Sunday, February 10, 2013

A Cast of Stones

castStoneA Cast of Stones – The Staff & The Sword Series
Written by Patrick W. Carr
Published at Bethany House

About the book

The Fate of the Kingdom Awaits the Cast of Stones

In the backwater village of Callowford, roustabout Errol Stone is enlisted by a church messenger arriving with urgent missives for the hermit priest in the hills. Eager for coin, Errol agrees to what he thinks will be an easy task, but soon finds himself hunted by deadly assassins. Forced to flee with the priest and a small band of travelers, Errol soon learns he's joined a quest that could change the fate of his kingdom.

Protected for millennia by the heirs of the first king, the kingdom's dynasty nears its end and the selection of the new king begins--but in secret and shadow. As danger mounts, Errol must leave behind the stains and griefs of the past, learn to fight, and discover who is hunting him and his companions and how far they will go to stop the reading of the stones.

Who is Patrick W. Carr?

Patrick W. Carr teaches high school math and makes his home in Nashville, Tennessee, with his incredible wife, Mary, and their four awesome sons, Patrick, Connor, Daniel, and Ethan. Learn more at patrickwcarr.com.

My Thoughts

I will admit I hesitated before requesting this book.   First, there were two other books that I wanted to review from the list I received from Graf-Martin Communications.  There was also the fact that this title was a fantasy and when it comes to this genre I must admit that I am quite picky.   I don’t like any fantasy per say.  I have preferences.   So I didn’t know what to expect from this new author in the fantasy genre.    Would it be good or would I get totally disinterested within a few chapter?   So I proceeded to read the excerpt and my curiosity was picked.   I wanted to read it.   Besides, I was in need to a novel type of book for the month of February.   So I requested it.

As soon as the book arrived, I started reading it.  Somewhere in the first chapter, I was hooked.   The author had caught my attention and was able to make me wanting more as soon as I finished one chapter.    In the past few years of reviewing books on this blog, not many authors have been able to do this to me.    I had trouble putting the book down but for the sake of our homeschool and my much needed sleep, I had to do it.    I finished the book this morning and the story keep me on edge right to the end of it.   I want more.  I want to know what will happen next.  What will be the outcome for Errol and the rest of the characters in the series?   I am curious and wished I could have book two in my hands right now!   But I have to wait until it is published later this year.   Can I be patient?  I think so.   Waiting will only stir my interest in a way.

The story is well written and will keep you interested from the first chapter to the epilogue of the book.   You will close the book at the end thinking “No!  I want to know what will happen…”    The author is amazingly gifted in keeping the reader’s attention and stirring his/her interest in the story.    I even think that youth would love this novel if they enjoy reading the titles from C.S. Lewis (Narnia), J.R.R. Tolkien (Hobbit & Lord of the Rings), and Christopher Paolini (Eragon).    These are three authors I really enjoy in the fantasy genre and I think Patrick W. Carr could easily be added to this group of amazing authors.

If you like the fantasy genre, you will undoubtedly love this new title.  This book is a fabulous read for vacation or R&R time at home.   It would also be a great book for youth just to entertain them in the midst of studies.  

Want to read an excerpt of the book before purchasing it?  No problem.  You can do so on the Bethany House website.  But I warn you, you might get hooked with the story at a rapid rate.

Great news !  Book two of the series is schedule to come out in July 2013!   The title will be The Hero’s Lot and after reading the details of it I can’t hardly wait to discover what will happen next.

A Cast of Stones is available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, even amazon.ca and amazon.com

     

The book is also available on Kindle.

     

Disclaimer: The book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

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