When a shadowy, sinister organization begins killing apprentices, Alastair Stone is determined to track down the people pulling its strings. But Stone’s life quickly spirals into chaos when a young man contacts him—claiming to be his son.
As he pursues the trail of the murderers and struggles to deal with this new upheaval in his life, Stone has no idea of the dark, carefully-laid plan unfolding behind the scenes. An old nemesis is back, more powerful than ever and determined to finish what she started many years ago.
And this time, she's set her sights on not one Stone, but two.
R. L. King is the author of the Amazon-bestselling urban fantasy series The Alastair Stone Chronicles.
When not doing her best to make life difficult for her characters, she works as a software technical writer for a large Silicon Valley database company.
She also freelances for Catalyst Game Labs, publisher of the popular roleplaying game Shadowrun, where she's contributed fiction and game material to numerous sourcebooks and one full-length adventure, "On the Run," which was included as part of the 2012 Origins-Award-winning "Runners' Toolkit."
Her first novel in the Shadowrun universe, "Borrowed Time," was published in Spring 2015. She's working on her second Shadowrun novel, "Veiled Extraction," which will be released in late 2016 or early 2017.
When not writing or working, she enjoys hanging out with her very understanding spouse and her small herd of cats, and watching way too much Doctor Who.
This series just keeps getting better and better. This particular book kept me up all night until I finished. There are some definite surprises; I didn't even see them coming! Can't wait for the next one!
I've been reading this series since the beginning and while it floundered at times, it had always been good entertainment. Now, with the expansion of the Stoneiverse we see more and more possibilities. This keeps me coming back. Plus, unlike other series, I get at least a couple of books a year and who doesn't love that in these times of stalled out series?
The Seventh Stone, Alastair Stone Chronicles, Book #16 by R. L. King
Hmm. I've found myself more conflicted about this novel than any other in the series so far (which series, I might add, I've followed since its inception). Was it because it was so much longer than usual for this series? Could be, I did keep checking my progress and wondering why I wasn't closer to the end. Was it because it followed a pretty predictable path for sons-didn't-know-I-had or fathers-I-didn't-know-existed? Maybe -- it certainly did that. Was it because it had two very different challenges going, and one of them was severely shorted in order to pursue the other fully? Maybe. Was it because a mage that is touted to be one of the most powerful in the world, AND who know can access power from another dimension still gets the crap beat out of him by much less experienced mages and what seem to be not-particularly-powerful-without-help-in-this-world demons? Yeah, that could be it.
In the end I really don't know why I feel negative about this book. It had the earmarks of stories that I should love: great characters that are consistently well-developed without losing the ability to improve, excellent editing and proofing, and a nice, tidy ending that tied up loose ends from this story, while leaving a door open for one of the issues to be featured more prominently in a future book. The plotting/pacing were 'meh' for me, but I'm sure other Stone fans loved it.
So, do I intend to keep following this series. Yes. Although I have issues that have run pretty true throughout the series, it is still a good series and one I usually enjoy much more than I enjoyed this one.
An awesome book! In this book you will meet Dr. Alister Stone, Verity and Jason our very familiar characters. Now you will meet a few new people and one will definitely surprise you! It is a twist to the whole Doc story! Verity will help her brother with strength via a potion which we learned about in , Stone and Claw. You will see a new side to Verity which is excellent. Her and Doc are still in a relationship. An old enemy of Doc’s will show up and so much will happen involving Trini and Ian. Read this excellent story and learn about family and friends!
This was a fantasic read by the end. It starts very slow with a lot of build up but given what it introduces thats kind of required.
Honestly I wasnt feeling it till about the midway point when everything started to connect. Its like there are 2 narratives early on and when they finally come together and build to an amazing climax that things get great. You do need to have read basically every prior book to really get the feel of this one though so bear that in mind.
I totally missed this volume on my journey through the life and times of it references to Verity's new family members, and then suddenly Alistair had a grown Son, apprenticed to Losinsky's Son (and where beyond left field did that come from?). I was just about to start volume 22 when I finally decided to figure out which book I'd missed, and to read it without delay. It turns out that "Seventh Stone" is every bit as good as the rest of the series and suffices to fill in many of the blanks. I recommend this volume to any Stone afficsianato.
16 novels, each building on the last while adding new characters and further growing Stone and friends. This is a must read page turning series. Not only does The Seventh Stone tie up loose ends from the past, but we get to meet Alastair’s previously unknown son who is integral to the plot line. The story moves with the intensity of all R.L. King novels. You will not be bored!
This is a book you can read it one go because it is fascinating with fascinating characters. I especially like Raider the cat and Stone himself, except that there are times when Stone seems to go off character either becoming wishi-washi or stupidly running off in ways that are totally inconsistent with his character.
Outside of those minor flaws the book is definitely worth reading.
Author R. L. King has truly out done herself in this latest epic journey. Personalities with deep flaws and strong wills make these characters practically leap off the page. Their doubts and triumphs become personal as they face an old enemy and a new threat. This series has only gotten better. Amazing!
This one was a real 'edge of your seat, page turner'! So many surprises and intriguing storyline to follow!Old enemies abound - some known and others, not so much. So now it's really late because I had to read through to the end and then leave a completely inadequate review for such a brilliant story! LOL Well done R.L. King!!
I really liked this book. It ties off some long running loose ends, and it’s pretty fun seeing Alastair trying to navigate through his life now that he has a son. Lots of action too, no worries. Definitely one of my favorites in this series.
You don't have a lot of writers who can continue writing book after book in the same series and keep the books interesting and pulling you in every step of the way... King is such a writer, every single book draws you in and keeps you interested... Incredible!
For me this was a slow starter, but it definitely delivered. All of the characters we love are here and true to form. R.L. King sure delivers a great story. Well worth the read.
Tapping on the 5 stars every time, Ms. King! People are going to think we're related or something. What scares me is that I'm almost caught up, and I will have to find more to read.
I love this series of books! The characters, the stories and plots, the twists and turns. The writing is adequate without being overly verbose. The stories build slowly, then accelerate to a dazzling conclusion.
The Alastair Stone series is one of the best I have ever read. I didn't see how it would work with him having a son but as always RL King came with a great twisted plot
Shocker; Stone is contacted by a 19 year old young man, Ian, claiming to be his son. Once he wraps his head around something that he always thought of as being in the future, suddenly he finds it has already has arrived. But is this really his son?
At the same time he was hit with possibly being a father, he was looking into a case on the murder of an apprentise to a mediocre talented witch. To make matters worse, an old enemy, long thought dead, has poked her head up, & is bent on the destruction of both Stone & his son. Not a problem. With Alastairs new enhanced powers, it should be a piece of cake bringing her down. However, she not only managed to incapacitates Ian, Verity, & Jason, but almost kills Alastair as well. Something was wrong. Someone or something must be helping his nemesis. What & how, he must find out, if he hopes to come out alive, & to save his son, Verity, & Jason.
The story moves along at the usual swift pace that RL King puts into her books...with one trying to figure it all out before it was revealed. Starting The Gathering Storm now.
Another Satisfying read. Truly love this series and it's characters. The books are well written and they come out with great speed! I guess you could call it the cherry on top of the cake, never having to wait too long for the next adventure of Dr. Stone. Keep up the good work R.L. I am eagerly awaiting your next issue with great anticipation.