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The Stone of Death
At the formation of the world, the Primordial Stones captured within them the essence of everything. Light, dark, life, death; the Stones contain the fabric of existence and have passed into myth, lost for eons.
Until a map finds its way into the hands of four strangers forced to take shelter in an inn from a freak storm. A displaced mercenary returning home empty-handed, a young crippled Magus fresh from the Academy, an itinerant priest of the Lightbringer, and a mysterious woman find themselves in a race against two opposing groups seeking the Stone of Death.
The unlikely heroes must overcome their mistrust and their limited skills to stay ahead of the adherents of the God of Death. The followers seek the Stone to bring about the end of all life by creating an army of the dead. Opposing them is the mysterious secret society called the Order of Valanis. They seek the Stone for their own inscrutable ends. The race takes them to great cities, over mountains, through the desert and across the seas to locate the hidden temple of a forgotten people where the Stone has rested undisturbed for over seven thousand years. And once they get there, they have the undead guardians of the temple to deal with.
But none of this is the most pressing issue. The problem is, if the heroes win the race and secure the Stone of Death, what will they do with it?
Until a map finds its way into the hands of four strangers forced to take shelter in an inn from a freak storm. A displaced mercenary returning home empty-handed, a young crippled Magus fresh from the Academy, an itinerant priest of the Lightbringer, and a mysterious woman find themselves in a race against two opposing groups seeking the Stone of Death.
The unlikely heroes must overcome their mistrust and their limited skills to stay ahead of the adherents of the God of Death. The followers seek the Stone to bring about the end of all life by creating an army of the dead. Opposing them is the mysterious secret society called the Order of Valanis. They seek the Stone for their own inscrutable ends. The race takes them to great cities, over mountains, through the desert and across the seas to locate the hidden temple of a forgotten people where the Stone has rested undisturbed for over seven thousand years. And once they get there, they have the undead guardians of the temple to deal with.
But none of this is the most pressing issue. The problem is, if the heroes win the race and secure the Stone of Death, what will they do with it?
311 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2020
7 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Troy Young
8 books10 followersTroy has been many things in his career. Shoe salesman, waiter, newspaper owner, children's performer, actor, elected official, policy advisor, CEO and university lecturer. Now he wants to try his hand at writing.
His first attempt at writing is a novel called Florida Man (Now changed to The (Extra)ordinary Life of Jimmie Mayfield). The genesis for Jimmie Mayfield came while going for a walk in Placida, Florida where his parents have a winter home. While he navigates the waters of seeking a publisher for that series of books, he is writing short stories and working on a fantasy series, The Companions of the Stone, the first book, The Stone of Death, is now available. The short stories are available as a compilation called The Other, and is a modern day cosmic horror series inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft.
When not exploring Florida, Troy lives in Toronto with his wife, daughter and dog.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 13, 2020
I like quest based fantasy. I also LOVE when groups of disparate strangers forced to work together for a common goal. Stone of Death makes clear from the very beginning that it was going to scratch both of those itches for me!
It reminded me a little of LOTR –obviously, what epic fantasy doesn't owe a debt to Tolkein? But more strongly, it brought back memories of the Dragonlance novels of my childhood, except that it had more interesting – and relatable - characters. I look forward to the next installment...
It reminded me a little of LOTR –obviously, what epic fantasy doesn't owe a debt to Tolkein? But more strongly, it brought back memories of the Dragonlance novels of my childhood, except that it had more interesting – and relatable - characters. I look forward to the next installment...
November 24, 2021
An Epic Campaign Written with Wit and Experience
Falling somewhere on the fantasy spectrum between LOTR and Monty Python and the Holy Grail, The Stone of Death reads like a group of adventures with good intentions and mixed dice rolls. There is a level of personal experience written into the training montages that give the characters a sense of realism, even as magic and fantasy swirl around them. Whether a fan of a good fantasy, an avid player of RPGs, or just looking for novel that is as epic as it is witty, I cannot recommend this novel enough.
Falling somewhere on the fantasy spectrum between LOTR and Monty Python and the Holy Grail, The Stone of Death reads like a group of adventures with good intentions and mixed dice rolls. There is a level of personal experience written into the training montages that give the characters a sense of realism, even as magic and fantasy swirl around them. Whether a fan of a good fantasy, an avid player of RPGs, or just looking for novel that is as epic as it is witty, I cannot recommend this novel enough.
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September 24, 2021Magical fantasy Adventure
A real page turner with well developed characters who become a company who blend together over the course of this grand escapade!
You will love Mysterium and Tansy as they set off to find an object that endangers the world.
Looking forward to more adventures with these engrossing characters!
A real page turner with well developed characters who become a company who blend together over the course of this grand escapade!
You will love Mysterium and Tansy as they set off to find an object that endangers the world.
Looking forward to more adventures with these engrossing characters!
February 6, 2024
The Stone of Death
A cracking fantasy from the mind of Troy Young. Four mismatched companions set out following a map that purportedly leads to a treasure lost for seven thousand years, however this is only the beginning as they endure trials and privations in their attempt to find the legendary Stone of Death capable of destroying the very world.
Filled with high adventure, determined fanatical adversaries, exotic locations and perilous times this is the first book in The Companions of the Stone.
A cracking fantasy from the mind of Troy Young. Four mismatched companions set out following a map that purportedly leads to a treasure lost for seven thousand years, however this is only the beginning as they endure trials and privations in their attempt to find the legendary Stone of Death capable of destroying the very world.
Filled with high adventure, determined fanatical adversaries, exotic locations and perilous times this is the first book in The Companions of the Stone.
June 10, 2022
good start
This is a good introduction to a new series. I definitely enjoyed the book but I would have loved it with a few changes. The Stone of Death needs a little more complexity both in the plot and characters. The author’s descriptive detail definitely improved towards the end and the plot twist at the end was wonderful!
This is a good introduction to a new series. I definitely enjoyed the book but I would have loved it with a few changes. The Stone of Death needs a little more complexity both in the plot and characters. The author’s descriptive detail definitely improved towards the end and the plot twist at the end was wonderful!
April 10, 2024
A quest with 4 individuals with different skills. Kal an ex-mercenary, Mysterium a magus, Odero a priest, and Tansy a member of the mysterious Order of Valanis. They need to find the Stone of Death before the fanatical Necrisites acquire it. Good adventure, too bad the planned sequel never got written. I would have bought that story.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews