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The Wraith Cycle #1
The Blood Within The Stone
A shadow is spreading across the land. Fear will be your downfall.
When the Prefects of Redmondis discover that their quick minds and quicker fingers hide secret potential, young thieves Wilt and Higgs find themselves unwilling recruits. Wilt’s ability to sink into others’ thoughts, knowing what action they will take before they do, is both a prized and dangerous gift.
The Nine Sisters of Redmondis have sensed a growing threat, and search for the one who can control the power of the blood within the stone. But even their sinister plots are nothing compared to the force that controls them.
As Wilt and Higgs rally their newfound weapons, they discover that the threat to their lives, and their reality, is much greater than they realise.
When the Prefects of Redmondis discover that their quick minds and quicker fingers hide secret potential, young thieves Wilt and Higgs find themselves unwilling recruits. Wilt’s ability to sink into others’ thoughts, knowing what action they will take before they do, is both a prized and dangerous gift.
The Nine Sisters of Redmondis have sensed a growing threat, and search for the one who can control the power of the blood within the stone. But even their sinister plots are nothing compared to the force that controls them.
As Wilt and Higgs rally their newfound weapons, they discover that the threat to their lives, and their reality, is much greater than they realise.
- GenresFantasy
352 pages, Paperback
First published July 21, 2017
1 person is currently reading
93 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 24, 2017
Originally published at Risingshadow.
T. R. Thompson's The Blood within the Stone is the first novel in The Wraith Cycle. It's an epic YA fantasy novel with a subtle yet distinct dark fantasy flavour. It pulls readers into its world and thrills them from the very first page all the way to the end.
The Blood within the Stone was a pleasant surprise for me, because it's been a while since I've read such an entertaining YA fantasy novel. As a devoted fan of the darker side of fantasy fiction, I was positively surprised by the dark elements and found them fascinating. It's great that the author doesn't overuse these elements, but spices his story with them in a thrilling way.
I'm glad I could read this novel, because the author is a talented storyteller who uses classic fantasy tropes to his advantage. He writes about well-known elements in an engaging way and keeps the story flowing in a gentle and effortless way. In my opinion, this novel is epic YA fantasy done right, because it's solid entertainment from start to finish.
Here's a bit of information about the story:
Wilt is a young thief who has gotten his first job from the Grey Guild, the thieves' guild of Greystone. When he finds what he is supposed to be looking for, he is robbed of his prize and has to return back empty-handed. The situation is, however, corrected and Wilt becomes a member of the Grey Guild... A bit later Wilt hears that Prefects are coming to Greystone to recruit people who have skills. Because Wilt has plenty of raw power, he is taken to Redmondis... When Wilt arrives at Redmondis, he learns that there are people who would use him for their own purposes. He has a lot to learn, because he must be able to control his power...
This is the beginning of a story that immerses readers into a new fantasy world and introduces them to an intriguing cast of characters.
The characterisation is good and realistic. Wilt and Higgs are well-created protagonists that are easy to identify with (it's enjoyable to read about their adventures and predicaments.). Wilt is a young and gifted thief who lives in Greystone. Higgs has been with Wilt ever since Wilt rescued him from the streets and gave home to him. He is quite a resourceful and enthusiastic young man who supports Wilt. Wilt has an interesting ability, because he can get inside men's minds and sink into their thoughts and read them. With his gift, he knows what others think and how they will act. He has great power, but he knows little about how to use to it properly and how to shield himself from those who are capable of detecting him.
The author writes well about the friendship between Wilt and the younger boy, Higgs. It's great that he concentrates on writing about how much they care about each other and how they learn new things. Their education is one of the most intriguing things about this novel, because it's fascinating to read about what kind of skills they are being taught to them and what they can do with their abilities.
The scenes between Wilt and Red Charley are handled well, because they don't like each other. The author brings tension and suspense to these scenes in a fluent way. The interaction between Wilt and other characters is also handled well.
There are surprisingly many YA epic fantasy novels with action scenes that may be a bit annoying and may alienate readers due to them often appearing as deus ex machina moments. In this novel, the action scenes are fortunately good and bring quite a lot of additional entertainment and enjoyment to the storyline. It was entertaining to read about how the characters faced problems and how they solved them, because T.R. Thompson manages to keep everything under control without losing sight of what is going on in the background. It's great that the author doesn't let the story become muddled with pointless action scenes, but employs action as a tool to advance the story when needed.
The worldbuilding is interesting, because the author paints a vibrant vision of Greystone and its different areas. Greystone has perched in the lee of mountains for hundreds of years. It grew slowly and steadily and was an important trading post for those who passed through the thick forest known as the Tangle. Now the town is slowly dying, because the highway has found an easier route and its residents have to cope with the situation. The Tangle that surrounds Greystone has been a natural barrier to raiders and outside threats. Now that Greystone is not what it once used to be, the Tangle is seen as something to be feared and avoided. Redmondis with its high stone gates is also an amazing and impressive sight.
When I read about the world, I got a feeling that there's a larger world to be found beyond the borders of Greystone, the Tangle and Redmondis. I look forward to reading more about the world and its wonders in the sequels, because I have a feeling that this novel is merely a taste of what is to come in the later novels.
This novel features interesting magic, because the author writes about what the characters can do with their powers. I find the desciptions of the wielders, crafters and wards fascinating. Reading about the old craft is especially thrilling, because it allows its users to change their apperance and shapeshift into animals. I'm sure that these things will appeal to many readers who enjoy reading about supernatural abilities.
I like the author's way of writing about how important the old craft is and what can be done with it, because not everything must be discarded as dangerous and wrong. Lost knowledge and ancient powers should not be forgotten, for they may be important in fighting against the darkness and evil forces.
The Nine Sisters and what they have done to become linked and extremely powerful is something that will most likely chill and fascinate many readers. I won't go into details about their powers and the source of their strength, but I can say that the events related to them are satisfyingly dark, because the Sisters have delved a bit too deep into things they don't seem to understand.
I like the author's writing style, because he writes fluent and gripping prose. He never struggles with his prose, but writes convincingly about the happenings and the characters. There's something charmingly old-fashioned yet modern about his writing style that will appeal to many readers.
T. R. Thompson's The Blood within the Stone is a hidden treasure that awaits to be discovered by fantasy readers. If you enjoy reading classic epic fantasy and YA fantasy novels, you'll find this novel entertaining, because the story is good, the happenings are thrilling and the characters are well-created. What more could you possibly hope to find in this kind of YA fantasy fiction?
Excellent YA fantasy entertainment!
T. R. Thompson's The Blood within the Stone is the first novel in The Wraith Cycle. It's an epic YA fantasy novel with a subtle yet distinct dark fantasy flavour. It pulls readers into its world and thrills them from the very first page all the way to the end.
The Blood within the Stone was a pleasant surprise for me, because it's been a while since I've read such an entertaining YA fantasy novel. As a devoted fan of the darker side of fantasy fiction, I was positively surprised by the dark elements and found them fascinating. It's great that the author doesn't overuse these elements, but spices his story with them in a thrilling way.
I'm glad I could read this novel, because the author is a talented storyteller who uses classic fantasy tropes to his advantage. He writes about well-known elements in an engaging way and keeps the story flowing in a gentle and effortless way. In my opinion, this novel is epic YA fantasy done right, because it's solid entertainment from start to finish.
Here's a bit of information about the story:
Wilt is a young thief who has gotten his first job from the Grey Guild, the thieves' guild of Greystone. When he finds what he is supposed to be looking for, he is robbed of his prize and has to return back empty-handed. The situation is, however, corrected and Wilt becomes a member of the Grey Guild... A bit later Wilt hears that Prefects are coming to Greystone to recruit people who have skills. Because Wilt has plenty of raw power, he is taken to Redmondis... When Wilt arrives at Redmondis, he learns that there are people who would use him for their own purposes. He has a lot to learn, because he must be able to control his power...
This is the beginning of a story that immerses readers into a new fantasy world and introduces them to an intriguing cast of characters.
The characterisation is good and realistic. Wilt and Higgs are well-created protagonists that are easy to identify with (it's enjoyable to read about their adventures and predicaments.). Wilt is a young and gifted thief who lives in Greystone. Higgs has been with Wilt ever since Wilt rescued him from the streets and gave home to him. He is quite a resourceful and enthusiastic young man who supports Wilt. Wilt has an interesting ability, because he can get inside men's minds and sink into their thoughts and read them. With his gift, he knows what others think and how they will act. He has great power, but he knows little about how to use to it properly and how to shield himself from those who are capable of detecting him.
The author writes well about the friendship between Wilt and the younger boy, Higgs. It's great that he concentrates on writing about how much they care about each other and how they learn new things. Their education is one of the most intriguing things about this novel, because it's fascinating to read about what kind of skills they are being taught to them and what they can do with their abilities.
The scenes between Wilt and Red Charley are handled well, because they don't like each other. The author brings tension and suspense to these scenes in a fluent way. The interaction between Wilt and other characters is also handled well.
There are surprisingly many YA epic fantasy novels with action scenes that may be a bit annoying and may alienate readers due to them often appearing as deus ex machina moments. In this novel, the action scenes are fortunately good and bring quite a lot of additional entertainment and enjoyment to the storyline. It was entertaining to read about how the characters faced problems and how they solved them, because T.R. Thompson manages to keep everything under control without losing sight of what is going on in the background. It's great that the author doesn't let the story become muddled with pointless action scenes, but employs action as a tool to advance the story when needed.
The worldbuilding is interesting, because the author paints a vibrant vision of Greystone and its different areas. Greystone has perched in the lee of mountains for hundreds of years. It grew slowly and steadily and was an important trading post for those who passed through the thick forest known as the Tangle. Now the town is slowly dying, because the highway has found an easier route and its residents have to cope with the situation. The Tangle that surrounds Greystone has been a natural barrier to raiders and outside threats. Now that Greystone is not what it once used to be, the Tangle is seen as something to be feared and avoided. Redmondis with its high stone gates is also an amazing and impressive sight.
When I read about the world, I got a feeling that there's a larger world to be found beyond the borders of Greystone, the Tangle and Redmondis. I look forward to reading more about the world and its wonders in the sequels, because I have a feeling that this novel is merely a taste of what is to come in the later novels.
This novel features interesting magic, because the author writes about what the characters can do with their powers. I find the desciptions of the wielders, crafters and wards fascinating. Reading about the old craft is especially thrilling, because it allows its users to change their apperance and shapeshift into animals. I'm sure that these things will appeal to many readers who enjoy reading about supernatural abilities.
I like the author's way of writing about how important the old craft is and what can be done with it, because not everything must be discarded as dangerous and wrong. Lost knowledge and ancient powers should not be forgotten, for they may be important in fighting against the darkness and evil forces.
The Nine Sisters and what they have done to become linked and extremely powerful is something that will most likely chill and fascinate many readers. I won't go into details about their powers and the source of their strength, but I can say that the events related to them are satisfyingly dark, because the Sisters have delved a bit too deep into things they don't seem to understand.
I like the author's writing style, because he writes fluent and gripping prose. He never struggles with his prose, but writes convincingly about the happenings and the characters. There's something charmingly old-fashioned yet modern about his writing style that will appeal to many readers.
T. R. Thompson's The Blood within the Stone is a hidden treasure that awaits to be discovered by fantasy readers. If you enjoy reading classic epic fantasy and YA fantasy novels, you'll find this novel entertaining, because the story is good, the happenings are thrilling and the characters are well-created. What more could you possibly hope to find in this kind of YA fantasy fiction?
Excellent YA fantasy entertainment!
November 13, 2017
When you start reading The Blood Within The Stone, you are soon plunged into the depths of the intruiging narrative with colorful characters. The story centres around friends Wilt and Higgs, who are experts in navigating (and surviving) the town of Greystone.
The book predominantly takes place in Greystone and Redmondis, and our friends encounter plenty of interesting characters and dangerous situations which makes for thrilling reading. One aspect of the story I particularly enjoyed was the focus on the (dark) magical powers that exist and the mysterious evil lurking within the world.
As the story unfolds, Wilt & Higgs journey expands and twists as you'd never expect. The two friends you regrettably leave at the end of the book are far removed from who they were at the start of the story. The narrative (and characters) is very well-written and there's never a dull moment throughout. There is even a hint of a potential romance weaved in.
The Blood Within the Stone instantly became one of my favorite books, and I'm eagerly anticipating the rest of the books. I particularly enjoyed the story's sense of magic and that it is laced with dark elements. It leaves you wanting to read more and is as good as any works by established fantasy/fiction authors.
The book predominantly takes place in Greystone and Redmondis, and our friends encounter plenty of interesting characters and dangerous situations which makes for thrilling reading. One aspect of the story I particularly enjoyed was the focus on the (dark) magical powers that exist and the mysterious evil lurking within the world.
As the story unfolds, Wilt & Higgs journey expands and twists as you'd never expect. The two friends you regrettably leave at the end of the book are far removed from who they were at the start of the story. The narrative (and characters) is very well-written and there's never a dull moment throughout. There is even a hint of a potential romance weaved in.
The Blood Within the Stone instantly became one of my favorite books, and I'm eagerly anticipating the rest of the books. I particularly enjoyed the story's sense of magic and that it is laced with dark elements. It leaves you wanting to read more and is as good as any works by established fantasy/fiction authors.
September 9, 2021
This is one of the most thrilling and suspenseful fantasy novels I have read in a long time. The Blood Within The Stone is about Wilt and Higgs, two young orphaned thieves working the streets of Greystone and climbing the ladder of the local guild.
Wilt is an especially talented thief - as he is able to skim the thoughts of others and use them to his advantage.
One day, mysterious figures from Redmondis descend on Greystone searching for talent - pressing Wilt and Higgs into unwilling service and whisking them away.
As Wilt and Higgs are trained in the arts of wielding and crafting - reaching into the minds of others and awakening the life within inanimate things - they find that those brought to Redmondis are practically slaves to 9 powerful sisters who hate talented competition.
The novel is deeply immersive and flush with vivid imagery and eloquent metaphor. The story moves along at a vigorous pace that constantly surprises the reader and invigorates the plot. This is an edge of the seat read - unpredictable, suspenseful, authentic new fantasy.
Wilt is an especially talented thief - as he is able to skim the thoughts of others and use them to his advantage.
One day, mysterious figures from Redmondis descend on Greystone searching for talent - pressing Wilt and Higgs into unwilling service and whisking them away.
As Wilt and Higgs are trained in the arts of wielding and crafting - reaching into the minds of others and awakening the life within inanimate things - they find that those brought to Redmondis are practically slaves to 9 powerful sisters who hate talented competition.
The novel is deeply immersive and flush with vivid imagery and eloquent metaphor. The story moves along at a vigorous pace that constantly surprises the reader and invigorates the plot. This is an edge of the seat read - unpredictable, suspenseful, authentic new fantasy.
December 30, 2017
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is about survival and finding out how to wield magic. I liked it well enough, but I didn't feel a connection with the main characters. Which is a shame, because the magic system is interesting.
This book is about survival and finding out how to wield magic. I liked it well enough, but I didn't feel a connection with the main characters. Which is a shame, because the magic system is interesting.
August 14, 2021
T R Thompson is a powerful and compelling writer. The saga of who can control the blood within the stone draws you in to Wilt's mesmerizing world, his telepathic depths, his dangers - Higgs too. You follow their perils in this dark magic realism with page-turning anticipation. Many of the characters you meet are as terrifying as the dangers they face. I love the names of some of these creepy disturbing characters such as the Nine Sisters of Redmondis.If dark scary fantasy is your genre, this book/series won't disappoint.
August 4, 2017
Great read! Very fast paced, right up my alley.
September 9, 2018
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Blood Within the Stone was one of those books that, within reading the first few pages I could tell I had a finely-written piece on my hands. The writing was pretty darn close to top-notch with only a light smattering of typos lurking here or there. It was the sort of writing that absorbed the reader and makes you want to carry on, and on. This just made it feel incredibly easy to get into and, even easier to get hooked.
One aspect of the book I didn’t enjoy/found high unlikely, was that the town they were in near the start not only knew of the thieves guild, but seemed to root for them to succeed. Bit odd that you root for a group of people who make it their business to steal from you. But the story was enjoyable and I could tell it was going to get better and better with each passing page, so I let that slip.
One aspect of the book that is refreshing, as far as a fantasy novel that clearly has a clear main protagonist is, was that the supporting cast of characters felt just as important, somewhat more so at certain times, than said main protagonist. They did not just feel like background characters in someone else’s life story, a trap many authors fall into when pouring way too much time, love and attention into their ‘main good guy’.
That is not to say that I don’t feel the author fell into one trap in particular. I feel he made his characters too perfect or too good at everything too fast. You do see them train with abilities they are trying to master it, but they master them and surpass any reasonable level far too quickly for me to find it believable given the circumstances they find themselves in. I feel also that, at times, the characters mature a little too quickly and take on roles that seem a bit too ambitious or lofty for them given what we already know of their personality.
Another thing that The Blood Within the Stone gives us is a fairly fresh magic system that relies more on the mental aspect of a magic system than other books. It’s always a nice thing to see something new that works well rather than something that flops due to an author trying too hard to create something different. Fortunately, I feel the author got the magic just right in this book.
The final thing that I will say on the book is that I thought the ending could have been a little more powerful. The antagonists as a whole just started to feel a little melodramatic and almost as if they had long ago ceased to be much of a threat to our heroes, but this could be partly/mainly down to my feelings towards the characters being a tad too good at everything too quickly. The antagonists just didn’t keep up to them at the speed at which they were progressing.
All in all it was a very enjoyable, despite my negative points (as the 4 out of 5 score shows), and very well-written piece of fantasy. This author certainly has it in him to do great things.
The Blood Within the Stone was one of those books that, within reading the first few pages I could tell I had a finely-written piece on my hands. The writing was pretty darn close to top-notch with only a light smattering of typos lurking here or there. It was the sort of writing that absorbed the reader and makes you want to carry on, and on. This just made it feel incredibly easy to get into and, even easier to get hooked.
One aspect of the book I didn’t enjoy/found high unlikely, was that the town they were in near the start not only knew of the thieves guild, but seemed to root for them to succeed. Bit odd that you root for a group of people who make it their business to steal from you. But the story was enjoyable and I could tell it was going to get better and better with each passing page, so I let that slip.
One aspect of the book that is refreshing, as far as a fantasy novel that clearly has a clear main protagonist is, was that the supporting cast of characters felt just as important, somewhat more so at certain times, than said main protagonist. They did not just feel like background characters in someone else’s life story, a trap many authors fall into when pouring way too much time, love and attention into their ‘main good guy’.
That is not to say that I don’t feel the author fell into one trap in particular. I feel he made his characters too perfect or too good at everything too fast. You do see them train with abilities they are trying to master it, but they master them and surpass any reasonable level far too quickly for me to find it believable given the circumstances they find themselves in. I feel also that, at times, the characters mature a little too quickly and take on roles that seem a bit too ambitious or lofty for them given what we already know of their personality.
Another thing that The Blood Within the Stone gives us is a fairly fresh magic system that relies more on the mental aspect of a magic system than other books. It’s always a nice thing to see something new that works well rather than something that flops due to an author trying too hard to create something different. Fortunately, I feel the author got the magic just right in this book.
The final thing that I will say on the book is that I thought the ending could have been a little more powerful. The antagonists as a whole just started to feel a little melodramatic and almost as if they had long ago ceased to be much of a threat to our heroes, but this could be partly/mainly down to my feelings towards the characters being a tad too good at everything too quickly. The antagonists just didn’t keep up to them at the speed at which they were progressing.
All in all it was a very enjoyable, despite my negative points (as the 4 out of 5 score shows), and very well-written piece of fantasy. This author certainly has it in him to do great things.
August 14, 2019
Thompson’s original magic system, likeable characters, and enthralling prose make for an absorbing fantasy read in The Blood within the Stone.
The Blood within the Stone starts with a bang as we’re introduced to Wilt while he’s undertaking a test to join Greystone town’s thieves’ guild. I love a convincing rogue and Wilt’s parkour level agility and use of his secret telepathic ability to pickpocket purses in the market place makes for fun reading in the first part of this epic fantasy.
Then representatives of the sole magic institute, Redmondis, arrive in Greystone and take Wilt, his close friend, Higgs, and their rival, Red Charley, to train at Redmondis.
Thompson’s magic system is intriguing. There are several different skills, with a clear division between the schools of more general skills such as crafting and healing, the guards, and the wielders. Wielders use magic in a unique way, forming a mental connection called a weld with another person. There are various types of welds, from the benign to the deadly ability to drain a person’s life force. Another unusual aspect to Thompson’s magic system is the lack of a clear definition between ‘good’ magic, and ‘evil’ magic. This is partly due to the Redmondis political structure. The menacing power of the Sisters and their servants, the Sentinels, controls everyone at Redmondis. It’s almost impossible to practice the old forms of magic, which the Sisters abolished when they rose to power, but this is exactly what Wilt and Higgs must do to survive the competitive environment.
Thompson’s prose is a delight to read and his descriptions strike the perfect balance between nuance and clarity. The Blood within the Stone is an impressive debut novel with a conclusion that promises the second book in The Wraith Cycle will be even better.
Book provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review
The Blood within the Stone starts with a bang as we’re introduced to Wilt while he’s undertaking a test to join Greystone town’s thieves’ guild. I love a convincing rogue and Wilt’s parkour level agility and use of his secret telepathic ability to pickpocket purses in the market place makes for fun reading in the first part of this epic fantasy.
Then representatives of the sole magic institute, Redmondis, arrive in Greystone and take Wilt, his close friend, Higgs, and their rival, Red Charley, to train at Redmondis.
Thompson’s magic system is intriguing. There are several different skills, with a clear division between the schools of more general skills such as crafting and healing, the guards, and the wielders. Wielders use magic in a unique way, forming a mental connection called a weld with another person. There are various types of welds, from the benign to the deadly ability to drain a person’s life force. Another unusual aspect to Thompson’s magic system is the lack of a clear definition between ‘good’ magic, and ‘evil’ magic. This is partly due to the Redmondis political structure. The menacing power of the Sisters and their servants, the Sentinels, controls everyone at Redmondis. It’s almost impossible to practice the old forms of magic, which the Sisters abolished when they rose to power, but this is exactly what Wilt and Higgs must do to survive the competitive environment.
Thompson’s prose is a delight to read and his descriptions strike the perfect balance between nuance and clarity. The Blood within the Stone is an impressive debut novel with a conclusion that promises the second book in The Wraith Cycle will be even better.
Book provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review
October 27, 2017
-I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Blood Within the Stone, by T.R. Thompson, is an epic fantasy about surviving in a world where the strong are targeted, and the weak are left behind.
The book is separated into two parts. The first part introduces a young boy named Wilt, who, alongside his friend, Higgs, was recently accepted into the Grey Guild, a thieves’ guild that specialized in surviving the struggling town of Greystone. However, when a Prefect from Redmonis comes for the two boys, they’re thrusted into a city of nightmares. The second part deals with the threats that Redmonis faces, alongside the dangers that are slowly fostering from within the city. Thompson delivers a fast-paced adventure where darkness lurks around every corner, where death awaits the pawns.
I loved the relationship between Wilt and Higgs. Even in Greystone, it was clear that the two looked after one another, with Wilt watching over Higgs as an older brother, and Higgs looking after Wilt with his wit and his Rats. Old Pete, as well as Daemi, were wonderful companions to them, so much so that I felt at home whenever I read about them. Their bond sharply contrasts to the Sisters, who were more of an eerie, collective conscious, rather than individual people. They weren’t human, in my opinion. They stamp out anyone who would get in their way, who was a threat to their way of life. In a way, they represented an illustrious account of Social Darwinism, where the weak die out, and the strong survive.
This idea was a constant theme within the book. A new trade route had been found that bypassed Greystone, and because of that Greystone died out. Thieves began roaming the streets, and only those skilled enough can get into the Thieves’ Guild. In Redmonis, a haunting saying kept coming back to me, and that is that “” the strong is always targeted.” Thompson beautifully illustrates the power struggle between the characters; those that aren’t cut out for this world tend to get weeded out. Red Charley had been one; in fact, for the most part, he was probably the detestable butt monkey readers kick whenever they feel frustrated.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I loved the narrative and details Thompson weaves into the story. The relationships between the characters and the parallels between Redmonis and Greystone were well done. What’s more, the concept of the strong and the weak was also clearly portrayed within the theme. As such, I would give this book a rating of a 4.0 out of 5 stars, and would recommend it for fans of Chosen of Trees and of Talons, by Jeff Pryor, and Feast of Fates, by Christian A. Brown.
The Blood Within the Stone, by T.R. Thompson, is an epic fantasy about surviving in a world where the strong are targeted, and the weak are left behind.
The book is separated into two parts. The first part introduces a young boy named Wilt, who, alongside his friend, Higgs, was recently accepted into the Grey Guild, a thieves’ guild that specialized in surviving the struggling town of Greystone. However, when a Prefect from Redmonis comes for the two boys, they’re thrusted into a city of nightmares. The second part deals with the threats that Redmonis faces, alongside the dangers that are slowly fostering from within the city. Thompson delivers a fast-paced adventure where darkness lurks around every corner, where death awaits the pawns.
I loved the relationship between Wilt and Higgs. Even in Greystone, it was clear that the two looked after one another, with Wilt watching over Higgs as an older brother, and Higgs looking after Wilt with his wit and his Rats. Old Pete, as well as Daemi, were wonderful companions to them, so much so that I felt at home whenever I read about them. Their bond sharply contrasts to the Sisters, who were more of an eerie, collective conscious, rather than individual people. They weren’t human, in my opinion. They stamp out anyone who would get in their way, who was a threat to their way of life. In a way, they represented an illustrious account of Social Darwinism, where the weak die out, and the strong survive.
This idea was a constant theme within the book. A new trade route had been found that bypassed Greystone, and because of that Greystone died out. Thieves began roaming the streets, and only those skilled enough can get into the Thieves’ Guild. In Redmonis, a haunting saying kept coming back to me, and that is that “” the strong is always targeted.” Thompson beautifully illustrates the power struggle between the characters; those that aren’t cut out for this world tend to get weeded out. Red Charley had been one; in fact, for the most part, he was probably the detestable butt monkey readers kick whenever they feel frustrated.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I loved the narrative and details Thompson weaves into the story. The relationships between the characters and the parallels between Redmonis and Greystone were well done. What’s more, the concept of the strong and the weak was also clearly portrayed within the theme. As such, I would give this book a rating of a 4.0 out of 5 stars, and would recommend it for fans of Chosen of Trees and of Talons, by Jeff Pryor, and Feast of Fates, by Christian A. Brown.
April 4, 2022
*this book was gifted from Odyssey in exchange for an honest review.
Wilt and Higgs are two thieves that are unwittingly drawn into a new world of magic and danger. One day climbing the ladder of the Guild of Thieves, the next pulled into the city of Redmondis, where the mysterious Sisters and their Prefects oversee a school that teaches wielding and crafting magics. However a much darker power is at play, threatening everyone and everything.
The opening paragraph set the stage for this novel to be fresh, invigorating and also quite dark while keeping tensions high. I wasn't let down. The first thing that stood out to me was the dynamic between Wilt and Higgs - whilst Wilt seemed to be quiet and reserved, only saying what he thought needed to be said, Higgs was much more mischievous and boisterous which made for some really fun and enjoyable banter.
The magic system was also really interesting and not something I had encountered in my extensive foray into fantasy literature! At times it was hard to follow but it in itself was really immersive and the colourful and descriptive language used creates a thorough development into how it all worked. The interesting thing about it all was that the power felt dangerous, both when used but also to the user which was delightfully unexpected. I was keen to see how Wilt and Higgs each were able to use their newfound powers to their advantage and navigate the world they found themselves in.
After finishing the novel, it definitely gave me Game of Thrones vibes. In the sense that you can't get attached to anyone, because it will surprise you! Am very keen to continue the series :)
Wilt and Higgs are two thieves that are unwittingly drawn into a new world of magic and danger. One day climbing the ladder of the Guild of Thieves, the next pulled into the city of Redmondis, where the mysterious Sisters and their Prefects oversee a school that teaches wielding and crafting magics. However a much darker power is at play, threatening everyone and everything.
The opening paragraph set the stage for this novel to be fresh, invigorating and also quite dark while keeping tensions high. I wasn't let down. The first thing that stood out to me was the dynamic between Wilt and Higgs - whilst Wilt seemed to be quiet and reserved, only saying what he thought needed to be said, Higgs was much more mischievous and boisterous which made for some really fun and enjoyable banter.
The magic system was also really interesting and not something I had encountered in my extensive foray into fantasy literature! At times it was hard to follow but it in itself was really immersive and the colourful and descriptive language used creates a thorough development into how it all worked. The interesting thing about it all was that the power felt dangerous, both when used but also to the user which was delightfully unexpected. I was keen to see how Wilt and Higgs each were able to use their newfound powers to their advantage and navigate the world they found themselves in.
After finishing the novel, it definitely gave me Game of Thrones vibes. In the sense that you can't get attached to anyone, because it will surprise you! Am very keen to continue the series :)
February 7, 2020
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I have given The Blood Within The Stone by T. R. Thompson four of five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love when a book is able to transport you into a different realm, especially when there is magic involved and this is exactly what the book did for me. Especially the writing, I really enjoyed the writing style that Thompson uses as it's an old-fashioned yet modern at the same time which I think would appeal to a young and older audience.
Our main character, Wilt, was very interesting to read about. I thought he was confident and a quick learner, as we soon find out, he is able to read minds and wield people in order to know what they're thinking before they're going to do something. I thought the other characters were well-developed and likeable, especially Higgs who is ultimately Wilt's best friend. A great companionship to Wilt and I loved reading about their friendship and the adventures that they had.
I really enjoyed learning about the different skills and abilities they have that Thompson has created for each of the characters and how into depth I learnt about them.
I definitely think the ending to this book could've been more powerful to draw the reader completely in so they're longing for more pages of the story.
This is an incredibly written debut novel and I hope to read the second instalment in The Wraith Cycle and other reading material of Thompson's soon! I would definitely recommend this book/series to fans of YA epic fantasy (with elements of dark fantasy), mystery and magical realism.
March 30, 2018
I received this book from LibraryThing as an early readers edition. I really enjoyed this book and thought it was written well especially for a first book. There was a lot going on in this book, but it was not overwhelming. I really liked that the author did not make you wait too long to explain what was going on.
The reason I did not give this 5 stars, I would have given 4.5 but that is not an option, is because I felt the ending was too easy. I felt that issues were resolved much more simply than I would have guessed, but it may just have been due to how very powerful our main character is.
This was a great first book from the author, fast paced, will definitely keep the reader interested throughout. I had a hard time putting it down. I will definitely be reading the rest of the books in the series and wish the second book was out already as I don't want to wait.
The reason I did not give this 5 stars, I would have given 4.5 but that is not an option, is because I felt the ending was too easy. I felt that issues were resolved much more simply than I would have guessed, but it may just have been due to how very powerful our main character is.
This was a great first book from the author, fast paced, will definitely keep the reader interested throughout. I had a hard time putting it down. I will definitely be reading the rest of the books in the series and wish the second book was out already as I don't want to wait.
November 8, 2020
The work is a well-written, YA novel in a dark fantasy setting. The story follows a young street urchin who learns that there is more to who he is than he thought. Thompson created a whole new system for the way magic works which was fascinating but also took quite a bit of in-depth explanation which slowed down the story at times. The characters were mostly well-written and interesting but none really stood out in any way. Overall a solid read for young adults and adults alike.
I received a complimentary copy of this work through Voracious Readers Only in exchange for my honest opinion.
I received a complimentary copy of this work through Voracious Readers Only in exchange for my honest opinion.
November 30, 2020
I received my copy from voracious readers to review.
I found this book truly gripping. Set in a school that may make you think very briefly of Hogwarts, before you realise it is much better, darker and more dangerous without the annoying goody two shoes children.
At times I got confused about who was meant to be the good guys, but maybe that was the point.
Will certainly be reading the next instalment and anything else this author produces.
I found this book truly gripping. Set in a school that may make you think very briefly of Hogwarts, before you realise it is much better, darker and more dangerous without the annoying goody two shoes children.
At times I got confused about who was meant to be the good guys, but maybe that was the point.
Will certainly be reading the next instalment and anything else this author produces.
August 22, 2021
it grabbed my attention from the very first paragraph of Part One, and I felt I was there watching the action, smelling the air, and feeling the flames of torches. The introductory paragraph of the book grabs attention with its colourful descriptive prose, which, as it described a lone guard standing in a breezless night, was slightly eerie and promising of epic adventures. full review can be seen here : https://empressbat.blogspot.com/2021/...
September 12, 2021
'The Blood in the Stone' Review
'The Blood in the Stone' is a riveting, refreshing read in the young adult fantasy genre. T. R. Thompson's descriptive style makes the adventures of the young, wily protagonist Wilt come to life. The cerebral battle of wills that heavily feature in the novel are brilliantly detailed, and deserve to be seen on the big screen. A new fantasy world of thievery, magic swords and invisible mind-bonds speaks of a new modern classic.
'The Blood in the Stone' is a riveting, refreshing read in the young adult fantasy genre. T. R. Thompson's descriptive style makes the adventures of the young, wily protagonist Wilt come to life. The cerebral battle of wills that heavily feature in the novel are brilliantly detailed, and deserve to be seen on the big screen. A new fantasy world of thievery, magic swords and invisible mind-bonds speaks of a new modern classic.
December 31, 2023
If you are interested in limitless possibilities, you may want to check out The Wraith Cycle.
T.R. Thompson's powerfully irresistible prose is intriguing. His characters are well-fleshed out and the visuals are crucial.
The Tangle Forest draws me to contemplate natural visual patterns mixed with hyperreal forces and strange creatures haunting the shadows.
Enticingly, these books of speculative fiction speak volumes about the Politics of Science.
T.R. Thompson's powerfully irresistible prose is intriguing. His characters are well-fleshed out and the visuals are crucial.
The Tangle Forest draws me to contemplate natural visual patterns mixed with hyperreal forces and strange creatures haunting the shadows.
Enticingly, these books of speculative fiction speak volumes about the Politics of Science.
October 17, 2020
A free book from Voracious Readers thank you
A well written story that when one looks below the depths is a parallel of life today.
A gripping tale of our hero Wilt and the challenges he faces not to be drawn into the endless depths of power and destruction in his world. A real twist with the identity of his father
A great read, highly recommended
Thank you Tom
A well written story that when one looks below the depths is a parallel of life today.
A gripping tale of our hero Wilt and the challenges he faces not to be drawn into the endless depths of power and destruction in his world. A real twist with the identity of his father
A great read, highly recommended
Thank you Tom
April 4, 2021
This book in not just well-written; it's well-crafted. There is a pretty dark tone overall, but not overbearing. Wilt and Higgs are the perfect characters for this story, and I loved reading it through their eyes. I enjoyed this book very much, and would be very interested in reading a sequel!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only*
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only*
September 19, 2021
This book was a fantastic read. The pacing was great. The characters were even better. I won't get into the story but I do have a 'spoiler review' which I will link below. This is a fantastic start to a book series and I can't wait to begin the 2nd book to see where this journey goes. 5 - star rating is extremely well deserved.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FY8A...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FY8A...
February 22, 2019
Beautifully written, but not quite to my taste. The protag was not sympathetic and I really didn't care whether he lived or died. The evil is truly evil, though also of vague origins (I assume more will be known in book 2).
August 31, 2021
While I'm not a fan of the genre, I was absolutely engrossed from the beginning. It did a great job at grabbing my attention from the onset, and very descriptive in its motion to make you feel like you are apart of the story. Very well written, that it makes me antsy for more...
March 5, 2022
I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book!
It’s a dark fantasy, the characters pull you in from the beginning, and the story itself is so well written. From the get-go I NEEDED to know more about what was going on and how the characters were going to handle all the different situations thrown at them. I adored Wilt and Higgs, two of our two main characters, and their friendship. They worked so well together and could get through mostly anything that was thrown at them. I was a little shocked at how dark this book is, but it’s a good kind of dark. If you decide to read, don’t get attached to any characters. NO ONE IS SAFE🥲
I am excited to finish this series!
It’s a dark fantasy, the characters pull you in from the beginning, and the story itself is so well written. From the get-go I NEEDED to know more about what was going on and how the characters were going to handle all the different situations thrown at them. I adored Wilt and Higgs, two of our two main characters, and their friendship. They worked so well together and could get through mostly anything that was thrown at them. I was a little shocked at how dark this book is, but it’s a good kind of dark. If you decide to read, don’t get attached to any characters. NO ONE IS SAFE🥲
I am excited to finish this series!
October 19, 2020
A good book with twists & turns throughout the plot. great characters. Definitely worth a read
January 19, 2021
Great little surprise, stumbled on in the library.
January 30, 2021
Recieved as part of a review promo. Great, fast paced fantasy. The magic system really kept me thinking for days afterwards.
March 16, 2021
Impressive for a first novel. Epic fantasy, told well, with some nicely dark hints at something deeper. Look forward to reading the next one in the series.
March 16, 2021
Happy to have found this on a friend's recommendation. Great new series to sink my teeth into.
August 10, 2021
I loved the world created in this book, the magic and characters. it's a must read.
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