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Alastair Stone Chronicles #24
Mortal Imperative
Old friends. Old enemies. Unspeakable evil.
Alastair Stone is surprised when a long-forgotten friend breaks his self-imposed silence to contact him. It seems that two other allies from his past have disappeared without a trace, and Stone's tracking magic might be the only way to find them.
Should be simple. Right?
But as Stone delves into the deepening mystery, he finds connections to unexpected old enemies, forbidden magic, and even Verity's group of San Francisco vigilantes.
Could it be possible that two of Stone's most powerful foes are working together - including one who's supposed to be dead? What, aside from their mutual hatred of Stone, could they possibly have in common?
To have any hope of uncovering the diabolical plan and saving the victims from a horrifying fate, Stone will need to rely on his friends for help.
But can all his power keep them safe?
Sometimes, dealing with mortality is far harder when it's not your own.
Alastair Stone is surprised when a long-forgotten friend breaks his self-imposed silence to contact him. It seems that two other allies from his past have disappeared without a trace, and Stone's tracking magic might be the only way to find them.
Should be simple. Right?
But as Stone delves into the deepening mystery, he finds connections to unexpected old enemies, forbidden magic, and even Verity's group of San Francisco vigilantes.
Could it be possible that two of Stone's most powerful foes are working together - including one who's supposed to be dead? What, aside from their mutual hatred of Stone, could they possibly have in common?
To have any hope of uncovering the diabolical plan and saving the victims from a horrifying fate, Stone will need to rely on his friends for help.
But can all his power keep them safe?
Sometimes, dealing with mortality is far harder when it's not your own.
- GenresUrban FantasyFantasy
439 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 14, 2020
139 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
R.L. King
70 books334 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 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 18, 2020
Magic!
This series is wonderful but each book is better than the one before it. New friends, old enemies, magic, ghouls, and love. What a story! Lots more to enjoy that you have to read to experience. So what are you waiting for? Read it!!
This series is wonderful but each book is better than the one before it. New friends, old enemies, magic, ghouls, and love. What a story! Lots more to enjoy that you have to read to experience. So what are you waiting for? Read it!!
March 19, 2026
I got so engrossed I finished it within the day 🤩
January 1, 2021
Awesome!
Another great stone novel..love this series so much! read them all..you will be hooked! She is one of my favorite authors!
Another great stone novel..love this series so much! read them all..you will be hooked! She is one of my favorite authors!
December 30, 2020
This story did not hold my interest. The beginning was promising, opening with another strange problem for Alastair to solve, but the path to getting to the solution was slow and boring as Alastair popped around via his new travel ability to meet with friends, getting them involved in the problem, and having long conversations with them, sometimes repeating things said in other conversations. Then there is an annoyingly obvious answer to part of the problem which the sharp minded, quick thinking, extremely strong mage, Dr Stone can not put together until the very last, while in the heat of battle. He seems to do that a lot.
The main character, Alastair Stone, and the supporting characters all have interesting characteristics with their own problems which are taking too long to become a focus in the storyline which would give an additional plot line and make the storyline more complicated and more interesting.
The main character, Alastair Stone, and the supporting characters all have interesting characteristics with their own problems which are taking too long to become a focus in the storyline which would give an additional plot line and make the storyline more complicated and more interesting.
December 19, 2020
Mortal Imperative
Stone uncovers a sinister mystery. The plot sneaks up on you and one night you keep reading until the wee hours because you must find out how it turns out. It is usual ensemble plus a few new faces , a few old villains, and Raider of course. I especially enjoyed the growth of some of the characters and the clues and tidbits that drive the story. Thoughtfully written and very enjoyable to read.
Stone uncovers a sinister mystery. The plot sneaks up on you and one night you keep reading until the wee hours because you must find out how it turns out. It is usual ensemble plus a few new faces , a few old villains, and Raider of course. I especially enjoyed the growth of some of the characters and the clues and tidbits that drive the story. Thoughtfully written and very enjoyable to read.
January 9, 2021
Awesome story
This story took people from other stories and gave us one that took off from the first pages. I would totally tell you that reading this one after the others, so you get the significance of the situations in this story.
I'm loving getting into the characters more, it's making them more complete. This is a great addition to the saga of Alistair Stone that we've come to love!
This story took people from other stories and gave us one that took off from the first pages. I would totally tell you that reading this one after the others, so you get the significance of the situations in this story.
I'm loving getting into the characters more, it's making them more complete. This is a great addition to the saga of Alistair Stone that we've come to love!
December 21, 2020
To tell the truth
You write a hell of a good book, Mr Stine. I've read the entire Alistair Stone series and have been seriously entertained by them. You manage to avoid nasty sex bit, foul language, and using the Lord's name as an exclamation. I will ever be a fan. Hope you don't run out of adventures for Al. Thank you
You write a hell of a good book, Mr Stine. I've read the entire Alistair Stone series and have been seriously entertained by them. You manage to avoid nasty sex bit, foul language, and using the Lord's name as an exclamation. I will ever be a fan. Hope you don't run out of adventures for Al. Thank you
December 22, 2020
It keeps getting better!
I love, love, love Alastair Stone and his amazing crew of friends. Stone is a slightly crusty Brit with a huge amount of empathy for those who need his help. In this installment, Stone steps in to help some friends with a slightly questionable lifestyle. Nevertheless, he puts his life on the line to save them. Another fun Stone. Can't wait for the next!
I love, love, love Alastair Stone and his amazing crew of friends. Stone is a slightly crusty Brit with a huge amount of empathy for those who need his help. In this installment, Stone steps in to help some friends with a slightly questionable lifestyle. Nevertheless, he puts his life on the line to save them. Another fun Stone. Can't wait for the next!
February 16, 2022
Good but a litter gory
I know a number of books are gory in this series but I especially did not like reading about ghouls that ate human flesh. I did like all the characters and friends coming together to overcome the bad guys. I look forward to the next book but I hope the subject matter is better
I know a number of books are gory in this series but I especially did not like reading about ghouls that ate human flesh. I did like all the characters and friends coming together to overcome the bad guys. I look forward to the next book but I hope the subject matter is better
January 11, 2021
Stone is getting better at teamwork
When ghouls that he met in an earlier book start to disappear, they lead Stone to a much bigger problem than he expected. He gets the whole gang together to go after an old enemy.
When ghouls that he met in an earlier book start to disappear, they lead Stone to a much bigger problem than he expected. He gets the whole gang together to go after an old enemy.
January 20, 2021
Love the twists and turns
Love that you can never guess how these end or even the middle, read them all so far and still looking forward to reading the next one. Hurry up spring 2021.
Love that you can never guess how these end or even the middle, read them all so far and still looking forward to reading the next one. Hurry up spring 2021.
May 24, 2021
Ghouls are disappearing, when a ghoul friend of Stone's ask his help in locating one of them. A simple task turns out to be not so simple, as the locating ritual only gets him so far. Then more folks start disappearing, & things get more complicated. Another good book by King.
February 1, 2023
Oh, the past
Great little read. Evils from the past return. Old friends return as well. And a personal thank you for touching on a couple of thinks that I haven't seen many authors address, one more so than the other.
Great little read. Evils from the past return. Old friends return as well. And a personal thank you for touching on a couple of thinks that I haven't seen many authors address, one more so than the other.
May 24, 2023
I didn’t expect the diagnosis that Aubrey shared
However I had a sneaking suspicion about this coming up when I read that his hands were shaking.
See, I have the same diagnosis.
I’m glad that he has Stone in his corner, as well as Susan.
However I had a sneaking suspicion about this coming up when I read that his hands were shaking.
See, I have the same diagnosis.
I’m glad that he has Stone in his corner, as well as Susan.
December 18, 2020
Another great story. Old friends and old enemies, all together again.
December 20, 2020
Great
Nothing to see here, just another great chapter in the story of Alistair Stone and his posse! Some new characters, the return of some others, well done as always!
Nothing to see here, just another great chapter in the story of Alistair Stone and his posse! Some new characters, the return of some others, well done as always!
December 23, 2020
Really enjoyed this book!
December 28, 2020
Absolutely love this series of books!
December 29, 2020
Another rock-solid Stone book
Its hard to come up with different things to say when reviewing these books and if you have made it this far you already know how fantastic this series is. So, stop reading my review and start reading this amazing book.
Its hard to come up with different things to say when reviewing these books and if you have made it this far you already know how fantastic this series is. So, stop reading my review and start reading this amazing book.
December 30, 2020
Brilliant!
As with all of the books in the series, this one was great. Great story, great characters and interesting situations. I'm looking forward to the next one. When you read them, be sure to read them in order.
As with all of the books in the series, this one was great. Great story, great characters and interesting situations. I'm looking forward to the next one. When you read them, be sure to read them in order.
December 31, 2020
Another fabulous book in the Alistair Stone series!!
December 31, 2020
Great
Another great book in the Alastair Stone saga. Brilliantly written and conceived. I can't wait to read the next story.
Another great book in the Alastair Stone saga. Brilliantly written and conceived. I can't wait to read the next story.
January 8, 2021
Great story
Mrs King wove another great take for Alastair and his friends. It had me staying up to late to read more.
Mrs King wove another great take for Alastair and his friends. It had me staying up to late to read more.
May 31, 2021
As usual R.L. King did not disappoint! Looking forward to the next Alastair Stone book.
June 16, 2021
A great read
Honestly, I wait for three or so of these to be published because I mow through them like candy. I love these books and can't get enough.
Honestly, I wait for three or so of these to be published because I mow through them like candy. I love these books and can't get enough.
June 19, 2021
Another great read!
I can't say enough good things about this entire series. Great characters and plots with plenty of magic and mayhem. What more could you want?
I can't say enough good things about this entire series. Great characters and plots with plenty of magic and mayhem. What more could you want?
August 30, 2021
Such a great book
Fantastic addition to the series. I love the reintroduction to a character I had all but forgotten about. Very interested in seeing this continue to unfold.
Fantastic addition to the series. I love the reintroduction to a character I had all but forgotten about. Very interested in seeing this continue to unfold.
November 27, 2021
Verify and Stone belong together!
I want Stone and Verity together! Enough with the friend zone, they belong together. Otherwise, more Ian and Aubry. Thanks
I want Stone and Verity together! Enough with the friend zone, they belong together. Otherwise, more Ian and Aubry. Thanks
February 27, 2021
Another awesome book.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews