Like Stones on a Crow's Back

The Deal #2

by Amy Cross

“Are you enjoying having your father with you, Ramsey? I hope you're not thinking about breaking our deal. It's a good deal. You should stick to it for the rest of your life.”

One year after she made a deal to save her father's life, Ramsey Kopperud lives in fear. She's terrified that at any moment, the evil Sebastian might emerge from the forest and announce that the deal is off. Yet even as she tries to come to terms with her own actions, Ramsey has no idea that another deadly force is about to launch an attack. Sebastian wasn't alone in the forest, and now something else is coming for vengeance.

Meanwhile, many years in the past, a farm-boy meets a beautiful witch and falls in love. As his hopes for happiness fade, however, young Sebastian must make a terrible choice. His decision will have consequences not only for his own life, and not only for the life of Ramsey many years in the future, but perhaps even for the fate of the whole world. First, though, he must try to pass the test of placing stones on a crow's back.

LIKE STONES ON A CROW'S BACK is the sequel to THE DEVIL, THE WITCH AND THE WHORE, and the second book in a trilogy about the end of the world.

Genres: Horror, Fiction

704 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 15, 2018

About the author

Amy Cross writes novels and short stories in a number of genres, mainly horror, paranormal and fantasy. Books include The Farm, Annie's Room, The Island, Eli's Town and Asylum.

Reviews

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I loved the start of this book. I’m a sucker for a villain backstory, but it all went downhill after that. Ramsey making stupid decisions, the dad not believing anything she says. It felt childish. There were also plot issues. In one moment a character is being described as having his eyes ripped out, and a couple pages later described as have a look of terror in his eyes…bad editing. All in all, this book was very disappointing compared to the first.

[Simon Langley-Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sebastian Stait is a young potato farmer in 18th Century America. His family land is blighted and every year they fight starvation and ruin. One evening Sebastian encounters a young woman who is being pursued by a man who intends to turn her over to the authorities as a witch. Sebastian fights off the man and rescues the woman, who turns out to be a witch and in return a charm on the land leads to a massive potato harvest. Captivated by the woman, Sebastian sets out to make her his wife and learn her powers.
The second book in the Deal Trilogy takes a step back from The Devil, The Witch and The Whore, and looks at the origins of the conflict between the 'devil' (Sebastian) and the witch, that will ultimately lead to the end of the world. This was so much better than the first book in the trilogy, as the author had clearly grown into her characters and shifted the focus away from a presentation of shock and gore to more subtle story telling. Skilfullly weaving together the origin story of Sebastian with the events in 21st Century Deal, this was a good page-turner and I look forward to the third instalment

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in The Deal series was in my opinion better than the first book.

Overall the story was interesting, and the back story and world building of the Sebastian character helped fill in some blanks of the first book. The story ends on a cliffhanger with all our the main characters: The devil, the witch and the whore. I’m now eagerly awaiting the third book.

Of course, like the first book there was some editing mishaps but overall it didn’t take away from the story.

** a bit of a spoiler **
I have a theory that Ramsey is the child of Sebastian and Angela. It is mentioned/implied that Sebastian was sexual with Angela when she was chained. Angela was going to tell Sebastian something before he impaled her on those sticks. I think it was that she was pregnant. How she gave birth? No ideas on that one. But it is a mystical book with witches and devils so who knows!?

[Denise Gunnels · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the second book in a series. The story is unusual and not always a happy ending. Proof reading and editing is awful. A pity since this is such creative imagery. I had my suspicions that this author wasn't writing everything she published. (Hey, James Patterson does it to and has turned out some real crap.) The tip off is that characters in an American setting stop using American terminology half way through the book. All of the sudden, trucks are lorries and operating rooms are theaters. I have no problem with any of the verbiage but obviously the same person isn't writing all these books all the way through.

[Chris James]

The beginning of this volume of The Deal Trilogy was as creepy as any of those events in the first volume. However, Cross took a lot of time to set up relationships and backstories (perhaps setting up for the grand finale in the final volume?). I found this to be a little slow, particularly given the fear I felt while reading the first book. Don't get me wrong: I will never look at solitary little girls in the school yard - or a pair of scissors, for that matter - in the same way again. While I still feel the need to turn the hallway light on at dusk, I am hoping the third volume picks up the pace a bit.

[Kat Cloaked · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has the dubious honor of the first to make me literally nauseated while reading it. Describing a child’s gruesome actions - I had to put the book down.

I don’t read much graphic horror - but I am guessing authors may sometimes strive for that sort of visceral reaction. If so, success with this reader.

There are issues with continuity and language, as in the first book. We learn the history behind the Devil and the Witch. And a pretty strong hint at how the Whore relates to them.

The story goes off the rails in some ways, but still held my interest. I expect to read the third book when it releases.

[Sophie Constable · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sequel to The Devil, The Witch and the Whore which I read last November and really enioyed. Therefore, I was excited to pick up this book and I am glad to say that it did not disappiont. Personally, I think this book might be even better than the first one. Once again, I loved the paranormal horror elements and I would say that this book is even more gory than the first though it is still very much a slow burn horror. I enjoyed the inclusion of differnet timelines in this book though I do think the book could have benefitted from another round of editing just to make things flow a bit more seamlessly. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read the sequel!

[Brett Grossmann · Rating 1 out of 5]

After a great first book we get a cash grab book two. Writer has erased all the character development so she can write the same beats as the first book. Lead character has impulses like a seven year old brat….again. Father is a non believer…again. Can’t believe we have to see these characters re-do the same mistakes. We are treated to retcon tweaks to allow other storylines. Just cheap filler for s buck that is beneath this author. I have read dozens of her books. I bough the trilogy sight unseen. I was ripped off

[Maria Holler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reincarnation, apocalyptic rains, and creepy dudes. We discovered at the beginning of this book that Ramsey is the reincarnation of several others, including the little girl Sophie who turned her skin inside out. Gruesome, but not enough to put it down. The story itself provided insight into Sebastian’s past and how he became the devil. I rated three stars because some of the editing and proofing was not very good. The story overall, i liked better than the first book. Here’s to hoping the conclusion is even better.

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this second book and thought it was a slightly better read/better story than the first book. I was surprised to get to the end to find that it leaves you on a cliff hanger and there's a third book that has yet to come out. I wish they'd take the time to have someone actually read and edit the book before publishing as there were many wrong words and name mix-ups. Overall I loved the story and can't wait for book 3! Amy Cross is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

[Patricia A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I loved these two books and I’m looking forward to the third one. The only thing that I did notice was, editing was terrible and also, I realize the author isn’t American but since the book supposedly takes place in Oregon, the characters should at least speak like Americans. They all seem to be from the other side of the pond. Just saying. There is no American “ lingo” about these books.

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining book two of the series - conclusion in book three, apparently; hope it's not too long to wait.

It's fast-paced, gruesome and intriguing, and despite the typos, great storytelling. The characters are interesting and fit the story well; they also link well, too.

I wonder how it will end? Who knows for sure because this author usually has some twists along the line?

Worth reading.

[Molkostoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story has me caught up and now I am super impatient for the final book. You can't just leave me with reincarnation, blood rain, the end of times, and a serial killer Messiah. Honestly though I enjoyed both books the story is great and captivating. Any cross has a real knack for building suspense that makes it so you can finish a book in a day.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Proof read

Great story but very poor proof reading was implemented prior to release. Hopefully this will be corrected in book three. Keeping my fingers crossed that book three will be out sooner than the others in the other collections.

[Tony Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stone the crows

How the hell does Amy Cross do it? I've read by now a couple of dozen books by her and I don't understand how she keeps up the quality and sheer quantity of the stuff I've read. See the name Amy Cross pick up the book read it, satisfaction guaranteed. Nuff said.

[Tina Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the first book.

FYI, a truck is called a lorry in this book for anyone not used to the term. There are many typos in this one as well, but the story picked up and actually, in my opinion, got better. Now for the third....hopefully soon.

[Gerald Browning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Riveting Storyline

The writing is stilted and it makes a compelling follow-up to The Devil The Witch and The Whore. Towards the middle the grammar gets worse, but the story is gripping.

[Mary Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is so full of problems, I don’t even know where to begin. I feel the books are too long and filled with unnecessary fluff, however the story has piqued my interest so I will read the last book.

[Julie R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous follow up to book one

Chilling story with believable characters and just enough creep factor! Will Ramsey and Ethan finally stop Sebastian and set the witch free? What does the blood rain signify?

[Diane Roark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, but there are so many errors

This series is very good, but whoever the editor was on this book needs a new job. Come on, Amazon, be better. Don't ruin good books with crappy editing.

[Nicola Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

B and Weird

I think that Sebastian is a prize one cunt! Excuse the language but he is. He thinks that he's intellectually superior and that is going to be his downfall, hopefully! Very enjoyable Amy!

[Jason Shelvock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hooked from page 1

Excellent prequel/sequel to the devil the witch and the whore. I wasn't to enamoured with the ending. However looking forward to reading more.

[barry lindfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Another brilliant book from the author. With enough twists and turns to keep you hooked from the start to the end. Witches and demons with twists totally hooked.

[Teena Renken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read!

Part two in this series, with great characters and storyline. I can’t wait for the third and final book in this series!

[katrina marie prince · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book explains everything in book 1 and leaves you waiting to read book3 , not released yet, a a very good series

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gets a bit far fetched (even more than the previous) and the Kindle version is riddled with basic editing/spelling mistakes.

[Brittney Haag · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good book. Gory and distrubing at parts but such an imaginative story. Amy should fire her editor though so many typos, only reason I am giving it 4 stars.

[lisa payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

like stones on a crowd back

This book is amazing the series so far draws the reader in its gory details and twisted storyline are one that’ll leave you wanting more !

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 / 5 Stars

There were, like, four good places to end this book, and guess what? None of them were the ending.

Part one and part two are solid. Typos and clear lack of proof-reading/editing (even switching up names on multiple occasions and suddenly switching to some British terminology... that's pretty bad) aside, I enjoyed the first 2/3s of this book quite a bit. If it had stopped at the end of part two (where it absolutely should have ended!) I would probably be rating it a 4 out of 5. Definitely could have done without the not-so-graphic but simultaneously somehow SUPER graphic(???) scene of a small child cutting off and then wearing her own skin... but the rest was pretty good.
~I actually really enjoyed the backstory of Sebastian and the Witch. I mean, Sebastian was pretty insufferable, but his story was a smooth and never super-blatantly-evil evolution into the power-mad antagonist from the first book. His reason for keeping Angela imprisoned is feeble at best, but he never really comes across as reasonable, so it tracks. "Angela" was okay... she had the potential to be interesting, but seeing her only from Sebastian's POV takes away what her personality could have been and pigeon-holes her into ooh-pretty-girl/purveyor-of-the-man's-(rightful)-power. That was sad. The absolute best thing to come out of that section was definitely the creatures. Oh boy, those guys were horrifying! Like, what a great monster.
~The Kopperuds' section was pretty solid and horrifying, but that was more about the actual events taking place than about the characters-- like, this book could have had an entire new cast of protagonists and it wouldn't have taken away from the story. Every once in a while Cross would toss in a little tidbit of what she probably thought was humanizing character-development, but it didn't do much. Like, (spoiler) James is going to propose to Harry, but (dundundun) never gets the chance, so the split-second about the ring box is just there to make his (SPOILER) grisly death more impactful? Didn't hit the way I think it was intended to.

Part three was a train-wreck. It would have been OKAY if it had been used as the start of the third book, instead. That would have given Ramsey's sacrifice more oomph and poignancy, ended the book on a strong note, and left a lingering mystery/cliffhanger to keep the reader coming back for the next one. As it was, I lost all interest and had to force my way through the last hundred pages or so. This was definitely a book where less would be more.

I also got the impression that Cross had no idea where she was taking the story after book one. Like, she came up with a decently interesting premise and started writing, but hadn't figured out why Ramsey was special or how she tied in to the story of "The Devil" and the Witch... and by the time she was halfway through this book, she still wasn't sure. (Spoilers) Thus, the reincarnation storyline came out of nowhere. And I'm not really sure why--considering the whole story is pretty fantastical and far-fetched... it's a horror-fantasy after all--but the in-book fact that every human supposedly had tons of past lives they just don't remember seemed over-the-top and weird and like grasping at straws just to make the ghosts original. At least for me. Ramsey being special because she could remember her past lives (which are what the ghosts are???), was just kinda not worth the payout. (And on that note, she saw Molly Abernathy's "ghost" in the first book, right? So that should have been one of her past lives, yes?) Now, I think it would've been better if she ends up being a reincarnation of Angela (even though Angela's technically alive, I would argue that that long in a supernatural prison could kill a soul... so the body could be there, but the soul pass on into its next life), and I guess she still could-- but it seems like it's going in a different direction.

So, anyway, I enjoyed the first parts, could've done without the third, and the story seems very directionless at this point-- which is maybe why the third book still hasn't dropped a few years later, even though this lady seems to do literally nothing but write.

[Cassandra Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

PLEASE I NEED BOOK 3!!!!

Okay in all seriousness, this is a great novel. Scary as hell and it has more of a back story on our antagonist. What I love about this story is how it portrays greed, in a sense, and what happens to honest and good people when it starts to become an obsession. And when it turns you dark and you start to abuse this power. Whether its monetary or, in the story, magic. It is a glimpse of the darkness that plagues certain people when all they care about is power. Power can come in many forms like I said.

If you love the first novel, you will love this one even more. And please, Amy, for the sake of all that is unholy: GIVE US THE THIRD BOOK!!!!!!