Sariah's reward for revealing the stone truth: a death sentence. Banished and on the run, Sariah must find a way to carry out the mystifying legacy the stones have imposed on her. As the war escalates and the rot destroys the land, she must act before the executioners ruin her kin, her enemies slaughter her lover, and the mysterious bracelet she has been forced to wear kills her.
The much awaited sequel to the critically acclaimed Stonewiser: The Heart of the Stone Available Now
Author Dora Machado has created an entertaining fantasy novel with a unique premise… She has created a detailed world in which the heroine is strong yet appealing, reluctant yet capable, sensitive yet brave. This thought-provoking look into oppression, love, and what leads the human spirit to fight back will appeal to lovers of the fantasy genre. And the cliffhanger ending will have readers in line to buy the next book. - ForeWord Magazine
A strength of Machado's fantasy is the realism with which people and situations are handled…Machado achieves a furious forward motion in her writing by refusing to allow her characters to control situations. Their understanding of events, situations and people is almost always incomplete and no matter how careful the planning, events unfold unpredictably…it's testament to the author's commitment to a grim and gritty realism that she appears to refuse to resolve the story's complexity by resorting to a simplistic idealism…For all its magic and wonder, Machado's fantasy is not escapist, and despite the humour and elements of romance it's not for the faint-hearted. There's a commitment to reality in these pages that makes for grim and yet satisfying reading…ultimately this is intelligent, thought-provoking and entertaining fiction. - SFFMedia.com
An imaginative and terrifying execution scene grabs you in chapter one and keeps the pages turning. Machado's descriptions are rich in detail – you'll feel the eels nipping at your toes – and her characterization is strong. Sariah is well developed and faces brutal conflicts in this story of adventure, politics and magic – Romantic Times Book Review – 4 Stars
Dora Machado's second book in the Stonewiser series is “The Call of the Stone”. She brings back Sariah and the detailed fantasy world created in the first book. But there is so much more. Machado writes with such energy that you can’t help but get lost in this complex world of magic. It makes you think and feel for the characters as they fight their way through many adventures. For the fantasy lover, this series is a must.- Dan's Journal Review
Machado has created a extraordinary new fantasy series that will grab you hook, line, and sinker. The characters are unique, full of depth and vitality, and you either like them or you hate them. The world she has built is painted so richly, you won't want to miss a word. You're drawn in so deep, you won't want to let go until the final page. A fantasy series that will have you addicted in no time! - Wendy's minding spot blog
Machado has created a complex world, without reusing generic fantasy elements, even while using the standard hero quest motif. One of the few Hispanic women writing in this genre, she brings a welcome change to “boy finds sword/dragon/gem and sets off with dwarves/dragon/wizard/elves to slay evil king/dragon/wizard” storylines. – Sacramento Book Review
Machado created some great characters and fascinating scenes. In fact, I enjoyed it so much, that I will be going out and picking up the first book in this series and am eagerly waiting for the third installment. So I guess you could say... I’m hooked. I now consider myself a lifelong Machado fan. – Withersin Magazine
Stonewiser: The Heart of the Stone (ForeWord Book of the Year Finalist and winner of the Benjamin Franklin Award for best debut novel) by Dora Machado
Between truth and deception, between justice and abuse, a stonewiser stands alone with the stones. Or so begins the stonewiser's oath. But what happens when a rebellious stonewiser discovers that lies have tainted the stone tales?
In a world devastated by the rot's widespread destruction, only the tales preserved in the stones can uphold the truth and defend the Goodlands. In this world, stone truth is valued above anyone's word, and stonewisers are the only ones capable of retrieving the tales from the stones, the only link between past and present, order and chaos.
Sariah is the most gifted stonewiser of her generation, but her talent does not atone for her shortcomings. A survivor of the Guild's brutal training, she is curious, willful and disobedient. Yet not even Sariah is prepared for what she finds when she steals into the Guild's Sacred Vaults: A mayhem of lies and intrigues that shatters her world.
Hunted, persecuted, and betrayed, Sariah must make an unlikely alliance with Kael, a cynical rebel leader pledged to a mysterious quest of his own. The fate of their dying world depends on their courage to overcome centuries of hatred and distrust. But not even the grueling journey has prepared them for what they are about to discover. Because nothing is really as it seems, and the truth is more intricate and devastating than they ever suspected....
Here is what others are saying about Stonewiser:
This touches on one of the strengths of the novel - that it is both plot driven – as well as an intimate portrait of a young woman’s painful journey toward maturity….This is a page turner with heart and deserves to find a wide readership – www.sffmedia .com
Machado's writing is as competent as her characterization, being vivid and often poetic. The plot itself is well devised and generally moves along at a good pace...There are quite a few surprises… I was surprised to find that the novel was often a little darker than I expected, and there are one or two quite brutal moments that add a nice (dare I say it) gritty feel, without coming across too heavily. Machado's world also comes across well in her writing. - www.speculativehorizons.blogspot.com
Once in a while, a new fantasy/adventure comes out that doesn't travel well-worn paths in the genre but instead gives us a vivid new world, an exciting set of original characters, and page after page of non-stop intrigue, action, twists, revelation, and fun. STONEWISER is the best to appear in years. – Barnes & Noble review
"Stonewiser" is a finely crafted fantasy with unique concepts, and a vivid living world that will draw readers in and not let go. - Midwest Book Review (Reviewer's Choice Selection)
A legitimate page-turner, it is the innovative premise of the novel that initially hooks the reader….Machado has a strong voice and original and inventive ideas. It’s not often that a debut novel can so transfix a reader simply on the basis of its crispness and enchanting literary charm. - The Clearwater (Fl) Citizen
Machado gives fantasy a fresh spin with her entertaining debut. The story is told from the point of view of Sariah - a heroine who is flawed but prevails nevertheless. Set against a vivid and well-drawn background, the plot combines elements of politics, corruption, intrigue and romance. There are twists, and Sariah is forced to make some complicated choices before it all reaches a satisfying conclusion - 4 Stars - Romantic Times Book Review
Folks who enjoy fantasy novels will devour this new series. - Clinton (Okla) Daily News
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