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Stone & Sky #1
Stone & Sky
From across the sea, a shadow rises. A lone survivor may be the kingdom’s only hope against annihilation.
Orin is a sworn protector. As a stalwart member of the Griffin Guard, he’s proud to protect the kingdom against a dreaded nation of orcs. But when the fires of war burn bright from the north, his entire squadron falls to deadly wyvern riders, leaving the devastated Orin bloody and alone.
With his squad dead, Orin has his mind set on saving others from the same fate.
Teaming up with a local huntsman’s family, Orin and his new friends must push themselves past their limits to face mysterious dangers and ancient magics. Shocked to discover the orcs’ secret weapon, the lone guardian’s last chance to save his home could require the ultimate sacrifice.
Come fly away on griffin-back!
Fly off to the world of Finlestia in this epic fantasy story for readers looking for adventure, magic, and just plain fun; a tale where friendships must overcome insurmountable odds and remind readers to never lose hope.
Buy Stone & Sky to join the battle today!
This is a new edition of a previously-published edition of ISBN 9781961580015
Orin is a sworn protector. As a stalwart member of the Griffin Guard, he’s proud to protect the kingdom against a dreaded nation of orcs. But when the fires of war burn bright from the north, his entire squadron falls to deadly wyvern riders, leaving the devastated Orin bloody and alone.
With his squad dead, Orin has his mind set on saving others from the same fate.
Teaming up with a local huntsman’s family, Orin and his new friends must push themselves past their limits to face mysterious dangers and ancient magics. Shocked to discover the orcs’ secret weapon, the lone guardian’s last chance to save his home could require the ultimate sacrifice.
Come fly away on griffin-back!
Fly off to the world of Finlestia in this epic fantasy story for readers looking for adventure, magic, and just plain fun; a tale where friendships must overcome insurmountable odds and remind readers to never lose hope.
Buy Stone & Sky to join the battle today!
This is a new edition of a previously-published edition of ISBN 9781961580015
466 pages, Unknown Binding
First published August 29, 2023
230 people are currently reading
5513 people want to read
About the author
Z.S. Diamanti
13 books470 followersZ.S. Diamanti is the award-winning author of the Stone & Sky series, an epic fantasy adventure and the result of his great passion for fun and fantastical stories. He went to college forever and has too many pieces of paper on his wall. He is a USAF veteran of OEF and worked in ministry for over 10 years. He and his wife reside in Colorado with their four children where they enjoy hikes and tabletop games.
Connect with him on social media: @zsdiamanti
You can get a FREE series of his stories at zsdiamanti.com
Connect with him on social media: @zsdiamanti
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
December 26, 2023
What an amazing fantasy adventure!
Check out the interview with this author! [YouTube]
Connect With Me:
BLOG ⟫ INSTAGRAM ⟫ PODCAST ⟫ TIKTOK ⟫
This closely reminded me of the book Lord of the Rings because of the cast of characters and the adventures they go on. This book is told as a classic fantasy which isn't a typical read. (I am not going to lie, I struggled through The Two Towers) But the way that Z.S Diamanti told this story, I couldn't put it down.
This book is told in multiple POV of a vast array of characters. You see one of Orin our main Griffin rider and also an Orc Karnak. Karnak is my favorite in this story.
What is unique in this story is the POV of Karnak who is the Orc. Technically, he is the enemy of the Whitestone Guardians. Even though he was considered the enemy, he was shown to be a person (or Orc). A person who had a family and fought for what he believed in. Such a unique way of getting to know a character.
Love how this story was told and can't wait for the next book in this thrilling this series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Check out the interview with this author! [YouTube]
Connect With Me:
BLOG ⟫ INSTAGRAM ⟫ PODCAST ⟫ TIKTOK ⟫
This closely reminded me of the book Lord of the Rings because of the cast of characters and the adventures they go on. This book is told as a classic fantasy which isn't a typical read. (I am not going to lie, I struggled through The Two Towers) But the way that Z.S Diamanti told this story, I couldn't put it down.
This book is told in multiple POV of a vast array of characters. You see one of Orin our main Griffin rider and also an Orc Karnak. Karnak is my favorite in this story.
What is unique in this story is the POV of Karnak who is the Orc. Technically, he is the enemy of the Whitestone Guardians. Even though he was considered the enemy, he was shown to be a person (or Orc). A person who had a family and fought for what he believed in. Such a unique way of getting to know a character.
Love how this story was told and can't wait for the next book in this thrilling this series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 24, 2024
This book saddles many different marketing targets and for this reason will appeal to a range of fantasy readers!
Orin is a member of the Griffin Guard whose squadron is attacked and presumed dead. At first, Orin – is sure he is dead too, but he is saved by a lovely family and ventures on a quest to inform his kingdom of the powerful weapon the enemy plans to use.
This book borders between a late middle-grade, early YA tone with some great world building reminiscent of Middle-Earth, albeit more simple and less painstakingly detailed.
I think it will appeal to fans of The Belgariad!
The story is told through told through several POV’s which gives you a broad scope of the world and the different sides and even ranks of individuals.
Who is to say who are the monsters? Who gets to decide which side is good or bad?
Life doesn’t always give us what we expect, but what we do with the unexpected tells the tale of who we are.
The orc Karnak was my favourite! Orcs are not normally considered the good guys and his perspective really makes you question these pre-conceptions of archetypes. Karnak is incredibly loyal and honourable and his love for his family is very compelling!
Personally, I struggled to connect to most of the other characters and I think I would have wanted more time getting to know the characters with slower moments.
To be fair, I am not a huge fan of constant battles, so perhaps that’s why I struggled to stay invested.
However, the battle scenes were fast-paced and will definitely propel readers along!
I couldn’t keep focus on the plot or characters, and I wonder if I should tried the ebook rather than the audiobook.
However, the narrator was fantastic and really made me chuckle with some of the voices and effects!
If you want epic fantasy bundled with a dose of cozy and nostalgia, this might be for you!
I am definitely recommending it to my younger brothers!
I think this just wasn’t the book for me sadly!!
Thank you to the author for providing me the audiobook!
Bookstagram
Orin is a member of the Griffin Guard whose squadron is attacked and presumed dead. At first, Orin – is sure he is dead too, but he is saved by a lovely family and ventures on a quest to inform his kingdom of the powerful weapon the enemy plans to use.
This book borders between a late middle-grade, early YA tone with some great world building reminiscent of Middle-Earth, albeit more simple and less painstakingly detailed.
I think it will appeal to fans of The Belgariad!
The story is told through told through several POV’s which gives you a broad scope of the world and the different sides and even ranks of individuals.
Who is to say who are the monsters? Who gets to decide which side is good or bad?
Life doesn’t always give us what we expect, but what we do with the unexpected tells the tale of who we are.
The orc Karnak was my favourite! Orcs are not normally considered the good guys and his perspective really makes you question these pre-conceptions of archetypes. Karnak is incredibly loyal and honourable and his love for his family is very compelling!
Personally, I struggled to connect to most of the other characters and I think I would have wanted more time getting to know the characters with slower moments.
To be fair, I am not a huge fan of constant battles, so perhaps that’s why I struggled to stay invested.
However, the battle scenes were fast-paced and will definitely propel readers along!
I couldn’t keep focus on the plot or characters, and I wonder if I should tried the ebook rather than the audiobook.
However, the narrator was fantastic and really made me chuckle with some of the voices and effects!
If you want epic fantasy bundled with a dose of cozy and nostalgia, this might be for you!
I am definitely recommending it to my younger brothers!
I think this just wasn’t the book for me sadly!!
Thank you to the author for providing me the audiobook!
Bookstagram
June 10, 2024
4.5/5 Rounded to 5 Stars
Z.S. Diamanti captures the wonder of classic epic fantasy in a spellbinding tale of revenge, hate and hope.
There’s no time wasted as readers are thrown right into the thick of battle in Orin’s pov. Orin, a member of the Griffin Guard works with his brothers to defend their home from the orcs that threaten it. In the battle their squadron is cut down and Orin is left to die on the battlefield. But fate has other plans for Orin as a local huntsman’s family tends to his wounds, giving him another chance. With war on the rise between orcs and humans Orin teams up with his new friends to warn his home of the impending threat.
As this is multi-pov in the style of classic fantasy, there are several characters to meet along the way. Being dropped right into the thick of conflict and going on this journey with Orin and cast of characters made this hard to put down. From the first page the stakes are high and the journey that follows is immersive.
There are a few reasons why I enjoyed this and I’ll do my best to break it down.
First and foremost, the overall tone and style is what makes this a great read and accessible for various age groups. In a similar vein of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, Stone & Sky is a clean epic fantasy that effortlessly immerses readers in the conflicts of a world on the brink of war without delving into graphic detail. Amid the high stakes and emotional scenes, there are plenty of wholesome and lighthearted moments mixed in. A big reason this works so well across a variety of age groups is that it allows readers to define their own experience. A younger reader may not think too hard on some of the more thought provoking scenes and can easily get lost in the adventures, magic and story. Whereas an adult is still able to go on those adventures with touches of nostalgia while diving into the deeper topics woven in.
Secondly, something that surprised me was how I started off by cheering for the humans and their plight, only to discover that it’s not black and white. Z.S. Diamanti gives you several reasons to doubt which side to cheer for. One in particular was seeing the supposed enemy humanized in a way that made me question everything I thought I knew and added a layer of depth I wasn’t expecting but truly appreciated.
Overall, the storytelling balances lighthearted, wholesome moments with emotional damage and high stakes beautifully. Making this a great read for both new and long standing fans of the genre as it captures the nostalgia of classic fantasy so many readers love.
Finally, the theme of family and “doing the right thing” is prevalent throughout. Not only does it explore found family, and unlikely friends but also blood related families in difficult times. Seeing this contrast between the two was heartwarming as blood families were not left behind but rather, their bonds tested through hardship.
As for the characters, they were thoughtfully done and had a depth I wasn’t expecting. The more I read the more intrigued I became, and while their arcs are satisfying in Stone & Sky, there is room for growth which I imagine will continue with the rest of the trilogy.
Amid all these aspects there was plenty of magic, mystery, action, magical creatures, divided kingdoms, villainous machinations and survival in the face of adversity. The world setting is also familiar with that classic fantasy setting and creatures from humans, elves, orcs, goblins, griffins and wyverns to name a few.
Now, in addition to the physical copy, I also listened to the audiobook narrated by Peter Leppard who gave a fantastic performance. Not only did Peter perform various voices for the characters, he also showcased his acting skills bringing the story to life.
This truly is the type of book for the whole family and one I hope to reread with my own son in years to come. In the meantime I’ll be continuing the journey with book 2, Stone & Tide and I’d highly recommend this for readers looking for their next read.
Note: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I purchased the audiobook myself.
Z.S. Diamanti captures the wonder of classic epic fantasy in a spellbinding tale of revenge, hate and hope.
There’s no time wasted as readers are thrown right into the thick of battle in Orin’s pov. Orin, a member of the Griffin Guard works with his brothers to defend their home from the orcs that threaten it. In the battle their squadron is cut down and Orin is left to die on the battlefield. But fate has other plans for Orin as a local huntsman’s family tends to his wounds, giving him another chance. With war on the rise between orcs and humans Orin teams up with his new friends to warn his home of the impending threat.
As this is multi-pov in the style of classic fantasy, there are several characters to meet along the way. Being dropped right into the thick of conflict and going on this journey with Orin and cast of characters made this hard to put down. From the first page the stakes are high and the journey that follows is immersive.
There are a few reasons why I enjoyed this and I’ll do my best to break it down.
First and foremost, the overall tone and style is what makes this a great read and accessible for various age groups. In a similar vein of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, Stone & Sky is a clean epic fantasy that effortlessly immerses readers in the conflicts of a world on the brink of war without delving into graphic detail. Amid the high stakes and emotional scenes, there are plenty of wholesome and lighthearted moments mixed in. A big reason this works so well across a variety of age groups is that it allows readers to define their own experience. A younger reader may not think too hard on some of the more thought provoking scenes and can easily get lost in the adventures, magic and story. Whereas an adult is still able to go on those adventures with touches of nostalgia while diving into the deeper topics woven in.
Secondly, something that surprised me was how I started off by cheering for the humans and their plight, only to discover that it’s not black and white. Z.S. Diamanti gives you several reasons to doubt which side to cheer for. One in particular was seeing the supposed enemy humanized in a way that made me question everything I thought I knew and added a layer of depth I wasn’t expecting but truly appreciated.
Overall, the storytelling balances lighthearted, wholesome moments with emotional damage and high stakes beautifully. Making this a great read for both new and long standing fans of the genre as it captures the nostalgia of classic fantasy so many readers love.
Finally, the theme of family and “doing the right thing” is prevalent throughout. Not only does it explore found family, and unlikely friends but also blood related families in difficult times. Seeing this contrast between the two was heartwarming as blood families were not left behind but rather, their bonds tested through hardship.
As for the characters, they were thoughtfully done and had a depth I wasn’t expecting. The more I read the more intrigued I became, and while their arcs are satisfying in Stone & Sky, there is room for growth which I imagine will continue with the rest of the trilogy.
Amid all these aspects there was plenty of magic, mystery, action, magical creatures, divided kingdoms, villainous machinations and survival in the face of adversity. The world setting is also familiar with that classic fantasy setting and creatures from humans, elves, orcs, goblins, griffins and wyverns to name a few.
Now, in addition to the physical copy, I also listened to the audiobook narrated by Peter Leppard who gave a fantastic performance. Not only did Peter perform various voices for the characters, he also showcased his acting skills bringing the story to life.
This truly is the type of book for the whole family and one I hope to reread with my own son in years to come. In the meantime I’ll be continuing the journey with book 2, Stone & Tide and I’d highly recommend this for readers looking for their next read.
Note: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I purchased the audiobook myself.
August 30, 2023
Stone & Sky by Z.S. Diamanti is a new fantasy series that takes place in the magical world of Finlestia. And it’s definitely a new favorite!
Finlestia has many fantastical creatures and beings. There are griffins, wyverns, orcs, elves, dwarves, mages, and more. Everything an epic fantasy adventure needs.
I thought this book was absolutely incredible. The world building is beautifully crafted and, through his writing, Diamanti has painted a wonderful picture of this world. The characters are all unique and well written. The author has done a great job of making you like them all. It’s hard to choose a favorite.
The story itself is well paced and captivating. Diamanti has created a world that is fun and full of adventure, but also full of danger, mystery, and hardship. He has created an entertaining story that I did not want to put down. I’m excited to see where it goes next!
Stone & Sky is definitely a story that you are going to want to have on your shelf!
Finlestia has many fantastical creatures and beings. There are griffins, wyverns, orcs, elves, dwarves, mages, and more. Everything an epic fantasy adventure needs.
I thought this book was absolutely incredible. The world building is beautifully crafted and, through his writing, Diamanti has painted a wonderful picture of this world. The characters are all unique and well written. The author has done a great job of making you like them all. It’s hard to choose a favorite.
The story itself is well paced and captivating. Diamanti has created a world that is fun and full of adventure, but also full of danger, mystery, and hardship. He has created an entertaining story that I did not want to put down. I’m excited to see where it goes next!
Stone & Sky is definitely a story that you are going to want to have on your shelf!
June 17, 2023
Stone and Sky is a debut novel for a pillar of the Booktok community, not only a prolific writer, but also an awesome person.
Pick up this book if love high flying fantasy!
Pick up this book if love high flying fantasy!
July 23, 2024
I do give five stsr books too easier sometimes just because I enjoy reading so much.
The last book I read convinced me that sci fi was worth reading (at least some of it) this one convinced me that epic fantasy is still alive and well.
Some booktubers claim epic fantasy is dead because the bigger publishers dont see it as commercially viabile but even Tolkien struggled to get books published. He had to compromise to get Lord of the rings published he wanted it published as a single book.
Of course im not gonna claim that hes the new Tolkien but do not give up hope that there arent people out there trying to keep this traditon alive.
Give this guy a try, the characters are adorable its not your typical good v evil and the book kept me awake late too - always the sign of a good book!
The last book I read convinced me that sci fi was worth reading (at least some of it) this one convinced me that epic fantasy is still alive and well.
Some booktubers claim epic fantasy is dead because the bigger publishers dont see it as commercially viabile but even Tolkien struggled to get books published. He had to compromise to get Lord of the rings published he wanted it published as a single book.
Of course im not gonna claim that hes the new Tolkien but do not give up hope that there arent people out there trying to keep this traditon alive.
Give this guy a try, the characters are adorable its not your typical good v evil and the book kept me awake late too - always the sign of a good book!
February 15, 2024
An amazing story
The characters were impressively real. I enjoyed the rotating cast. Even from the beginning those who you thought were the villains were likable. I loved the fact that there were good and bad among all of the nations and that the heroes overcame long running racial animosity to do what was right. Looking forward to Stone & Tide!
The characters were impressively real. I enjoyed the rotating cast. Even from the beginning those who you thought were the villains were likable. I loved the fact that there were good and bad among all of the nations and that the heroes overcame long running racial animosity to do what was right. Looking forward to Stone & Tide!
April 27, 2024
This review was originally posted on SFF Insiders
Stone & Sky may have set the record for the fastest I’ve devoured an epic fantasy novel in a long time. It is day two of reading and loving this story, and yet here I am, writing a review, finished and hungry for more in this world.
Stone & Sky pitches itself very smartly in the epic fantasy genre, but is also smart in many other ways, a testament to the marketing savvy of creator ZS Diamanti (seriously, if you haven’t seen Zac’s Tik-Tok shorts, where have you been?). The thing about Stone & Sky is that it very easily slots into many other places in the proverbial bookstore. At times it borders on the late middle-grade, early YA tone of The Chronicles of Prydain or The Belgariad, or even the darker parts of Wings of Fire. You might be confused as to why these titles come to mind for me, but rest assured, this book is still made of stiffer stuff. During its more mature and complex moments, the world of Finlestia reminded me a lot of Middle-Earth, as well as the Cosmere.
Following the multi-pov plots of Orin, Garron, Merrick, and Karnak the Orc, Stone & Sky does not shy away from its dark moments, or absolute breakneck-speed action scenes. In fact, the violence depicted in the battle scenes stands far above any of the previous titles I mentioned. But on the other hand, this book is exactly what the fantasy genre needs more of, dare I say it: feel-good, noblebright epic fantasy that is still centred around large-scale wars and politicking, but does not at all venture into the simple confines of ‘cosy’.
Stone & Sky was also the book that happened to break my bad luck streak with SFF audiobooks. Call me a sulk, but I’ve tried for many years, to no avail, to listen to SFF books. There have been a few exceptions: Travis Baldree’s narration, and Steven Pacey’s stunning First Law narration. Nowadays, I only listen to lit-fic, rom-coms (don’t judge!) and nonfiction that also acts as research for my own writing. But this book changed that, and the narration by Peter Leppard is incredibly refined and immersive. Not once did I get distracted or sucked back into the real-world while listening, and let me tell you, that’s one great way to pass the time when you’re folding laundry or mowing the lawn.
The story, as I mentioned, is told through several POV’s, each one a distinct and interesting character. My favourite was Merrick the hunter, who undergoes some fantastic challenges and equally rises up to meet them. There is also King Garron, who is suffering from a corruption that is not dissimilar to Taravangian and his ever-changing intellectualism from the Stormlight Archive. Karnak the Orc, (and wyvern-rider) is a deeply interesting character because he represents the enemy, but he is also an honourable and moral family man. It really gets you thinking about the importance of considering perspectives, as we see his and the other characters’ arcs all intertwine and come together in fantastic climactic scenes. The character who suffers the most here is, funnily enough, Orin, the Griffin-rider who is saved by Merrick’s sister Ellaria in the first scene of the book, (which, by the way, is utterly fantastic).
However, over the course of the story, I couldn’t help but feel a little disconnected from Orin, despite being the opposite in the first few chapters. As things progressed, he seemed to lack agency, and was more or less swept up by the plot without much of a say in anything that happened. Instead, the other POV’s became more central characters. Thankfully, the cast of characters around him were brilliant, diverse, and dynamic, from the magical gnome Ezel, to the dwarf Coal, and Ellaria the healer. Then there were the mysterious elves … and let me just say, Zac’s elves are some of the best I’ve read.
Despite this minor frustration I had with the story, the overall package is highly enjoyable and accessible. There is a sprawling world here I can’t wait to explore further. Not once did I feel as though worldbuilding was being thrown at me faster than I could keep track. Amazingly, there was also minimal infodumping, which meant the story was, on the whole, very readable. I highly recommend Stone & Sky to anyone who needs a bit of wholesome, adventure-y fun and positive, emotional redemption arcs. If you need a break from grimdark, or if you’re a first-time fantasy reader, I think Stone & Sky might become a new favourite for you. It definitely has for me.
Stone & Sky may have set the record for the fastest I’ve devoured an epic fantasy novel in a long time. It is day two of reading and loving this story, and yet here I am, writing a review, finished and hungry for more in this world.
Stone & Sky pitches itself very smartly in the epic fantasy genre, but is also smart in many other ways, a testament to the marketing savvy of creator ZS Diamanti (seriously, if you haven’t seen Zac’s Tik-Tok shorts, where have you been?). The thing about Stone & Sky is that it very easily slots into many other places in the proverbial bookstore. At times it borders on the late middle-grade, early YA tone of The Chronicles of Prydain or The Belgariad, or even the darker parts of Wings of Fire. You might be confused as to why these titles come to mind for me, but rest assured, this book is still made of stiffer stuff. During its more mature and complex moments, the world of Finlestia reminded me a lot of Middle-Earth, as well as the Cosmere.
Following the multi-pov plots of Orin, Garron, Merrick, and Karnak the Orc, Stone & Sky does not shy away from its dark moments, or absolute breakneck-speed action scenes. In fact, the violence depicted in the battle scenes stands far above any of the previous titles I mentioned. But on the other hand, this book is exactly what the fantasy genre needs more of, dare I say it: feel-good, noblebright epic fantasy that is still centred around large-scale wars and politicking, but does not at all venture into the simple confines of ‘cosy’.
Stone & Sky was also the book that happened to break my bad luck streak with SFF audiobooks. Call me a sulk, but I’ve tried for many years, to no avail, to listen to SFF books. There have been a few exceptions: Travis Baldree’s narration, and Steven Pacey’s stunning First Law narration. Nowadays, I only listen to lit-fic, rom-coms (don’t judge!) and nonfiction that also acts as research for my own writing. But this book changed that, and the narration by Peter Leppard is incredibly refined and immersive. Not once did I get distracted or sucked back into the real-world while listening, and let me tell you, that’s one great way to pass the time when you’re folding laundry or mowing the lawn.
The story, as I mentioned, is told through several POV’s, each one a distinct and interesting character. My favourite was Merrick the hunter, who undergoes some fantastic challenges and equally rises up to meet them. There is also King Garron, who is suffering from a corruption that is not dissimilar to Taravangian and his ever-changing intellectualism from the Stormlight Archive. Karnak the Orc, (and wyvern-rider) is a deeply interesting character because he represents the enemy, but he is also an honourable and moral family man. It really gets you thinking about the importance of considering perspectives, as we see his and the other characters’ arcs all intertwine and come together in fantastic climactic scenes. The character who suffers the most here is, funnily enough, Orin, the Griffin-rider who is saved by Merrick’s sister Ellaria in the first scene of the book, (which, by the way, is utterly fantastic).
However, over the course of the story, I couldn’t help but feel a little disconnected from Orin, despite being the opposite in the first few chapters. As things progressed, he seemed to lack agency, and was more or less swept up by the plot without much of a say in anything that happened. Instead, the other POV’s became more central characters. Thankfully, the cast of characters around him were brilliant, diverse, and dynamic, from the magical gnome Ezel, to the dwarf Coal, and Ellaria the healer. Then there were the mysterious elves … and let me just say, Zac’s elves are some of the best I’ve read.
Despite this minor frustration I had with the story, the overall package is highly enjoyable and accessible. There is a sprawling world here I can’t wait to explore further. Not once did I feel as though worldbuilding was being thrown at me faster than I could keep track. Amazingly, there was also minimal infodumping, which meant the story was, on the whole, very readable. I highly recommend Stone & Sky to anyone who needs a bit of wholesome, adventure-y fun and positive, emotional redemption arcs. If you need a break from grimdark, or if you’re a first-time fantasy reader, I think Stone & Sky might become a new favourite for you. It definitely has for me.
August 30, 2023
Stone & Sky follows the journeys of several character groups as they set out on various quests. The story spirals inward as each journey leads its adventurers toward an explosive connecting point. Who will survive and who will sacrifice themselves to save the peoples of Tarrine?
Lovers of epic fantasy full of adventure, mystery, intrigue and characters as large as life will fall for Stone & Sky.
Lovers of epic fantasy full of adventure, mystery, intrigue and characters as large as life will fall for Stone & Sky.
June 13, 2024
This review was originally posted on SFF Insiders
What a fun ride! To start, this review is for both Stone & Sky and the accompanying Preludes Collection. I think reading these two books concurrently is 100% the correct way to start off this epic series. Diamanti has written the Preludes Collection as a way to expand the character arcs for multiple different characters, some minor and some major, and really delve into their backstories and motivations. Before each of the 7 short stories in the Collection, Diamanti tells you where in relation to Stone & Sky the story should be read, ie read this story before Chapter 5 or 23 of Stone & Sky. They’re completely interconnected, and I don’t think it’s possible to review one without the other. I LOVE how Diamanti structured these two books to work together, feed off each other, and ultimately enrich the reading experience.
Stone & Sky is an epic, classic fantasy story with multiple POVs telling the story of two main factions in the land of Finlestia: a loose alliance of orcs, trolls, and goblins versus humans, dwarfs, elves, and gnomes. However, as you quickly learn, these are not the orcs and goblins of Tolkien’s Middle Earth, but rather a highly sophisticated, intelligent people who are fighting a war against the humans with motivations that parallel their human foes. Diamanti is able to expertly craft both sides of the conflict so the reader is able to understand and empathize with both groups.
This is a fast-paced story that is exploding with adventure, magic, dragons, wyverns, griffins, magical artifacts, and evil advisors. From the first pages, we’re thrown into the bloody aftermath of an unusual conflict between the human’s elite griffin mounted Griffin Guard and the orc’s wyvern riders. The pace never lets up as we follow a sprawling cast of characters all around Finlestia as we explore the continent, all while the threat of a mysterious land called Kelvur looms ominously in the background.
Again, this is where I think the inclusion of the Prelude Collection really shines. Stone & Sky on its own isn’t a huge book in terms of page count, but Diamanti throws a lot of characters at us as he fleshes out this rich world. But with the Prelude Collection, you’re able to take a brief breather from the main action while you learn about different characters in detail, allowing the world to feel so full and detailed. While all of the short stories are good and provide great context for the main story, one of the standouts for me was Smarlo’s story. So action-packed and fun. Diamanti has so many fantastic, terrifying magical creatures scattered throughout his world, and that’s all I’ll say about that short story.
The prose snaps along and the dialogue is fantastic, especially for a debut novel. We have witty banter and the creation of deep friendships among the characters that feels natural. I’ll also mention here for those who are trying to determine if this is something that they should introduce to their fantasy loving teenager. While this story 100% works for an adult audience (I loved it and I unfortunately fall very firmly in the adult category), the language is clean, there is no explicit sexual content, and the battle scenes are action packed but not gratuitously violent.
As a side note, I listened to these books as audiobooks, and the voice actor—Peter Leppard—is absolutely phenomenal. He has voices for each different character and does a stellar job. For me, narrators often play a fairly neutral role in my enjoyment of a book. But Peter completely kills it with his performance, and I would highly recommend the audiobook!
Ultimately, Stone & Sky is the perfect start to a lighthearted, epic fantasy series that is brimming with wholesome fellowships, fun adventures, and hopeful heroes. The villains are diabolical and evil. The heroes, on both sides of the initial divide, are heroic people/orcs you can get behind and cheer for. This is a modern take on classic fantasy that leaves you cheering for more.
What a fun ride! To start, this review is for both Stone & Sky and the accompanying Preludes Collection. I think reading these two books concurrently is 100% the correct way to start off this epic series. Diamanti has written the Preludes Collection as a way to expand the character arcs for multiple different characters, some minor and some major, and really delve into their backstories and motivations. Before each of the 7 short stories in the Collection, Diamanti tells you where in relation to Stone & Sky the story should be read, ie read this story before Chapter 5 or 23 of Stone & Sky. They’re completely interconnected, and I don’t think it’s possible to review one without the other. I LOVE how Diamanti structured these two books to work together, feed off each other, and ultimately enrich the reading experience.
Stone & Sky is an epic, classic fantasy story with multiple POVs telling the story of two main factions in the land of Finlestia: a loose alliance of orcs, trolls, and goblins versus humans, dwarfs, elves, and gnomes. However, as you quickly learn, these are not the orcs and goblins of Tolkien’s Middle Earth, but rather a highly sophisticated, intelligent people who are fighting a war against the humans with motivations that parallel their human foes. Diamanti is able to expertly craft both sides of the conflict so the reader is able to understand and empathize with both groups.
This is a fast-paced story that is exploding with adventure, magic, dragons, wyverns, griffins, magical artifacts, and evil advisors. From the first pages, we’re thrown into the bloody aftermath of an unusual conflict between the human’s elite griffin mounted Griffin Guard and the orc’s wyvern riders. The pace never lets up as we follow a sprawling cast of characters all around Finlestia as we explore the continent, all while the threat of a mysterious land called Kelvur looms ominously in the background.
Again, this is where I think the inclusion of the Prelude Collection really shines. Stone & Sky on its own isn’t a huge book in terms of page count, but Diamanti throws a lot of characters at us as he fleshes out this rich world. But with the Prelude Collection, you’re able to take a brief breather from the main action while you learn about different characters in detail, allowing the world to feel so full and detailed. While all of the short stories are good and provide great context for the main story, one of the standouts for me was Smarlo’s story. So action-packed and fun. Diamanti has so many fantastic, terrifying magical creatures scattered throughout his world, and that’s all I’ll say about that short story.
The prose snaps along and the dialogue is fantastic, especially for a debut novel. We have witty banter and the creation of deep friendships among the characters that feels natural. I’ll also mention here for those who are trying to determine if this is something that they should introduce to their fantasy loving teenager. While this story 100% works for an adult audience (I loved it and I unfortunately fall very firmly in the adult category), the language is clean, there is no explicit sexual content, and the battle scenes are action packed but not gratuitously violent.
As a side note, I listened to these books as audiobooks, and the voice actor—Peter Leppard—is absolutely phenomenal. He has voices for each different character and does a stellar job. For me, narrators often play a fairly neutral role in my enjoyment of a book. But Peter completely kills it with his performance, and I would highly recommend the audiobook!
Ultimately, Stone & Sky is the perfect start to a lighthearted, epic fantasy series that is brimming with wholesome fellowships, fun adventures, and hopeful heroes. The villains are diabolical and evil. The heroes, on both sides of the initial divide, are heroic people/orcs you can get behind and cheer for. This is a modern take on classic fantasy that leaves you cheering for more.
December 9, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. It’s one of those books with a classic fantasy vibe, but a more modern writing style, and I love when I find a good one of those to read. My expectations were subverted a bit here as we have viewpoints on both sides, and that caught me a little by surprise – pleasantly so, of course.
There are some cool storytelling aspects here as we follow characters from nations on the brink of war. There has been a period of uneasy peace that’s looking like coming to an end, and I enjoyed reading these opening exchanges of that.
The worldbuilding was pretty cool, though I thought there was a fair bit of information dumped on us at the start of the book. This is done in the format of a warrior explaining the history of his order of Griffin Guards, but it’s to someone who I felt should probably have known most of it. Some people don’t like this, but, although there was quite a lot of information, I don’t think it was done badly here, and it gave me all the history I needed to have a better understanding of the conflict.
There are some cool storytelling aspects here as we follow characters from nations on the brink of war. There has been a period of uneasy peace that’s looking like coming to an end, and I enjoyed reading these opening exchanges of that.
The worldbuilding was pretty cool, though I thought there was a fair bit of information dumped on us at the start of the book. This is done in the format of a warrior explaining the history of his order of Griffin Guards, but it’s to someone who I felt should probably have known most of it. Some people don’t like this, but, although there was quite a lot of information, I don’t think it was done badly here, and it gave me all the history I needed to have a better understanding of the conflict.
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March 28, 2024If you grew up on the old War Craft games (before World of Warcraft) this book is for you. It’s a multi-POV epic from all walks of live and across many cultures, and opens and ends with a bang.
The author has called this a “Clean Fantasy” and I agree. I have no problem secretly placing this book on my kids’ bookshelf, so they can happen upon it and enjoy a fun adventure in a fantasy world.
I’ll be watching Diamanti’s career with great interest.
The author has called this a “Clean Fantasy” and I agree. I have no problem secretly placing this book on my kids’ bookshelf, so they can happen upon it and enjoy a fun adventure in a fantasy world.
I’ll be watching Diamanti’s career with great interest.
March 23, 2025
Fast paced, fun, unapologetically classic high fantasy action.
Full review coming soon.
Full review coming soon.
October 3, 2024
This is a very classic fantasy feeling book. It is clearly and obviously influenced by The Lord of The Rings (although most fantasy fiction is), although its' primary influence, or at least primary comparison, should be the Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks. This book gave me the feel and tone that the first three Shannara books, a feel and tone not often replicated in modern fantasy. As such, this book stands out in its field of modern contemporaries.
The book's plot and characters are nothing to write home about. They follow classic tropes very well, and they have a few twists while still generally having forshadowing that doesn't make the twist seem ridiculous. As such, the book is entertaining, but it doesn't necessarily have a wow factor yet. There is still room to grow in book 2.
I thought the handling of the Orcs is actually a really fascinating development, as they are POV characters with complex emotions in this book, even though they are primarily villians. In fact, I felt that the Orcs had more personality and character than the human characters did.
This book also brings back a sense of appropriateness that is so often lacking in adult fantasy books now. It tells a story adults will appreciate, but it doesn't resort to sexual elements, foul language, or a graphic nature to do so. That also makes the book special among modern Fantasy books.
The book also tells a mostly complete story while having a set-up for book two. I wasn't enamored by the whole resolution in this book, although I expect that what I was specifically looking for will be dealt with in books 2 and 3.
Overall, I had a fun time reading this book. It is entertaining and refreshing, but it didn't wow me or do anything to shock me particularly. I intend to read the sequels sometime next year, although I'm not clamoring to do so quite yet. Overall, an 8 out of 10.
The book's plot and characters are nothing to write home about. They follow classic tropes very well, and they have a few twists while still generally having forshadowing that doesn't make the twist seem ridiculous. As such, the book is entertaining, but it doesn't necessarily have a wow factor yet. There is still room to grow in book 2.
I thought the handling of the Orcs is actually a really fascinating development, as they are POV characters with complex emotions in this book, even though they are primarily villians. In fact, I felt that the Orcs had more personality and character than the human characters did.
This book also brings back a sense of appropriateness that is so often lacking in adult fantasy books now. It tells a story adults will appreciate, but it doesn't resort to sexual elements, foul language, or a graphic nature to do so. That also makes the book special among modern Fantasy books.
The book also tells a mostly complete story while having a set-up for book two. I wasn't enamored by the whole resolution in this book, although I expect that what I was specifically looking for will be dealt with in books 2 and 3.
Overall, I had a fun time reading this book. It is entertaining and refreshing, but it didn't wow me or do anything to shock me particularly. I intend to read the sequels sometime next year, although I'm not clamoring to do so quite yet. Overall, an 8 out of 10.
September 11, 2023
Everything I wanted and a heck of a lot more! I had so many expectations for this book, and it absolutely obliterated them.
This is the first in an epic fantasy duo, and it is in a league of it's own.
I had read the prelude stories so I was already really invested in some of the main characters. Every time one of them turned up it was like bumping into an old friend. The characters are so dynamic and I cared about what happened to all of them.
Stone & sky just does not stop giving, whether it be with the plot, the fantastical creatures (and there are some spectacular additions to the fantasy realm!) and especially within the dialogue.
I'd give this all the stars if I could. Everything about this was perfect for me. I cannot wait for Stone & Tide.
This is the first in an epic fantasy duo, and it is in a league of it's own.
I had read the prelude stories so I was already really invested in some of the main characters. Every time one of them turned up it was like bumping into an old friend. The characters are so dynamic and I cared about what happened to all of them.
Stone & sky just does not stop giving, whether it be with the plot, the fantastical creatures (and there are some spectacular additions to the fantasy realm!) and especially within the dialogue.
I'd give this all the stars if I could. Everything about this was perfect for me. I cannot wait for Stone & Tide.
September 12, 2023
What a rush! This is one of the most creative, epic, and heartfelt books I've read in a while. Set in it's own world of Tamaria, all races must battle the forces of evil, pushing aside their own misgivings of each other and past differences. The character building is astounding! You will meet unique individuals from all aspects of life, mythical creatures and encounter magic as you've never seen. If you love epic stories and world building, this is one for you. Imagine if JRR Tolkien played Dungeons and Dragons and that's what I imagine Diamantis brain is like, and I love it!
September 17, 2023
This book was so good! So much adventure and thrills in every chapter. The characters are well developed and it’s such a great fantasy world I could picture in my head while reading. I read the companion prelude book in order with the chapters (even though I was dying to read them before I got the book) and I loved how it introduced the characters! Highly recommend reading them that way, I felt like it really added to the book! The only thing I am mad about is that I now have to wait for book two!!!
September 10, 2023
This book has become an instant favorite of mine! The prelude stories were a great introduction to some of the characters and how they fit into the overall story. I was hooked from the beginning and I didn’t want to put it down. It was so easy to get lost in the story and enjoy the journey they took. I cannot wait for the sequel to come out!
April 9, 2024
Stone and Sky is exactly as advertised—a fun classic adventure fantasy! With a large cast of characters, magical artifacts, and several familiar races (humans, elves, orcs, goblins, dwarves) this hopeful epic fantasy trilogy is perfect for fans of Lord of the Rings. Honestly, if Tolkien could envision how his stories would impact the world, I imagine he would hope the future of fantasy would look a lot like Z.S. Diamanti’s writing! This fun adventure feels like a Dungeons and Dragons campaign (that everyone shows up for!) in the best of ways.
While the exposition in the beginning can feel cliche, and there are a lot of characters to juggle, the story only builds upon itself, growing tighter and tighter as it goes! The plot lines tend to skew more to the male protagonists than the female, and that might influence some readers’ tastes, but otherwise there are no reasons not to fall in love with this story!
With book 2 out and book 3 on the way, you better believe I’m jumping right into the next!
While the exposition in the beginning can feel cliche, and there are a lot of characters to juggle, the story only builds upon itself, growing tighter and tighter as it goes! The plot lines tend to skew more to the male protagonists than the female, and that might influence some readers’ tastes, but otherwise there are no reasons not to fall in love with this story!
With book 2 out and book 3 on the way, you better believe I’m jumping right into the next!
February 16, 2024
As someone who is just getting back into reading, and this being my more or less debut into the world of fantasy, I could not have chosen a better book.
Following multiples POV’s, each chapter felt fresh, and like the story was weaving together the lives of these characters to culminate in a satisfying third act.
I didn’t feel any characters were left out in the cold, so to speak, and each one was given the needed background to develop in future books.
A fun ride, and I’m excited to further explore the next book, Stone and Tide!
Following multiples POV’s, each chapter felt fresh, and like the story was weaving together the lives of these characters to culminate in a satisfying third act.
I didn’t feel any characters were left out in the cold, so to speak, and each one was given the needed background to develop in future books.
A fun ride, and I’m excited to further explore the next book, Stone and Tide!
March 27, 2025
I have a physical copy of this somewhere, so I know I was already interested, but as I’m mostly doing audio lately, and had the chance to listen to judge for the Indie Ink Awards, I couldn’t resist.
I’m sure you’ve seen this around the internet. The author is just a real nice guy, talking about his clean and classic fantasy series, and showing off a nice green library. It’s probably on your TBR, and I’m here now to tell you you should read it. The narration by Peter Leppard is real solid too!
This has the classical feel he’s aiming for. It’s clean, with nothing gratuitous in its fighting or language. There’s emotion, understanding, and heart, with loving parents and displays of affection. It felt almost like the cast of The Lord of the Rings thrown into the earlier, lighter world of The Hobbit, but the orcs have been fleshed out and they’re not mindless, evil things. And while there is originality within for sure, I do warn you of the similarities. If that’s a feel you know and love, but are open to something new, this is exactly for you.
Earlier in the story I struggled slightly with conflict. The author is telling you why things are important, why the characters must do something, but I just didn’t feel it yet. I struggled with being drawn into their tale past just the words spoken, and while I understand the choice with the author showing both sides of the conflict, it made it hard to feel pull to side with someone. Later, this gets entirely erased though, as the author does an incredible job of building a climax with action that doesn’t even need violence to feel in your face. He somehow balances stakes while keeping it clean for readers. I cared for the survival of the characters, and each of them is well balanced with their own skills and areas of expertise. This emotional connection ensured I was ready for anything, and hoping for everyone’s survival.
The author’s take on elves had me thinking of Adam R. Bishop’s A Sea of Cinders, though of course with less violence. I really enjoyed this, and I’m still feeling somewhat concerned for anyone making me feel for an orc.
https://fanfiaddict.com/review-stone-...
I’m sure you’ve seen this around the internet. The author is just a real nice guy, talking about his clean and classic fantasy series, and showing off a nice green library. It’s probably on your TBR, and I’m here now to tell you you should read it. The narration by Peter Leppard is real solid too!
This has the classical feel he’s aiming for. It’s clean, with nothing gratuitous in its fighting or language. There’s emotion, understanding, and heart, with loving parents and displays of affection. It felt almost like the cast of The Lord of the Rings thrown into the earlier, lighter world of The Hobbit, but the orcs have been fleshed out and they’re not mindless, evil things. And while there is originality within for sure, I do warn you of the similarities. If that’s a feel you know and love, but are open to something new, this is exactly for you.
Earlier in the story I struggled slightly with conflict. The author is telling you why things are important, why the characters must do something, but I just didn’t feel it yet. I struggled with being drawn into their tale past just the words spoken, and while I understand the choice with the author showing both sides of the conflict, it made it hard to feel pull to side with someone. Later, this gets entirely erased though, as the author does an incredible job of building a climax with action that doesn’t even need violence to feel in your face. He somehow balances stakes while keeping it clean for readers. I cared for the survival of the characters, and each of them is well balanced with their own skills and areas of expertise. This emotional connection ensured I was ready for anything, and hoping for everyone’s survival.
The author’s take on elves had me thinking of Adam R. Bishop’s A Sea of Cinders, though of course with less violence. I really enjoyed this, and I’m still feeling somewhat concerned for anyone making me feel for an orc.
https://fanfiaddict.com/review-stone-...
February 11, 2024
The writing is clunky….almost like George Lucas was asked to rewrite Eragon with amnesia, but instead of dragons he chose griffins. Orin is a complex character, but I couldn’t get past the dialogue. Each time I read any of the characters speaking, I inevitably rolled my eyes. I loved the authors cool campaign on TikTok, but I feel like this one needs another run through from someone who can write dialogue that feels believable.
Thank you for your service Z.S., it states you served in the military and that is awesome.
Thank you for your service Z.S., it states you served in the military and that is awesome.
September 24, 2023
Best book so far in 2023. (September). Better than anything I read in 2022. Wholesome fantasy, for all ages.
April 24, 2025
Torn on this one.
On one hand, I liked the "diet epic fantasy"/light hearted nature of it. This is a great book to help get people into fantasy. Reminded me a lot of the Dragonlance books I read in high school, my stepping stones to a larger life in the genre.
On the other hand, it was almost too 'diet'. The whole story felt very rushed. An extra 100-200 pages would have helped this book feel more complete. We got solid bones with not much meat. As an example, the cushy aftermath of the final battle was more played out than the actual battle itself, leaving said aftermath feeling flat.
The world was interesting; I am always down for orcs, elves, goblins, dwarves, pegasi, griffins, etc. The characters were...ok. Very one dimensional. There were a lot of moments of shared love and comradery, but with not enough time given to flesh these relationships and characters out, these moments just fell flat and felt hokie. The first character we meet, and who we're lead to think is THE main of the main characters, falls completely off and a potential relationship we'll think he'll have with another character also fell off; because this other character got lost along the way as well. Really baffling.
The author has since gone on to start a 'cozy fantasy' series, and I think he'll shine there. Ideally books 2 and 3 of this series turn the volume up more on the epic and/or give us more meat on the bone. I want to be more invested in the plot and characters, my interest is there. Just hope the author's skill level levels up in later volumes.
On one hand, I liked the "diet epic fantasy"/light hearted nature of it. This is a great book to help get people into fantasy. Reminded me a lot of the Dragonlance books I read in high school, my stepping stones to a larger life in the genre.
On the other hand, it was almost too 'diet'. The whole story felt very rushed. An extra 100-200 pages would have helped this book feel more complete. We got solid bones with not much meat. As an example, the cushy aftermath of the final battle was more played out than the actual battle itself, leaving said aftermath feeling flat.
The world was interesting; I am always down for orcs, elves, goblins, dwarves, pegasi, griffins, etc. The characters were...ok. Very one dimensional. There were a lot of moments of shared love and comradery, but with not enough time given to flesh these relationships and characters out, these moments just fell flat and felt hokie. The first character we meet, and who we're lead to think is THE main of the main characters, falls completely off and a potential relationship we'll think he'll have with another character also fell off; because this other character got lost along the way as well. Really baffling.
The author has since gone on to start a 'cozy fantasy' series, and I think he'll shine there. Ideally books 2 and 3 of this series turn the volume up more on the epic and/or give us more meat on the bone. I want to be more invested in the plot and characters, my interest is there. Just hope the author's skill level levels up in later volumes.
January 6, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🐉 🧝🏼♀️ 🗡️ 🧚 🧌
Fantastic Fantasy!!
This novel completely blew me out of the water! I am still spellbound as I sit here trying to find the words to justify how amazing this book was. If I could rate it higher than 5 I would because I don’t believe I have ever been as impressed with a debut novel as I have Stone & Sky.
Stone & Sky is an EPIC adventure with the most colorful casting! Elves, dwarves, gnomes, halflings, goblins, orcs, trolls, wyverns, dragons! Need I go on?
Follow the story of Orin as he awakes in a field after being knocked from the sky whilst in battle. Gone are the orcs that killed his squad and in place he has found help in the form of a humble family. After he heals, he sets out to return home but in the process stumbles across a great threat to all of Tarrine. He and his ragtag group of companions aide each other in their attempt to get the message spread but even with the support of each other, they find their journey long, arduous, and quite dangerous.
This book was FUN. All of the different POVs made this book so engaging and left me so attached to all of the characters. I cried, I smiled, I cheered, I had all the emotions as I tagged along on this adventure. It is not often that I say anything is perfect, but here we are. This book was perfection and it went straight to my favorites shelf.
They say every time you read a book you live another life- this is one of the best lives that I have ever lived.
🐉 🧝🏼♀️ 🗡️ 🧚 🧌
Fantastic Fantasy!!
This novel completely blew me out of the water! I am still spellbound as I sit here trying to find the words to justify how amazing this book was. If I could rate it higher than 5 I would because I don’t believe I have ever been as impressed with a debut novel as I have Stone & Sky.
Stone & Sky is an EPIC adventure with the most colorful casting! Elves, dwarves, gnomes, halflings, goblins, orcs, trolls, wyverns, dragons! Need I go on?
Follow the story of Orin as he awakes in a field after being knocked from the sky whilst in battle. Gone are the orcs that killed his squad and in place he has found help in the form of a humble family. After he heals, he sets out to return home but in the process stumbles across a great threat to all of Tarrine. He and his ragtag group of companions aide each other in their attempt to get the message spread but even with the support of each other, they find their journey long, arduous, and quite dangerous.
This book was FUN. All of the different POVs made this book so engaging and left me so attached to all of the characters. I cried, I smiled, I cheered, I had all the emotions as I tagged along on this adventure. It is not often that I say anything is perfect, but here we are. This book was perfection and it went straight to my favorites shelf.
They say every time you read a book you live another life- this is one of the best lives that I have ever lived.
August 12, 2024
This book was a ton fun! it left me feeling like I traveled back in time to when I first discovered the epic fantasy genre.
I listened to the audiobook, which was superb. The narrator did an amazing job differentiating among the many different characters, and giving them each their own sense and feel.
The story itself was wonderful. It did feel a little bit too much, too quickly, at first. But that eventually eased up and when the arcs started coming together it all flowed well. It was a classic good vs evil story, which is my preference. But I liked the modernized addition of deepening the orcs and goblins and showing their side of the conflict.
While there are many loose ends left open with a good chunk of the characters, the ending brought the main conflict to a satisfying close. I can't wait to dive into the final two installments!
If you're a fan of classic epic fantasy, with elves, dwarves, orcs, goblins, griffins, and dragons, you won't be dissapointed with this!
I listened to the audiobook, which was superb. The narrator did an amazing job differentiating among the many different characters, and giving them each their own sense and feel.
The story itself was wonderful. It did feel a little bit too much, too quickly, at first. But that eventually eased up and when the arcs started coming together it all flowed well. It was a classic good vs evil story, which is my preference. But I liked the modernized addition of deepening the orcs and goblins and showing their side of the conflict.
While there are many loose ends left open with a good chunk of the characters, the ending brought the main conflict to a satisfying close. I can't wait to dive into the final two installments!
If you're a fan of classic epic fantasy, with elves, dwarves, orcs, goblins, griffins, and dragons, you won't be dissapointed with this!
June 19, 2024
This new fantasy series feels like a fresh air to me as I've been tangled in multiple super-intense series/books (which I love, enjoy and usually leaned towards)
Why I think it's a fresh air?
Because, even Stone & Sky has multiple POVs and a pretty huge list of characters, the book actually structured pretty simple and suitable for all ages -> imo, young readers as young as 12yo could definitely read this as the language used is clean
Yes the book is dramatic and some dark moments are still included to intensify the journey reading the book, although, believe it or not, the storyline is really inspiring and full of wholesome fellowships
My favourite characters are King Garron and Karnak the Orc
I can't tell you why they are my fave characters in this post, you will need to read the book to find out!!
There are a lot of magical creatures in the book i.e. orcs, goblins, wyverns, dragons, magical animals etc, yet unfortunately I didn't see enough connection between them and the humans
This was totally forgiven and forgotten since we get to see orcs and goblins perspectives, which I think is unique (or I just haven't come across any just yet)
I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves epic fantasy that is packed with adventures, fast paced, straight forward story line, great battle scenes without being too graphic and/or gory and to anyone interested in flying
Why I think it's a fresh air?
Because, even Stone & Sky has multiple POVs and a pretty huge list of characters, the book actually structured pretty simple and suitable for all ages -> imo, young readers as young as 12yo could definitely read this as the language used is clean
Yes the book is dramatic and some dark moments are still included to intensify the journey reading the book, although, believe it or not, the storyline is really inspiring and full of wholesome fellowships
My favourite characters are King Garron and Karnak the Orc
I can't tell you why they are my fave characters in this post, you will need to read the book to find out!!
There are a lot of magical creatures in the book i.e. orcs, goblins, wyverns, dragons, magical animals etc, yet unfortunately I didn't see enough connection between them and the humans
This was totally forgiven and forgotten since we get to see orcs and goblins perspectives, which I think is unique (or I just haven't come across any just yet)
I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves epic fantasy that is packed with adventures, fast paced, straight forward story line, great battle scenes without being too graphic and/or gory and to anyone interested in flying
March 12, 2025
Stone & Sky is the first book in a epic classic fantasy series and i had a blast reading it, and went quickly to buy the rest of the series.
The characters are fenomenal and you will love every one of them from the good side to the bad side.
You will find various of povs to fill up the stories, and Zac did a amazing job with writing both sides of the war/conflict.
This is a pretty fast and fun paced book that will grip you from page one and won't let you go.
With great banter, fantastic characters and wonderful world filled with orcs, goblins, trolls, elves, gnomes and Griffins/Wyvern riders.
If you haven't read this one yet, what are you waiting for?
If you are a teenager or a adult. Fresh or old fantasy reader. This one is for you. I think this is the perfect read for anyone.
The characters are fenomenal and you will love every one of them from the good side to the bad side.
You will find various of povs to fill up the stories, and Zac did a amazing job with writing both sides of the war/conflict.
This is a pretty fast and fun paced book that will grip you from page one and won't let you go.
With great banter, fantastic characters and wonderful world filled with orcs, goblins, trolls, elves, gnomes and Griffins/Wyvern riders.
If you haven't read this one yet, what are you waiting for?
If you are a teenager or a adult. Fresh or old fantasy reader. This one is for you. I think this is the perfect read for anyone.
January 19, 2024
I loved this book! I love how feel-good it was as well. The characters were well fleshed out, & it felt great to dive into a new fantasy world. A lot of fantasy novels have extremely complex storylines and characters, but this one was much more simple. When I say simple, I mean that in the best way possible. It was easy to follow & understand, while also being compelling & heartfelt. I am looking forward to the sequel!
February 6, 2024
An instant classic
If you're looking for a fun classic fantasy book then this a must read! One of my favorite things about this book is the grand scale of everything and the attention to detail. Diamanti is able to masterfully pull you into his world and make you feel like your actually in it. I love the fact that you are getting to see everything from so many different perspectives. If you haven't read the Prelude Collection yet I recommend reading that the Stone & Sky.
If you're looking for a fun classic fantasy book then this a must read! One of my favorite things about this book is the grand scale of everything and the attention to detail. Diamanti is able to masterfully pull you into his world and make you feel like your actually in it. I love the fact that you are getting to see everything from so many different perspectives. If you haven't read the Prelude Collection yet I recommend reading that the Stone & Sky.
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