fahme, whom I think will play a very interesting role later on.

I'm more intrigued than ever by all the mysteries and puzzle pieces that still need to be put together. Who, oh who is Marenthro? What happened to the third son of Amynas and Leur? What about the third Entity, for that matter? And who exactly is Hans, in fact...? (I absolutely don't believe the official story on that.) I confess to keeping notes, writing down my theories, and biting my nails as I look forward to the next books!

[Steve Waldrop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second stone

The Triempery is changing. Essera is in chaos, Sordan is isolated and insulated, while an evil wizard has risen with the intent of destroying both.
Into this morass is thrown, Hans, heir to the throne of Essera. He has been raised on an alien world far away from the politics and danger, but now returns to claim his rightful place. Trouble is, he remembers very little of his home world or his Kheld people and must learn quickly before events overwhelm him.
Marenthro, the wizard who sent Hans away finally agrees to bring him back, but with a twist. He sends Hans to his hereditary enemy Dorilian in Sordan. For the next months, the two young men must confront their long-held ideas and beliefs in order to work toward a future for the Triempery. It is a difficult and often painful process.
During this time of enforced togetherness, both men must grow and change.
The Second Stone focuses more on the political events and the personal growth of the characters, but the author is the best I have read at handling these issues.
The Second Stone is focused on character growth and the politics of Amallar and the Kheld people. Hans was very young when he was sent away, so he must learn of his heritage and their way of life quickly.
LL. Stephens is a master at political fantasy and one of the most enjoyable writers I have found. This series is a delight.
-Profe Steve

[Ioannis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased a digital copy through Forest Path Books and got an early version before the official publication date, which was an amazing bonus 👌.

The Second Stone continues this strong story where the Kheld King left us. This book is something that I would definitely recommend reading. It is an absolutely intriguing and enjoyable sequel. Nevertheless, I felt that it was fairly shorter compared to the Kheld King and even more shorter compared to the Sordaneon. Although I understand the need to bring Hans into the main plot as a POV and main character, I felt that Dorilian was sidelined to some extent, though not greatly so. This may be because I started reading the series from Sordaneon and got attached to this strong main character.
Dorilian is such an interesting and strong character that could carry the whole series and, thus, I was a little disappointed by him being a little bit overshadowed by Hans and some side characters. Additionally, we did not get the perspective of other characters regarding major political events.
Given the above, I hesitate to give it 5 starts.

Overall, this book is a worthwhile read and I would definitely recommend reading it! I am looking forward to the next sequel in the series!

[Dr Sayuti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe despite my grievances with the Joy vacuum that was Stefan as a character, I enjoyed that book significantly more than this one.

This book feels like a transitional one absent of.. well with the least of the multifaceted political machinations of the first 3 so far. It's so laser focused on Handurin which on paper should be an automatic upgrade on The Kheld King especially since I do like Handurin quite a bit but alas, I feel whelmed by the latter half of it especially the ending. That's such a cliffhanger tbh. This one started so strongly too and it's funny cuz all I'm saying here makes it seem as tho it's not good, well it actually is good as my rating shows, but I came in with galaxy high expectations which in a way is my fault ig. So hoping for the The God Spear to be the one to match the standards of what Sordaneon was. Despite how unwise it is, I'm one who judges books off names and covers, and The God Spear does have both the most stellar and intriguing name and cover of all the books in the series so far, so hopefully that translates into the quality too in that sense.

[Adam Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great instalment - It was probably my favourite version of Dorilian. He is almost becoming a legendary figure, but his humanity and vow to Marc from the first book keep him on the right path. The politics in all these books are great and I enjoyed how competent Dorilian has become at it. Special mention to Endelarin - another king in this world. He is one of those Twelfth Night Feste-esq characters who hide their wit and intelligence behind their comic facade and I loved his interactions with Dorilian and Hans. I think I read in the acknowledgements that he almost didn't make the cut and I'm so glad he did!

[Chidiebere Ama · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome transition from the mayhem sown in the last book to little seeds of hope for the Triempery. Though still unrecognized and hated by every Staubaun, Handurin appears as the beacon who tries to do the impossible only achieved by Marc Frederick — my second favorite character in this series so far — which is getting through to Dorilian's heart. And we see what looks like a hint of success at the end of this book. I love it so much. It's a good character work for both Handurin and Dorilian

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent third installment in a very unique series. Some new characters have entered the fray so this book serves as an fine transition into the final three books of the series. Definitely a series worth following.

[Kenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read in the the Triempery Revelations series. There was a lot of character building and development. Excited for the next book in the series.