What do you think?
Rate this book
The Gates of Good and Evil #1
The Summon Stone
The start of a brand new epic fantasy series from fan-favorite Ian Irvine, set in the world of his View from the Mirror series.
The Merdrun, cruel warriors blooded by thousands of years of slaughter, are gathering in the void between the worlds.
On Santhenar their long-hidden summon stone is waking, corrupting good people as well as bad, and turning arcane places into magically polluted wastelands. If it is not destroyed it will create a portal and call the Merdrun through.
In a nightmare, a nine-year-old girl sees the Merdrun leader - and he sees her. If Karan and Llian are to save their daughter and their world, Karan must find a way to stop the greatest warrior in the void. Llian has to destroy the summon stone before the night of the triple moons, though he has no idea where to begin.
But the summon stone knows how to protect itself, and soon Karan and Llian are on the run. Karan is hunted relentlessly by a former friend. Llian, framed for murder, is forced to betray an old ally's darkest secret - one that could give the Merdrun exactly what they want.
The Merdrun, cruel warriors blooded by thousands of years of slaughter, are gathering in the void between the worlds.
On Santhenar their long-hidden summon stone is waking, corrupting good people as well as bad, and turning arcane places into magically polluted wastelands. If it is not destroyed it will create a portal and call the Merdrun through.
In a nightmare, a nine-year-old girl sees the Merdrun leader - and he sees her. If Karan and Llian are to save their daughter and their world, Karan must find a way to stop the greatest warrior in the void. Llian has to destroy the summon stone before the night of the triple moons, though he has no idea where to begin.
But the summon stone knows how to protect itself, and soon Karan and Llian are on the run. Karan is hunted relentlessly by a former friend. Llian, framed for murder, is forced to betray an old ally's darkest secret - one that could give the Merdrun exactly what they want.
574 pages, Paperback
First published May 17, 2016
45 people are currently reading
1208 people want to read
About the author
Ian Irvine
74 books659 followersI'm an Australian author of 34 novels, mainly fantasy. They include the bestselling Three Worlds epic fantasy sequence, which has sold over a million print copies. It comprises The View from the Mirror quartet, The Well of Echoes quartet and The Song of the Tears trilogy. I’ve just finished The Gates of Good and Evil quartet, the long-awaited sequel to The View from the Mirror. Book 3, The Perilous Tower, was published recently and the final book, The Sapphire Portal, will be published on November 1, 2020.
Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/ianirvine.au...
Signup to my email newsletter for free books and special offers, preview chapters, news and other great stuff. https://www.ian-irvine.com/join-my-ne...
LATEST BOOK
WHY I WRITE
Funny thing is, I never wanted to be a writer. From an early age my ambition was to be a scientist. I’m an expert in pollution and I’ve spent my professional life studying it in far-flung places like Mauritius, Sumatra, Mongolia, South Korea, the Philippines, Papua-New Guinea and Western Samoa, as well as all over Australia. Often scuba diving to the bottom of foul, smelly harbours and hammering tubes deep into the polluted mud to collect samples for chemical analysis. Now that’s living!
I was a small, quiet kid who devoured books from the moment I learned to read. When I was naughty, Mum wouldn’t let me read anything for a week – talk about a cruel and unusual punishment.
I discovered fantasy in the early 70’s, with The Lord of the Rings and the Earthsea trilogy, and was immediately hooked. But there wasn’t much fantasy in those days; within a couple of years I’d read everything available. I wanted more and bigger tales, on vaster canvases, but they didn’t exist. That’s why I had to become a writer – to write the kind of stories I wanted to read.
WHAT I WRITE
I’ve never wanted to write about superheroes or huge, reckless warriors who know no fear. I write epic fantasy about underdogs and ordinary people who, in pursuit of their goals, are put to the limit of human endurance. My characters aren’t fantasy stereotypes, they’re real people with believable motivations and unfortunate flaws. I’m well known for strong female characters who have as many adventures as the men, and frequently get them out of trouble (I have five sisters). My characters are often small or clumsy or inexperienced or handicapped in some way, yet they make up for it with cleverness, ingenuity or sheer, low cunning. My antagonists are real, complex people who do bad things for strong and deeply-held reasons – never ‘just because they’re evil’.
Though my characters suffer every kind of torment imaginable, at their lowest point they discover the truest form of courage – they keep fighting because the fate of the people they care for, and the world they love, depends on them never giving up.
SOME RECENT REVIEWS
"Irvine is a veteran storyteller who excels in sustaining complex plots with well-rounded characters. Here, he delivers a compelling tale of vengeance, loyalty, and the search for a place in the world." Starred review, Library Journal (US)
"That Grand Master of the vast epic is with us again! The first gripping volume of what promises to be a vintage Irvine treat. More please!" Crisetta MacLeod, Aurealis Express
"Incredibly exciting. The end will have you eagerly anticipating the next book." Good Reading (Aus)
"He knows how to spin an epic yarn and tell it with real gusto ... ambitious in scope and tirelessly action-stuffed." SFX
Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/ianirvine.au...
Signup to my email newsletter for free books and special offers, preview chapters, news and other great stuff. https://www.ian-irvine.com/join-my-ne...
LATEST BOOK
WHY I WRITE
Funny thing is, I never wanted to be a writer. From an early age my ambition was to be a scientist. I’m an expert in pollution and I’ve spent my professional life studying it in far-flung places like Mauritius, Sumatra, Mongolia, South Korea, the Philippines, Papua-New Guinea and Western Samoa, as well as all over Australia. Often scuba diving to the bottom of foul, smelly harbours and hammering tubes deep into the polluted mud to collect samples for chemical analysis. Now that’s living!
I was a small, quiet kid who devoured books from the moment I learned to read. When I was naughty, Mum wouldn’t let me read anything for a week – talk about a cruel and unusual punishment.
I discovered fantasy in the early 70’s, with The Lord of the Rings and the Earthsea trilogy, and was immediately hooked. But there wasn’t much fantasy in those days; within a couple of years I’d read everything available. I wanted more and bigger tales, on vaster canvases, but they didn’t exist. That’s why I had to become a writer – to write the kind of stories I wanted to read.
WHAT I WRITE
I’ve never wanted to write about superheroes or huge, reckless warriors who know no fear. I write epic fantasy about underdogs and ordinary people who, in pursuit of their goals, are put to the limit of human endurance. My characters aren’t fantasy stereotypes, they’re real people with believable motivations and unfortunate flaws. I’m well known for strong female characters who have as many adventures as the men, and frequently get them out of trouble (I have five sisters). My characters are often small or clumsy or inexperienced or handicapped in some way, yet they make up for it with cleverness, ingenuity or sheer, low cunning. My antagonists are real, complex people who do bad things for strong and deeply-held reasons – never ‘just because they’re evil’.
Though my characters suffer every kind of torment imaginable, at their lowest point they discover the truest form of courage – they keep fighting because the fate of the people they care for, and the world they love, depends on them never giving up.
SOME RECENT REVIEWS
"Irvine is a veteran storyteller who excels in sustaining complex plots with well-rounded characters. Here, he delivers a compelling tale of vengeance, loyalty, and the search for a place in the world." Starred review, Library Journal (US)
"That Grand Master of the vast epic is with us again! The first gripping volume of what promises to be a vintage Irvine treat. More please!" Crisetta MacLeod, Aurealis Express
"Incredibly exciting. The end will have you eagerly anticipating the next book." Good Reading (Aus)
"He knows how to spin an epic yarn and tell it with real gusto ... ambitious in scope and tirelessly action-stuffed." SFX
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 15, 2017
Not sure if my tastes have evolved, or Irvine's writing has changed. But though I adored Irvine's earlier books, I found it incredibly difficult to enjoy this one. It felt rushed, and didn't give the story time to breathe. The plot felt hazardously stitched together, and every step felt particularly convenient.
August 17, 2018
This is more for me, not a review
Book seemed childish, couldn't get into it. Started another book and immediately captivated. I remember liking the previous books a lot .. have my reading tastes changed or the authors writing?
I might try this as an audiobook at a later date .. not interesting enough to waste time with in print.
Book seemed childish, couldn't get into it. Started another book and immediately captivated. I remember liking the previous books a lot .. have my reading tastes changed or the authors writing?
I might try this as an audiobook at a later date .. not interesting enough to waste time with in print.
August 3, 2020
This was a book chosen for me through a scheme by my local library during lockdown. I am the wrong type of person to review a book of this type as I don't really like fantasy especially in worlds built by the author.
This is a quest novel and it does take a long time for the quest to get going. They were too many characters but I sort of guessed this before I started reading due to a list of characters at the back.
An author should not have to do this.
I found great chunks of the novel monotonous but on occasion would come across a gripping scene or an engaging fight scene. This proved the author can write and I have no doubt some readers of fantasy will enjoy this.
It's not for me and I am not tempted by other books in the series.
This is a quest novel and it does take a long time for the quest to get going. They were too many characters but I sort of guessed this before I started reading due to a list of characters at the back.
An author should not have to do this.
I found great chunks of the novel monotonous but on occasion would come across a gripping scene or an engaging fight scene. This proved the author can write and I have no doubt some readers of fantasy will enjoy this.
It's not for me and I am not tempted by other books in the series.
June 25, 2016
I received a copy of this book for free through NetGalley
I really wanted to like this but it just didn’t pan out for me. The writing in this felt rushed and I didn’t enjoy the world building or the characters. I was coming out of an anti-fantasy mood when I picked it up so don’t take this at face value – try for yourself.
I really wanted to like this but it just didn’t pan out for me. The writing in this felt rushed and I didn’t enjoy the world building or the characters. I was coming out of an anti-fantasy mood when I picked it up so don’t take this at face value – try for yourself.
July 30, 2019
Nice read, great worldbuilding.
The characters were well written, but at times I found it difficult to understand where the rivalries between some of them came from, above all when the animosity was based on race and descendancy or past interaction.
Irvine tries to make this easier for the reader by calling them 'the treacherous Zain' or by explaining the situation, but I feel that more background could enhance the reading experience of this book.
So, before continuing with this series, I will first read the books in which Karan and Llian are first presented to the reader.
The characters were well written, but at times I found it difficult to understand where the rivalries between some of them came from, above all when the animosity was based on race and descendancy or past interaction.
Irvine tries to make this easier for the reader by calling them 'the treacherous Zain' or by explaining the situation, but I feel that more background could enhance the reading experience of this book.
So, before continuing with this series, I will first read the books in which Karan and Llian are first presented to the reader.
April 24, 2021
I read The Fatal Gate some time ago, and realised that it was the sequel to this book. I'd given it a fairly lukewarm two stars, but thought that it might be worthwhile to give this one a go.
However, this book constantly refers back to people and events in the past, and I now realise that the pair are the culmination of a much longer series. I suppose I could go back and read the first book, but frankly I can't be bothered.
Did not finish.
However, this book constantly refers back to people and events in the past, and I now realise that the pair are the culmination of a much longer series. I suppose I could go back and read the first book, but frankly I can't be bothered.
Did not finish.
July 25, 2019
Very fast paced and compelling story. Most of the time, you don't have room to breathe, but it doesn't gloss over character development. You start to care about the characters only after just meeting them. There is absolutely no meandering in this book. Some parts seem a bit rushed and could be fleshed out more, but it didn't detract from the overall story.
May 15, 2017
Disappointing
February 9, 2022
I couldn't get into it
October 13, 2024
I bought this book on special because I love to try out new things. I wasn't expecting to fall in love with it the way that I have. Ian has a gift for writing and really captures the magic, the characters and the plot in such a way that you find it difficult to stop reading. There were many nights where I was supposed to go to sleep and couldn't because I was enthralled by this book. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
June 12, 2017
c2016. Unusually, this was a DNF and I normally enjoy Mr Irvine's stories. But one of the main female leads was really unlikeable in every way and as there was a strong waft of YA about the heroine - I could go no further. 'She had to leave the only home she had ever known and go out into the dangerous world she knew nothing about, but feared with all her heart.'
January 30, 2018
Enjoyed but felt the language was not my thing, and at times I had to make myself persevere! great story, I just wonder if it could have been told more quickly and with a better aim toward mystery and suspense. Though that's no reflection upon the author, as I did enjoy the story and I'm fussy as all get out lol!!
February 15, 2021
While Ian seemed to grow as a writer in his Well of Echoes series, going back to Karan and Llian was a mistake. They have their same old flaws and just feel like characters that are cardboard cutouts. Their mood seems to arbitrarily shift to push the story forward and they do things which aren't of their nature.
July 30, 2025
Beautiful, feels like his early books again
I wasn't a huge fan of the Curse of the Chosen series, I was dubious about trying this newer one. I'm happy I did since it feels like his earlier books again. It's exciting to continue Karen and Liam's story 10+ years after the end of the mirror series, I'm going straight on to book 2 now. Recommended.
I wasn't a huge fan of the Curse of the Chosen series, I was dubious about trying this newer one. I'm happy I did since it feels like his earlier books again. It's exciting to continue Karen and Liam's story 10+ years after the end of the mirror series, I'm going straight on to book 2 now. Recommended.
December 28, 2017
Just wish the author would give the two leads a break. Every turn they are met with more and more bad luck. Makes it hard to feel good.
June 3, 2019
I simply could not get into this one. And having finished it find it completely unmemorable
July 20, 2019
A thoroughly entertaining read!
December 8, 2019
Cool and scary
April 3, 2020
Not really my cup of tea.
January 20, 2022
Ian Irvine’s characters have a heart and soul. A book you simply cannot put down.
July 8, 2024
What a pity. Loved his previous work but this just felt too contrived. Read his other works too long ago to recall the links. Lost me here.
June 24, 2016
I forgot to count how many times I cried or felt the overwhelming sensation to break something because of some of the characters. I feel as though I have been detached from books for so long, and this one, was definitely, a book to remember.
After just finishing The Way Between the Worlds, going henceforth into reading The Summon Stone, I was swept further into their world. The changes that have occurred to the characters in the 'ten-year time skip' is amazing, and from the very first line, countless webs of action, romance, treachery and adventure were spun across the following pages.
Although harder to read no thanks to my mother watching state of Origin, and fighting to read between my university classes; I did not want to put this book down. I feel like a huge part of my soul has been ripped out, even more so when i looked up to the page number and went hunting for the end of the book... distressingly, the very next page.
I'm not even remotely sure that it's not possible to read this book, let alone the entire series at least once more before The Fatal Gate is released. I will definitely be marking how many more days.
After just finishing The Way Between the Worlds, going henceforth into reading The Summon Stone, I was swept further into their world. The changes that have occurred to the characters in the 'ten-year time skip' is amazing, and from the very first line, countless webs of action, romance, treachery and adventure were spun across the following pages.
Although harder to read no thanks to my mother watching state of Origin, and fighting to read between my university classes; I did not want to put this book down. I feel like a huge part of my soul has been ripped out, even more so when i looked up to the page number and went hunting for the end of the book... distressingly, the very next page.
I'm not even remotely sure that it's not possible to read this book, let alone the entire series at least once more before The Fatal Gate is released. I will definitely be marking how many more days.
August 23, 2016
Absolutely loved this book. Could barely put it down! If you loved The View From The Mirror Quartet and miss your favourites - do yourself a huge favour and read this. If you haven't read VftM, this is still a great story in its own right and includes any backstory you need to know.
May 28, 2016
Clever use of prologue! Fast paced with a couple of twists I didn't see coming. Enjoyed the story very much.
Read
November 9, 2016Good read
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews