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Wavebreaker #2
Flood
The Stone King’s ships continue to spread across the known world, razing city after city. Serving High General Setra, Bronson is in the middle of it—protecting the twisted monster that holds his mother’s and twin sister’s lives in his hands.
In Aeterra, Raylan and his friends finally get their chance to warn the king and council, but with Xi’Lao imprisoned in the castle’s dungeon, Raylan doubts where his loyalty should lie. He has no intention to abandon his friend, but the king’s orders are law and not everyone in their squad is willing to risk the noose. Then, with things going from bad to worse, help arrives from the most unlikely of places.
Further south, the times of plenty have arrived on the red plains. Trista, Decan and Dalkeira do their best to fit in with the tribe, but conflict brewing beneath the surface does not make it easy. Shiri’s rivalry with the red-haired newcomer escalates and the first huntress’ actions lead to unforeseen consequences that might very well herald the end of the Minai.
In Aeterra, Raylan and his friends finally get their chance to warn the king and council, but with Xi’Lao imprisoned in the castle’s dungeon, Raylan doubts where his loyalty should lie. He has no intention to abandon his friend, but the king’s orders are law and not everyone in their squad is willing to risk the noose. Then, with things going from bad to worse, help arrives from the most unlikely of places.
Further south, the times of plenty have arrived on the red plains. Trista, Decan and Dalkeira do their best to fit in with the tribe, but conflict brewing beneath the surface does not make it easy. Shiri’s rivalry with the red-haired newcomer escalates and the first huntress’ actions lead to unforeseen consequences that might very well herald the end of the Minai.
398 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 12, 2020
About the author
A.J. Norfield
8 books72 followers
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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.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 11, 2020
Norfield builds on the plots established in the first half of Wavebreaker, providing new perspectives and conflicts without contradicting the established world.
This novel is the third in the Stone Wars series. Possible spoilers ahead.
Trista and Dalkeira are, officially at least, welcome within the Minai; however, the acceptance of outsiders strains relationships that already defy tradition, leading Shiri and others to nudge events towards Trista’s failure—or even exile. After weeks of battling both foes and politics, Raylan finally has his opportunity to warn the king of the oncoming threat; unfortunately, the king considers the oncoming army easily defeated, imprisons Xi’Lao as a traitor, and chains up Galirras so he might be used as a weapon, leaving Raylan torn between betraying his liege and betraying his friends. Meanwhile, High General Setra strives to fulfil the Stone King’s ambitious commands for new conquests while covertly continuing his attempts to take Galirras for himself.
As one might expect of the second half of a two-volume novel, this book picks up immediately after Trickle, following the same three major plotlines; however, while these do remain mostly separate narratives, the events in one have a stronger influence on others than in the previous book and there are a few direct intersections.
With Trista and Dalkeira having been introduced in the previous volume, the weighting of the narratives is less unequal than in Trickle. However, Trista’s story remains the primary thread of the novel, giving the feel of the second half of a two-volume novel rather than a third book in a series. As the overall effect is to provide more of Trista and Dalkeira while also providing more of Raylan and Galirras, readers who did not hate Trista’s plot are unlikely to find this a flaw.
Each of the three plotlines is well-paced and plausible, providing a good balance of action and insight into the world that is likely to appeal to fans of epic fantasy.
Norfield’s portrayal of Minai life balances the classic fantasy trope of matriarchal hunter society with nuances that—while they might not all stand up to detailed examination by someone seeking to unpick them—hold together well even before accounting for the way in which, for example, immense magic might make tales of all men being “cursed” more than superstition. It is Norfield’s pitching of the situation at “might” rather than “do” that makes the plot particularly engaging: without having proof of whether or not a tradition is valid, the struggle Trista and those raised within the tribe have over the right path and responsibility is the same as that of the real world.
Raylan’s segments continue to follow the classic epic fantasy arc of rag-tag squad caught up in feudal politics, again with specific nuances that prevent it feeling like merely a string of tropes; and again with the uncertainty over whether personal opinions should always trump established structures.
Conversely, Setra’s segments are a vision of a society ruled entirely by personal strength and whim, with all the unfairness and brutality one might expect. Although it is not gratuitous or titillating, Norfield does not hide the cruelty off-page; thus these segments forms a powerful contrast to the more polite arguing over appropriate behaviour in the others.
As with Trickle, Norfield brings each of the major arcs to a reasonable point to pause, but does not conclude them. Thus, this book ends with a strong sense of being the middle of a larger story.
The characters remain plausible and engaging, displaying a greater insight into the history behind their current personalities and actions. This adds sympathy and complexity in most cases, especially with regard to Shiri’s conflict with Trista; however, depending on a reader’s stance on villains with tragic backstories, Setra’s childhood and its consequences might feel like either the key to understanding or an unnecessary abandonment of the classic fantasy binary.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel. I recommend it to readers seeking fantasy that offers the familiarity of classic tropes without being straitjacketed by them.
I received a free advance copy in exchange for a fair review.
This novel is the third in the Stone Wars series. Possible spoilers ahead.
Trista and Dalkeira are, officially at least, welcome within the Minai; however, the acceptance of outsiders strains relationships that already defy tradition, leading Shiri and others to nudge events towards Trista’s failure—or even exile. After weeks of battling both foes and politics, Raylan finally has his opportunity to warn the king of the oncoming threat; unfortunately, the king considers the oncoming army easily defeated, imprisons Xi’Lao as a traitor, and chains up Galirras so he might be used as a weapon, leaving Raylan torn between betraying his liege and betraying his friends. Meanwhile, High General Setra strives to fulfil the Stone King’s ambitious commands for new conquests while covertly continuing his attempts to take Galirras for himself.
As one might expect of the second half of a two-volume novel, this book picks up immediately after Trickle, following the same three major plotlines; however, while these do remain mostly separate narratives, the events in one have a stronger influence on others than in the previous book and there are a few direct intersections.
With Trista and Dalkeira having been introduced in the previous volume, the weighting of the narratives is less unequal than in Trickle. However, Trista’s story remains the primary thread of the novel, giving the feel of the second half of a two-volume novel rather than a third book in a series. As the overall effect is to provide more of Trista and Dalkeira while also providing more of Raylan and Galirras, readers who did not hate Trista’s plot are unlikely to find this a flaw.
Each of the three plotlines is well-paced and plausible, providing a good balance of action and insight into the world that is likely to appeal to fans of epic fantasy.
Norfield’s portrayal of Minai life balances the classic fantasy trope of matriarchal hunter society with nuances that—while they might not all stand up to detailed examination by someone seeking to unpick them—hold together well even before accounting for the way in which, for example, immense magic might make tales of all men being “cursed” more than superstition. It is Norfield’s pitching of the situation at “might” rather than “do” that makes the plot particularly engaging: without having proof of whether or not a tradition is valid, the struggle Trista and those raised within the tribe have over the right path and responsibility is the same as that of the real world.
Raylan’s segments continue to follow the classic epic fantasy arc of rag-tag squad caught up in feudal politics, again with specific nuances that prevent it feeling like merely a string of tropes; and again with the uncertainty over whether personal opinions should always trump established structures.
Conversely, Setra’s segments are a vision of a society ruled entirely by personal strength and whim, with all the unfairness and brutality one might expect. Although it is not gratuitous or titillating, Norfield does not hide the cruelty off-page; thus these segments forms a powerful contrast to the more polite arguing over appropriate behaviour in the others.
As with Trickle, Norfield brings each of the major arcs to a reasonable point to pause, but does not conclude them. Thus, this book ends with a strong sense of being the middle of a larger story.
The characters remain plausible and engaging, displaying a greater insight into the history behind their current personalities and actions. This adds sympathy and complexity in most cases, especially with regard to Shiri’s conflict with Trista; however, depending on a reader’s stance on villains with tragic backstories, Setra’s childhood and its consequences might feel like either the key to understanding or an unnecessary abandonment of the classic fantasy binary.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel. I recommend it to readers seeking fantasy that offers the familiarity of classic tropes without being straitjacketed by them.
I received a free advance copy in exchange for a fair review.
April 20, 2020
Wavebreaker (Stone War Chronicles, #2 - Part 2 Flood)
Part 2 Flood brings a lot of old friends back as well as introducing numerous new ones too. We continue on Raylan's and Galirras' journey as they make their way homeward whilst the evil High General Corza Setra is in hot pursuit of them.
The Stone King has ordered that Galirras be captured and brought to him. He intends to make the Dragon into a weapon to be used under his command. It's why he stole the egg from the Empire in the first place way back in book 1 Windcatcher. But what he doesn't know is that General Corza has decided to steal that idea for himself. The only thing is that he keeps failing at it.
While they journey onwards, another dragon has been born. Trista finds Dalkeira, a Water Dragon as she flees from the forces of the dark lord when they reach her island. She and her brother, Decan, run as their village is completely destroyed, and their parents killed.
The journey they make is filled with danger and many adventures ending up with rip-roaring fight at the end.
This is a fantasy that you just can't put down until the end. I'd recommend it to anyone that likes fantasys especially with dragons.
Part 2 Flood brings a lot of old friends back as well as introducing numerous new ones too. We continue on Raylan's and Galirras' journey as they make their way homeward whilst the evil High General Corza Setra is in hot pursuit of them.
The Stone King has ordered that Galirras be captured and brought to him. He intends to make the Dragon into a weapon to be used under his command. It's why he stole the egg from the Empire in the first place way back in book 1 Windcatcher. But what he doesn't know is that General Corza has decided to steal that idea for himself. The only thing is that he keeps failing at it.
While they journey onwards, another dragon has been born. Trista finds Dalkeira, a Water Dragon as she flees from the forces of the dark lord when they reach her island. She and her brother, Decan, run as their village is completely destroyed, and their parents killed.
The journey they make is filled with danger and many adventures ending up with rip-roaring fight at the end.
This is a fantasy that you just can't put down until the end. I'd recommend it to anyone that likes fantasys especially with dragons.
February 7, 2021
A solid addition to the series
This was a good book that seemed like it was dragging a little in the middle. I was just a little confused as to why it focused on Trista for such a large portion of the book, but this one was her story in the same way the others were Raylan’s story. Hence the names of the books, I guess.
I’m really staring to enjoy the world building in this series. Happy to be reading this series and looking forward to the next one.
This was a good book that seemed like it was dragging a little in the middle. I was just a little confused as to why it focused on Trista for such a large portion of the book, but this one was her story in the same way the others were Raylan’s story. Hence the names of the books, I guess.
I’m really staring to enjoy the world building in this series. Happy to be reading this series and looking forward to the next one.
May 6, 2020
So much happened in this book I don't know where to begin. I'll say this much it picked up right where Trickle left off. Still everyone wants a piece of the dragon which I can't fault people for that but the dragon decides where it wants to go. I'll leave with this question~What is the significance of the dragon? Find out in Flood.
May 13, 2020
ONE ACTION PACKED BLOCK BUSTER!!!
Let'r rip! Norfield brought out the heavy artillery, loaded for bear and throwing caution to the wind, melding this bad boy together sleek, shiny and tight. Unsettling circumstances and startling happenstance, propels those churning emotions into play, blasting this little gem into a tailspin with an life-altering culmination. Revealing the drama, tension, intrigue, danger, mounting suspense and unnerving situations along with a boatload of trouble while dodging calamity, you have one block busting adventure. A surging vortex of intimidating trials and challenging tribulations, noting the shocking twists and wicked turns, testing our characters in ways they could have never envisioned. Satisfaction is an understatement, this baby comes packing a punch that'll bring you to your knees, keeping you riveted on a razors edge. The characters are authentic and realistic with depth and qualities that transform into outstanding personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and descriptions creating a colorful backdrop that makes the storyline pop. Fantastic job Norfield, thanks for sharing this bad boy with us.
Let'r rip! Norfield brought out the heavy artillery, loaded for bear and throwing caution to the wind, melding this bad boy together sleek, shiny and tight. Unsettling circumstances and startling happenstance, propels those churning emotions into play, blasting this little gem into a tailspin with an life-altering culmination. Revealing the drama, tension, intrigue, danger, mounting suspense and unnerving situations along with a boatload of trouble while dodging calamity, you have one block busting adventure. A surging vortex of intimidating trials and challenging tribulations, noting the shocking twists and wicked turns, testing our characters in ways they could have never envisioned. Satisfaction is an understatement, this baby comes packing a punch that'll bring you to your knees, keeping you riveted on a razors edge. The characters are authentic and realistic with depth and qualities that transform into outstanding personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and descriptions creating a colorful backdrop that makes the storyline pop. Fantastic job Norfield, thanks for sharing this bad boy with us.
December 24, 2020
Good book, needs editing
Lots and lots of ridiculous errors, I would argue you haven't much respect for your readers!?
It is a story I'm enjoying and will continue to read.
I especially appreciate the values we see in the main characters, they're more than just the "good guy/gal," they're really good people.
Lots and lots of ridiculous errors, I would argue you haven't much respect for your readers!?
It is a story I'm enjoying and will continue to read.
I especially appreciate the values we see in the main characters, they're more than just the "good guy/gal," they're really good people.
April 28, 2026
The pace of the book was a bit slow but what really got me was the spelling and grammatical errors that just kicked you out of the world while reading
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews