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The Sword in the Stone : The Sword Empire : Book One
An ancient sword. A hidden map. A boy’s desperate quest to save his father—and a kingdom on the brink of chaos.
In the quiet fishing village of Ruun, eleven-year-old Landau’s days are filled with playful adventures and nights working at a local tavern. But when he discovers a mysterious fire-revealed map and a powerful ancient sword, his ordinary life spirals into a dangerous journey beyond anything he imagined.
With his father gravely ill and monsters threatening his home, Landau must make an impossible risk everything for a chance to save the one he loves or watch his world burn. Alongside unlikely allies, a gruff knight, a loyal squire, and a retired treasure hunter—Landau is thrust into a tangled web of magic, ancient secrets, and rising darkness.
Perfect for fans of epic fantasy, coming-of-age adventures, and heart-pounding quests, Landau’s story weaves friendship, bravery, and destiny into a sweeping tale you won’t forget.
Discover a world of mythical creatures, enchanted relics, and a young hero’s courage in this immersive fantasy adventure.
In the quiet fishing village of Ruun, eleven-year-old Landau’s days are filled with playful adventures and nights working at a local tavern. But when he discovers a mysterious fire-revealed map and a powerful ancient sword, his ordinary life spirals into a dangerous journey beyond anything he imagined.
With his father gravely ill and monsters threatening his home, Landau must make an impossible risk everything for a chance to save the one he loves or watch his world burn. Alongside unlikely allies, a gruff knight, a loyal squire, and a retired treasure hunter—Landau is thrust into a tangled web of magic, ancient secrets, and rising darkness.
Perfect for fans of epic fantasy, coming-of-age adventures, and heart-pounding quests, Landau’s story weaves friendship, bravery, and destiny into a sweeping tale you won’t forget.
Discover a world of mythical creatures, enchanted relics, and a young hero’s courage in this immersive fantasy adventure.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 15, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 12, 2025
A fantastic tale of courage, adventure, and youthful indiscretions. Landau, just eleven years old, embarks on a quest to find a cure for his father’s ailments, inadvertently unleashing chaos across the realm. This book reminded me of The Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan, Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini, and even Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin, though it carries a distinct voice of its own.
What stood out to me was how convincingly Landau’s age was portrayed: his impulsiveness, idealism, and emotional vulnerability felt genuine. The pacing kept me engaged, and the stakes rose steadily without feeling forced. My favorite quote was: "Showing courage isn’t always about facing a situation without fear, son… sometimes it involves facing a situation despite fear."
That said, readers should be aware: despite the young protagonist, this book contains strong language and adult innuendo that may be unsuitable for younger audiences. It’s not middle-grade, and even YA readers might find the contrast between the hero’s age and the mature content disorienting. For adult fantasy fans, however, it’s a compelling adventure worth diving into.
I read this book as an ARC provided by my publisher.
What stood out to me was how convincingly Landau’s age was portrayed: his impulsiveness, idealism, and emotional vulnerability felt genuine. The pacing kept me engaged, and the stakes rose steadily without feeling forced. My favorite quote was: "Showing courage isn’t always about facing a situation without fear, son… sometimes it involves facing a situation despite fear."
That said, readers should be aware: despite the young protagonist, this book contains strong language and adult innuendo that may be unsuitable for younger audiences. It’s not middle-grade, and even YA readers might find the contrast between the hero’s age and the mature content disorienting. For adult fantasy fans, however, it’s a compelling adventure worth diving into.
I read this book as an ARC provided by my publisher.
July 15, 2025
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The beginning felt a bit slow, and it took me a little while to get a sense of all the characters, but once the story found its pace, I was completely drawn in.
What stood out to me most was how the main character, Landau, truly feels like an 11-year-old. He has that mix of curiosity, wonder, and naivety that’s so true to his age. He believes he can fix everything if he just tries hard enough. Especially when it comes to helping someone he loves.
There’s magic, mystery, and adventure. But the story also explores some heavy themes, like illness, grief, and the kind of difficult decisions no child should have to face. It’s a coming-of-age journey where the main character is forced to grow up far too quickly.
The book ends on a strong cliffhanger that raises new questions and promises even more to come. I’m definitely looking forward to continuing the series.
What stood out to me most was how the main character, Landau, truly feels like an 11-year-old. He has that mix of curiosity, wonder, and naivety that’s so true to his age. He believes he can fix everything if he just tries hard enough. Especially when it comes to helping someone he loves.
There’s magic, mystery, and adventure. But the story also explores some heavy themes, like illness, grief, and the kind of difficult decisions no child should have to face. It’s a coming-of-age journey where the main character is forced to grow up far too quickly.
The book ends on a strong cliffhanger that raises new questions and promises even more to come. I’m definitely looking forward to continuing the series.
July 29, 2025
Overall 4.75 stars.
The Sword in the Stone by J. R. Kearney is a nostalgic and heartwarming young adult fantasy that delivers a rich blend of classic adventure, magical creatures, and the timeless theme of found family. Fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit will feel right at home journeying through forests filled with frosty winds, musical trees, shadowy beasts, and long-lost ruins shimmering with forgotten spells.
The story follows Landau, a kind young boy who unexpectedly catapults dangerous events while searching for treasure. Accompanying on his journey for answers is a gruff and jaded knight, an eccentric ex-treasure hunter and an unseasoned squire.
One of the book’s greatest strengths lies in its lush and evocative prose. The author's descriptive language paints vivid landscapes and lends a dreamlike quality to every scene.
The novel does have a slightly slow start, and readers may need patience during the first few chapters as the world-building gradually unfolds. There are also a handful of grammatical missteps that occasionally pull the reader out of the immersive narrative. However, once the journey begins in earnest, the pacing picks up and carries the reader steadily through twists, battles, and quiet, character-driven moments of growth.
Ultimately, The Sword in the stone is a beautifully crafted tale that captures the magic of fantasy and the warmth of chosen family. While not without its flaws, the emotional payoff and the sheer charm of its world make it a worthy addition to any YA fantasy lover’s shelf. Readers who enjoy epic quests, whimsical creatures, heartfelt friendships, and stories that echo the spirit of Tolkien with a modern emotional core would devour this fantastical debut!
Thank you very much Edingtale Indie House for giving me the absolute pleasure of reading this ARC!
The Sword in the Stone by J. R. Kearney is a nostalgic and heartwarming young adult fantasy that delivers a rich blend of classic adventure, magical creatures, and the timeless theme of found family. Fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit will feel right at home journeying through forests filled with frosty winds, musical trees, shadowy beasts, and long-lost ruins shimmering with forgotten spells.
The story follows Landau, a kind young boy who unexpectedly catapults dangerous events while searching for treasure. Accompanying on his journey for answers is a gruff and jaded knight, an eccentric ex-treasure hunter and an unseasoned squire.
One of the book’s greatest strengths lies in its lush and evocative prose. The author's descriptive language paints vivid landscapes and lends a dreamlike quality to every scene.
The novel does have a slightly slow start, and readers may need patience during the first few chapters as the world-building gradually unfolds. There are also a handful of grammatical missteps that occasionally pull the reader out of the immersive narrative. However, once the journey begins in earnest, the pacing picks up and carries the reader steadily through twists, battles, and quiet, character-driven moments of growth.
Ultimately, The Sword in the stone is a beautifully crafted tale that captures the magic of fantasy and the warmth of chosen family. While not without its flaws, the emotional payoff and the sheer charm of its world make it a worthy addition to any YA fantasy lover’s shelf. Readers who enjoy epic quests, whimsical creatures, heartfelt friendships, and stories that echo the spirit of Tolkien with a modern emotional core would devour this fantastical debut!
Thank you very much Edingtale Indie House for giving me the absolute pleasure of reading this ARC!
August 5, 2025
If you are looking for an original and fresh YA fantasy story with horror and mystery sprinkled in, look no further! The Sword in the Stone by J.R. Kearney is a fantastically dark tale about some curious boys who unwittingly start what could be the ultimate defining event of all time. This is the first book in the series to come, and I was, honestly, expecting a retelling of the original Sword in the Stone with Arthur, Merlin, etc. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I realized this was an original and twisted story of love, loss, and choices made. The characters in the book are well fleshed out and relatable, but still retain an air of mystery about them. The plot line is easy to read and flows smoothly. I was elated to be able to read through a great fantasy tale without being consumed by world building. J.R. Kearney accomplishes the same type of creation as other well known fantasy authors without overwhelming the reader with unnecessary details. This is absolutely a great pick for anyone, young adult or older, that desires to step into the realm of fantasy. I will be looking forward to the next installment!
August 30, 2025
The Sword in the Stone is an engaging story, mainly because of its protagonist Landau, an eleven-year-old boy who finds himself forced into an adventure from his own honest mischief. I've read a lot of chosen one stories, and many work, but I like the fact Landau is just an ordinary kid with good intentions, trying to do good by his loved ones, and through that he is pushed into this situation where he must deal with the consequences and battle something he is totally incapable of doing alone.
I will say, the book feels like the first half of a bigger story. Without spoilers, the mystery Landau finds himself caught up in is never totally explained, but the series is obviously leading there. That would usually annoy me, but everything is set up so well here. The characters have distinct personalities, the dialogue is engaging, and the way J.R. describes a setting is sometimes vivid and plain ol' fun, yet the story never gets bogged down with too much world building, yet just enough to keep you interested.
Despite a child being the protagonist, it's by no means a children's story. The danger Landau faces is very real, and the characters he encounters are not always savory. It's an interesting dynamic, but it works for the most part, but i do wonder how far into the adult side of things it might go. Overall, i think this book is great, but i think the series hinges on the next installment. I for one look forward to reading it.
I will say, the book feels like the first half of a bigger story. Without spoilers, the mystery Landau finds himself caught up in is never totally explained, but the series is obviously leading there. That would usually annoy me, but everything is set up so well here. The characters have distinct personalities, the dialogue is engaging, and the way J.R. describes a setting is sometimes vivid and plain ol' fun, yet the story never gets bogged down with too much world building, yet just enough to keep you interested.
Despite a child being the protagonist, it's by no means a children's story. The danger Landau faces is very real, and the characters he encounters are not always savory. It's an interesting dynamic, but it works for the most part, but i do wonder how far into the adult side of things it might go. Overall, i think this book is great, but i think the series hinges on the next installment. I for one look forward to reading it.
August 28, 2025
If you’re craving a YA fantasy with a chilling edge of mystery and horror, this book is it! The Sword in the Stone by J.R. Kearney delivers a dark and captivating story about a group of curious boys who stumble into what could become a world-changing event.
The characters feel vivid and relatable, while still holding onto a sense of intrigue. The pacing is smooth, making the story easy to follow without getting bogged down in heavy world-building.
This is an excellent read for both teens and adults who want to escape into a darkly imaginative fantasy world. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for the next book in the series!
The characters feel vivid and relatable, while still holding onto a sense of intrigue. The pacing is smooth, making the story easy to follow without getting bogged down in heavy world-building.
This is an excellent read for both teens and adults who want to escape into a darkly imaginative fantasy world. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for the next book in the series!
July 18, 2025
The book follows eleven-year-old Landau, a boy from the tranquil village of Ruun, whose life is upended by a fiery revelation: a magical map and an ancient sword that spark a daring quest. As his father falls ill and monstrous threats loom, Landau joins forces with a gruff knight, a loyal squire, and a retired treasure hunter on a perilous journey to uncover the sword’s secrets and save his family. Blending heart, adventure, and mythical intrigue, this coming-of-age tale launches a sweeping fantasy series about courage, destiny, and the magic of chosen paths.
August 9, 2025
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed reading this book, the magic and different creatures were really interesting to learn about. I loved the characters and thought they were well written. Learning about their motivations and history was really enjoyable.
The pace was a bit slow to start with but picked up and I read through the rest fairly quickly.
I would recommend the book to those who like adventure and fantasy books.
Thank you to Edingtale Indie House for the arc.
The pace was a bit slow to start with but picked up and I read through the rest fairly quickly.
I would recommend the book to those who like adventure and fantasy books.
Thank you to Edingtale Indie House for the arc.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews