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The Forgotten Stone
A clumsy tavern girl. A brutal society. One stone to save them both.
When Enouim makes a mistake that angers the land’s most ferocious warrior, she flees for her life – only to accidentally wind up on a quest she is entirely unprepared for.
Gorgenbrild, a society famed for its merciless warriors, is buckling under pressure. Trade routes have toppled one by one as enemies encircle the land. The renowned Canukke Topothain has been called forth to lead an elite band of warriors in a quest to find a legendary artifact that could turn the tide of the war.
Canukke is less than enthused to find an unqualified addition to his cadre, and Enouim must prove her worth or be tossed aside. With home no longer an option, Enouim claims the mission as her own in hopes of following in her father’s footsteps and uncovering a long-lost truth. As Enouim faces dangers she never imagined, she is forced to consider that everything she was ever taught about life and honor may be wrong.
Fans of The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia LOVE this epic fantasy adventure!
When Enouim makes a mistake that angers the land’s most ferocious warrior, she flees for her life – only to accidentally wind up on a quest she is entirely unprepared for.
Gorgenbrild, a society famed for its merciless warriors, is buckling under pressure. Trade routes have toppled one by one as enemies encircle the land. The renowned Canukke Topothain has been called forth to lead an elite band of warriors in a quest to find a legendary artifact that could turn the tide of the war.
Canukke is less than enthused to find an unqualified addition to his cadre, and Enouim must prove her worth or be tossed aside. With home no longer an option, Enouim claims the mission as her own in hopes of following in her father’s footsteps and uncovering a long-lost truth. As Enouim faces dangers she never imagined, she is forced to consider that everything she was ever taught about life and honor may be wrong.
Fans of The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia LOVE this epic fantasy adventure!
515 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2022
96 people are currently reading
1283 people want to read
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September 4, 2023Dnf at page 129
I really wanted to like this book, but I'm so bored and it's over 500 pages 😭
I really wanted to like this book, but I'm so bored and it's over 500 pages 😭
July 29, 2022
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an HONEST review. By far one of the best fantasy series I've read in a long time! It's very easy to see the authors inspiration from Lord of the Rings and I have no doubt that this will one day be a literary classic as well. Each character was given a well rounded personality and Enouims perspective was very relatable. Not once reading this book did I become bored, between the plot twists, new editions to the party and beautiful imagery! The end is satisfying but will leave you wanting a sequel simply to stay immersed in this world of epic fantasy.
August 3, 2022
I want to start by saying how refreshing it is to read a fantasy novel without gory volence or spicy scene.
Really enjoyed the story, characters & the ending! I felt like I was in the journey with them. The Forgotten Stone also helped me get out of a reading slump.
Fantasy is a genre I love dearly and really being in this world for a time.
Looking forward to book two & I hope it comes out soon!
If you enjoy....
◇Clean Fantasy (Pg13)
◇Adventure
◇Female Lead
◇Narnia
◇Lord of The Rings
I highly recommend checking this one out 📚
The publication date for The Forgotten Stone has been moved up to August 1st 2022
Thank you to the author for the ARC (advance reader copy) all thoughts and opinions are my own.
The pronunciation guide was very helpful.
Book Synopsis: 📖
"A clumsy tavern girl. A brutal society. One stone to save them both.
When Enouim makes a mistake that angers the land’s most ferocious warrior, she flees for her life – only to accidentally wind up on a quest she is entirely unprepared for.
Gorgenbrild, a society famed for its merciless warriors, is buckling under pressure. Trade routes have toppled one by one as enemies encircle the land. The renowned Canukke Topothain has been called forth to lead an elite band of warriors in a quest to find a legendary artifact that could turn the tide of the war.
Canukke is less than enthused to find an unqualified addition to his cadre, and Enouim must prove her worth or be tossed aside. With home no longer an option, Enouim claims the mission as her own in hopes of following in her father’s footsteps and uncovering a long-lost truth. As Enouim faces dangers she never imagined, she is forced to consider that everything she was ever taught about life and honor may be wrong.
Fans of The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia LOVE this epic fantasy adventure!"
Really enjoyed the story, characters & the ending! I felt like I was in the journey with them. The Forgotten Stone also helped me get out of a reading slump.
Fantasy is a genre I love dearly and really being in this world for a time.
Looking forward to book two & I hope it comes out soon!
If you enjoy....
◇Clean Fantasy (Pg13)
◇Adventure
◇Female Lead
◇Narnia
◇Lord of The Rings
I highly recommend checking this one out 📚
The publication date for The Forgotten Stone has been moved up to August 1st 2022
Thank you to the author for the ARC (advance reader copy) all thoughts and opinions are my own.
The pronunciation guide was very helpful.
Book Synopsis: 📖
"A clumsy tavern girl. A brutal society. One stone to save them both.
When Enouim makes a mistake that angers the land’s most ferocious warrior, she flees for her life – only to accidentally wind up on a quest she is entirely unprepared for.
Gorgenbrild, a society famed for its merciless warriors, is buckling under pressure. Trade routes have toppled one by one as enemies encircle the land. The renowned Canukke Topothain has been called forth to lead an elite band of warriors in a quest to find a legendary artifact that could turn the tide of the war.
Canukke is less than enthused to find an unqualified addition to his cadre, and Enouim must prove her worth or be tossed aside. With home no longer an option, Enouim claims the mission as her own in hopes of following in her father’s footsteps and uncovering a long-lost truth. As Enouim faces dangers she never imagined, she is forced to consider that everything she was ever taught about life and honor may be wrong.
Fans of The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia LOVE this epic fantasy adventure!"
August 2, 2022
I was given the opportunity to arc read. This book is a great read. It took a little for me to understand the world and pronounce the names (there is a guide) once I did it was fast paced and action packed. You learn about the characters and the different cultures. While you suspected where things would eventually go you don’t see most of it coming. It took me on an emotional rollercoaster. It’s a clean fantasy, in saying that plenty of violence and action! You should definitely add to your tbr!
September 29, 2022
Oh wow. This book encapsulates exactly what I want out of fantasy. It was full of action and character, deep world building, and wonderful metaphor. It kept me hooked to it the entire time.
I believe E. A. Winters used her own martial arts training in writing the fight scenes, and it shows. The fight scenes are very descriptive and fast-paced. Especially at the beginning, the pace goes straight from action to action, keeping the ball rolling and keeping me engaged.
There are a wide variety of characters in this book, all with their own unique backgrounds and personality. Because there are so many characters initially introduced, it took me a little while to differentiate between the various characters and remember who went with which name. But, eventually I got used to so many characters and it wasn’t a negative factor by the end.
The world building in here is very well done, I would say. There are multiple different cities the character group explores with different ideologies and cultures, along with many ideological debates among some of the characters themselves. I will say, sometimes these debates feel not quite how a natural conversation about a person’s ideologies would ensue, but it works still sometimes. I really appreciate how much effort Winters obviously put into the politics and cultures of this world.
And finally, my favorite part, the metaphor. This book has the same metaphoric drive that I loved in the Chronicles of Narnia. The legends and spiritual background guides the plot invisibly at first, and is slowly revealed more and more until the true nature of it is revealed. I don’t want to spoil it, but let me just say I was greatly delighted by it.
Overall, I enjoyed this book very much. The ending was satisfying, while leaving me wanting to read more adventures by these characters in this world. I will look forward to any future installments!
I believe E. A. Winters used her own martial arts training in writing the fight scenes, and it shows. The fight scenes are very descriptive and fast-paced. Especially at the beginning, the pace goes straight from action to action, keeping the ball rolling and keeping me engaged.
There are a wide variety of characters in this book, all with their own unique backgrounds and personality. Because there are so many characters initially introduced, it took me a little while to differentiate between the various characters and remember who went with which name. But, eventually I got used to so many characters and it wasn’t a negative factor by the end.
The world building in here is very well done, I would say. There are multiple different cities the character group explores with different ideologies and cultures, along with many ideological debates among some of the characters themselves. I will say, sometimes these debates feel not quite how a natural conversation about a person’s ideologies would ensue, but it works still sometimes. I really appreciate how much effort Winters obviously put into the politics and cultures of this world.
And finally, my favorite part, the metaphor. This book has the same metaphoric drive that I loved in the Chronicles of Narnia. The legends and spiritual background guides the plot invisibly at first, and is slowly revealed more and more until the true nature of it is revealed. I don’t want to spoil it, but let me just say I was greatly delighted by it.
Overall, I enjoyed this book very much. The ending was satisfying, while leaving me wanting to read more adventures by these characters in this world. I will look forward to any future installments!
August 3, 2022
This book was so good! If you like books like The Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Mistborn, Eragon, and other such fantasies, you'll love this one!
The main character, Enouim, is a very relatable person, and her journey of self-discovery, along with those of her comrades, is one of deep self-reflection, honor, and strength (both physical, mental, and spiritual). The different lands, peoples, and beliefs that are explored in this fantastic world are not only beautiful and interesting, but thought-provoking. The combination of humanity with the fantastic is really fun to read, and I honestly wish there will be more written about Enouim and her world. (But, as far as I know, this is just a stand-alone novel. Dang.)
Fun creatures, special powers, people who reflect the sky in their skin, and giant bat-creatures - it's really good!
Another great selling point for me was that this book is a clean read. No swearing, s3x, or even graphic violence. I'd say the level of violence is about on-par with books like the Hunger Games or LOTR.
I also appreciated that this female lead didn't have her whole story-arc based around romance. Sure, there was some flirty-flirt hinted at with one of the characters, but that was it, and it worked great! I loved that the book stayed consistent in its goal and purpose, instead of having a random relationship thrown in with all the rest of the adventuring.
This book also has beautiful religious elements, written in similar fashion to that of J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, which added to the beauty and depth of the story.
This was my first time reading something by E. A. Winters, and I'm happy to say that I look forward to reading more from her. 10/10 recommend!
The main character, Enouim, is a very relatable person, and her journey of self-discovery, along with those of her comrades, is one of deep self-reflection, honor, and strength (both physical, mental, and spiritual). The different lands, peoples, and beliefs that are explored in this fantastic world are not only beautiful and interesting, but thought-provoking. The combination of humanity with the fantastic is really fun to read, and I honestly wish there will be more written about Enouim and her world. (But, as far as I know, this is just a stand-alone novel. Dang.)
Fun creatures, special powers, people who reflect the sky in their skin, and giant bat-creatures - it's really good!
Another great selling point for me was that this book is a clean read. No swearing, s3x, or even graphic violence. I'd say the level of violence is about on-par with books like the Hunger Games or LOTR.
I also appreciated that this female lead didn't have her whole story-arc based around romance. Sure, there was some flirty-flirt hinted at with one of the characters, but that was it, and it worked great! I loved that the book stayed consistent in its goal and purpose, instead of having a random relationship thrown in with all the rest of the adventuring.
This book also has beautiful religious elements, written in similar fashion to that of J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, which added to the beauty and depth of the story.
This was my first time reading something by E. A. Winters, and I'm happy to say that I look forward to reading more from her. 10/10 recommend!
August 3, 2022
This has all the classical elements you want in a fantasy epic: unlikely hero, a dangerous trek, characters of legend, a fight for home and those you love, magic, and character growth.
I've seen the author describe this book as a mix of elements from Lord of the Rings and Narnia, and I believe that description works well. You get the journey and the world building elements of LOTR with the magical creatures and allegory of Narnia. However, this book definitely holds its own apart from these two comparisons and certainly brings unique characters and conflicts to the table.
One thing I would like to especially note is the inclusion of disabled characters. In fantasy, the only disability representation you typically come across is either a great warrior who sustained injuries in battle, or else you see the villain with some sort of disfigurement, typically to signify how evil they are. To have in a fantasy novel individuals who not only have disabilities that are not directly tied to how good/evil they are, but to also be set within a community that recognizes and embraces those differences is truly special. One of the settings in this book recognizes disabilities as being a natural part of life that may even be accepted and celebrated.
Overall this is a solid fantasy epic and one that I would definitely recommend.
I've seen the author describe this book as a mix of elements from Lord of the Rings and Narnia, and I believe that description works well. You get the journey and the world building elements of LOTR with the magical creatures and allegory of Narnia. However, this book definitely holds its own apart from these two comparisons and certainly brings unique characters and conflicts to the table.
One thing I would like to especially note is the inclusion of disabled characters. In fantasy, the only disability representation you typically come across is either a great warrior who sustained injuries in battle, or else you see the villain with some sort of disfigurement, typically to signify how evil they are. To have in a fantasy novel individuals who not only have disabilities that are not directly tied to how good/evil they are, but to also be set within a community that recognizes and embraces those differences is truly special. One of the settings in this book recognizes disabilities as being a natural part of life that may even be accepted and celebrated.
Overall this is a solid fantasy epic and one that I would definitely recommend.
October 28, 2023
OK, so this was an ok book - the hardest part was keeping all of the characters straight. I read the kindle format, which makes it ever so much harder to flip back and forth trying to remember who was who. I am not sure if I will read other books by her or not; I like to know who my characters are so that I can be drawn into the story, instead of just reading a book.
September 18, 2022
What an amazing book!! Captivating and enthralling….if you love Lord of the Rings, this is a book for you. The links to the Bible are marvelous…has a Gideon feel to it!!
Nadine Brandes recommended it and I was so glad to get it in my Kindle Unlimited account! Nadine—great recommendation…hoping there is a book 2…looking into her other series as well!
Nadine Brandes recommended it and I was so glad to get it in my Kindle Unlimited account! Nadine—great recommendation…hoping there is a book 2…looking into her other series as well!
August 26, 2022
Refreshing, lovely, fun, and uplifting!
July 28, 2022
E.A. Winters was kind enough to give me a ARC of The Forgotten Stone. But, these are my honest thoughts and opinions.
I absolutely love this book. The main character is refreshing for a fantasy novel. Usually with fantasy the main character is the chosen one and good at everything or been training and is a great fighter. Enouim is none of these things. She just literally fell into adventure. I love her ability to continue to push forward even though she is scared. I love that she works to better herself throughout the novel. The other characters definitely have their own fleshed out personalities and flaws. It was such a great read and I couldn't put it down. Anytime I had to put it down it was all I could think about. My only critique is the beginning couple of chapters of the book are a little hard to get through because the world isn't set up very well at the start. We are thrown a lot of names, places, and monsters without any explanation. But, after the first few chapters you get the world building beautifully intertwined with the story. It doesn't feel like you are just reading chapters of information dumping.
I also loved that it was not filled with unnecessary spice! Don't get me wrong, I like spice every once and while. But, I have missed the fantasy where you fall in love with the world and the characters struggles. Like Lord of the Rings, Narnia, and Wheel of Time. This book makes me feel like I had with those other series. It made me fall in love with a new world. It wasn't getting tied up in a romance plot.
If you haven't heard of The Forgotten Stone or E.A. Winters I would give this a try!
I absolutely love this book. The main character is refreshing for a fantasy novel. Usually with fantasy the main character is the chosen one and good at everything or been training and is a great fighter. Enouim is none of these things. She just literally fell into adventure. I love her ability to continue to push forward even though she is scared. I love that she works to better herself throughout the novel. The other characters definitely have their own fleshed out personalities and flaws. It was such a great read and I couldn't put it down. Anytime I had to put it down it was all I could think about. My only critique is the beginning couple of chapters of the book are a little hard to get through because the world isn't set up very well at the start. We are thrown a lot of names, places, and monsters without any explanation. But, after the first few chapters you get the world building beautifully intertwined with the story. It doesn't feel like you are just reading chapters of information dumping.
I also loved that it was not filled with unnecessary spice! Don't get me wrong, I like spice every once and while. But, I have missed the fantasy where you fall in love with the world and the characters struggles. Like Lord of the Rings, Narnia, and Wheel of Time. This book makes me feel like I had with those other series. It made me fall in love with a new world. It wasn't getting tied up in a romance plot.
If you haven't heard of The Forgotten Stone or E.A. Winters I would give this a try!
July 31, 2022
From the very beginning of The Forgotten Stone I was enthralled. There is never a dull moment, you will be completely pulled into this fantasy world, and its complex societies. I am amazed at the vastness of detail that Winters was able to shape into such a cohesive and well-plotted story. It is fast-paced, unique and well thought-out, equal parts action-packed and introspective.
The action is some of the best I’ve read, I loved the detail and the fluency of each fight scene, especially in the latter half of the novel. I also loved the character development, not just for Enouim but for the entire cast! Each character had their own voice, with depth and emotion.
This book is also clearly Christian-fiction, which made it even more special to me. As I read, I was called to do some self-reflection along with Enouim and her peers. The spiritual allegory is powerful and meaningful, and I felt both convicted and encouraged in my faith as I read. I could see myself in the spiritual development of these characters. I was so angry with the characters that I could see myself in, when they struggled with pride, anger, self-righteousness and I was reminded that I have a long way to go on my own spiritual journey. But I was also encouraged by the reminder of peace, love, acceptance and redemption.
This book deserves a place on any bookshelf that includes The Chronicles of Narnia or Lord of The Rings and I think this story stands tall amongst such classics.
The action is some of the best I’ve read, I loved the detail and the fluency of each fight scene, especially in the latter half of the novel. I also loved the character development, not just for Enouim but for the entire cast! Each character had their own voice, with depth and emotion.
This book is also clearly Christian-fiction, which made it even more special to me. As I read, I was called to do some self-reflection along with Enouim and her peers. The spiritual allegory is powerful and meaningful, and I felt both convicted and encouraged in my faith as I read. I could see myself in the spiritual development of these characters. I was so angry with the characters that I could see myself in, when they struggled with pride, anger, self-righteousness and I was reminded that I have a long way to go on my own spiritual journey. But I was also encouraged by the reminder of peace, love, acceptance and redemption.
This book deserves a place on any bookshelf that includes The Chronicles of Narnia or Lord of The Rings and I think this story stands tall amongst such classics.
August 1, 2022
The Forgotten Stone by E.A. Winters is a complex and enthralling coming of age tale for our friend Enouim. The tale of struggle and complex emotions across multiple characters was very relatable and was equally refreshing to read as it allowed you to become attached to characters and their complicated relationships without leaning on romance.
The characters that are introduced into the story are some of my favorites across the fantasy genre for one simple reason, they display emotions in a way that is incredibly human. With as many “super human” characters in today’s fantasy worlds it was incredibly refreshing to be interacting with the characters in the text as human, and thus that much easier to understand why they feel that way. Fear, grief, doubt, and so many more emotions are all present and Winters displays them to the reader in a way that you can empathize with the characters as they’re experiencing the emotions in real time.
The book starts with a slow burn for pacing, but burns like a fire once you understand the characters and the adventure begins there’s very few places to put the novel down. I found myself taking my time referencing previous chapters as the action is quick, instant and filled with foreshadowing.
All in all, a phenomenal read and one that I would recommend to anyone looking for a great read with complicated characters and a refreshing take on evolving party dynamics throughout a fantastical adventure.
The characters that are introduced into the story are some of my favorites across the fantasy genre for one simple reason, they display emotions in a way that is incredibly human. With as many “super human” characters in today’s fantasy worlds it was incredibly refreshing to be interacting with the characters in the text as human, and thus that much easier to understand why they feel that way. Fear, grief, doubt, and so many more emotions are all present and Winters displays them to the reader in a way that you can empathize with the characters as they’re experiencing the emotions in real time.
The book starts with a slow burn for pacing, but burns like a fire once you understand the characters and the adventure begins there’s very few places to put the novel down. I found myself taking my time referencing previous chapters as the action is quick, instant and filled with foreshadowing.
All in all, a phenomenal read and one that I would recommend to anyone looking for a great read with complicated characters and a refreshing take on evolving party dynamics throughout a fantastical adventure.
August 1, 2022
I received an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for an honest review so here is my honest thoughts on The Forgotten Stone.
I absolutely loved this. It is an action packed adventure that kept me guessing on what was to come next. If you enjoyed reading The Hobbit or LOTR then you will love this as well. I am sure that this will be ranked next to them. The fantasy world the author created is so well described, it is easy to picture the setting and people in your mind. Not only were the characters relatable but show tremendous growth by the ending.
The ending was perfect. It didn't leave off on a cliffhanger where things are unsolved but definitely open for a sequel should the author decide to keep the fantasy world open.
10/10 would recommend and will definitely read again!
I absolutely loved this. It is an action packed adventure that kept me guessing on what was to come next. If you enjoyed reading The Hobbit or LOTR then you will love this as well. I am sure that this will be ranked next to them. The fantasy world the author created is so well described, it is easy to picture the setting and people in your mind. Not only were the characters relatable but show tremendous growth by the ending.
The ending was perfect. It didn't leave off on a cliffhanger where things are unsolved but definitely open for a sequel should the author decide to keep the fantasy world open.
10/10 would recommend and will definitely read again!
August 6, 2022
*I received this as an ARC in exchange for review*
As someone who is newer to the fantasy genre, it's hard to find books that I resonate with and actually WANT to read. This book hits all those for me. It took a couple chapters for me to get into the book, but once I was hooked, it was such a great read. The adventure is compelling and keeps moving, the characters are well developed and have genuine interactions with each other that aren't forced, and the world building is spectacular. I especially appreciated the pronunciation guide the author provided to make the read easier, as well as the maps so you could follow the journey. You can tell that the author really cared about the story and the characters she was developing, and this is one that I would love to read again to catch details I may have missed the first time.
As someone who is newer to the fantasy genre, it's hard to find books that I resonate with and actually WANT to read. This book hits all those for me. It took a couple chapters for me to get into the book, but once I was hooked, it was such a great read. The adventure is compelling and keeps moving, the characters are well developed and have genuine interactions with each other that aren't forced, and the world building is spectacular. I especially appreciated the pronunciation guide the author provided to make the read easier, as well as the maps so you could follow the journey. You can tell that the author really cared about the story and the characters she was developing, and this is one that I would love to read again to catch details I may have missed the first time.
July 31, 2022
I got an ARC of this book to read, from the author. This is a high fantasy story, filled with adventure, action and a new world unlike our own. It reminds me of an older generation fantasy book. I always find high fantasy a tad hard to get into for the first couple pages, only because you’re trying to learn and understand a new world, but it’s always worth it.. and this book is not different. It’s really well written and an interesting read. It is a clean book, so there isn’t any spice. There isn’t any romance in the book although there is a spark of some near the end, which hints the following books may have some. If you love high fantasy books or even just fantasy in general, you’ll like this one!
August 1, 2022
I was given a chance to be an ARC reader for this book and I couldn’t be more pleased!
This book hits the ground running and doesn’t slow down. I read almost the whole book in one day. It was that hard to put down.
Clean fantasy with no gory or spicy content. The author gives beautiful character portraits with her words and the places are described in such a way that it’s like a picture just forms in your head.
I can’t wait to share this story with my teenage daughter. The character development in the story is an amazing arch.
The book has the feel of Tolkien or the Narnia books. I would have no problems with upper elementary, middle school, or even high school kids reading this book.
I can’t wait to read more from this author!
This book hits the ground running and doesn’t slow down. I read almost the whole book in one day. It was that hard to put down.
Clean fantasy with no gory or spicy content. The author gives beautiful character portraits with her words and the places are described in such a way that it’s like a picture just forms in your head.
I can’t wait to share this story with my teenage daughter. The character development in the story is an amazing arch.
The book has the feel of Tolkien or the Narnia books. I would have no problems with upper elementary, middle school, or even high school kids reading this book.
I can’t wait to read more from this author!
August 1, 2022
I absolutely loved this book. From the moment I picked it up there was a sense of adventure that never quit. She really had me hooked from the beginning and I couldn't put it down. Most of the character development centers around Enouim as the main, but the rest of the group was well rounded. But the world Winters created.. so colorful, so vibrant, so alive! Each culture is distinct. Every location is unique. And the creatures, fearsome where needed and always majestic. And because no spoilers, I won't even get into my favorite part. You will just have to read it for yourself.
August 9, 2022
I wasn’t aware this was a Christian fantasy novel when I bought it, and had chosen it because the author’s TikTok showed it as fantasy without the smut. It has the gritty fantasy of LOTR or the Chronicles of Narnia, and the strong Christian message of Pilgrim’s Progress. The only thing I would critique is that I wish it had been better edited to cut down on the telling instead of showing.
I would recommend this for anyone interested in Christian fantasy.
I would recommend this for anyone interested in Christian fantasy.
February 10, 2024
I really wanted to like this book, and I probably really would have if it wasn’t for the modern language, it had the feel of a midieval fantasy and the modern language seriously threw me off. It was very difficult for me to get into, or invested in. I did read the whole book but I was just really not that into it, and it sucks because I really wanted to be and I would have if it weren’t for that one thing. 😭
January 20, 2023
It is very rare that I liked the beginning and end of a book, but the middle kind of dragged on. Enoium is the best character in the book and the world building is believable. We spend a lot of time in character's head.
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February 15, 2023Interesting Novel
The writing of this story is very well executed. The story intriguing. I personally couldn't love it. I put it down and picked it up many times before I finished. Didn't love the action scenes. However, I did enjoy the ending, it's fast paced, and it's clean.
The writing of this story is very well executed. The story intriguing. I personally couldn't love it. I put it down and picked it up many times before I finished. Didn't love the action scenes. However, I did enjoy the ending, it's fast paced, and it's clean.
May 23, 2025
Let's clear one thing up right off the bat: the back cover blurb mentiones Enouim, a woman, and Canukke, a man, but contrary to what that might lead you to assume this is NOT a romantasy. Canukke is married to another woman, Edone. Thankfully I didn't care if the story had romance in it or not, so I wasn't disappointed.
Now that's out of the way, I'll say this: it seems a lot of Christian fantasy authors want to compare their writing to Tolkein's, but this book actually deserves the comparison. I'm talking the LOTR books, not the movies. Granted, in The Forgotten Stone the main cast of characters are on a mission to find an artifact rather than destroy one, but the pacing, the travelers, the different people groups and cultures they interact with along the journey, all gave me strong LOTR vibes without feeling like Winters just took Tolkein's story and reworked it for herself. Her story feels both comfortably familiar and fresh and unique at the same time. On top of that, her descriptions of God (known as Iyamwe/another name you'll discover) serve to remind the reader of his beauty, power, and majesty in a compelling and refreshing way.
Now, if you find the LOTR books boring, you might also find yourself bored with this book, but if you enjoy a solid combination of action with slower, character-developing periods, I think you'll enjoy it as I did.
The main reason I'm giving The Forgotten Stone four stars instead of five is because it needs another round of line editing. There are random words in sentences that should not be there, words left out of sentences where they should be, missing spaces, and punctuation errors throughout the book. They're not intolerable, but they are frequent enough to be noticeable and, over 515 pages, get a little tiresome. That, and although overall Winters does a great job bringing details mentioned earlier in the story back to prominence later on, there are a few things I felt could have been cleared up better.
Those issues do not stop me from recommending this book, however. If you want a good, clean fantasy but don't want to commit to a long series, give The Forgotten Stone a try!
A couple quotes I found particulary thought-provoking:
"Chains wrought by our own minds are not loosed easily, but they are those we need rid of the most."
"When you find something worth chasing, you chase it with all you have. But you chase yourself, and you tire."
Now that's out of the way, I'll say this: it seems a lot of Christian fantasy authors want to compare their writing to Tolkein's, but this book actually deserves the comparison. I'm talking the LOTR books, not the movies. Granted, in The Forgotten Stone the main cast of characters are on a mission to find an artifact rather than destroy one, but the pacing, the travelers, the different people groups and cultures they interact with along the journey, all gave me strong LOTR vibes without feeling like Winters just took Tolkein's story and reworked it for herself. Her story feels both comfortably familiar and fresh and unique at the same time. On top of that, her descriptions of God (known as Iyamwe/another name you'll discover) serve to remind the reader of his beauty, power, and majesty in a compelling and refreshing way.
Now, if you find the LOTR books boring, you might also find yourself bored with this book, but if you enjoy a solid combination of action with slower, character-developing periods, I think you'll enjoy it as I did.
The main reason I'm giving The Forgotten Stone four stars instead of five is because it needs another round of line editing. There are random words in sentences that should not be there, words left out of sentences where they should be, missing spaces, and punctuation errors throughout the book. They're not intolerable, but they are frequent enough to be noticeable and, over 515 pages, get a little tiresome. That, and although overall Winters does a great job bringing details mentioned earlier in the story back to prominence later on, there are a few things I felt could have been cleared up better.
Those issues do not stop me from recommending this book, however. If you want a good, clean fantasy but don't want to commit to a long series, give The Forgotten Stone a try!
A couple quotes I found particulary thought-provoking:
"Chains wrought by our own minds are not loosed easily, but they are those we need rid of the most."
"When you find something worth chasing, you chase it with all you have. But you chase yourself, and you tire."
September 17, 2022
Winters described her book as a cross between Lord of the Rings and Narnia- she was quite correct to say so! It was no easy feat to craft a world filled with several different cultures, an adventure, spiritual allegory, and a satisfying ending to a life and death battle all in one book. Winters accomplished this satisfyingly well! The characters come alive as they learn more about their world and each other. While it is a stand alone, the door is left open to revisit the world, and I for one hope the author does! If you’re looking for a clean fantasy read that reminds you of classic fantasy, The Forgotten Stone will fit the bill! I can’t wait to see what Winters has in store for her upcoming series.
February 15, 2023
Talk about a journey! Advertised as Lord of the Rings meets Narnia, and it does not disappoint! Even though this book is a chonk, it is very worth it. It has an epic quest, found family, unlikely hero(es), and a twist that changes your perspective on everything! As a Christian, it made me think, and it's heavy on the allegory, but that's what made it so good. I'm not one to annotate or highlight, but I've never wanted to so much in my life! I compromised and used small sticky notes and it made me happy.
Even if you're not religious in any way, I think you'll still enjoy reading, as the religious themes don't take up the plot. This story has action, lots of conflict, and other twists that keep you engaged. This is a standalone, which is a nice break from all the series out there.
Even if you're not religious in any way, I think you'll still enjoy reading, as the religious themes don't take up the plot. This story has action, lots of conflict, and other twists that keep you engaged. This is a standalone, which is a nice break from all the series out there.
February 17, 2025
I have to say this is was one of my favorite books I have read this year so far (2025)
The best way I can describe this book is take the 'chucked together adventure party' trop like Lord of The Rings and add a bit of Narnia into the pot and you have the Forgotten Stone.
The emotional and well as the physical journey that all the characters went on was very captivating, I could feel it. I was laughing with the characters, being angry for them or even at them, and I will admit I even cried a little for the characters.
Even though I would love to read more adventures about Enouim and her friends, I do love that this is a standalone book.
This is the 5th book of E.A Winters I have read this year and I plan to read all her books. I can't wait to read the next adventure.
The best way I can describe this book is take the 'chucked together adventure party' trop like Lord of The Rings and add a bit of Narnia into the pot and you have the Forgotten Stone.
The emotional and well as the physical journey that all the characters went on was very captivating, I could feel it. I was laughing with the characters, being angry for them or even at them, and I will admit I even cried a little for the characters.
Even though I would love to read more adventures about Enouim and her friends, I do love that this is a standalone book.
This is the 5th book of E.A Winters I have read this year and I plan to read all her books. I can't wait to read the next adventure.
February 25, 2025
I read The Blood and Flame Saga and half of The Melderblood Chronicles before reading The Forgotten Stone. I needed something to occupy my time whilst waiting for book 3 of The Melderblood Chronicles. I expected this book to have the same feel as the other books, but it did not. I was a little disappointed because I was still on the Shadow Caste (book 2 of Melderblood) high, but that changed very quickly!
The Forgotten Stone kept me up reading all night (I have children and responsibilities!) and kept me thinking on it for days. The world building was magnificent, I fell in love with and was totally invested in every single character, and the overall message was truly inspiring. I read this on my Kindle, but it's a book I'm going to need on my bookshelf!
The Forgotten Stone kept me up reading all night (I have children and responsibilities!) and kept me thinking on it for days. The world building was magnificent, I fell in love with and was totally invested in every single character, and the overall message was truly inspiring. I read this on my Kindle, but it's a book I'm going to need on my bookshelf!
September 29, 2025
The perfect wild ride
While it may be a stand a lone book and I desperately wish it was part of a series that takes us on more adventure, it was exceptional!
I identify so much with the underestimated ones who aren't sure who they are but have big purpose.
The twists and turns and anticipation really made it worth it.
In a time where we can be anywhere quickly and know whats going on, there is an edge of the seat when stories divulge it taking months to travel and now knowing what may be happening around them or back home.
This journey is such a great self discovery book with adventure, just enough discord to bring the personalities into existence, and such a beauty.
While it may be a stand a lone book and I desperately wish it was part of a series that takes us on more adventure, it was exceptional!
I identify so much with the underestimated ones who aren't sure who they are but have big purpose.
The twists and turns and anticipation really made it worth it.
In a time where we can be anywhere quickly and know whats going on, there is an edge of the seat when stories divulge it taking months to travel and now knowing what may be happening around them or back home.
This journey is such a great self discovery book with adventure, just enough discord to bring the personalities into existence, and such a beauty.
August 1, 2022
E.A. Winters was amazing enough to give me an ARC of The Forgotten Stone. As an avid fantasy reader that sometimes tires of every other chapter being “smut”, having a clean fantasy that had high action and kept my interest going was extremely refreshing.
I absolutely loved this book and could barely put it down. The main character is not one I see often and is very relatable to me as she struggled with her own fears in the adventure ahead of her. The characters have personalities and flaws. The beginning can be a bit tedious, as with most fantasy books, but I devoured it from the start! If you are a fan of LOTR and Narnia-type stories, you will most likely love this book and author!
I absolutely loved this book and could barely put it down. The main character is not one I see often and is very relatable to me as she struggled with her own fears in the adventure ahead of her. The characters have personalities and flaws. The beginning can be a bit tedious, as with most fantasy books, but I devoured it from the start! If you are a fan of LOTR and Narnia-type stories, you will most likely love this book and author!
July 10, 2023
Definitely a high fantasy adventure, my favorite kind! This book was about a journey and had very good Narnia and LotR vibes. I felt attached to the characters and I loved that they had dimension and room for growth, and seeing the growth play out was satisfying. The world-building was good, not too much and not too little, so it allowed you to get a feeling of what the characters were experiencing.
The romance is very, very subtle, almost non-existent (which is great, as I am sick to death of forced “fantasy romance”) and there is no spice. All in all, the book is very clean and I enjoyed it very much.
The romance is very, very subtle, almost non-existent (which is great, as I am sick to death of forced “fantasy romance”) and there is no spice. All in all, the book is very clean and I enjoyed it very much.
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