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Alastair Stone Chronicles #43
Daemon Spawn
Serving Up Trouble
Everybody knows magic and technology don’t mix, right?
That’s what Alastair Stone always believed, anyway.
But if it’s true, what is causing the participants in an exclusive virtual reality game’s beta test to commit horrific acts, seemingly out of nowhere?
Stone teams up with tech-wizard Cat Changeling Gina and the rest of his friends to track the source of the terrifying phenomena, but it isn’t long before the stakes become a lot more dangerous—and a lot more personal.
To discover the source of the growing peril, Stone will be forced to rely on some big guns—including an old enemy who might end up causing even more trouble in the long run.
But sometimes you don’t get everything you want, and with thousands of lives on the line, Stone will have to do whatever it takes to get the job done.
Everybody knows magic and technology don’t mix, right?
That’s what Alastair Stone always believed, anyway.
But if it’s true, what is causing the participants in an exclusive virtual reality game’s beta test to commit horrific acts, seemingly out of nowhere?
Stone teams up with tech-wizard Cat Changeling Gina and the rest of his friends to track the source of the terrifying phenomena, but it isn’t long before the stakes become a lot more dangerous—and a lot more personal.
To discover the source of the growing peril, Stone will be forced to rely on some big guns—including an old enemy who might end up causing even more trouble in the long run.
But sometimes you don’t get everything you want, and with thousands of lives on the line, Stone will have to do whatever it takes to get the job done.
482 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 25, 2026
About the author
R.L. King
71 books337 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 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 10, 2026
The Chronicles have entered the computer age. Remember in the early books, Stone was averse to cellphones and the like. Eventually, the author shed most of that part of the books. The books felt like you were reading a book from the 80s, instead of a modern one. I was pleased when Alistair was brought to the present. I say this even though I do not text. My smartphone sits on my desk. I do not spend hours scrolling whatever. To me, a phone is just that. If I wish to watch videos, my computer screen is much more suited for that endeavor. I was clueless about most of Gina’s portions, especially virtual reality games. Give me my old PS64. Or better yet, the Atari system I had as a teen in the eighties. Amidar was my favorite game. OK, enough sounding like the old man yelling at clouds.
As I mentioned, VR is the crux of the book. I can see the appeal. I would love to be able to pet a tiger without worrying that I might lose a hand. But some of the issues raised in the book illustrate why I will never feel the need to try it. At one point,
We get a delightful new character, Roger. He’s going to be good for Alistair.
Ren Huxley is back. I still want a series or at least a few novellas based on her group. Quote from the character that is not a spoiler: “Remember that case we were dealing with before? Well, it’s heated up in just the few days since we’ve talked.” I want to know about that case, and any others that her sector has handled.
And finally, at the end of the last book, Deep Omen, Trevor Harrison actually answered his phone! This book starts with Trevor at Stone’s house in England taking in the door that was discovered several books ago. We are then treated to a visit to Calanar. Because of the tantalizing tidbits that Daemon Spawn gave us, I am now reading the sixth book, Double Down. Harrison is always a welcome sight in the Stone series.
Now to wait patiently for the next book.
As I mentioned, VR is the crux of the book. I can see the appeal. I would love to be able to pet a tiger without worrying that I might lose a hand. But some of the issues raised in the book illustrate why I will never feel the need to try it. At one point,
We get a delightful new character, Roger. He’s going to be good for Alistair.
Ren Huxley is back. I still want a series or at least a few novellas based on her group. Quote from the character that is not a spoiler: “Remember that case we were dealing with before? Well, it’s heated up in just the few days since we’ve talked.” I want to know about that case, and any others that her sector has handled.
And finally, at the end of the last book, Deep Omen, Trevor Harrison actually answered his phone! This book starts with Trevor at Stone’s house in England taking in the door that was discovered several books ago. We are then treated to a visit to Calanar. Because of the tantalizing tidbits that Daemon Spawn gave us, I am now reading the sixth book, Double Down. Harrison is always a welcome sight in the Stone series.
Now to wait patiently for the next book.
July 18, 2026
R.L. King delivers the intrigue, thrill & excitement
I loved the pairing of Stone and Harrison—it was everything I hoped for and more, basically my entire personality now. Harrison and Stone are an unconventional magical couple: both basically human supercomputers equipped with superpowers that probably require their own user manual, quirky personalities that would make a therapist weep with joy, and enigmatic charm that could sell ice to a penguin. They're what would happen if the Marvel Cinematic Universe had a baby with a philosophy textbook and that baby somehow aced both the SAT and a wizarding school entrance exam, creating the kind of compelling yet complicated dynamic that would make HR file for early retirement and start a support group. This effect is only amplified by Stone's diverse cast of friends—basically the Avengers, but make it literary—that delivers a spellbinding tale so delightful it should come with a warning label for binge-watching addiction.
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I loved the pairing of Stone and Harrison—it was everything I hoped for and more, basically my entire personality now. Harrison and Stone are an unconventional magical couple: both basically human supercomputers equipped with superpowers that probably require their own user manual, quirky personalities that would make a therapist weep with joy, and enigmatic charm that could sell ice to a penguin. They're what would happen if the Marvel Cinematic Universe had a baby with a philosophy textbook and that baby somehow aced both the SAT and a wizarding school entrance exam, creating the kind of compelling yet complicated dynamic that would make HR file for early retirement and start a support group. This effect is only amplified by Stone's diverse cast of friends—basically the Avengers, but make it literary—that delivers a spellbinding tale so delightful it should come with a warning label for binge-watching addiction.
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July 12, 2026
action packed
Gina discovers an anomaly with a beta VR game and enlists Stone’s help. Stone discovers it’s a daemon who’s proficient in technology and illusions. Harrison joins the team but will it be enough to defeat the daemon?
I love this world and all the characters! So happy to have Harrison back too! Love that nothing is just dropped in Stone’s lap just because he has magic and he has to work for it. Can’t wait for the next installment!
Gina discovers an anomaly with a beta VR game and enlists Stone’s help. Stone discovers it’s a daemon who’s proficient in technology and illusions. Harrison joins the team but will it be enough to defeat the daemon?
I love this world and all the characters! So happy to have Harrison back too! Love that nothing is just dropped in Stone’s lap just because he has magic and he has to work for it. Can’t wait for the next installment!
May 27, 2026
Great
Another amazing Alastair Stone story. I loved how fast paced it was and getting more of Gina and of course Harrison. As always, will be waiting, impatiently, for the next adventure.
Another amazing Alastair Stone story. I loved how fast paced it was and getting more of Gina and of course Harrison. As always, will be waiting, impatiently, for the next adventure.
June 11, 2026
Thoroughly enjoyed this one!
Great to see Trevor Harrison back with Stone. This tale moved at an excellent pace. The whole group operated in unison, as if there had not been many side trips through other stories. Looking forward to the next one.
Great to see Trevor Harrison back with Stone. This tale moved at an excellent pace. The whole group operated in unison, as if there had not been many side trips through other stories. Looking forward to the next one.
June 15, 2026
This one was really good!
I have loved this series so much over the years! It’s rare to find I series that stay fresh and current. So often they become repetitive. This one is amazing each time!
I have loved this series so much over the years! It’s rare to find I series that stay fresh and current. So often they become repetitive. This one is amazing each time!
July 1, 2026
Always has a surprise up his sleeve
I am always so impressed. The author continually surprises me with her twists and turns. Stone and Harrison are a great partnership. Long may it continue
I am always so impressed. The author continually surprises me with her twists and turns. Stone and Harrison are a great partnership. Long may it continue
July 17, 2026
How to get rid of a deamon
So this was not an easy story for helping getting a handle on an evil creature. So this thing is trying to control people with VR and music and magic. This makes for a really interesting and intriguing story. So much happened and then....
So this was not an easy story for helping getting a handle on an evil creature. So this thing is trying to control people with VR and music and magic. This makes for a really interesting and intriguing story. So much happened and then....
June 2, 2026
Yet, another fantastic story!
Wow! The Fab Five got together to fight a Demon! Excellent!
I won’t give away spoilers but the names or monikers were hilarious!
Wow! The Fab Five got together to fight a Demon! Excellent!
I won’t give away spoilers but the names or monikers were hilarious!
July 23, 2026
Another grand book!
Book 43 was fantastic! I love the interactions between Harrison and Stone. Gina getting into the mix makes it even better! Can't wait for the next!
Book 43 was fantastic! I love the interactions between Harrison and Stone. Gina getting into the mix makes it even better! Can't wait for the next!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews