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The Houses of Storem #1
The Thunderstone
Empowered by jewels with various magical qualities - wizards, gemnuns, gemmonks and sapphires - along with the Lords they serve, combine to make up the HOUSES OF STOREM, inhabited by dwarfs, icelanders, elves, catpeople and hillpeople who must unite against the evil ONYX KINGDOM. It is an adventure that finds an odd group of travelers trying to save the life of a wounded girl who is being pursued by trolls, ogres, pirates, hurks and histians - up rivers, through magical forests and mystical wizard towers, all because she may be the key to preventing the evil one from taking over the DIAMOND KINGDOM. Don't miss this, the first in a series that brings Birl, Eauxsage, Hadden, Chellie, Nugs and Tem together for the first time.
- GenresFantasyEpic Fantasy
354 pages, Paperback
First published April 6, 2014
2 people are currently reading
349 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 27, 2015
“Of course she had read it twice already, still, that was new to someone who would read the same book over and over again until she could dream almost every word.”
I love this sentence; being able to relate to it so much with my previous re reads of my favourite books.
The opening of this book is energetic and action packed. The imagery created by the descriptions of the chase in the first scene is vivid. I was immersed into the prologue from the first few lines but found myself getting a bit annoyed of the repeated use of the phrase, “The man,” and,” Both Man and Beast.” However, my opinion changed when I realised that the author was emphasising this point, leading up to the revelation that he was not in fact a man but a boy. I liked the way the author slowly built in some background history of this fantasy universe by describing damage done by The One. I feel that more should have been said about him though. Nothing more was really mentioned till the very end of the book I found this a little annoying as I wanted to know whom the antagonists were.
I enjoyed the multiple perspectives the story is told from and the characters seeing each other and learning of their opinions of one and another.
The Lord of the Rings is obviously a massive inspiration to many fantasy writers including this one. I do think that what the author called the “mist mountains” seems to close to the misty mountains from middle earth and that should have perhaps been named differently. It just seems too similar and makes me think of Tolkien’s universe immediately, suffice to say you don’t want this to happen when reading another book. This however is a very minor issue.
This book reminds me somewhat of a dungeons and dragons type universe and even bears some resemblance to a couple of video games. This is a good read in which an enjoyable fantasy world with its own unique characters and plot are created. I would recommend this book to any lover of fantasy, like myself and am eager to read the rest of the series in the future.
If the author is reading this review, I would like to say thanks for providing this giveaway and that this was a charming read. Also that Eauxsage is an ingenious name for a wizard; one that tells the reader that the character is a wizard before we know he is.
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
I love this sentence; being able to relate to it so much with my previous re reads of my favourite books.
The opening of this book is energetic and action packed. The imagery created by the descriptions of the chase in the first scene is vivid. I was immersed into the prologue from the first few lines but found myself getting a bit annoyed of the repeated use of the phrase, “The man,” and,” Both Man and Beast.” However, my opinion changed when I realised that the author was emphasising this point, leading up to the revelation that he was not in fact a man but a boy. I liked the way the author slowly built in some background history of this fantasy universe by describing damage done by The One. I feel that more should have been said about him though. Nothing more was really mentioned till the very end of the book I found this a little annoying as I wanted to know whom the antagonists were.
I enjoyed the multiple perspectives the story is told from and the characters seeing each other and learning of their opinions of one and another.
The Lord of the Rings is obviously a massive inspiration to many fantasy writers including this one. I do think that what the author called the “mist mountains” seems to close to the misty mountains from middle earth and that should have perhaps been named differently. It just seems too similar and makes me think of Tolkien’s universe immediately, suffice to say you don’t want this to happen when reading another book. This however is a very minor issue.
This book reminds me somewhat of a dungeons and dragons type universe and even bears some resemblance to a couple of video games. This is a good read in which an enjoyable fantasy world with its own unique characters and plot are created. I would recommend this book to any lover of fantasy, like myself and am eager to read the rest of the series in the future.
If the author is reading this review, I would like to say thanks for providing this giveaway and that this was a charming read. Also that Eauxsage is an ingenious name for a wizard; one that tells the reader that the character is a wizard before we know he is.
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
July 31, 2014
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/book-tou...
The Thunderstone was an intriguing epic fantasy novel with an important role for jewels with magical qualities. I liked the whole jewel thing, I’d never read anything of the sort before, so it was an original spin to the regular fantasy concepts. The book is fast-paced from start to end, following a group of travelers who try to save the life of a wounded girl being pursued by trolls, ogres, pirates, and lots more. The pacing never slows down, and it kept me on the edge of my seat.
We slowly get the background info on the world, and the Onyx Kingdom and Diamond Kingdom. There are no info-dumps, instead the information is revealed gradually.
Birl, aforementioned wounded girl being pursued by just about everything wicked out there, is an intriguing character. She has a sparkly personality, and was easily my favorite character. The other characters in the group of travellers were intriguing too, and they each had a different personality, background story, and were complex enough to be entertaining. The characters were also quite original, not your standard fantasy cast. Tem was probably my second favorite character – I liked his laid back personality.
The prose is clear, and the descriptions are short and to the point. An original epic fantasy recommended to all fans of the genre. I look forward to reading the second book in the series.
The Thunderstone was an intriguing epic fantasy novel with an important role for jewels with magical qualities. I liked the whole jewel thing, I’d never read anything of the sort before, so it was an original spin to the regular fantasy concepts. The book is fast-paced from start to end, following a group of travelers who try to save the life of a wounded girl being pursued by trolls, ogres, pirates, and lots more. The pacing never slows down, and it kept me on the edge of my seat.
We slowly get the background info on the world, and the Onyx Kingdom and Diamond Kingdom. There are no info-dumps, instead the information is revealed gradually.
Birl, aforementioned wounded girl being pursued by just about everything wicked out there, is an intriguing character. She has a sparkly personality, and was easily my favorite character. The other characters in the group of travellers were intriguing too, and they each had a different personality, background story, and were complex enough to be entertaining. The characters were also quite original, not your standard fantasy cast. Tem was probably my second favorite character – I liked his laid back personality.
The prose is clear, and the descriptions are short and to the point. An original epic fantasy recommended to all fans of the genre. I look forward to reading the second book in the series.
August 18, 2016
I won this on the Advanced Readers Giveaway, and am offering my honest opinion.
I loved this book!! I am truly looking forward to the next book in the series!
The characters are interesting, and the story is ~not~ predictable, as so many are. I will not give any spoilers: you need to read this book for yourself!
I will be passing this book on to a friend on the strict condition that it will be returned so I can read it again!!!
I loved this book!! I am truly looking forward to the next book in the series!
The characters are interesting, and the story is ~not~ predictable, as so many are. I will not give any spoilers: you need to read this book for yourself!
I will be passing this book on to a friend on the strict condition that it will be returned so I can read it again!!!
July 2, 2014
"The Thunderstone" by Pj Belanger which I won through Goodreads Giveaways is an intensely riveting fantasy that begins when a young fourteen year old Birl escapes the clutches of a sinister force with blazing red eyes that attacks the Eauxsage Homestead while the trader and his farmhands are away. Terrified she escapes through the forest and is drawn to the shallow edge of the Ophidian River where she's discovered by Tem and his friend Nugs two of the wizard's servants, only to be wounded by a poisoned sword as they try to evade their menacing pursuers. What follows is an exciting adventure that takes Tem, Nugs and the wizard Eauxsage across country to save the life of a girl destined to save the Diamond Kingdom from evil. With the help of a northern heiress, a disguised prince and a skilled warrior as well as a surly troll the adventurers are pursued by orges, hurks, histians and an evil power that wants them dead.
In the vein of J.R. Tolkien with its quest and gruff wizard Gandalf, Pj Belanger sets the stage for an adventure that will take the adventurers not only on a mission to save Birl, but to defeat the evil that is seeping into the kingdom. The plot is fast-paced and riveting from the first page to the last as they face not only danger in a magical forest, but wonderfully fearsome creatures like the Torborg with its sharp teeth and acute sense of small; brutish mammals with massive jaws like the Ophidian bears, and a once human darkling, the Mierg Toeg. Pj Bertrand entrances the reader with a magical kingdom inhabited by dwarfs, icelanders, elves, cat and hill people. The plot eventually splits into two threads which end in an intriguing cliff-hanger; Eauxsage and Chellie´s desperate attempt to misdirect the search for Birl and their companions frantic mission to find a healer to cure the young girl. The narrative progresses quickly and smoothly as events unfold and the Onyx evil grows in strength.
The characters are well-developed and complex with all their flaws, faults and strengths, like the orphan Birl, an inquisitive and gutsy child who´s determined to fight the poison coursing through her body until a cure can be found. Tem Riverforest is the half breed , an Olgarian amd master thief who´s conniving and lazy. His partner Nugs, a merr who seems unintelligent is a kind, strong, considerate but impetuous giant. Add to these adventurers Eauxsage the quiet, brooding, gruff wizard who hides a caring nature; the mysterious farmhand Hadden; Chellie the tough, perceptive gambler and the Miega Scasca, a dark magician who taunts and mesmerizes his victims. All these personalities add depth and power to a thrilling and entertaining plot that captivates the reader.
I thoroughly enjoyed "The Thunderstone" and look forward to reading the next novel in the series.
In the vein of J.R. Tolkien with its quest and gruff wizard Gandalf, Pj Belanger sets the stage for an adventure that will take the adventurers not only on a mission to save Birl, but to defeat the evil that is seeping into the kingdom. The plot is fast-paced and riveting from the first page to the last as they face not only danger in a magical forest, but wonderfully fearsome creatures like the Torborg with its sharp teeth and acute sense of small; brutish mammals with massive jaws like the Ophidian bears, and a once human darkling, the Mierg Toeg. Pj Bertrand entrances the reader with a magical kingdom inhabited by dwarfs, icelanders, elves, cat and hill people. The plot eventually splits into two threads which end in an intriguing cliff-hanger; Eauxsage and Chellie´s desperate attempt to misdirect the search for Birl and their companions frantic mission to find a healer to cure the young girl. The narrative progresses quickly and smoothly as events unfold and the Onyx evil grows in strength.
The characters are well-developed and complex with all their flaws, faults and strengths, like the orphan Birl, an inquisitive and gutsy child who´s determined to fight the poison coursing through her body until a cure can be found. Tem Riverforest is the half breed , an Olgarian amd master thief who´s conniving and lazy. His partner Nugs, a merr who seems unintelligent is a kind, strong, considerate but impetuous giant. Add to these adventurers Eauxsage the quiet, brooding, gruff wizard who hides a caring nature; the mysterious farmhand Hadden; Chellie the tough, perceptive gambler and the Miega Scasca, a dark magician who taunts and mesmerizes his victims. All these personalities add depth and power to a thrilling and entertaining plot that captivates the reader.
I thoroughly enjoyed "The Thunderstone" and look forward to reading the next novel in the series.
August 3, 2014
This was a great book and the beginning of a great saga!!! I very much recommend this book to all those who like in depth, involved tales. Not too much action to take away from the personal involvement. But not too much tedious talk of feeling to slow the story down. Really enjoyed this book. Very much would like to read more in the story!!
November 26, 2014
I will post my review soon!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews