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Green Sky #2
Grey Stone and Steel
Toru Idalin, Lord Heir of Meton, has a problem. The man he loves has accidentally made Toru into a powerful Mage, and Toru caused a soulbond between himself and a grieving Healer. Now Catter has left, unable to deal with Toru’s connection to S’ian. But when Quorl is attacked by an enemy intent on gaining the secret of newfound flight and electricity, the ripples from Catter’s actions become even more important, and Toru is thrown into the struggle to defend both his land and his partner.
- GenresSteampunk
130 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2015
6 people want to read
About the author
Kate Coe
16 books19 followersKate Coe is an editor, book reviewer and writer of fiction & fantasy. When she's not working, she fills her spare time in between writing with web design, gaming, geeky cross-stitch and DIY (which may or may not involve destroying things). She also reads far fewer books that she would like to, but possibly more than she really has time for.
Her writing swings wildly depending on what is in her head at the time, and this has led to genres including urban fiction, steampunk-style fantasy, and a series of children's stories based on a library that she used to work in. Her favourite character is a sloth with a speed addiction, her best writing moment was when one of her characters fell in love and completely changed the plot, and she writes because she can't imagine not doing it - and it gets the voices out of her head for five minutes...
News and thoughts on her writing can be found at www.writingandcoe.co.uk.
Her writing swings wildly depending on what is in her head at the time, and this has led to genres including urban fiction, steampunk-style fantasy, and a series of children's stories based on a library that she used to work in. Her favourite character is a sloth with a speed addiction, her best writing moment was when one of her characters fell in love and completely changed the plot, and she writes because she can't imagine not doing it - and it gets the voices out of her head for five minutes...
News and thoughts on her writing can be found at www.writingandcoe.co.uk.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 11, 2015
Grey Stone and Steel is the second novella in an intriguing series that mixes magic with the development of basic industrial technology.
The first instalment, Green Sky and Spark, was very good. It had enjoyable characters and the story’s blend of magic, electricity (spark) and flight was what really grabbed my interest, and made me excited to see what would happen next.
Grey Stone and Steel continued to be enjoyable and the progression of the story was satisfactory. However, there was a little part of me that felt there could have been a lot more progression to the overall plot and expanding the world, but there’s only so much you can do in a novella. Obviously, the plot and world was opened up a little, but I was hoping for more. That aside, the development of some of the magic and technological aspects certainly satisfied my curiosity sufficiently, while at the same time leaving me looking forward to learning more.
The conflicts that arise, both within/between characters and the opposing nation, are written very well. The sudden appearance of an opposing faction/nation bringing war was especially interesting. All the conflicts surrounding this are going to be fun to read about in subsequent instalments.
Aside from the fascinating story of magic and industrial development, this stories biggest strength is its character development. We get to see more of S’ian and Toru which was good, and we are introduced to a few new characters who start to have interesting dynamics with those we already know.
I did really enjoy Grey Stone and Steel, but there did feel like something was a little lacking. I think it comes from the fact these stories are novella’s and you only get to nibble on the story each time rather than gorge. Apart from that, this series continues to be interesting and makes me very curious to see how it all develops. I look forward to the next instalment.
The first instalment, Green Sky and Spark, was very good. It had enjoyable characters and the story’s blend of magic, electricity (spark) and flight was what really grabbed my interest, and made me excited to see what would happen next.
Grey Stone and Steel continued to be enjoyable and the progression of the story was satisfactory. However, there was a little part of me that felt there could have been a lot more progression to the overall plot and expanding the world, but there’s only so much you can do in a novella. Obviously, the plot and world was opened up a little, but I was hoping for more. That aside, the development of some of the magic and technological aspects certainly satisfied my curiosity sufficiently, while at the same time leaving me looking forward to learning more.
The conflicts that arise, both within/between characters and the opposing nation, are written very well. The sudden appearance of an opposing faction/nation bringing war was especially interesting. All the conflicts surrounding this are going to be fun to read about in subsequent instalments.
Aside from the fascinating story of magic and industrial development, this stories biggest strength is its character development. We get to see more of S’ian and Toru which was good, and we are introduced to a few new characters who start to have interesting dynamics with those we already know.
I did really enjoy Grey Stone and Steel, but there did feel like something was a little lacking. I think it comes from the fact these stories are novella’s and you only get to nibble on the story each time rather than gorge. Apart from that, this series continues to be interesting and makes me very curious to see how it all develops. I look forward to the next instalment.
June 14, 2016
Grey Stone and Steel takes up the ongoing story of Toru and his accidental partner, S'ian, where previous novella Green Sky & Sparks left off. Toru's lover Catter has left, unable to deal with the soulbond between S'ian and Toru, and now S'ian takes centre stage. She is sent to Aleric, a city under siege by Ziricon, an enemy nation intent on stealing the newly-discovered secrets of flight and "spark", or electricity. Taking one of Toru's Gliders to use as a reconnaissance craft, she is thrown into the midst of the battle. But her nascent mage powers and her unwanted soulbond to Toru cause suspicion amongst the people who are supposed to be her new allies.
Kate Coe packs a lot into this slim volume, moving the story that flashes between S'ian and Toru along at a swift pace, never letting the tension drop. It's clear that events are moving in the world outside the confines of this story. This is the second volume in a projected series of ten, and there's a definite sense of pieces being pushed around the board, setting up future conflict and tensions, but Grey Stone and Steel also stands alone as a slice of life in a city under attack, and S'ian is a sympathetic protagonist, struggling with both her bond with Toru and her own grief for a lost lover even as she throws herself into the defence of the city.
The book ends on a cliffhanger, with a dramatic glider crash and a new threat from the sea. It's anyone's guess where the story will go next, but I know I'm strapped in for the whole journey....
Kate Coe packs a lot into this slim volume, moving the story that flashes between S'ian and Toru along at a swift pace, never letting the tension drop. It's clear that events are moving in the world outside the confines of this story. This is the second volume in a projected series of ten, and there's a definite sense of pieces being pushed around the board, setting up future conflict and tensions, but Grey Stone and Steel also stands alone as a slice of life in a city under attack, and S'ian is a sympathetic protagonist, struggling with both her bond with Toru and her own grief for a lost lover even as she throws herself into the defence of the city.
The book ends on a cliffhanger, with a dramatic glider crash and a new threat from the sea. It's anyone's guess where the story will go next, but I know I'm strapped in for the whole journey....
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews