Beyond Birkun

The Promise of the Stones #3

by Michael W. Lowe

Peace reigns over the land. The sorcerer Mellette is sealed within his catacombs, Emory and Erin happily reside in Wizardmont, and Tostan and Maria are making a life together in Fortun. Nevertheless, Tostan is troubled. Trading horses barely calms his warrior spirit, while Emory's continuing blindness nags at his heart. Challenged to do something about his friend's affliction, Tostan leaves his comfortable life behind and embarks upon a dangerous quest for a cure.

Ride with Tostan and his warhorse Surefoot as they travel beyond Birkun to the land of the fiercely independent Druids. Walk with Tostan amidst the solar stones and tarandu as he makes new friends, debates skeptic leaders, and engages mistrustful rivals. Watch and listen as they take the measure of Tostan and his quest. Will Tostan's abilities negotiate the political intrigues and overcome the mistrust of the Druids? Can he find a cure before the sharp knives of the Toblarian Assassins find him?

The friendship of Tostan and Emory was forged in childhood and tempered at Wizardmont and Bryunzet. It binds them together, like brothers. They have each sacrificed much to keep their friendship strong. How much more is Tostan willing to sacrifice?

418 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 29, 2012

Reviews

[K.A. Doran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third installment in the series of the Promise of the Stones. The first two installments were roller coaster action packed adventures of two young wizards, Emery and Tostan. While the third continues their story, it focuses more on getting to know the charter of Tostan and what drives him. We follow his journey to find a cure for Emery's blindness which takes him to new lands, new peoples and new traditions. Along the way he meets an interesting female counterpart who piques his interest and curosity. When his new friends are attacked by the same strange creature Totsan had encountered in his own homeland, his mission takes on new twists. The action picks up and takes you on a whirlwind adventure.

This is one of those books that you find yourself unable to put down to find out what happens, yet when you finish you find yourself hungry for more. I'm already hoping the fourth installment is on the shelves soon!