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Stonecast (2013)

by Anton Strout(Favorite Author)

3.46 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

0425256405 (ISBN13: 9780425256404)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Ace

series

The Spellmason Chronicles

review 1: Anton Strout's second book in the Spellmason Chronicles, Stonecast is novel filled with magic and mayhem. Urban fantasy readers will enjoy the world building in this book, as it begins to open up a lot more supernatural possibilities for the series. Strout has done his homework, which gives an authenticity to the book that is missing in so many urban fantasy titles. The return of Kejetan isn't far away and Lexi and her friends Rory and Marshall are preparing for the worst, while her gargoyle protector Stanis is waging his own war against his father. There is a lot of tension in this novel and Strout gives it such a sense of urgency that readers will be biting their nails in anticipation of what's to come!I simply loved Alchemystic, the first novel in this series and I was ... morewaiting with baited breath for the sequel to come out. Stonecast was certainly no disappointment. All of our favorites characters are back, albeit in a somewhat different way. Strout starts to really expand the world building in this one. He alluded to the fact in the first book that spellmasonry was the only magical element introduced to the world, but in Stonecast the reader gets to see a broader spectrum of the magic that exists in the world Strout has created. I liked the fact the author is adding new facets of magic with each novel. There are so many ways this story could evolve as these elements are introduced. It certainly keeps the reader guessing.Lexi is the last spellmason, but she apparently is not the only purveyor of magic. I liked the fact that Strout is giving the reader a lot more information in Stonecast, about the craft of spellmasonry itself. As Lexi tried to learn and perfect her abilities, the reader gets to see more about how the alchemy works. It's interesting and with Lexi's personality, it's fun to read about. She has a knack for getting herself in some serious predicaments. And this time she doesn't have Stanis to rely on to get her out of them. I liked the fact that Strout is developing relationships in Lexi's life beyond that of the bond between her and Stanis that has now been broken.In the first book we saw a lot more of Marshall and Rory than we do in Stonecast and that was a bit of a disappointment. But Strout is continuing to show the loyalty and friendship that exists between them. I felt like we saw a lot of growth in Lexi in this book, but also some good changes for Marshall as well. I loved his kind of geeky awkwardness in the first book, but he almost came across as a big overgrown kid. In Stonecast he is coming into his own a bit and that was a nice touch. Stanis has been taken by his father Kejetan. He is sacrificing himself in order to protect Lexi and her world. He has convinced his father that he holds the key to spellmasonry in order to keep him away long enough for Lexi to prepare. But he isn't sitting idly by while she is doing all the work. Kejetan has found a way to try to force Stanis to do his will and he is fighting desperately against it. I liked the fact that though Stanis and Lexi are no longer bonded, there is still a deep since of loyalty and longing between them. The attraction they both feel is certainly an interesting idea, since he is made of stone and she is human. Strout adds a new love interest for Lexi in this one, creating a bit of a triangle that it will be interesting to see which way it goes. Caleb is an interesting character. I couldn't quite figure him out. Half of the time I thought he was a bad buy, half the time, not so much. He is certainly self serving, but he's honest about it. He's in it for what he can get out of it. But there is definitely something brewing between him and Lexi. I liked the addition of Caleb and the possible direction he can take the series, but I'm team Stanis all the way. LOL.I really enjoyed this one and it's a series that urban fantasy and paranormal enthusiasts should try. It has some light hearted moments as well as some serious adventure and a touch of romance. There is something for more than just one kind of reader here. A great addition to the series!
review 2: Gargoyles, magic, alchemy...I've been obsessed with these things since high school, and was overjoyed when ALCHEMYSTIC, the first of the Spellmason Chronicles, came out. Now I've just finished this second installment to the series, and I have to say, it certainly does not disappoint. With STONECAST, Strout performs a bit of alchemy of his own, combining the darker magic and mystery of urban fantasy with just the right amount of humor and snark (even a few laugh out loud moments) to create a gripping story that kept me up way past my bedtime. I appreciated the geeky nods and references throughout, but what really captured me was the relationship building between the characters, the amount of sacrifice and trust between friends, and also learning more about the fascinating world. Book 1 introduced the characters and the idea of Spellmasonry, but in this book, we really get into the magic and learn more about what is behind this world Strout has envisioned. The pedant in me appreciated the proper usage of "grotesque" and also, I found that Strout really enriched the story with details. Little things, like when Lexi found she had forgotten a hair elastic when....well, things got a little windy (I always forget mine, so I felt for her in that moment), made the story come to life. A fantastic read! But...what am I supposed to do until the next one's out? less

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