Thunderstone

Legacy in Legend #1

by Barbara Pietron

“…well-written and entertaining…Jeni makes for a likeable protagonist that readers will identify with.” – Publishers Weekly

Sneaking out at night, driving without a license, and falling for a guy weren’t things fifteen-year-old Jeni expected to do while visiting Lake Itasca, Minnesota with her family. The guy, Ice, turns out to be the local medicine man’s apprentice, and when he tells Jeni she’s connected to the spirit world, her first instinct is to run.

But after Ice’s stories of a mythical underwater monster—that Jeni allegedly released—prove true, she realizes it’s up to her to contain the beast. Jeni must first convince herself that she’s able, and then save the locals, Ice, and ultimately herself.

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Fiction, Mythology, Fantasy

262 pages, Paperback

First published March 20, 2012

About the author

Hi! I'm the author of the urban fantasy Legacy in Legend series which includes Veiled Existence, Thunderstone, and Heart of Ice. I also have a stand-alone novel, Soulshifter. I loved witches and vampires way before they were trendy and still gravitate toward stories with supernatural elements both when reading and writing. Although classified as young adult, my books are enjoyed by a wide audience—pre-teen through adult.

I love to share my stories with others so the Legacy in Legend prequel, Heart of Ice, is FREE on my website: www.barbarapietron.com

My novel Thunderstone was awarded 2013 Book of the Year Finalist status by Foreward Reviews and before it was published, Thunderstone was a quarter-finalist in the 2012 Amazon Breakout Novel Award contest, winning a full manuscript review by Publisher's Weekly.

Before writing novels, I wrote non-fiction for magazines and was published both nationally and regionally. I'm an auto industry expat and a cancer survivor, and I believe in chasing your dreams and that if you can dream it, you can do it.

When not writing, I work in a library where I'm tortured by all the books I have yet to read. I'm a cult fan of the movies Labyrinth and Nightmare Before Christmas and a fan of all things Tim Burton. I also like to walk, garden and sew.

I live in Royal Oak, Michigan with my husband, daughter and a cat that often acts like a dog.

Follow me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/barbara.pietron.19
And Instagram:
www.instagram.com/barbarapietron_author
Contact me through my website: www.barbarapietron.com or email author@barbarapietron.com

Reviews

[Bubble Bath Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sissy: I found this YA storyline to be different and refreshing and happily much less angsty than all the paranormal YA stuff I've been reading lately.

Bubby: Yes, it does seem like we tend to get in a rut, eh Sissy? I think YA paranormal romance is like candy; really fun and delicious in small doses, but too much makes my tummy hurt. While Thunderstone is still technically in that genre, there are no fairies or witches or vampires. Just Native American legends come to life.

Sissy: I didn't think I would like Thunderstone. Bubby didn't think she'd like it either but we were both wrong.

Bubby: I am never wrong. I was simply too hasty in my judgemental process. Not wrong.

Sissy: You were too wrong, you nerf-herder! Get over it! As I said before, it was a really interesting and engaging story. The only problem I had with it is that Jeni is only 15 and to have a "great love" and such fortitude under duress is way more mature than most 15 year-olds actually are. When I was 15, I was a complete social bumbling idiot who would have run home and cowered under her mother's bed at the sight of a water monster or any sort of supernatural entity. My "great love" was a crush on the neighbor boy, and if he even looked in my direction I would run away and write about it in my journal. Something like "Oh Happiness--"D" looked at me! It must be true love! I can't wait until we get married!" P.S. "D" now looks like a hairy neanderthal and I'm so glad I didn't marry him.

Bubby: I totally agree. I like to pretend that the years between 11 and 19 just didn't exist. No way could I have dealt with any sort of mythical beastie and survived! Heck, I don't think I would survive a mythical beastie now! At any rate, the storyline of Thunderstone moves along at a swift and satisfying pace. I was never bored or felt like things were dragging.

Sissy: Ice, on the other hand, has a bit mroe reason to be mature for his age. He has experienced many tragical things in his life and has been given much responsibility. Plus he's a total teenage dreamboat hunk of burning love olive skinned chisel-cheeked Native American boy. Who can resist that?

Bubby: I am more partial to the Viking-warrior type myself, but I can certainly see the allure. I must say though that my favorite character was cousin Tyler. He and Jeni have a relationship more like siblings than cousins. I felt the need to smack him in the head repeatedly at the beginning of the story but he really turns into something quite wonderful by the end. Reminds me of my brothers, one in particular. Totally annoying and obnoxious during childhood but a pretty awesome human being as an adult.

Sissy: Thunderstone is full of action and adventure, and although there is a love story, you only get it in small bits. The Native American folklore is fascinating and Thunderstone makes me want to learn more about it. Read full review at www.bubblebathbooks.net

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book initially because I liked the sound of a story about a teenage girl who unwittingly unleashes a mythological water monster on the world. It sounded unique and interesting. (I've always been a fan of Nessy, although this water monster is nothing like gentle Nessy.)

Jeni is a likeable, and intelligent, 15 yr. old protagonist. She's on a family trip in Lake Itasca, Minnesota. She misses her best friend and calls her as often as the spotty cell reception allows her. When she meets Ice, she's attracted to him, but it isn't insta-love.

Ice, himself, is a fascinating and likeable character as well. He's the medicine man's apprentice, a job he takes seriously, but he's also a teenage boy. He knows a cute girl when he sees one, and Jeni catches his eye.

But this is a lot more than a love story. The action in this book is amazing, intense, visual and engrossing. I stayed up later than I should have because I just needed to read "one more" chapter to see how things were turning out. I was also pleasantly surprised by the originality of the storyline and the unique situations. When the going gets really tough in this book, let me tell you, I couldn't foresee just how tough it would be. I was shocked by the turn of events near the end.

If that isn't enough to make you pick up this book, do yourself a favor and do it for the scene when Jeni finally sees the water monster for herself. The description is incredible and spine tingling. It's so vivid, and surprising, that it easily became one of those book scenes that I will never forget. (It's up there with the first chapter of Across the Universe by Beth Revis.) So unique and vivid it stays etched in the mind permanently.

Although this book wraps up with a satisfying ending, Pietron is working on a sequel, which I can't wait to read.

Very well written, this is a unique and exciting read for thrill-seeking teens and adults. Loved it!

[bella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book!! The pace flowed nicely and I never felt bored as it was very action filled. I liked Ice and Jeni's relationship but it did feel a bit rushed at first! I liked how Jeni's and Tyler's friendship developed as they helped eachother. I definitely want to continue reading the series as I want to find out more about Jeni's ancestry. I liked that it was from both Ice's and Jeni's point of view as it added more layers to the story.

Thank you to bookstagrammers for allowing me to read this!

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read! I really liked the premise of spreading her grandfather’s ashes at the headwaters of the Mississippi River. I definitely want to get there someday. I liked Ice and his relationship with Jeni, but it felt rushed. Tyler was a weird character to me. I think I like him... but I’m not sure. I don’t have cousins that are close to me so I’m not sure what typical relationships are like for cousins. I’m guessing he will be in subsequent books so maybe I will feel differently about him in time. I also felt a little letdown that we didn’t know which human was helping the monster. But maybe that’s an ok mystery that doesn’t need to be solved (I can certainly go along with the monster that needed to be trapped!)...I just want to know who it was. I am really looking forward to Jeni learning more about her heritage, for sure!

[AJourneyWithoutMap · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humankind has not woven the web of life.
We are but one thread within it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
All things are bound together.
All things connect.
-Chief Seattle, Suquamish

Not a truly refined product if Thunderstone by Barbara Pietron is measured in terms of quality and editing, but coming from a debutant novelist the minor irritants are forgettable as it still is well-written, exciting, well-paced, compelling and totally enjoyable. It is a great story based on Native American legend.

On a visit to Lake Itasca, Minnesota with her family, fifteen-year-old Jeni visited the local convenience store where she purchased a stone statue of a cat with horns and painted with scales for twelve dollars. Once outside, a young man implored with her to let him buy from her for forty. She refused!

What was unknown to Jeni is that the statue is the key to freeing an underwater monster which has been locked up for over a hundred years now. The seas monster is capable of causing widespread death and destruction.

Ice is a young man who is working as a medicine man’s apprentice. He’s the one who attempted to purchase the statue from Jeni. Ice and the medicine man are the only people who know the real worth of the statue. They want the statue in order to keep the monster locked up as long as possible. And it was on the order of the medicine man that Ice went to buy the statue but was too late.

Ice eventually befriends Jeni, and tells her stories about a mythical underwater monster. It was difficult for her to believe. But when she accidentally frees the monster and Ice’s stories were about to be proved true, she realizes it is up to her to face the monster and save the people. Will she prove to be a worthy adversary for the sea monster?

Author Barbara Pietron love of books flows through the story as she delivers a fascinating story, which is engaging and truly different.

[Jody Lamb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping story! I'm not a regular paranormal YA reader but I was excited for this one because it's rare to find a Native American legend one. I hoped for a realistic love story mixed with an intriguing adventure and Pietron did not disappoint. In fact, I enjoyed this story much more than I even expected!

I don't often connect well with the protagonists in paranormal YA and therefore, I'm not engaged in the story from the get go. However, Pietron created a character in Jeni, the 15-year-old protagonist, that I really identified with. Like many teens, Jeni's a little insecure, a little awkward and a little uneasy about her family's trip to Minnesota. There's relatable family-time annoyances and embarrassments.

When Jeni met the attractive and mysterious Ice, a Native American teen she later learned is the tribe's apprentice to the respected medicine man, I want right away to see them together, to walk along the water together. There's no insta-love between the two, just a relatable summer crush. But when Jeni accidentally becomes the new owner of a powerful Native American artifact, she finds herself with an important role in the spirit world and it's up to her to stop the legendary underwater monster. Underwater monster. I know what you're thinking. Is it cheesy? Not a bit. Pietron does an amazing job with vivid descriptions that put you right there in the scenes - heart pumping, rapidly page turning and rooting for Jeni all the way through to the end. As the adventure unfolds, Jeni discovers that she has a whole lot more courage, intelligence and confidence than she ever knew.

This is a special one.

[Soobie is expired · Rating 3 out of 5]

This actually deserves 3,5 stars.

I first noticed this book on a GR giveaways and it tickled my curiosity. At that time I didn't have an E-reader, so I patiently waited till I got one. On Christmas day 2014 my dad was kind enough to give me a Kindle and this was the first E-book I've ever bought. Then it took me nine months to read it but I finally got to it.

What draws me to this book was the setting: Minnesota. My special someone came from a small town in Minnesota and I was really looking forward to read something about his place. But I was drawn in by the Native mythology as well. In this book there are medicine men and women, priests, stones with magical powers and Manitou.

Jeni goes to Minnesota with her extended family because her grandpa recently died and they want to spread his ashes at the headwaters of the Mississippi river. There she buys a little statue depicting a Manitou which actually wakes up the creature from its sleep.

Jeni remains only a week in Minnesota and in this short period of time she finds out that she's actually a priestess, than she can defeat a Manitou and in the meantime she's also able to improve her relationship with her cousin Tyler. And she finds a nice guy as well.

I really like the novel and the quotation which open every chapter. I'll definitely read the prequel. Minnesota here I come again!

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Thunderstone (Legacy in Legend Book 1),  by Barbara Pietron, teenage Jeni goes to Lake Itasca, Minnesota with her extended family to release her grandfather’s ashes into the headwaters of the Mississippi river. She expects a quiet time of family bonding, but the only other relative close to her age is her annoying cousin Tyler. 

When Jeni picks up a little souvenir of her trip, she chooses a strange cat-like statue. But Shattered Ice, a modern-day apprentice to the traditional Ojibwe medicine man, is also looking for the statue, which turns out to be less of a unique souvenir and more of a powerful artifact. One of Tyler’s stupid pranks accidentally activates some of the artifact’s legendary powers, dragging Jeni and Ice into a dangerous adventure.  

Ice eventually explains that the statue isn’t an odd scaled cat, but an emblem of a mythical water monster (like the Friendly Ones in Greek myth, just saying the name can attract unwanted attention from a frightening creature). The story uses a lot of interesting Ojibwe legends and customs to create a magical adventure story. The modern-day dangers come directly from the old legends. Like Jeni, I was already interested in classical myth, and loved discovering other ancient stories. 

Jeni is a fun protag for a YA adventure. She loves reading and old myths, and she’s also very brave.  When she discovers her role in all the supernatural events, it goes against everything she knew about herself, and there's a coming-of-age element here too.  She'll have to trust Ice, someone she barely knows, and even make an alliance with her annoying cousin, because she needs to protect modern-day people from the tricky mythical monster.

Without revealing too much of Jeni's discoveries. I can at least say that her role wasn't just a random encounter with a weird statue.  there's a satisfying ending to their dangerous adventures in this novel, but their battle again supernatural enemies is far from over.   Thunderstone is the first in the Legacy in Legend series, plus an additional prequel, Heart of Ice, about Ice's past before this novel opens.

[Kim Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I cannot claim to be an expert on Native American culture and folklore, by any means, I can tell you that this series, which is steeped in folklore and legend is incredible. It is incredibly well-written and I found myself thoroughly engrossed in each of the stories.
Some of the things that I liked best about the series -
The author did not romanticize the Native American culture, traditions or legends. It is apparent that she has done her research and is well-versed in her subject matter. With the exception of the legends coming to life, the background that the author provides in Native culture and tradition is extremely believable. (Again, I am no expert so cannot speak to whether it is true or not, but it did not feel sensationalized in the least.)
The author provides a good balance of modern technology and Native American culture. While I’ve, the protagonist, may be a product of the technologically advanced world, and enjoys his video games and creature comforts, he has a deep, abiding respect for and belief in the old ways.
This series has a unique storyline. I found it refreshing to see a different spin on the YA genre.
The books are very fast-paced, full of dangerous situations with a lot of action and adventure. There is also a bit of romance thrown in; however, it is not the focal point of the storyline, which is a nice change of pace.
I would highly recommend this series for fans of the YA and Paranormal genres! Again, it is very well-written, and will keep you turning the pages to see what comes next.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given the 3 book set for a book tour sponsored by Expresso Book Tours. Legacy in Legend is a YA Paranormal set. My thoughts of the set overall was that Barbara Pietron has done a great job. I appreciate that she eloquently goes into Native American practices and heritage instead of giving them a Hollywood facade. This set keeps you in the edge of your seat and turning pages as fast as possible. I do not usually read a lot of YA books but I do love Paranormal. The main characters in this set of book are teenagers but I was still enthralled in this set, and enjoyed it very much. I like that each book has an ending, it doesn't leave you with a cliff hanger. You could read these as stand alones but you would not have the full backstory.

Heart of Ice is the prequal to Thunderstone which is book 1 of the set and Veiled Existence is book 2.

In Thunderstone we meet Jeni Stonewall, she is on vacation with her family to Lake Itasca, Minnesota. She is bored and misses her friends until she meets Ice. Ice informs her she is connected to the spirit world and has released a mythical underwater monster. She does not believe him at first. When she finally starts to believe she then hast to figure out how to save the locals, Ice and herself. I was not as impressed the Thunderstone as I was with Heart of Ice but it was still a good story.

[Jena Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book the Manitou Mishebeshu has escaped his underground prison and is drowning people. He’s also set his mind on the girl that made his escape possible, Ice’s new love interest; Jeni. While Nik and Ice try to keep her out of the mix, she knows she is a part and will not be dissuaded, no matter the danger involved. Her cousin Tyler doesn’t believe in any of it, but he trails after Jeni, bent on keeping her safe to her dismay.

The tension is high, and the storyline is tight. So, here is my take on the new characters.

Jeni: I loved her ‘I’m not going to sit back and do-nothing attitude’. She is a go after it sort of girl, and the chemistry between her and Ice blossoms naturally, and is a lot of fun.

Tyler: While I would have liked to see a little more of his own personality when he’s not chasing after Jeni, I liked his loyalty and commitment to family, and especially Jeni. His non-believing side adds spice to the tale.

Jeni’s parents: They made it too easy for Jeni to do her own thing most times. Not enough questions I felt a parent would ask, since they are away from home.

My final thought: Having said all that, book two was my favorite of the three.

[Harsh Tyagi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thunderstone is book one in the Legacy in Legend series by Barbara Pietron.

Fifteen year old Jeni and her family gather at Lake Itasca, Minnesota, to spread her grandfather’s ashes in the Mississippi Headwaters. A mythical underwater monster is accidentally released by her and she gets to realise that she is the one has to contain this beast along with the help of Ice, a young apprentice to the local medicine man.

It's a great YA-fantasy but can be read by people of all ages, I'm sure it will be enjoyed by all. With a few parts relatable and a fantastically attractive cover, this one is an amazing book to read. The descriptions inside are equally fantastic and each chapter begins with an amazing quote.

Wow, a powerful book and an engaging one! The book started fast with the plot that is exciting, includes folklore and legends, and it's so beautifully narrated without much excess information. The story is full of adventure, surprises and ends up leaving the reader rooting for Jeni. Fantasy is one genre I'm yet to explore more that always takes me much longer to begin with, but it's always fun to read a book that excites me to look out for the other books in the series.

[Michelle Seckinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the way this book incorporated lore and legends into the story! I love reading about mythology and different folklore and legends. This was a great way to introduce tales that may not be common knowledge. Now I want to read more on these specific lores!

Barbara did a great job at writing a book that will keep you engaged from the beginning. I loved the relationship development between Jeni and Tyler as well as Jeni and Ice. Watching Jeni become more trusting of her cousin was great to see. And of course, who doesn’t love watching the MC fall in love?

I would love a background story on Ice. I find his story to be fascinating and would love more context around his developing into a medicine man.

[Zachary Flye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review:

Protagonists: Jeni is a very well-rounded character, and she's probably the most realistic character I've read in a while. The way she reacts to certain things, and the way she handles herself is just amazing. It's said early on that she doesn't trust boys, however other than a few mentions and an explanation as to why that is, it's not touched on very much and I feel that really driving that point home could have really made things a bit more interesting. Ice is also a fairly realistic character, although I wish there was a bit more character development from him. He was so involved in stopping the monster that I felt it was hard to really get to know him as a character rather than just a love interest and key player in the plot.

Romance: This, this is my favorite kind of romance. This romance didn't drive the plot and was a wonderful and rather slow growing sub-plot. While Jeni and Ice have an instant connection, the romance proceeds at a slower pace and gratefully the "L" word isn't even used in the entire book to define how they feel about each other. While there isn't a love triangle there are a few obstacles in their way which make the romance more enjoyable to read.

World-Building: Being the mythology junkie I am, I loved learning more about various Native American myths. However, with there being so many different tribes under the Native American identifier, each with their own myths and legends, I wish the author had been a bit more specific as to which tribe these myths come from. Even though it would be fairly easy to Google, or Bing I don't judge, which tribes reside in that region, I wish I didn't have to do research to better understand the world. As for the combonation of myths in the modern world, I felt like it was done really well I liked how things were explained and how everything ran... fairly smoothly.

Predictability: I felt as though the predictability was a bit flat. There wasn't very much foreshadowing to help me understand where the book was headed. On top of that there was a mystery character working against our heroes who is never revealed, and the whole time I was trying to guess who it was and was let down when it not only was never revealed but also seemed to be someone our heroes had never really met. There weren't too many twists and the ones that were there were never really huge, other than that the book seemed to have a flow about it. It kept me interested but it never really took big twists and turns.

Ending: This book ended well, and while there is a sequel in the works the ending could almost be one for a stand-alone as well. There's a good opening for the series to continue, though I'm not entirely sure how exactly it will, there are some clues throughout the ending and earlier parts of the book that give a good indication as to what future installments could explore. The ending was great, although this may be a bit knit picky there was one moment that disturbed me a bit.

Rating:

While I really enjoyed reading this book and it's mythology ties, there were a few things that could have been better. It's a great book for anyone interested in mythology and paranormal monster hunting.

[Preethi · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Originally posted at www.keepersbookreviews.blogspot.com)

**Actual Rating**: 3 stars
**Book Format**: ARC

I really wish that some authors would try and make more professional-looking covers; this cover looks like something a teen made on Photoshop. The reason I say this is because this book was actually really good and better than I had expected, but it's never something I would have picked up at the library or bookstore. I'm guessing that at least half, if not more, of the reader population judges books by their covers when at the store, and it's not doing authors any good if they don't try and appeal to these "cover-judging" readers as well. And yes, I'm am one of those "cover-judgers."

Ignoring the indie-style cover though, I really enjoyed the plot of the book. The plot took off almost right away, and we pretty much meet all the main characters within the first few pages of the chapter. It basically goes like this: Ice, whose full name is Shattered Ice, is holding out some money to to Jeni in the hope that she'll accept the money and give him the statue she'd just bought but Ice had really needs. Then comes along Tyler, Jeni's cousin, who thinks that Ice is trying to get Jeni as a prostitute or something. A great start to a great book. The above mentioned characters are probably the most important people in the novel, and they're seen a lot throughout the rest of the story.

This was another book that didn't have a love triangle, and in this case, it was a good thing because the simple romance worked between Jeni and Ice. The almost shy advances and straight-forwardness of their love fit the Native American theme of the book, and the fact that Jeni herself seemed to have a connection to the Native Americans - she was what they called a priestess - also helped the comfort between the main characters seem sensible than if they had no connection.

What troubled me after finishing the book was that when I was reading, I felt that there was probably a second book and that this was a series. Everything in the end of this book seemed incomplete; not incomplete with possibilities, but incomplete like "when do we learn the other stuff?" I looked up the series on Goodreads and at least so far, it isn't one. As for now, it looks like this is a stand-alone novel, which personally, I think makes no sense. Still, I didn't enjoy this book enough to want to read the next book, so it won't be troubling me too much.

I did like the relative simplicity of the storyline though, and I liked that this was a pretty fast-paced book. I'd probably recommend this book to middle graders since there isn't too much depth in the story; any teens looking for an easy yet engaging read might also stand to try this out. Overall, Thunderstone was an original read that kept you hooked once you learned about the cat-monster. I really did mean it when I said it was better than I'd expected:)

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Title: Thunderstone
Author: Barbara Pietron
Publisher: Scribe Publishing
Releases November 12, 2013
Genre: YA, Mythology

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

My copy was provided to me by Netgalley.

Jeni just thought she was going on a trip with her family, including her annoying cousin, to scatter the ashes of her grandfather in Lake Itasca. When she stopped at a gas station with her cousin, she just wanted to get a souvenir of her trip. She didn't think anything of the statue of a cat with scales except that it looked unusual. But that's when she met Shattered Ice aka Ice and everything went both wrong and right. Now Jeni must try to help Ice and Nik to seal a water beast, an underwater Manitou. She must learn the legends, she must learn how to control her powers, all while trying to be there for her family. Jeni has help, however, with Ice and her cousin, Tyler, who might not be as annoying as she thought.

The good:

I loved the mythology in this book! Many YA books involve Greek mythology and it's becoming more common. But the folk lore in this book was entirely different! Thunderstone is based on Native American mythology, myths that are still believed today. What I liked so much about this mythology is how it's still told of today. The Native Americans still have medicine men and they are still practicing magic. So many cultures have abandoned their myths for their version of reality, but Native Americans still believe.

The book tells a few tales of mythology, but doesn't totally overload you with information that you won't remember.

Jeni is a likable main character who, while falling in love with Ice and going on dangerous missions, doesn't forget about her family. She wants to protect the innocents who died from the underwater beast while some actual people would just think, "not my problem,". She doesn't fall instantly in love with Ice. She gradually gets to know him, she fights with him, and she doubts him instead of other girls in different books who think the guy is absolutely perfect.

Ice is like an actual teen guy. I loved when the point of view switched to him. He had hormones and he had his own problems. I loved him and I loved Tyler!

This book isn't all about the romance. The main point of this book stays the main point without getting sidetracked by romance. Jeni has to trust Ice and herself to stop the monster from killing anymore lives. She must discover her heritage and embrace her powers to save innocents. This book had a lot if action and was unpredictable at times. There was also humor in this book with Tyler, who I absolutely loved.

Pietron included such detail, especially on the beast itself. When Jeni saw the beast for the first time, the descriptions made my skin crawl. If I saw the beast in real life, I would've run away as fast as I could. It was so vivid and amazing.

The ending was amazing and wrapped up quite nicely, but I definitely wouldn't mind a sequel.
The bad:

I couldn't find anything bad about this book! It was awesome! It did seem a bit too coincidental when Jeni fell in the water with the statue in her pocket. But it also made sense so I didn't mind.

I can't wait for the sequel and I will definitely buy it!

[Sasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's another one of those YA books that isn't bad at all, but not that great either. Riight in the middle of the road in every aspect, so it's a solid 3-star.

The plot: Jeni is on a family trip to Minnesota over the summer, which includes her annoying cousin Tyler. She meets a Native American boy with shiny ice-blue eyes by the name of Shattered Ice - or Ice for short. He has crazy stories about how the trinket she just bought was not for sale because of a possibility that a legendary water lynx monster will break out of its prison/sleep and start eating people again. Jeni is not some typical teenage girl and doesn't swoon at him for no reason. She needs to be convinced! And boy does she get convinced HARD.

My biggest complaint about this book is that it should have been a middle-grade novel. The adventure element is more fun for a younger reader, and so is the lesson that Jeni learns when she gets over herself and makes peace with her cousin. She is very wary of him throughout the whole book, but he never actually teases her or says mean things. Everything he says is gently poking fun at her, or just brotherly concern. That whole thing is pretty juvenile, which just goes to say that this should have been a MG book.

Another thing is the unnecessary romance. While Jeni is not bad t all, Ice is completely two-dimensional and boring, despite him being an apprentice to the medicine man. How cool is that? Not at all when it's Ice. While the author does attempt to make him interesting and emotionally turmoil-y, it doesn't come off real. Very mechanical writing. Did not care for him one bit. Also,I don't know if this was because I had a galley version, but there was a big gap in storytelling when he actually finds the titular Thunderstone for the big showdown. That was the most exciting thing he did, but that wasn't shown at all. Bad call there.

Jeni, like I said, is more alive. She's not stupid and has a healthy dose of skepticism in her blood. She is no helpless glass flower, and can save her own ass when she gets in trouble. I would have liked more of Tyler in the book too.

It would have been a great story about bickering cousins with a hidden destiny and a sweet budding romance between Jeni and Ice. With everybody in 7th grade! Instead, it was a lukewarm YA love story/mythology retelling that promises potentially interesting series continuation. I may cautiously proceed.

Take away this lesson, though: Don't go bleeding in the river when you're holding a Native American water demigod statue!

-I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review-

[Tania Godwin-evans · Rating 2 out of 5]

Initially this story did not grab me and I am not a huge fan of insta-attraction or even developed love elements. I am now going to sound like my mother. When I was a teen/young adult we did not have this in our books and I think they were all the better for it. It meant that instead of spending time on setting up a love story the author got on with the plot – remember the famous five or the secret seven? None of those had a love element. Don’t get me wrong did read novels with love elements eg Little Women and that Judy Blume book that was the rage when I was 13 but they were few and far between and I have been reading for a long time!

Anyway then all of a sudden everything took off and I read the remainder of the book in one sitting. There are so many Native American legends and this is just one. I do feel that the mythical side of the story was down played and so much more could have been made of the medicine man/apprentice relationship.

Jeni is meant to be 15 years of age but she acts so much more mature than that which I suppose is OK as most American teenagers not only act older but look so much older than their years. When I was 15 it took all I could do to look at the object of my affection/crush and if they even looked as though they were going to talk to me I would shyly retreat In short unlike this vivacious self-assured teenager, I was socially awkward preferring my girlfriends or even my own company. During the course of the novel though, Jeni discovers that she had hidden depths of courage, intelligence and confidence.

Yet, I can understand that Ice acts older as he has greater expectations on him given his apprenticeship. I would have loved to have seen more of this apprentice master relationship, especially what happened on the vision quest.

I did like the angst and indeed the humour of the love hate relationship between Jeni and her cousin Tyler, who I think is my favourite character. In the end Tyler turned out to be rather more dependable than expected.

All that said, although the story was somewhat predictable, remember the dreams, It did have me invested enough in the story to want to know what would happen when; a) Jeni finds out about her family history and; b) when Ice and Jeni meet up later when he is a story teller.

Due to the simplistic language and plot line I would recommend this to my English as a Foreign Language students both the adults and young learners.


Full Disclosure: I received a free copy from Netgalley for an honest review.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique souvenir purchased while on a family trip to scattered a loved one’s ashes turns into a life-changing event for 15-year-old Jeni. Shattered Ice, a teenaged Native American boy approaches Jeni, desperate to buy the scaled cat from her. Ice tells her a tale of an evil monster that lives underwater, warning her that the figurine she has purchased is more than a mere souvenir, that it contains the power to release the monster, threatening the lives of innocent people. Too late, Jeni realizes she has set the monster free and it is up to Jeni to put the monster back where he belongs.

Thunderstone by Barbara Pietron is filled with the mystical beliefs of the Native American culture, and with her sense of style and skill she has brought each character to life, as well as each scene spread out before the reader. While she adds a touch of a budding romance between Jeni and Ice, this happily does not become the main thrust of the story, which is low on angst, but rich in detail and realism. Tossing Jeni’s cousin, Tyler into the mix provides enough humor to liven things up perfectly. The information she sprinkles in among the story adds a rich undertone that illuminates a culture filled with history that few of us truly know much about.

A wonderful tale that moves at a fast pace as it follows the twists and turns of the unknown. The audience appeal definitely runs from YA to adults!


I received this copy from IBPA/Scribe Publishing Company in exchange for my honest review.

Publication Date: November 12, 2013
Publisher: Scribe Publishing Company
ISBN: 9781940368917
Genre: YA/NA Fiction
Number of Pages: 190
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

[Olivia (Bookcomet) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those little hidden book gems (or should I say thunderstone – sorry, I had to) that you never would have given a second look should it have not been for some strange reason.

What initially attracted me to Thunderstone was the notion of reading about Native American gods. I had never read a book (or even heard of one) centred around Native American gods. Roman gods, yes, Greek gods, yes, Christian angels, yes, Egyptian gods, yes, but never Native American gods.

And with Native American gods, of course you are going to get Native American people. And here is why this is an extra good thing: there is a huge call out for diverse books at the moment. I don’t know of a single reader who isn’t getting into the We Need Diverse Books campaign and with no super prominent Native American YA books that I have heard of around, I think that this is major bonus points for Thunderstone.

But enough commending of the Native Americanness. I have to talk about other things of course.
I really took to the main character. She was smart, modest and very likeable. Although maybe a bit boring? I immediately liked her relationship with Ice. They were really cute.

But perhaps my favourite character was Tyler. I thought his character was funny and I loved his relationship with his cousin (the main character). Yet another thing that is fairly rare for me to find in YA books – blood cousin relationships. I think it’s more common to find characters who are treated like cousins but aren’t actually related in YA books.

The actual story was alright. It could have been better but it was interesting enough and made up for it in how the other elements of the story set it apart from others.

All in all, I will probably recommend this to anyone looking for a book like this. I enjoyed it a lot more than I expected and hope to see more people reading it.

3/5 comets.

[Sarah-Jayne Briggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I received a free copy of this book, through NetGalley, in exchange for a review).

(This review may contain spoilers).

I got pulled into this story fairly quickly and easily. Although not a completely unique idea, I really liked the way it was written. The characters were interesting and engaging and the book kept me reading throughout.

Jeni was quite an intriguing character. She was really quite well-rounded and wasn't irritating like some heroines from young adult books. I did get a bit confused about what age she was at first, though.

I also really liked Ice. I thought the author showed their relationship progressing really well and I could really believe in it. I also quite liked Tyler, even though I didn't think I would at first. He was much more interesting than he came across at first.

The myths worked really well and it was cool to see the parallels between the myths of different cultures. I don't know Indian myths as well, but I know that many cultures have myths that share common factors.

I did get a bit confused with all of the different family members at times in the book. Jeni's aunts were referred to as 'Jeni's aunt', with only a few defining characteristics being given to them. There were a couple of times I thought it was only one person, when in fact there were two or even more being mentioned.

The danger to the characters felt real and the tension in the book kept me reading, causing me to finish much earlier than I'd expected. I liked Ice's relationship with Nik and I also liked the hints of the visions. I would have liked to see more of one of those in particular.

If there is a sequel to this book, I'd definitely be interested in reading it. I also intend to check out more books by this author in the future.

[Stacy Sabala · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Review- Thunderstone by Barbara Pietron

Jeni innocently buys a statue in a gas station one night while with her cousin Tyler. She plans to add it to her collection. Of course it is strange when this hot guy with gorgeous blue eyes offers to buy it from her. It’s a bit creepy but she contemplates letting him buy it when Tyler embarrasses her.
Ice is feeling guilty for failing to get the statue back. However he and Nik, the medicine man, believe everything will be fine as long as the statue does not get wet. When a man disappears while fishing and a large thing is seen under the water, Nik and Ice fear the worst. The water lynx has been freed and they need the statue back.
Ice needs to get it back and he decides that Jeni needs to be found. When he finds her, he learns she is more involved than he originally thought and he strives to protect her. His feelings grow for her as she finds herself in dangerous situations. Tyler is her shadow and Ice is her guide as they go after the monster she unleashed.

This is a fascinating story that takes Native American mythology and brings it to the younger generation. The author gave a big responsibility to young adult characters. I like to see them rise to the challenge. The characters were likable and the reader goes along for the ride.
It was a quick read so not as much detail as there could have been. There were a few places that there could have been more information given by the author. However, a good story overall and I give it a 3 out of 5.

[books are love · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really interesting book. the author combined myths, legends and Native American lore to create a backdrop for a suspense with romance being found along the way. Each character is unique and brings something forth in the story. Each adds a element to the tale and helps support the others as well. Jeni is in Minnesota with her family to complete her grandfather’s final wishes. While there she purchases a tchotchke. Except this is a ordinary tchotchke. This one awakens the underwater monster. This one has Jeni find out some of who she is and has her meet Ice. Ice is the medicine man’s apprentice. A nice guy that finds himself liking Jeni and wanting to protect her while also wanting to protect his people and those that are in the area. He sometimes questions his abilities and if he is good enough for the tasks set before him. These two engage in some fun banter and great conversations on myths and legends. As they get to know each other the danger is intensified and Jeni begins to learn what she is capable of. She begins to see the power within her. Both have a attraction to each other and you feel it with every action they take. The two must work together to help rid the area of the monster in the waters while navigating their budding romance, finding who they are and the strength to believe in themselves and family situations in Jeni’s case. A fast paced, fascinating book about finding strength within and learning to trust yourself, supporting others and giving them strength, friendship and a little romance that is nicely written and keeps you on your toes.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Copy provided from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***

I jumped into this book and didn't put it down until I finished it last night! That being said I do wish it had been more detailed. I wanted to know more of the story, more about Jeni's family powers, more about the Manitou, more about Ice and Nik.

Jeni is 15yrs old and on a family vacation to spread her grandfather's ashes. She's stuck with her older, annoying cousin, Tyler. At at gas station she buys a figurine that turns out to be a Native American artifact. Ice, an apprenticing medicine man, was sent to buy the statue but Jeni gets to it first. You can see where this is going right? I was pleasantly surprised that this didn't turn into a instlove thing. In fact I wouldn't say there was a lot of romance at all. This book focuses mainly on the statue and powers. Yes, Jeni and Ice like each other but I like that it wasn't the main focus. Sometimes instead of enhancing a story it can take away from it. This book was also very clean and would be good for even the younger side of YA. Quick, good read, just wish it was more descriptive.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story. It's different without being too out there because it deals with native American legend. A teenage girl, Jeni, ends up dealing with more than she bargained for when going with her family to scatter her grandfathers ashes at the headwaters of the Mississippi. She stops at an old store along the way and buys this statue that turns out to be the key to freeing an underwater Manitou that's all about death and destruction on or near the water. Jeni unknowingly sets it free by falling in the water with the statue and cutting her knee. A medicine man's apprentice, Ice, has been trying to get the statue from her since he saw her buying it. He befriends her and they end up having a strong attraction to each other. His need for the statue is a problem. He needs to get the artifact from her to keep everyone safe from the monster and trap it back in the cave where it's been for over a hundred years. But how can he get it without telling her the truth and risking her thinking he's totally insane? I received this book as an ARC from Net Galley for a review.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Thunderstone” is about Jeni, a fifteen year old girl who visits Lake Itasca during a family vacation. As a souvenir, she decides to buy a weird statue of a cat with horns. As soon as she buys it, a guy tries to buy it from her and she refuses. Soon, she realizes that this statue might be dangerous.

What I liked the most about this book is learning about the Native American folklore throughout the story. I think it is very interesting and unique because it is the first one that I read that talks about this type of mythology. Also, even though there is romance in the story, it is not too overwhelming and the author still focuses on the plot of the actual story, which is great. Sometimes, I feel like authors only focus on the love story when there is so much more that could be developed and that annoys me.

In conclusion, if you like mythology and action, I recommend this book to you. :)

[Jazmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thunderstone took me by surprise. After my initial impression that this was going to be yet another "teen goes on vacation and falls in love with the local boy" tale, I became enthralled by the mythology and folklore. Like Jeni and Ice, I'm a sucker for a good book on "ology." I am also a sucker for a strong and smart female protagonist. However, as the story progressed, I found myself being critical and a bit put off by the way the author used the terms "Indian," "Native American" and "American Indian" interchangeably and with a blatant disregard for context. I wanted to scream, "Just pick one already!" In addition to potentially being offensive to some, I felt that this particular issue detracted from the flow or rhythm of the story. With that being said, all in all I found the story engaging and I'm hoping that a sequel is in the works.

[Maddie Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jeni is on a family trip to spread her grandfathers ashed in the headwaters of the Mississippi River. She buys a cool statue as a souvenir while out with her cousin Tyler and it ends up being more trouble than she realizes. The statue brings Jeni lots of trouble, but it also brings her a good friend, Ice and leads her to her heritage and to seek out her destiny.

I really enjoyed this book. There were times when I thought I had the story figured out, but in the end I was wrong. The ending felt a little rushed, but otherwise it was a fantastic book that I couldn't put down.

[𝕁𝕒𝕕𝕖 (_𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕜𝕚𝕤𝕙_𝕘𝕒𝕞𝕖𝕣_) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was given this book by Netgallery in exchange for an honest review

I didn't enjoy this book as much as i thought i would. The mention of myths and Gods had me quite interested but i felt let down in many areas of the book. While the main characher Jeni is supposed to be relatable, i found i couldn't relate to her at all.

Overall the book was a big let down for me and i won't be reading it again in a hurry.

[James White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara Pietron has created a very fine mix of young adult thriller and supernatural mystery based on Native American spirituality. It seems to me this book would appeal to those interested in either, or both, genres. Pietron has an apparent understanding of how younger people behave and feel. I also learned some very interesting things about Native American culture and spirituality. Well paced and gripping.