Stoneslayer: Book One Scandal

by Candace L. Talmadge

His power seeks to destroy it all. Can she rise up to stop him?

The Stoneslayer high fantasy series charts a lost world of political scandals, explosive family secrets, and the reincarnation of a line of extraordinary women who challenge the cataclysmic rampage of an ancient, demonic foe.

Book One Scandal

Lt. Helen Andros is a mixed-race outcast in Azgard. Saved from death when her true parentage comes to light, she now faces the outrage of the overclass, the lethal hostility of the mighty Temple of Kronos—and a powerful, high-ranked father she neither knows nor trusts.

Steering a volatile personal journey with her stranger parent, Helen is stalked. Will a hidden menace—the deadly Stoneslayer—plunder the mysterious green gem she inherited from her mother? Will political necessity bind her in marriage to a man she does not love and who cannot love her back?

Genres: Novels, Contemporary, Book Club, Drama

364 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 12, 2024

About the author

This author is also published under C.L. Talmadge and under Candace Lynn Talmadge.

As an author and paranormalist, I weave words into wider realities. I explore the missing half of self. The emotional and spiritual parts of our being that connect us to ourselves, to each other, and to the Divine, however we imagine that to be. That entails all manner of topics that are usually labeled paranormal only because our definition of normal is far too limited. Step into a far larger multiverse!

I am also a storyhealer and former business journalist who knew at age 12 that I wanted to write a novel. I spent decades researching arcane, paranormal subjects. This ignited a passion for alternative spirituality, leading me to become a Sunan storyhealer. My profound spiritual transformation resulted in the Stoneslayer high fantasy series, a fictionalized autobiography based on four of my past lives.

Please connect with me here at Goodreads, through my website, and subscribe to my Wider Realities You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@candacelynnt...

Reviews

[Thea Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scandal, Book One of Candace Lynn Talmadge’s “Stoneslayer” series, chronicles the uproar and political maneuvering after the revelation that one of the realm’s governors has a natural child who is also half-blood. However, unbeknownst to those jockeying for power, an ancient evil also readies itself for domination.

Scandal is excellent high fantasy. While Talmadge draws inspiration from the real-world religions and mythologies of many cultures, she creates a history all her own. She dives into her world immediately with only the briefest introduction to the players and no handholding regarding the rules of magic. The author shows the reader the social makeup of the island of Azgard—that the colonizing Toltecs are in charge and oppress anyone who isn’t pure and “of the blood”—through the plights of her characters instead of through tedious infodumping. While this may necessitate more than one read-through to process, it is infinitely more engaging. Talmadge constructs an immersive world, and her political intrigue rivals anything from Game of Thrones. Her characters are engaging and distinctive, full of depth and their own ideas and goals—be it the scheming prince, the half-blood medic thrust into a new role, or the lord who’s star-crossed in love. As the first book in a series, it builds the tension nicely without being plodding or slow—the plot will have readers turning pages to see what happens next.

While it is refreshing to read a book that doesn’t rely on heavy-handed exposition to establish a fictional world and its rules, Talmadge’s prose could have been clearer; her use of biblical and mythological names serves no purpose to the narrative other than readers’ familiarity. Additionally, too-similar names add unnecessary confusion to a novel already crammed with worldbuilding (see characters: Jacob, Justin, James, John, Jared; and see peoples: Turanians and Toltecs—with the language Terzil). Given the likenesses, it’s easy to confuse characters, and while the novel has a helpful glossary, some variations could have improved clarity without changing the narrative.

Scandal has rich and detailed worldbuilding—from the social hierarchies between the Turanian and Toltec peoples to the history of Azgard—and its engrossing plot will have readers highly anticipating Book 2. Readers who love detail-heavy stories, complete with maps and appendices, may want to add this to their TBR piles. Readers looking for a light fantasy read with plenty of romance may find the text too dense and lacking.

This novel contains homophobia and disturbing sex scenes.

I received an ACR from Reedsy.

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I understand the negative criticism I've read about this book, I still really enjoyed the book. Loved the world but it took me almost the whole book to get a good grasp on it. I was constantly referencing the glossary in the back to remember who was who and all the politics going on. This book is the first in the Stoneslayer series and felt like one big introduction. I will NOT be reading future books in the series because this book had a rape scene (not of the FMC). Also, the info dump at 90% through the book felt a little weird.
Helen's character was great! I loved her innocence, yet strength and wittiness. Her character absolutely made the book.

[BooksBooksandmoreBooks69 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can I first say I loved the glossary (very helpful) but I personally would have liked it at the front of the book (I was worried I would read the last page and spoil the book!) secondly the family trees were a nice touch.

The glossary was a great help, as there were A LOT of characters. I made notes as I went along, but had to constantly look at the glossary for confirmation.

This is the first book by this author that I’ve read, and to be honest, if this is the first in the series, I want to know more….

The book had all the makings of a great read. Action/adventure/mystery/suspense and a paranormal angle.

But sadly it fell a little short….
Information is great, but maybe not at the end, as it felt like an avalanche burying the story!

And maybe the language (or use of Renaissance/modern/old world jumbled together) was a little off putting, once I got the hang of it, I could understand a bit better.

But I loved Helen, she was just so strong. Her resilience was tested time after time. A father who I couldn’t like nor trust. A person who has known hate and prejudice, Helen just took it all in her stride. She’s also tied to a man that is for purely political reasons (very archaic) can she really trust him? Only time will tell. Her wit and smart mouth has me smiling, her comebacks made me chuckle.

340 pages, and I was there for most of them. How Helen uses her (magical abilities?) family gem to heal people. How she had to always stay one step ahead of the demon.

The idea of reincarnation was a different angle and I really liked that.

But a word of warning ‼️ there is mention of assault and r@pe!! Maybe that needs to be addressed, as it was a little shocking (if I know it’s coming I don’t have an issue, I can prepare myself!)

I liked it, if it could just be re-jiggled a little then I think it would have the potential to be a really interesting series.

🦋

*arc copy received. All thoughts are my own

[Valery · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first novel in the Stoneslayer series depicts a society governed by power and intolerance. Lieutenant Helen Andros, a talented mixed-race medical officer, encounters political intrigue, treachery, and danger when her ancestry is revealed. Her resilience shows through in the face of rising hardships. Candace Lynn Talmadge expertly combines intricate narratives, detailed worldbuilding, and emotional depth. This fascinating novel is captivating from beginning to end, with interesting twists, multifaceted characters, and a touch of imagination. A must-read for aficionados of political drama and strong female characters.

[CathyT · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gritty, compelling fantasy about power, purity, and the ways an empire punishes the people it depends on.
This book opens at the end of the world. Lady Mary Atlas wakes from nightmares on an underwater vessel, staring at tools from a dead civilization and forcing herself to write down what happened before memory disappears.
The frame is arresting, and it immediately tells you this story is going to be about politics as much as magic.
Then we move to Helen Andros, a military lieutenant and physician, carrying the green gem that belonged to her mother and came from the father she never knew.
She is competent, tired, and very alone in the particular way outsiders are alone, even when they are useful. Watching her tell Sergeant Miklaz Aran the truth about his illness is brutal and intimate, and it sets the tone.
Talmadge builds Azgard as a hierarchy with receipts. Kingship, protectorship, stewardship, chancellorship, the Temple of Kronos, all named and ranked, with the Turanians painfully absent from power.
That blunt clarity is the point. The Temple preaches Toltec dominance and racial purity, and the story never lets you forget what that does to bodies and futures.
The romance and court maneuvering are there, but they are never just decoration. Lady Naomi’s advice to young Mary about being watched, about how a Consort has danger without direct power, is chilling.
Mary’s tenderness for Justin, a gentle mathematician and musician, runs straight into the cruelty of bloodlines.
And there are queer undercurrents too, quietly threaded into the social web.
One small flaw. The book sometimes pauses to explain the machinery of its world in a way that slows momentum early on. I did not mind, but some readers will.
Still, when the Stoneslayer finally resolves into focus as a demonic force craving Helen’s gem and working with the Temple, the stakes snap tight. I would absolutely keep reading.

[Mercy N · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in the Stoneslayer series depicts a world dominated by the rich and powerful. Lieutenant Helen Andros, a gifted mixed-race medical officer, is caught up in the deadly reality of politics and deception. Helen is still judged based on her background, despite her extraordinary abilities. However, everything changed when she was asked to treat Prince Harnak, who was critically ill.

Helen is dragged into a massive tangle consisting of secrets and lies that threaten to wreck her life. Her actions earned her huge enemies, who despise her. Things get worse when Helen's true family background is discovered, making her a target. Will Helen survive this crazy political game? Read Stoneslayer: Book One Scandal by Candace Lynn Talmadge.

I love how the story kick-started with an intense movie-like scene, where everything seems to be going wrong. I became curious as to what was really happening which propelled me to want to read more. The moments Mary reminisced about gave a back story of what had happened. Still a lot of details were hidden, which made the storyline even more intriguing. I must say, the author did a good job building the world in this book, and their history.

Right off the bat, I was drawn to Helen's character. She's strong and determined , which are traits I deeply appreciate in characters. One thing I love about her character is her resilience; despite all the chaotic situations she faced, she never gave up. Reading the challenges Helen had to face, it seemed to me as though life kept stacking problems on her but she just kept moving.

Personally, the characters felt incredibly real to me. They each had their flaws, and secrets, which made the characters multi-dimensional. There were constant twists and turns throughout the plot but that was half of what made me hooked. An author could have nice twists and turns scattered around the book, but not having a great description or writing style can make these climax moments invincible. Fortunately, that wasn't the case for this book. The author's writing style and description was the other half that kept me hooked to the story. Also I love the whole mystery surrounding Helen's family. There was always something new to discover.

This book wasn't one that had me giggling in between sentences. But it sure stirred a lot of emotions because of the betrayal and emotional toll scenes. They were well-written and powerful. Overall, this book gripped me from start to finish. There was nothing I found objectionable about this book. I enjoyed reading the book from start to finish.

Furthermore, I found no errors in this book; it was professionally edited. Therefore, I rate Stoneslayer: Book One Scandal 5 out of 5 stars.

I’d recommend this book to anyone who loves stories with strong characters, political drama, and a bit of fantasy. If you enjoy complex plots with twists, mysteries, and a powerful female lead like Helen, this book is for you.

[Garima Bhatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading Book One: Scandal from the Stoneslayer series, and honestly… I’m still processing how deeply it moved me. I didn’t just enjoy this book—I felt it. Like, really felt it in my bones.

What pulled me in first was that opening scene—the chaos, the water crashing, the fear, and then… boom. That jolt of waking up in a dark, confined underwater space with history and despair hanging in the air like a thick fog. I was immediately hooked. It wasn’t just world-building—it was world-immersing. I felt like I was trapped in that vessel with Mary, sharing her grief, her questions, her longing to be remembered. I don’t usually go for high fantasy with deep political backdrops, but this? This hit different.

What I absolutely loved was how personal and emotional it was, despite being set in such a vast, complex world. Mary isn’t some perfect, powerful character. She’s flawed, haunted, human. Her despair, her guilt, her uncertainty—they all made her real to me. The way she talks to Maguari, that weirdly eerie and wise Mist-Weaver, gave me chills. Their conversations made me reflect on fate, memory, and the responsibility of storytelling. I didn’t expect to find that in a fantasy book.

And the history! Oh my god. It felt like peeling back layers of a civilization that had risen and fallen, and the haunting knowledge that they might be forgotten. I don’t know why but that theme of being forgotten struck a chord with me. Maybe because sometimes I fear the same about the things I care about. I found it oddly comforting that Mary, despite everything, chose to speak. To tell the story even when it hurt.

Also, can we talk about how casually epic this was? Like, there’s this massive socio-political landscape, ruling houses, forbidden knowledge, ancient energy stones, class divisions, and it’s all laid out with such finesse that it never felt like a dump—it felt like discovery. The glossary and the outline of power bases helped me without ever feeling like homework. I was invested. I wanted to know how all these players fit into the mess and legacy of Azgard.

In a way, this book reminded me that even in destruction, there’s something worth preserving: memory, story, love, truth. It made me think. It made me care. And above all, it made me remember. I can’t wait to dive into the rest of the series.

If you’re someone who loves stories that feel ancient and intimate at the same time—where power struggles collide with raw emotion—Stoneslayer might just be your thing. It sure as hell is mine now.

[AnnaK · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gritty, intoxicating political fantasy that sneaks up on you.
Helen Elizabeth Andros is a lieutenant and a healer in Azgard, where the Toltec overclass hoards power and the word for “mixed” is thrown like a blade. When she’s dragged into the Sacred City to save Prince Harnak’s life, her reward is not gratitude but violence, interrogation, and a public spectacle of a trial, complete with a Temple leadership that would rather see her erased than listened to.
What I kept admiring is how stubbornly competent Helen is. She’s brave, yes, but it’s a working kind of courage: sleeves rolled up, instruments laid out, triage brain switching on even when she’s terrified. She is also furious, and rightly so. The book doesn’t ask her to be grateful for scraps of protection from people who benefit from the system that crushes her.
The court politics are deliciously mean. Lady Naomi, the Consort, runs circles around the men who think they run the world. Prince Seti’s scheming feels petty and lethal at once. Lord James Mordecai, Helen’s newly revealed father and the Lord Protector, is a complicated presence: powerful, constrained, and often emotionally clumsy in ways that ring true. And the proposed political marriage to Lord Justin Atlas, who cannot love her back, lands exactly where it’s meant to: as another form of captivity dressed up as duty. There’s also a quiet, matter-of-fact queerness threaded through this world that made it feel more lived-in, not less.
Then there’s the green stone at Helen’s heart, an Arkstone fragment, and the lurking demonic menace of the Stoneslayer, who wants that power and has fingers in the Temple itself. The spiritual/energetic mythology (love as protection, loveless power as destruction) is earnest and compelling, even when it gets a little talky.
One small flaw: the cast is sprawling and the intrigue can slow the pacing. But the payoff is real. By the end, when the threat turns intimate and invasive, the danger feels personal.
I would absolutely keep reading.

[Andrea Baldwin · Rating 2 out of 5]

****May contain spoilers****
I was really excited to read this book as it seemed like something right up my alley, but I was unfortunately disappointed. The easiest way to describe this book is disjointed, incohesive, and abrupt. The conflicts/resolutions sprinkled throughout as well as the overarching conflict with the "big bad" at the end, left much to be desired. I'm not entirely sure the author knew the direction they wanted to go with this story, which I thought had a lot of potential but ultimately fell flat. It felt like many details were thrown in haphazardly or as an afterthought. The writing style is clunky and although it gets slightly better further in, it doesn't flow well overall. I found myself distracted from the underlying storyline by how I would change the sentence structure to make it sound better. The worldbuilding is confusing (I still have no idea what time-period it is supposed to be emulating), and I found the switching back and forth of modern lingo and old timey, formal language to give a bit of whiplash. Besides the setting, the judicial and magical system, as well as the government hierarchy, were extremely hard to follow. Although there is a glossary and a chart included, an exceptional writer (in my opinion) should be able to seamlessly "show not tell" through the story they weave. I found it slightly annoying that the main character, as a doctor, was described doing CPR entirely incorrectly. There also needs to be some type of trigger warning for r*pe and a**ault, as it was very jarring to come across that late into the novel. I really wanted to like this book, and while there were a few very well written lines and I enjoyed the sassy banter from the main character, to put it plainly, this book felt messy and almost random. Not in the fun, scandalous way the description implies, but in a way that leaves the reader feeling lost and wondering what the whole point of what they just read was.

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating novel with immersive political insights

Author Candace Lynn Talmadge states, ‘I spent decades researching arcane, paranormal subjects. This ignited a passion for alternative spirituality, leading me to become a Sunan storyhealer. My profound spiritual transformation resulted in the Stoneslayer high fantasy series, a fictionalized autobiography based on four of my past lives.’ Her books to date include THE AFTERLIFE HEALING CIRCLE, 4 volumes of the GREEN STONE OF HEALING series, HOPE IN THE GARDEN, and now SCANDAL – Book One of the new STONESLAYER series about ‘a lost world of political scandals, explosive family secrets, and the reincarnation of a line of extraordinary women who challenge the cataclysmic rampage of an ancient, demonic foe.’

A metaphysical fantasy, SCANDAL explores political themes very well indeed, bringing credence to a magical atmosphere well defined as follows: ‘Lt. Helen Andros is a mixed-race outcast in Azgard. Saved from death when her true parentage comes to light, she now faces the outrage of the overclass, the lethal hostility of the mighty Temple of Kronos—and a powerful, high-ranked father she neither knows nor trusts. Steering a volatile personal journey with her stranger parent, Helen is stalked. Will a hidden menace—the deadly Stoneslayer—plunder the mysterious green gem she inherited from her mother? Will political necessity bind her in marriage to a man she does not love and who cannot love her back?’

It takes a while to become engaged in this epic, but once entered, this realm is worthy of attention and offers an exciting vision – a fine beginning to a new series!

[Pegboard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stoneslayer: Book One Scandal by Candace Lynn Talmadge explores the disgrace that has followed Helen Andros, a mixed-race healer, and hints at the fears that encircle the rulers. Helen didn’t have much when her mother sent her away as a young girl to watch over a prince. Her father abandoned them before she was even born. As a young lieutenant in the service, her medical job fulfills her destiny to heal, but obeying orders was never her strong suit. Her very foundation becomes a lie, and every person connected to her is a prime casualty. Treading lightly has never been Helen’s priority, but the strengths of two races pulse through her blood; this will become the salvation or destruction of everything she loves.

I commend Candace Lynn Talmadge for a novel that intertwines races, customs, and ranks into a fascinating series. Stoneslayer: Book One Scandal explores the complexity of one race dominating another, without regard for their customs and traditions. You may need to refer to the charts and glossary to keep track of characters, ranks, and locations to understand the novel's dynamics. The characters are well-developed and engaging. Overall, I finished this novel anxious to begin Stoneslayer: Book Two Fallout. I recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys intense action, underlying motives, and characters who cultivate strong personalities.

[Cynthia Stine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Stoneslayer series by Stoneslayer: Book One Scandal Candace Talmadge is a multi-generational paranormal fantasy centered around a family of powerful women and a mysterious healing stone. As the story begins, we are introduced to the current Stone keeper, Helen Andros. She is a military doctor who finds her world turned upside down when she unintentionally uses the stone for the first time to heal a Prince.

The world she creates reminded me of "The Handmaid's Tale" in the sense that women are seen more as property and second-class citizens. The politics are secular, not biblical, but life is pretty hard on Helen who is an accomplished doctor held back by ridiculous politics and petty egos.

The book is a page turner and moves at a fast pace. I was at the end before I was ready. I look forward to the next books in the series to learn more about the stone and to see how Helen will transcend her current environment and resolve all the threads in the story.

Talmadge is a former investigative journalist, and her crisp, get-to-the-point writing style is enjoyable to read.

[Dolly · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise of this book is definitely intriguing, and it grabbed my attention right away. I also appreciate that I didn’t need special approval to read the ARC. However, once I started reading, it just didn’t deliver on its potential. The writing style felt disjointed—there was no consistency between the use of archaic/medieval and modern language. One moment, the characters are speaking like they’re from the Renaissance, and the next, it’s all very contemporary. It made the narrative hard to follow.

The world-building was also lacking. While I appreciated the glossary to help make sense of things, I wish more of that information had been naturally woven into the story. Instead, it felt like everything in the series was jam-packed into this first book, which made it overwhelming.

The characters, unfortunately, didn’t resonate with me, and the uneven flow made it difficult to immerse myself in the world. While the magic system had potential, it just didn’t come together as well as I’d hoped.

Overall, the book was a challenge to connect with, and despite its interesting concept, it struggled to live up to expectations.

I got this ARC from NetGalley.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Bold, Mystical, and Unapologetically Original

Stoneslayer: Scandal is unlike anything I’ve read before, boldly weaving paranormal elements with political intrigue, ancient secrets, and a deep undercurrent of spiritual awakening. Candace Lynn doesn’t just tell a story, she summons one, pulling readers into a vivid world that feels both otherworldly and eerily relevant.

The reincarnation concept is handled with stunning depth, offering not just action and suspense, but also a haunting emotional resonance. You’re not just reading about these women you’re remembering them alongside the protagonist. The layered mythology, the weight of destiny, and the courage to stand against destruction, it’s all here, and it hits hard.

There’s something both fierce and healing about this book. You can tell it’s written from a place of spiritual truth and personal transformation. If you’re drawn to stories that challenge the boundaries of reality, while delivering emotional punch and powerful female energy, this one’s a must-read.

Candace Lynn is doing something truly unique with Stoneslayer and I’m here for it.

[Soochi Sandhiya · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Stoneslayer: Book One – Scandal" by Candace Lynn Talmadge is a captivating fantasy novel set in a drafted land called Azgard. The story revolves around Lieutenant Helen Andros, a skilled healer who faces prejudice due to her mixed heritage. She had her struggles and dealt with them bravely, but suddenly, life took a dramatic turn when she saved the life of the Prince of Azgard. This leads to the revelation of her unknown and hidden parentage. This redefines her identity and places her in great danger, as powerful figures in Azgard have their agendas. Every few chapters serve as an adventure story. Still, the novel skillfully blends elements like political intrigue and fantasy with deep emotional conflicts, making it more than an adventure story. One of its significant facets is its vivid descriptions and well-developed characters. The story building is natural, strong and seamless. This book emerges as a perfect blend of adventure and social drama. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would love to read more books like this.

[Denice Langley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #1 in a new series. This is not a light read. Candace Talmadge has spent considerable time and effort to skillfully nuild a backstory, a community and a cast of three dimensional characters. As the first book in the series, readers will feel as if they have already built a relationship and a strong opinion on how the main character, Lt Helen Andros faces prejudice no matter her amazing skills. She has earned respect she does not receive until she is the only one who can save the king. Running through this main theme, there are several story lines being built that will continue in the next books. This was a great introduction to the Stoneslayer world.

[Darcy D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story takes you to Azgard, where the world is ruled by two things power and
prejudice. Helen Andros is mixed race and her life turns upside down when people
find out her true parentage. In this story the women are seen more like property
than women or people. So for Helen she struggles a lot, she is a military doctor
who is always caught up in drama that she can’t make sense of. She is on a
journey to find her courage and strength.
This book will in particular appeal to the who enjoy society drama and conflicts.
This book is a page turner for sure, and has some drama and adventure.

[moonx · Rating 3 out of 5]

the idea of this book really grabbed my attention and while there were a few very well written lines and I enjoyed the banter from the main character.. to put it bluntly this book felt messy and almost random and not in that scandalous way the description implies, but in a way that leaves the reader (me) feeling lost