Within the Shadow of Stone [Paperback]

Sheri L. McGathy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2, 2004

Sheri L. McGathy, the author of such stories as The Ancient One (From Within the Mist anthology) and Thief of Dreams (Twilight Crossings anthology) presents her latest fantasy novel: Within the Shadow of Stone, a journey through legend and myth to the time of the standing stones. To a world where warriors are bound to the silent megaliths and the Shroud Born walks within the mist. Bree of Clan Dunstan, and her people, the Skye, worship the stones, though they fail to remember the reasons why. The Skye no longer hear the song within the silent megaliths for they've forgotten how to sing. Now, as the pulse of the land slows, and the seasons fail, it's to the stones that Bree, a true Shroud Born, must turn, and their whispers she must hear. For within their still forms is a truth that could save them all, if only she will listen to their call. ~ When your need is truly great, the stone shall not forsake. ~

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Double Dragon Publishing (April 2, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1554040957
• ISBN-13: 978-1554040957
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,929,135 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"Born a Buckeye, I was uprooted in 1971 and replanted amongst sunflowers, tornadoes, and college football. It's a good life."

~ Fantasy author, Sheri L. McGathy
May the magic always brighten your world

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intricate plot, beautiful details..., November 25, 2005

By 

Fantasy Novel Review "FNR" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Within the Shadow of Stone (Paperback)

Reviewed by Sherryl King-Wilds for FNR

A mystifying ceremony takes place. Flesh, blood and soul meld into stone monuments. It appears twelve men are being sacrificed to the stone, one of them angrily claiming he is the One, the chosen, in the face of the evil priest Pallard.

Hundreds of years after the ceremony, Bree, a child named Shroud to the Spirit Stones, is to name her chosen, her One. She can find none who suit her liking, but Alric wants the title and the power that comes with it for himself. His assault on Bree leads to warriors stepping forth from their stone imprisonment. One in particular (Nathan) calls Alric out and cares for Bree. Nathan, however, must re-enter the stone until called forth again.

Meanwhile, a plague strikes the stone worshipers, killing many of them. In the midst of this plague, a reformation takes root, a reformation which outlaws the worship of stone, a reformation which blames the failing seasons on the worship of stone. Thus, the Reformers begin the destruction of the Spirit Stones and anyone caught worshipping them.

Each time Shroud Bree needs him, Nathan appears by her side--a ghost of sorts--but growing weaker by the day.

Bree must--with the help of her mischievous grandfather Shanis, Shanis' friends, some surprise guests, and an assortment of magical Fae creatures--reset the balance of energies before the seasons fail altogether, leaving people to perpetual winter and starvation. But Bree must discover how to achieve this goal while eluding the Reformers. And, how to free Nathan? These are goals Alric, Pallard, and Dayan Thane (the leader of the Reformation) have no intention of letting Bree reach.

All is more than it seems, however--the plague, the true cause of the failing seasons, the true menace behind the reformation, and the true origins of stone worship.

Intense characters and emotionally charged scenes advance Within the Shadow of Stone's intricate plot. Tasty morsels of information are rationed per chapter--enough to whet one's appetite and draw the reader deeper and deeper into the book, until the purposes behind the mystifying ceremony become perfectly clear. A bonus--the romantic interplay between Nathan and Bree, though very innocent, sizzles.

Grade: A+

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magic and Wonder, November 4, 2004

By 

Charmaine Mitchell (Newbury Park, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Within the Shadow of Stone (Paperback)

This author's style of writing reminds me very much of Andre Norton; her story is full of magic and wonder and draws the reader in from page one. If you like mythology then you will definitely enjoy this romantic tale of mystical standing stones and enduring love. Well worth your time and money. I look forward eagerly to many more stories from this very talented author.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic fantasy with a grand quest, full of magic and lore, September 3, 2004

By 

Jeanne Allen (Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Within the Shadow of Stone (Paperback)

A brave young woman named Bree--a chosen one--embarks on a perilous quest with the hopes of restoring the life-giving power of the ancient Stones. But some on evil bent would see her dead than see the Stones return to life. The warrior sworn to protect her is trapped within the realm of Stone, and only Bree can free him--if she only knew how to use her newfound powers. Bree must endure tests of faith and extreme danger if she's to save her dying land.

Within the Shadow of Stone is a beautifully written fantasy full of mystery and suspense, magic and lore. It drew me in with its vivid descriptions and passionate characters, and it carries with it larger, thought-provoking themes. This is a compelling read and comes with my highest recommendation.