Trickle

Stone War Chronicles #2

by A.J. Norfield

Black ships darken the sea and sky, destroying everything they encounter. High General Corza Setra has mobilized the Stone King's legions to conquer the world.

When Trista’s village is obliterated without warning, it’s up to her to keep her little brother and newly-hatched dragon safe. She’s always held her own as one of the waterclans, but now her skills and confidence as a hunter will be severely tested as she fights to overcome the hardships that await them on the road ahead.

Hundreds of miles north, Raylan and his friends flee the Dark Continent. Without their commander, the squad’s strong leadership is gone and those who remain struggle beneath the burden of what is to come. The Doskovian forces and the deadly ghol'ms are on the move—a black swarm that leaves desolation in its wake… and no one knows it is coming...

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons

452 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 29, 2018

About the author

PURCHASE BOOKS:


About me:
A.J. Norfield lives with his loving wife, and two rascals of children, on land, but below sea level. For several years he worked as a falconer; training and flying the likes of owls, eagles and other types of birds of prey. He holds a black belt in aikido and dabbled in the art of archery more than once. He’s a big fan of Japanese RPGs, and anime, and will often play the swordfighter in any type of game. That way his own katana can safely stay on his wall, so no one accidentally loses a finger, or hand.

A.J. Norfield devoured the books of Anne McCaffrey, Terry Goodkind and Naomi Novik—to name only a few of many—which in turn inspired him to create his own 'Stone War Chronicles' series.

Want to be notified of new releases? Sign up for the Stone War's newsletter and get your hands on a free story! https://www.ajnorfield.com/mailing-list/

Catch up with AJ at:
Website: www.ajnorfield.com
Twitter: @ajnorfield
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ajnorfield/

Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Stone King’s dark legion is on the march, conquering, pillaging, murdering all who have the misfortune to be in their sights. With their parents and their village gone, Trista must assume the role of protector and lead her young brother and their hatchling dragon to safety.

Meanwhile, heroes will be tortured at the malicious hand of the Stone king and his minions as his monstrous Ghol’ms stand by, awaiting their next command to spill more blood. Raylan may find he and Galirras are the last hope to warn others and raise the battle cry. Duty calls and it will not be denied.

A.J. Norfield continues his dark, epic tale of fantasy as good must once again stand against the forces of evil. Follow Trista as she becomes a warrior in her own right on her journey escaping the land of the waterclan. Battling to survive, she will undertake a near-hopeless quest to save her small group. As she faces sandstorms, starvation, and lack of water, she will be required to make hard decisions that could cost her the lives of herself and the young innocents in her charge.

Will she find allies at the end of her journey or is this just the beginning of a new future with much more to come?

Once again, A.J. Norfield brings fantasy to life with a vengeance. This is not a sweet fantasy tale. This is a tale of brutality, of the will to live versus the will to conquer and kill. In a constant state of tension, this tale unfolds with amazing character development and growth throughout! Feel the grit of the sands, the torturous heat of the sun and the gnawing pain of hunger and thirst. Be mesmerized by dragons, even as they suffer alongside their human companions. They are proof that legends can be real and their loyalties know no bounds.

This is how epic fantasy should read, powerful, edgy, and with a feeling of time and distance passing by. Definitely not a quick read, but one to fall into and live, soar with a dragon, match step for step with these characters as their worlds expand and their quest continues along an often heartbreaking trail with only the unknown ahead.

I received a complimentary ARC edition from A.J. Norfield!

Series: Stone War Chronicles - Book 2 - Part 1
Publisher: LowSea Publishing; 1 edition (March 29, 2018)
Publication Date: March 29, 2018
Genre: Fantasy | Action & Adventure | New Adult
Print Length: 518 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Terrible Timy · Rating 4 out of 5]

From now on you can read my review on my blog as well: https://starlitbook.com/2018/03/29/wa...

Okay, I have no idea where to start this review, but let's get the formalities out of the way first:

I recieved an advanced reader copy in exchange of a honest review. I would like to thank A. J. Norfield for providing me a copy to read and Meels for making this opportunity happen.

This review contains minor spoilers so please be careful while reading, thanks!

Obviously, I loved Windcatcher, and I was looking forward to read the second book. Second books are a bit of a gamble, because when you loved the first book you are bound to have high hopes for the sequel too and you are worried if the author can deliver it or not. On the other hand (since we are talking about an indie author), second books are tend to be better if the said author is willing to pay attention to criticism and is bound to improve his writing skills (at least in my experience so far). Fortunately, A. J. doesn't disappoint. The second book is as good as the first, or better still. We get more action, more storylines, more dragons, more torture and more word building.

In my opinion it was a wise choice to add a second (or third) storyline with Trista and Dalkeira. To be honest, I don't particularly enjoy books which is only about traveling from one place to another while nothing happens (except some danger coming every once in a while) and the author keeps dragging us (and the characters) along for hundreds of pages. And while Raylan, Galirras and the others are traveling as well as Trista, Dalkeira and Decan, but the change of POV makes it possible to skip the boring parts. So we only get to read about the part of the journey that are indeed interesting - like finding the baby, or the city in the sand or arriving to Azurna. Breaking up all the traveling we also get glimpses of what happens with Corza and the Stone King. These parts of the story are not for the faint hearted though. We get some serious torture scenes and we learn a bit more about Corza which doesn't make him much more likeable but at least explains some things. I think he is the best fleshed out character besides the MCs and I certainly hope we'll read more about him in the future. I guess he is that kind of character readers love to hate and generates strong emotions while reading.

I still love Galirras, his intelligence, his curiosity, his wit and his growing relationship with Rayland and Xi Lao (I whish we could read more about her, because she is the only female character I like), but given her circumstances we learn about at the end of the book, I'm sure she'll get more time in the next installment of the series. I loved the city of Azurna, the way I pictured it in my head makes me want to visit it along with Sebastian as my guide. Also, I want to get more of him too!

As for Trista and Dalkeira, I have to be honest. I didn't like them much, or more like, didn't care about them. I kept reading though like there was no tomorrow, because I was interested in what happens next. Decan though, he grew a lot as a character, it's sad he was kind of abandoned by the end of the book as the story was focused on Trista, Dalkeira and the tribe. I'm totally looking forward to the point where he starts to rebel against their new role in their new community, hah (please make it happen!). When I started to read, I was a bit afraid that we'll get the same story but with a female point of view. However, Trista and Dalkeira's story altough similar is very different from Raylan and Galirras'. Their bond is not that easily made, they are struggling with each other and understanding the others needs and Dalkeira's personality is nothing like Galirras' altough she is curious as well, but in a different way (I loved how Galirras asked Raylan about politics, and religion and all that questions about humanity). Dalkeira acts more like a spoiled brat who wants all the attention and thinks she is the only one important in the world. Their story is also does some good for character diversity, since we get a lot more females in the story with them. Which is good, I guess, though I believe I'm in the minority with my dislike for female characters in general. And I'm sure a lot of you will like Dalkeira and Trista more than I did. But then, you can't like all the characters, can you?

In the end I think I will give this one 4 stars rating, though it's more like 4.5. I pretty much enjoyed it all the way, altough it ended a bit abruptly and honestly I was waiting some big twist, which I've got in a way. But then it was only the first part of the second book so I can't be hard on it. I also would have liked some more humor added to the mix, other than that, the writing was quite good, I liked the description, there wasn't too much to overwhelm you (I hate long descriptions by the way) and I love to see how the world is being built before our eyes. I might have cut a bit from the Endless Sand scenes, it was a bit dragging, but I won't complain. Anyway, if you haven't yet, go and read Windcatcher and Wavebreaker before the next book comes out. I don't think you'll regret it :)

[A.J. Norfield]

This is my book! :) My second book to be exact. The adventure continues as Raylan's squad and their dragon friend Galirras escape the Dark Continent to warn the people of the oncoming danger. South of the Aeterra kingdom, Trista finds herself running from the dark forces of the Stone King, little brother and a newly born dragon in tow!

I will leave the star ratings to you—the reader—but invite everyone to join me on this developing adventure in the world of the Stone War Chronicles.

Enjoy the read!
- A.J. Norfield

[Dave Higgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Norfield balances gritty fantasy with the complexities of cultural and species contact, creating fast-paced action with social depth.

This novel is the second in the Stone Wars series. Possible spoilers ahead.

Raylan, Galirras, and the other survivors of the mission into the Dark Continent have managed to escape ahead of the Stone King’s army. However, they potentially only have days to warn their homeland, and no consensus on the best way to do it. Meanwhile, hundred’s of miles south, another of the Stone King’s armies destroys Trista’s village, driving her and her brother into the wilderness and into the hiding place of a dragon’s egg on the verge of hatching.

Norfield weaves three main threads together: the ongoing tale of Raylan and Galirras, Trista’s attempts to get her brother to safety whilst bonded to a freshly hatched dragon, and High General Corza Setra’s invasion of an island kingdom for the Stone King; in addition, minor threads following other characters are scattered throughout. This combination of two different escape plots with a military/espionage plot in another part of the world balances a feeling of world-affecting events with the intimacy of a personal narrative.

However, as these threads do not rapidly intersect, this also results in each narrative being interspersed with sections of unrelated events. While Norfield does not gratuitously shift threads, some readers might find some transitions occur a little too soon; or, conversely, that the transition back to one of the threads is too slow. This issue of balancing the narrative is especially noticeable in relation to Trista’s story: as a new character in a new part of the world, her viewpoint requires more set-up than established characters; however, obviously comes at the cost of the other two narratives, potentially leaving some readers who were avidly seeking more of the character’s and plots from the previous novel feeling underserved in places.

Taken as individual narratives, the three main threads are each an interesting and plausible gritty fantasy tale, and—although they do not intersect—events of one do provide background and additional perspectives on the others. Thus, readers who do feel not all the transitions are perfect are still likely to find all the narratives are equally engaging.

As might be guessed by this novel featuring Wavecatcher in its name, the newly discovered dragon displays a growing connection to water that parallels yet contrasts with Galirras’ influence over air. This both allows for a second dragon-human bonding arc that is plausibly similar to that of Windcatcher without being a mere repetition, and creates a new set of benefits and challenges.

This novel is the first half of Wavecatcher. As such, it leaves several major arcs unresolved and ends on somewhat of a cliff-hanger. However, each of the arcs reaches a significant milestone at the end of the book, so the effect is no stronger than that produced at the end of a middle volume of many epic fantasy series.

Raylan and Galirras are consistent with the previous volume, their growing bond and experience granting them more power and mutual support to face challenges, but also amplifying their issues with accepting the authority of others rather than doing what they think is right.

While Trista is an adult who cares deeply for her family, she lives with her parents and has not yet abandoned her teenage mindset. Thus she has the feel of a young adult protagonist, sympathetic enough that readers will want her to succeed rather than perish but with an absolutism and self-interest that might cause some readers to groan at the minutae of some decisions. This inexperience of being the adult in a situation is exacerbated by both her younger brother and the dragon believing they should be the focus of her attention.

Corza remains, while morally abhorrent, a complex villain rather than a pantomime one, many of whose challenges come from equally—if not more—unpleasant people. Thus, although readers are unlikely to root for his overall success, they might hope for his triumph over others in the Stone King’s army of conquest or enjoy the strategic skill he displays.

The supporting cast, returning and new, also possess a plausible balance of skills, flaws, and internal conflicts, combining the accessibility of fantasy tropes (such as the soldier unexpectedly thrust into leadership) with an individuality that provides both interest and a sense of a wider world.

Overall, I enjoyed this novel. I recommend it to readers seeking fantasy that provides classic tropes without feeling generic.

I received a free copy via a community seeking fair reviews for books.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

ONE WILD ROLLERCOASTER RIDE!!!
Hatching hellhounds! Norfield dropped the bomb and lowered the boom, spinning this astonishing approach with such a brilliantly composed storyline and gripping plot, laying this gem out with such ingenuity, imagination and unique insight, wrapping this baby together seamlessly. Norfield brought his A-game pushing one non-stop, action packed, hard hitting, pulse racing, heart pounding, adrenaline pumping, page flipping dynamo, launching this bad boy jetting through the stars. A swirling vortex full of harrowing trials and formidable tribulations, noting the shocking twists and wicked turns, putting our characters through their paces, testing them in ways they never anticipated. Showcasing the drama intrigue turmoil underlying threats misgivings spiraling suspense and nerve racking situations along with a boatload of danger while dodging sinister intentions, you have one mind-blowing experience. A multitude of unsettling mishaps and intense circumstances, blasts those churning emotions into play front and center, hooking you from the start and reeling you in for the duration. The characters are authentic and original with qualities and traits that blend and flow, transforming into beautifully charismatic personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and descriptions, as to give you a full understanding and realism that flows smoothly. Amazing job Norfield, thanks for sharing this little guy with us.

[Laura Hughes]

Sassy dragons, sword-fighting action, a 'coming of age' adventure and a touch of darkness in between. What more could one ask for in a fantasy series?

[sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wavebreaker

Can' wait for the next book to come out .I have enjoyed the first two.a great series for everyone to read.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Good Read

I am enjoying this series, reading one after another, next book is waiting.
I like the characters, descriptions help picture the world and I recommend!

[E.A. Turley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wavebreaker
I have waited for ages for this second book in this series and can say with all honesty that it was worth it. The story continues with Galirras the windcatcher dragon and the enemy I love to hate now- High General Corza Setra.
The War has started and the Stone king's invasion is well underway. All Raylan and Galirras along with all their friends can do is to try to hold them off. But that won't be easy when the Stone King employs Ghol'ms that are living statues. They have the strength of five men and aren't easy to kill.
But it seems that Galirras isn't the only dragon alive. There is another. Her name is Dalkeira and she is a water dragon. She claims Trista of the Water Clans as hers when she hatches and we're able to follow their journey as they battle through the trials they come up against. The soldiers have already invaded Trista's island and she and her brother are forced to leave, orphaned and alone in the world, without anything to their name, but themselves. Dalkeira has a yen to go west, she doesn't know why, but she feels that it's important.
Will these two majestic dragons find each other to battle the dark forces of the Stone King? Or will their efforts all be for nothing?
I totally recommend this book to all and can't wait for the next installment. Write faster AJ! Please?

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Xi'Lao Wèn along with Raylan and faithful Galirras continue on their path only to encounter new struggles along the way. Meanwhile Trista is furious about her parents choices and how they affect her life and well being. Trista's brother Decan witnessed their parents murder and could only flee for his life while trying to find his sister. Along the way, Trista and Decan meet Dalkiera. This is where things become more complicated for the pair of companions. Can Xi'Lao Wèn and company carry on? What will Trista, Decan, and Dalkiera encounter? Your answers await you in Wavebreaker.

The story and characters are gritty, raw, real, complicated, compelling, complex, and unique too. I look forward to more adventures in this exciting series.

[Jane]

DNF at 37%. I enjoyed Windcatcher and looked forward to the sequel. It's a good story, but I have a low tolerance for graphic torture and Wavebreaker has already passed it several times. It's a shame too - the first book was not nearly so violent.

I received a free copy of the book from the author. Thank you, and good luck with your series!