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The Spellbinders and the Gunslingers #1
The Bleeding Stone
The island nation of Ferranda is the jewel of the Acrarian Kingdom, and its Founder, Aritz a Mata, is revered as a god amongst men. But twenty-five years ago, Aritz was merely a man, a colonizer, an Invader seeking glory and fame in the name of his King and Queen, and Ferranda was a nameless union of indigenous Tribes, reverent of the heightened powers and aptitudes granted to them by their Animal Deities, but sundered by the foreigners claiming their lands to the south.
In the unconquered north, the Stone Tribe has for fifteen years offered a safe haven for the southern Tribes displaced by Aritz's Invaders, whose occupying march north has been ostensibly halted by a dense forest barrier dividing north and south. Among the Stone people lives Sen, an outcast for the circumstances of her birth, preserved in society only by her status as daughter of her Tribe's Chief. Forever relegated to the fringes of society, she is forced to watch as countless of her kin, including her sister and brother, complete their rites of passage into adulthood and accordingly earn their aptitudes by the Deity to whom they share an affinity - the Bear, the Wolf, or the Owl.
Despite this, Sen finds comfort in her life of forced solitude with her close inner circle, but hers is a comfort in days of waning tenuous peace. When Aritz's technologically-advanced forces push north, Sen is thrust into a singular quest to rescue one of her precious few captured in the ensuing struggle. While her goal is earnest - save someone dear to her and prove her worth to her Tribe - her people's goal is far more dire: survival in the face of uncertainty.
In the unconquered north, the Stone Tribe has for fifteen years offered a safe haven for the southern Tribes displaced by Aritz's Invaders, whose occupying march north has been ostensibly halted by a dense forest barrier dividing north and south. Among the Stone people lives Sen, an outcast for the circumstances of her birth, preserved in society only by her status as daughter of her Tribe's Chief. Forever relegated to the fringes of society, she is forced to watch as countless of her kin, including her sister and brother, complete their rites of passage into adulthood and accordingly earn their aptitudes by the Deity to whom they share an affinity - the Bear, the Wolf, or the Owl.
Despite this, Sen finds comfort in her life of forced solitude with her close inner circle, but hers is a comfort in days of waning tenuous peace. When Aritz's technologically-advanced forces push north, Sen is thrust into a singular quest to rescue one of her precious few captured in the ensuing struggle. While her goal is earnest - save someone dear to her and prove her worth to her Tribe - her people's goal is far more dire: survival in the face of uncertainty.
387 pages, Paperback
Published December 13, 2022
38 people are currently reading
471 people want to read
About the author
Joseph John Lee
7 books87 followersReceive the novella PALE NIGHT, RED FIELDS for free by subscribing to Joe's newsletter: https://joseph-john-lee.com/
Joseph John Lee is the fantasy author responsible for unleashing The Spellbinders and the Gunslingers trilogy and The Dragons of Nóra duology, and has been a semifinalist in Mark Lawrence's annual Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off. A true product of New England, he prefers Dunkin' over Starbucks, sometimes speaks with a Boston accent, and does not say the word "wicked" in casual conversation as much as one may think. He currently lives in Boston with his wife, Annie, and their robot vacuum named Crumb.
Joseph John Lee is the fantasy author responsible for unleashing The Spellbinders and the Gunslingers trilogy and The Dragons of Nóra duology, and has been a semifinalist in Mark Lawrence's annual Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off. A true product of New England, he prefers Dunkin' over Starbucks, sometimes speaks with a Boston accent, and does not say the word "wicked" in casual conversation as much as one may think. He currently lives in Boston with his wife, Annie, and their robot vacuum named Crumb.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
October 1, 2023
Disclaimer: I consider the author of this book a peer and a friend, but while that fact made me more inclined to pick up the book, it certainly doesn't at all influence my opinion of it.
The Bleeding Stone is an outstanding accomplishment. Where to even start? In this case, I will try to start with authorial intent. Reading as a writer oftentimes leaves me curious about certain creative decisions taken by the author. In this case, Joseph John Lee expertly weaved plotlines together with character ARCs and led me, as a reader, through some dark twists and turns in an emotional rollercoaster ride full of pain and grief. I truly believe the author accomplished everything he set out to do with this book, and quite successfully at that. I found myself truly immersed in the story from beginning to end. All the emotional beats, well... they ended up beating me up too.
So, that said, I'll do something different and tell potential readers WHY this book might be for them.
If you're looking for tales with distinct settings and cultures that steer away from the typical medieval European setting, you'll probably find something to enjoy here. A lot of the worldbuilding in this world is inspired by the pre-Colombian era of North America and its subsequent colonial invasion, which the story is also inspired by.
If you're looking for realistic, complex and flawed characters that you ultimately cheer for, this is definitely the book for you. The protagonist, Sen, is sort of an outcast even within her own tribe, and she leans into that status with all the emotional turmoil and questionable decisions that come with it. I found her character arc extremely compelling and well-realised, and the utilisation of flashback/memory chapters was masterful in enhancing how well the reader got to know her without requiring a steep page count. Masterful work. I wish some more authors did this.
If you like fantasy with some magic but no outlandish displays of it, or the typical 'high' magic galore of wizards shooting fireballs or magic users using power to battle, this will be a book for you. The magic in the book is soft, like a touch of nature that is seen and felt everywhere, and extremely important, but without heavy displays. It's the seeping rain, not the thunderstorm. While I normally enjoy the big outlandish magic displays, I can also really enjoy a more 'low magic' book, and I certainly did here.
The plot of the book was cohesive and it had what I would say was a very satisfying ending while also laying the groundwork for what's to come in Book Two. It had a pretty cool and interesting twist at the end, and I didn't find that there were any plot holes or any loose threads that won't likely spill over into the next book.
All in all, this was a great, great book--deserving of its status as a semi-finalist for the 9th edition of the Self-published Fantasy Blog-off (SPFBO9). The themes are important, the characters are compelling, the plot is satisfying and the prose is breezy and easy to digest. What more could you want? Now go and read it!
The Bleeding Stone is an outstanding accomplishment. Where to even start? In this case, I will try to start with authorial intent. Reading as a writer oftentimes leaves me curious about certain creative decisions taken by the author. In this case, Joseph John Lee expertly weaved plotlines together with character ARCs and led me, as a reader, through some dark twists and turns in an emotional rollercoaster ride full of pain and grief. I truly believe the author accomplished everything he set out to do with this book, and quite successfully at that. I found myself truly immersed in the story from beginning to end. All the emotional beats, well... they ended up beating me up too.
So, that said, I'll do something different and tell potential readers WHY this book might be for them.
If you're looking for tales with distinct settings and cultures that steer away from the typical medieval European setting, you'll probably find something to enjoy here. A lot of the worldbuilding in this world is inspired by the pre-Colombian era of North America and its subsequent colonial invasion, which the story is also inspired by.
If you're looking for realistic, complex and flawed characters that you ultimately cheer for, this is definitely the book for you. The protagonist, Sen, is sort of an outcast even within her own tribe, and she leans into that status with all the emotional turmoil and questionable decisions that come with it. I found her character arc extremely compelling and well-realised, and the utilisation of flashback/memory chapters was masterful in enhancing how well the reader got to know her without requiring a steep page count. Masterful work. I wish some more authors did this.
If you like fantasy with some magic but no outlandish displays of it, or the typical 'high' magic galore of wizards shooting fireballs or magic users using power to battle, this will be a book for you. The magic in the book is soft, like a touch of nature that is seen and felt everywhere, and extremely important, but without heavy displays. It's the seeping rain, not the thunderstorm. While I normally enjoy the big outlandish magic displays, I can also really enjoy a more 'low magic' book, and I certainly did here.
The plot of the book was cohesive and it had what I would say was a very satisfying ending while also laying the groundwork for what's to come in Book Two. It had a pretty cool and interesting twist at the end, and I didn't find that there were any plot holes or any loose threads that won't likely spill over into the next book.
All in all, this was a great, great book--deserving of its status as a semi-finalist for the 9th edition of the Self-published Fantasy Blog-off (SPFBO9). The themes are important, the characters are compelling, the plot is satisfying and the prose is breezy and easy to digest. What more could you want? Now go and read it!
February 7, 2023
Full text review: https://jamreads.com/reviews/the-blee...
Interview with Joseph John Lee: https://jamreads.com/interviews/some-...
The Bleeding Stone is the debut novel from Joseph John Lee, and such an ambitious story that explores themes that are usually unused in fantasy, such as can be the perspective of how history is written and the prize of progress, one of my favourite aspects of this book. Due to using those in a secondary world, classifying this book has been a difficult task, as I wasn't sure to which genre I could ascribe it (in the end, the line in this book between being historical fantasy and epic fantasy is really thin).
We are going to be following the conquest of the nation-land of Ferranda by the invaders, but following on a different perspective; usually, colonialism is told from the invading side, but this novel is focused on the indigenous point of view, showing how they are being displaced and even enslaved by the conquerors lead by Aritz a Mata. While the timeline used is going to be split, the central story will be following Sen, one of the members of the Stone Tribe, but who has been treated as an outcast and considered cursed by her own mates; only being able to be barely accepted due to her condition as chief's daughter.
Due to Aritz's forces pushing the tribe, and committing deplorable acts that include taking people from Stone Tribe as slaves, Sen starts a quest in the company of Nara in order to make them free; pushing her to the limits just trying to do what she thinks is better for her people.
Sen is an excellent character, and perfect for depicting multiple aspects that are an integral part of the novel. As a person born during an eclipse, she's considered cursed, mostly due to ancient superstitions; Sen is barely accepted, and mostly because she's the chief's daughter, having to deal with that stigma all the time. Many times we see her struggling with expectations and self-confidence. Her helping hand during the quest, Nara, is an excellent support, complementing those parts where Sen is lacking more.
Worldbuilding is probably one of the aspects that drew more to this world, as it has been inspired by post-colonial America, one of my favourite historical periods; but in this case Lee gives a new twist on it, adding his own tribes and characters, giving some details of each one of these tribes (and I hope it gets expanded in subsequent novels). Invaders are also an accurate depiction of how they operated in that period, considering the natives as not much more than flesh to enslave, mere objects that they can dominate because they are technologically superior.
The Bleeding Stone is a book excellently written, and which is really ambitious in its craft: despite the main timeline following Sen is situated in the year 1556, there is constant flashforward and backward to add more context and lore, adding an extra layer of flavour to the world.
In summary, we have an excellent debut that sets the basis for an epic trilogy focused on themes that are not usual in fantasy. I absolutely loved Lee's approach to them, and I totally recommend it to people that love alternate history (even if this is written in a secondary world), or just for people that want to read an epic fantasy story that is not afraid to touch themes such as slavery and conquest. Can't wait to get more of The Spellbinders and The Gunslingers!
Interview with Joseph John Lee: https://jamreads.com/interviews/some-...
The Bleeding Stone is the debut novel from Joseph John Lee, and such an ambitious story that explores themes that are usually unused in fantasy, such as can be the perspective of how history is written and the prize of progress, one of my favourite aspects of this book. Due to using those in a secondary world, classifying this book has been a difficult task, as I wasn't sure to which genre I could ascribe it (in the end, the line in this book between being historical fantasy and epic fantasy is really thin).
We are going to be following the conquest of the nation-land of Ferranda by the invaders, but following on a different perspective; usually, colonialism is told from the invading side, but this novel is focused on the indigenous point of view, showing how they are being displaced and even enslaved by the conquerors lead by Aritz a Mata. While the timeline used is going to be split, the central story will be following Sen, one of the members of the Stone Tribe, but who has been treated as an outcast and considered cursed by her own mates; only being able to be barely accepted due to her condition as chief's daughter.
Due to Aritz's forces pushing the tribe, and committing deplorable acts that include taking people from Stone Tribe as slaves, Sen starts a quest in the company of Nara in order to make them free; pushing her to the limits just trying to do what she thinks is better for her people.
Sen is an excellent character, and perfect for depicting multiple aspects that are an integral part of the novel. As a person born during an eclipse, she's considered cursed, mostly due to ancient superstitions; Sen is barely accepted, and mostly because she's the chief's daughter, having to deal with that stigma all the time. Many times we see her struggling with expectations and self-confidence. Her helping hand during the quest, Nara, is an excellent support, complementing those parts where Sen is lacking more.
Worldbuilding is probably one of the aspects that drew more to this world, as it has been inspired by post-colonial America, one of my favourite historical periods; but in this case Lee gives a new twist on it, adding his own tribes and characters, giving some details of each one of these tribes (and I hope it gets expanded in subsequent novels). Invaders are also an accurate depiction of how they operated in that period, considering the natives as not much more than flesh to enslave, mere objects that they can dominate because they are technologically superior.
The Bleeding Stone is a book excellently written, and which is really ambitious in its craft: despite the main timeline following Sen is situated in the year 1556, there is constant flashforward and backward to add more context and lore, adding an extra layer of flavour to the world.
In summary, we have an excellent debut that sets the basis for an epic trilogy focused on themes that are not usual in fantasy. I absolutely loved Lee's approach to them, and I totally recommend it to people that love alternate history (even if this is written in a secondary world), or just for people that want to read an epic fantasy story that is not afraid to touch themes such as slavery and conquest. Can't wait to get more of The Spellbinders and The Gunslingers!
April 6, 2023
4.25 stars
Emotional and Heartbreaking 🥹
Check out my Full review below -
https://bookafiction.wordpress.com/20...
Emotional and Heartbreaking 🥹
Check out my Full review below -
https://bookafiction.wordpress.com/20...
October 1, 2024
The Bleeding Stone recently hit my radar just before the announcement of it being an entry into the SPFBO-9 competition. It was only fair to add this to my TBR. I've been hearing some good things about it so I wanted to get to it sooner rather than later. So June it was!
This book did not disappoint me in the slightest. Admittedly, it a lot more emotional and depressing than I expected going in. I honestly was a bit emotionally drained by the end of this one. I posted on social media that it's been quite some time since I felt so strongly about characters that I'd say I despise them, but this one included a couple!
The pacing was done well. Though at times things may have felt like they were slowing down a bit. The tension or anxiety was almost ever present in this story. I will mention we do have a bit of time hopping throughout The Bleeding Stone. I know this can be a bit jarring at times. Luckily Joe does include the time information at the beginning of each chapter to keep us on track. I'm not sure how well such a story would translate into an audio but for my visual read I didn't have too much trouble with it.
The world building was on a grand scale for this one. I loved the different cultures, regions, styles and beliefs that are laid out along this journey. The differences between the invaders and even between each tribe really added to the diversity of this story. A lot of book one here takes place within the mountains and the Stone Tribe area with us simply learning a bit about the various other regions and it's people. But in the second half we begin to really expand on this and start to experience some of these as well.
The character development was also a shining aspect to this story. As mentioned above with such a diverse number of cultures and regions we were bound to have quite the range of characters as well. Things were fairly steady the first half of the book but then things really started to open up. We also see many of our characters change along the way. Making things even more interesting is in some of the memories we find out relationships were very different in years past compared to where they have ended up in the later years.
This was one of those edge of your seat reads throughout most of the first book. At teams I wanted to reach into the pages and throttle some of these characters. And that is saying something because I'm not a violent person. I don't even like to use the word hate if that tells you anything. But the way The Bleeding Stone finished up, I've just got to see where this story goes from here! In the meantime, I'm hoping to dip into some more light hearted reads to recover from this one a bit.
I'd recommend The Bleeding Stone to most fans of epic fantasy. The only caution I will throw out there is this time period does include some firearm technology. So if that doesn't bother you and you don't mind some heavy emotional feelings being tested, add this one to your list!
This book did not disappoint me in the slightest. Admittedly, it a lot more emotional and depressing than I expected going in. I honestly was a bit emotionally drained by the end of this one. I posted on social media that it's been quite some time since I felt so strongly about characters that I'd say I despise them, but this one included a couple!
The pacing was done well. Though at times things may have felt like they were slowing down a bit. The tension or anxiety was almost ever present in this story. I will mention we do have a bit of time hopping throughout The Bleeding Stone. I know this can be a bit jarring at times. Luckily Joe does include the time information at the beginning of each chapter to keep us on track. I'm not sure how well such a story would translate into an audio but for my visual read I didn't have too much trouble with it.
The world building was on a grand scale for this one. I loved the different cultures, regions, styles and beliefs that are laid out along this journey. The differences between the invaders and even between each tribe really added to the diversity of this story. A lot of book one here takes place within the mountains and the Stone Tribe area with us simply learning a bit about the various other regions and it's people. But in the second half we begin to really expand on this and start to experience some of these as well.
The character development was also a shining aspect to this story. As mentioned above with such a diverse number of cultures and regions we were bound to have quite the range of characters as well. Things were fairly steady the first half of the book but then things really started to open up. We also see many of our characters change along the way. Making things even more interesting is in some of the memories we find out relationships were very different in years past compared to where they have ended up in the later years.
This was one of those edge of your seat reads throughout most of the first book. At teams I wanted to reach into the pages and throttle some of these characters. And that is saying something because I'm not a violent person. I don't even like to use the word hate if that tells you anything. But the way The Bleeding Stone finished up, I've just got to see where this story goes from here! In the meantime, I'm hoping to dip into some more light hearted reads to recover from this one a bit.
I'd recommend The Bleeding Stone to most fans of epic fantasy. The only caution I will throw out there is this time period does include some firearm technology. So if that doesn't bother you and you don't mind some heavy emotional feelings being tested, add this one to your list!
December 13, 2022
Today's the day!
THE BLEEDING STONE is officially out in the wild! Pick up your copy today and don't forget to tell me here if you think it's shite (if you do think so, pls lie).
__________
COVER REVEAL TIME!
This incredible cover was done by the talented Felix Ortiz and designed by the mighty Shawn King.
E-book pre-orders are now live on Amazon and Smashwords.
_____
This is my own book, so I may have some inherent bias in giving this five stars. Regardless, I'm very proud of this work, so I hope you'll forgive the shameless self-promotion here.
Let this be my first public acknowledgment of THE BLEEDING STONE, the first in a fantasy trilogy titled THE SPELLBINDERS AND THE GUNSLINGERS. In a sense, it is a vocalization of my personal frustrations with historical education specifically in the United States, an admonishment of history often being written by the victors, and a rejection of erasure, imperialism, colonialism, and the notion of exceptionalism superseding the sins of the forging of a nation.
There's a mishmash of genres here: it's fantasy at its core, with splashes of historical fiction and western thrown in for good measure. Think the historical analogues of THE POPPY WAR trilogy meets the god-magic of THE BLOODSWORN trilogy meets the drama of THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS.
There will be more to come of THE BLEEDING STONE, and the rest of the trilogy, in the months ahead. The cover will be unveiled in a few short months (and I can tell you now, it is BEAUTIFUL), and the book should see the light of day tentatively on DECEMBER 6, 2022.
I'm looking forward to sharing this story with you all. I hope you enjoy it.
THE BLEEDING STONE is officially out in the wild! Pick up your copy today and don't forget to tell me here if you think it's shite (if you do think so, pls lie).
__________
COVER REVEAL TIME!
This incredible cover was done by the talented Felix Ortiz and designed by the mighty Shawn King.
E-book pre-orders are now live on Amazon and Smashwords.
_____
This is my own book, so I may have some inherent bias in giving this five stars. Regardless, I'm very proud of this work, so I hope you'll forgive the shameless self-promotion here.
Let this be my first public acknowledgment of THE BLEEDING STONE, the first in a fantasy trilogy titled THE SPELLBINDERS AND THE GUNSLINGERS. In a sense, it is a vocalization of my personal frustrations with historical education specifically in the United States, an admonishment of history often being written by the victors, and a rejection of erasure, imperialism, colonialism, and the notion of exceptionalism superseding the sins of the forging of a nation.
There's a mishmash of genres here: it's fantasy at its core, with splashes of historical fiction and western thrown in for good measure. Think the historical analogues of THE POPPY WAR trilogy meets the god-magic of THE BLOODSWORN trilogy meets the drama of THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS.
There will be more to come of THE BLEEDING STONE, and the rest of the trilogy, in the months ahead. The cover will be unveiled in a few short months (and I can tell you now, it is BEAUTIFUL), and the book should see the light of day tentatively on DECEMBER 6, 2022.
I'm looking forward to sharing this story with you all. I hope you enjoy it.
January 12, 2023
Please read my review at the following link:
https://escapistbookcompany.com/2023/...
Thanks for taking the time to read my review. As always, happy reading and Stay Great!!
https://escapistbookcompany.com/2023/...
Thanks for taking the time to read my review. As always, happy reading and Stay Great!!
February 5, 2024
I couldn't help but draw parallels between this and "Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee." If you've read that book, I think you'll have a better picture of the emotional turmoil this book will put you through.
To put it simply, this book is a fantasy book with magic, myth, and lore, but it follows a colonialization narrative from the tribal perspective (I.E. those whose lands are colonialized). The tribes are fragmenting and falling to inter-tribal warfare as their lands are increasingly subjugated and shrunken under the Invaders' spread. This backdrop sets the tone for the book, and if this installment tells us anything, it's that the rest of the trilogy will get darker.
Characters (some of my favorites) die without much "screentime." Families are destroyed and a few characters (also some of my favorites) lose most everyone they care about. The violence is emotionally and physically brutal because when a people of bows and spears fight a people of guns and swords, the odds aren't pretty.
Despite the emotional devastation, I couldn't help but appreciate this book in a heart wrenching, poignant manner. Minus the magic and lore, this book describes a history familiar in tone and scope to that of my own homeland (USA). The characters and their struggles echo the memories and regrets of the people who were here before me, and thus, much of this book felt familiar.
"The Bleeding Stone" has an intriguing magic system, compelling protagonists I can't help but root for, and plenty of wit and banter. Just...don't hold anyone too tightly. Don't expect a happy story. Nevertheless, I think that sometimes, emotional, poignant stories are exactly the sort we need to inform us of ourselves, our world, and our future.
To put it simply, this book is a fantasy book with magic, myth, and lore, but it follows a colonialization narrative from the tribal perspective (I.E. those whose lands are colonialized). The tribes are fragmenting and falling to inter-tribal warfare as their lands are increasingly subjugated and shrunken under the Invaders' spread. This backdrop sets the tone for the book, and if this installment tells us anything, it's that the rest of the trilogy will get darker.
Characters (some of my favorites) die without much "screentime." Families are destroyed and a few characters (also some of my favorites) lose most everyone they care about. The violence is emotionally and physically brutal because when a people of bows and spears fight a people of guns and swords, the odds aren't pretty.
Despite the emotional devastation, I couldn't help but appreciate this book in a heart wrenching, poignant manner. Minus the magic and lore, this book describes a history familiar in tone and scope to that of my own homeland (USA). The characters and their struggles echo the memories and regrets of the people who were here before me, and thus, much of this book felt familiar.
"The Bleeding Stone" has an intriguing magic system, compelling protagonists I can't help but root for, and plenty of wit and banter. Just...don't hold anyone too tightly. Don't expect a happy story. Nevertheless, I think that sometimes, emotional, poignant stories are exactly the sort we need to inform us of ourselves, our world, and our future.
January 22, 2023
Great emotional tale!
An island of the spirit world & the tribes who inhabit it.
Before invasion & claim by the Acrarian Kingdom.
Remnants of the conquered now seek refuge. Born under the an auspicious moon one begins her souls journey.
Emotional & heartbreaking. Great start to series. Loved the writing, characters and spirit world!
An island of the spirit world & the tribes who inhabit it.
Before invasion & claim by the Acrarian Kingdom.
Remnants of the conquered now seek refuge. Born under the an auspicious moon one begins her souls journey.
Emotional & heartbreaking. Great start to series. Loved the writing, characters and spirit world!
December 15, 2022
Very good!
Features great characters, snappy dialogue, magic, closed minded elders, tribal warfare, genocide, slavery, daring rescue attempts, betrayal, and lots of blood. So could ask for anything more?
Features great characters, snappy dialogue, magic, closed minded elders, tribal warfare, genocide, slavery, daring rescue attempts, betrayal, and lots of blood. So could ask for anything more?
December 21, 2022
Once I picked up this novel, I ended up reading it in any spare moment I had. The characters and world pulled me in instantly. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy novels or is just looking for something that feels very fresh and immersive.
The world building was easy to pick up. As someone who can sometimes get bogged down with trying to figure out where everything is happening in a fantasy story I felt like I could visualize the whole world and where the different areas were in relation to each other.
I cannot wait for the next book! I have so many questions and theories for where the story is going.
The world building was easy to pick up. As someone who can sometimes get bogged down with trying to figure out where everything is happening in a fantasy story I felt like I could visualize the whole world and where the different areas were in relation to each other.
I cannot wait for the next book! I have so many questions and theories for where the story is going.
Read
May 29, 2023i'll post reviews and scores after the start of SPFBO
September 21, 2023
My review will be up on www.SilverstonesBooks.com on 9/25
July 2, 2025
DNF at 30%. Very promising read, but not enough excitement for me.
May 29, 2024
"The Bleeding Stone" is the debut novel of Joseph John Lee. This fantasy tale begins strong with a deep dive into family drama that skillfully establishes the backdrop and motivations of the characters before moving onto the central conflict. Lee's approach to characterization is commendable, as each character is distinct and interesting, contributing to a rich and immersive narrative.
One of the novel's notable strengths is its world-building. Lee has created a vivid and compelling universe that serves as an excellent foundation for the story. The magic system and political landscape give the impression of intricate design without telling the reader the recipe, adding layers of depth and intrigue. This careful construction of the world helps ground the reader, making the fantastical elements feel real and consequential.
However, the structure of the novel presents a double-edged sword. The narrative frequently jumps around the timeline, which has both positive and negative effects in my opinion. On one hand, these jumps create a sense of tension, as readers are aware that certain characters will survive to appear in future timelines despite their action in the “present”. This knowledge adds a layer of dramatic irony, as we watch the characters struggle, knowing they are destined to fail to some degree. On the other hand, this same structure can detract from the suspense, as it sometimes feels like the ending is given away or that the story is steering towards a predictable conclusion. It left me with mixed feelings on the concept execution that I have still been unable to resolve week’s later.
Another point of contention is the book's role within the larger series. "The Bleeding Stone" often feels more like a prologue rather than a standalone novel. Much of the narrative is dedicated to setting up future events, which can be both a strength and a weakness. For readers who enjoy a slow-burn, detailed setup, this can be satisfying. However, those looking for immediate payoff might find the conclusion lacking in resolution. The book ends with the feeling that it is just the beginning, an inciting incident for the larger story yet to come. For some readers, this will be an exciting and perfect start to the series, but I was left wondering about the novel's conclusion
Despite these structural critiques, Lee's prose is a highlight. The writing is clean, polished, and at times, beautifully poetic. It's hard to believe this is a debut novel, given the level of craftsmanship displayed. The dialogue is sharp, with a good balance of wit and seriousness that suits the tone of the story. The pacing, while slow at times, allows for thorough character development and exploration of the novel's themes.
"The Bleeding Stone" is a promising start to what appears to be a compelling series. While the structure and pacing may not appeal to all readers, those who appreciate detailed world-building, complex characters, and a slow-burn narrative will find much to enjoy. The novel sets up numerous intriguing plot threads and character arcs, leaving readers curious about how the story will unfold in future installments. Despite my reservations I am eager to see where the series goes next.
One of the novel's notable strengths is its world-building. Lee has created a vivid and compelling universe that serves as an excellent foundation for the story. The magic system and political landscape give the impression of intricate design without telling the reader the recipe, adding layers of depth and intrigue. This careful construction of the world helps ground the reader, making the fantastical elements feel real and consequential.
However, the structure of the novel presents a double-edged sword. The narrative frequently jumps around the timeline, which has both positive and negative effects in my opinion. On one hand, these jumps create a sense of tension, as readers are aware that certain characters will survive to appear in future timelines despite their action in the “present”. This knowledge adds a layer of dramatic irony, as we watch the characters struggle, knowing they are destined to fail to some degree. On the other hand, this same structure can detract from the suspense, as it sometimes feels like the ending is given away or that the story is steering towards a predictable conclusion. It left me with mixed feelings on the concept execution that I have still been unable to resolve week’s later.
Another point of contention is the book's role within the larger series. "The Bleeding Stone" often feels more like a prologue rather than a standalone novel. Much of the narrative is dedicated to setting up future events, which can be both a strength and a weakness. For readers who enjoy a slow-burn, detailed setup, this can be satisfying. However, those looking for immediate payoff might find the conclusion lacking in resolution. The book ends with the feeling that it is just the beginning, an inciting incident for the larger story yet to come. For some readers, this will be an exciting and perfect start to the series, but I was left wondering about the novel's conclusion
Despite these structural critiques, Lee's prose is a highlight. The writing is clean, polished, and at times, beautifully poetic. It's hard to believe this is a debut novel, given the level of craftsmanship displayed. The dialogue is sharp, with a good balance of wit and seriousness that suits the tone of the story. The pacing, while slow at times, allows for thorough character development and exploration of the novel's themes.
"The Bleeding Stone" is a promising start to what appears to be a compelling series. While the structure and pacing may not appeal to all readers, those who appreciate detailed world-building, complex characters, and a slow-burn narrative will find much to enjoy. The novel sets up numerous intriguing plot threads and character arcs, leaving readers curious about how the story will unfold in future installments. Despite my reservations I am eager to see where the series goes next.
February 2, 2024
I received this book from the Author as part of a review package for the latest book in "The Spellbinders and the Gunslingers" trilogy, which name still hasn't been revealed. This in no way impacted my opinions.
The story revolves around the invasion of a land and how this affects the natives of said land. There is magic, there are guns (if you couldn't tell from the Trilogy name) and there's drama. A lot of drama.
There's a few good things in this book, some of the characters are well rounded and show scope for progression and development, the setting is interesting and the magic concepts introduced, although for now vague in their workings, make sense and are different enough to get your attention and make you think, I want to know more about this.
As I said, there's a few good characters, which to me are those characters that make you feel something, characters that every time you read their name you feel anger, longing or curiosity about. There are also some characters who, while believable and likable, don't go much further than that which, in this story, is fine.
Despite what seem to be some very good positives in the book I struggled and had to "force" myself to the end. This might just be me and it might not apply to you so, please, do check the book out and make your own opinion.
The writing didn't feel consistent to me, although generally, it seems to follow an upward trend. It reads and feels like that of a newcomer to book writting who has read a few blog posts about the great writers in the genre and tried to incorporate all their "tricks" into the book. This, as I said, goes away as you go deeper into the book and the writting improves to a point where it's not detrimental to the pacing of the story, as I found myself having to reread paragraphs and sentences over and over to try and understand what was happening.
The time jumping, for me, makes it really hard to get into the book. It works fine later on once you know who's who and some of their motivations but in the beginning, while I do conceed that for some people it might pique their interest, it made me not want to read as I felt I had to constantly go back and forward to understand where I was.
So here it is, my review of The Bleeding Stone. I had to force myself through the book but am happy to say that now I have finished it, I'm looking forward to pick up The Children of the Black Moon and see where the story takes us as there's an improvement in both the story telling as well as the writing.
The story revolves around the invasion of a land and how this affects the natives of said land. There is magic, there are guns (if you couldn't tell from the Trilogy name) and there's drama. A lot of drama.
There's a few good things in this book, some of the characters are well rounded and show scope for progression and development, the setting is interesting and the magic concepts introduced, although for now vague in their workings, make sense and are different enough to get your attention and make you think, I want to know more about this.
As I said, there's a few good characters, which to me are those characters that make you feel something, characters that every time you read their name you feel anger, longing or curiosity about. There are also some characters who, while believable and likable, don't go much further than that which, in this story, is fine.
Despite what seem to be some very good positives in the book I struggled and had to "force" myself to the end. This might just be me and it might not apply to you so, please, do check the book out and make your own opinion.
The writing didn't feel consistent to me, although generally, it seems to follow an upward trend. It reads and feels like that of a newcomer to book writting who has read a few blog posts about the great writers in the genre and tried to incorporate all their "tricks" into the book. This, as I said, goes away as you go deeper into the book and the writting improves to a point where it's not detrimental to the pacing of the story, as I found myself having to reread paragraphs and sentences over and over to try and understand what was happening.
The time jumping, for me, makes it really hard to get into the book. It works fine later on once you know who's who and some of their motivations but in the beginning, while I do conceed that for some people it might pique their interest, it made me not want to read as I felt I had to constantly go back and forward to understand where I was.
So here it is, my review of The Bleeding Stone. I had to force myself through the book but am happy to say that now I have finished it, I'm looking forward to pick up The Children of the Black Moon and see where the story takes us as there's an improvement in both the story telling as well as the writing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
February 21, 2024This is not a full review. I read through the beginning of all 300 SPFBO9 contest entries. This was a book I wanted to read more of.
The now-rich founder of colonial nation returns after years to stir the memory of his successes, and is confronted by the specter of the natives whose land he won/stole.
The prose here leads. It is competent and detailed, shifting between emphasizing its setting and its prologue protagonist’s thoughts regarding his landing once again on the nation he founded.
This story of ch1 moves back in time to, I expect, the struggle that birthed this new nation. It promises flintlocks and magic, and that should be a stirring combination!
There were some sour notes for me in this prologue. In addition to feeling a little drawn out, especially in the lead up and execution of this lecture our founder gives, it works hard to present us with a disgusting minor character.
This lecturer is made disgusting, however, because of his physical appearance, and sweating and even (ridiculously) pissing himself, and not because of any dubious defect of character that could reflect some fault of our colonial nation.
Despite this misplaced heavy-handedness (also evident in the unnecessary urgency of this lecture), this is detailed and absorbing fiction. I find myself invested in the prologue MC, and the weightiness of his accomplishments.
I hope he continues to feature in this tale. I will be confused and disappointed if he doesn’t. He could equally be a villain or a hero depending on whose perspective the story is told from.
That conflict of viewpoint is rich ground for story, and if there is one thing this narrative has expertly done in this beginning, it is not decide for us if this is a good man or a bad one.
This is a feature of fiction that I am often fond of. Along with the strength of the prose - and more than the prose, the dialogue, the atmosphere, the inventive fullness of the setting - this is a success. I want to read on. I’m in!
The now-rich founder of colonial nation returns after years to stir the memory of his successes, and is confronted by the specter of the natives whose land he won/stole.
The prose here leads. It is competent and detailed, shifting between emphasizing its setting and its prologue protagonist’s thoughts regarding his landing once again on the nation he founded.
This story of ch1 moves back in time to, I expect, the struggle that birthed this new nation. It promises flintlocks and magic, and that should be a stirring combination!
There were some sour notes for me in this prologue. In addition to feeling a little drawn out, especially in the lead up and execution of this lecture our founder gives, it works hard to present us with a disgusting minor character.
This lecturer is made disgusting, however, because of his physical appearance, and sweating and even (ridiculously) pissing himself, and not because of any dubious defect of character that could reflect some fault of our colonial nation.
Despite this misplaced heavy-handedness (also evident in the unnecessary urgency of this lecture), this is detailed and absorbing fiction. I find myself invested in the prologue MC, and the weightiness of his accomplishments.
I hope he continues to feature in this tale. I will be confused and disappointed if he doesn’t. He could equally be a villain or a hero depending on whose perspective the story is told from.
That conflict of viewpoint is rich ground for story, and if there is one thing this narrative has expertly done in this beginning, it is not decide for us if this is a good man or a bad one.
This is a feature of fiction that I am often fond of. Along with the strength of the prose - and more than the prose, the dialogue, the atmosphere, the inventive fullness of the setting - this is a success. I want to read on. I’m in!
May 3, 2024
The Bleeding Stone by Joseph John Lee - First book in The Spellbinders and the Gunslingers series
Adventurous, challenging, dark, emotional,
mysterious, reflective, sad, and tense.
Medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5 Stars
I loved how this story forces the reader to move past their own knowledge of history, for most of us that are reading this tale...are children of the Invaders (of our world). So, while reading this story, we are constantly having to wrestle with what our ancestors did to the native poplulation of what we now call North America.
It took a bit to get into the story, not totally understanding what world we were in (our own OR a secondary world). Once I figured out it was a secondary world, then it went well.
I've been a student of history, so a LOT of this felt familiar, but then again, it also felt foreign.
The main character of the story is Sen (Sennalhat). At first, she's not someone you'd think would be the protagonist of the story.
Plus, the non-linear storytelling, spoon feeds us her lineage/story, but backwards...which was enlightening (if it had been told to us in a linear way, it would not have the same impact IMO.
There is a LOT of death in this story. I would get comfortable with someone, but they'd die. Then I'd get comfortable with another, and they'd die.
Then I decided to keep an "arm's length" from everone else...to protect myself...and still...more would die.
This is a brutal world, indeed
In ways, you'd think the readers would side with the Invaders, but even with a similarity of historical background, they still seem OFF...and we know that we should NOT like/root for them.
The end of this book, closes a "chapter" of the story...in a very powerful way. I am now wondering how the sequel will open/close. Will it follow that same structure as the first? Interesting. Will be picking up The Children of the Back Moon...in short order.
Adventurous, challenging, dark, emotional,
mysterious, reflective, sad, and tense.
Medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5 Stars
I loved how this story forces the reader to move past their own knowledge of history, for most of us that are reading this tale...are children of the Invaders (of our world). So, while reading this story, we are constantly having to wrestle with what our ancestors did to the native poplulation of what we now call North America.
It took a bit to get into the story, not totally understanding what world we were in (our own OR a secondary world). Once I figured out it was a secondary world, then it went well.
I've been a student of history, so a LOT of this felt familiar, but then again, it also felt foreign.
The main character of the story is Sen (Sennalhat). At first, she's not someone you'd think would be the protagonist of the story.
Plus, the non-linear storytelling, spoon feeds us her lineage/story, but backwards...which was enlightening (if it had been told to us in a linear way, it would not have the same impact IMO.
There is a LOT of death in this story. I would get comfortable with someone, but they'd die. Then I'd get comfortable with another, and they'd die.
Then I decided to keep an "arm's length" from everone else...to protect myself...and still...more would die.
This is a brutal world, indeed
In ways, you'd think the readers would side with the Invaders, but even with a similarity of historical background, they still seem OFF...and we know that we should NOT like/root for them.
The end of this book, closes a "chapter" of the story...in a very powerful way. I am now wondering how the sequel will open/close. Will it follow that same structure as the first? Interesting. Will be picking up The Children of the Back Moon...in short order.
July 4, 2025
Damn, such a great story here, one with incredible depth, tragic characters, and a timeline structure where you already know the bad guys win (this isn't a spoiler).
I want to start with the prose and story structure. The prose is top notch, elegant in its approach. Every scene is painted beautifully, especially the scenes of heartbreak (of which there are many). But it is the structure of the story that shined for me, and it will also not be for everyone. The prelude, interludes, and afterlude is from a conqueor's POV, one we barely see on page during the main plot line of the story. And these 'ludes' take place decades after the conquest. These scenes were just so cool because there is a lot of mystery in them, things that are only slightly uncovered during the plot (my assumption is we will see many of the mysteries play out in books 2 and 3). And then on top of that, there are 'Memory' chapters where some backstory of the FMC, Sen, is given. And these scenes function as lore and growth. I really liked this concept, but I can see how some readers might like a more streamlined linear plot.
The characters here are wonderfully well-rounded, each with flaws of their own. We get a number of POVs, but this really is Sen's story. And she's got so much going against her, but I really liked her arc here. To say much more would be spoiler. But the major conflict is a family losing not just each other for various reasons, but their place in their tribe.
I will say that magic system is pretty cool, with a neat twist on Native American totems (if you haven't gleaned from the blurb, this story is basically the colonization of America told from the native side). Really liked the Owl, Bear, and Wolf sign magic. Then the mysterious eclipse, yeah, looking forward to what that all entails.
Also, this story is just harsh. Love the pain here, and it is done with a deft hand by Lee. This was not a joyous, easy read, but this is one that will stick with me for quite some time. Eager to dive into book 2 soon!
I want to start with the prose and story structure. The prose is top notch, elegant in its approach. Every scene is painted beautifully, especially the scenes of heartbreak (of which there are many). But it is the structure of the story that shined for me, and it will also not be for everyone. The prelude, interludes, and afterlude is from a conqueor's POV, one we barely see on page during the main plot line of the story. And these 'ludes' take place decades after the conquest. These scenes were just so cool because there is a lot of mystery in them, things that are only slightly uncovered during the plot (my assumption is we will see many of the mysteries play out in books 2 and 3). And then on top of that, there are 'Memory' chapters where some backstory of the FMC, Sen, is given. And these scenes function as lore and growth. I really liked this concept, but I can see how some readers might like a more streamlined linear plot.
The characters here are wonderfully well-rounded, each with flaws of their own. We get a number of POVs, but this really is Sen's story. And she's got so much going against her, but I really liked her arc here. To say much more would be spoiler. But the major conflict is a family losing not just each other for various reasons, but their place in their tribe.
I will say that magic system is pretty cool, with a neat twist on Native American totems (if you haven't gleaned from the blurb, this story is basically the colonization of America told from the native side). Really liked the Owl, Bear, and Wolf sign magic. Then the mysterious eclipse, yeah, looking forward to what that all entails.
Also, this story is just harsh. Love the pain here, and it is done with a deft hand by Lee. This was not a joyous, easy read, but this is one that will stick with me for quite some time. Eager to dive into book 2 soon!
December 21, 2023
Book: ***
Performance: ****
A Slow Fantasy with a Colonizer Trope
The story is told from the perspective of a native tribal culture in retreat from a more technologically advance colonizing civilizations that is an obvious nod how the European powers colonized the Americas. In this case, the “natives” are of course more attuned to nature (Sun Tribe, Wood Tribe, Stone Tribe, et al), with some minor supernatural gifts that are awarded by a special ceremony when they become adults. The invaders primarily use fire arms (flintlocks) which apparently are too advance for the natives to figure out a counter So yeah … there despite the very interesting premise, there are parts of the world-building that are overly simplistic and tropey. That makes the main driving force behind the story the characters … with the the bad guy a typical arrogant fool and the FMC an emotional wreck … because she was born under the eclipse and should have been “exposed” as a cursed born child.
The bulk of the story focused on developing the extremely dysfunction relationships between the FMC and various members of her tribe (allies and enemies) while highlighting her self-destructive behavior that made her much less appealing over all. There are slowly revealed mysteries that remained largely unexplored (although there is a hint at the end that is really only there to pull you into the sequel). Still, the bones of a pretty good story are there. It loses points for the time jumping across three (3) separate timelines (not a fan) and the really slow (almost nonexistent) and the unsatisfactory (and rushed) ending. It gets credit for a solid narration though making it a decent piece of entertainment.
I was given this free advance review/listener copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#TheBleedingStone #TheSpellbindersAndTheGunslingers #FreeAudiobookCodes #KindleUnlimited
Performance: ****
A Slow Fantasy with a Colonizer Trope
The story is told from the perspective of a native tribal culture in retreat from a more technologically advance colonizing civilizations that is an obvious nod how the European powers colonized the Americas. In this case, the “natives” are of course more attuned to nature (Sun Tribe, Wood Tribe, Stone Tribe, et al), with some minor supernatural gifts that are awarded by a special ceremony when they become adults. The invaders primarily use fire arms (flintlocks) which apparently are too advance for the natives to figure out a counter So yeah … there despite the very interesting premise, there are parts of the world-building that are overly simplistic and tropey. That makes the main driving force behind the story the characters … with the the bad guy a typical arrogant fool and the FMC an emotional wreck … because she was born under the eclipse and should have been “exposed” as a cursed born child.
The bulk of the story focused on developing the extremely dysfunction relationships between the FMC and various members of her tribe (allies and enemies) while highlighting her self-destructive behavior that made her much less appealing over all. There are slowly revealed mysteries that remained largely unexplored (although there is a hint at the end that is really only there to pull you into the sequel). Still, the bones of a pretty good story are there. It loses points for the time jumping across three (3) separate timelines (not a fan) and the really slow (almost nonexistent) and the unsatisfactory (and rushed) ending. It gets credit for a solid narration though making it a decent piece of entertainment.
I was given this free advance review/listener copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#TheBleedingStone #TheSpellbindersAndTheGunslingers #FreeAudiobookCodes #KindleUnlimited
July 26, 2024
Why I picked this up: This has been on my radar for so long I can’t remember why I put it on my TBR pile. It could’ve been the colonialist theme and cool cover. Anyway, I found it on audio. Narrated by RJ Bayley? Boom. Sold.
Genre: Gaslamp fantasy
Tone: Dramatic
Plot: Tribal peeps hanging out in the mountains, doing their thing until colonialists come and stir sh-t up.
Pacing: Medium. I normally like ‘em fast paced, but I was engaged enough to maintain interest. The narrator probably had influence over that. Also, it’s a fairly short book, so I got through it quick.
Prose: 3rd person limited multi-POV. Time jumps between childhood memories, the meat of the action, and 25 years later. Once I understood the pattern I was cool with it. The prose was awkward at the beginning, but smoothed out towards the end—mostly phonic issues and word repetitions. Modern voice, lean description, easy to read, a bit of swearing.
World: 16th/17th century colonial setting. Most of the story is with the rock tribe, although there are others throughout the island in various states (displaced, enslaved) because of occupation. Single attribute enhancing, spirit-based magic which only the natives have access to. The tribal world felt disjointed. Although the rock tribe have never had contact with the colonialists or guns, they have taverns, alcohol, playing cards, steel (which is only used for spears and arrows) and use idioms like “waltzing.” I couldn’t wrap my head around it, so I lost a bit of the immersion.
Characters: The characters that matter are distinct and engaging, including a few a-hole antagonists.
Conflict: Alcoholism, bigotry, superstition, evolution vs. culture, family feuds, boom-sticks, slavery, and a coup. A little violence with an explosive ending.
Overall enjoyment: Good. 3.5 rounded up as I believe the series has potential. I’ll hang out for the next audiobook.
Genre: Gaslamp fantasy
Tone: Dramatic
Plot: Tribal peeps hanging out in the mountains, doing their thing until colonialists come and stir sh-t up.
Pacing: Medium. I normally like ‘em fast paced, but I was engaged enough to maintain interest. The narrator probably had influence over that. Also, it’s a fairly short book, so I got through it quick.
Prose: 3rd person limited multi-POV. Time jumps between childhood memories, the meat of the action, and 25 years later. Once I understood the pattern I was cool with it. The prose was awkward at the beginning, but smoothed out towards the end—mostly phonic issues and word repetitions. Modern voice, lean description, easy to read, a bit of swearing.
World: 16th/17th century colonial setting. Most of the story is with the rock tribe, although there are others throughout the island in various states (displaced, enslaved) because of occupation. Single attribute enhancing, spirit-based magic which only the natives have access to. The tribal world felt disjointed. Although the rock tribe have never had contact with the colonialists or guns, they have taverns, alcohol, playing cards, steel (which is only used for spears and arrows) and use idioms like “waltzing.” I couldn’t wrap my head around it, so I lost a bit of the immersion.
Characters: The characters that matter are distinct and engaging, including a few a-hole antagonists.
Conflict: Alcoholism, bigotry, superstition, evolution vs. culture, family feuds, boom-sticks, slavery, and a coup. A little violence with an explosive ending.
Overall enjoyment: Good. 3.5 rounded up as I believe the series has potential. I’ll hang out for the next audiobook.
October 14, 2024
I bought this on the spur of the moment, having been captivated by both the cover and the synopsis, which place the story in a setting reminiscent of when the Conquistadors invaded/colonised South America, which as a fantasy setting is unique, as far as I have seen.
Overall, the story was enjoyable to read with an interesting cast of characters. The story is spread out over different periods, which are related to the number of years since the Island was invaded, with the majority of the events in this book taking place fifteen years after the invasion, focusing on Sen, who is the daughter of the Stone tribes Chief, and her interactions with the rest of the tribe, most of whom view her as an outcast. This also coincides with the tribe's first contact with the invaders, who are hunting escaped slaves, whom the tribes have taken in.
The vast majority of the book is devoted to setting the stage and developing the personalities of the characters, as well as the circumstances, both past and present, for events that take place in the latter half of the book, so while they were interesting and enjoyable, they weren't altogether engaging. One thing that I did thoroughly enjoy was how the members of the tribe were depicted, which was as the more enlightened and civilised society, which was also conveyed by the dialogue.
Halfway through I had mixed feelings about whether or not I would continue with the series, but the events in the latter half convinced me that I should.
Overall, the story was enjoyable to read with an interesting cast of characters. The story is spread out over different periods, which are related to the number of years since the Island was invaded, with the majority of the events in this book taking place fifteen years after the invasion, focusing on Sen, who is the daughter of the Stone tribes Chief, and her interactions with the rest of the tribe, most of whom view her as an outcast. This also coincides with the tribe's first contact with the invaders, who are hunting escaped slaves, whom the tribes have taken in.
The vast majority of the book is devoted to setting the stage and developing the personalities of the characters, as well as the circumstances, both past and present, for events that take place in the latter half of the book, so while they were interesting and enjoyable, they weren't altogether engaging. One thing that I did thoroughly enjoy was how the members of the tribe were depicted, which was as the more enlightened and civilised society, which was also conveyed by the dialogue.
Halfway through I had mixed feelings about whether or not I would continue with the series, but the events in the latter half convinced me that I should.
November 19, 2023
Overall I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone who's interested in historical fantasy especially with a critical look towards colonialism.
There were a few minor (personal) pet peeves that makes this a 4 star rather than a 5 for me although I doubt those things will bother most readers of fantasy so don't make my rating deter you.
I listened to the audiobook version and the narration was absolutely fantastic. I can't spell any character's names for this reason but I really enjoyed most of the main POV's, even the conquistador's although that was mostly me anticipating his eventual downfall.
I wasn't as interested in the internal politics/conflict within the Stone Tribe so I must admit there were some chapters towards the end that I didn't listen as carefully to as I probably should have. I got the sense a lot of this book was setup for the larger series and overall it was a satisfying setup but not quite enough payoff at the end for me personally. I'll definitely check out the next one as I'm curious how the story goes now that the pieces for the larger plot have been set.
There were a few minor (personal) pet peeves that makes this a 4 star rather than a 5 for me although I doubt those things will bother most readers of fantasy so don't make my rating deter you.
I listened to the audiobook version and the narration was absolutely fantastic. I can't spell any character's names for this reason but I really enjoyed most of the main POV's, even the conquistador's although that was mostly me anticipating his eventual downfall.
I wasn't as interested in the internal politics/conflict within the Stone Tribe so I must admit there were some chapters towards the end that I didn't listen as carefully to as I probably should have. I got the sense a lot of this book was setup for the larger series and overall it was a satisfying setup but not quite enough payoff at the end for me personally. I'll definitely check out the next one as I'm curious how the story goes now that the pieces for the larger plot have been set.
March 12, 2023
The Bleeding Stone is a historical indigenous fantasy tale of Sen - the middle child and outcast in her family. It's a tale of those who were conquered in America, but also a tale of how they fought. They say that history is written by the victors, but what if that "history" isn't 100% accurate? This tale looks into "what really happened." Great, believable characters that felt like real people plucked from history. Really well written prose. Easily imagined scenes (which is important for a person who visualizes everything while reading). I kept thinking about this book - even when I had to stop reading it because of life. It gave me all the emotions in one. Just so well done.
It's not perfect - there were a few moments where we jumped in timeline when I wanted to stay with the current story. But it was so good that I couldn't not give it 5 stars.
It's not perfect - there were a few moments where we jumped in timeline when I wanted to stay with the current story. But it was so good that I couldn't not give it 5 stars.
February 5, 2023
"A people and culture do not cease to exist simply because your eyes are shut."
The Bleeding Stone is a historical fantasy, following the invasion of a land to the West and the impact and struggle the various Indigenous tribes in this world experience.
I really enjoyed that we followed three timelines that bring us to a present day cliffhanger ending, and I can tell the author is just getting started at revealing the different tribes in this world; their religions and beliefs.
It was quite slow-paced for me in the middle section and I found it took me a bit of time to appreciate the main character. However, every other character I met was compelling and intriguing. Emotional and well-written, I'm curious to see where this story leads.
The Bleeding Stone is a historical fantasy, following the invasion of a land to the West and the impact and struggle the various Indigenous tribes in this world experience.
I really enjoyed that we followed three timelines that bring us to a present day cliffhanger ending, and I can tell the author is just getting started at revealing the different tribes in this world; their religions and beliefs.
It was quite slow-paced for me in the middle section and I found it took me a bit of time to appreciate the main character. However, every other character I met was compelling and intriguing. Emotional and well-written, I'm curious to see where this story leads.
February 24, 2023
The Bleeding Stone was a great read and fantastic debut novel for Joseph John Lee. The story is a fantasy twist on the colonization of North America. It explores the colonists' exploitation of the natives as well as the interesting concept of 'the victor writes history". The World Building is done really well and the characters, while slow at times, are developed well across the novel. The novel is a slow burn, if this were a movie I would label it a drama, not a thriller or action flick.
I do want to say the author's prose is very clean and beautifully written. At times I found it hard to believe this was a debut novel!
This was a solid 3.75 for me (I always round up, so 4/5) The ending is definitely terrific, worth the slow burn.
I do want to say the author's prose is very clean and beautifully written. At times I found it hard to believe this was a debut novel!
This was a solid 3.75 for me (I always round up, so 4/5) The ending is definitely terrific, worth the slow burn.
July 2, 2024
I found the premise and the plot interesting, based in a fictional colonial America where most of the natives are enslaved or have been eradicated by settlers. It was easy to vouch for the natives and also easy to follow the timeline which alternates between the present (40 years after landfall) and the past (mostly 15 years after landfall), but I found the writing a little too verbose and prolonged for my liking, delving a bit too much on descriptions and emotions that I felt slowed down the story somewhat. Still worth reading and if you want to read fantasy set in America during early colonisation I think you will find this book entertaining.
September 12, 2023
Without a doubt amazing.
Joseph John Lee have truly written something special here on this first book of the series.
Confusing, two possible outcomes in one story.
Even so that my favorite genre is science fiction something told me to try this fantasy book and I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever.
Truly beautiful and hopefully the next one will also end up for me to review its audio version.
RJ Bayley excellent narration of each of the characters.
My full recommendations !
Oded Ostfeld.
Joseph John Lee have truly written something special here on this first book of the series.
Confusing, two possible outcomes in one story.
Even so that my favorite genre is science fiction something told me to try this fantasy book and I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever.
Truly beautiful and hopefully the next one will also end up for me to review its audio version.
RJ Bayley excellent narration of each of the characters.
My full recommendations !
Oded Ostfeld.
March 2, 2024
Picked this book up, read 6 pages and put it down for a few weeks. Just yesterday did I pick it up again and was blown away by the sheer scope of the world set up and the twists and turns the plot takes. One chapter, the infamous unlucky number 13, gets extremely confusing at one point, if it’s intentionally done so to go along with one of the main characters, good job. If not, that chapter was a blender for my brain. If you like island science fiction, steampunk era and an interesting system of magic, this is a book for you.
September 26, 2023
I was lucky enough to read this book with the author in a buddy setting. The characters are so relatable and the story, omg the story. This book will leave you with so many emotions. I didn't want it to end. I am afraid to start book two now. I would recommend this book to anyone. This will surely be a classic.
December 5, 2023
At times I would loss track of what is happening with so much shifting narration from time period to time period. At the beginning was not to bad but became more difficult as the story got more complex. Narrator does a good job with the various characters voices and the entire storyline.
I Personally will not continue this Series.
I Personally will not continue this Series.
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