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Tales of the Wanderer #2
Stone Heart
AN EXILED NOBLE. A DEADLY HOMECOMING.
Mag has crossed the Greatrocks into Dorsea, and already tales of her exploits have begun to spread. Servants of the Necromancer flee at even the rumor of her approach, and those who dare to stand before her meet a swift end at the tip of her spear.
But her quest for vengeance will take her, as well as Albern, to the farthest reaches of the outland kingdom of Calentin. There, ways and customs are strange—and creatures of immense size and power dwell within a day’s march of humanity’s cities.
Upon the highest peaks, Mag’s quest will pit her against the rock trolls who threaten Underrealm’s northern borders. But what good will her skill at arms do her, when no blade can pierce the skin of a troll?
- GenresFantasy
485 pages, Hardcover
First published November 9, 2018
28 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 23, 2018
Robinson explores the implications of shape-shifting magic on gender while also providing a fantasy tale packed with both action and politics.
This is the second volume in the Tales of the Wanderer. There may be spoilers ahead.
After listening to Albern’s tale and helping him foil a vampire attack, Sun has chosen to leave the comfort and status of her family’s caravan to journey at his side. However, as before, he refuses to provide either details of their goal is or the answers to her other questions. Instead, he shares a tale of Mag’s pursuit of the weremage that killed her lover, and the war with rock trolls into which that pursuit lead her.
As with the previous volume, this book switches back and forth between current events and the tale within a tale. Without the need for the initial set-up that occurs in the first volume, the current arc has more room to show action, creating a greater sense of balance between the two tales.
While, like all tales within a tales and other reports after the event, the existence of old Albern removes any tension over the survival in reasonable fitness of young Albern, and Mag’s fame does much the same for her, Robinson skilfully avoids the distancing effect this can often produce by providing challenges to their emotional well-being and by threatening the lives of sympathetic secondary characters. As such, Mag’s continued search for her foe displays an equal level of significant doubt over outcomes as a contemporaneous narrative.
Robinson’s choices of foes are equally tension-sustaining: his variation of trolls are possessed of the nigh-impenetrable flesh of the traditional troll but also of a high intelligence, making the war as much mental as physical. Therefore, Mag’s superlative prowess with a blade is of little use in defeating trolls. In parallel with this challenge, the human courts through which the weremage has potentially fled are rife with secrets, further constraining Mag’s advantages behind a web of politics and deceit.
Ironically, it is this focus on characters reacting to events over exposition that might provide an obstacle to some readers. While many of the Underrealm books make passing reference to the general acceptance of diversity and the way that magic plays its part in that, LGBTQ issues form one of the core threads of this book; therefore, while readers very familiar with the world might welcome sight of how these situations work in reality, those who do not recall specifics might find themselves confused by the characters’ use of certain—ubiquitous to them—terms without much supporting context.
Sun continues to be a sympathetic protagonist. While her upbringing has not prepared her for the hardships of life on the road, she strives to cope and learn, making her naïvety an obstacle to success without it also becoming a source of entitlement-fuelled complaint.
Both Alberns are similarly flawed yet likeable. With Mag’s pursuit taking them toward Albern’s birth place, his childhood naïvety and discontent are revealed, creating a picture of a young man fighting to right genuine wrongs while oblivious to his own imperfection, a man in his prime still burdened by those events, and a mature man accepting of his own part in the issues.
The supporting cast, both new and returning all display a plausible mix of stereotypical behaviours and unique nuances. As such, events feel inspired by ongoing interactions rather than plot-convenience, and the new areas of Underrealm featured in this book feel both fresh and accessible.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel greatly. I recommend it to readers seeking fast-paced fantasy that explores the implications of a different society while remaining grounded in common humanity.
I received a free copy from the publisher with a request for a fair review.
This is the second volume in the Tales of the Wanderer. There may be spoilers ahead.
After listening to Albern’s tale and helping him foil a vampire attack, Sun has chosen to leave the comfort and status of her family’s caravan to journey at his side. However, as before, he refuses to provide either details of their goal is or the answers to her other questions. Instead, he shares a tale of Mag’s pursuit of the weremage that killed her lover, and the war with rock trolls into which that pursuit lead her.
As with the previous volume, this book switches back and forth between current events and the tale within a tale. Without the need for the initial set-up that occurs in the first volume, the current arc has more room to show action, creating a greater sense of balance between the two tales.
While, like all tales within a tales and other reports after the event, the existence of old Albern removes any tension over the survival in reasonable fitness of young Albern, and Mag’s fame does much the same for her, Robinson skilfully avoids the distancing effect this can often produce by providing challenges to their emotional well-being and by threatening the lives of sympathetic secondary characters. As such, Mag’s continued search for her foe displays an equal level of significant doubt over outcomes as a contemporaneous narrative.
Robinson’s choices of foes are equally tension-sustaining: his variation of trolls are possessed of the nigh-impenetrable flesh of the traditional troll but also of a high intelligence, making the war as much mental as physical. Therefore, Mag’s superlative prowess with a blade is of little use in defeating trolls. In parallel with this challenge, the human courts through which the weremage has potentially fled are rife with secrets, further constraining Mag’s advantages behind a web of politics and deceit.
Ironically, it is this focus on characters reacting to events over exposition that might provide an obstacle to some readers. While many of the Underrealm books make passing reference to the general acceptance of diversity and the way that magic plays its part in that, LGBTQ issues form one of the core threads of this book; therefore, while readers very familiar with the world might welcome sight of how these situations work in reality, those who do not recall specifics might find themselves confused by the characters’ use of certain—ubiquitous to them—terms without much supporting context.
Sun continues to be a sympathetic protagonist. While her upbringing has not prepared her for the hardships of life on the road, she strives to cope and learn, making her naïvety an obstacle to success without it also becoming a source of entitlement-fuelled complaint.
Both Alberns are similarly flawed yet likeable. With Mag’s pursuit taking them toward Albern’s birth place, his childhood naïvety and discontent are revealed, creating a picture of a young man fighting to right genuine wrongs while oblivious to his own imperfection, a man in his prime still burdened by those events, and a mature man accepting of his own part in the issues.
The supporting cast, both new and returning all display a plausible mix of stereotypical behaviours and unique nuances. As such, events feel inspired by ongoing interactions rather than plot-convenience, and the new areas of Underrealm featured in this book feel both fresh and accessible.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel greatly. I recommend it to readers seeking fast-paced fantasy that explores the implications of a different society while remaining grounded in common humanity.
I received a free copy from the publisher with a request for a fair review.
September 2, 2025
Mag, the famed exiled noble and warrior known as the “Uncut Lady,” crosses the Greatrocks into the land of Dorsea. Her reputation precedes her—servants of the Necromancer flee when her name is spoken, and anyone foolish enough to face her falls swiftly to her spear. Albern, Mag’s long-time companion, joins her on her grim quest for vengeance. Together, they set out into the remote outland kingdom of Calentin, a place filled with unfamiliar cultures and formidable threats
he and Mag are pursuing a Weremage who killed Mag’s husband, triggering their journey into these far reaches. They track clues to Calentin, moving through dangerous terrain and confronting unexpected magical and familial entanglements.
Mag and Albern confront the trolls in a dramatic showdown on the northern peaks. Their martial skill clashes with brute magical resistance. Albern faces a reckoning with his past—his return to Calentin forces him to redefine who he is versus who he once was
he and Mag are pursuing a Weremage who killed Mag’s husband, triggering their journey into these far reaches. They track clues to Calentin, moving through dangerous terrain and confronting unexpected magical and familial entanglements.
Mag and Albern confront the trolls in a dramatic showdown on the northern peaks. Their martial skill clashes with brute magical resistance. Albern faces a reckoning with his past—his return to Calentin forces him to redefine who he is versus who he once was
February 15, 2020
Continuing to follow the chronological reading order of the books of Underrealm, I’ve come to Stone Heart by Garrett Robinson, the second book in the Tales of the Wanderer series (which is itself part of the larger, overall timeline of the world of Underrealm).
Blood Lust—the first in this series—closed with Sun accepting Albern’s offer to join him on his adventures. In this volume, they journey forth, and Albern tells Sun the story of how he and Mag continued to track the Weremage responsible for the death of Mag’s husband. Weremage trail leads them into Calentin—a land of giant, violent trolls, and worse: Albern’s powerful yet estranged family. Mag and Albern must face their grandest threats yet, and this time it’s personal for Albern too.
Like in the first novel, this story has a narrative issue that it must overcome: how to you create tension when you have the Uncut Lady on your team? Robinson gives Mag and Albern a physical challenge that Mag can not simply cut through: the trolls. And then, to top it off, he gives Albern a personal confrontation that can’t resolve physically—facing the powerful family that he left behind so many years prior.
I’ve read several reviews about Robinson’s novels that criticize the author for having a story that features a trans character. For a few of you, that may be an issue. For me, it’s not. In fact, I thought it was really cool. It’s rare (especially in fantasy) that I read something like this, and the fact that it’s baked into the worldbuilding makes it all the more interesting. In this story, we talk about how this character became who he is—something that has not been a focus in the three books he has appeared in prior to this. This is also refreshing. The author didn’t feel the need to explain the character until the right moment. In fact, it’s possible you didn’t know he was trans until this very novel.
And this was the right moment because we have a story—in a world that features more than one character with a troubled home—where we explore how a person can heal and rebuild familial relationships. There is a reckoning in this story, and it can be cathartic if you’ve ever experienced fission in your family, especially when it comes to matters of identity.
Save for reasons of religious or cultural objection to a trans character, I have very little reason not to recommend Stone Heart. And even as I reserve the recommendation from those with objections, I recommend that you read widely and experience new ideas and perspectives so you can learn from them and grow as a person. Give this story a shot!
*Full Disclosure — I work for the publisher, but I wasn't paid to review this book. While this is an honest review, I was involved in the production of the audiobook, and I receive a small royalty for purchases of the audiobook version*
Blood Lust—the first in this series—closed with Sun accepting Albern’s offer to join him on his adventures. In this volume, they journey forth, and Albern tells Sun the story of how he and Mag continued to track the Weremage responsible for the death of Mag’s husband. Weremage trail leads them into Calentin—a land of giant, violent trolls, and worse: Albern’s powerful yet estranged family. Mag and Albern must face their grandest threats yet, and this time it’s personal for Albern too.
Like in the first novel, this story has a narrative issue that it must overcome: how to you create tension when you have the Uncut Lady on your team? Robinson gives Mag and Albern a physical challenge that Mag can not simply cut through: the trolls. And then, to top it off, he gives Albern a personal confrontation that can’t resolve physically—facing the powerful family that he left behind so many years prior.
I’ve read several reviews about Robinson’s novels that criticize the author for having a story that features a trans character. For a few of you, that may be an issue. For me, it’s not. In fact, I thought it was really cool. It’s rare (especially in fantasy) that I read something like this, and the fact that it’s baked into the worldbuilding makes it all the more interesting. In this story, we talk about how this character became who he is—something that has not been a focus in the three books he has appeared in prior to this. This is also refreshing. The author didn’t feel the need to explain the character until the right moment. In fact, it’s possible you didn’t know he was trans until this very novel.
And this was the right moment because we have a story—in a world that features more than one character with a troubled home—where we explore how a person can heal and rebuild familial relationships. There is a reckoning in this story, and it can be cathartic if you’ve ever experienced fission in your family, especially when it comes to matters of identity.
Save for reasons of religious or cultural objection to a trans character, I have very little reason not to recommend Stone Heart. And even as I reserve the recommendation from those with objections, I recommend that you read widely and experience new ideas and perspectives so you can learn from them and grow as a person. Give this story a shot!
*Full Disclosure — I work for the publisher, but I wasn't paid to review this book. While this is an honest review, I was involved in the production of the audiobook, and I receive a small royalty for purchases of the audiobook version*
December 8, 2018
Another 2 in 1 story.
Another underrealm book finished and nothing to go to. What a bummer. I can't wait for the next one.
I am loving the tales of the wanderer series it shows not only a new story in the making but also so much Rich history about underrealm. We know there is so much more to tell about Lauren and the academy and we wait anxiously for it in the meantime we get to hear a lot of the back story about what has happened in the past or in this case in the future.
Well done!
Another underrealm book finished and nothing to go to. What a bummer. I can't wait for the next one.
I am loving the tales of the wanderer series it shows not only a new story in the making but also so much Rich history about underrealm. We know there is so much more to tell about Lauren and the academy and we wait anxiously for it in the meantime we get to hear a lot of the back story about what has happened in the past or in this case in the future.
Well done!
November 24, 2018
Wow wow! Surprise surprise! Quite a few of them~ I'm not telling~ I don't do
spoilers! This was another wonderful book in the series! Can't wait for the next one~.. Make sure
you page all the way through after you have read this book.. There is another
surprise waiting at the very back end of this book!
spoilers! This was another wonderful book in the series! Can't wait for the next one~.. Make sure
you page all the way through after you have read this book.. There is another
surprise waiting at the very back end of this book!
December 5, 2018
A spellbinding continuation to the saga of Sun and Albern! I didn’t not want to put the book down to do stuff I needed to do! Truly phenomenal!
October 21, 2019
Probably my favorite by Robinson so far.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews