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War of the Underhill #0.5
Stone Hearts
Magick stolen can be reclaimed, and curses cast can be broken... 574 AD, Isle of Albion Small and flightless, Carys lives on the fringes of her clan, pitied by other gargoyles and despised by her mother. Her lonely heart longs for a mate, one who can see past her malformed wings, but all she can think of is the haunting face she visits in an old well. Trapped for centuries, Gavriel roams the darkness of the Underhill, unable to escape the memories of his failures. His wounded soul craves freedom, but he finds solace in the mysterious maiden who visits him through a rift in his prison. Gargoyle and fae, separated by realms, connected by magick as ancient as the goddesses. Their love should be impossible-until one night, the barrier between realms begins to break...
Stone Hearts is a prequel story to the upcoming PNR series War of the Underhill.
Stone Hearts is a prequel story to the upcoming PNR series War of the Underhill.
206 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2023
292 people are currently reading
1776 people want to read
About the author
S.E. Wendel
22 books809 followersS.E. Wendel is a graduate of the MA Creative Writing program at the University of California, Davis. She loves maps, magic, and making epic fantasy worlds with romance thrown in. She has been writing fantasies since before she could even type (thankfully her mother was kind and patient enough to take dictation, but is relieved she can type for herself now)! From her first stories about raccoons hunting treasure on a haunted island to her latest sweeping epics, she loves to write strong heroines and noble heroes.
S.E. is a technical editor by day and in the evening loves to lose herself in her fantasy worlds and the stories of other amazing authors. She is currently working on the second part of the Broken Wings Duet. She loves her domineering orange tabby cat, true crime docs, tiramisu, pink nail polish, and swoony romantasies!
S.E. is a technical editor by day and in the evening loves to lose herself in her fantasy worlds and the stories of other amazing authors. She is currently working on the second part of the Broken Wings Duet. She loves her domineering orange tabby cat, true crime docs, tiramisu, pink nail polish, and swoony romantasies!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
April 10, 2023
3.5 stars
Some parts of Stone Hearts very much pulled me in and were enjoyable. The romance between Carys (h) and Gavriel (H) is all that is sweet, devoted, supportive, and steamy (this book includes many steamy scenes, including primal play with the H liking to chase). Carys is a gargoyle and Gavriel is a fae and both "meet" at a weak point between their two realms and are eventually able to be in the same realm. Each of their races has a potential fated mate and that's what these two are so instant attraction/pull and fairly easy development of the relationship once they're in the same realm together. The story faltered for me in the start of their relationship, the execution of the historical elements at times, and in the epilogues (multiple). It's important to note that this is a prequel, it's still a standalone but it sets the stage for the rest of the series so important plot lines remain unresolved, even though the romance very much has a beautiful HEA. Written in third person, dual POV. No ow/om drama and I don't think either was a virgin (it's clear that the h had done some things with other males but it's not clear how far that went and I can't remember any history given on the H).
The story starts in the 6th century and there's good world building shared to lay a foundation for the gargoyles and the fae, including their magic. Sadly, we don't see the first "meeting" between Carys and Gavriel and I wasn't sure how long it had been that they'd seen each other and limitedly been communicating via a well. The intro to them having a long distance friendship of sorts felt stilted to me. But Carys is hoping to escape her abusive mother and Gavriel hopes to escape the Underhill and a crazed leader where the fae have been trapped. Then big things happen, mate bonds are revealed, there's a fight to be together, and then happily mated. But each of their races are cursed so they devote themselves to running around the world trying to help their people. I think that's vague enough it's not super spoilery but you get the gist of the first part of the book, which also has some steamy times.
Part two of the book has a few epilogues that feature different moments in time and what is happening with Carys and Gavriel. How they're trying to help break curses, what the historical period is like, various aspects of their daily lives, and more steaminess. Each epilogue is a different time period until the final one brings us to the present day and leaves us with a lead-in to the rest of the series. The details of how they addressed glamouring themselves and maintaining relationships with others were really interesting. Also, how they travelled and pursued hobbies, sometimes being more involved in human affairs than others. I'm going to add a spoiler note about the epilogues -
I enjoyed that I recognized all of the various historical periods. I'm a history nerd and I actually really enjoy Welsh history, esp around the 12th and 13th centuries, for example. I do think that some of the historical information may be confusing to some readers. So please note that there's a glossary and more context at the end of the book, which isn't mentioned at the front of the book.
I'll check out the next books in the series because I do want to see what happens next and I'm curious how all of these pieces are going to come together.
Trigger warnings - abuse by a parent, violence and death of side characters, attempted assault
Some parts of Stone Hearts very much pulled me in and were enjoyable. The romance between Carys (h) and Gavriel (H) is all that is sweet, devoted, supportive, and steamy (this book includes many steamy scenes, including primal play with the H liking to chase). Carys is a gargoyle and Gavriel is a fae and both "meet" at a weak point between their two realms and are eventually able to be in the same realm. Each of their races has a potential fated mate and that's what these two are so instant attraction/pull and fairly easy development of the relationship once they're in the same realm together. The story faltered for me in the start of their relationship, the execution of the historical elements at times, and in the epilogues (multiple). It's important to note that this is a prequel, it's still a standalone but it sets the stage for the rest of the series so important plot lines remain unresolved, even though the romance very much has a beautiful HEA. Written in third person, dual POV. No ow/om drama and I don't think either was a virgin (it's clear that the h had done some things with other males but it's not clear how far that went and I can't remember any history given on the H).
The story starts in the 6th century and there's good world building shared to lay a foundation for the gargoyles and the fae, including their magic. Sadly, we don't see the first "meeting" between Carys and Gavriel and I wasn't sure how long it had been that they'd seen each other and limitedly been communicating via a well. The intro to them having a long distance friendship of sorts felt stilted to me. But Carys is hoping to escape her abusive mother and Gavriel hopes to escape the Underhill and a crazed leader where the fae have been trapped. Then big things happen, mate bonds are revealed, there's a fight to be together, and then happily mated. But each of their races are cursed so they devote themselves to running around the world trying to help their people. I think that's vague enough it's not super spoilery but you get the gist of the first part of the book, which also has some steamy times.
Part two of the book has a few epilogues that feature different moments in time and what is happening with Carys and Gavriel. How they're trying to help break curses, what the historical period is like, various aspects of their daily lives, and more steaminess. Each epilogue is a different time period until the final one brings us to the present day and leaves us with a lead-in to the rest of the series. The details of how they addressed glamouring themselves and maintaining relationships with others were really interesting. Also, how they travelled and pursued hobbies, sometimes being more involved in human affairs than others. I'm going to add a spoiler note about the epilogues -
I enjoyed that I recognized all of the various historical periods. I'm a history nerd and I actually really enjoy Welsh history, esp around the 12th and 13th centuries, for example. I do think that some of the historical information may be confusing to some readers. So please note that there's a glossary and more context at the end of the book, which isn't mentioned at the front of the book.
I'll check out the next books in the series because I do want to see what happens next and I'm curious how all of these pieces are going to come together.
Trigger warnings - abuse by a parent, violence and death of side characters, attempted assault
April 3, 2023
Rating: 4/5
Spice: 5/5 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
This was a great way to introduce us to a series I’m sure will be as amazing as the prequel! We got a deep look into this world and lore behind it.
I believe our two main characters, Carys and Gavriel, are super entertaining to read about. Both have been through so much pain and lose and have been able keep pushing forward because they have each other. Their relationship was absolutely adorable and gave me butterflies. Now don’t get me wrong I lived for the spice, but the way they were utterly entranced with one another made my heart happy! I found Carys to be strong willed. She is completely dedicated throughout the whole story to her mission and her emotional and physical development was outstanding.
In this world we have fae, guardians, and an awful curse that needs breaking. Also don’t get me started on the underhill… I can’t get over how unique and interesting that is. A place meant to keep the fae safe, but also has no intention of letting them leave.
I think knowing all of the lore and backstory before going into a series, especially one that sounds as complicated as this, is very beneficial. You get to enjoy the series and not have to focus too much on learning all of the ins and outs of the world. I can’t wait to see what S.E Wendel has in store with the first in the War of the Underhill series. If it’s anything like this novella then I’m all in!
Spice: 5/5 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
This was a great way to introduce us to a series I’m sure will be as amazing as the prequel! We got a deep look into this world and lore behind it.
I believe our two main characters, Carys and Gavriel, are super entertaining to read about. Both have been through so much pain and lose and have been able keep pushing forward because they have each other. Their relationship was absolutely adorable and gave me butterflies. Now don’t get me wrong I lived for the spice, but the way they were utterly entranced with one another made my heart happy! I found Carys to be strong willed. She is completely dedicated throughout the whole story to her mission and her emotional and physical development was outstanding.
In this world we have fae, guardians, and an awful curse that needs breaking. Also don’t get me started on the underhill… I can’t get over how unique and interesting that is. A place meant to keep the fae safe, but also has no intention of letting them leave.
I think knowing all of the lore and backstory before going into a series, especially one that sounds as complicated as this, is very beneficial. You get to enjoy the series and not have to focus too much on learning all of the ins and outs of the world. I can’t wait to see what S.E Wendel has in store with the first in the War of the Underhill series. If it’s anything like this novella then I’m all in!
July 4, 2023
4.5 🌟!
An astonishingly written book which was heartwarming and sweet but with an edge.
With all that history I’m sure it was no easy feet to write this story but the author pulled it off.!
Can’t wait to read more from this author.
Recommended.
An astonishingly written book which was heartwarming and sweet but with an edge.
With all that history I’m sure it was no easy feet to write this story but the author pulled it off.!
Can’t wait to read more from this author.
Recommended.
October 18, 2023
This was decent, lots of worldbuilding and lore- and the lady is the gargoyle! And she's made of pink marble! The jumps through time leading up to them in the modern era were also refreshing.
But I was totally grossed out by how much the terms female and male were overused in the text - it was excessive and so noticeable and weird, especially when characters are referring to each other.
But I was totally grossed out by how much the terms female and male were overused in the text - it was excessive and so noticeable and weird, especially when characters are referring to each other.
August 10, 2025
I think I was baited. Someone recommended this to me for "monster girl romantasy" and well, first of all I didn't realize this is a prequel so basically a teaser not a full story, it's like reading characters' backstory but the plot doesn't develop.
Second issue I had was overly descriptive writing which means in this already short word count we don't get as much character development because instead there are these lengthy passages of description of places and such.
And third issue is that the characters feel overly stereotypical. I wanted to read monster girl instead of monster guy to go away from stock monster romance tropes, but we still have everything here: other women are evil (the fae queen, fmc's mother...), fmc of course is "small and delicate" and discriminated for it (and absolutely coincidentally her "deformity" makes her look more human than monstrous, suuuure... and her skin is pink, not any inhuman colour but the colour commonly associated with Caucasian race, how original), mmc is broody, the relationship development is replaced with the stock "fated mates" trope (and we don't even get the meet cute because the first scene of interaction already shows them as knowing each other), the smut has all the typical patriarchal-heteronormative tropes like woman made to beg, woman say "I'm yours", man saying "come for me", I'm so so bored of that kind of dirty talk that repeats itself in nearly every book these days. I wish people got more creative in their smut.
Why create a monster girl story when it feels basically like every human girl x fae guy story?
The pacing was odd because halfway the story started jumping all across centuries with random vignettes of their life.
I thought maybe this is just an extra novella for existing fans of the series who know and like those characters and want to spend more time with them, but the series isn't even written yet? It's marked as book 1 in War of the Underhill series, but there's no rest of the series yet. This reads more like reader magnet novella than a 1st installment in a series. If this was supposed to excite me and make me eager to wait and read the rest of the series, it sadly didn't.
Overall, this was very middle of the road.
Second issue I had was overly descriptive writing which means in this already short word count we don't get as much character development because instead there are these lengthy passages of description of places and such.
And third issue is that the characters feel overly stereotypical. I wanted to read monster girl instead of monster guy to go away from stock monster romance tropes, but we still have everything here: other women are evil (the fae queen, fmc's mother...), fmc of course is "small and delicate" and discriminated for it (and absolutely coincidentally her "deformity" makes her look more human than monstrous, suuuure... and her skin is pink, not any inhuman colour but the colour commonly associated with Caucasian race, how original), mmc is broody, the relationship development is replaced with the stock "fated mates" trope (and we don't even get the meet cute because the first scene of interaction already shows them as knowing each other), the smut has all the typical patriarchal-heteronormative tropes like woman made to beg, woman say "I'm yours", man saying "come for me", I'm so so bored of that kind of dirty talk that repeats itself in nearly every book these days. I wish people got more creative in their smut.
Why create a monster girl story when it feels basically like every human girl x fae guy story?
The pacing was odd because halfway the story started jumping all across centuries with random vignettes of their life.
I thought maybe this is just an extra novella for existing fans of the series who know and like those characters and want to spend more time with them, but the series isn't even written yet? It's marked as book 1 in War of the Underhill series, but there's no rest of the series yet. This reads more like reader magnet novella than a 1st installment in a series. If this was supposed to excite me and make me eager to wait and read the rest of the series, it sadly didn't.
Overall, this was very middle of the road.
March 31, 2023
Stone Hearts is such a swoony, romantic read centering our gargoyle and fae leads 🥺🩷🩷 They both went through so much I'm so happy that they found one another. Carys and Gavriel's love is just so beautiful, and what's more romantic than love that spans thousands of years? Truly amazing! S.E. Wendel did so well with the research regarding the historical part of the book, especially the notes at the end! I'm so excited to see what comes next!
April 5, 2023
Absolutely adored this novella.
This was my first Wendel book and I’m so glad that I finally got around to it. Her style is beautiful, there’s something lyrical to it and you feel like you’re listening to an old tale. I love her writing and can’t wait to dig into her backlog.
Plot:
Carys is an odd gargoyle who doesn’t quite fit in with her smaller frame and wings that don’t let her fly. Her only dream is to find her Heartsong and be loved unconditionally.
When she comes across a face within a well, she has no idea that she’s looking into the face of a legendary fae male, trapped in another dimension.
When tragedy collides their worlds, Carys realised that Gavriel is more than he seemed. As the two form a relationship, they also try to navigate the world across centuries. With two curses looming over their heads, they travel the world looking for answers.
Key note:
The book is divided into two parts:
Part 1- the introduction to Carys and Gabriel’s relationship and world building.
Part 2- eight epilogues in which the two MCs travel across the world through centuries.
My thoughts:
This story was perfect. I loved how much was packed into such a short story, the push and pull of their relationship initially, the comfortable love and passion with them as they got to know each other for longer. The moments of jealousy and possessiveness. It was all perfect.
I wish we knew what will come of the two curses because although the book has a HEA, the overarching plot is only just beginning.
The spice in this book was off the charts- I love love loved it. There’s like two chapters of the two doing the deed (when they do it the first time) and woah 🥵 the epilogue is riddled with lots of sexy times too.
What a wonderful book. I can’t wait for the follow on standalones in this world.
PS- reading the epilogue notes as I was reading the epilogues helped me make sense of a lot of the events much quicker. Especially the references to names and places in Epilogue I. Definitely recommend cross checking as you’re reading.
This was my first Wendel book and I’m so glad that I finally got around to it. Her style is beautiful, there’s something lyrical to it and you feel like you’re listening to an old tale. I love her writing and can’t wait to dig into her backlog.
Plot:
Carys is an odd gargoyle who doesn’t quite fit in with her smaller frame and wings that don’t let her fly. Her only dream is to find her Heartsong and be loved unconditionally.
When she comes across a face within a well, she has no idea that she’s looking into the face of a legendary fae male, trapped in another dimension.
When tragedy collides their worlds, Carys realised that Gavriel is more than he seemed. As the two form a relationship, they also try to navigate the world across centuries. With two curses looming over their heads, they travel the world looking for answers.
Key note:
The book is divided into two parts:
Part 1- the introduction to Carys and Gabriel’s relationship and world building.
Part 2- eight epilogues in which the two MCs travel across the world through centuries.
My thoughts:
This story was perfect. I loved how much was packed into such a short story, the push and pull of their relationship initially, the comfortable love and passion with them as they got to know each other for longer. The moments of jealousy and possessiveness. It was all perfect.
I wish we knew what will come of the two curses because although the book has a HEA, the overarching plot is only just beginning.
The spice in this book was off the charts- I love love loved it. There’s like two chapters of the two doing the deed (when they do it the first time) and woah 🥵 the epilogue is riddled with lots of sexy times too.
What a wonderful book. I can’t wait for the follow on standalones in this world.
PS- reading the epilogue notes as I was reading the epilogues helped me make sense of a lot of the events much quicker. Especially the references to names and places in Epilogue I. Definitely recommend cross checking as you’re reading.
June 3, 2023
2.5 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2.5 /🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I want to start by saying that the premise of this book is absolutely fantastic: fae who are trapped in a world of their own making after their homeland is destroyed, guardians who are cursed, frozen in time and stone. Two mates from each peoples - one a social outcast because of her size and malformed wings, and the other, a disgraced general who lost a war, his homeland, and people - are the only ones that can save them.
Except they don't.
Not even a little bit.
Instead, the main characters literally just fuck around for a millennia while their people stay trapped and cursed. Every time jump, the main characters will say something along the lines of "we feel so guilty for not being able to figure out a solution" then a century or two will go by and the same sentiment will be repeated, just in a different time period.
This books needs a whole lot of editing and a lot more content because to be honest, not a whole lot happens. Part I of the book is great and promising, but Part II feels like an idea that wasn't fully flushed out, leading to whole lot of nothing happening plot-wise. The main positive if this book is the relationship between Carys and Gavriel. They're relationship is actually really sweet and the spice is great.
I'm assuming there is going to be a sequel to this book but I don't think I will be continuing this series because this book was just so disappointing.
2.5 /🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I want to start by saying that the premise of this book is absolutely fantastic: fae who are trapped in a world of their own making after their homeland is destroyed, guardians who are cursed, frozen in time and stone. Two mates from each peoples - one a social outcast because of her size and malformed wings, and the other, a disgraced general who lost a war, his homeland, and people - are the only ones that can save them.
Except they don't.
Not even a little bit.
Instead, the main characters literally just fuck around for a millennia while their people stay trapped and cursed. Every time jump, the main characters will say something along the lines of "we feel so guilty for not being able to figure out a solution" then a century or two will go by and the same sentiment will be repeated, just in a different time period.
This books needs a whole lot of editing and a lot more content because to be honest, not a whole lot happens. Part I of the book is great and promising, but Part II feels like an idea that wasn't fully flushed out, leading to whole lot of nothing happening plot-wise. The main positive if this book is the relationship between Carys and Gavriel. They're relationship is actually really sweet and the spice is great.
I'm assuming there is going to be a sequel to this book but I don't think I will be continuing this series because this book was just so disappointing.
August 2, 2025
I chose Stone Hearts by S.E. Wendel because it has a female monster. She's a gargoyle, so I was expecting her to be quite strong and sturdy. But nooo, she's Not Like Other Gargoyles. She's tiny and dainty with a “nipped in waist”. But don't worry, her hips and ass are “generous” and her breasts are “large” and “heavy”.
Plot wise, the first half of the book sets up to be pretty good. Fated Mates separated by magic and baddies! A curse that needs to be broken! The good Fae Queen is trapped in a magical coma while her evil niece takes power!
And then the second half is titled “epilogues” but is 100 pages long. And nothing happens. No plot development, no character development. These epilogues span 1000+ years but add nothing.
I know this is a prequel, but usually those do have at least a bit of plot of their own and just set up the world. It could have just been the first 100 pages and done that.
Also, I had forgotten that S.E. Wendel writes sex scenes I dislike. They're plentiful, but repetitive and boring to be honest. I skim read a lot of them.
There's also this baffling line during sex “the tease of his **hipbone** against her nub with every thrust” (emphasis mine). How is he managing to get his hipbone on her clit during missionary?
Plot wise, the first half of the book sets up to be pretty good. Fated Mates separated by magic and baddies! A curse that needs to be broken! The good Fae Queen is trapped in a magical coma while her evil niece takes power!
And then the second half is titled “epilogues” but is 100 pages long. And nothing happens. No plot development, no character development. These epilogues span 1000+ years but add nothing.
I know this is a prequel, but usually those do have at least a bit of plot of their own and just set up the world. It could have just been the first 100 pages and done that.
Also, I had forgotten that S.E. Wendel writes sex scenes I dislike. They're plentiful, but repetitive and boring to be honest. I skim read a lot of them.
There's also this baffling line during sex “the tease of his **hipbone** against her nub with every thrust” (emphasis mine). How is he managing to get his hipbone on her clit during missionary?
August 23, 2023
Confusing and complicated but very sweet
March 29, 2023
(4-4.5 ⭐)
Stone Hearts is the introduction to S.E. Wendel's upcoming War of the Underhill fantasy romance series, and as such, it does a marvelous job laying the foundation for this universe, the role of magic in it, as well as the primary conflict we'll be seeing more of in future books.
The first half is dedicated to Carys and Gavriel's beginnings - the worlds they came from, the harrowing tragedies that brought them together, and the challenges that had to be overcome for them to finally truly be together in every sense. I absolutely adored the other-worldly feel of that first half - including the way its so beautifully interwoven with themes of survivor's guilt, grief, love, and hope.
The second half I admittedly struggled a tad bit with (and that's definitely more of a me issue than anything else - I went in totally blind, so the shift the second half takes was a wee bit jarring for me), but for prospective readers:
The second half of the story is a series of epilogues that span centuries as we watch Carys and Gavriel not only live their lives over the course of history, but we also get to follow them as they struggle to hunt down the remnants of Carys' kin. As I mentioned previously, the jaunt through history took some getting used to on my end, but once I fully realized what was going on, it was much easier to settle in and just enjoy the ride. And what a ride it was! I was genuinely bereft when I ran out of pages to read.
I loved the attention to detail, the little nuggets of myth, folklore, and real-life history and how they're seamlessly stitched together with S.E. Wendel's magnificent world of fae and magic.
But the key takeaway for me was really Carys and Gavriel's relationship. Due to the nature of this being a novella, and the fact that we're spanning literally hundreds, if not thousands of years over the course of so few pages, we've got a lot of ground to cover in a short amount of time... but in spite of this, the true constant remains how deeply in love Carys and Gavriel are with each other. I relished seeing the evolution of their matehood/marriage, their absolute devotion to one another, the trust, and even those moments of autonomy all shown in such a healthy and meaningful way. But no matter where their paths lead, they always come back to each other.
By the end, we finish up in the present day and I find myself very eager to see where we go from here. The premise we have set up is not only promising, but I don't think I've ever read anything quite like this before, and I find that absolutely exhilarating!
The plus-size rep with Carys - who also happens to be a female gargoyle, something I don't think I've seen in the romance genre as of yet (at least where FMCs are concerned) - was exquisitely done and I loved the way Carys finds her own sense of confidence and self. It was so difficult to see her verbally abused in the beginning of the story, and while the tragedy that basically removed her abuser from the equation was truly awful... there was definitely a part of me that was glad a certain someone was gone (probably because all of that just hit so close to home for me). But I'm also glad that Carys doesn't just "get over" all of that trauma right away. She's given time to grieve, to sort through the complicated and conflicting emotions she has... and seeing her really relish and embrace herself as she is, with the added support of Gavriel's unwavering love and adoration for her... it made their moments of heat and happiness in those epilogues all the more rewarding.
Gavriel - our fae general - was a fantastic MMC. The way Wendel explores the concept of time and how immortality makes it so much easier to slow down because one has nothing but time... I don't know, I just really loved all of that. The beauty of a simple life balanced with Gavriel and Carys' adventures - it resonated with me and left me longing for a Gavriel of my own to travel and have adventures with...
TL;DR - I'm very much looking forward to seeing where this series goes from here! If you're in the market for a quick read that's spicy, magical, and filled to the brim with folklore and historical references, you should absolutely give this baby a try! 🥰
Stone Hearts is the introduction to S.E. Wendel's upcoming War of the Underhill fantasy romance series, and as such, it does a marvelous job laying the foundation for this universe, the role of magic in it, as well as the primary conflict we'll be seeing more of in future books.
The first half is dedicated to Carys and Gavriel's beginnings - the worlds they came from, the harrowing tragedies that brought them together, and the challenges that had to be overcome for them to finally truly be together in every sense. I absolutely adored the other-worldly feel of that first half - including the way its so beautifully interwoven with themes of survivor's guilt, grief, love, and hope.
The second half I admittedly struggled a tad bit with (and that's definitely more of a me issue than anything else - I went in totally blind, so the shift the second half takes was a wee bit jarring for me), but for prospective readers:
The second half of the story is a series of epilogues that span centuries as we watch Carys and Gavriel not only live their lives over the course of history, but we also get to follow them as they struggle to hunt down the remnants of Carys' kin. As I mentioned previously, the jaunt through history took some getting used to on my end, but once I fully realized what was going on, it was much easier to settle in and just enjoy the ride. And what a ride it was! I was genuinely bereft when I ran out of pages to read.
I loved the attention to detail, the little nuggets of myth, folklore, and real-life history and how they're seamlessly stitched together with S.E. Wendel's magnificent world of fae and magic.
But the key takeaway for me was really Carys and Gavriel's relationship. Due to the nature of this being a novella, and the fact that we're spanning literally hundreds, if not thousands of years over the course of so few pages, we've got a lot of ground to cover in a short amount of time... but in spite of this, the true constant remains how deeply in love Carys and Gavriel are with each other. I relished seeing the evolution of their matehood/marriage, their absolute devotion to one another, the trust, and even those moments of autonomy all shown in such a healthy and meaningful way. But no matter where their paths lead, they always come back to each other.
By the end, we finish up in the present day and I find myself very eager to see where we go from here. The premise we have set up is not only promising, but I don't think I've ever read anything quite like this before, and I find that absolutely exhilarating!
The plus-size rep with Carys - who also happens to be a female gargoyle, something I don't think I've seen in the romance genre as of yet (at least where FMCs are concerned) - was exquisitely done and I loved the way Carys finds her own sense of confidence and self. It was so difficult to see her verbally abused in the beginning of the story, and while the tragedy that basically removed her abuser from the equation was truly awful... there was definitely a part of me that was glad a certain someone was gone (probably because all of that just hit so close to home for me). But I'm also glad that Carys doesn't just "get over" all of that trauma right away. She's given time to grieve, to sort through the complicated and conflicting emotions she has... and seeing her really relish and embrace herself as she is, with the added support of Gavriel's unwavering love and adoration for her... it made their moments of heat and happiness in those epilogues all the more rewarding.
Gavriel - our fae general - was a fantastic MMC. The way Wendel explores the concept of time and how immortality makes it so much easier to slow down because one has nothing but time... I don't know, I just really loved all of that. The beauty of a simple life balanced with Gavriel and Carys' adventures - it resonated with me and left me longing for a Gavriel of my own to travel and have adventures with...
TL;DR - I'm very much looking forward to seeing where this series goes from here! If you're in the market for a quick read that's spicy, magical, and filled to the brim with folklore and historical references, you should absolutely give this baby a try! 🥰
June 15, 2024
The premise of this book was everything. I was fascinated by it until around 30% of the book, and then everything started to feel too monotonous until around 80% of the book where we're fed crumbs relating to the main plot. But just as things started to get interesting, the story ends abruptly informing us there's a sequel.
Nothing of sustenance really happened. We were paraded to all these other places around the world, but all of them followed the same formula.
There were so many descriptions of gowns, buildings, and the many ways they played twister in all of these different settings. The whole thing bored me out of my mind.
The lack of urgency of these two astounded me. Were they even trying to find a real solution for the main problem affecting them? They had millenia after millenia to figure it out only for them to come up with something that POSSIBLY might help in the present day.
They also felt too one dimensional, and so there wasn't any character growth. The characters we got at the beginning are the same characters we get towards the ending.
I'm reading the next one, and that one will decide if I continue with the series or not.
Nothing of sustenance really happened. We were paraded to all these other places around the world, but all of them followed the same formula.
There were so many descriptions of gowns, buildings, and the many ways they played twister in all of these different settings. The whole thing bored me out of my mind.
The lack of urgency of these two astounded me. Were they even trying to find a real solution for the main problem affecting them? They had millenia after millenia to figure it out only for them to come up with something that POSSIBLY might help in the present day.
They also felt too one dimensional, and so there wasn't any character growth. The characters we got at the beginning are the same characters we get towards the ending.
I'm reading the next one, and that one will decide if I continue with the series or not.
April 21, 2023
This is genuinely the worst book I have ever read. I have read some pretty bad What In The Wattpad books but this has to be the worst thing to ever assault my eyes.
I would love to sit down with the author and ask what the f**k she was thinking in writing this book. I had to stop reading like just over halfway through.
Why did he fall in love after meeting her once?
Why did he call her a “lusty little wench”?
Why was he so obsessed with how tiny and small she was? Creepy.
Why was he so fascinated by how big his dick was and how it could hurt her?
Why was she constantly being described as “so small” “so malformed” “so petite and oh-so tiny and oh-so disgusting and short and tiny!” Embarrassing.
Why did this book need to be published?
Pls, I am genuinely horrified at this shit show. I can’t believe I paid £2 for this shit.
I would love to sit down with the author and ask what the f**k she was thinking in writing this book. I had to stop reading like just over halfway through.
Why did he fall in love after meeting her once?
Why did he call her a “lusty little wench”?
Why was he so obsessed with how tiny and small she was? Creepy.
Why was he so fascinated by how big his dick was and how it could hurt her?
Why was she constantly being described as “so small” “so malformed” “so petite and oh-so tiny and oh-so disgusting and short and tiny!” Embarrassing.
Why did this book need to be published?
Pls, I am genuinely horrified at this shit show. I can’t believe I paid £2 for this shit.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2023
This was a beautiful love story of love through the ages but after part 1 when our main characters find each other and fall in love.. the story changes quite a bit. I'm not sure if this is just a beginning novella to set up more... but i felt rushed through time and i didn't really care about what they were doing.
Sex in different times and places was sexy but.. it just felt like we were skipping through everything.
3 stars
3 on the spice scale
CW: abusive parent, attempted SA
Sex in different times and places was sexy but.. it just felt like we were skipping through everything.
3 stars
3 on the spice scale
CW: abusive parent, attempted SA
April 1, 2023
Stone Hearts was my first read by S.E. Wendel and I was lucky enough to be apart of her ARC team😊
I enjoyed this novella very much! It was a sweet and spicy read and I loved Carys and Gavriel’s bond! This book is full of awesome historical references, and I loved the second half when we got to see the jumps in time through the centuries. That was a cool concept and one I haven’t encountered yet! I loved seeing Carys and Gavriel’s relationship grow over the centuries.
I am VERY excited to see where their story goes from the end of this book, and want the next book ASAP! 😁
I enjoyed this novella very much! It was a sweet and spicy read and I loved Carys and Gavriel’s bond! This book is full of awesome historical references, and I loved the second half when we got to see the jumps in time through the centuries. That was a cool concept and one I haven’t encountered yet! I loved seeing Carys and Gavriel’s relationship grow over the centuries.
I am VERY excited to see where their story goes from the end of this book, and want the next book ASAP! 😁
August 31, 2024
An unusual love story that is dark and touching. It got me very emotional, in a good way. The world building was superb. The historical research behind the story blew me away. I loved that both characters weren't human, and the heroine was more monstrous in appearance. The hot scenes were 🔥, 🌶️ x 5 ! A great introduction to the series!
March 26, 2024
3.5 - 4 ⭐
" Speak my wife’s name again and I’ll cut the tongue from your mouth. Look at her again and I’ll pluck the eyes from your head. Do you understand me? ”
I will ALWAYS swoon for an overprotective, over bearing fae male and Gavriel is just that! The first time he met his Carys, he was already hunting her down 😅 when, simultaneously wanting to scream at him to leave her tf alone but also wanting to scream at her to please please give this lil huge big softball a chance I already knew I'd be a goner for these two.
At 8% in, we already get hit with the "who did this to you trope" which I will eat up every. Single. Time. So should I actually say more ?!
So then why not the full 5 stars? This story has a lot of time jumps which I personally don't prefer. I like to dive in every tiny little detail and pick it apart until I truly know the characters from top top tho bottom so that's why I think I didn't 100% fell head over heels for them, sometimes it felt a bit rushed cause we would already be centuries further. However, them galavanting around Europe over these centuries was giving me life! Like imagine haggling with thé Michelangelo 😭😂
Wendel's fantasy world remains superior tho. The epilogue notes and the glossary at the end shows you just how much she cares about her world and her stories and how much she wants the reader to care and fully understand the world too, which is why she quickly has joined my list of favourite authors.
Even though this book on its own was a bit "shortcoming" for me personally it IS the perfect set up for the rest of this serie to come! So I'm sooooo thrilled to continue and see how this is gonna evolve, having said this, gotta run and, finally, meet Frey 🤩🤩
" Speak my wife’s name again and I’ll cut the tongue from your mouth. Look at her again and I’ll pluck the eyes from your head. Do you understand me? ”
I will ALWAYS swoon for an overprotective, over bearing fae male and Gavriel is just that! The first time he met his Carys, he was already hunting her down 😅 when, simultaneously wanting to scream at him to leave her tf alone but also wanting to scream at her to please please give this lil huge big softball a chance I already knew I'd be a goner for these two.
At 8% in, we already get hit with the "who did this to you trope" which I will eat up every. Single. Time. So should I actually say more ?!
So then why not the full 5 stars? This story has a lot of time jumps which I personally don't prefer. I like to dive in every tiny little detail and pick it apart until I truly know the characters from top top tho bottom so that's why I think I didn't 100% fell head over heels for them, sometimes it felt a bit rushed cause we would already be centuries further. However, them galavanting around Europe over these centuries was giving me life! Like imagine haggling with thé Michelangelo 😭😂
Wendel's fantasy world remains superior tho. The epilogue notes and the glossary at the end shows you just how much she cares about her world and her stories and how much she wants the reader to care and fully understand the world too, which is why she quickly has joined my list of favourite authors.
Even though this book on its own was a bit "shortcoming" for me personally it IS the perfect set up for the rest of this serie to come! So I'm sooooo thrilled to continue and see how this is gonna evolve, having said this, gotta run and, finally, meet Frey 🤩🤩
April 2, 2023
✨Thank you to the author for letting me be a part of the ARC team in exchange for an honest review!
📚Let me start by saying, I really enjoy Wendel’s writing. She really describes settings and clothing etc so well that I can really sink into the story and envision things so clearly. Her descriptions are SO particular and specific it’s hard not to become immersed in the story.
The first half of this was so good. I loved how Carys and Gavriel are already established as having a “friendship” from their talks at the well, and how they find out once they meet in person that the pull they felt for one another was their mate bond all along. The section of Carys having to survive in her own and deal with her grief and confusion after the Hunt was heartbreaking and I loved how strong she was to keep going.
I liked the lore of how the Guardians were made and the Fae and their curse. I loved how Wendel pulled from historical events and places and tried to be as accurate as possible; while still having magic and supernatural creatures involved. I was really intrigued about the possibility of the curse that Titania made on Carys’ Kin being broken etc.
There-in comes my little issues with the story.
The epilogues section happened really abruptly and the plot kinda got lost for me. It was super interesting following our two leads through the ages and seeing them react in different centuries and visit places—but it was a bit of a let down that nothing really ended up being wrapped up as far as the curse etc.
Is there a sequel to this? Or is that just the end. If more is coming I would think differently about it I think.
I would have enjoyed the story better if we had stayed in the past and had some sort of adventure about breaking the curse instead of just jumping around decades looking for statues. WHERE IS MORRIGAN? I need ANSWERS!!
But overall I enjoyed those two love birds, the spice was immaculate and the writing very good. Just kinda lost it towards the end for me.
📚Let me start by saying, I really enjoy Wendel’s writing. She really describes settings and clothing etc so well that I can really sink into the story and envision things so clearly. Her descriptions are SO particular and specific it’s hard not to become immersed in the story.
The first half of this was so good. I loved how Carys and Gavriel are already established as having a “friendship” from their talks at the well, and how they find out once they meet in person that the pull they felt for one another was their mate bond all along. The section of Carys having to survive in her own and deal with her grief and confusion after the Hunt was heartbreaking and I loved how strong she was to keep going.
I liked the lore of how the Guardians were made and the Fae and their curse. I loved how Wendel pulled from historical events and places and tried to be as accurate as possible; while still having magic and supernatural creatures involved. I was really intrigued about the possibility of the curse that Titania made on Carys’ Kin being broken etc.
There-in comes my little issues with the story.
The epilogues section happened really abruptly and the plot kinda got lost for me. It was super interesting following our two leads through the ages and seeing them react in different centuries and visit places—but it was a bit of a let down that nothing really ended up being wrapped up as far as the curse etc.
Is there a sequel to this? Or is that just the end. If more is coming I would think differently about it I think.
I would have enjoyed the story better if we had stayed in the past and had some sort of adventure about breaking the curse instead of just jumping around decades looking for statues. WHERE IS MORRIGAN? I need ANSWERS!!
But overall I enjoyed those two love birds, the spice was immaculate and the writing very good. Just kinda lost it towards the end for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2024
When I saw that the FMC of this was the gargoyle, my interest was immediately piqued. Usually the male love interest is the "monster" so this was a welcome switch up.
Carys is a small gargoyle whose skin is pink marble 💖 and she is shunned from her clan due to her size and weakness. She has been in communication with a being via a magic rift between worlds, and the two are falling for each other. Little do they know they are rival species. Gavriel is fae and is worlds away from Carys until the magic between their worlds begins to fail.
I was impressed by the amount of lore and world building in this relatively short prequel. I was shocked when I came to the end of the book, but there were still 100 pages of epilogues left (there are actually 8 epilogues!).
I really enjoyed getting to see Carys and Gavriel's adventures through history after their initial story ended, and I can definitely see how this was setting up the actual series.
I am glad for all the background information contained in this prequel as well as the sweet (and extremely steamy 🥵) love story of Carys and Gavriel.
Carys is a small gargoyle whose skin is pink marble 💖 and she is shunned from her clan due to her size and weakness. She has been in communication with a being via a magic rift between worlds, and the two are falling for each other. Little do they know they are rival species. Gavriel is fae and is worlds away from Carys until the magic between their worlds begins to fail.
I was impressed by the amount of lore and world building in this relatively short prequel. I was shocked when I came to the end of the book, but there were still 100 pages of epilogues left (there are actually 8 epilogues!).
I really enjoyed getting to see Carys and Gavriel's adventures through history after their initial story ended, and I can definitely see how this was setting up the actual series.
I am glad for all the background information contained in this prequel as well as the sweet (and extremely steamy 🥵) love story of Carys and Gavriel.
August 1, 2023
I accidentally deleted my coherent review of this but to be resumed. Didn’t like it. The heroine was not it. The hero was meh. See bellow for safety information.
SPOILERS 🚨🚨🚨🚨
Romance Safety:
Safeish. Both h and H had experience. The heroine kept dreaming of a mate that she not think could have been the hero since she though he was a ghost (I didn’t like that either). After the bond snapped, they were pretty obsessed with each other. The epilogues show their adventures (or some of them, in other the heroine is just at home while the hero is out doing something). No children.
SPOILERS 🚨🚨🚨🚨
Romance Safety:
Safeish. Both h and H had experience. The heroine kept dreaming of a mate that she not think could have been the hero since she though he was a ghost (I didn’t like that either). After the bond snapped, they were pretty obsessed with each other. The epilogues show their adventures (or some of them, in other the heroine is just at home while the hero is out doing something). No children.
May 1, 2023
I haven’t read another book quite like this and it was very interesting! There were so many aspects that I really enjoyed and found it to be a great intro to the story! Very interested in picking up the continuation of this series!
August 10, 2023
so cutesy. the epilogues were really fun, and I loved the relationship between the two main characters. I just feel like a lot of stones were left unturned and it wasn’t very satisfying in the end. I think this is supposed to be the prequel to a series? I didn’t see any other books for this series so maybe it’s unfinished idk.
September 11, 2024
2.5-3*
This was cute, but it felt like it was 400 pages long (it's about 180) and it just took me ages to finish it.
This was cute, but it felt like it was 400 pages long (it's about 180) and it just took me ages to finish it.
March 27, 2023
I am a first time reader of S.E. Wendel and loved this story. I was happy to be able to read as an ARC and hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did.
It was a unique story and the sweep through time was really neat.
Can’t wait to read more!
It was a unique story and the sweep through time was really neat.
Can’t wait to read more!
April 2, 2023
✨Thank you to the author for letting me be a part of the ARC team in exchange for an honest review!
NO SPOILERS!
The book opens (after the prologue) with a fast paced, well planned opening that immediately endears readers to the main characters. The main pair already has an established friendship which made it so sweet to move into a romantic mate-bond situation.
Absolutely fun world building and magic system! My only complaint would be that I cared more about the main pair than I did about any of the royal drama or the actual plot.
Over all I loved this book! If you love fey or gargoyle romance I recommend this one for you!
NO SPOILERS!
The book opens (after the prologue) with a fast paced, well planned opening that immediately endears readers to the main characters. The main pair already has an established friendship which made it so sweet to move into a romantic mate-bond situation.
Absolutely fun world building and magic system! My only complaint would be that I cared more about the main pair than I did about any of the royal drama or the actual plot.
Over all I loved this book! If you love fey or gargoyle romance I recommend this one for you!
March 31, 2023
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
- She's the monster
- Still a size different
- Fated Mates
- Curses
- Learning to love oneself
- Historical
- She is so pink and I love her
- Cliffhanger (sorta)
Carys is different than her kin, she is small, her wings are malformed and she just doesn't quite fit the mold of what a Guardian should be. But she still holds on hope for a mate. She just didn't expect it to be with the ghost inside the well she spends her days talking about nothing with.
This book is a beautiful love story, yes it is spicy (ans that part is so yummy), but at its core its a love story. Carys and Gavriel are adorable and it's so tragically romantic in a way, they get their happily ever after but it's a little bit of a bumpy ride.
It is beautifully written, I found myself emotionally attached to both Gavriel and Carys very quickly and of course found my heart breaking for them. This is my first book from Wendel, so being able to experience her writing through an ARC I find to be very lucky. The world building is beautiful, we get all the needed information quickly and not in an info-dumping way, then she fills in blanks along the way to make a stunningly beautiful prose. It blends history with fantasy so perfectly, it was wonderful.
The epilogues read like a book two almost. They are glimpses into the future with the couple so it's enough to move their story along but we are still left with questions. I want more of these two and more of this world.
- She's the monster
- Still a size different
- Fated Mates
- Curses
- Learning to love oneself
- Historical
- She is so pink and I love her
- Cliffhanger (sorta)
Carys is different than her kin, she is small, her wings are malformed and she just doesn't quite fit the mold of what a Guardian should be. But she still holds on hope for a mate. She just didn't expect it to be with the ghost inside the well she spends her days talking about nothing with.
This book is a beautiful love story, yes it is spicy (ans that part is so yummy), but at its core its a love story. Carys and Gavriel are adorable and it's so tragically romantic in a way, they get their happily ever after but it's a little bit of a bumpy ride.
It is beautifully written, I found myself emotionally attached to both Gavriel and Carys very quickly and of course found my heart breaking for them. This is my first book from Wendel, so being able to experience her writing through an ARC I find to be very lucky. The world building is beautiful, we get all the needed information quickly and not in an info-dumping way, then she fills in blanks along the way to make a stunningly beautiful prose. It blends history with fantasy so perfectly, it was wonderful.
The epilogues read like a book two almost. They are glimpses into the future with the couple so it's enough to move their story along but we are still left with questions. I want more of these two and more of this world.
March 19, 2024
I want your sweetness, your smiles, your burden. I would take them all and pledge my troth to you, if you'd have me.
A gorgeous, badass, pink female gargoyle and a fae who looks like a mashup of Thandruil and Geralt? Yes please!
It's so interesting to start with a prequel before the first main book has come out, since often prequels are written after the first book and you go in already knowing much more about the story. The first part of the book focused on world-building and laying the groundwork for Carys and Gavriel's relationship. The second part, however, is much more fast-paced, since you follow the two main characters through the centuries and in different places up to the point in time where I'm guessing we'll start the next book. (My notes literally said: "woohooing through different places and different times" and I'm not wrong.) I did get confused a few times and needed to remind myself in what time period we were now, but it wasn't anything that diminished my joy of reading.
This book sets the stage for a very interesting world full of gargoyles, fae, separated realms, magick and curses. I can't wait to see what will happen in the next book and what role Carys and Gavriel will play in it.
A gorgeous, badass, pink female gargoyle and a fae who looks like a mashup of Thandruil and Geralt? Yes please!
It's so interesting to start with a prequel before the first main book has come out, since often prequels are written after the first book and you go in already knowing much more about the story. The first part of the book focused on world-building and laying the groundwork for Carys and Gavriel's relationship. The second part, however, is much more fast-paced, since you follow the two main characters through the centuries and in different places up to the point in time where I'm guessing we'll start the next book. (My notes literally said: "woohooing through different places and different times" and I'm not wrong.) I did get confused a few times and needed to remind myself in what time period we were now, but it wasn't anything that diminished my joy of reading.
This book sets the stage for a very interesting world full of gargoyles, fae, separated realms, magick and curses. I can't wait to see what will happen in the next book and what role Carys and Gavriel will play in it.
April 1, 2023
Thank you for the ARC, Sarah, I truly love this book.
I have never read anything like this before, and I loved it. It's my favorite for March. The story was so good. It's fated mates, friends to lovers, and oh so spicy. This is my first time reading a monster romance. He is fae and she is a gargoyle. I loved how the story moved through time. Gavriel's devotion for Carys was beautiful. I can't wait for the next book in this series!
I have never read anything like this before, and I loved it. It's my favorite for March. The story was so good. It's fated mates, friends to lovers, and oh so spicy. This is my first time reading a monster romance. He is fae and she is a gargoyle. I loved how the story moved through time. Gavriel's devotion for Carys was beautiful. I can't wait for the next book in this series!
December 17, 2024
DNF at 76%, strong but then got really boring and lost the plot
March 29, 2023
****ARC***ARC***ARC****
“He nuzzled her hair. “I want a life with you, Carys, if you’ll have me. If that means challenging the Underhill, then so be it.”
This romantic and very spicy Fae and Gargoyle Romance is what everyone needs in their life. Reading about Carys and Gavriel, about their love over centuries, their struggle at the beginning and their undying attraction for each other was a feast for my soul. The song, Love you for a thousand years, was written for them I SWEAR! If you are in search of a sweet romance, some kinky spice and well written locations then this is the vacation you did not know you needed! Travel inside this book and let it bring you in beautiful places and sexy situations. I applaud you S. E. Wendel!
****ARC***ARC***ARC****
“He nuzzled her hair. “I want a life with you, Carys, if you’ll have me. If that means challenging the Underhill, then so be it.”
This romantic and very spicy Fae and Gargoyle Romance is what everyone needs in their life. Reading about Carys and Gavriel, about their love over centuries, their struggle at the beginning and their undying attraction for each other was a feast for my soul. The song, Love you for a thousand years, was written for them I SWEAR! If you are in search of a sweet romance, some kinky spice and well written locations then this is the vacation you did not know you needed! Travel inside this book and let it bring you in beautiful places and sexy situations. I applaud you S. E. Wendel!
****ARC***ARC***ARC****
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