Blood from Stone (Retrievers, Book 6) [Paperback]

Laura Anne Gilman (Author)

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Laura Anne Gilman is the author of the Cosa Nostradamus books for Luna (the “Retrievers” and “Paranormal Scene Investigations” series), a YA trilogy for HarperCollins, and numerous works of short fiction. She also writes paranormal romances for Nocturne as Anna Leonard, and her e-book novella Dreamcatcher was released in August 2008.  A former executive editor at NAL, Laura Anne is an amateur chef, oenophile, and cat-servant.  She lives in New York City, where she also runs d.y.m.k. productions. 

Product Details

• Paperback: 346 pages
• Publisher: Luna; Original edition (May 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373802978
• ISBN-13: 978-0373802975
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #993,679 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A solid ending to a good series, May 7, 2009

By 

Summeroz (sacramento, california) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blood from Stone (Retrievers, Book 6) (Paperback)

It surprises me that this series has not taken off and become more popular than it has. I think it is one of the most original and fascinating urban fantasy series out there. I agree that that maybe book 3 or so was not as strong as the first 2 but I really do think that book 5 and 6 were very strong and interesting and I am sad to see that she is ending the series or "setting it aside" for an indeterminate amount of time to write something else!

In this final chapter, Wren's job/life is driving her crazy. She's still one of the best Retrievers, even after last year's deadly confrontation with the Silence and almost wizzing. With her apartment going co-op and her relationship with the demon P.B. putting stress on her romance with partner Sergei, Wren is contemplating a move to the country?! what?!!!! Can anyone imagine wren in the country? I think not! We learn a little more about P.B. and his background where he comes from and someone from his past is after him. Wren has to protect her friend and their special relationship.

Intermixed with the action are personal scenes of Sergei trying to figure out his relationship with Wren and what he really wants. Her, her current and just what does their future hold?

I will miss Wren and her merry little band and I hope LAG will come back to them soon. If you are picking up this series for the first time I really recommend that you start from book 1. Trying to figure out the current, the silence, the cosa and all that is just too much to start from here. I think this is a solid installment of the series and I don't think fans will be disappointed.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable, if not perfect., June 14, 2009

By 

Catherine Winterfox (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blood from Stone (Retrievers, Book 6) (Paperback)

Wren Valere is a Retriever. Using her Talent to channel "current", she performs what an everyday joe would call magic. Usually, she can get in, retrieve what the client has requested, and get out, no strings attached. This retrieval is special. She must obtain the notes of the mad scientist who created one of her best friends-P.B., a "demon" who has saved her life more than once-before those notes are grabbed by people who would enslave him.

There are actually a couple of stories going on here. Early in the book, Wren encounters the familiar scent of her mentor and father-figure, Ebenezer, whom she had previously presumed dead. Don't get me wrong, I love Gilman, and I enjoyed this book; however, this plot line suffered from too much tell and not enough show. I felt hammered with repetitive ruminations about Neezer and what he meant to Wren. I got it after the first couple shots, really. It seems space was wasted here that would have been better spent in the heads of the bad guys from the primary plot.

That said, this book is still some lovely stuff. I enjoyed the interstitials with Sergei in therapy. Wren and Sergei have long been a favorite fictional couple, and it's nice to see them working on normal (relatively) relationship stuff. I always favor series with non-magical romances; nothing is forced by fate. No "I knew she was my lifemate the moment I scented her" claptrap.

The main plot, though it needed more bad-guy time, is also a keeper. We find out more about P.B.'s mysterious past, with a hint that there may be a little more Talent science in the future. In addition, a nifty new character, in the form of a curious Federal agent, is introduced.

While I wouldn't exactly call this book a break, it is a lot less frantic than the last two, and that's completely welcome. I expect this series is beginning to wind down after six installments, and Gilman is getting ready to hand the baton to Bonnie and the Paranormal Scene Investigations series, which begins next year with Hard Magic.

5.0 out of 5 stars The story continues!!, March 15, 2010

By 

bugfinder (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Blood from Stone (Retrievers, Book 6) (Paperback)

Really good action, mystery, and character interactions! The usual best from Laura Anne Gilman.

This is 6th in the series and it does need to be read from the beginning of the series for the most enjoyment. The stories are stand-a-lone, but the character development and background from the earlier stories areimportant.