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Alastair Stone Chronicles #19
Circle of Stone
The circle widens
For Alastair Stone, problems rarely come one at a time. He’s busy helping an old friend with a case of blackmail when he’s contacted about a mysterious wave of minor crimes in the Oakland area—one that might involve magic. He asks Verity to look into it.
When tragedy strikes and the petty crime spree leads to a friend's disastrous near-death, Stone hurries home to investigate the situation himself. What he finds suggests terrifying new connections to a problem he thought he’d already dealt with.
As the situation escalates and puts more innocent people in harm’s way, Stone, Verity, and Jason will have to rely on each other—and a growing collection of allies both old and new—to track down a dangerously unstable enemy before he snaps.
And as if all of that weren’t bad enough, a powerful, shadowy figure resurfaces with an offer Stone might not be able to refuse.
For Alastair Stone, problems rarely come one at a time. He’s busy helping an old friend with a case of blackmail when he’s contacted about a mysterious wave of minor crimes in the Oakland area—one that might involve magic. He asks Verity to look into it.
When tragedy strikes and the petty crime spree leads to a friend's disastrous near-death, Stone hurries home to investigate the situation himself. What he finds suggests terrifying new connections to a problem he thought he’d already dealt with.
As the situation escalates and puts more innocent people in harm’s way, Stone, Verity, and Jason will have to rely on each other—and a growing collection of allies both old and new—to track down a dangerously unstable enemy before he snaps.
And as if all of that weren’t bad enough, a powerful, shadowy figure resurfaces with an offer Stone might not be able to refuse.
- GenresUrban FantasyFantasy
437 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 9, 2019
160 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
R.L. King
68 books332 followersR. 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 18, 2021
Another fun adventure in the world of Alastair Stone.
While Alastair tries to track down a gang of young mages on a minor crime spree, he comes across a minor ley line that is acting strange & is being diverted off course. This is something that just does not happen. He follows it & was shocked at what he finds. Alastair also learns who the suspect of leading the gang, whose power seems to be growing. The young mage also has a vendetta against the man responsible for killing his mother. Alastair soon finds out that this guy has left his van close to where the ley line was diverted. Could the 2 be related somehow? That is, could the thing diverting the ley line be responsible for the increase in power that the young mage is getting? Before Alastair & Verity could locate the young Mage, chaos breaks out in the club owned & operated by the man that had the the young mage's mother killed.
While Alastair tries to track down a gang of young mages on a minor crime spree, he comes across a minor ley line that is acting strange & is being diverted off course. This is something that just does not happen. He follows it & was shocked at what he finds. Alastair also learns who the suspect of leading the gang, whose power seems to be growing. The young mage also has a vendetta against the man responsible for killing his mother. Alastair soon finds out that this guy has left his van close to where the ley line was diverted. Could the 2 be related somehow? That is, could the thing diverting the ley line be responsible for the increase in power that the young mage is getting? Before Alastair & Verity could locate the young Mage, chaos breaks out in the club owned & operated by the man that had the the young mage's mother killed.
July 17, 2022
Why have a son in this serie if he's waste of a character?
Stone is the highlight of story. His son is low point, seem like the dumb decisions are not made by real person. His character supposed to have street smarts and survival instinct. But every time, he is written a part of book. He doing some dumb, especially when he's by himself. Honestly it's becoming a distraction to have his son in the book it takes you out of the action and it just seems like he is only written to be a big ass gaping hole in Stones defenses, A way to get to Stone through his personal life. Because you know his son will make the dumbest decision possible in every situation. Ian as a character Is taking away from the story, it's extremely disappointing.
Stone is the highlight of story. His son is low point, seem like the dumb decisions are not made by real person. His character supposed to have street smarts and survival instinct. But every time, he is written a part of book. He doing some dumb, especially when he's by himself. Honestly it's becoming a distraction to have his son in the book it takes you out of the action and it just seems like he is only written to be a big ass gaping hole in Stones defenses, A way to get to Stone through his personal life. Because you know his son will make the dumbest decision possible in every situation. Ian as a character Is taking away from the story, it's extremely disappointing.
February 5, 2022
Good but
It just so unbelievable the open relationship verify and stone are suppose to have. Verity sleeps with Stone and then goes off wIth her girlfriend. Give me a break. I've talked to my gay brother about this and he called BS. I think the author is trying to be cool too hard. I hope the rest of the series sticks with the plots
It just so unbelievable the open relationship verify and stone are suppose to have. Verity sleeps with Stone and then goes off wIth her girlfriend. Give me a break. I've talked to my gay brother about this and he called BS. I think the author is trying to be cool too hard. I hope the rest of the series sticks with the plots
March 5, 2025
This world is getting so rich and wide, the major rivers of the world are jealous. I love how every edition pushes the edges of the world out just a little further AND a little deeper. The characters all grow and learn and screw up and learn from that too. The magic system is so well conceived, and the little idiosyncrasies of the characters are making this series a comfort read for me now. I HIGHLY recommend this to anyone who loves and longs for long, intricate urban fantasy series.
December 11, 2020
Great book
I love this series of books. Great characters and story lines. Good description without being overly verbose or ponderous. The pace is fast enough to keep your interest without losing coherence. Great series of books!
I love this series of books. Great characters and story lines. Good description without being overly verbose or ponderous. The pace is fast enough to keep your interest without losing coherence. Great series of books!
June 14, 2022
R. L. King is a Master writer!
Circle of Stone, like all the rest of the Alastair Stone novels, is superbly written and intriguing reading. The world she has created is one I always hate to leave. I highly recommend her to ALL fantasy readers.
Circle of Stone, like all the rest of the Alastair Stone novels, is superbly written and intriguing reading. The world she has created is one I always hate to leave. I highly recommend her to ALL fantasy readers.
August 10, 2021
This series has been going off the rails for a few books. I could barely finish this one and I don't know if I will read any more.
February 27, 2022
Another brilliant entry in the series
Great job!! More Stone mysteries, old acquaintances return, and a little unexpected fun with this one. Keep up the good work!!
Great job!! More Stone mysteries, old acquaintances return, and a little unexpected fun with this one. Keep up the good work!!
September 24, 2022
19th book in series—I’ve enjoyed them all!
This is a highly enjoyable series if you like fantasy books. I’m looking forward to reading the others in the series.
This is a highly enjoyable series if you like fantasy books. I’m looking forward to reading the others in the series.
September 28, 2019
Circle of Stone, Alastair Stone Chronicles #19
by R.L. King
Like book 18, book 19 seems to be more backstory for what's to come than standalone novel. As per her usual, King's editing and proofing is top-notch, her plotting and pacing smooth flowing, her characterizations consistent, yet showing growth. This episode involves all three of King's favorites, Alastair, Verity, and Jason, plus Raider is present, too, although not carrying any of the load of the storyline. Kolinsky makes a brief, but important, appearance, Ian gets a bit of a mention, and Selby, from Alastair's distant past, makes a comeback that seems to foreshadow more for the future. In fact, every character, including the villain of this piece, seems a foreshadowing of things to come in books 20 and beyond. I'm okay with all of that.
However, it does make for a crowded landscape that often left the reader adrift as to what or why an interlude or character was included -- and there is no resolution leading up to what was less a denouement, than a trailing off of the storyline. Not a cliffhanger ending, but not a real ending either (thus 4 rather than 5 stars). As King recently asked, on the Stone FB group, if people would like to see the series continue in a soap-opera style, I'm wondering if that was just a warning to those of us who prefer each novel to be completely standalone than a real question to her readers.
Still, I'm looking forward to entry #20 when it is published later this year.
by R.L. King
Like book 18, book 19 seems to be more backstory for what's to come than standalone novel. As per her usual, King's editing and proofing is top-notch, her plotting and pacing smooth flowing, her characterizations consistent, yet showing growth. This episode involves all three of King's favorites, Alastair, Verity, and Jason, plus Raider is present, too, although not carrying any of the load of the storyline. Kolinsky makes a brief, but important, appearance, Ian gets a bit of a mention, and Selby, from Alastair's distant past, makes a comeback that seems to foreshadow more for the future. In fact, every character, including the villain of this piece, seems a foreshadowing of things to come in books 20 and beyond. I'm okay with all of that.
However, it does make for a crowded landscape that often left the reader adrift as to what or why an interlude or character was included -- and there is no resolution leading up to what was less a denouement, than a trailing off of the storyline. Not a cliffhanger ending, but not a real ending either (thus 4 rather than 5 stars). As King recently asked, on the Stone FB group, if people would like to see the series continue in a soap-opera style, I'm wondering if that was just a warning to those of us who prefer each novel to be completely standalone than a real question to her readers.
Still, I'm looking forward to entry #20 when it is published later this year.
November 16, 2019
Circle of Stone
As outstanding as ever! It's such a pleasure to read a book that catches you and holds you from the beginning to the very end. R. L. King does this, every time! Circle of Stone, #19 in the Chronicles of Stone series, is no different then each book before it. Pure pleasure to read! I can not wait for #20!
As outstanding as ever! It's such a pleasure to read a book that catches you and holds you from the beginning to the very end. R. L. King does this, every time! Circle of Stone, #19 in the Chronicles of Stone series, is no different then each book before it. Pure pleasure to read! I can not wait for #20!
September 16, 2019
Another outstanding chapter (book) in the Alastair Stone universe. Nice pacing. A few intriguing segways with other characters and situations that I'm sure will find their way into the next few books. Look forward to the next installment.
September 23, 2019
An excellent addition to the series
Once again the author has provide a great story, beautifully detailed plot(s), and further development of the main characters - which left me with a feeling of a grand buildup to something significant in the next Stone chapter!
Once again the author has provide a great story, beautifully detailed plot(s), and further development of the main characters - which left me with a feeling of a grand buildup to something significant in the next Stone chapter!
October 4, 2019
The situation with the rifts gets weirder...
This is a very in-between book. The plot thickens around the rifts, Verity’s relationship with the Harpies gets tested, and it feels like some of the pieces are being put into place for future stories. Fun read, though, as always.
This is a very in-between book. The plot thickens around the rifts, Verity’s relationship with the Harpies gets tested, and it feels like some of the pieces are being put into place for future stories. Fun read, though, as always.
October 11, 2019
Absolutely Brilliant!
Mysteries are solved. New questions and concerns are brought out.
We get to see a little more of Verity and the Harpies dynamic. And much more !
Read the book!
Mysteries are solved. New questions and concerns are brought out.
We get to see a little more of Verity and the Harpies dynamic. And much more !
Read the book!
October 12, 2019
Another excellent addition
This sequel helped add more questions to an already intriguing storyline. It had good action, character building, and as mentioned before presented additional questions to a long-running storyline. I definitely, recommend this one.
This sequel helped add more questions to an already intriguing storyline. It had good action, character building, and as mentioned before presented additional questions to a long-running storyline. I definitely, recommend this one.
January 7, 2020
Loose Ends
I saw that many feel like this wasn't as full of action but tied up a few loose ends. I somewhat agree. I tried up a bit but opened the door to so much more. Might not be as action packed but definitely needed.
I saw that many feel like this wasn't as full of action but tied up a few loose ends. I somewhat agree. I tried up a bit but opened the door to so much more. Might not be as action packed but definitely needed.
September 13, 2019
On point!
R.L. Does it again the more she writes the better the series gets!can't wait until the next one! Read this series..you won't be disappointed!
R.L. Does it again the more she writes the better the series gets!can't wait until the next one! Read this series..you won't be disappointed!
September 14, 2019
Great as usual
Another great book in the series. I like how the door is open for further adventures in this storyline. Excellent.
Another great book in the series. I like how the door is open for further adventures in this storyline. Excellent.
September 14, 2019
Good story but needs better editing. And as usual, Alastair has a few foot stomping tantrums.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews