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Felicity Gallant #2
Heart of Stone
After a wonderful summer of sailing, Verity Gallant just wants life to stay the same forever. But as she should know by now, not everything in life turns out as we would like.
The land is shifting beneath the ancient harbour town of Wellow, causing mysterious caves to appear in cliff faces, terrifying rock falls, and dangerous landslides. And the earth isn't the only thing crumbling . . . Verity is thrilled that Jeb has returned, but their feelings for each other threaten her friendship with Henry and Martha.
Verity and her friends are embroiled in a tale of evil, intrigue, and lost love, as a powerful force works its way towards Wellow, hell-bent on putting an end to all happiness. The Heart of Stone is the key, and the race is on to find it.
The land is shifting beneath the ancient harbour town of Wellow, causing mysterious caves to appear in cliff faces, terrifying rock falls, and dangerous landslides. And the earth isn't the only thing crumbling . . . Verity is thrilled that Jeb has returned, but their feelings for each other threaten her friendship with Henry and Martha.
Verity and her friends are embroiled in a tale of evil, intrigue, and lost love, as a powerful force works its way towards Wellow, hell-bent on putting an end to all happiness. The Heart of Stone is the key, and the race is on to find it.
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
3 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 12, 2012
This review was originally published at Fluttering Butterflies
There's something really comforting about reading M. L. Welsh's stories. They're so sweet with a slightly old-fashioned tone to them that just makes me feel very nostalgic. I was absolutely thrilled when I heard that Heart of Stone would be a sequel to Mistress of the Storm, which I read and adored last year. And Heart of Stone was just as brilliant. Gushy review to follow, be warned!
I absolutely adore the main character, Verity Gallant and how tough she is. In the previous book, it was up to her to stand against evil and whilst all she really wants is to have a happy ending and enjoy her time with her friends and her family and to sail, it is not to be. With some odd things going on in Wellow, with the earth moving and white sand covering everything, Verity begins to suspect that these events could also explain the lack of sleep and bad dreams that she's been having. It is the start of this new adventure as Verity and the others start researching the Original stories and begin their fight against this powerful force which wants an end to happiness!
I also love Verity's friendships with Henry and Martha. I wish I had friends like Henry and Martha, though of course, the three have their problems and issues to work out in Heart of Stone. Despite any jealousies or arguments, I just knew everything had to work out with these three, nothing else would do! But of course, Verity surrounds herself with so many wonderful people. The librarian, her grandfather, Henry's brothers, and of course, Jeb Tempest, who returns to help.
I love the concept and importance placed on storytelling in this series and this love for the library. Extra cool points for making librarians into their own force against evil! Wellow is again, the gorgeous setting for this book and I adored the local history and myths that surround it, together with how central sailing and the water is.
This book is a wonderful follow-up to Mistress of the Storm. It is both sweet and magical. I love the friendships in this book, the sense of adventure and independence that these children have. My heart absolutely ached at the stirrings of first love and I definitely want to know more about all of these characters as they feel so real to me. I think this book whilst being aimed at a slightly younger audience can still be loved by readers of any age! Highly recommended!
There's something really comforting about reading M. L. Welsh's stories. They're so sweet with a slightly old-fashioned tone to them that just makes me feel very nostalgic. I was absolutely thrilled when I heard that Heart of Stone would be a sequel to Mistress of the Storm, which I read and adored last year. And Heart of Stone was just as brilliant. Gushy review to follow, be warned!
I absolutely adore the main character, Verity Gallant and how tough she is. In the previous book, it was up to her to stand against evil and whilst all she really wants is to have a happy ending and enjoy her time with her friends and her family and to sail, it is not to be. With some odd things going on in Wellow, with the earth moving and white sand covering everything, Verity begins to suspect that these events could also explain the lack of sleep and bad dreams that she's been having. It is the start of this new adventure as Verity and the others start researching the Original stories and begin their fight against this powerful force which wants an end to happiness!
I also love Verity's friendships with Henry and Martha. I wish I had friends like Henry and Martha, though of course, the three have their problems and issues to work out in Heart of Stone. Despite any jealousies or arguments, I just knew everything had to work out with these three, nothing else would do! But of course, Verity surrounds herself with so many wonderful people. The librarian, her grandfather, Henry's brothers, and of course, Jeb Tempest, who returns to help.
I love the concept and importance placed on storytelling in this series and this love for the library. Extra cool points for making librarians into their own force against evil! Wellow is again, the gorgeous setting for this book and I adored the local history and myths that surround it, together with how central sailing and the water is.
This book is a wonderful follow-up to Mistress of the Storm. It is both sweet and magical. I love the friendships in this book, the sense of adventure and independence that these children have. My heart absolutely ached at the stirrings of first love and I definitely want to know more about all of these characters as they feel so real to me. I think this book whilst being aimed at a slightly younger audience can still be loved by readers of any age! Highly recommended!
February 5, 2018
Der zweite Teil hat mir ein bisschen besser gefallen als der erste.
Das liegt denke ich daran, dass der Fokus hier mehr auf dem „Abenteuer“ liegen konnte und somit dieses etwas differenzierter gestaltet wurde.
Da beide Bücher ja relativ wenige Seiten haben und man im ersten Teil die Charaktere erst noch kennenlernen musste ist dies aber auch logisch.
Das Ende wurde für meinen Geschmack aber dann doch wieder etwas zu schnell abgehandelt.
Das liegt denke ich daran, dass der Fokus hier mehr auf dem „Abenteuer“ liegen konnte und somit dieses etwas differenzierter gestaltet wurde.
Da beide Bücher ja relativ wenige Seiten haben und man im ersten Teil die Charaktere erst noch kennenlernen musste ist dies aber auch logisch.
Das Ende wurde für meinen Geschmack aber dann doch wieder etwas zu schnell abgehandelt.
January 2, 2022
This was just as good as the first book! I loved Jeb and Verity together, although I do feel bad for Henry. I loved his brothers' personalities, and their clothing at the winter celebration. 😊 I'm glad that Verity finally got the friends, family, and boyfriend that she deserved (and wearable clothes).
December 20, 2017
I gave up on this book more than 2/3 of the way done. I was just not captured by this one, and once I put it down for a while, I had no interest in picking it back up again.
May 29, 2025
Verity and her friends once again have to save the world from one of the sisters. This time it is the Earth Witch who is causing trouble. She was destroyed by her other sister, but without her control she is reforming. Bent on destroying all happiness, Verity and her friends have to do everything they can to not let that happen.
November 3, 2013
Kaum ist der Sommer vorüber, schon stürzen Felicity, Henry und Martha in ihr zweites großes Abenteuer nach "Felicity Gallant und das Auge des Sturms". Überall in Wellow lagert sich feiner, bleicher Sand an. Gleichzeitig plagen unheimliche Alpträume die Menschen. Felicity findet heraus, dass die Erdhexe Terre ihre Finger im Spiel hat. Sie will alle Urgeschichten zerstören und die Welt ins Verderben stürzen.
"Felicity Gallant und Das steinerne Herz" ist der zweite Band der "Felicity Gallant"-Reihe von Melanie Welsh.
Nachdem das erste Abenteuer in sich abgeschlossen war, wird nun das zweite eingeläutet, das die Leben der Hauptprotagonisten weiterführt.
Wem schon der erste Roman über Felicity gefallen hat, der wird auch bei "Das steinerne Herz" voll auf seine Kosten kommen, denn Melanie Welsh hat wieder einmal den Charme, der Band 1 so unverwechselbar gemacht hat, mit einfließen lassen und beschert dem Leser so wunderschöne Lesestunden.
Felicitys Abenteuer besitzen stets etwas Zeitloses, da man nie genau feststellen kann, in welcher Zeit diese Romane nun spielen. Das ist aber in keinster Weise nachteilig, denn genau das ist meiner Meinung eines der besonderen Facetten, die diese Reihe aufweist. Dadurch fühlt man sich immer geborgen und auch sofort wohl in Wellow, dem Städtchen, das nicht von dieser Welt scheint.
Melanie Welsh legt großen Wert auf wichtige moralische Grundzüge des Lebens. So sind Freundschaft, Liebe und Zusammenhalt die wichtigsten Glieder, die die Geschichte zusammenhalten und so dem Leser vermittelt werden.
Auch die Spannung kommt in diesem Roman nicht zu kurz, so erlebt der Leser zusammen mit Felicity und ihren Freunden ein packendes Abenteuer, das ihre Kräfte auf eine harte Probe stellt und den Leser in seiner ausgeklügelten Ausarbeitung begeistert.
Unterstützt wird dies von tollen phantastischen Elementen, die sich hervorragend in die Handlung mit einfügen und einfach passen, denn sie wirken einfach ganz natürlich.
Die Leseatmosphäre ist einfach nur wunderbar. Sie ist magisch, zeitlos und sehr behaglich; sie strahlt eine Geborgenheit aus, die man in nicht allzu vielen Geschichten findet, aber dem Leser ein wunderschönes Gefühl vermittelt.
Auch wenn die Atmosphäre in diesem zweiten Band ein wenig düsterer ist, ist sie niemals bedrohlich oder angsteinflößend. Sie passt zur angegebenen Altersgruppe, wobei auch jegliche andere Altersklasse (von 9-99 Jahren) diese Reihe genießen kann und wahre Freude an ihr findet.
Am Ende ist auch dieses Abenteuer in sich abgeschlossen, wobei diese Reihe unheimlich viel Potential für noch etliche weitere Romane birgt; auf das sie niemals enden möge.
Fazit: Eine Reihe für Jung und Alt. Zeitlos, magisch und behaglich. Alle Leser, die nicht die typische Fantasy-Literatur lesen wollen, sind mit diesen Abenteuern bestens beraten.
"Felicity Gallant und Das steinerne Herz" ist der zweite Band der "Felicity Gallant"-Reihe von Melanie Welsh.
Nachdem das erste Abenteuer in sich abgeschlossen war, wird nun das zweite eingeläutet, das die Leben der Hauptprotagonisten weiterführt.
Wem schon der erste Roman über Felicity gefallen hat, der wird auch bei "Das steinerne Herz" voll auf seine Kosten kommen, denn Melanie Welsh hat wieder einmal den Charme, der Band 1 so unverwechselbar gemacht hat, mit einfließen lassen und beschert dem Leser so wunderschöne Lesestunden.
Felicitys Abenteuer besitzen stets etwas Zeitloses, da man nie genau feststellen kann, in welcher Zeit diese Romane nun spielen. Das ist aber in keinster Weise nachteilig, denn genau das ist meiner Meinung eines der besonderen Facetten, die diese Reihe aufweist. Dadurch fühlt man sich immer geborgen und auch sofort wohl in Wellow, dem Städtchen, das nicht von dieser Welt scheint.
Melanie Welsh legt großen Wert auf wichtige moralische Grundzüge des Lebens. So sind Freundschaft, Liebe und Zusammenhalt die wichtigsten Glieder, die die Geschichte zusammenhalten und so dem Leser vermittelt werden.
Auch die Spannung kommt in diesem Roman nicht zu kurz, so erlebt der Leser zusammen mit Felicity und ihren Freunden ein packendes Abenteuer, das ihre Kräfte auf eine harte Probe stellt und den Leser in seiner ausgeklügelten Ausarbeitung begeistert.
Unterstützt wird dies von tollen phantastischen Elementen, die sich hervorragend in die Handlung mit einfügen und einfach passen, denn sie wirken einfach ganz natürlich.
Die Leseatmosphäre ist einfach nur wunderbar. Sie ist magisch, zeitlos und sehr behaglich; sie strahlt eine Geborgenheit aus, die man in nicht allzu vielen Geschichten findet, aber dem Leser ein wunderschönes Gefühl vermittelt.
Auch wenn die Atmosphäre in diesem zweiten Band ein wenig düsterer ist, ist sie niemals bedrohlich oder angsteinflößend. Sie passt zur angegebenen Altersgruppe, wobei auch jegliche andere Altersklasse (von 9-99 Jahren) diese Reihe genießen kann und wahre Freude an ihr findet.
Am Ende ist auch dieses Abenteuer in sich abgeschlossen, wobei diese Reihe unheimlich viel Potential für noch etliche weitere Romane birgt; auf das sie niemals enden möge.
Fazit: Eine Reihe für Jung und Alt. Zeitlos, magisch und behaglich. Alle Leser, die nicht die typische Fantasy-Literatur lesen wollen, sind mit diesen Abenteuern bestens beraten.
May 30, 2012
As you can probably already tell, I'm totally in love with the setting and main character. The setting is along the seacoast, one of my favorite places in the world. Verity is not your normal lead character, she feels like the odd one out most of the time. The friendships between Henry, Martha and Verity are honest in that they go through their own set of struggles. Anyone who loved Over Sea, Over Stone by Susan Cooper will feel right at home in Verity's world. Of course after reading about half of Heart of Stone, I realized I wanted to read the first in the series, Mistress of the Storm. So I am currently reading that and will finish Heart of Stone after. This tale is filled with mystery, adventure and magic. At the heart is the understanding that stories are not only important, they are powerful. Even more exciting is that there are two more books in the series to come out over the next couple of years.
See complete review at soimfifty.blogspot.com
See complete review at soimfifty.blogspot.com
October 16, 2012
Rarely do sequels improve upon the first book, but in this case, Welsh offers a bracing, beautifully composed middle grade fantasy. As weird earthquakes and a strange surfeit of sand threaten their seaside village, Verity, Henry, Martha, and their staunch librarian friend must work to save the Original Stories from being scoured away and their world from dissolving. The Earth Witch, her powers long held in check by the Mistress (villainess from book 1), is literally coming back together after being scattered over the world. In the midst of such creative fantastical elements, Welsh gives her young characters a solid realism as they fend off the school bully, go sailing, enjoy Christmas, and generally try to get on with growing up. The marvelous Twogood family (clearly inspired by the Weasleys) and Verity herself are endearing characters. We hope for more from this talented author. Gr. 4-7.
May 27, 2013
After defeating the Mistress in the first book of the series, Verity Gallant and her friend have been enjoying the summer sailing and relaxing. They thought the danger was over. But that is simply not the case. The Earth Witch is determined to come back and crush Verity and all the happy stories. Is Verity up to the challenge this time? She is determined to find a way. With lots of library research and some luck, she may just be able to defeat the Earth Witch.
February 8, 2013
Continuation of the story begun in the author's "Mistress of the storm." Again, Verity, Henry and friends decipher clues and warnings to save their town from destruction by the second of four sisters: the Earth Witch. What I like about it is the research component of the plot, and the central place of the library in the success of the challenges.
November 19, 2018
I love Verity Gallant! This book was more intriguing than the first.
Their homes are in trouble, and it's gonna take a lot of work to fix things, if they can...
I hope there will be more Verity Gallant books, this is a series I would own!
Their homes are in trouble, and it's gonna take a lot of work to fix things, if they can...
I hope there will be more Verity Gallant books, this is a series I would own!
October 8, 2013
Dass die Geschichte so zum Ende kommt hätte ich wirklich nicht gedacht. Richtig toller Kampf bei dem ich nicht nur Angst um Felicity hatte. Ein super Buch! :)
January 9, 2014
This book would have been a whole lot better without the obligatory love triangle. I can't understand why that's always a thing that MUST happen to a young female protagonist.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews