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Alastair Stone Chronicles #1
Stone and a Hard Place
This is an alternate cover edition for B00UGBEQYY
It's hard enough for Alastair Stone to keep his two lives - powerful mage and mundane Occult Studies professor - separate without an old friend asking him to take on a new apprentice. Especially after a university colleague wants him to investigate a massive old house for things that go bump in the night. Still, Stone figures it's an easy job: just turn up, put on a little show, and announce that the house is clean.
Only it isn't. A malevolent spirit is reawakening in the basement, imprisoned between dimensions and intent on escape. If it succeeds, countless people will die. Worse, a trio of dark mages want to help it break free so they can control it for their own sinister purposes. They'll do whatever it takes - including seducing Stone's young apprentice and using him against his master - to get what they're after.
With time running out, Stone has to stay alive long enough to uncover the spirit's secrets. But even if he does, he fears that his own power won't be enough to send it back.
It's hard enough for Alastair Stone to keep his two lives - powerful mage and mundane Occult Studies professor - separate without an old friend asking him to take on a new apprentice. Especially after a university colleague wants him to investigate a massive old house for things that go bump in the night. Still, Stone figures it's an easy job: just turn up, put on a little show, and announce that the house is clean.
Only it isn't. A malevolent spirit is reawakening in the basement, imprisoned between dimensions and intent on escape. If it succeeds, countless people will die. Worse, a trio of dark mages want to help it break free so they can control it for their own sinister purposes. They'll do whatever it takes - including seducing Stone's young apprentice and using him against his master - to get what they're after.
With time running out, Stone has to stay alive long enough to uncover the spirit's secrets. But even if he does, he fears that his own power won't be enough to send it back.
330 pages, ebook
First published March 16, 2015
778 people are currently reading
1394 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
July 12, 2015
This book is awful. I bought it because it was only $2 on Amazon and I want a refund. If you're looking for a cool new urban fantasy world to explore with an intriguing magic system then you won't find it here. The magic is bland and vague, "Imagine this complex symbol i drew on a chalkboard then put your will into it. You'll need to practice to build up your magic strength," is about as indepth as it goes, despite the main character taking on an apprentice, a trope that is generally used to explain how magic works in the author's world.
The narrative also jumps between four points of view in the first two chapters, and not in a good way. The writing is subpar and the content bland. Don't bother with this one.
The narrative also jumps between four points of view in the first two chapters, and not in a good way. The writing is subpar and the content bland. Don't bother with this one.
May 21, 2015
Professor Alistair Stone is a powerful mage, teaching occult studies to mundane (non magical folk) students. When he takes on Ethan, a young mage, as a favour to one of his mage colleagues and friends, Dr Stone embarks on a journey of self discovery as much as Ethan.
The character of Alistair Stone was reasonable, I liked his personality and methodical approach to teaching. He was suitably eccentric enough to keep things interesting, but stable enough to appear reliable.
Ethan is a completely different matter. Ethan is meant to be 18, but the way he conducts himself, especially in relation to women is more fitting for a 15 or 16 year old boy. Bordering on TSTL (Too Stupid To Live), his character was so flimsy he almost doubled as a tool the real characters used to advance the plot. All his internal debating with himself over what to tell Dr Stone and what not to was quite boring and rather immature and annoying.
The start of the story spent a lot time introducing the world and magic rules. It was done by way of educating Ethan, but it allowed for the reader to get a solid understanding. It felt a little longer and a little slower than I'd have liked, but I could see it served a purpose.
The ending of the story was a completely different matter all together. The story was like rolling a giant boulder up a slight incline, only to have it reach the apex of the hill and then have it leave you behind as it roared down the decline on the otherside. The ending scenes were fast, almost too fast, and considering the light style of writing, quite dark and sinister.
The ending left me feeling like it was more of an anti-climax than a climax. The unanswered plot threads left to dangle in the smoke and haze, intending to lure you onto reading the next book. While the main story plot was completed, these smaller threads were left unanswered, almost like a tiny little hook. Daring the reader to take a bite out of book #2.
The story was interesting and engaging, the writing style mostly light and extremely easy to read. R.L. has a solid grasp on good English and uses those skills to keep the reader interested in the story. If you'd like to try an urban fantasy story with some sinister dark elements, give this book a try. I will be reading book #2 at some point in the future for sure.
**Note: I was provided an electronic copy of the book in return for an honest review**
The character of Alistair Stone was reasonable, I liked his personality and methodical approach to teaching. He was suitably eccentric enough to keep things interesting, but stable enough to appear reliable.
Ethan is a completely different matter. Ethan is meant to be 18, but the way he conducts himself, especially in relation to women is more fitting for a 15 or 16 year old boy. Bordering on TSTL (Too Stupid To Live), his character was so flimsy he almost doubled as a tool the real characters used to advance the plot. All his internal debating with himself over what to tell Dr Stone and what not to was quite boring and rather immature and annoying.
The start of the story spent a lot time introducing the world and magic rules. It was done by way of educating Ethan, but it allowed for the reader to get a solid understanding. It felt a little longer and a little slower than I'd have liked, but I could see it served a purpose.
The ending of the story was a completely different matter all together. The story was like rolling a giant boulder up a slight incline, only to have it reach the apex of the hill and then have it leave you behind as it roared down the decline on the otherside. The ending scenes were fast, almost too fast, and considering the light style of writing, quite dark and sinister.
The ending left me feeling like it was more of an anti-climax than a climax. The unanswered plot threads left to dangle in the smoke and haze, intending to lure you onto reading the next book. While the main story plot was completed, these smaller threads were left unanswered, almost like a tiny little hook. Daring the reader to take a bite out of book #2.
The story was interesting and engaging, the writing style mostly light and extremely easy to read. R.L. has a solid grasp on good English and uses those skills to keep the reader interested in the story. If you'd like to try an urban fantasy story with some sinister dark elements, give this book a try. I will be reading book #2 at some point in the future for sure.
**Note: I was provided an electronic copy of the book in return for an honest review**
December 7, 2025
AIBA Book of the Week: 8 December, 2025: 201/42161
Awesome Indies Book Awards is pleased to include STONE AND A HARD PLACE (Alastair Stone Chronicles #1) by R.L. KING in the library of Awesome Indies' Badge of Approval recipients.
Original Awesome Indies' Assessment (4 stars):
King has written a quality book here, one worthy of any publisher, and it deserves to do well. Those who like urban fantasy will probably enjoy it because it delivers everything one comes to expect from the genre.
Dr. Alastair Stone is an Occult Studies professor and, unknown to the mundane world, also a powerful mage. He’s a little out of practice with combat skills as one rarely needs them in modern times, but when he discovers an unknown demonic force trapped in the basement of an old woman’s mansion, he has to brush up on them quickly. His new teenage apprentice complicates matters when he’s seduced by a selfish dark mage who, with her team of two men, wants the ‘demon’ for their own use. Do these not-classically-trained mages have the power and knowledge to control such a powerful entity, though, or will their overconfidence and inexperience let the beast out and endanger the whole world? And will Stone find out what his apprentice is up too before it’s too late?
The novel is a little different to many in the genre because, though it never drags, it starts fairly slowly in terms of action. However, taking its time allows a greater depth of character development than is usually seen in the genre. By the time things start to hot up, I was fully invested in Dr Stone who I related to as a very real person. I had a good idea of his weaknesses and his strengths, and I liked the guy.
Ethan, the apprentice was also well portrayed. The warring factions of the boy’s desires and conscience made an interesting tension. I found myself saying, ‘No, no, don’t do it.’ But in fiction, the easy way does not make the best story, and this is undoubtably a good story.
Craft wise, the story was well-structured and handled expertly, the character’s vulnerabilities making it always unsure of the outcome, and the relationship between stone and his girlfriend added another layer of interest. The prose flowed well and was generally well constructed, however a few too many very bland sentences spoiled it for me. Most of these began with ‘It was’ or ‘He was’ or something similar. Given the quality of the rest of the prose, these seemed somewhat lazy. Though these things picked up by an editor would not be noticed by most readers, that and the fact that the story didn’t quite make the leap to ‘awesome’ for me, prevented me from giving it 5 stars. This is because, having read a great deal of urban fantasy, I would have liked to have seen it stretch the boundaries of that genre more.
Perhaps the author will be a little more adventurous with the next book. I’d be very interested in reading it, and I have no qualms about recommending this one to fans of the genre or anyone interested in dipping into it. 4 stars.
Awesome Indies Book Awards is pleased to include STONE AND A HARD PLACE (Alastair Stone Chronicles #1) by R.L. KING in the library of Awesome Indies' Badge of Approval recipients.
Original Awesome Indies' Assessment (4 stars):
King has written a quality book here, one worthy of any publisher, and it deserves to do well. Those who like urban fantasy will probably enjoy it because it delivers everything one comes to expect from the genre.
Dr. Alastair Stone is an Occult Studies professor and, unknown to the mundane world, also a powerful mage. He’s a little out of practice with combat skills as one rarely needs them in modern times, but when he discovers an unknown demonic force trapped in the basement of an old woman’s mansion, he has to brush up on them quickly. His new teenage apprentice complicates matters when he’s seduced by a selfish dark mage who, with her team of two men, wants the ‘demon’ for their own use. Do these not-classically-trained mages have the power and knowledge to control such a powerful entity, though, or will their overconfidence and inexperience let the beast out and endanger the whole world? And will Stone find out what his apprentice is up too before it’s too late?
The novel is a little different to many in the genre because, though it never drags, it starts fairly slowly in terms of action. However, taking its time allows a greater depth of character development than is usually seen in the genre. By the time things start to hot up, I was fully invested in Dr Stone who I related to as a very real person. I had a good idea of his weaknesses and his strengths, and I liked the guy.
Ethan, the apprentice was also well portrayed. The warring factions of the boy’s desires and conscience made an interesting tension. I found myself saying, ‘No, no, don’t do it.’ But in fiction, the easy way does not make the best story, and this is undoubtably a good story.
Craft wise, the story was well-structured and handled expertly, the character’s vulnerabilities making it always unsure of the outcome, and the relationship between stone and his girlfriend added another layer of interest. The prose flowed well and was generally well constructed, however a few too many very bland sentences spoiled it for me. Most of these began with ‘It was’ or ‘He was’ or something similar. Given the quality of the rest of the prose, these seemed somewhat lazy. Though these things picked up by an editor would not be noticed by most readers, that and the fact that the story didn’t quite make the leap to ‘awesome’ for me, prevented me from giving it 5 stars. This is because, having read a great deal of urban fantasy, I would have liked to have seen it stretch the boundaries of that genre more.
Perhaps the author will be a little more adventurous with the next book. I’d be very interested in reading it, and I have no qualms about recommending this one to fans of the genre or anyone interested in dipping into it. 4 stars.
December 29, 2017
Not actually finished the book yet and my review will likely go up. The story is giving me such a strong feeling at the moment that I need to share it....
Oooooh my fucking god if Ethan doesn't die my rating probably won't go up much. I'm not a bully. Got picked on plenty myself. But I HATE this character. Thank you. I just had to share that.
Edit: Alright I've finished the book. And honestly I would have rated it a solid three stars. Where I put most of the books I enjoy. But i truly did hate the Ethan character. He knew consciously every thing he did wrong was wrong. He was just selfish and decided to do it anyway.
I think I would have enjoyed the book more if it had been written from a solo point of view, as I prefer in general. That way the author could have hinted vaguely at what a shit Ethan was here and there. Giving a more solid hint at the end. And I could have just enjoyed the other characters more without being annoyed with Ethan constantly.
But then I guess that's all a matter of taste and opinion. I can admit Game of Thrones was a well done show. But I couldnt watch it because I hated most all of the characters. Some folks enjoy that. Not me.
Oooooh my fucking god if Ethan doesn't die my rating probably won't go up much. I'm not a bully. Got picked on plenty myself. But I HATE this character. Thank you. I just had to share that.
Edit: Alright I've finished the book. And honestly I would have rated it a solid three stars. Where I put most of the books I enjoy. But i truly did hate the Ethan character. He knew consciously every thing he did wrong was wrong. He was just selfish and decided to do it anyway.
I think I would have enjoyed the book more if it had been written from a solo point of view, as I prefer in general. That way the author could have hinted vaguely at what a shit Ethan was here and there. Giving a more solid hint at the end. And I could have just enjoyed the other characters more without being annoyed with Ethan constantly.
But then I guess that's all a matter of taste and opinion. I can admit Game of Thrones was a well done show. But I couldnt watch it because I hated most all of the characters. Some folks enjoy that. Not me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2016
Very difficult to finish.
It was a struggle and aggravating.
I stuck with it, hoping it would get better. I will not be getting any of the others in the series.
The characters were annoying and weak and predictable
Wasn't impressed
It was a struggle and aggravating.
I stuck with it, hoping it would get better. I will not be getting any of the others in the series.
The characters were annoying and weak and predictable
Wasn't impressed
May 5, 2017
3.5 ✨
Not bad but the magic system needs work. it was a bit predictable too but it was a fun read. I've read worse books
Not bad but the magic system needs work. it was a bit predictable too but it was a fun read. I've read worse books
October 4, 2017
Alternate Title: Hormonal Teenager Fucks Everything Up
Ok, to be fair, this book is not bad. It hits all the right notes of your typical Urban Fantasy book and what it does, it accomplishes okay. There's nothing overly creative about the universe R.L King is trying to create, although I have to wonder if the magic system was cribbed wholesale from Star Wars. Seriously, White Magic/Black Magic is described almost word for word like Light/Dark side force powers work.
The story itself is your typical haunted house shtick with the protagonist investigating what is effectively a haunting by a trapped entity somewhere in the house. Along the way, Stone has to contend with a coven of Black Mages who want to fuck shit up simply because they're prats. It has all the usual highs and lows of a book of this caliber with nothing that really stands out about it.
In fact so much of this story is boilerplate. I was predicting the story would end the way I thought it would about a third of the way in and lo and behold, so it was written! The characters are your stock standard stereotypes with little to define them. Stone himself is kind of a bland character with nothing really that defines him other than being British pip-pip tally ho, tea and crumpets and all that shit. It's actually kind of silly when you've got characters describing him as eccentric only for him never act eccentric. Miss King, please remember, show don't tell. In fact a lot of the narrative is built around the King telling us what's going on in Stone's head, not actually having him say it. The villains meanwhile are your typical pretty arrogant douchebags who treat magic like drugs addicts treat coke and I never really gave two shits about them. Of course their plan was going to fail. Given the type of short sighted morons they were, of course it was going to fail.
And then we come to Ethan, our protagonist's erstwhile apprentice. OH ETHAN!!! Have I got some words to say about you. For starters, this kid has got to be the DUMBEST character I've seen in a story for quite some time. Granted his actions don't kickstart the villain's plot, but they sure as hell help that bastard along! Ethan is the character we always see in horror movies, who does all the dumb shit we yell at the screen for. You could make the argument that he is hormonal, emotional and not in his right mind, but given that every step of the way, his actions propel the plot forward, it literally falls on his shoulders to be the dumbarse. As it is, his sidestory is not even that interesting. We never see him interact much with his mother so there's no emotional connection when she inevitably snuffs it from plot-related illness. On top of that, his entire arc feels like the episodes from Season 6 of Buffy when Willow gets addicted to magic. They are written that hamfistedly it's not bloody funny. Replace the word magic with Cocaine and you've got a Very Special Episode about the dangers of addiction.
Now like I said, the book isn't bad. I'm not looking for something to set the world on fire, but can we please at least get something to doesn't aim for mediocre and hits that hurdle with aplomb?
Ok, to be fair, this book is not bad. It hits all the right notes of your typical Urban Fantasy book and what it does, it accomplishes okay. There's nothing overly creative about the universe R.L King is trying to create, although I have to wonder if the magic system was cribbed wholesale from Star Wars. Seriously, White Magic/Black Magic is described almost word for word like Light/Dark side force powers work.
The story itself is your typical haunted house shtick with the protagonist investigating what is effectively a haunting by a trapped entity somewhere in the house. Along the way, Stone has to contend with a coven of Black Mages who want to fuck shit up simply because they're prats. It has all the usual highs and lows of a book of this caliber with nothing that really stands out about it.
In fact so much of this story is boilerplate. I was predicting the story would end the way I thought it would about a third of the way in and lo and behold, so it was written! The characters are your stock standard stereotypes with little to define them. Stone himself is kind of a bland character with nothing really that defines him other than being British pip-pip tally ho, tea and crumpets and all that shit. It's actually kind of silly when you've got characters describing him as eccentric only for him never act eccentric. Miss King, please remember, show don't tell. In fact a lot of the narrative is built around the King telling us what's going on in Stone's head, not actually having him say it. The villains meanwhile are your typical pretty arrogant douchebags who treat magic like drugs addicts treat coke and I never really gave two shits about them. Of course their plan was going to fail. Given the type of short sighted morons they were, of course it was going to fail.
And then we come to Ethan, our protagonist's erstwhile apprentice. OH ETHAN!!! Have I got some words to say about you. For starters, this kid has got to be the DUMBEST character I've seen in a story for quite some time. Granted his actions don't kickstart the villain's plot, but they sure as hell help that bastard along! Ethan is the character we always see in horror movies, who does all the dumb shit we yell at the screen for. You could make the argument that he is hormonal, emotional and not in his right mind, but given that every step of the way, his actions propel the plot forward, it literally falls on his shoulders to be the dumbarse. As it is, his sidestory is not even that interesting. We never see him interact much with his mother so there's no emotional connection when she inevitably snuffs it from plot-related illness. On top of that, his entire arc feels like the episodes from Season 6 of Buffy when Willow gets addicted to magic. They are written that hamfistedly it's not bloody funny. Replace the word magic with Cocaine and you've got a Very Special Episode about the dangers of addiction.
Now like I said, the book isn't bad. I'm not looking for something to set the world on fire, but can we please at least get something to doesn't aim for mediocre and hits that hurdle with aplomb?
March 10, 2016
Rounding up from 2.5 stars (somewhere between was ok and liked it). Harry Dresden was my intro to Urban Fantasy and this was no Dresden. Lately have been looking for filler until the next Dresden novel so I gave this a try. The main character, Alastair Stone, was an interesting character who I hope develops more in future books. His apprentice, Ethan, I really disliked. Too dependent and just did not fit into the story well. The story itself was a good intro to a new series and I am starting the next right now. The reviews for the follow up books get better so looking forward to the next installment.
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January 1, 2026Rating minus 13 on a scale of minus 15 to plus 5.
I doubt that anyone will read this but it is cathartic. I stopped reading at page 291. It was not interesting enough to finish the last 60 pages.
Before I continue I will as usual visit the YouTube. This next was made possible by channels -Doctor Who/They Break My Heart, National Centre for Military Intelligence, Shitty Book Club, Read Rant Review, Welcome to Ukraine, France 24, Squire, Supertanskiii, Red Glasgow, Books N Cats, Verilybitchie, KernowDamo, Eugenia from Ukraine, FAFO, Raw News and Politics,
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I recently saw an idiot who whilst insulting a trans creator whom I mentioned, complain to her that I list channels with trans creators. I am no longer surprised by the Snowflake (stupidly vicious of US man-child). Trigger Warning then.
The channels which I list include economist, bi, auburn, Bahamian, astrophysicist, cis, archaeologist, witch, sewist, lumber yard worker, intersex, chess player, WOC, tall, miniatures painter, lesbian, Swedish, marine biologist, writer, socialist, het, historian, trans, military historian, mathematician, boater, asexual, blond, miniatures builder, botanist, queer, Polish, anthropologist, boat restorer, architect and other creators known as Women.
Almost as threatening are the anarchist, Scottish, other BIPOC, ginger, neurodivergent, boater, other LGBTQ+, communist, essayist, philosopher, military boardgamer, wood worker, lifestyle vlogger, Ugandan, chemist, paleontologist, zoologist, mathematician, culture critic, language historian, miniatures landscape builder, tailor, Canadian, farmer, miniatures wargamer, game historian and other creators (known outside the US) as Human Beings.
Should the voices insist still, seek emergency therapy and/or develop a new skill, such as reading and/or apply for a Catholic exorcism.
My feelings towards these cowards is similar to that of the 13 Ukrainian marines defending Snake Island, when their surrender was demanded by the Russian navy. Their response was "Russian warship, go f@ck yourself". Glory to Ukraine. Glory to the Heroes. Crimea is Ukraine.
The characters are paper thin and the writer used a stereotype for every character. Given the templates she used the plot was not good. I do not remember the background world. Most Amazon selections lack serious worldbuilding and this book is not the exception.
The main character is a tweed wearing English professor of occult studies/magic. He takes on a student but takes no mentoring responsibility, while teaching him to harness dangerous powers. Self-absorbed is the least of it, because that is the dynamic that drives the entire story.
The other mages are so out of touch with the use of their magic, it raises the question of why they bother to study it. The student mage is a "good" kid (?) of twenty who befriends three malicious mages because he has sex with one of them. By the end I was actually rooting for the evil other dimensional creature.
The plot was predictable and the mistakes made by all characters are ridiculous but are needed to advance the plot. At the start I mistakenly thought it might be interesting.
The self-described powerful magician never demonstrates awesome magical power. There are no characters worth emotional investment and barely reflect involvement with each other.
I do not remember more of the book. Despite my reaction, this book is far better than probably 90% of the 1000+ Kindle Unlimited selections which I attempted.
I noticed a sad lack of entertaining US speculative fiction later than about 2010. The science fiction are US supremacist, racist, misogynistic rants barely clothed in the tattered attempt at a story. From lack of worldbuilding to no attempt at questioning social structures, there seem no point to them.
They usually consist of the trials of white US males, several spaceships and sometimes a woman in cat suit styled spacesuit. They may sometimes satisfy a thirteen year old male but I never thought 35+ year olds could survive a steady diet until I occasionally scanned Goodreads reviews.
I need a stepaway to the YouTube before continuing. This next was made possible by Doctor Who\Never Cruel or Cowardly, Gingers are Black, Amie's Literary Empire, Up and Atom, Grace McGuire, Megalithhunter, Sanctioned Ivan, Crecganford, Stevie Emerson, The Crow Caller, NFKRZ, Yoyomi, Miniminuteman, Verilybitchie,
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With Olivia, Depressed Russian, Welcome to Ukraine, Fall of Civilisations, Kyiv Post, Veritas at Caritas, Dan Davis History, Paleo Analysis, Sarah Z, Nomadic Crobot, Zoe Baker, Philosophy Tube, Wizards and Warriors, Cold Fusion, The Leftist Cooks, Times Radio, AllShorts, Little Wars, Art Deco, No Justice, ConeOfArc, Tank Museum, Book Furnace, Dropkick Murphys, Bookpilled,
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Consider treating this as a hostile site. 🤔
Goodreads discourse does not exist. As example, I wrote a short negative review of Powers of the Earth, by Travis Corcoran.
The book book was a badly written, juvenile story of the US military overthrow of their government led by a twat who refuses to pay inheritance taxes. The book is a salute to the sociopathic libertarian January 6, 2021 hero and this theme is repeated across a significant percentage of the trashy Kindle Unlimited titles. Kindle did introduce the odd good Indie author but so few that I finally ended my Unlimited sub.
The writer of Powers is Travis Corcoran, self-described as US veteran, employee of an unnamed US agency, libertarian and advocate for the return of chattel slavery, supporter of Putin. He and six patriotic friends went mental that I found the book dangerous and unhealthy. I am a communist and hate irony. They wrote pages of demands for a response to vile comments and described me as a narcissist.for failure to respond. Claes Rees Jr aka cgr710 now ka Clayton R Jesse Jr was the last aggrieved commenter. He grandly declared that They had "won" (?).
I discovered that They had launched a flood of outrageous racist, misogynistic, anti-LGBTQ+ comments, which continues still against apparently every female creator that I mentioned. The essayists, artists, book reviewers, scientists and other female creators were not impressed. Despite this, the world's overabundance of unpleasantness was increased and They delivered a wonderful self-portrait of the US snowflake (ill educated, mental, fascistic US man-child) to a multinational audience. This seems a Victory. Goodreads discourse, Yay ?? USA, Yay ??
I need a step away to YouTube and TV. This next was made possible by Mia Mulder, Jessica Kellgren Fozard, Ben and Emily, Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox, Books with Chloe, World War Two, The Great War, Sailing Melody, Searching for Samantha, Ellbat, Kris Atomic, Econ Lessons, Bryony Claire, Cover In French, TVP News, Haylo Hailey, Tobes, UNTV, Authors Behaving Badly, The Gaze, The Ministry of Miniatures, France 24, Blaxit Global, Grace McGuire, Belinda Strndad, Dr Fatima, Menagerie, Dungeons and Discourse, Alice Cappelle, Aid Thompsin, BritMonkey, Don't F@ck with Ukraine, Inside Russia, Morgan Donner, Adiemus -Carmina Slovenica, WokeGardener, Kiko1006-Empire of Angels, The Researcher, Table top CP, Mordian Glory, Ancient Americas, The Caspian Report, Bobbing Along, Cruising Crafts, Cruising Alba, The Confused Adipose, Steve Shives, Military Aviation History, Kirkpattiecake, Zoe Bee, Haropones, Double Down News, Salem Tovar, Munecat, Council of Geeks, Cruising the Cut, Reese Waters, The Gaze, UATV, Female Warriors -Teresatessa, Travelling K, Amie's Literary Empire, Emma Thorne, Reads with Rachel, Drama Kween, Lurie Daniel Favors, Sideprojects, Dark Docs, Central Crossing, The Snake Charmer, Diary of a Ditch Witch, Dark seas, Dark Brandon, Riverboat Jack, Democratic Penguin Republic, Jean's Thoughts, Queen Penguin, Princess Weekes, Puddles Pity Party, Agro Squirrel Narrates, Oceanliner Designs, Yoyomi.
Ominous music begins. 🙂 The average writing level for US Romance, Romantasy, Fantasy is eleven to twelve years old, that of science fiction probably nine to ten. The bulk of members are certainly US readers.
52% of US readers read BELOW the eleven to twelve years old level. 54% of male and 34% of female Latinos voted for a party and President who have for decades demanded that undocumented Latinos be deported and claimed that even the citizens were subhuman publicly and often, because their votes were to cement their whiteness. 52% of white women voted for a party which had for decades argued for the removal of voting rights, bodily autonomy, property tights, protections against even rape including preteen girls, thinking that would only apply to Women of Colour. Asians succeeded in removing the diversity requirements as black and Latino students had spots which should go to more deserving Asian children. Their children as well as those of other minorities are now no longer guaranteed admission based on performance. 20% of black men voted for a president and party who since Reagan campaigned on their animalistic nature and promises to make their lives more difficult and dangerous. The President elect has named them savages and promises to legalise their public murder. 75% of white males voted for the party and President who had already gutted the union movement and campaigned with the promise to end worker rights altogether.
All of this knowingly in the name of being treated as white males, a prized and protected class. From this pool of readers, come the comment gangs who think nothing of doxxing, stalking and threatening including with death the one star reviewer and now BookTubers. Emotionally stunted, ignorant, borderline illiterate seeking to prove their loyalty to a prevailing consensus are not the markers for critical thinkers. Amazon neither confront the madmen nor acknowledge the incidents.
I am creating a chronology of harassment in my Powers review. My patience ended after Pine Gap Centre requested that Australian Intelligence interrogate the one Goodreads friend with whom I occasionally exchanged messages. The attempt at my personal information failed but he was worried for my safety. Amazon was unconcerned until we began publicising the event. At that point all lurkers whom I had not been Allowed to remove including "Stone", the elusive Dr Susan Hamilton former Maths professor at University of Tennessee and others disappeared suddenly. All comments I had received were masked and other visible signs of my page Alterations undone. Kindle service interruptions ended and Goodreads upload allowed normally. Amazon's customer service have been found wanting. 😊
Recently a seventh ex-employee of EBay was sentenced for the harassment of a couple producing a small ecommerce channel deemed unkind to EBay. The couple were awarded multi-millions of pounds. The ex-employee had been the EBay Chief of Global Security or some such. Things to think about.
Goodreads are dangerous. I recommend a few safeguards. Remove personal information on profile and avoid messaging. Remove the lurker, those who never post. They are monitors who are not harmless. Given the Goodreads penchant for Altering customer pages, the screenshot of the odd and the ugly are invaluable.
Do Not use Kindle Files, Calendar, Contacts or Email. Do Not purchase Kindle ebooks because you own only the device not downloads. Your ebooks may be deleted at any time by Amazon and are automatically deleted should you close your Amazon account. I regret that I had not known that before my 500 purchases. Obviously any searches on Amazon Silk should be innocuous and non-critical. I suffered a hacking attempt which may or may not have been Kindle launched, together with denial of my reader's internet access, keyboard reformat and other charming displays of disapproval. If you are an US reader, my travails seem normal and others who find the above acceptable should disregard this and the above paragraph..
I received a recent message from Amazon stating that Kindle no longer support Goodreads on Fire tablets. This second message while meaningless is far more pleasant than the only other which was a nasty response to my first query more than seven years ago regarding strange goings-on to my Goodreads account. Fortunately Storygraph, Fable and other alternative reader forums are available, as are readers.
Hopefully you will never be targeted but bear in mind that your temporary immunity rests on the whims of psychotic madlads both Amazon employee and Goodreads member. Let me emphasise that these animals, employees and members alike lack any non-Randian morality or healthy socialisation but are proud US patriots with all that implies. Ominous music ends. 🙂
Be well and May we all find Good Reading. 😊
Some of my favourite YouTube channels.
Democratic Penguin Republic, Bobbing Along, Munecat, Lynn Saga, Ben and Emily, fig tree, RevolutionarythOt, Raw News and Politics, Kirkpattiecake, Ship Happens, aidan knight, Cruising Crafts, Cruising the Cut, Owen Jones, May, Tara Mooknee, Some More News, Philosophy Tube, Think That Through, Jess Owens, Poland Daily Live, Yarmak -Ragnarok, ScaredKetchup, Evie Lupine, Zoe Baker, The Book Leo, Reads with Rachel, Hardy's Books, Jay Exci, Unlearning Economics, Mrs Betty Bowers, Cruising Alba, Table top CP, I'm Autistic Now What, Matriarchetype, JammiDodger, Portside Living, Fredda, Morbid Zoo, What Vivi did next, Nerdy Kathi, Horses, Red Viburnam Song, To Ramdin, Norse mythology and Beliefs, The Narrowboat Good life, Hoots, Bardcore, May Moon Narrowboat, Welcome to Ukraine, Eileen, Let's Play, Centurion's Review, Dungeon Dad, Deerstalker Pictures, Ukraine:The Latest, KernowDamo, The Leftist Cooks, Jessie Gender, Dungeons and Discourse, The Prime of Midlife, Zoe Bee, The Great War, SandRhoman History, The Cold War, History of Everything, Dark Brandon, Historical Fashion, Travelling K, Oh Joe, Lost the Plot, ThistinyLife, Chris and Shell, Cruising Alba, Fraser Cain, Jen the Librarian, Leena Norms, FAFO, Gingers are Black, Hypohystericalhistory, Brandon F, Atun Shei Pictures, ATP Geopolitics, Cambrian Chronicles, Trae Crowder, Belle of the Ranch, The Black Forest Family, Kaz Rowe, Nomadic Crobot, Supertanskiii, Pete Peppers, Red Plateaus, Morgan Donner, Abby Cox, Karolina Zebrowska, Mercado Media, Lily Alexandre, The Prime of Midlife, ATP Geopolitics, Artur Rehi, Geo Girl, Up and Atom, The Kavernacle, Sabine Hossenfelder, Subha Reads, The Ministry of Miniatures, JohnTheDuncan, Eugenia from Ukraine, Vlad Vexler, Swell Entertainment, DW World, No Justice, Truth to Power, Smack the Pony, Ship Happens, Malinda, Adult Wednesday Addams - 2 seasons, Kathy's Flog in France, A Life of Lit, Autumn's Boutique, OrangeRiver, Sarah Z, Brandon F, Alt Shift X, Cold Fusion, Invicta, Princess Weekes, Books and Lala, Lady of the Library, Verilybitchie, Library Ladder, SciFi Odyssey, ElectroSwing, Lily Simpson, LuckyBlackCat, Operator Starsky, SK Media, Roomies Digest, Renegade Cut, It's Black Friday.
I wish the reader a pleasant morning, a productive afternoon, a splendid evening, a wonderful night and may we all continue learning.
Silence in the face of Evil is Complicity.
I doubt that anyone will read this but it is cathartic. I stopped reading at page 291. It was not interesting enough to finish the last 60 pages.
Before I continue I will as usual visit the YouTube. This next was made possible by channels -Doctor Who/They Break My Heart, National Centre for Military Intelligence, Shitty Book Club, Read Rant Review, Welcome to Ukraine, France 24, Squire, Supertanskiii, Red Glasgow, Books N Cats, Verilybitchie, KernowDamo, Eugenia from Ukraine, FAFO, Raw News and Politics,
Bernadette Banner, J Draper, Owen Jones, The Great War, Brandon Fisichella, Matriarchetype, Truth to Power, Vlad Vexler, Kyiv Post, ATP Geopolitics, Professor Gerdes Explains, Unlearning Economics, Narrowboat Pirate, Ben and Emily, Art Deco, Think That Through, Global Updates with Sosan, The Lady of the Library, Jed Herne, DamiLee,
Answer in Progress, Hazariel Costumes, Arvin Ash, Don't F@ck with Ukraine, Gutsick Gibbon, Ben G Thomas, Planarwalker, Megalith Hunter, Malinda, Cambrian Chronicles, The Welsh Viking, Emma Thorne, Geo Girl, Vasya in the Hay, Luciana Zogbi, Invicta, The Tank Museum, Same Ship Different Day, May, Boat Time, The Gaze, UATV English,
Central Crossing, DuckBricks, OliviaReadsaLatte, Jean's Thoughts, The Book Leo, Authors Behaving badly, Sideprojects, Abby Cox, Alt Shift X, Military Aviation History, Cold Fusion, Dark Docs, Dark Skies, Dark Tech, Dark Footage, Central Crossing, Well Deck Diaries, DUST, Evie Lupine, Lumber Capital Log Yard, Deerstalker Pictures, Elina Charatsidou, Gary's Economics, Snappy Dragon, The Who Addicts, Joe Blogs, Jake Broe, Mercado Media,
Swell Entertainment, Strange Aeons, Tara Mooknee, Rowan Ellis, The British Museum, Anna Gramling, Chess Vibes, Julie Nolke, Fantasy and World Music by the Fletchers, Ship Happens, Books and LaLa, Brittany Page, Jesse Dollemore, Science Fiction Club, Weirdo Book Club, Kaz Rowe, Michael Lambert, Supertanskiii, Alysotherlife, Mandy, Cunk, Emma Thorne, Rebecca Watson, Jessie Gender,
The Leftist Cooks, OrangeRiver, Medusa Cascade, Physics Girl, Engineering with Rosie, Katy Montgomerie, Living Anachronism, Anark, Keffals, Lily Alexandre, Pete Peppers, Let's Talk Mythology, Zoe, Sarah Z, Karolina Zebrowska, Shannon Makes, Engineering Knits,
Snappy Dragon, Veritas and Caritas, The Great War, The Octopus Lady, Lady Knight the Brave, Horses, Norse Magic and Beliefs, Diary of a Ditch Witch, Historical Fashion, The Hat Historian, Ember Green, A Life of Lit, Gingers are Black, Books and Things, Kat Blacque, Fit 2B Read.
I recently saw an idiot who whilst insulting a trans creator whom I mentioned, complain to her that I list channels with trans creators. I am no longer surprised by the Snowflake (stupidly vicious of US man-child). Trigger Warning then.
The channels which I list include economist, bi, auburn, Bahamian, astrophysicist, cis, archaeologist, witch, sewist, lumber yard worker, intersex, chess player, WOC, tall, miniatures painter, lesbian, Swedish, marine biologist, writer, socialist, het, historian, trans, military historian, mathematician, boater, asexual, blond, miniatures builder, botanist, queer, Polish, anthropologist, boat restorer, architect and other creators known as Women.
Almost as threatening are the anarchist, Scottish, other BIPOC, ginger, neurodivergent, boater, other LGBTQ+, communist, essayist, philosopher, military boardgamer, wood worker, lifestyle vlogger, Ugandan, chemist, paleontologist, zoologist, mathematician, culture critic, language historian, miniatures landscape builder, tailor, Canadian, farmer, miniatures wargamer, game historian and other creators (known outside the US) as Human Beings.
Should the voices insist still, seek emergency therapy and/or develop a new skill, such as reading and/or apply for a Catholic exorcism.
My feelings towards these cowards is similar to that of the 13 Ukrainian marines defending Snake Island, when their surrender was demanded by the Russian navy. Their response was "Russian warship, go f@ck yourself". Glory to Ukraine. Glory to the Heroes. Crimea is Ukraine.
The characters are paper thin and the writer used a stereotype for every character. Given the templates she used the plot was not good. I do not remember the background world. Most Amazon selections lack serious worldbuilding and this book is not the exception.
The main character is a tweed wearing English professor of occult studies/magic. He takes on a student but takes no mentoring responsibility, while teaching him to harness dangerous powers. Self-absorbed is the least of it, because that is the dynamic that drives the entire story.
The other mages are so out of touch with the use of their magic, it raises the question of why they bother to study it. The student mage is a "good" kid (?) of twenty who befriends three malicious mages because he has sex with one of them. By the end I was actually rooting for the evil other dimensional creature.
The plot was predictable and the mistakes made by all characters are ridiculous but are needed to advance the plot. At the start I mistakenly thought it might be interesting.
The self-described powerful magician never demonstrates awesome magical power. There are no characters worth emotional investment and barely reflect involvement with each other.
I do not remember more of the book. Despite my reaction, this book is far better than probably 90% of the 1000+ Kindle Unlimited selections which I attempted.
I noticed a sad lack of entertaining US speculative fiction later than about 2010. The science fiction are US supremacist, racist, misogynistic rants barely clothed in the tattered attempt at a story. From lack of worldbuilding to no attempt at questioning social structures, there seem no point to them.
They usually consist of the trials of white US males, several spaceships and sometimes a woman in cat suit styled spacesuit. They may sometimes satisfy a thirteen year old male but I never thought 35+ year olds could survive a steady diet until I occasionally scanned Goodreads reviews.
I need a stepaway to the YouTube before continuing. This next was made possible by Doctor Who\Never Cruel or Cowardly, Gingers are Black, Amie's Literary Empire, Up and Atom, Grace McGuire, Megalithhunter, Sanctioned Ivan, Crecganford, Stevie Emerson, The Crow Caller, NFKRZ, Yoyomi, Miniminuteman, Verilybitchie,
RFU News, Atun Shei Films, Sailing Melody, Depressed Russian, 2Cellos, Natasha's Adventures, Anna from Ukraine, Northern Narrowboaters, Eileen, Lily Simpson, Truth to Power, Mrs Betty Bowers, Randy Rainbow, Combat Veteran News, Steve Shives, Authors Behaving Badly, Vlad Vexler, Cruising Crafts, Xiran Jay Zhao, Matriarchetype, Apostolic Majesty, Emperor Tigerstar,
Jay Exci, The Library Ladder, Two Bit DaVinci, Fran Blanche, Oliver Lugg, RobWords, Up and Atom, Geo Girl, Lindsay Nikole, JohnTheDuncan, Unlearning Economics, Chris and Shell, Eugenia from Ukraine, Ben and Emily, Barry's Economics, Dominic Noble, Dead Good Books, Reading Wryly, Rowan J Coleman, Broken Peach, Princess Weekes, Amber Ruffin, Camper Vibe, Mythology and Fiction Explained,
With Olivia, Depressed Russian, Welcome to Ukraine, Fall of Civilisations, Kyiv Post, Veritas at Caritas, Dan Davis History, Paleo Analysis, Sarah Z, Nomadic Crobot, Zoe Baker, Philosophy Tube, Wizards and Warriors, Cold Fusion, The Leftist Cooks, Times Radio, AllShorts, Little Wars, Art Deco, No Justice, ConeOfArc, Tank Museum, Book Furnace, Dropkick Murphys, Bookpilled,
The Book Castle, Belinda Carr, Izzie and Ciara, Reese Waters, FAFO, Jessica Kellgren Fozard, Elina Charatsidou, Answer in Progress, Ponderful, Strange Aeons, Inside Russia, J Draper, Mercado Media, Snappy Dragon, Joe Blogs, Mapmen, Anna Cramling, Harbo Wholmes, AllShorts, Anka Daily News, Kaz Rowe.
Consider treating this as a hostile site. 🤔
Goodreads discourse does not exist. As example, I wrote a short negative review of Powers of the Earth, by Travis Corcoran.
The book book was a badly written, juvenile story of the US military overthrow of their government led by a twat who refuses to pay inheritance taxes. The book is a salute to the sociopathic libertarian January 6, 2021 hero and this theme is repeated across a significant percentage of the trashy Kindle Unlimited titles. Kindle did introduce the odd good Indie author but so few that I finally ended my Unlimited sub.
The writer of Powers is Travis Corcoran, self-described as US veteran, employee of an unnamed US agency, libertarian and advocate for the return of chattel slavery, supporter of Putin. He and six patriotic friends went mental that I found the book dangerous and unhealthy. I am a communist and hate irony. They wrote pages of demands for a response to vile comments and described me as a narcissist.for failure to respond. Claes Rees Jr aka cgr710 now ka Clayton R Jesse Jr was the last aggrieved commenter. He grandly declared that They had "won" (?).
I discovered that They had launched a flood of outrageous racist, misogynistic, anti-LGBTQ+ comments, which continues still against apparently every female creator that I mentioned. The essayists, artists, book reviewers, scientists and other female creators were not impressed. Despite this, the world's overabundance of unpleasantness was increased and They delivered a wonderful self-portrait of the US snowflake (ill educated, mental, fascistic US man-child) to a multinational audience. This seems a Victory. Goodreads discourse, Yay ?? USA, Yay ??
I need a step away to YouTube and TV. This next was made possible by Mia Mulder, Jessica Kellgren Fozard, Ben and Emily, Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox, Books with Chloe, World War Two, The Great War, Sailing Melody, Searching for Samantha, Ellbat, Kris Atomic, Econ Lessons, Bryony Claire, Cover In French, TVP News, Haylo Hailey, Tobes, UNTV, Authors Behaving Badly, The Gaze, The Ministry of Miniatures, France 24, Blaxit Global, Grace McGuire, Belinda Strndad, Dr Fatima, Menagerie, Dungeons and Discourse, Alice Cappelle, Aid Thompsin, BritMonkey, Don't F@ck with Ukraine, Inside Russia, Morgan Donner, Adiemus -Carmina Slovenica, WokeGardener, Kiko1006-Empire of Angels, The Researcher, Table top CP, Mordian Glory, Ancient Americas, The Caspian Report, Bobbing Along, Cruising Crafts, Cruising Alba, The Confused Adipose, Steve Shives, Military Aviation History, Kirkpattiecake, Zoe Bee, Haropones, Double Down News, Salem Tovar, Munecat, Council of Geeks, Cruising the Cut, Reese Waters, The Gaze, UATV, Female Warriors -Teresatessa, Travelling K, Amie's Literary Empire, Emma Thorne, Reads with Rachel, Drama Kween, Lurie Daniel Favors, Sideprojects, Dark Docs, Central Crossing, The Snake Charmer, Diary of a Ditch Witch, Dark seas, Dark Brandon, Riverboat Jack, Democratic Penguin Republic, Jean's Thoughts, Queen Penguin, Princess Weekes, Puddles Pity Party, Agro Squirrel Narrates, Oceanliner Designs, Yoyomi.
Ominous music begins. 🙂 The average writing level for US Romance, Romantasy, Fantasy is eleven to twelve years old, that of science fiction probably nine to ten. The bulk of members are certainly US readers.
52% of US readers read BELOW the eleven to twelve years old level. 54% of male and 34% of female Latinos voted for a party and President who have for decades demanded that undocumented Latinos be deported and claimed that even the citizens were subhuman publicly and often, because their votes were to cement their whiteness. 52% of white women voted for a party which had for decades argued for the removal of voting rights, bodily autonomy, property tights, protections against even rape including preteen girls, thinking that would only apply to Women of Colour. Asians succeeded in removing the diversity requirements as black and Latino students had spots which should go to more deserving Asian children. Their children as well as those of other minorities are now no longer guaranteed admission based on performance. 20% of black men voted for a president and party who since Reagan campaigned on their animalistic nature and promises to make their lives more difficult and dangerous. The President elect has named them savages and promises to legalise their public murder. 75% of white males voted for the party and President who had already gutted the union movement and campaigned with the promise to end worker rights altogether.
All of this knowingly in the name of being treated as white males, a prized and protected class. From this pool of readers, come the comment gangs who think nothing of doxxing, stalking and threatening including with death the one star reviewer and now BookTubers. Emotionally stunted, ignorant, borderline illiterate seeking to prove their loyalty to a prevailing consensus are not the markers for critical thinkers. Amazon neither confront the madmen nor acknowledge the incidents.
I am creating a chronology of harassment in my Powers review. My patience ended after Pine Gap Centre requested that Australian Intelligence interrogate the one Goodreads friend with whom I occasionally exchanged messages. The attempt at my personal information failed but he was worried for my safety. Amazon was unconcerned until we began publicising the event. At that point all lurkers whom I had not been Allowed to remove including "Stone", the elusive Dr Susan Hamilton former Maths professor at University of Tennessee and others disappeared suddenly. All comments I had received were masked and other visible signs of my page Alterations undone. Kindle service interruptions ended and Goodreads upload allowed normally. Amazon's customer service have been found wanting. 😊
Recently a seventh ex-employee of EBay was sentenced for the harassment of a couple producing a small ecommerce channel deemed unkind to EBay. The couple were awarded multi-millions of pounds. The ex-employee had been the EBay Chief of Global Security or some such. Things to think about.
Goodreads are dangerous. I recommend a few safeguards. Remove personal information on profile and avoid messaging. Remove the lurker, those who never post. They are monitors who are not harmless. Given the Goodreads penchant for Altering customer pages, the screenshot of the odd and the ugly are invaluable.
Do Not use Kindle Files, Calendar, Contacts or Email. Do Not purchase Kindle ebooks because you own only the device not downloads. Your ebooks may be deleted at any time by Amazon and are automatically deleted should you close your Amazon account. I regret that I had not known that before my 500 purchases. Obviously any searches on Amazon Silk should be innocuous and non-critical. I suffered a hacking attempt which may or may not have been Kindle launched, together with denial of my reader's internet access, keyboard reformat and other charming displays of disapproval. If you are an US reader, my travails seem normal and others who find the above acceptable should disregard this and the above paragraph..
I received a recent message from Amazon stating that Kindle no longer support Goodreads on Fire tablets. This second message while meaningless is far more pleasant than the only other which was a nasty response to my first query more than seven years ago regarding strange goings-on to my Goodreads account. Fortunately Storygraph, Fable and other alternative reader forums are available, as are readers.
Hopefully you will never be targeted but bear in mind that your temporary immunity rests on the whims of psychotic madlads both Amazon employee and Goodreads member. Let me emphasise that these animals, employees and members alike lack any non-Randian morality or healthy socialisation but are proud US patriots with all that implies. Ominous music ends. 🙂
Be well and May we all find Good Reading. 😊
Some of my favourite YouTube channels.
Democratic Penguin Republic, Bobbing Along, Munecat, Lynn Saga, Ben and Emily, fig tree, RevolutionarythOt, Raw News and Politics, Kirkpattiecake, Ship Happens, aidan knight, Cruising Crafts, Cruising the Cut, Owen Jones, May, Tara Mooknee, Some More News, Philosophy Tube, Think That Through, Jess Owens, Poland Daily Live, Yarmak -Ragnarok, ScaredKetchup, Evie Lupine, Zoe Baker, The Book Leo, Reads with Rachel, Hardy's Books, Jay Exci, Unlearning Economics, Mrs Betty Bowers, Cruising Alba, Table top CP, I'm Autistic Now What, Matriarchetype, JammiDodger, Portside Living, Fredda, Morbid Zoo, What Vivi did next, Nerdy Kathi, Horses, Red Viburnam Song, To Ramdin, Norse mythology and Beliefs, The Narrowboat Good life, Hoots, Bardcore, May Moon Narrowboat, Welcome to Ukraine, Eileen, Let's Play, Centurion's Review, Dungeon Dad, Deerstalker Pictures, Ukraine:The Latest, KernowDamo, The Leftist Cooks, Jessie Gender, Dungeons and Discourse, The Prime of Midlife, Zoe Bee, The Great War, SandRhoman History, The Cold War, History of Everything, Dark Brandon, Historical Fashion, Travelling K, Oh Joe, Lost the Plot, ThistinyLife, Chris and Shell, Cruising Alba, Fraser Cain, Jen the Librarian, Leena Norms, FAFO, Gingers are Black, Hypohystericalhistory, Brandon F, Atun Shei Pictures, ATP Geopolitics, Cambrian Chronicles, Trae Crowder, Belle of the Ranch, The Black Forest Family, Kaz Rowe, Nomadic Crobot, Supertanskiii, Pete Peppers, Red Plateaus, Morgan Donner, Abby Cox, Karolina Zebrowska, Mercado Media, Lily Alexandre, The Prime of Midlife, ATP Geopolitics, Artur Rehi, Geo Girl, Up and Atom, The Kavernacle, Sabine Hossenfelder, Subha Reads, The Ministry of Miniatures, JohnTheDuncan, Eugenia from Ukraine, Vlad Vexler, Swell Entertainment, DW World, No Justice, Truth to Power, Smack the Pony, Ship Happens, Malinda, Adult Wednesday Addams - 2 seasons, Kathy's Flog in France, A Life of Lit, Autumn's Boutique, OrangeRiver, Sarah Z, Brandon F, Alt Shift X, Cold Fusion, Invicta, Princess Weekes, Books and Lala, Lady of the Library, Verilybitchie, Library Ladder, SciFi Odyssey, ElectroSwing, Lily Simpson, LuckyBlackCat, Operator Starsky, SK Media, Roomies Digest, Renegade Cut, It's Black Friday.
I wish the reader a pleasant morning, a productive afternoon, a splendid evening, a wonderful night and may we all continue learning.
Silence in the face of Evil is Complicity.
February 27, 2016
Stone and a Hard Place (Alastair Stone Chronicles, Book One)
by R.L. King
First, let me say that I received this book free for my Kindle, not from Amazon, but from the author through a service called, I think BookFunnel. It seemed an interesting idea, and the author was also offering a novella in the series free with it. Never one to turn down a deal, I jumped at both the opportunity to get a free book and novella and the opportunity to learn a new way to load books onto my Kindle.
I will admit to having some early concerns, which I'll set out in a bit. However, either I got used to the style, or it improved -- I'm really not sure which -- as about 1/3 of the way through the book I was fully invested in the story. So, here we go!
Alastair Stone is a mage who works as professor of occult studies at Stanford University in California. He is English, having come to America to take the Stanford position. He is described in the book as one of the most powerful practicing mages. I don't remember if his age is given specifically in the book, but he seems to be 30-something. Not married, but with a steady girlfriend. A friend of his from back home in England has asked him to take on an apprentice, a young man of 18, who lost his father, also a mage, at a young age. His mother, not magic in any way, is terminally ill with cancer. The friend had agreed to take the young man as an apprentice in England when he came of age, but the young man, Ethan, is reluctant to leave his mother. They live in the Stanford area. Stone reluctantly agrees.
Almost none of Stone's friends know that he is a mage and, in fact, often tease him about his "spooky" area of study. One of those friends has an elderly aunt who lives in a mansion in the area and has recently been feeling a bit uneasy about things going on in the house. The friend asks Stone if he won't visit the aunt, do a bogus search of the house, and assure the aunt that there is no ghost or evil spirit lurking around. Stone agrees, but when he goes to the house, taking Ethan along as part of his magical studies, he finds that there is, indeed, something supernatural stirring in the house.
The plot is complicated by three young, self-trained mages, who have banned together to increase their power, and who practice black magic. During one of their recent rituals, the spirit/demon from the aunt's house is able to contact them to help him escape from the spell that has kept him bound to the aunt's house for many years. They agree, but plan to then imprison the demon and use his power to fuel their own exploits. The demon asks them for information on both Stone and Ethan. One of "The Three," as they refer to themselves, is a girl, and she sets out to seduce Ethan and gain his cooperation in learning what Stone plans to do. From there the story is basically a rush to the finish -- who will prevail? What will happen to the elderly aunt and her housekeeper, the friend, the apprentice, The Three, and Stone? Who else will be affected by the ordeal? Lots of action, subplots, twists and turns on the way to the end.
Good editing and proofing. I didn't really see any accidental misspellings or grammar or syntax errors. In the beginning, I felt the author did more telling and not enough showing, but as I said earlier, I evidently either got used to it, or he got better at showing, because I became thoroughly invested in the book, the characters and the storyline. For instance, at 994 there are about three instances where I would have liked more information so that I could smell the smells, hear the sounds, see the wounds:
...When the circle was complete, the candles were lit, and the foul-smelling incense was burning...
I would have like to know why the incense was foul smelling. Did it smell like a decomposing body? Did it smell like offal? Did it smell like spoiled food? What does "foul-smelling" mean? I mean, foul-smelling is different things to different people. I love the smell of patchouli, but I have a friend that hates it. So it's sweet-smelling to me; foul-smelling to her. Let me smell the incense!
...An eerie instrumental metal tune wafted over the attic,...
Again, what exactly is an eerie instrumental metal tune? I wanted to hear it in my mind, not wonder what it might be.
And, in the next paragraph:
...Oliver pulled a small knife from his pocket and waved it over the brazier, then used it to make small nicks in both of his palms. He hand it to Miguel, who did the same thing...
So, were these nicks deep enough to bleed (as blood is often used in rituals)? Were they in a specific pattern? How many were there? I wanted to see them in my mind and there just wasn't enough information.
Show, don't tell.
Another thing that bothered me was the author's use of the abbreviation "p'raps" for perhaps when Stone is speaking. I think he may have done this in an attempt to lend an English accent to the character, but if so, he failed miserably. I never read anything Stone said as anything other than straight California American.
So those are the things that irked me, and they did cost the author a star. However, there was a lot to like. Good characters that developed well as the book went on. Believable circumstances, whether one already believes in magic or even if one does not. A solid plot that unrolls itself seamlessly, leading you ever onward into the story. The author obviously has done his magical research. He has a nice knack for description when he wants to use it, and a flair for language, as is shown at 2219 in describing a mage historian who had a strong interest in the black arts: ...as far as Stone could tell, content to merely collect information and hoard it, like a dragon sitting on a pile of gold."
So, the bottom line is that, once I got past the first 1/3 of the book, I became thoroughly enchanted with the world of Alastair Stone. I'll probably read the novella next, as it is already on my Kindle, but I'll check out the other three novels in the series, too.
by R.L. King
First, let me say that I received this book free for my Kindle, not from Amazon, but from the author through a service called, I think BookFunnel. It seemed an interesting idea, and the author was also offering a novella in the series free with it. Never one to turn down a deal, I jumped at both the opportunity to get a free book and novella and the opportunity to learn a new way to load books onto my Kindle.
I will admit to having some early concerns, which I'll set out in a bit. However, either I got used to the style, or it improved -- I'm really not sure which -- as about 1/3 of the way through the book I was fully invested in the story. So, here we go!
Alastair Stone is a mage who works as professor of occult studies at Stanford University in California. He is English, having come to America to take the Stanford position. He is described in the book as one of the most powerful practicing mages. I don't remember if his age is given specifically in the book, but he seems to be 30-something. Not married, but with a steady girlfriend. A friend of his from back home in England has asked him to take on an apprentice, a young man of 18, who lost his father, also a mage, at a young age. His mother, not magic in any way, is terminally ill with cancer. The friend had agreed to take the young man as an apprentice in England when he came of age, but the young man, Ethan, is reluctant to leave his mother. They live in the Stanford area. Stone reluctantly agrees.
Almost none of Stone's friends know that he is a mage and, in fact, often tease him about his "spooky" area of study. One of those friends has an elderly aunt who lives in a mansion in the area and has recently been feeling a bit uneasy about things going on in the house. The friend asks Stone if he won't visit the aunt, do a bogus search of the house, and assure the aunt that there is no ghost or evil spirit lurking around. Stone agrees, but when he goes to the house, taking Ethan along as part of his magical studies, he finds that there is, indeed, something supernatural stirring in the house.
The plot is complicated by three young, self-trained mages, who have banned together to increase their power, and who practice black magic. During one of their recent rituals, the spirit/demon from the aunt's house is able to contact them to help him escape from the spell that has kept him bound to the aunt's house for many years. They agree, but plan to then imprison the demon and use his power to fuel their own exploits. The demon asks them for information on both Stone and Ethan. One of "The Three," as they refer to themselves, is a girl, and she sets out to seduce Ethan and gain his cooperation in learning what Stone plans to do. From there the story is basically a rush to the finish -- who will prevail? What will happen to the elderly aunt and her housekeeper, the friend, the apprentice, The Three, and Stone? Who else will be affected by the ordeal? Lots of action, subplots, twists and turns on the way to the end.
Good editing and proofing. I didn't really see any accidental misspellings or grammar or syntax errors. In the beginning, I felt the author did more telling and not enough showing, but as I said earlier, I evidently either got used to it, or he got better at showing, because I became thoroughly invested in the book, the characters and the storyline. For instance, at 994 there are about three instances where I would have liked more information so that I could smell the smells, hear the sounds, see the wounds:
...When the circle was complete, the candles were lit, and the foul-smelling incense was burning...
I would have like to know why the incense was foul smelling. Did it smell like a decomposing body? Did it smell like offal? Did it smell like spoiled food? What does "foul-smelling" mean? I mean, foul-smelling is different things to different people. I love the smell of patchouli, but I have a friend that hates it. So it's sweet-smelling to me; foul-smelling to her. Let me smell the incense!
...An eerie instrumental metal tune wafted over the attic,...
Again, what exactly is an eerie instrumental metal tune? I wanted to hear it in my mind, not wonder what it might be.
And, in the next paragraph:
...Oliver pulled a small knife from his pocket and waved it over the brazier, then used it to make small nicks in both of his palms. He hand it to Miguel, who did the same thing...
So, were these nicks deep enough to bleed (as blood is often used in rituals)? Were they in a specific pattern? How many were there? I wanted to see them in my mind and there just wasn't enough information.
Show, don't tell.
Another thing that bothered me was the author's use of the abbreviation "p'raps" for perhaps when Stone is speaking. I think he may have done this in an attempt to lend an English accent to the character, but if so, he failed miserably. I never read anything Stone said as anything other than straight California American.
So those are the things that irked me, and they did cost the author a star. However, there was a lot to like. Good characters that developed well as the book went on. Believable circumstances, whether one already believes in magic or even if one does not. A solid plot that unrolls itself seamlessly, leading you ever onward into the story. The author obviously has done his magical research. He has a nice knack for description when he wants to use it, and a flair for language, as is shown at 2219 in describing a mage historian who had a strong interest in the black arts: ...as far as Stone could tell, content to merely collect information and hoard it, like a dragon sitting on a pile of gold."
So, the bottom line is that, once I got past the first 1/3 of the book, I became thoroughly enchanted with the world of Alastair Stone. I'll probably read the novella next, as it is already on my Kindle, but I'll check out the other three novels in the series, too.
February 29, 2020
I enjoyed this book and was pleasantly surprised by some of the plot decisions the author made. The main character is interesting and flawed in a good way. It's gritty and dark, and the author takes risks that pay off. For a first book in a series, it does a great job of introducing the characters, the world, and the magical paradigm. Also, the author's grammar and vocabulary are strong. I listened to the audiobook. The narrator, Kevin R. Czarnecki, was excellent, able to do a variety of male and female voices so well that I wasn't thrown out of the story. He brought the story to life for me.
March 7, 2019
I did not like this book, perhaps if I enjoyed Lovecraft and more things on the horror spectrum I would. It started bleak and dreary and ended a bit bleaker and a bit drearier. I won’t be continuing this series.
January 23, 2019
I bought this as an audio book via audible, hoping for my next series addiction. Sadly I was disappointed. I'll start with the bits I did like, Alistair himself was ok and I think given a few more books his character will grow and become stronger and more likeable. The world was ok and the magic system while not unique could have kept me reading. The story and plot were also ok for a first book in series, and there was definitely potential hidden there.
However there were many many things that made me wonder why I kept listening. First off, why on earth did no one use a mobile phone or internet if this book was published in 2015? Secondly Ethan was an annoying, snivelling, poor excuse for a teenager and his selfishness and lack of any form of character drove the whole plot forward. He wasn't even bad in a villain sort of way, just incredibly weak and I hated that we got his point of view so often. Bringing me on to the next, the constant switching of points of view, I literally had no interest. Also in audio, due to the monotone nature of the narration I found it hard to work out who was who. This was, in my opinion, a bookish example of being told what was happening instead of being shown, leaving the characters feeling very flat to me. The style of the story telling itself was not for me, and sadly I will not be picking up any of the author's other works.
However there were many many things that made me wonder why I kept listening. First off, why on earth did no one use a mobile phone or internet if this book was published in 2015? Secondly Ethan was an annoying, snivelling, poor excuse for a teenager and his selfishness and lack of any form of character drove the whole plot forward. He wasn't even bad in a villain sort of way, just incredibly weak and I hated that we got his point of view so often. Bringing me on to the next, the constant switching of points of view, I literally had no interest. Also in audio, due to the monotone nature of the narration I found it hard to work out who was who. This was, in my opinion, a bookish example of being told what was happening instead of being shown, leaving the characters feeling very flat to me. The style of the story telling itself was not for me, and sadly I will not be picking up any of the author's other works.
August 8, 2016
I've made it a third of the way through, and I just give up. Nothing has happened, the characters are bland, and the only indication that there's a plot is that there's an amorphous evil something somewhere. Good guys have used magic to levitate a coin. Bad guys have used magic to break a water pipe and flood an apartment for no reason. The Big Bad has made an elderly lady uneasy and one guy momentarily dizzy. That's about it. Which would be fine if there were indications of bigger things coming; but there aren't. Or if the language was snappy or colourful or inventive or atmospheric; but it's not. Or the world-building was in-depth and intriguing; but it's not. Or if the characters were interesting or engaging; but they aren't.
No, folks, this is not a successor to the Harry Dresden series. It's not that the book is *bad*, it's just so bland. Go read something else.
No, folks, this is not a successor to the Harry Dresden series. It's not that the book is *bad*, it's just so bland. Go read something else.
June 29, 2016
Meh. As a Dresden fan, I'll admit my expectations were high, but I've been pleasantly surprised by Alex Verus and other unique urban fantasies. I was hoping to get lucky. Unfortunately, I have to echo other reader's sentiments that the writing is adequate to tell the story, though a little juvenile - not a lot of wit or snappy dialogue. The magic system is vague and uninteresting as of yet. I'm willing to glance at the next book, knowing that I tend to be very critical of books initially. I'm hoping this series still is worth continuing - but it has rather a well to crawl out of before I will mark it down as anything I'd recommend.
October 19, 2017
star for the fact that I could tolerate Alistair himself as a narrator, star for the fact that if it was better I might have liked it more. this was a chore to finish, and more than once I had to throw down what I was holding out of sheer frustration for the narration and the characters. characters were shallow, deaths were meaningless, and yes, (spoiler alert) I cheered when Ethan died (both times, even tho one was an illusion).
also, I detest the word "ubiquitous", and it was used only twice but twice within three pages and both times incorrectly. (then I gave up reading for about two months and finally forced myself to finish).
also, I detest the word "ubiquitous", and it was used only twice but twice within three pages and both times incorrectly. (then I gave up reading for about two months and finally forced myself to finish).
December 17, 2017
DNF - 2/3 through, I realized that I didn't care much about the characters.
The main character (Stone) is a Stanford prof in occult studies as well as a practicing magician. He is convinced to take on an apprentice, who starts to fall in with the same group of 3 mages who are giving Stone trouble in his investigations of a haunted mansion.
This is pretty standard urban fantasy, Stone's mental dialogue is simple and repetitive, and in the middle of what should have been a tense and climactic scene, I was bored.
The main character (Stone) is a Stanford prof in occult studies as well as a practicing magician. He is convinced to take on an apprentice, who starts to fall in with the same group of 3 mages who are giving Stone trouble in his investigations of a haunted mansion.
This is pretty standard urban fantasy, Stone's mental dialogue is simple and repetitive, and in the middle of what should have been a tense and climactic scene, I was bored.
May 11, 2015
Finishing this book was more drudgery than enjoyment. Ethan was just too stupid and weak of a character. Stone isn't much better driven by his tentative addiction to puzzle solving and fondness for little old ladies. I didn't like the ending. If only someone in this story was competent, strong or insightful it would have been better for me. Still, others might like this story more, unless you've read Jim Butcher, whose Dresden character totally rocks unlike Stone.
July 17, 2015
A fun Harry Dresdenesque first. An engaging urban fantasy hero in the making. Try to ignore the repeated use of the contraction "p'raps", which I assume is there to remind us the character is British- a mage Mary Poppins? P'raps guv.
not-for-me
August 23, 201830% into audiobook and it's just not grabbing me. Maybe I'll return to it another day.
November 28, 2018
I was not a fan of this book. Of course I compare books like this to Dresden files. The characters were not likeable. They story did not move along at a very good pace. It was just an okay book.
May 26, 2021
I'm really confused about the harsh reviews for this book here on Goodreads. I am not sure if the author has edited this book to fix the changes or if people have just been unusually critical of this book. Obviously, tastes are subjective, but a lot of the reviews are seriously making mountains out of molehills, or in some cases outright complaining about things that aren't there. Therefore let's start this review by addressing what I see as the two main criticisms that don't necessarily hold up:
1. The Annoying Apprentice
Ethan is an eighteen-year-old boy who is about to start his apprenticeship as a mage at the worst time of his life. His mother is dying from a long term illness and it's hinted that she is close to the end. This is a problem because he now can't go with his original magical apprenticeship plan because it would take him too far away from his mother in what could be the last months of her life. Therefore he apprentices to Alastair Stone, a powerful mage and occult studies professor, who lives nearby.
He is written as a boy who is literally going through the worst time in his life while being introduced to a world that is completely new and a bit out of his depth. Therefore when some decisions are put in front of him that offers him a glimmer of happiness in this awful time, he makes some bad choices that seem obviously bad to the reader but makes sense to this character with how he had been written and what he has been going through.
Add on top of this that I get a sense of magical compulsion might play a part in what happens, and it feels really strange to hate this character for his story in this book. It's frustrating at times, but never out of character or overly annoying. Maybe I'm biased because I went in expecting to hate this character from the start, but overall I thought the author did a really good job of grounding everything that happened and explaining away his motivations.
2. The Weak Magic System
To be clear, this is not a book with a hard magic system like you might find in a book by someone like Brandon Sanderson. The magic here is more mystical, for lack of a better word, and much less defined. However, that's not to say it's weak. There are some clear definitions of what types of magic can be used in this book, you get a sense for power levels and how it can be used, and though it never went into crazy amounts of detail, I got a good starting feel for how magic works in this world, at least in relation to the opening story in a series.
I would argue that you get about as much information about magic here as you do in a series like the Dresden Files at the opening book stage. So again, I don't know why there is quite so much hate for this in the reviews. It's not a groundbreaking magic system, but it's not awful either.
My review
So with a defence of those elements out of the way, let's get on to my review. I thought Stone and a Hard Place was a solid opening novel for this series. It does what a good opening book should do by introducing the world, the magic system and the characters while setting the tone for future books. Add on top of that the fact that it explores a magical mystery that was intriguing and it had an ending that surprised me, and I'd say it did a good job.
The characters, which I feel are the most important things to get right in any opening book as they more than anything will keep me reading, were well written for the most part. They were three dimensional, felt like real people, and while I didn't always agree with their decisions, I didn't ever feel like they were decisions that the character wouldn't make based on what we know about them.
My own personal gripes in this book come from how incompetent Alastair Stone is. Don't get me wrong, he's not a bumbling idiot, but there are multiple mentions of how he is a great mage but he doesn't really show it throughout the book. He is quite underwhelming as a protagonist in this sense and I'm hoping that he levels up going forward. This is especially the case because he faces some hard consequences from his actions in this book that I hope he learns from in the series.
But with that criticism aside, I thought that this is a solid start to this series. The story is more toned down to what I normally read and there's no hint at a larger overarching story for the series to explore yet (if there is even going to be one), but regardless I am left with the feeling that I want to read more of Alastair Stone's adventures going forward, and surely that's the point of an opening book.
Therefore it's a comfortable 4-stars for this novel, and I look forward to what's coming next.
1. The Annoying Apprentice
Ethan is an eighteen-year-old boy who is about to start his apprenticeship as a mage at the worst time of his life. His mother is dying from a long term illness and it's hinted that she is close to the end. This is a problem because he now can't go with his original magical apprenticeship plan because it would take him too far away from his mother in what could be the last months of her life. Therefore he apprentices to Alastair Stone, a powerful mage and occult studies professor, who lives nearby.
He is written as a boy who is literally going through the worst time in his life while being introduced to a world that is completely new and a bit out of his depth. Therefore when some decisions are put in front of him that offers him a glimmer of happiness in this awful time, he makes some bad choices that seem obviously bad to the reader but makes sense to this character with how he had been written and what he has been going through.
Add on top of this that I get a sense of magical compulsion might play a part in what happens, and it feels really strange to hate this character for his story in this book. It's frustrating at times, but never out of character or overly annoying. Maybe I'm biased because I went in expecting to hate this character from the start, but overall I thought the author did a really good job of grounding everything that happened and explaining away his motivations.
2. The Weak Magic System
To be clear, this is not a book with a hard magic system like you might find in a book by someone like Brandon Sanderson. The magic here is more mystical, for lack of a better word, and much less defined. However, that's not to say it's weak. There are some clear definitions of what types of magic can be used in this book, you get a sense for power levels and how it can be used, and though it never went into crazy amounts of detail, I got a good starting feel for how magic works in this world, at least in relation to the opening story in a series.
I would argue that you get about as much information about magic here as you do in a series like the Dresden Files at the opening book stage. So again, I don't know why there is quite so much hate for this in the reviews. It's not a groundbreaking magic system, but it's not awful either.
My review
So with a defence of those elements out of the way, let's get on to my review. I thought Stone and a Hard Place was a solid opening novel for this series. It does what a good opening book should do by introducing the world, the magic system and the characters while setting the tone for future books. Add on top of that the fact that it explores a magical mystery that was intriguing and it had an ending that surprised me, and I'd say it did a good job.
The characters, which I feel are the most important things to get right in any opening book as they more than anything will keep me reading, were well written for the most part. They were three dimensional, felt like real people, and while I didn't always agree with their decisions, I didn't ever feel like they were decisions that the character wouldn't make based on what we know about them.
My own personal gripes in this book come from how incompetent Alastair Stone is. Don't get me wrong, he's not a bumbling idiot, but there are multiple mentions of how he is a great mage but he doesn't really show it throughout the book. He is quite underwhelming as a protagonist in this sense and I'm hoping that he levels up going forward. This is especially the case because he faces some hard consequences from his actions in this book that I hope he learns from in the series.
But with that criticism aside, I thought that this is a solid start to this series. The story is more toned down to what I normally read and there's no hint at a larger overarching story for the series to explore yet (if there is even going to be one), but regardless I am left with the feeling that I want to read more of Alastair Stone's adventures going forward, and surely that's the point of an opening book.
Therefore it's a comfortable 4-stars for this novel, and I look forward to what's coming next.
January 5, 2019
I've waffled around here between 3 and 4 stars. This is really a 3.5. It's what I think of as urban fantasy (no real romance) of the Dresden/Simon Green/Ben Aaronovitch type and a solid example of its kind, but perhaps not as inventive as those standouts in the field I've just mentioned. I really like the lead character, Alaistair Stone, occult professor and mage in a "magic is hidden" world. In this book, Stone takes on an apprentice he doesn't want who initially turns out to have too many distractions and then is rather weak (I didn't care for Ethan), and they discover something nasty lurking in an old woman's basement. So, fun and I enjoyed but not outstanding.
I enjoyed the magic descriptions stuff as it's a style that works for me particularly. The imagine this formula in your mind reminds of trying to visualize tesseracts and square the square when I was young so it feels like a math/music thing, without being too "mathy". Explaining the world to the reader under the conceit of explaining it to an apprentice is a little stale, but fine. Just about the time I began to wonder how slow this book was going to be, it picked up and rollercoastered so I was very happy with that.
I'm going to spoiler alert the rest here so as not to give anything away.
It would have been nice if there'd been more 'mystery' to finding out about the demon and the past characters. And the bad guy (the demon as the three just don't come up above the level of stooges) wasn't really strong enough. But all in all a decent first book in the series. I will try the second one.
I enjoyed the magic descriptions stuff as it's a style that works for me particularly. The imagine this formula in your mind reminds of trying to visualize tesseracts and square the square when I was young so it feels like a math/music thing, without being too "mathy". Explaining the world to the reader under the conceit of explaining it to an apprentice is a little stale, but fine. Just about the time I began to wonder how slow this book was going to be, it picked up and rollercoastered so I was very happy with that.
I'm going to spoiler alert the rest here so as not to give anything away.
It would have been nice if there'd been more 'mystery' to finding out about the demon and the past characters. And the bad guy (the demon as the three just don't come up above the level of stooges) wasn't really strong enough. But all in all a decent first book in the series. I will try the second one.
October 14, 2017
I had the same problem with this book as some other reviewers had. The magic action is mediocre and the magic description is pathetic. The premise of the magic as white and black and gray and defensive and offensive pertaining to how the mages gather and use energy to make magic is a plot device that limits the good guys magic but not the bad guys. Also, because the books were published in recent years I don't understand why none of the characters used modern technology such as cell phones except that it was another plot device that forced some actions to be made.
If I had not purchased the 4 ebook set, I might have stopped here, but I went on and read the next 3 books. The magic action improved a little but the descriptions, not so much and there was still no modern technology used except maybe by a minor character here and there. The things that led me to purchase books 5 and then 6 and so on were characterizations and the story telling. They are both very good and I can overlook the weak magic system to enjoy the stronger character and storyline elements.
If I had not purchased the 4 ebook set, I might have stopped here, but I went on and read the next 3 books. The magic action improved a little but the descriptions, not so much and there was still no modern technology used except maybe by a minor character here and there. The things that led me to purchase books 5 and then 6 and so on were characterizations and the story telling. They are both very good and I can overlook the weak magic system to enjoy the stronger character and storyline elements.
April 26, 2020
Stone and Ethan are just stupid. Ethan can almost be justified by being young and naive. I would give that more credit except that the book shows Ethan struggling and frequently considering doing the right thing. He KNOWS what he is doing is wrong, but always justifies his stupidity to himself. Stone's stupidity is a little easier to justify. He's never had an apprentice before and Ethan's actions are easily explained by his mother's sickness. (I don't think that is a spoiler as it is revealed at the beginning of the book.) But, like Ethan, he considers doing the right thing and asking, but he never does.
My other major issue is how slow this book moves. Less words about searching the house and less about The Three's rituals would have gone a long way. Those things needed to be included, but the detail and pages it took were too much. I considered flipping ahead more than once, but was afraid I would miss something. (I wouldn't have.)
I'll read book 2 because it sounds interesting, but if it isn't an improvement, I won't go on.
My other major issue is how slow this book moves. Less words about searching the house and less about The Three's rituals would have gone a long way. Those things needed to be included, but the detail and pages it took were too much. I considered flipping ahead more than once, but was afraid I would miss something. (I wouldn't have.)
I'll read book 2 because it sounds interesting, but if it isn't an improvement, I won't go on.
January 8, 2018
I downloaded this book about a year ago on the recommendations of a friend. I was reading other books at the time, so did not get to it right away. Actually, it was about 9-10 months later. When I did finally pick it up & started reading, I was immediately hooked. I loved the characters, the story, and how the author pulls you down the paths in search of answers.
This first book has to do with Alastair taking on his first apprentice, though it was not something he was thrilled about doing, and about a university colleague who wanted him to investigate a massive old house for things that go bump in the night. Still, Stone figures it to be an easy job: just turn up, put on a little show, and announce that the house is clean. Only, of course ......... it isn't.
Upon completing this book, I immediately downloaded book 2, then 3, etc. I just now finished the 12th book in a row, and am looking forward to #13, which comes out in March.
This first book has to do with Alastair taking on his first apprentice, though it was not something he was thrilled about doing, and about a university colleague who wanted him to investigate a massive old house for things that go bump in the night. Still, Stone figures it to be an easy job: just turn up, put on a little show, and announce that the house is clean. Only, of course ......... it isn't.
Upon completing this book, I immediately downloaded book 2, then 3, etc. I just now finished the 12th book in a row, and am looking forward to #13, which comes out in March.
November 10, 2018
I'm not sure if this was King's first novel but am sure it was very early in her career. It was a decent enough book for being one of, it not, her first. But that shows in rather one dimensional characters and a simplistic story with a rather canned urban fantasy type story. I did enjoy it and the story was reasonable if not wonderful. Some of the things that troubled me were the characterizations and how Stone was a very experienced mage yet had trouble with much less experienced mages. He just seems more a novice in the way he acts and the powers he yields. That was maybe the primary reason I gave it only three stars. I am going to read the second in the series next and I've noted the ratings for her newer books in the series go up so I'm hoping it will be a better read. But I do respect she did a decent job for a book very early in her career.
July 6, 2021
Enjoyed the book and the characters and am looking forward to others in the series. HOWEVER (and this is a Spoiler, ), I did NOT like the author creating characters whom the reader would come to like and care about and then doing away with them. It's always good to have a couple of Mundanes in the know to help out, and an apprentice can become an assistant mage soon enough, so to get rid of both seems like a dirty (as well as unnecessary) trick to all concerned. Here's hoping he doesn't do that to the girlfriend, too.
Otherwise, it was a good story, and looking through the blurbs for stories to come, it seems like Professor Stone is in for an interesting, if bumpy ride, in the US.
I'll be reading along, but not forgiving the author for that double-death in Book 1 (unless he can find a way in some other volume to restore both in completely corporeal and non-zombie form.)
Otherwise, it was a good story, and looking through the blurbs for stories to come, it seems like Professor Stone is in for an interesting, if bumpy ride, in the US.
I'll be reading along, but not forgiving the author for that double-death in Book 1 (unless he can find a way in some other volume to restore both in completely corporeal and non-zombie form.)
June 11, 2018
I agree with the other reviewers. The biggest issue with this novel is the lack of depth and definition on the various occult/magical aspects. The second largest issue is the end- to begin with it is rushed. Then there are some issues- particularly the character 'cleansing' and the time jump between books. Add in the fact that Stone was able to do what There was no mystery and it was all pretty typical.
The book is not terrible. The characters are human - not infallible. Some of the characters are even interesting- Stone, Trin, Meagan.
The book is not terrible. The characters are human - not infallible. Some of the characters are even interesting- Stone, Trin, Meagan.
October 19, 2024
great novel!
Great novel! Not your typical Urban Fantasy, this story is more of a mystery to solve with the presence of magic portrayed in a realistic way. I would not be surprised to read about this style of magic in a Nonfiction book, for these concepts are based in real rituals and energy work, taken a little bit farther than might be possible in the real world. But, who knows, maybe the author can create these spells himself... He sure created quite a spell with this page turner! Good plot twists that I could not foresee, with real believable characters who act in the way one might actually act when faced with with violence or darkness. Quite a breathe of fresh air compared to the world-ending huge magic that is so common in this genre.
Great novel! Not your typical Urban Fantasy, this story is more of a mystery to solve with the presence of magic portrayed in a realistic way. I would not be surprised to read about this style of magic in a Nonfiction book, for these concepts are based in real rituals and energy work, taken a little bit farther than might be possible in the real world. But, who knows, maybe the author can create these spells himself... He sure created quite a spell with this page turner! Good plot twists that I could not foresee, with real believable characters who act in the way one might actually act when faced with with violence or darkness. Quite a breathe of fresh air compared to the world-ending huge magic that is so common in this genre.
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