What do you think?
The Stone Cycle #2
The Cost of Knowing
The ripples begin to make waves
Thomas Stablehand's life is not the only thing spinning out of control since he found the stone. Entire kingdoms are now in turmoil.
Will Prentis, newly appointed as army commander, must outmaneuver a growing array of enemies as he prepares for an unequal showdown with Arvenon's invaders. Thomas, hunted unceasingly, must sacrifice all to safeguard the stone.
The fate of kingdoms soon hinges on them as they confront a ruthless invader hiding a darker purpose.
The odds are hopeless. And for three kingdoms, the stakes are far higher than anyone knows.
Note: The Cost of Knowing is not a standalone book--it concludes the saga begun in The Stone of Knowing, book one of The Stone Cycle.
The Stone Cycle reading order:
The Stone of Knowing (Book One) The Cost of Knowing (Book Two) The Rending (A novelette length Prequel to The Cost of Knowing) - subscribe to my mailing list at my website for a free copy
Thomas Stablehand's life is not the only thing spinning out of control since he found the stone. Entire kingdoms are now in turmoil.
Will Prentis, newly appointed as army commander, must outmaneuver a growing array of enemies as he prepares for an unequal showdown with Arvenon's invaders. Thomas, hunted unceasingly, must sacrifice all to safeguard the stone.
The fate of kingdoms soon hinges on them as they confront a ruthless invader hiding a darker purpose.
The odds are hopeless. And for three kingdoms, the stakes are far higher than anyone knows.
Note: The Cost of Knowing is not a standalone book--it concludes the saga begun in The Stone of Knowing, book one of The Stone Cycle.
The Stone Cycle reading order:
The Stone of Knowing (Book One) The Cost of Knowing (Book Two) The Rending (A novelette length Prequel to The Cost of Knowing) - subscribe to my mailing list at my website for a free copy
- GenresFantasy
358 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 26, 2019
About the author
Allan N. Packer
30 books29 followersAllan Packer writes epic fantasy. The Ruptured Kingdom is his second published series, following The Stone of Knowing and the other novels of The Stone Cycle series.
Allan grew up surrounded by books and became an avid reader during his childhood. In his university years fantasy displaced science fiction as his favorite genre, thanks primarily to J. R. R. Tolkien. He later shared this love with his four children by reading The Lord of the Rings to them aloud - a three-month marathon he completed twice during their formative years.
Born in Australia, Allan has lived and worked on three continents, and spent one quarter of his working years abroad. Having worked as an IT professional throughout his career, he was first published as a technical author.
Today he lives with his wife in Adelaide, South Australia, at the heart of a growing and geographically distributed extended family.
Allan is currently working on the final instalment in his series The Ruptured Kingdom. For news and information about Allan's books, visit his website.
Allan grew up surrounded by books and became an avid reader during his childhood. In his university years fantasy displaced science fiction as his favorite genre, thanks primarily to J. R. R. Tolkien. He later shared this love with his four children by reading The Lord of the Rings to them aloud - a three-month marathon he completed twice during their formative years.
Born in Australia, Allan has lived and worked on three continents, and spent one quarter of his working years abroad. Having worked as an IT professional throughout his career, he was first published as a technical author.
Today he lives with his wife in Adelaide, South Australia, at the heart of a growing and geographically distributed extended family.
Allan is currently working on the final instalment in his series The Ruptured Kingdom. For news and information about Allan's books, visit his website.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 5, 2022
The Cost of Knowing
(The Stone Cycle #2)
by Allan N. Packer
Wow, this series is really getting better and better! Action packed and terrific characters development sets this series apart! Plus, now that I have read ahead, the plotting, timing is phenomenal! This book combines political intrigue, greed, humanity, and will make the reader feel so many emotions as the characters battle theirs! I feel like I am there instead of reading about it!
(The Stone Cycle #2)
by Allan N. Packer
Wow, this series is really getting better and better! Action packed and terrific characters development sets this series apart! Plus, now that I have read ahead, the plotting, timing is phenomenal! This book combines political intrigue, greed, humanity, and will make the reader feel so many emotions as the characters battle theirs! I feel like I am there instead of reading about it!
October 17, 2019
My review is of the entire series so I have placed it here to avoid spoilers showing in the previous novels.
I was approached by another reviewer to consider reviewing this series. This has turned out to be one of the best investments in a fantasy series I have made. Captivating, engrossing, pure escapism, heartwarming, well-written. Just some of the adjectives to describe this series.
Right from the first page of The Seer (yes, I read that first despite the author saying on his website that is should be read after Book 2, The Cost of Knowing, forgive me, Allan!) I was drawn in and hooked. Why was that? Well, The Seer introduces you to many elements of this series; the way it is written, the author’s well-developed command of the English language, the characterisation that immediately impresses you. The sense of suspense, curiosity about the Stone, its powers, its origin and how is this going to form the basis of this series, why is the evil Lord after it? The Stone lingers on after this prequel ends and we have to say goodbye to the two main characters, one who is killed and the other who disappears entirely. However, this latter character I wondered would they be re-introduced in later novels?
The pace really picks up with The Stone of Knowing and to add a cliche, the plot thickens! The hooks from The Seer are strengthened and further developed through the introduction of Thomas Stablehand who finds the Stone 3 years after it is lost in the events at the end of The Seer.
Throughout this series, it is too easy to become lost in this world that Packer has so brilliantly created. It is very easy to feel that this world is real and you are an active and engaged participant,not just an observer. The characters are relatable, you identify with various emotions and reactions of the characters to their situations, mainly through Thomas, Will, Brother Vangellis, but there are so many more!
Apart from the world-building of a novel, the plot and its events that constitute pillars of any novel, it is the characterisation that is another. And it is especially true for the main character or characters. Packer does not let us down here. Those three I have mentioned are the main ones I became endeared to and Books 1 and 2 goes back and forth between them as the plot dictates the events that they are involved in. Thomas became a grandson to me (hmm, I am showing my age here by that comment!), Will become a son and Brother Vangellis became a spiritual mentor or even Pastor, despite him being a monk!
Brother Vangellis could be seen as providing the positive and mentoring aspects that Thomas’ father failed to provide to him. Being in a similar situation with my own father, I became incensed at Thomas’ father for the way he treated him and could not or would not see the negative effect and the outcome of this on their relationship. In another sense, Brother Vangellis provides Thomas with enough spiritual guidance on how to deal with the strong and negative emotions of anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness that enables him to see the freedom that comes with not letting these emotions overtake you or control you.
In Will, we see the traits of being a warrior, chivalrous, standing up for what is right and honourable and fighting to protect and preserve it. Will understands the tactics and strategy of the enemy (Lord Drettroth and his Rogandan army) and plans accordingly. He shows a humbleness towards his successes and does let pride and vainglory dwell in him. One of the qualities of Will is that he would always those in a situation better off than before as depicted in helping the townspeople devasted by this war. He stayed behind with his entourage to give them a head start at restoring their lives and rebuilding their homes. He definitely is seen as a benefactor to those communities affected by the ravages of the war that has been inflicted on them.
Getting back to the world-building, Packer excels here. The description throughout the novels of the world of Arvenon and its surrounding kingdoms enables the reader to piece together how it looks and the Map included in the novels and prequels is detailed enough to be the icing on the cake in this description. It is rich in its description and infused into the events and plot arcs of all the four stories. Packer depicts the four Kingdoms well, they are each different from each other in geography, culture and approach to life. This adds to the existing depth of this world-building.
I would even consider that the battle scenes and battle strategy are part of this world-building. I find that in any story depicted in any time frame, whether modern warfare or medieval if these are not depicted realistically showing it as it is so the reader can see it happening in their mind as they are reading, then this falls short of the suspense and tension of the plot and thus weakens it. In this series with Will being a strategist and knowing the tactics of the enemy, the battle scenes have to reflect this strategy as described by Will and reinforce this quality he has. This is superbly depicted in the Battle of Torbury Scarp.
I must confess though that I was disappointed in one aspect of this novel. The Rending is a great aspect of this series that introduces important characters into The Stone of Knowing. There is a strong romance element here and Packer does not mention anything about its outcome when he ties up all the plot arcs at the end of the novel. Nothing is mentioned as to their future together. The romance builds up to its peak before the Battle of Torbury Scarp but after this battle, the only hint is that one of them returns to where the other is living but nothing else. We are left hanging. Do they live happily ever after? I really do pray that Packer addresses this in the next novel, Book 3, The Stone of Authority.
As with any object that has power or magic instilled in it, there needs to be a history of how this came to be. This is part of the world-building of the novel. Up until Packer revealed this concerning the Stone of Knowing in Book 2, I was waiting with increasing anticipation. Not including this history would leave a huge gap in this world-building and again, weaken the plot. It is frustrating reading many novels in a series and not finding out the back history of the artefact or source of the power or magic that has caused so much upheaval, calamity, division and of course war in most cases. Can you imagine Lord of the Rings minus the history of the Ring(s) and the evil lord behind it? It would make a laughing stock of Tolkien and this series, rendering it superficial and shallow. It would not be worth investing time and money on.
I loved the history of the Stone. I was expecting that there was only one Stone, but this history provides more than I was hoping for. Although not a complete history, this adds to the mystique of the Stone, its powers and adds depth to the motivation and agenda that Lord Drettroth has in his desire to dominate and rule the four kingdoms. It was very clever to not just leave it there, but what Drettroth explains to Thomas upon his capture, leaves more plot arcs for the remainder of the series and from this, it looks like this series will go to the next level. I suspect though that the missing piece(s) of the history of the Stones will be explained and this will form an even stronger foundation to this series. I can see why Packer has been described as an emerging author of epic fantasy. He is quite the master storyteller. This series is definitely worth investing your time and money in.
This series lingers with you after you finish. You are not the same as you were before you started.
I am definitely invested in this author’s work. I am eagerly looking forward to the remaining 3 novels in this epic saga and fantasy.
Highly Recommended.
I was approached by another reviewer to consider reviewing this series. This has turned out to be one of the best investments in a fantasy series I have made. Captivating, engrossing, pure escapism, heartwarming, well-written. Just some of the adjectives to describe this series.
Right from the first page of The Seer (yes, I read that first despite the author saying on his website that is should be read after Book 2, The Cost of Knowing, forgive me, Allan!) I was drawn in and hooked. Why was that? Well, The Seer introduces you to many elements of this series; the way it is written, the author’s well-developed command of the English language, the characterisation that immediately impresses you. The sense of suspense, curiosity about the Stone, its powers, its origin and how is this going to form the basis of this series, why is the evil Lord after it? The Stone lingers on after this prequel ends and we have to say goodbye to the two main characters, one who is killed and the other who disappears entirely. However, this latter character I wondered would they be re-introduced in later novels?
The pace really picks up with The Stone of Knowing and to add a cliche, the plot thickens! The hooks from The Seer are strengthened and further developed through the introduction of Thomas Stablehand who finds the Stone 3 years after it is lost in the events at the end of The Seer.
Throughout this series, it is too easy to become lost in this world that Packer has so brilliantly created. It is very easy to feel that this world is real and you are an active and engaged participant,not just an observer. The characters are relatable, you identify with various emotions and reactions of the characters to their situations, mainly through Thomas, Will, Brother Vangellis, but there are so many more!
Apart from the world-building of a novel, the plot and its events that constitute pillars of any novel, it is the characterisation that is another. And it is especially true for the main character or characters. Packer does not let us down here. Those three I have mentioned are the main ones I became endeared to and Books 1 and 2 goes back and forth between them as the plot dictates the events that they are involved in. Thomas became a grandson to me (hmm, I am showing my age here by that comment!), Will become a son and Brother Vangellis became a spiritual mentor or even Pastor, despite him being a monk!
Brother Vangellis could be seen as providing the positive and mentoring aspects that Thomas’ father failed to provide to him. Being in a similar situation with my own father, I became incensed at Thomas’ father for the way he treated him and could not or would not see the negative effect and the outcome of this on their relationship. In another sense, Brother Vangellis provides Thomas with enough spiritual guidance on how to deal with the strong and negative emotions of anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness that enables him to see the freedom that comes with not letting these emotions overtake you or control you.
In Will, we see the traits of being a warrior, chivalrous, standing up for what is right and honourable and fighting to protect and preserve it. Will understands the tactics and strategy of the enemy (Lord Drettroth and his Rogandan army) and plans accordingly. He shows a humbleness towards his successes and does let pride and vainglory dwell in him. One of the qualities of Will is that he would always those in a situation better off than before as depicted in helping the townspeople devasted by this war. He stayed behind with his entourage to give them a head start at restoring their lives and rebuilding their homes. He definitely is seen as a benefactor to those communities affected by the ravages of the war that has been inflicted on them.
Getting back to the world-building, Packer excels here. The description throughout the novels of the world of Arvenon and its surrounding kingdoms enables the reader to piece together how it looks and the Map included in the novels and prequels is detailed enough to be the icing on the cake in this description. It is rich in its description and infused into the events and plot arcs of all the four stories. Packer depicts the four Kingdoms well, they are each different from each other in geography, culture and approach to life. This adds to the existing depth of this world-building.
I would even consider that the battle scenes and battle strategy are part of this world-building. I find that in any story depicted in any time frame, whether modern warfare or medieval if these are not depicted realistically showing it as it is so the reader can see it happening in their mind as they are reading, then this falls short of the suspense and tension of the plot and thus weakens it. In this series with Will being a strategist and knowing the tactics of the enemy, the battle scenes have to reflect this strategy as described by Will and reinforce this quality he has. This is superbly depicted in the Battle of Torbury Scarp.
I must confess though that I was disappointed in one aspect of this novel. The Rending is a great aspect of this series that introduces important characters into The Stone of Knowing. There is a strong romance element here and Packer does not mention anything about its outcome when he ties up all the plot arcs at the end of the novel. Nothing is mentioned as to their future together. The romance builds up to its peak before the Battle of Torbury Scarp but after this battle, the only hint is that one of them returns to where the other is living but nothing else. We are left hanging. Do they live happily ever after? I really do pray that Packer addresses this in the next novel, Book 3, The Stone of Authority.
As with any object that has power or magic instilled in it, there needs to be a history of how this came to be. This is part of the world-building of the novel. Up until Packer revealed this concerning the Stone of Knowing in Book 2, I was waiting with increasing anticipation. Not including this history would leave a huge gap in this world-building and again, weaken the plot. It is frustrating reading many novels in a series and not finding out the back history of the artefact or source of the power or magic that has caused so much upheaval, calamity, division and of course war in most cases. Can you imagine Lord of the Rings minus the history of the Ring(s) and the evil lord behind it? It would make a laughing stock of Tolkien and this series, rendering it superficial and shallow. It would not be worth investing time and money on.
I loved the history of the Stone. I was expecting that there was only one Stone, but this history provides more than I was hoping for. Although not a complete history, this adds to the mystique of the Stone, its powers and adds depth to the motivation and agenda that Lord Drettroth has in his desire to dominate and rule the four kingdoms. It was very clever to not just leave it there, but what Drettroth explains to Thomas upon his capture, leaves more plot arcs for the remainder of the series and from this, it looks like this series will go to the next level. I suspect though that the missing piece(s) of the history of the Stones will be explained and this will form an even stronger foundation to this series. I can see why Packer has been described as an emerging author of epic fantasy. He is quite the master storyteller. This series is definitely worth investing your time and money in.
This series lingers with you after you finish. You are not the same as you were before you started.
I am definitely invested in this author’s work. I am eagerly looking forward to the remaining 3 novels in this epic saga and fantasy.
Highly Recommended.
Want to Read
March 26, 2019This cover is the stuff dreams are made of.
June 6, 2025
Is it woke?
Not at all.
Is it good?
'The Cost Of Knowing' is enthralling, and far exceeds the first in series.
This is enjoyable for teen boys, adventure loving girls, and adults.
Is it appropriate for your children?
There is no swearing. Sexual content is minimal and implied. One man, tricked into marrying a younger bride, says that "she cannot become his wife in more than name for years." Another scene is briefly recounted where a man tries to "take from a woman what she would not freely give" but does not succeed. There is no detail, and from the point of the rescuer.
There are battles scenes that are detailed without being graphic.
Religion is an overarching theme in the novel. The author is Christian, as is the religion of our heroes' kingdom. Religious people and the church are encountered in the novel, and doctrine is perfectly written.
One character does end his own life in order to also stop a great evil. This isn't needless or callous like in some novels, but is something to be aware of.
The narration is fantastic and adds to the tale. Fans of John Flanagan will adore this. I highly recommend. 12+
Not at all.
Is it good?
'The Cost Of Knowing' is enthralling, and far exceeds the first in series.
This is enjoyable for teen boys, adventure loving girls, and adults.
Is it appropriate for your children?
There is no swearing. Sexual content is minimal and implied. One man, tricked into marrying a younger bride, says that "she cannot become his wife in more than name for years." Another scene is briefly recounted where a man tries to "take from a woman what she would not freely give" but does not succeed. There is no detail, and from the point of the rescuer.
There are battles scenes that are detailed without being graphic.
Religion is an overarching theme in the novel. The author is Christian, as is the religion of our heroes' kingdom. Religious people and the church are encountered in the novel, and doctrine is perfectly written.
One character does end his own life in order to also stop a great evil. This isn't needless or callous like in some novels, but is something to be aware of.
The narration is fantastic and adds to the tale. Fans of John Flanagan will adore this. I highly recommend. 12+
February 29, 2024
Nothing magical ever comes without some form of cost attached. It is even true for the stone of knowledge held by Thomas Stablehand. In his case, it is the relentless pursuit of the Rohandans in order to get him and the stone into the hands of the evil leader of the Rohandans, Lord Drettroth. It is a relentless pursuit that will threaten to endanger any and all that may be with him
Thomas is a remarkable young man. He also has some remarkable friends, Each of whom will be tested in ways that will threaten their lives and futures in ways ordinary mortals would find impossible to handle. All of which is what is necessary to cope with an overwhelming and unprecedented Rohandan onslaught.
This epic fantasy by author Allan Packer is deserving of a big screen the way the Lord of the Rings by Tolkien did and with accolades bestowed in similar fashion, I think. The scope of grandiose plotting is amazing and heroic scenes is on par with the best ever shown on the big screen.
Enjoy
Thomas is a remarkable young man. He also has some remarkable friends, Each of whom will be tested in ways that will threaten their lives and futures in ways ordinary mortals would find impossible to handle. All of which is what is necessary to cope with an overwhelming and unprecedented Rohandan onslaught.
This epic fantasy by author Allan Packer is deserving of a big screen the way the Lord of the Rings by Tolkien did and with accolades bestowed in similar fashion, I think. The scope of grandiose plotting is amazing and heroic scenes is on par with the best ever shown on the big screen.
Enjoy
January 8, 2025
This is a worthy sequel, leading immediately on from the end of the first book to tackle a number of plot threads that continue to develop. The characters, of course, develop with them, culminating in both a satisfying showdown and a sudden tragedy that tugged on the heart strings. I’ll be continuing to read this series with interest!
December 5, 2022
Great adventure story
Ihave enjoyed this series. It is very well written with plausible characters. The battle scenes are difficult to put down.
Ihave enjoyed this series. It is very well written with plausible characters. The battle scenes are difficult to put down.
January 21, 2023
There were a lot of good parts in this book, but the excessive amount of battle scenes and discussions of war strategy were tiring. Page after page after page. Ugh.
February 5, 2023
Book 2 really keeps the story moving along - can't believe how action packed it is. Very well told...
June 13, 2025
Continues to be an excellent series.
September 12, 2025
Stone cycle is a sick series. The pacing is great for someone with a short intention span.
March 27, 2019
Hope despite hopelessness
Simply stated, I love the way Allan Packer turns his phrases. There is an elegant beauty in the language of his books and his word choices are impeccable! In addition, either the editing is just about flawless or the story was compelling enough that I was not conscious of errors as I read The Cost of Knowing.
I loved the way the author wove the lives and actions of his many characters so carefully and brought them full circle. Surprising connections between them came to light greatly enriching and enhancing the story. While I sometimes get lost in stories with too many characters, perhaps those in this one were simply memorable enough. Regardless of the reason, I had no trouble keeping track of each of them.
With so many characters in so many parts of the country, each chapter set the scene with a different one of them. I had the sense of a master weaver combining the individual threads of the story to make a single tapestry.
The author's insight into human nature, motivations, and fears, came through so clearly. It was action filled and insightful.
The battles were described in just the right amount of detail. I was able to picture Will's strategy and the lay of the land. I could see the hand-to-hand combat and hear the clash of the swords. As with other epic fantasy works (the Lord of the Rings trilogy comes to mind), the details of the battle consumed chapters, and yet the strategy and the action was emphasized, not the gore.
There were some surprise appearances of characters from The Stone of Knowing. I won't spoil your fun of finding out who they were. But I will say to the author ""well done!"" The ending was a great conclusion, and the most important details were tied up. Wait? What do I mean ""the most important""? I mean that there were just a few hints that we are not done with the world of Thomas and Will and Stephan, and yet if no more stories were to be written, I would not feel as if I was left hanging. (Make note, though, Allan Packer, I will be upset if you don't continue telling me more of this wonderful world!)
The Cost of Knowing concludes the two-book The Stone Cycle series. This series is very interconnected and designed to be read as a set. In fact, I was thrilled that there wasn't any backstory shared from the first book, taking up valuable real estate in this one. You will be lost if you have not read The Stone of Knowing, so hurry and grab a copy if you haven't read it already.
Read my full review with a Preview at Among the Reads
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
Simply stated, I love the way Allan Packer turns his phrases. There is an elegant beauty in the language of his books and his word choices are impeccable! In addition, either the editing is just about flawless or the story was compelling enough that I was not conscious of errors as I read The Cost of Knowing.
I loved the way the author wove the lives and actions of his many characters so carefully and brought them full circle. Surprising connections between them came to light greatly enriching and enhancing the story. While I sometimes get lost in stories with too many characters, perhaps those in this one were simply memorable enough. Regardless of the reason, I had no trouble keeping track of each of them.
With so many characters in so many parts of the country, each chapter set the scene with a different one of them. I had the sense of a master weaver combining the individual threads of the story to make a single tapestry.
The author's insight into human nature, motivations, and fears, came through so clearly. It was action filled and insightful.
The battles were described in just the right amount of detail. I was able to picture Will's strategy and the lay of the land. I could see the hand-to-hand combat and hear the clash of the swords. As with other epic fantasy works (the Lord of the Rings trilogy comes to mind), the details of the battle consumed chapters, and yet the strategy and the action was emphasized, not the gore.
There were some surprise appearances of characters from The Stone of Knowing. I won't spoil your fun of finding out who they were. But I will say to the author ""well done!"" The ending was a great conclusion, and the most important details were tied up. Wait? What do I mean ""the most important""? I mean that there were just a few hints that we are not done with the world of Thomas and Will and Stephan, and yet if no more stories were to be written, I would not feel as if I was left hanging. (Make note, though, Allan Packer, I will be upset if you don't continue telling me more of this wonderful world!)
The Cost of Knowing concludes the two-book The Stone Cycle series. This series is very interconnected and designed to be read as a set. In fact, I was thrilled that there wasn't any backstory shared from the first book, taking up valuable real estate in this one. You will be lost if you have not read The Stone of Knowing, so hurry and grab a copy if you haven't read it already.
Read my full review with a Preview at Among the Reads
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
August 3, 2019
I'm a fan of Allan N. Packer. He's an excellent author. His writing flows and keeps you wanting to read more. Can't wait for the third book in The Stone Cycle series!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews