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Alastair Stone Chronicles #3
The Threshold
Librarian's note: This an alternate cover for: B00D55MG2C
The Evil was only the beginning...
It's been less than a month since Jason Thayer, his sister Verity, and mage Alastair Stone discovered a monstrous conspiracy to take over our world one mind at a time. The battle in San Francisco struck a major blow—but it didn't eliminate the threat.
Not even close.
Where do the Evil come from? How did they get here? As Jason, Verity, and Stone delve deeper into these questions, they make a shocking discovery about the nature of the Evil—and what happened that brought them into our dimension.
What they find sends them on a desperate cross-country race from the wilds of West Virginia to the dark neon wonderland of Las Vegas as they attempt to stop the Evil at its source before it's too late.
From a new colony of Forgotten to a powerful and mysterious gray mage with unclear motives, they will find help in their efforts—but will it be enough?
The Threshold is book 3 in the Alastair Stone Chronicles urban fantasy series.
The Evil was only the beginning...
It's been less than a month since Jason Thayer, his sister Verity, and mage Alastair Stone discovered a monstrous conspiracy to take over our world one mind at a time. The battle in San Francisco struck a major blow—but it didn't eliminate the threat.
Not even close.
Where do the Evil come from? How did they get here? As Jason, Verity, and Stone delve deeper into these questions, they make a shocking discovery about the nature of the Evil—and what happened that brought them into our dimension.
What they find sends them on a desperate cross-country race from the wilds of West Virginia to the dark neon wonderland of Las Vegas as they attempt to stop the Evil at its source before it's too late.
From a new colony of Forgotten to a powerful and mysterious gray mage with unclear motives, they will find help in their efforts—but will it be enough?
The Threshold is book 3 in the Alastair Stone Chronicles urban fantasy series.
531 pages, ebook
First published June 4, 2013
201 people are currently reading
172 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 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 31, 2017
I really tried to like this series. I am a big fan of urban fantasy as a concept. But based on the choices R.L. King made as a writer I find myself hating their books and disliking them somewhat as a person. There are too many plotholes. The ones I found most infuriating are those that have a person of fairly average intelligence like myself constantly questioning if the main protagonist is a complete freakin idiot. That shouldn't be happening as he is supposed to be a PHD working as a professor for Stanford.... I won't point out specifics as I don't want to put on spoiler tags... But seriously. If that sort of thing annoys you and you've been struggling a little with the serious so far you may just want to pass on this book. If you find yourself more tolerant then good luck and I hope you enjoy your reading.
April 1, 2019
Just read it...
Alastair Stone is like a ride in a rollercoaster, you never know whether you're up or down, keeps you perched on the edge of your chair and makes you read far in the night and endangers your lunch breaks... The awesome thing is that his magic isn't all-powerful, it's hard work and scary... I love these books!! They're amazing! Well written, awesome characters and fabulous plot!! And there's loads of them!!
Alastair Stone is like a ride in a rollercoaster, you never know whether you're up or down, keeps you perched on the edge of your chair and makes you read far in the night and endangers your lunch breaks... The awesome thing is that his magic isn't all-powerful, it's hard work and scary... I love these books!! They're amazing! Well written, awesome characters and fabulous plot!! And there's loads of them!!
June 10, 2018
I could only give this installment 3 stars. For some reason I didn't enjoy it as much as her first two. Much of it seemed two dimensional to me, simplistic and lots of things happening because it was convenient to the story. I also am having some trouble liking the "evil." It just seems too simplistic and not much other than evil. There isn't much explanation about it beyond a couple of plot devices. I will continue to read the series to see if it returns more to what I enjoyed in the first two books and go from there. The thing I've noticed about this series is that the author is putting them out lickity split. Some have three or four months between books. In my opinion that means the author is giving preference to quantity over quality. Maybe she should consider much more writing effort in the quality of the story overall. Anyway, I'm reasonably happy so far but if I find another urban fantasy series more fun and involved I may very well switch.
October 3, 2021
Perfect execution of both story and performance.
January 8, 2018
Very good. Another page turner, as Alastair, Jason, & Verity search for 2 portals that is allowing the Evil to come into our realm. Their goal is to locate & destroy the portals. One is located in West Virginia where they have the help of the local Forgotten to help take care of its destruction.
The 2nd portal is in Las Vegas, where another mage named Trevor Harrison, helps them. Harrison owns one of the new major casinos, but his name is no where to be found in the records. He's also like no mage that Alastair has ever seen. Nor has he ever heard of him, as he has most every other mage, especially those at the higher levels. I stayed up until 5am finishing the book. Good ending.
The 2nd portal is in Las Vegas, where another mage named Trevor Harrison, helps them. Harrison owns one of the new major casinos, but his name is no where to be found in the records. He's also like no mage that Alastair has ever seen. Nor has he ever heard of him, as he has most every other mage, especially those at the higher levels. I stayed up until 5am finishing the book. Good ending.
September 25, 2020
Best so far
These get better and better. They are always action packed but wow this was a crescendo. Al and co are still battling the evil and have found a way to take the fight up a level. The book is in various locations with new allies. The fight isn't over but it has moved on. A great book but perhaps some personal life for our intrepid band not just constant battling. Regardless, this is a 5 star read.
These get better and better. They are always action packed but wow this was a crescendo. Al and co are still battling the evil and have found a way to take the fight up a level. The book is in various locations with new allies. The fight isn't over but it has moved on. A great book but perhaps some personal life for our intrepid band not just constant battling. Regardless, this is a 5 star read.
March 9, 2019
Now the series is really getting rolling. We’ve had some time to get to know the characters and the overall plot, and I really enjoy how these books sort of read like supernatural mystery/thrillers. The situations that occur are totally palpable, but given the supernatural explanation behind them makes them that much more interesting. Can’t wait to continue on with the series.
December 12, 2020
Stone is working on where the Evil is coming from and thinks he's figured it out. Now there's a race against time to actually find the source and do something about it.
King has created a well thought out world that has few mages. They of course are separated into dark and light varieties. But the dark mages are not the only or even the worst adversaries out there
King has created a well thought out world that has few mages. They of course are separated into dark and light varieties. But the dark mages are not the only or even the worst adversaries out there
January 4, 2021
A little annoyed
A solid entry no doubt with plenty of character development and world buidling but...
I am sort of annoyed. Mostly due to one character who appears, adds to the mystery, and at the end appears to be gone but isnt? I really wanna know more about him and his place in the world and I kinda feel cockblocked by the author. Hopefully he makes a comeback later.
A solid entry no doubt with plenty of character development and world buidling but...
I am sort of annoyed. Mostly due to one character who appears, adds to the mystery, and at the end appears to be gone but isnt? I really wanna know more about him and his place in the world and I kinda feel cockblocked by the author. Hopefully he makes a comeback later.
March 7, 2022
Do Not Read Before Bedtime!
Very gripping, fast paced action, characters you will learn to love; wh
at more can you ask for? Each book in the series gets you more and more embroiled in the lives of the main characters, watching them grow and learn and change. Also, getting harder to put the books down. Good thing I can read fast. Book 4 here I come!
Very gripping, fast paced action, characters you will learn to love; wh
at more can you ask for? Each book in the series gets you more and more embroiled in the lives of the main characters, watching them grow and learn and change. Also, getting harder to put the books down. Good thing I can read fast. Book 4 here I come!
September 3, 2017
awesome. awesome. awesome.
November 15, 2017
A solid story, with developing characters. The stories are getting better
September 13, 2020
story arch continues...good story
November 7, 2021
I'm really baffled by the high ratings. I've really gave the series a try but it's just not for me.
November 27, 2021
Entertaining but a little dark
I'm going on to book 4. I still don't like Jason. He sounds like a brat most of the time. I hope they bring Harrison back. He was interesting
I'm going on to book 4. I still don't like Jason. He sounds like a brat most of the time. I hope they bring Harrison back. He was interesting
March 28, 2022
Good story, characters could be more fleshed out. But I'm off to read te next one.
July 19, 2023
I am having almost as much fun with Alastair Stone, the primary protagonist, as I had with Dresden.
September 21, 2023
Much more depth in this one regarding character development and we see truly the grays in life here.
May 6, 2024
Fast-paced, edge of my seat reading
May 24, 2025
Plot twists
Interesting. Fast paced. Great characters and fantastic plot twists. I never saw the end coming. My favorite of the series so far.
Interesting. Fast paced. Great characters and fantastic plot twists. I never saw the end coming. My favorite of the series so far.
March 17, 2016
The Threshold, Alastair Stone Chronicles $3)
by R.L. King
Some spoilers here, so....
Another well written, well plotted magical mystery. In the third outing, Stone and his sidekicks, Jason and Verity, are off to dismantle the two portals set up some time ago by mages who then promptly disappeared. These portals are unstable and Stone has discovered that this is how the Evil are entering the world. One is set in West Virginia and the other in Las Vegas.
In West Virginia, Stone, Jason and Verity find a settlement of The Forgotten who are friendly, but skeptical about Stone's plans. While they were aware that the small town up the mountain from their settlement is populated by only Evil possessed, they had no idea about the existence of portals. Nevertheless, Stone's group is able to convince them to help. However, in the shutting down of the portal, Stone discovers horrors he simply cannot unsee and is uncertain he can withstand a second time, to shut down the unstable portal in Vegas.
After some time passes, the group does go to Vegas, discovering that The Forgotten there would like to remain forgotten, and, although sympathetic to Stone's cause, have no intention of helping. Instead, the trio is picked up by another, very powerful mage, who is a mover and shaker in Vegas, but who had no former knowledge of the Evil or of how they possessed humans. As a mage, he is aware of portals, and aware of Stone and his reputation.
So, will Stone, Jason and Verity, along with their new friend and his contacts, be able to destroy the only remaining portal through with the Evil may enter the world? Will any of them survive? And, if successful, how will that change dealing with the Evil who have already come into the world?
Thrills and Chills abound.
I rather liked this book. It was a tad long, but it was a story that took our heroes from California to the East Coast and back again, then to Vegas and back. Quite the road trip!
Probably the best part of the book, in my opinion, was the introduction of the powerful Las Vegas Mage, Harrison. A deliciously mysterious character, I fully expect to see him pop up again in either the 4th or 5th book of the series (maybe both?). Another good part was that I didn't see the dreaded "p'raps" even once in the book. Maybe I've just gotten so used to it I don't even notice it any longer!
The worst part of the book? For a mage who is described as one of the most powerful white mages in North America, Stone sure gets his butt kicked around a lot. So far, just about everyone he goes up against gets to nearly kill him and his friends, and to do so pretty easily. I would be nice to see him not collapse after every spell, or maybe just to get smart enough to actually bring enough "power" items with him to actually seem on an even playing field with his opponents. Yes, they need to be a match for him, maybe even more than a match -- but so much of the time his victories almost seem accidental, or serendipitous, rather than the result of actual magical ability. Maybe I tend to compare him too much to Harry Dresden, but it seems to me that even the first year students at Brakebills can do more powerful magic than Alastair Stone. Shoot -- Hermione could beat him and still have enough energy to dance the night away at the TriWizard Ball.
I do have to say this. Although none of the endings are actual cliffhanger endings, all but the first do leave the underlying issue unresolved -- the Evil. Were I not able to be reading these one after the other, as the first four were available when I started the series and the fifth has since been published, I might not have continued with the series after the first book. I like stand alone novels, even in a series, and the first in the series was that. It wasn't until the second book that the "Evil," which seems to be the continuing "baddy" in the series, appeared, and it doesn't seem to be fading away anytime soon. I don't like feeling like I have to read the next book to get to the resolution of the problem raised early in the series. New book -- new situations/new enemy/new challenge. And please, let me see the character grow with each book.
I know, grouse, grouse, grouse. "The Source" is up next.
by R.L. King
Some spoilers here, so....
Another well written, well plotted magical mystery. In the third outing, Stone and his sidekicks, Jason and Verity, are off to dismantle the two portals set up some time ago by mages who then promptly disappeared. These portals are unstable and Stone has discovered that this is how the Evil are entering the world. One is set in West Virginia and the other in Las Vegas.
In West Virginia, Stone, Jason and Verity find a settlement of The Forgotten who are friendly, but skeptical about Stone's plans. While they were aware that the small town up the mountain from their settlement is populated by only Evil possessed, they had no idea about the existence of portals. Nevertheless, Stone's group is able to convince them to help. However, in the shutting down of the portal, Stone discovers horrors he simply cannot unsee and is uncertain he can withstand a second time, to shut down the unstable portal in Vegas.
After some time passes, the group does go to Vegas, discovering that The Forgotten there would like to remain forgotten, and, although sympathetic to Stone's cause, have no intention of helping. Instead, the trio is picked up by another, very powerful mage, who is a mover and shaker in Vegas, but who had no former knowledge of the Evil or of how they possessed humans. As a mage, he is aware of portals, and aware of Stone and his reputation.
So, will Stone, Jason and Verity, along with their new friend and his contacts, be able to destroy the only remaining portal through with the Evil may enter the world? Will any of them survive? And, if successful, how will that change dealing with the Evil who have already come into the world?
Thrills and Chills abound.
I rather liked this book. It was a tad long, but it was a story that took our heroes from California to the East Coast and back again, then to Vegas and back. Quite the road trip!
Probably the best part of the book, in my opinion, was the introduction of the powerful Las Vegas Mage, Harrison. A deliciously mysterious character, I fully expect to see him pop up again in either the 4th or 5th book of the series (maybe both?). Another good part was that I didn't see the dreaded "p'raps" even once in the book. Maybe I've just gotten so used to it I don't even notice it any longer!
The worst part of the book? For a mage who is described as one of the most powerful white mages in North America, Stone sure gets his butt kicked around a lot. So far, just about everyone he goes up against gets to nearly kill him and his friends, and to do so pretty easily. I would be nice to see him not collapse after every spell, or maybe just to get smart enough to actually bring enough "power" items with him to actually seem on an even playing field with his opponents. Yes, they need to be a match for him, maybe even more than a match -- but so much of the time his victories almost seem accidental, or serendipitous, rather than the result of actual magical ability. Maybe I tend to compare him too much to Harry Dresden, but it seems to me that even the first year students at Brakebills can do more powerful magic than Alastair Stone. Shoot -- Hermione could beat him and still have enough energy to dance the night away at the TriWizard Ball.
I do have to say this. Although none of the endings are actual cliffhanger endings, all but the first do leave the underlying issue unresolved -- the Evil. Were I not able to be reading these one after the other, as the first four were available when I started the series and the fifth has since been published, I might not have continued with the series after the first book. I like stand alone novels, even in a series, and the first in the series was that. It wasn't until the second book that the "Evil," which seems to be the continuing "baddy" in the series, appeared, and it doesn't seem to be fading away anytime soon. I don't like feeling like I have to read the next book to get to the resolution of the problem raised early in the series. New book -- new situations/new enemy/new challenge. And please, let me see the character grow with each book.
I know, grouse, grouse, grouse. "The Source" is up next.
September 2, 2021
Awesome Indies Book Awards is pleased to include THE THRESHOLD (Alastair Stone Chronicles #3) by R.L. KING in the library of Awesome Indies'
Seal of Excellence
recipients.
AIBA Book of the Day: 2 September, 2021: 234/42347
Original Awesome Indies' Assessment (5 stars):
R.L. King’s The Threshold is the third book in an urban fantasy series chronicling the adventures of Alistair Stone, a mage (practitioner of magic). In this novel Alistair and his companions, Verity Thayer and her brother, Jason, are battling an extra-dimensional enemy called the Evil that feed on human emotions and seek world domination. The trio must find and destroy the portals through which the Evil are invading this world.
As incorporeal beings the Evil can possess the bodies of most humans, but not the bodies of mages or a mysterious group known as the Forgotten. The special abilities of the Forgotten come with a downside: they suffer from various mental disorders that make it difficult for them to function in society. Most of the Forgotten are homeless.
The story moves briskly without sacrificing descriptive detail so necessary to this genre. Its magic fits seamlessly into everyday reality. The extra-dimensional portal in the basement of an Indian restaurant, aptly named A Passage to India, seems as real and believable as a broom closet.
Alistair and his companions are altogether sympathetic. I prefer antiheroes, so this threesome is a bit too white magic for me. But their quirks and imperfections keep them from being bland. Englishman Alistair comes across as a typical college professor, unconventional and sometimes acerbic. His mysterious past makes him intriguing. Teenager Verity is both Forgotten and a mage. Apprenticed to Alistair, she is discovering her abilities as she wrestles with the problems of adolescence. Jason’s only gift is the ability to power Alistair’s spells without depleting himself, a kind of magical battery, but his fierce love for his sister makes him stand out.
Secondary characters are well-drawn, even those who make only a brief appearance. Eleanor Pearsall, the white mage in the opening chapter, is so sweet that it hurts when she’s ambushed by the Evil. And gray mage Trevor Harrison is so compelling that I hope to meet him again in the next book.
Later books in a series are tricky. Often the beginning gets bogged down by exposition or the story cannot stand on its own. King avoids both these pitfalls. She gives just enough information so readers can understand what’s going on. At times the Evil seems like an abstract menace, though, and the trio’s history with the Forgotten feels thin. After finishing The Threshold I backed up and read The Forgotten, which filled in everything that was missing — and more.
If you enjoy urban fantasy, you don’t want to miss this series. You can read The Threshold first, like I did, but for the optimal experience, start with The Forgotten. Once you enter the world of Alistair Stone, you won’t want to leave.
AIBA Book of the Day: 2 September, 2021: 234/42347
Original Awesome Indies' Assessment (5 stars):
R.L. King’s The Threshold is the third book in an urban fantasy series chronicling the adventures of Alistair Stone, a mage (practitioner of magic). In this novel Alistair and his companions, Verity Thayer and her brother, Jason, are battling an extra-dimensional enemy called the Evil that feed on human emotions and seek world domination. The trio must find and destroy the portals through which the Evil are invading this world.
As incorporeal beings the Evil can possess the bodies of most humans, but not the bodies of mages or a mysterious group known as the Forgotten. The special abilities of the Forgotten come with a downside: they suffer from various mental disorders that make it difficult for them to function in society. Most of the Forgotten are homeless.
The story moves briskly without sacrificing descriptive detail so necessary to this genre. Its magic fits seamlessly into everyday reality. The extra-dimensional portal in the basement of an Indian restaurant, aptly named A Passage to India, seems as real and believable as a broom closet.
Alistair and his companions are altogether sympathetic. I prefer antiheroes, so this threesome is a bit too white magic for me. But their quirks and imperfections keep them from being bland. Englishman Alistair comes across as a typical college professor, unconventional and sometimes acerbic. His mysterious past makes him intriguing. Teenager Verity is both Forgotten and a mage. Apprenticed to Alistair, she is discovering her abilities as she wrestles with the problems of adolescence. Jason’s only gift is the ability to power Alistair’s spells without depleting himself, a kind of magical battery, but his fierce love for his sister makes him stand out.
Secondary characters are well-drawn, even those who make only a brief appearance. Eleanor Pearsall, the white mage in the opening chapter, is so sweet that it hurts when she’s ambushed by the Evil. And gray mage Trevor Harrison is so compelling that I hope to meet him again in the next book.
Later books in a series are tricky. Often the beginning gets bogged down by exposition or the story cannot stand on its own. King avoids both these pitfalls. She gives just enough information so readers can understand what’s going on. At times the Evil seems like an abstract menace, though, and the trio’s history with the Forgotten feels thin. After finishing The Threshold I backed up and read The Forgotten, which filled in everything that was missing — and more.
If you enjoy urban fantasy, you don’t want to miss this series. You can read The Threshold first, like I did, but for the optimal experience, start with The Forgotten. Once you enter the world of Alistair Stone, you won’t want to leave.
April 7, 2016
Got about halfway through and then archived it. While the author had hooked me with the first book didn't work hard enough to land me. Might pick it up again later during a dry spell but done for now.
January 26, 2017
Good end to this story. A new character was introduced that was fun. I hope the next book puts an end to the Eval.
October 30, 2020
Will read the complete series
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews