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Kingstone
Temple novice Katia wants nothing more than to become a priest in the Temple of the Triple Gods. She tries hard to do the right thing, but she's running out of ways to convince Elder Sevanya, the King's Priest, that she can do the job. While she’s belatedly setting up the incense to prove that she’s a competent acolyte, Katia overhears the king’s brother plotting to kill the king. She steals the Kingstone to protect it and to deliver it to the true heir with a warning: the killer is after him too. Not knowing who to trust, Katia keeps her mission secret. Her theft of the precious stone puts a price on her head and she disguises herself as a boy to undertake the dangerous journey across sea and land to the true heir’s palace. Doing the right thing just got a lot harder. Will the Triple Gods forgive her?
186 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2017
209 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Hetzel
25 books11 followersAuthor and volunteer librarian at a local primary school.
Primarily a children's author, but with short stories for adults in various anthologies.
Lover of cold chicken and liquorice (not at the same time), who has a thing about rainbows.
Favourite author - Sir Terry Pratchett.
https://www.katherinehetzel.com/
Primarily a children's author, but with short stories for adults in various anthologies.
Lover of cold chicken and liquorice (not at the same time), who has a thing about rainbows.
Favourite author - Sir Terry Pratchett.
https://www.katherinehetzel.com/
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 4, 2017
I started reading this book the day before yesterday and finished in two sittings! I'm not very good at analysing books, but here goes...
Katia's adventure had me gripped from the very beginning - she's a very believable girl with teenage insecurities who, acting on impulse, launches herself into a journey which gets more complex by the moment. The world in which the action takes place is beautifully described with just enough detail to fuel the imagination. The other characters are revealed as Katia comes to know and understand them helping the reader to travel alongside her. I enjoyed the surprise twist to the end of the tale, leaving me happy for the young heroine but leaving me wanting to know what happens next in her life.
All in all, a highly recommended page-turner suitable for pre-teens upwards. I've already told my class about it and several of my 10 year-old avid readers are keen to get their hands on a copy.
Katia's adventure had me gripped from the very beginning - she's a very believable girl with teenage insecurities who, acting on impulse, launches herself into a journey which gets more complex by the moment. The world in which the action takes place is beautifully described with just enough detail to fuel the imagination. The other characters are revealed as Katia comes to know and understand them helping the reader to travel alongside her. I enjoyed the surprise twist to the end of the tale, leaving me happy for the young heroine but leaving me wanting to know what happens next in her life.
All in all, a highly recommended page-turner suitable for pre-teens upwards. I've already told my class about it and several of my 10 year-old avid readers are keen to get their hands on a copy.
March 6, 2017
I was lucky enough to have an ARC of Kingstone, here is my review:
Another fantastic story from Katherine, the characters and descriptions make you feel like you are there. You can smell the salt in the air, the incense in the Temple, live through the difficulties and worries with Katia and feel pride with Sevanya. A well recommended read.
Well done Katherine :)
Another fantastic story from Katherine, the characters and descriptions make you feel like you are there. You can smell the salt in the air, the incense in the Temple, live through the difficulties and worries with Katia and feel pride with Sevanya. A well recommended read.
Well done Katherine :)
August 11, 2017
I was contacted by the author and received a copy of her book in exchange for an honest review.
Katia is doing what she always wanted to, training to become a priest in the Temple of the Triple Gods, but unfortunately it seems she is not very good at it! She accompanies Elder Sevenya and the King of her world back to her homeland Indigon and must prove that she’s worthy of becoming a priest or they will leave her there.
She overhears the king’s brother plotting to kill the King but it is too late to save him, so she takes the Kingstone, sacred relic that only the King can possess, to deliver it back to it’s rightful heir and stop the death plot against him.
In order to complete her task, she disguises herself as a boy and stows away on a ship where she meets the mysterious Mynott, who agrees reluctantly to help her with her quest.
I have to be honest I wasn’t that taken by the cover, (it kind of reminded me of some old fashioned books I had to read as a child in school back in the nineties), but this book is a real hidden gem.
It may be a fantasy novel but at it’s heart this story is about adventure. There were some good twists and turns, which kept me turning page after page.
Katia is great character, full of self doubt, a tendency to speak her mind (even when she shouldn’t), but she has a good heart and knows when to do the right thing.
There were some religious overtones, which may not be to everyone’s taste, but the author managed to not let them over power the story. Also I found the concept of the triple gods (the sun god, the moon god and the mountain god) intriguing but I would have liked to have known a bit more about the mythology surrounding them.
I also felt like I wanted to learn more about the fantastic world the author created. Were there more lands than just Eraton and Indigon? I would have loved have seen a map (I just want to point out here I didn’t see the final version, so I’m not sure if a map is included).
Katia is doing what she always wanted to, training to become a priest in the Temple of the Triple Gods, but unfortunately it seems she is not very good at it! She accompanies Elder Sevenya and the King of her world back to her homeland Indigon and must prove that she’s worthy of becoming a priest or they will leave her there.
She overhears the king’s brother plotting to kill the King but it is too late to save him, so she takes the Kingstone, sacred relic that only the King can possess, to deliver it back to it’s rightful heir and stop the death plot against him.
In order to complete her task, she disguises herself as a boy and stows away on a ship where she meets the mysterious Mynott, who agrees reluctantly to help her with her quest.
I have to be honest I wasn’t that taken by the cover, (it kind of reminded me of some old fashioned books I had to read as a child in school back in the nineties), but this book is a real hidden gem.
It may be a fantasy novel but at it’s heart this story is about adventure. There were some good twists and turns, which kept me turning page after page.
Katia is great character, full of self doubt, a tendency to speak her mind (even when she shouldn’t), but she has a good heart and knows when to do the right thing.
There were some religious overtones, which may not be to everyone’s taste, but the author managed to not let them over power the story. Also I found the concept of the triple gods (the sun god, the moon god and the mountain god) intriguing but I would have liked to have known a bit more about the mythology surrounding them.
I also felt like I wanted to learn more about the fantastic world the author created. Were there more lands than just Eraton and Indigon? I would have loved have seen a map (I just want to point out here I didn’t see the final version, so I’m not sure if a map is included).
August 5, 2017
Kingstone is a great story - compelling to the end! Highly recommended for pre-teens plus. Straight away you are drawn into an adventure led by Katia, a brave strong-willed young girl who risks everything to prove herself and stand up for what she believes in. Beautifully descriptive, you feel like you are travelling alongside Katia, experiencing all the highs and lows she encounters. Our decisions help make us who we are and katia makes lots of life changing decisions. She is on her own in her chosen quest to protect and deliver the Kingstone, who can she trust? I would love to read more…
November 1, 2017
I loved this book - a great story, well written and interesting. I read this book really quickly as I couldn't put it down. Katherine Hetzel writes great stories, fast moving with tense moments and imaginative characters. Highly recommended.
February 9, 2022
A fast paced, action packed novel with a daring and plucky heroine at its heart, Kingstone is definitely a book for children who love an adventure or fantasy stories. There were definite ‘Chronicles of Narnia’ and ‘The Ickabog’ vibes resonating throughout as the story took us to made-up kingdoms resplendent with royalty, merchants and serfs, with just a touch of magic and Gods mixed in. A perfect combination for children wanting to be swept away by a story.
The twists and turns that came with every chapter were engrossing and I found myself wanting to read ‘just a little bit more’ even though my eyes were closing and it was way past my bedtime (parents beware: this is definitely one that your children will be trying to read by torchlight under the covers)! I was also completely thrown by the ending which was not what I was expecting!
Centred around an island called Eraton and the kingdom of Indigon, the story tells of a young girl who is finally seeing out her childhood dream of training to become a priest, only to find herself embroiled in the middle of a plot to kill the king. She alone knows the truth of the matter and who is to blame and she alone holds the one way to ensure that the rightful heir is placed upon the throne: the sacred Kingstone, only touched by the king and his priest, and which was presented to the first king by the triple Gods (who I would, I confess, have liked to have known a little more about or had a little more interaction with).
I was definitely blown away by Katia, our main protagonist. From the off, she is defiant and feisty, determined to prove herself and yet like all of us, prone to making a mistake or two, meaning she comes across a very relatable character for children. She’s also fiercely guided by honour and morals, and will go to any lengths to ensure that the right thing happens. Her companion, Mynott Cosgrave, is an equally interesting character with a backstory that keeps you guessing throughout the entire novel, whilst the enemies are so well-written, you take an instant and satisfying dislike to them. I will forewarn you though that nothing and nobody is what it seems!
The Book Dragon has had the real privilege of reviewing this book on behalf of Katherine Hetzel and has fully enjoyed the experience. Her writing is creative and original, and I would love to delve into her other adventures. With the novel being quite short in length but not short in action, it’s also an excellent book to entice reluctant readers, both boys and girls alike. I also believe that adults who don’t mind dipping into a shorter, lighter read would find enjoyment in this book; I definitely picked up a Game of Thrones feeling (think King’s Landing, which is where my mind was transported to). For its gripping twists and turns, and the amazing characters, I award this book 4.5*
Josephine
Lead Reviewer, Children & Young Adult Fiction
https://www.thebookdragon.co.uk/
The twists and turns that came with every chapter were engrossing and I found myself wanting to read ‘just a little bit more’ even though my eyes were closing and it was way past my bedtime (parents beware: this is definitely one that your children will be trying to read by torchlight under the covers)! I was also completely thrown by the ending which was not what I was expecting!
Centred around an island called Eraton and the kingdom of Indigon, the story tells of a young girl who is finally seeing out her childhood dream of training to become a priest, only to find herself embroiled in the middle of a plot to kill the king. She alone knows the truth of the matter and who is to blame and she alone holds the one way to ensure that the rightful heir is placed upon the throne: the sacred Kingstone, only touched by the king and his priest, and which was presented to the first king by the triple Gods (who I would, I confess, have liked to have known a little more about or had a little more interaction with).
I was definitely blown away by Katia, our main protagonist. From the off, she is defiant and feisty, determined to prove herself and yet like all of us, prone to making a mistake or two, meaning she comes across a very relatable character for children. She’s also fiercely guided by honour and morals, and will go to any lengths to ensure that the right thing happens. Her companion, Mynott Cosgrave, is an equally interesting character with a backstory that keeps you guessing throughout the entire novel, whilst the enemies are so well-written, you take an instant and satisfying dislike to them. I will forewarn you though that nothing and nobody is what it seems!
The Book Dragon has had the real privilege of reviewing this book on behalf of Katherine Hetzel and has fully enjoyed the experience. Her writing is creative and original, and I would love to delve into her other adventures. With the novel being quite short in length but not short in action, it’s also an excellent book to entice reluctant readers, both boys and girls alike. I also believe that adults who don’t mind dipping into a shorter, lighter read would find enjoyment in this book; I definitely picked up a Game of Thrones feeling (think King’s Landing, which is where my mind was transported to). For its gripping twists and turns, and the amazing characters, I award this book 4.5*
Josephine
Lead Reviewer, Children & Young Adult Fiction
https://www.thebookdragon.co.uk/
November 28, 2023
Katherine Hetzel has written an interesting young adult fantasy. Kingstone tells the tale of a novice for the priesthood who uncovers a plot to murder the king. Not knowing who to trust, she takes matters into her own hands. Knowing there is nothing she can do to save the king, she takes the kingstone in order to deliver it to his son rather than let the murderers get their hands on it. Katia decides to trust a person she just met, but is that the right decision?
As an American Evangelical, I was offended by the language in the book. The author uses the word gods repeatedly in a way that seems like swearing. She also uses “goddammit” excessively in places. Not all Christians are offended by this type of language but I want to mention it to give a heads up to those who are. If it weren’t for this language, I would have thoroughly enjoyed the book. Kingstone is well-written, the story is compelling, and the main character is very likable.
Christian school librarians will also want to be aware that one of the gods in the story is female and there are female priests. Again, I know this is not a problem for some Christian groups but it is for others, so I mention it. K-12 Christian school librarians need to decide if this book is appropriate for their audience.
I received a complimentary copy of Kingstone. This is my honest review.
As an American Evangelical, I was offended by the language in the book. The author uses the word gods repeatedly in a way that seems like swearing. She also uses “goddammit” excessively in places. Not all Christians are offended by this type of language but I want to mention it to give a heads up to those who are. If it weren’t for this language, I would have thoroughly enjoyed the book. Kingstone is well-written, the story is compelling, and the main character is very likable.
Christian school librarians will also want to be aware that one of the gods in the story is female and there are female priests. Again, I know this is not a problem for some Christian groups but it is for others, so I mention it. K-12 Christian school librarians need to decide if this book is appropriate for their audience.
I received a complimentary copy of Kingstone. This is my honest review.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews