What do you think?
Rate this book
Alastair Stone Chronicles #37
Trial by Fire
Danger is in the Cards...
Wracked with guilt and rage following the death of an ally he felt he should have prevented, Alastair Stone wants nothing more than to track down the murderer and exact violent revenge.
The Universe, however, has other plans.
For one, the dragons want to put him on trial for revealing sensitive information to his friends, with the penalty for losing the case potentially worse than death.
And if that isn’t urgent enough, as the time draws near for Thalassa to give birth, something has gone horribly wrong with her pregnancy—something so wrong that it threatens not only the child’s life, but Thalassa’s.
Something directly related to Stone’s convoluted and magically fraught past.
Stone is not without his allies, but ultimately it must fall to him to discover and deal with the threat to Thalassa and the child before it’s too late—even if it could cost him his life.
Wracked with guilt and rage following the death of an ally he felt he should have prevented, Alastair Stone wants nothing more than to track down the murderer and exact violent revenge.
The Universe, however, has other plans.
For one, the dragons want to put him on trial for revealing sensitive information to his friends, with the penalty for losing the case potentially worse than death.
And if that isn’t urgent enough, as the time draws near for Thalassa to give birth, something has gone horribly wrong with her pregnancy—something so wrong that it threatens not only the child’s life, but Thalassa’s.
Something directly related to Stone’s convoluted and magically fraught past.
Stone is not without his allies, but ultimately it must fall to him to discover and deal with the threat to Thalassa and the child before it’s too late—even if it could cost him his life.
357 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 19, 2024
48 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
R.L. King
68 books332 followersR. L. King is the author of the Amazon-bestselling urban fantasy series The Alastair Stone Chronicles.
When not doing her best to make life difficult for her characters, she works as a software technical writer for a large Silicon Valley database company.
She also freelances for Catalyst Game Labs, publisher of the popular roleplaying game Shadowrun, where she's contributed fiction and game material to numerous sourcebooks and one full-length adventure, "On the Run," which was included as part of the 2012 Origins-Award-winning "Runners' Toolkit."
Her first novel in the Shadowrun universe, "Borrowed Time," was published in Spring 2015. She's working on her second Shadowrun novel, "Veiled Extraction," which will be released in late 2016 or early 2017.
When not writing or working, she enjoys hanging out with her very understanding spouse and her small herd of cats, and watching way too much Doctor Who.
When not doing her best to make life difficult for her characters, she works as a software technical writer for a large Silicon Valley database company.
She also freelances for Catalyst Game Labs, publisher of the popular roleplaying game Shadowrun, where she's contributed fiction and game material to numerous sourcebooks and one full-length adventure, "On the Run," which was included as part of the 2012 Origins-Award-winning "Runners' Toolkit."
Her first novel in the Shadowrun universe, "Borrowed Time," was published in Spring 2015. She's working on her second Shadowrun novel, "Veiled Extraction," which will be released in late 2016 or early 2017.
When not writing or working, she enjoys hanging out with her very understanding spouse and her small herd of cats, and watching way too much Doctor Who.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 26, 2025
I have given this 4 stars even though it goes against the conditions I set for myself. Truthfully, I wavered between 3 and 4 throughout the book. I always round up though. There wasn’t anything wrong with the book per se, it just didn’t move me like it should have given the circumstances. If it was just another book it would have been easier, 3 stars without a doubt. Since I have spent the last eight! years with these characters I wanted to love this book. One of the bright spots was Madame Huan! I have missed her gentleness. I had been hoping we would see her again.
There was something that occurred to me while reading a scene towards the end. This isn’t a spoiler, since it has happened since the first books. This time I was more attuned to it though. Everyone was “glaring”. Verity doesn’t do it as much as she used to. She still has a sense of entitlement that is galling. Jason gets angry entirely too quickly, but that was something we knew from when we first met him. His temper kept him from being a cop like his father. Alastaire glares at everyone. Perhaps it is meant to be just a turn of phrase, but when I read “glaring” I picture the person as angry. Don’t get me wrong. In this book most of the glares were completely justified. But there were some that the character who was being glared at did nothing to provoke that reaction. Random, I know. Carrying on now.
It will be interesting to see how things that happened here progress in the next book. I am looking forward to it.
There was something that occurred to me while reading a scene towards the end. This isn’t a spoiler, since it has happened since the first books. This time I was more attuned to it though. Everyone was “glaring”. Verity doesn’t do it as much as she used to. She still has a sense of entitlement that is galling. Jason gets angry entirely too quickly, but that was something we knew from when we first met him. His temper kept him from being a cop like his father. Alastaire glares at everyone. Perhaps it is meant to be just a turn of phrase, but when I read “glaring” I picture the person as angry. Don’t get me wrong. In this book most of the glares were completely justified. But there were some that the character who was being glared at did nothing to provoke that reaction. Random, I know. Carrying on now.
It will be interesting to see how things that happened here progress in the next book. I am looking forward to it.
September 10, 2025
Tough Book to Put Down
This was a tough book to put down. The author does a great job of grabbing you and keeping your attention. The last book, a bit of a cliff hanger, left us wondering what would happen to Stone and his crew. Alastair is still devastated and racked with guilt over the death of his friend. He is concentrating on that when he receives a summons from Thalassa. After much soul searching and traveling he decides to take her up on the offer for dinner. But, something happens and he is forced to get help from the other dragons. In the midst of this he is also facing a trial of his own, because he revealed their secret to his friends.
Masterfully written and just an excellent story. This is a must read for all the Stone fans.
This was a tough book to put down. The author does a great job of grabbing you and keeping your attention. The last book, a bit of a cliff hanger, left us wondering what would happen to Stone and his crew. Alastair is still devastated and racked with guilt over the death of his friend. He is concentrating on that when he receives a summons from Thalassa. After much soul searching and traveling he decides to take her up on the offer for dinner. But, something happens and he is forced to get help from the other dragons. In the midst of this he is also facing a trial of his own, because he revealed their secret to his friends.
Masterfully written and just an excellent story. This is a must read for all the Stone fans.
November 17, 2024
Still one of the best book series ever
I have been reading this series from the beginning, thanks to the magic of Kindle Unlimited bringing it to me. Since then, I've purchased every book outright.
The author just keeps cranking out these impeccably woven stories. Each character continues to grow and learn. I love "spending time" with them all I can't help it... I love Jason and Amber so much! 😂
I was tearing up at the end of this one; no spoilers, but brace yourselves.
I have been reading this series from the beginning, thanks to the magic of Kindle Unlimited bringing it to me. Since then, I've purchased every book outright.
The author just keeps cranking out these impeccably woven stories. Each character continues to grow and learn. I love "spending time" with them all I can't help it... I love Jason and Amber so much! 😂
I was tearing up at the end of this one; no spoilers, but brace yourselves.
August 21, 2024
Geez, what a mess. Alastair doesn't get into simple messes, or even one at a time.
Not an action-packed installment, by any stretch of the imagination, but that doesn't mean the constant buildup of tensions doesn't propel the story through the pitfalls of draconic politics, arcane threats to his budding family, and the simmering guilt of a friend's death.
I have a feeling we've just been lulled, about to be whacked over the noggin when Calanar #5 arrives this fall.
Not an action-packed installment, by any stretch of the imagination, but that doesn't mean the constant buildup of tensions doesn't propel the story through the pitfalls of draconic politics, arcane threats to his budding family, and the simmering guilt of a friend's death.
I have a feeling we've just been lulled, about to be whacked over the noggin when Calanar #5 arrives this fall.
September 4, 2024
Just can’t get enough of Alastair Stone and his cohorts on multi worlds. As soon as I get a notification that another book’s out I click on it immediately and toss whatever else I’m reading aside! Like an old friend I fall right into his next adventure like we never parted ways. Thank you for your imagination and dedication to the series!
July 24, 2025
Another breathtaking journey!
Like real people, the characters keep deepening their connection to each other: the earthly friendships, the Calanar ones, the dragon one, old ones and new ones… and the reader is woven into this tapestry so well that it is impossible to leave…Hopefully Ms.King has many many more stories to tell…
Like real people, the characters keep deepening their connection to each other: the earthly friendships, the Calanar ones, the dragon one, old ones and new ones… and the reader is woven into this tapestry so well that it is impossible to leave…Hopefully Ms.King has many many more stories to tell…
August 21, 2024
Amazing again
Emotionally draining but just perfect. Definitely one of my favorites as we see a completely different side of Alastair. My only problem is I read them too fast and now I will be waiting for the next. Bravo again
Emotionally draining but just perfect. Definitely one of my favorites as we see a completely different side of Alastair. My only problem is I read them too fast and now I will be waiting for the next. Bravo again
August 21, 2024
A 'bloody' good read.
Congratulations, you have delivered another heartfelt, emotional and fascinating story. I was dismayed when I finished the final chapter. Hope you have many more 'Alistair Stone' stories to tell.
Congratulations, you have delivered another heartfelt, emotional and fascinating story. I was dismayed when I finished the final chapter. Hope you have many more 'Alistair Stone' stories to tell.
August 22, 2024
wow, just wow.
Our Alastair has grown up! No spoilers so I will just say that with all the other books I raced through them to get to the end, but with this one I savored it to appreciate its nuances. Loved it!
Our Alastair has grown up! No spoilers so I will just say that with all the other books I raced through them to get to the end, but with this one I savored it to appreciate its nuances. Loved it!
August 23, 2024
Ended Too Soon
As with every book in this series, I didn't want it to end. I don't want to include any spoilers, but this book humanized Alistair and even the dragons more than the previous books. I hope there will be many more books to continue revealing Alistair's story.
As with every book in this series, I didn't want it to end. I don't want to include any spoilers, but this book humanized Alistair and even the dragons more than the previous books. I hope there will be many more books to continue revealing Alistair's story.
September 1, 2024
Absolutely love it, everything I hoped it would be and more
I waited anxiously Gor this chapter and it wad well worth the wait.I only regret that I couldn't put it down once I started to read it.
I waited anxiously Gor this chapter and it wad well worth the wait.I only regret that I couldn't put it down once I started to read it.
September 3, 2024
Absolutely fantastic addition to this series
This addition to the Alastair Stone Chronicles is one of my favorites. The storyline really delivered a great read. I so enjoyed Alastair's emotional growth while still maintaining his strength and passion for doing the right thing .
This addition to the Alastair Stone Chronicles is one of my favorites. The storyline really delivered a great read. I so enjoyed Alastair's emotional growth while still maintaining his strength and passion for doing the right thing .
August 24, 2024
Awesome,
Nicely wrapped (up) with a big beautiful (gold, purple, & silver) bow. Cannot wait for the next one. Thank you.
Nicely wrapped (up) with a big beautiful (gold, purple, & silver) bow. Cannot wait for the next one. Thank you.
August 25, 2024
Alistair is full if surprises!
August 25, 2024
Alastair Stone
Alastair Stone keeps growing and evolving. This newest adventure adds more depth that deserves more exploration without changing the core of who he is.
Alastair Stone keeps growing and evolving. This newest adventure adds more depth that deserves more exploration without changing the core of who he is.
August 26, 2024
Wow! The Doc RAWKS!
First, thank you for no cliff hanger!
What a wild story! I read it non-stop. So many story lines wrapped up, and hints for others!
Please keep coming!
First, thank you for no cliff hanger!
What a wild story! I read it non-stop. So many story lines wrapped up, and hints for others!
Please keep coming!
August 31, 2024
Another Winner!!!
Can’t say enough nice things about this book or say much at all without giving things away. If you like the Alastair Stone Chronicles, you will love this one!!
Can’t say enough nice things about this book or say much at all without giving things away. If you like the Alastair Stone Chronicles, you will love this one!!
October 6, 2024
Book 37 delivered a multi focused storyline. Well plotted and paced, good proofing, and some very evocative writing. I'm looking forward to #38.
October 21, 2024
Stone becomes a Father
As always this book is hard to put down before reading to the last page. The name he chose for the baby is truly awesome.
As always this book is hard to put down before reading to the last page. The name he chose for the baby is truly awesome.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews