‘The day Alice met the twins, her life changed forever.’
Motherless Alice has been banished to Australia and is homesick for England. Her cousin Toby cares more about running than making friends. Their new friend Jess is simply annoying.
But when Alice meets the twins, everything changes. Lured unwittingly to Middengard, a hidden realm peopled by an ancient warrior race, Alice, Toby and Jess soon find their lives turned upside down. For Alice is the owner of a Doom Stone, an ancient artifact of indescribable power.
As unknown enemies seek to gain possession of the Stone, Alice confronts other uncomfortable truths. What really happened to her mother? And why has her father disappeared? When the puzzle finally clicks into place, she has to make the hardest choice of her life: rescue her mother or save Toby and Jess.
A new epic fantasy suitable for readers of all ages, Stone Keeper will keep you enthralled from start to finish.
June Wilson is a Melbourne-based writer who sometimes dreams about her childhood in Yorkshire, when lots of interesting things happened but nothing as interesting as finding Middengard. She has been writing novels since she was nine (when no-one took any notice) and has read her way through entire (small) libraries. Having pursued a life-long career in finance (and almost seen the error of her ways) she now writes whenever she can. The Middengard Sagas is a middle-grade fantasy series, with Books 1 to 5 published to date. Her new series, The Chronicles of Albion, is aimed at older readers.
I just can't do it. I don't know what it is... but this is just boring me to tears. The plot, the characters. I just cannot. I can't even review this properly because I don't really know (or care to remember) what the hell I've read in the last week.
This will be my last Netgalley request for a while. Maybe.
This is such a great read. I really enjoyed it. If you’re into YA portal adventures and like reading about worlds that draw on less familiar mythologies, you’re going to like this one. The setting and characters are very strong and I was with Alice in her transition from England to Australia and into Middengard. I’m looking forward to the next volume and certainly hope that Wilson keeps writing in this genre.
I loved this so much more than I was expecting to, to be honest! It was fast-paced and compelling and easy to read, I found I didn't really want to put it down. Surprised the author isn't a Melburnian, as the setting was spot ON, which added to my enjoyment a lot :) (and especially after the last book I read that was set in Melbourne and woefully inaccurate!) The fantasy stuff all made sense too, and was explained very well without getting bogged down in detail. Just enough for the reader to be able to follow without being overwhelmed. I loved the ending as well, and five seconds before writing thi review I just went and bought books two and three from Amazon. Woohoo, bring it!
Stone Keeper is a fast-paced and action-packed variation on the through-the-looking-glass concept with a Nordic twist. Three teens pass through a portal to a different reality where the social norms are terrifyingly strange and where they get caught up in events that they do not understand. As the plot unfolds, they mature and the relationships between them change.
The start is slow and focused on normal teenage issues of family, friends and identity. The sudden introduction of a backstory confused me, but I handled it. Another source of confusion for me (and often for the characters) was the plot device of time moving at a different pace in the alternative reality than in the regular one.
However, in spite of the confusion, the plot was always interesting. I did not know what was coming next and was quite surprised several times. Warning: total cliffhanger ending.
The writing is brisk, spare, and functional. Either they do comma usage differently in Australia, or the author needs to brush up on comma rules.
This was an interesting book and I think I would have to read the sequels to really decide how I truly feel about it. It was set in Australia and England and yet the folklore was Norse. This story is very detailed and complex. It's ending is not a trite "and they lived happily ever after" kind of ending. I was annoyed by some of the end results to the main supporting characters. I am hoping that at least one of them is smoke and mirrors and did not truly happen the way it appears. I'm glad I read the book but it definitely doesn't fit in my typical genre.
A thoroughly entertaining read. I enjoyed the local (Australian) content and there were enough "hooks' to keep me turning the pages...All the characters were well drawn and the Middengard setting convincing. I would say this is suitable read for all ages, despite being targetted at a younger audience.
I had a hard time connecting with the characters. I'm just going to come right out and say it: Alice is such a teenager. She's impulsive, narrow-minded, and can be such an idiot. Despite those qualities, she's also passionate, loyal to a fault, and self-sacrificing. The second character that gets the most attention is Toby. Unlike Alice who I was constantly unsure I could throw my hat behind, he was easy to like. Although he made mistakes, he realized them. The word that comes to mind is charming and greatly improved the novel because you got to see Alice through his eyes. By the end I was curious of his story in book 2 more then I was Alice's.
Plot
Alice isn't from this world. She's from another world and something is dragging her back. A prophecy and twin magic pendants. Feeling like another teen fantasy yet? Let me mention the fact that the book has a backdrop in Norse Mythology. Now it sure does.
The first half of this book is about adults withholding information and Alice suffering for it—maybe even 75% of the book. I'll admit the first half was boring with a capital 'B.' I struggled to get into the plot which exists in subtleties and too much filler. As the book progresses though bigger plot points are fleshed out (i.e. Alice's mom, the prophecy, etc.). The first half of the book could be severely reduced to help get to the point, but the second half was much more enjoyable. I especially liked the flashbacks—those were a real asset to the overall novel.
Overall
This book is very much for teens and preteens. Which likely contributed to it being so predictable. The writing was a bit bland but that was likely to make it easier to read for its intended audience. The author did a good job in the second half introducing lots of interesting plot threads that will likely weave themselves through the series but took to long to get there. The setting's were interesting but could have used some additional description. If you can push through the first half of the book, the second half is much more enjoyable. So much so that I'm actually ready to put down book 1 and pick up book 2 despite the series's its rough start. It's important to note that this book's climax is rather sudden, like a punch in the face, followed by a very stiff/sudden ending. It's obvious it was written to naturally progress into book 2 and beyond.
Rating
3 Stars
I'm split right down the middle. This epic fantasy has a young adult (even juvenile) tone with a cup of Norse mythology and dashes of teen angst.
So, I got this book in February and after reading book 1, I bought book 2 and 3. This is a middle grade fiction that doesn't really feel like one. Main characters range age from 12 to 16 and there are time jumps to explain what events of the past influenced the present where Alice becomes the stone keeper.
The background history pulls you into the story line. It's amazing. The characters and their emotions they move the story along. They are maybe kids but the adventure makes them grow up and makes them question things. It's a very beautiful book although it does have sad moments.
The idea behind the story is intriguing, but it reads like it was written by a 14 year old, not just about one. Life is so unfair. No one will tell her anything. No one likes her… you get the idea.
It’s yet another ‘loner teen girl finds out she’s royalty from another world & exists only to sacrifice herself to save it’ story.
I wish that one of these stories would take the time to actually teach the MC about themselves/their new world before they miraculously gain powers & abilities and do something idiotic because they know nothing.
Very interesting fantasy read. I don't know much about Scandinavian mythology so I don't know if this is an old story made new or a completely new story. It is new to me and I got caught up in this alternative world. The only negative is that this series isn't finished. I usually wait until a series is completed before I start the first book because I don't like wondering what is coming next or waiting. This is just me. It doesn't detract from the fact that I think that this is great book.
The story is cute and keeps the reader on their toes. The characters have a good quality the I could picture as I read. 4 stars because the editing is horrible. :\
I think this is a case of me and a book just not getting along. I really, really wanted to like it, but couldn’t get into it. I usually like to have less of what I didn’t like, but I’m afraid this time, there was just too much leaning on that side for me. It makes me feel bad. I want to like it, you know? But it just wasn’t there for me.
What I liked:
The description had me really excited about this book. Something about it called to me and said, this book is going to be cool. About 45% in it starts to get interesting. Without spoiling it, let’s say it gets good. I liked the twins and Iris. They were good characters, though I wish there was more of the twins. Toward the end there was a twist I wasn’t expecting, in a really good way.
What I didn’t like:
Slow start. Not a lot happens at the beginning, and I kept expecting it too. Instead, Alice dancing around what she needs to make happen for the story to start. And then when she finally goes through the portal, she’s spat right back into our world again. Every time things started to get interesting, BAM! a flashback. *sigh* I didn’t feel like these were necessary. I think they could have been worked into the story smoother than they were for better pacing. When Alice finally gets to the other world, there’s a man there that she doesn’t really know, but she keeps wanting to hold his hand for comfort. It was weird, and to be honest, a little creepy. Some contradictions. For example, they were on a flat lands where they said you could see a long ways in any direction, but suddenly there’s rise where they can see better. Another example, time isn’t consistent throughout the book. One time she jumps through the portal and loses time, another she gains it without explanation as to why there’s the two differences. I guessed some of the twists. One of which was really obvious to me, but I don’t think it was supposed to be. It never explained the twist either. Maybe it does in future books? I just thought there should have been an answer here though. This: “As Alice learns more about Middengard and her part in it, she has to make the hardest choice of her life: rescue her mother or save Toby and Jess.” Still waiting for that to happen. There wasn’t really a choice of one or the other, which was what I wanted the story to be about. Sounds like great conflict, but it was never realized. The ending was…weird. I don’t know, it just feel flat for me.
Having said all that, it’s getting good reviews from others so I think that it’s just a case of me and a book not getting along. If you like portal fantasies, I believe it’s worth giving it a go. Maybe you’ll like it, and my dislike of it was just a fluke.
2.5 out of 5 stars
I received this book from NetGalley but it in no way affected my review.
"The day Alice met the twins her life changed for ever. Not like the day she cut her hair off and hated it. Or the even the day her father told her she had to spend six months in Australia. No, this was a big change, a huge change - almost, you could say, an impossible one. Because it was the day she got mixed up in Middengard. The day she stepped into the prophecy. Not that she knew that. Not then."
Fifteen year-old Alice Morgan is sent to live with her rich relatives in Melbourne, but she feels very out of place and is homesick. She wishes that she could return to England to find out more about her mother’s disappearance years ago.
Alice goes for a walk and is drawn to Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance, where she finds herself passing through the Heim Gate, which deposits her into Middengard. This is a realm hidden from the world of men and peopled by an ancient warrior race known as the Hilderinc. If things weren’t bad enough already, Alice discovers that her cousin Toby and her annoying friend Jess have followed her, putting their own lives in jeopardy as humans are forbidden to enter this realm.
She meets Stanor, the Gate Warden, and his warrior daughters, who are trying to get them to the safety of Skellstor. Alice learns to her astonishment that the pendant left to her by her mother is one of the Doom Stones. It is a powerful stones that is needed to protect both Middengard and the world of men from destructive forces.
Soon Alice, Toby and Jess become embroiled in a battle to help the Hilderinc defeat one of their own, a rebel intent on upsetting the balance of power. Without giving too much away, this is a very interesting story. I really enjoyed the book and I look forward to reading the sequel.
The chapters swap between events past and present in both England and Australia. It’s well written and helps to bring to light what took place during her parents’ disappearances in different parts of the story. It is interesting to note that the folk lore relating to the Hilderinc is of Norse origin. The plot is complex and the characters, though frustrating at times, are relatable and well developed.
Any reader who enjoys the likes of Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Narnia or similar will enjoy this book.
As a lover of Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, I found great comfort in delving into a new magical world. I am not very familiar with Norse mythology so I found that this was a good book to start with!
Alice is a 14 year old girl which has found herself in Australia after her dad shipped her off to live with his sister as it initially appeared he had another life she wasn't a part of...
I enjoyed the flash backs and the chapters about Alice's mother and father when Alice was a baby. I think when I finished reading the book though I found myself asking a lot of questions... and I think on a whole, the book could have been a lot longer, with each character having a much longer back story. I really enjoyed being introduced to the characters, but I think each one left me being quite intrigued! I wanted to know more (: but as this is a saga, maybe there will be more!
Something which I did find a bit odd was the romantic thoughts the 'cousins' had about each other – I don't know why that was there, OR if it was to be a bit Game of Thrones? But it did make me feel a bit weirded out.
I am looking forward to reading the next book very much! The ending made me wonder what on earth happened... especially when she received her necklace... eek!
I did like this fantasy book. I liked the setting (especially now I know Melbourne better) and I liked the world-building of Midderguard. The plot was interesting enough and I liked how Alice was involved and how she was involved as well as how they juggle their real lives. I really loved that ending, that is the kind of cliffhanger I don't mind at the end of the book.
Unfortunately, I had to drop it a couple of stars for the scattered nature of the flashbacks and the characters. I liked Alice and I liked Toby, they felt far more fully fleshed out than any of the other characters. I really disliked how Stanor and his daughters all seemed to regard any questions from Alice, Toby or Jess so scornfully. They seemed to regard any questions as stupid and it was ridiculous, because there was no chance of any of the three of them knowing anything when they hadn't been told.
So, I did like this book but I don't think I'm going to be reading on in the series.
*I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
This was, unfortunately, pretty boring. 3 stars only because of mild creativity. I requested it on NetGalley thinking it was a YA fantasy, but it turns out to be more of a middle grade. The protagonist Alice is 14 years old, but the young teens act kind of weird, mainly the whole cousins having a mild crush on each other thing. One minute they think in family terms, then it switches to "crush" thoughts. I also found it confusing that the author tries to remake Norse mythology into her own story, but it was too mixed up. Then there's random characters that don't have a follow-up, like Alice's mom and her uncle-cousin Jonah. The ending left me wanting to know what happened to Toby and the Middengard people, but it was such a slow read for me (normally it would've taken two hours at most) that I don't think I'll be reading the rest of the series.
A fascinating read, Stone Keeper introduces the reader to the mythical world of Middengard. I have a loose knowledge of Norse mythology and a keen interest in history, as such I really enjoyed the elements of myth and folklore present in the story. The end of the book in fact directs the reader to the authors website www.junewilsonauthor.com where I found some really interesting content exploring these themes.
Middengard is enchanting and vivid and thus I quickly became invested in the characters and plot. As the story appears to be far from over, I am eagerly anticipating the next instalment!
But here is a snippet and overview of what I thought:
Overall, I didn't find the story to be bad. I just didn't find that one thing that grabbed my attention. This was just one of those books that felt like it flew under the radar for me. But I do think this series has potential. I just don't think that I will be continuing with it. Maybe one day. I guess we will have to see. Thank you so much to Xpresso Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book and for hosting the review opportunity!
I loved this book! Fans of Harry Potter, Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the Rings will love this book too. Full of adventure, magic, mystical places and enchanting characters, the Stone Keeper is a delightful fairytale for both teens and adults. Charming and fascinating, the Stone Keeper will keep you turning the pages ... set in Melbourne (Australia), Yorkshire (England) and the magical world of Middengard, the book will take you on an exciting and mystical journey to another dimension - and leave you on tenterhooks waiting for the next installment. Entertaining and well written!
I'm not sure why my review differs from the others currently up. I found the book to be full of cliches - portal into another world, the strange witch who lives alone on the mountain and sees into the future... Plus, the characters kept doing stupid things like running to a strange tent that pops out of nowhere because they might have good food. Really?
The first chapter sounded so good. I thought I'd like it. But the cliches and character stupidity ruined it for me. I didn't finish the book.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Whilst not my usual go-to genre, I read "Stone Keeper" on the recommendation of a trusted friend and am so happy I did! Loved the characters, hints to mythology and detailed description of landscapes and events. Fully engrossed from beginning to end and very much looking forward to reading the next in the series