What do you think?
Rate this book
The Price of Magic #3
The Stars Beyond the Stone
The Scions roam free, and only the sorceress can hunt them…
After the battle with storm god Molech Suun, a city is in ruins and a new Archmage holds the Syndicate’s leash.
But while Gwyn has accepted her fate – to hunt down and destroy the remaining Scions – her loyalty is still to her old master Faolan, held captive by a cunning necromancer.
Saving Faolan means leaving the wizards and the Clockwork City behind.
With the shapeshifter Lucian at her side, Gwyn embarks on a dangerous journey across the sea, to lands where pirate kings rule and wild magic sings.
But sorceresses are heir to a dark legacy of blood – and Gwyn soon finds that she’s the one being hunted.
The Scions want her dead, and a new enemy sends threats and warnings that can’t be ignored.
As Gwyn struggles to balance her desires and her destiny, she finds herself unprepared for what awaits her beyond the city walls.
And far to the south, amid the ashes of a fallen kingdom, a familiar foe is setting deadly plans in motion…
The Stars Beyond the Stone is the dazzling third instalment in Bonnie Wynne’s epic fantasy saga, The Price of Magic.
After the battle with storm god Molech Suun, a city is in ruins and a new Archmage holds the Syndicate’s leash.
But while Gwyn has accepted her fate – to hunt down and destroy the remaining Scions – her loyalty is still to her old master Faolan, held captive by a cunning necromancer.
Saving Faolan means leaving the wizards and the Clockwork City behind.
With the shapeshifter Lucian at her side, Gwyn embarks on a dangerous journey across the sea, to lands where pirate kings rule and wild magic sings.
But sorceresses are heir to a dark legacy of blood – and Gwyn soon finds that she’s the one being hunted.
The Scions want her dead, and a new enemy sends threats and warnings that can’t be ignored.
As Gwyn struggles to balance her desires and her destiny, she finds herself unprepared for what awaits her beyond the city walls.
And far to the south, amid the ashes of a fallen kingdom, a familiar foe is setting deadly plans in motion…
The Stars Beyond the Stone is the dazzling third instalment in Bonnie Wynne’s epic fantasy saga, The Price of Magic.
432 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 16, 2021
55 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 17, 2021
In my unbiased opinion, this is the greatest book of all time.
September 12, 2021
I want to thank Talem Press for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Right off the bat, I must say that I love the power that this whole story gives off, it's powerful and mysterious in the best way, because despite perhaps not feeling 100% hooked by the characters in this new stage of their journey, the plot gets all my respects, as I feel that it has risen to another level of good compared to the previous books. It takes us on a more than dramatic quest, full of dangers and challenging situations that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I thought this was the final conclusion, but now I know it's not, there will indeed be at least one more book and I'm pleased with that because there are several situations yet to be resolved.
3.5 ⭐⭐⭐💫
You can find more of my reviews & fun content on my blog A Book. A Thought.
As this is the third book in a series, I can't give too many details of what's currently going on with the plot and characters as it would be too much of a spoiler at this point. However, I can share with you that the characters will embark on a journey away from the Clockwork City to rescue an old ally and along the way, they'll have to face great obstacles that will challenge everything they thought they knew and they were.
I feel the first book of this series will continue to be my favorite of the saga, there's something in that book that makes me feel nostalgic and I always remember it fondly, plus, there's something magical and exciting in meeting the characters and the story for the first time. Even so, this third book isn't bad at all, in fact, I liked it a lot, and manages to give us epic scenes with a great and more extensive exploration of the world, which is something that I was certainly looking forward to, as it was something that was needed to give more depth to the story itself, and I wasn't disappointed at all.
I also feel it's a book that serves as a bridge for what's to come. For a moment I thought it was the final book and although I was a bit confused, I accepted my fate lol, but then I realized that no, this is going to be a saga so I'm relieved because I feel that there's still a lot of potential in different aspects, especially with regard to the mysterious magical issues that remain to be solved. But well, as I said, this book feels at times like a filler book, even so, I don't think it's a less important book or it will go unnoticed within this epic story. I'm very pleased with the journey the plot takes us on and the twists and turns it takes are more than interesting and intriguing. Not only do we see the characters facing a very dark and dangerous world where there are many new and mysterious things for them, but we also meet new characters that could have a great weight in the future, and I'm not talking exactly about hero type of characters.
The possibility of another new type of danger besides the ones we already know intrigues me a lot, and I would love to see that more developed in the future, although I think this book was very well put together in terms of pacing, important points, revelation, and closings, I still think there are bridges that can be reopened for us to explore a little more. The magic is very urban, I've mentioned this in my previous reviews, because despite this being a 100% fantasy book, it feels a lot like reading an urban paranormal story at times, especially because of the characters. This can be a good thing as well as a bad thing, for me, it's a positive point because it makes the story feel more familiar while you read it and it's also easier to carry and enjoyable, but this will always depend on your personal tastes because at times it can be a little dense and a little demanding.
The characters, as always, are really good, but I'm feeling that this time the protagonist was the plot itself, the author's style, and above all the world itself. The characters are being a little erratic for my taste, and I think that some of them have lost their essence, which I could recognize in them during the first book, this is clearly due to the evolution of each one, which has almost forced them to grow and change. Is it something negative? Absolutely not, but there's something that has been lost in them that makes my focus be elsewhere this time. Even so, I still love Gwyn as a character, and I'll always be on her side waiting for her to find her much deserved a happy ending, this girl has been through a lot and she deserves a break.
As I've also mentioned in my previous reviews one of the things that got me from the beginning with this story is the atmosphere, and how dark you feel while reading it. Regardless of the setting or even when there's a bit of humor, you never lose that tension and danger sensation. I don't know how to explain it exactly in words, but as you read what's going on with the characters and go through different landscapes and situations with them, you can even feel as invested in the objectives as they are, and that's great, it has that kind of atmosphere that just knows how to wrap you in and make you feel a part of it all. It's dark, without a doubt, and has some breathtaking situations, but that's part of the experience, so if you like your fantasy a little more intense, I think you'll love this series.
To finish, without a doubt, I must praise the author and her incredible writing style, which gets better and better with each book. I already liked the first one because I feel her style is relaxed at times, but somehow also intense and dark at others, but most of all, I like it because it's easy to read and I know this sounds super cliche and maybe you've heard it a thousand times, but it's a breath of fresh air when you read a fantasy author who has the ability to make a plot like this with so much emotional weight and power, it felt almost light to read. And this isn't a short book, we're talking about a book of almost 600 pages, so the fact that you can read it without worrying about being overwhelmed or feeling like you're going to stagnate and not be able to continue is always a positive thing. It's a book that flows very well and is set up to have high and low moments that will keep you wanting to know what will happen.
I'm more than happy to bring you a new review of this saga, I think it's a great fantasy story that will take you to travel through places both dangerous and beautiful, it will leave you moments of reflection, it will surprise you with its dark style, but even more with the light touch of the author, and you'll simply love the characters, I had a great time with this book as much as I've had with the previous ones, and I'm excited to know what will happen in the future with this story because really anything could happen. I also highly recommend it if you like stories about the family we choose, about quests, and a lot of blood magic that you can't get enough of, it's very well created. If you have the chance to support the author, don't hesitate, she deserves it!
Don't forget to go check my previous reviews so you can understand a little more of what I talk about here, I always try to do everything without spoilers, but for that, I have to leave a lot out, so I think you'll understand better having read the previous reviews, and why not... take a look at the book, it's worth it!
First Thoughts 09/10/21
A solid conclusion to a fantastic and intriguing story. I had a great time reading this book, it wasn't one of my favorites within the series, but it was good, and I'm excited to tell you more about the story in my review in a few days.
August 28, 2021
My least favorite installment so far. Alot of ground was re tread and this felt more like a bridge book than a stand alone story. I was expecting several things that came up in previous books to be addressed but they weren't, notably:
- what is Alcides deal
- whose memories does she have
- how is a sorceress dead/buried for decades already at full strength when a sorceress who can access a types of magic is far less powerful? How did she find the dragons? It seems to all have happened super quickly
Spoilers below bc I had alot of feelings about this book:
Also is Lucian even helpful? Dude gets hurt and captured ALOT! Why didn't Gwyn tell him that she was wearing the blood of a guy who legit killed her with a sword through the back?! Bc all the "yeah fine I know you had to do what you had to do" but like...his people straight up murdered her. How is that not relevant! They were fine with killing her and removing vim from the world so it's a little lame to be self righteous about then losing his abilities. Which also he made a decision for a race of people for a long lost love and then tried to guilt her about it. And why does Gwyn keep trusting these clearly unstable power hungry lunatics and is all "she lied to me!" Like duh child. She slaughtered civilizations. The ending is confusing bc that suggests that the shifters should still be able to shift.
Why are all of her family members terrible? The flashback suggests far more about Idris than anything noble. How old are all these people? Where's her old caretaker? He's not showed up since Book 1. Can't she give him his power back?
- what is Alcides deal
- whose memories does she have
- how is a sorceress dead/buried for decades already at full strength when a sorceress who can access a types of magic is far less powerful? How did she find the dragons? It seems to all have happened super quickly
Spoilers below bc I had alot of feelings about this book:
Also is Lucian even helpful? Dude gets hurt and captured ALOT! Why didn't Gwyn tell him that she was wearing the blood of a guy who legit killed her with a sword through the back?! Bc all the "yeah fine I know you had to do what you had to do" but like...his people straight up murdered her. How is that not relevant! They were fine with killing her and removing vim from the world so it's a little lame to be self righteous about then losing his abilities. Which also he made a decision for a race of people for a long lost love and then tried to guilt her about it. And why does Gwyn keep trusting these clearly unstable power hungry lunatics and is all "she lied to me!" Like duh child. She slaughtered civilizations. The ending is confusing bc that suggests that the shifters should still be able to shift.
Why are all of her family members terrible? The flashback suggests far more about Idris than anything noble. How old are all these people? Where's her old caretaker? He's not showed up since Book 1. Can't she give him his power back?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2024
I'm not crying, you're crying. This part three built on everything that came before it, sunk it in Pirates of The Caribbean, then blew it to smithereens with cannons full of subterranean Scottish shapeshifters.
I know, I know, there are things that bothered me still - namely character relationships and a few things that seemed overly easy to achieve - but hot dang I can't believe we've got to wait for the next part to be released to find out where this crazy twisted festival of YA themes turned dark goes next (unless you're in the future in which case why have you not started book 4 yet?!)
Spoilerishness for previous books incoming
In this episode, after the whole Clockwork City/Molech Lord of Thunder debacle, Gwyn can't rest or even can't think about saving the world when her mentor Faolan might still be out there. Her path to find him leads her to islands of pirates, rebels and necromancers. Dark magics are afoot, but so are ancient ones that only Gwyn's powers can unlock if only she can puzzle out who to trust. It doesn't help that the Scions are still out there, mustering their forces. She begins to suspect one place in particular may harbour one of these so-called gods, but it's one place she cannot go. Not without the help of one person in particular who has grown dear to her heart. For only Lucian, exiled from his homeland, can lead her safely back to the shifter's caves...
Can I start by saying that the writing here is on point. It is addictive and compelling and just - urgh - it makes it so hard to stop when another chapter beckons. The writing has always been a strength of this series, but it's growing in power by the book and this one is no exception. The tone and style is a lot more like the first book, as there's more travelling the world and fighting fantastical battles.
I'm starting to come to think of Gwyn as one of those slightly unlikeable characters, but not in any problematic way. We come to know how twisted up her emotional state it and perhaps how understandable her remoteness is given her background. We also get to know Gwyn and Lucian far more as they spend the majority of the book together. Their relationship still doesn't quite have that spark of chemistry for me, maybe because they still don't open up or have much in the way of casual conversation/banter, and I wasn't quite sold on their "do we take things to the next level" shifts that seemed a bit out of obligation to the plot arc. I don't mind them together, and I don't mind them as characters, but there's something missing still that makes them a bit less... interesting? I really wanted to get to know Alcide (that secret past tho) and the newcomer Starling more seeing as they were the other memorable characters. They play their roles, but again feel a bit arm's length still.
My main critique of the series so far has been how characters just gloss over conversations about the little things which can be where a lot of character relationship development comes from (that or the "witty banter" that YA seems to have forgotten the purpose of - at least they aren't a snark-a-minute types!), and again this happens a lot. Gwyn and Starling talked about things for a while, Gwyn and Faolan caught up for a bit... OK, so we don't need to know every detail of their chats about the weather, but maybe a little more conversation would have helped round them out.
Unlike previous books, the plot, lore and foreshadowing were just right for me. Plenty of complexity in all the plot strands, plenty of twists that kept you guessing, and not an info-dump in sight when it came to explaining the world politics. I loved how these two seemingly completely different ideas - necromancers and pirate rebels on the one hand, shapeshifters with a very unbalanced society on the other - could mesh together in a book so well. It brings back all the necromancer groundwork from book one and builds on top of it while adding extra layers of strangeness to the magic of the world. Be it shifters, Scion, dragons or dark sorceresses, there is so much to take it yet is never overwhelming.
Those dark sorceresses may not be in Gwyn's head (as is stated in blurbs and asides despite there being no evidence in the actual story...) but the one who does make their presence felt? Oh, I get the feeling this could get interesting.
I kind of wish we'd had longer to see Lucian's shapeshifter society more. The setting of the subterranean caverns was beautifully realised, and the idea of the two castes - shifters and non-shifter heru - separated by snobbishness was really interesting. You might need to get your Outlander dictionary out (they even call Gwyn and outlander, though I couldn't work out why they sometimes say "well" and sometimes "weel").
I will say the ending battle was another of those "wait, that was it?" moments for me Yes, there is another big battle going on that Gwyn once again isn't involved with, but it's off-screen nature didn't make it quite the big bang I'd expected.
That an Gwyn spends an awful lot of the time being blacking out, not least during these big moments. I hope she gets checked for concussion - Severine, get in here now! I couldn't help but notice just how often her knees "barked" so maybe she should get that checked out too? (Sorry, it's so hard to unsee a repeated phrase, but it's nowhere near a Sarah J Maas'ism of throat bobbing)
Did I love it? Yes. Do I want need more? Yes. Seriously yes. This is one strange series that on paper looks like it shouldn't work, but it does. It might not be a character-centric YA hormone-fest that some YA fantasy fans crave, but it's so strong in it's slightly twisted, darkly magical way it's hard no to be caught up in what's going on.
I know, I know, there are things that bothered me still - namely character relationships and a few things that seemed overly easy to achieve - but hot dang I can't believe we've got to wait for the next part to be released to find out where this crazy twisted festival of YA themes turned dark goes next (unless you're in the future in which case why have you not started book 4 yet?!)
Spoilerishness for previous books incoming
In this episode, after the whole Clockwork City/Molech Lord of Thunder debacle, Gwyn can't rest or even can't think about saving the world when her mentor Faolan might still be out there. Her path to find him leads her to islands of pirates, rebels and necromancers. Dark magics are afoot, but so are ancient ones that only Gwyn's powers can unlock if only she can puzzle out who to trust. It doesn't help that the Scions are still out there, mustering their forces. She begins to suspect one place in particular may harbour one of these so-called gods, but it's one place she cannot go. Not without the help of one person in particular who has grown dear to her heart. For only Lucian, exiled from his homeland, can lead her safely back to the shifter's caves...
Can I start by saying that the writing here is on point. It is addictive and compelling and just - urgh - it makes it so hard to stop when another chapter beckons. The writing has always been a strength of this series, but it's growing in power by the book and this one is no exception. The tone and style is a lot more like the first book, as there's more travelling the world and fighting fantastical battles.
I'm starting to come to think of Gwyn as one of those slightly unlikeable characters, but not in any problematic way. We come to know how twisted up her emotional state it and perhaps how understandable her remoteness is given her background. We also get to know Gwyn and Lucian far more as they spend the majority of the book together. Their relationship still doesn't quite have that spark of chemistry for me, maybe because they still don't open up or have much in the way of casual conversation/banter, and I wasn't quite sold on their "do we take things to the next level" shifts that seemed a bit out of obligation to the plot arc. I don't mind them together, and I don't mind them as characters, but there's something missing still that makes them a bit less... interesting? I really wanted to get to know Alcide (that secret past tho) and the newcomer Starling more seeing as they were the other memorable characters. They play their roles, but again feel a bit arm's length still.
My main critique of the series so far has been how characters just gloss over conversations about the little things which can be where a lot of character relationship development comes from (that or the "witty banter" that YA seems to have forgotten the purpose of - at least they aren't a snark-a-minute types!), and again this happens a lot. Gwyn and Starling talked about things for a while, Gwyn and Faolan caught up for a bit... OK, so we don't need to know every detail of their chats about the weather, but maybe a little more conversation would have helped round them out.
Unlike previous books, the plot, lore and foreshadowing were just right for me. Plenty of complexity in all the plot strands, plenty of twists that kept you guessing, and not an info-dump in sight when it came to explaining the world politics. I loved how these two seemingly completely different ideas - necromancers and pirate rebels on the one hand, shapeshifters with a very unbalanced society on the other - could mesh together in a book so well. It brings back all the necromancer groundwork from book one and builds on top of it while adding extra layers of strangeness to the magic of the world. Be it shifters, Scion, dragons or dark sorceresses, there is so much to take it yet is never overwhelming.
Those dark sorceresses may not be in Gwyn's head (as is stated in blurbs and asides despite there being no evidence in the actual story...) but the one who does make their presence felt? Oh, I get the feeling this could get interesting.
I kind of wish we'd had longer to see Lucian's shapeshifter society more. The setting of the subterranean caverns was beautifully realised, and the idea of the two castes - shifters and non-shifter heru - separated by snobbishness was really interesting. You might need to get your Outlander dictionary out (they even call Gwyn and outlander, though I couldn't work out why they sometimes say "well" and sometimes "weel").
I will say the ending battle was another of those "wait, that was it?" moments for me Yes, there is another big battle going on that Gwyn once again isn't involved with, but it's off-screen nature didn't make it quite the big bang I'd expected.
That an Gwyn spends an awful lot of the time being blacking out, not least during these big moments. I hope she gets checked for concussion - Severine, get in here now! I couldn't help but notice just how often her knees "barked" so maybe she should get that checked out too? (Sorry, it's so hard to unsee a repeated phrase, but it's nowhere near a Sarah J Maas'ism of throat bobbing)
Did I love it? Yes. Do I want need more? Yes. Seriously yes. This is one strange series that on paper looks like it shouldn't work, but it does. It might not be a character-centric YA hormone-fest that some YA fantasy fans crave, but it's so strong in it's slightly twisted, darkly magical way it's hard no to be caught up in what's going on.
September 12, 2021
New lands, new magic, new Scion.
Bonnie Wynne’s series about magic is drawing me in deeper with every instalment, and as I’ve just finished the third and most recent (out September 16!) I’m here to tell you all about it - without too many spoilers!
The series follows a girl called Gwyn as she discovers her magical abilities, learns of her powerful heritage, and is now on a quest to destroy dangerous beings before they destroy the world. I know at first this sounds like your typical YA fantasy, but the world and the story quickly grows from there and is unlike anything I’ve read before, especially from an Australian author. This third book, THE STARS BEYOND THE STONE, is my favourite so far. Gwyn’s quest is pretty set in stone so now she and the reader know what needs to happen, and I also loved that we got to visit so many cool places in the world - including Jhabahabi, which we’ve only heard about until this point - and one ruled by pirates! 😍 The action and stakes are also much higher, which made it feel more adventurous and fast paced than the first two books. And there’s always something happening plot-wise that kept me on my toes. I won’t lie to you, after reading the first two I didn’t think I would be keen to finish the series, but THE STARS BEYOND THE STONE really exceeded my expectations and has left me so excited for the next book. This series is high fantasy with really amazing characters and a strong but humble main character, so if that’s your thing, I can’t recommend this series enough!
Thank you so much to Talem Press for sending me a copy!
Bonnie Wynne’s series about magic is drawing me in deeper with every instalment, and as I’ve just finished the third and most recent (out September 16!) I’m here to tell you all about it - without too many spoilers!
The series follows a girl called Gwyn as she discovers her magical abilities, learns of her powerful heritage, and is now on a quest to destroy dangerous beings before they destroy the world. I know at first this sounds like your typical YA fantasy, but the world and the story quickly grows from there and is unlike anything I’ve read before, especially from an Australian author. This third book, THE STARS BEYOND THE STONE, is my favourite so far. Gwyn’s quest is pretty set in stone so now she and the reader know what needs to happen, and I also loved that we got to visit so many cool places in the world - including Jhabahabi, which we’ve only heard about until this point - and one ruled by pirates! 😍 The action and stakes are also much higher, which made it feel more adventurous and fast paced than the first two books. And there’s always something happening plot-wise that kept me on my toes. I won’t lie to you, after reading the first two I didn’t think I would be keen to finish the series, but THE STARS BEYOND THE STONE really exceeded my expectations and has left me so excited for the next book. This series is high fantasy with really amazing characters and a strong but humble main character, so if that’s your thing, I can’t recommend this series enough!
Thank you so much to Talem Press for sending me a copy!
March 29, 2024
i always knew lucian was boring !!! i want more alcide in book 4 <3
September 15, 2021
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
My Thoughts
@#%@#$TW$%^#$ That ending !!! My heart. Where is book 4?!? I need book 4. *floats away in a river of tears*
Okay dramatics aside...
I am not okay
Before we go further, if you didn't note the title of the review... this is book 3 in The Price of Magic series and if you have not read the previous books, chances are you will be spoiled. This is your warning. If you are interested, check out my less spoiler filled review of book 2, A Wind From the Rift, (my favorite to date) here.
That out of the way, The Stars Beyond the Stone picks up in the aftermath of Rift with Gwyn as Archmage-Eternal and the Ninth Sorceress, Idris leading the Syndicate as Archmage, Lucian as my favorite shape-shifter and several Scions needing defeated. However, the first section of the book is focused on rescuing her old master, Faolan, who we learn is actually still alive somewhere.
What I absolutely love about The Price of Magic series is that each installment expands on the world and mythology in a really beautiful way. Wynne masterfully peels back the world, layer by layer, with a new insight and mystery at each turn. In Stars, we travel from the confines of the Syndicate stronghold to the wide open seas, full of islands where pirate kings reign and power struggles ensue. Then we dive into the caverns of Jhabahabi, homeland of our favorite exiled shifter. It was really interesting to view these new lands through Gywn's unique and very sheltered lens, especially when it came to Jhanahabi.
I have so many questions
While I found Stars to be completely engaging with the right amount of tension to keep the story moving forward, there were so many unanswered questions that it felt a bit more like a bridge book than its predecessor. Like what is going on with Alcide? I am getting a vibe there, especially with Gwyn. How is Ailbhe so powerful and where in the heck did she find dragons? What is happening right now?!?
Other questions feel more about characterization, like my (formerly) dear Lucian. Gah. I cannot even go further with that one without spoilers. But WHY?!?! And Gwyn. Part of me adores that she has all this power that she is fully unequipped to deal with but on the other side I find myself wanting to shake some confidence into her. Really, this is what makes her a FANTASTIC character. She is beautifully flawed, complicated and, despite her power, she is vulnerable. I cannot wait to see where Bonnie takes her journey.
Overall
The Price of Magic series continues to be an absolutely wild ride with a lush world, beautifully flawed characters, and endings that leave you demanding the next book. While I had hoped The Stars Beyond the Stone would have some resolution, we are left more with questions than answers. And you know what? It means I am counting down the days until the finale (please tell me its still a quartet cause your girl needs some answers).
Recommended for fans of: traveling fantasy stories, quests, sorcerers, found family, interesting fantasy worlds, fast-paced endings, and blood magic
My Thoughts
@#%@#$TW$%^#$ That ending !!! My heart. Where is book 4?!? I need book 4. *floats away in a river of tears*
Okay dramatics aside...
I am not okay
Before we go further, if you didn't note the title of the review... this is book 3 in The Price of Magic series and if you have not read the previous books, chances are you will be spoiled. This is your warning. If you are interested, check out my less spoiler filled review of book 2, A Wind From the Rift, (my favorite to date) here.
That out of the way, The Stars Beyond the Stone picks up in the aftermath of Rift with Gwyn as Archmage-Eternal and the Ninth Sorceress, Idris leading the Syndicate as Archmage, Lucian as my favorite shape-shifter and several Scions needing defeated. However, the first section of the book is focused on rescuing her old master, Faolan, who we learn is actually still alive somewhere.
What I absolutely love about The Price of Magic series is that each installment expands on the world and mythology in a really beautiful way. Wynne masterfully peels back the world, layer by layer, with a new insight and mystery at each turn. In Stars, we travel from the confines of the Syndicate stronghold to the wide open seas, full of islands where pirate kings reign and power struggles ensue. Then we dive into the caverns of Jhabahabi, homeland of our favorite exiled shifter. It was really interesting to view these new lands through Gywn's unique and very sheltered lens, especially when it came to Jhanahabi.
I have so many questions
While I found Stars to be completely engaging with the right amount of tension to keep the story moving forward, there were so many unanswered questions that it felt a bit more like a bridge book than its predecessor. Like what is going on with Alcide? I am getting a vibe there, especially with Gwyn. How is Ailbhe so powerful and where in the heck did she find dragons? What is happening right now?!?
Other questions feel more about characterization, like my (formerly) dear Lucian. Gah. I cannot even go further with that one without spoilers. But WHY?!?! And Gwyn. Part of me adores that she has all this power that she is fully unequipped to deal with but on the other side I find myself wanting to shake some confidence into her. Really, this is what makes her a FANTASTIC character. She is beautifully flawed, complicated and, despite her power, she is vulnerable. I cannot wait to see where Bonnie takes her journey.
Overall
The Price of Magic series continues to be an absolutely wild ride with a lush world, beautifully flawed characters, and endings that leave you demanding the next book. While I had hoped The Stars Beyond the Stone would have some resolution, we are left more with questions than answers. And you know what? It means I am counting down the days until the finale (please tell me its still a quartet cause your girl needs some answers).
Recommended for fans of: traveling fantasy stories, quests, sorcerers, found family, interesting fantasy worlds, fast-paced endings, and blood magic
September 21, 2021
The Stars Beyond the Stone blew me away and I finished it in one sitting! I couldn’t remember where we left off in the second novel, but it didn’t take me long to get my bearings and once I did, I was fully immersed into Gwyn’s journey once again.
Gwyn really stuck out to me in this novel because I felt like we got to see who she was meant to be without the struggle of dealing with her magic or coming to terms with it, and readers get to see the powerful main character that makes this novel so addicting. I was also thrilled that we got to see her and Lucian’s relationship progress because I did miss that aspect in the first two installments, but Bonnie more than made up for it in this book! Seeing Gwyn open up to Lucian and show us a different side of her when she doesn’t have to wear this other sorceress persona was the highlight of the novel for me. However, seeing her use her powers and be a badass when needed kept me coming back for more.
Along with the continued greatness of the characters, I felt like the plot worked so well with the characterization that this installment seemed to propel me to the finish line, which I loved but also hated. By the end of the book, I felt like I finished way too fast and wanted the book to go on for four hundred more pages! Especially with the ending Bonnie left us with, I was begging for more. Nevertheless, the plot and pacing were seamless and mixed well to create a novel that kept me engaged until the very end. To say that I am desperate for the next installment is an understatement because I need to know what happens to Gwyn next.
If you love fantasy novels featuring a heroine that can hold her own and fights for what is right with an unmatched passion along with a group of friends who support her to the end plus a little romance on the side then this is a series for you!
September 20, 2021
Thank you to Talem Press for providing me with a copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review!
When I’ve stopped crying over the ending I might be able to write a coherent review. BONNIE, WHAT DID YOU DO 😭😅
The stars Beyond the Stone continues after the dramatic ending of A Wind From the Rift. Gwen and Lucian are together (I still freaking LOVE shapeshifting Lucian) and when Gwen learns her old master might still be alive, she’s determined to find and rescue him. Of course Lucian can’t let her go alone (and come on, who doesn’t want a man who can shift into a Tiger along anyway) and they set out on a journey that turns into much more than they bargained for.
We’re taken to new lands in this book, and Bonnie Wynne is an expert at crafting worlds that just come alive for me. We also had new characters and big surprises with existing characters. Each one of the books in this series has had absolutely heart stopping moments and twists that jumped out of the dark and grabbed me. The Stars Beyond the Stone just felt like such a brilliant adventure story. It was full of fast paced action and journeys full of danger. I am so in love with this series and I never have any trouble getting right back into the story, even if it’s been a while since I finished the previous book!
If you’re looking for a well crafted fantasy, full of intriguing characters and twists you won’t see coming, make sure you check The Price of Magic series out!
When I’ve stopped crying over the ending I might be able to write a coherent review. BONNIE, WHAT DID YOU DO 😭😅
The stars Beyond the Stone continues after the dramatic ending of A Wind From the Rift. Gwen and Lucian are together (I still freaking LOVE shapeshifting Lucian) and when Gwen learns her old master might still be alive, she’s determined to find and rescue him. Of course Lucian can’t let her go alone (and come on, who doesn’t want a man who can shift into a Tiger along anyway) and they set out on a journey that turns into much more than they bargained for.
We’re taken to new lands in this book, and Bonnie Wynne is an expert at crafting worlds that just come alive for me. We also had new characters and big surprises with existing characters. Each one of the books in this series has had absolutely heart stopping moments and twists that jumped out of the dark and grabbed me. The Stars Beyond the Stone just felt like such a brilliant adventure story. It was full of fast paced action and journeys full of danger. I am so in love with this series and I never have any trouble getting right back into the story, even if it’s been a while since I finished the previous book!
If you’re looking for a well crafted fantasy, full of intriguing characters and twists you won’t see coming, make sure you check The Price of Magic series out!
September 23, 2021
After winning the battle against the storm god Molech, Gwyn stands as Archmage of the Syndicate and accepts her destiny of hunting down and destroying the remaining Scions. However, her old master, Faolan, is being held captive by a necromancer and Gwyn must find and rescue him before she can continue on her mission.
As the third book in The Price of Magic series, it is absolutely vital to have read the first two books to understand what is going on and who everyone is. The characters, Gwyn in particular, have undergone huge character development by this point and the plot has moved a long way from where it started in the first book. The Stars Beyond the Stone is the best instalment yet, in my opinion. The storyline is more elevated, with a dramatic quest and a lot of action.
I loved the new locations that the story took Gwyn to in this book, especially Jhabahabi which had been mentioned in the previous books. The plot and the characters are both very firmly established by now, so less time is spent on introducing characters and we’re able to delve deeper into their relationships and the history of the Scions. There’s a lot going on and this really is turning out to be an excellent fantasy adventure series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
As the third book in The Price of Magic series, it is absolutely vital to have read the first two books to understand what is going on and who everyone is. The characters, Gwyn in particular, have undergone huge character development by this point and the plot has moved a long way from where it started in the first book. The Stars Beyond the Stone is the best instalment yet, in my opinion. The storyline is more elevated, with a dramatic quest and a lot of action.
I loved the new locations that the story took Gwyn to in this book, especially Jhabahabi which had been mentioned in the previous books. The plot and the characters are both very firmly established by now, so less time is spent on introducing characters and we’re able to delve deeper into their relationships and the history of the Scions. There’s a lot going on and this really is turning out to be an excellent fantasy adventure series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
September 4, 2021
3.5 stars
Waiting to binge a sizeable portion of the series in one go was certainly a good idea, as I'm not really into the swing of this world and its characters (alas for hitting the end of the published books!)
We dive back into that classic fantasy feeling of a quest. There are Scions to kill, but first an old friend to rescue. There are the classic perusing enemy and dangers of the road as we follow Gwyn out of the Clockwork city and to new lands. There are two new locations where time is spent in, with very different feels. There are verdant isles and a nation living in a cavernous network. The second had some cultural differences to Gwyn's norm and led to some tension between her and Lucian.
She and Lucian get another travelling companion, Alcide, who's always rather been in the background of the other books. It was nice to spend more time with him, and learn a few hint about his life. It's really not much, and I still don't understand exactly what he wants - or why he has antagonism with Gwyn, but it was a start.
There is quite a shift about the 60% mark in this book. It was a little jarring, because it didn't feel very well set up. So far, everything has been about rescuing Foalan, with this long journey full of dangers to find him. Then, once that's achieved, it's suddenly "we need to find a Scion and kill it."
Given how much focus was on Foalan to start, I think the shift and then run to finale would have felt less like a different story if it had been set up more - more active concern and effort to find a Scion in the first section.
The pacing keeps up between them, as does a slight air of "what's going on here?" mystery. This helps unify it a bit, and keep you reading onwards. The chapters in this and the second book are significantly longer than the first, so I'd be interested to see if that continues through the series (instead of being regularly under 10 pages, I wasn't blinking as they hit 20 pages or longer!)
This was the most recent release, and I will be interested to read further when the next two books come out.
Waiting to binge a sizeable portion of the series in one go was certainly a good idea, as I'm not really into the swing of this world and its characters (alas for hitting the end of the published books!)
We dive back into that classic fantasy feeling of a quest. There are Scions to kill, but first an old friend to rescue. There are the classic perusing enemy and dangers of the road as we follow Gwyn out of the Clockwork city and to new lands. There are two new locations where time is spent in, with very different feels. There are verdant isles and a nation living in a cavernous network. The second had some cultural differences to Gwyn's norm and led to some tension between her and Lucian.
She and Lucian get another travelling companion, Alcide, who's always rather been in the background of the other books. It was nice to spend more time with him, and learn a few hint about his life. It's really not much, and I still don't understand exactly what he wants - or why he has antagonism with Gwyn, but it was a start.
There is quite a shift about the 60% mark in this book. It was a little jarring, because it didn't feel very well set up. So far, everything has been about rescuing Foalan, with this long journey full of dangers to find him. Then, once that's achieved, it's suddenly "we need to find a Scion and kill it."
Given how much focus was on Foalan to start, I think the shift and then run to finale would have felt less like a different story if it had been set up more - more active concern and effort to find a Scion in the first section.
The pacing keeps up between them, as does a slight air of "what's going on here?" mystery. This helps unify it a bit, and keep you reading onwards. The chapters in this and the second book are significantly longer than the first, so I'd be interested to see if that continues through the series (instead of being regularly under 10 pages, I wasn't blinking as they hit 20 pages or longer!)
This was the most recent release, and I will be interested to read further when the next two books come out.
September 15, 2021
This is the third book in The Price of Magic series.
The Stars Beyond the Stone picks up right where A Wind From the Rift left off, Gwyn is now the Archmage of the syndicate and she seems to accept her fate as the Ninth Sorceress. Dealing with the aftermath of the attack from the Scion and the loss of friends, Gwyn tries to distract herself with her duties, but in the back of her mind she knows that Faolan is still out there, despite her being told that is he is dead.
Gwyn manages to find out the truth and has an idea of where Faolan is. She decides to leave the Clockwork City and track him down, thinking she can do this on her own, Gwyn finds out that Lucian will not allow that to happen, so together they leave the city to search for Faolan. Once outside of the city the two end up having a third member join their party, Alcide, now what his intentions are and why he insists on joining them, I am still not 100% sure.
Most of the book has been focused on finding and rescuing Faolan, but during the travels Gwyn is introduced to worlds outside of what she knew while she was growing up, she also discovers that she has family out there.
I found this to be an interesting book to read since hunting the Scions was not the focus. There is mention of the remaining Scions, but saving Faolan took up most of the book, there is a break of that in the later part of the book where a Scion is discovered. This last part of the book I feel could have been part of the fourth book (if there is going to be a fourth) since the majority was all about Faolan.
The ending of this book with all the unanswered questions and a bit of the cliff hanger leads me to believe that there will be at least a fourth book, which I’m’ really hoping so since I need answers. If you still haven’t picked up this series, I highly recommend that you do.
The Stars Beyond the Stone picks up right where A Wind From the Rift left off, Gwyn is now the Archmage of the syndicate and she seems to accept her fate as the Ninth Sorceress. Dealing with the aftermath of the attack from the Scion and the loss of friends, Gwyn tries to distract herself with her duties, but in the back of her mind she knows that Faolan is still out there, despite her being told that is he is dead.
Gwyn manages to find out the truth and has an idea of where Faolan is. She decides to leave the Clockwork City and track him down, thinking she can do this on her own, Gwyn finds out that Lucian will not allow that to happen, so together they leave the city to search for Faolan. Once outside of the city the two end up having a third member join their party, Alcide, now what his intentions are and why he insists on joining them, I am still not 100% sure.
Most of the book has been focused on finding and rescuing Faolan, but during the travels Gwyn is introduced to worlds outside of what she knew while she was growing up, she also discovers that she has family out there.
I found this to be an interesting book to read since hunting the Scions was not the focus. There is mention of the remaining Scions, but saving Faolan took up most of the book, there is a break of that in the later part of the book where a Scion is discovered. This last part of the book I feel could have been part of the fourth book (if there is going to be a fourth) since the majority was all about Faolan.
The ending of this book with all the unanswered questions and a bit of the cliff hanger leads me to believe that there will be at least a fourth book, which I’m’ really hoping so since I need answers. If you still haven’t picked up this series, I highly recommend that you do.
October 17, 2021
I love the world building in this story. In book 3, we get to discover more of the world that Bonnie has created. Gwen's character drives me crazy at times and I want to just shake her for the situations she gets herself into, but I am enjoying the journey she is on. I am keen to see where the next book takes us. I loved the dramatic ending of this book. The Eighth Sorceress gives me strong Game of Thrones vibes which I love. Dragons and magic are always going to be winners for me!
November 21, 2021
Loved this
This was probably my favourite book of the series so far. I can't wait for the next one. This is my favourite series of the year. Dragons, wizards, magic, cute shapeshifters -what's not to love?
This was probably my favourite book of the series so far. I can't wait for the next one. This is my favourite series of the year. Dragons, wizards, magic, cute shapeshifters -what's not to love?
April 16, 2022
This was really good, like the first two. But I was both dismayed and delighted to find out there are two more books in the series. Dismayed because now I have to wait two years for them and delighted because they will probably be worth the wait. But so frustrating!!
December 30, 2021
Just Gets Better and Better
I adore this series and I tore through this book in two days. I am so sad I have to wait once again for the next installment. Amazing read.
I adore this series and I tore through this book in two days. I am so sad I have to wait once again for the next installment. Amazing read.
January 8, 2022
What a ride!
Love this series and can't wait for the next book!!! It kept me interested, engaged and rapt. Read this series!
Love this series and can't wait for the next book!!! It kept me interested, engaged and rapt. Read this series!
June 12, 2022
‘Little girl, I just slaughtered a civilisation.’
Read
October 6, 2023Why not jump in to this series! I can’t stop ready these. Curiosity has me following along to discover what is happening.
October 30, 2023
good fast and engaging read
First book was a little slow, some parts of the story are a little rough but that seems to make the characters more real. Highly recommended read.
First book was a little slow, some parts of the story are a little rough but that seems to make the characters more real. Highly recommended read.
July 19, 2025
The rage I felt at the end ...
June 9, 2022
"Glad I Read It, But Slightly Disappointed"
This one was good in the series, but it never seems to fail that the more the books added to a series, it eventually begins to wane, become overly complicated, and/or something happens at the end, that changes the entire future of the next book.
This has happened now in the last two of this series, so I can easily justify this coming down to 3 Stars, after rating the first 2 as 4 stars.
Supposedly there's a 4th book expected to be released in 2022, and it's pretty obvious from all the loose ends to come together, it has to be so.
I usually wait until all books are available in a series before I begin it. I wish this would have been the case on this one.
The ending completely blew me away, and I was not all all happy with the outcome, or the delay in having to wait to see what happens. I'm truly hoping to see this series come to a wrap in this next book. It's just time to move on to bigger, better, different.
This one was good in the series, but it never seems to fail that the more the books added to a series, it eventually begins to wane, become overly complicated, and/or something happens at the end, that changes the entire future of the next book.
This has happened now in the last two of this series, so I can easily justify this coming down to 3 Stars, after rating the first 2 as 4 stars.
Supposedly there's a 4th book expected to be released in 2022, and it's pretty obvious from all the loose ends to come together, it has to be so.
I usually wait until all books are available in a series before I begin it. I wish this would have been the case on this one.
The ending completely blew me away, and I was not all all happy with the outcome, or the delay in having to wait to see what happens. I'm truly hoping to see this series come to a wrap in this next book. It's just time to move on to bigger, better, different.
November 9, 2025
This one felt better. It felt like there was a real goal and a destination, whereas the first two just kind of felt like we were moving around aimlessly. I’m really struggling to connect with the characters, and I wish the plot ran a little deeper. The books feel very long, for as little actually goes on in them.
My favorite bits of this book are when we momentarily step away from the main characters to the Sorceress’ past. Maybe I’m just drawn to the villain.
Everything feels like it was solved too easily. There’s this huge build-up for a quarter of the book and then poof. Red magic. All better.
I’m waiting for the endgame to drop with Gwyn and Alcide because let’s be real, it’s never going to be Lucien. There’s no sparks and no chemistry here, and at this point, I don’t even know why we’re trying to include romance in the story. It's so dreadfully flat. I want to feel it! I need some longing and some pining and some banter. I like Lucien, but let’s be real. There’s no love.
My favorite bits of this book are when we momentarily step away from the main characters to the Sorceress’ past. Maybe I’m just drawn to the villain.
Everything feels like it was solved too easily. There’s this huge build-up for a quarter of the book and then poof. Red magic. All better.
I’m waiting for the endgame to drop with Gwyn and Alcide because let’s be real, it’s never going to be Lucien. There’s no sparks and no chemistry here, and at this point, I don’t even know why we’re trying to include romance in the story. It's so dreadfully flat. I want to feel it! I need some longing and some pining and some banter. I like Lucien, but let’s be real. There’s no love.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews