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Stone of Fire (ARKANE Book 1) by [J.F. Penn]

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J. F. Penn

Stone of Fire (ARKANE Book 1) Kindle Edition

by J.F. Penn (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

1,311 ratings

Book 1 of 12: ARKANE

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A power kept secret for 2000 years.

A nun is burned alive on the sacred ghats of Varanasi, India. The ancient stone she carries is stolen, triggering an international hunt for the relics of the early church.

Forged in the fire and blood of martyrs, the Pentecost stones have been handed down through generations of Keepers who kept their power and locations secret.

Until now.

The Keepers are being murdered, the stones stolen by those who would use them for evil in a world transformed by religious fundamentalism.

Oxford University psychologist Morgan Sierra is forced into the search when her sister and niece are held hostage, aided by Jake Timber from the mysterious ARKANE, a British agency investigating the supernatural. Morgan must risk her life to save her family, but will she ultimately be betrayed?

From ancient Christian sites in Spain, Italy, and Israel to the far reaches of Iran and Tunisia, Morgan and Jake must track down the stones through the myths of the early church in a race against time before a new Pentecost is summoned — this time powered by the fires of evil.

The first in the ARKANE series, Stone of Fire is a fast-paced, action-packed thriller that explores the edges of faith against a backdrop of early Christian history and archaeology.

The ARKANE action adventure series in order. The books can also be read as stand-alone stories.

Stone of Fire #1
Crypt of Bone #2
Ark of Blood #3
One Day In Budapest #4
Day of the Vikings #5
Gates of Hell #6
One Day in New York #7
Destroyer of Worlds #8
End of Days #9
Valley of Dry Bones #10

Print length

406 pages
Language

English
Publication date

January 2, 2014
File size

2163 KB
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Editorial Reviews

From the Author

I am passionate about religion, psychology and travel so I wanted to weave these aspects into Pentecost. I also love kick-ass, action adventure books and movies so the pace of the book needed to move just as fast.

The idea for the Pentecost stones came from a visit to Venice where there is a huge golden mural in one of the domes of St Mark's Basilica showing the Holy Spirit descending at Pentecost. I love Venice and was there in the floods, so the scene set there came quickly. I wanted to have a book about a religious mystery that could be plausible and set in the modern day, but that also investigated what became of the Apostles, as well as weaving in my fascinations with Carl Jung and modern psychology. I found some amazing links that prove fact is stranger than fiction.

I studied the early church during my Masters degree but revisited the research in order to find out where the bones of the Apostles are kept in the present day. This search took me from India and Iran in the east, through Israel, Spain, Italy, Tunisia and eventually over to the USA. I have visited many of the locations myself as travel is an immense passion of mine. I also enjoy describing fascinating settings and believe the location should be just as interesting to the reader as the action and characters.

Dr Morgan Sierra is indeed my alter-ego. I am an experience-junkie and the adventures I send her on are such stuff as dreams are made on. I hope you enjoy the vicarious ride as much as I have done.

About the Author

J.F. Penn has a Masters degree in Theology from the University of Oxford, Mansfield College. She combines her passion for religion and psychology with kick-ass action-adventure in her novels.

J.F.Penn loves action-adventure thrillers and cites as writinginspirations James Rollins, Steve Berry, Andy McDermott, Matthew Reilly, Clive Cussler as well as Dan Brown.

Penn loves scuba diving, traveling with her backpack, Pinot Noir, reading in the hammock and constant change.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B004JHYA6A
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Curl Up Press (January 2, 2014)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 2, 2014
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 2163 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 406 pages
Lending ‏ : ‎ Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #4,830 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #8 in Religious Science Fiction & Fantasy (Kindle Store)
- #13 in Travel Adventure Fiction
- #28 in Occult Suspense

Customer Reviews:
1,311 ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

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Manie Kilian

A faith of the mind

Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2018

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Unlike many contemporary books reliant on myths and grand conspiracy theories (like Dan Brown's The Day Vinci Code) Stone of Fire is pure fiction claiming no basis in reality at all. Yet it is convincing as if clawed from history itself.
Master in religious studies J.F. Penn is indeed also master of writing of the arcane in an authoritive voice that reverberates through this book concerning the stone relics wrought from the cave of Jesus's grave after his resurrection.
Like in many relic myths, like the spear of Longinus, the shroud of Turin and the chalice of the last supper, belief is in the mind of the individual.
Perhaps that would account for a human monster believing that the so called stones of the apostles would restore his brother's lost mind to sanity in a new Pentecost event. Or perhaps insanity just runs in his family.
Whatever the reason, it inspires the utmost in Morgan Sierra and Jake Timber to rush from one exotic locale to the other in order to find and bring together the apostle stones in order to save Morgan's sister, Faye, and Faye's little girl, Gemma.
It is an action packed thriller and nerve wracking at times, almost an Indiana Jones type of adventure at times and highly entertaining. Hats of this author. Enjoy;

19 people found this helpful

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Rickles

Action, Adventure, Unrealistic,

Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2020

Verified Purchase

Dr. Morgan Sierra, formerly of the Israeli military, is now professor of antiquities at Oxford. Dr. Sierra's husband was killed in the Israeli military. Morgan has just discovered that she has a twin sister, Faye, a toddler niece, Gemma, and a brother-in-law, David, that she did it know existed. Faye and Gemma are kidnapped and held for ransom. That ransom is; Morgan must find the twelve stones the apostles wore from the tomb of Christ and deliver them to a nut-job in Arizona by Pentecost or her sister and niece will die. The writing is very good and the mistakes are minimal. The characters are alive and real. The story line and plot, however, are rather ridiculous. The main characters entering places that would normally be locked and guarded without resistance, taking artifacts out of said places, going from country to country sans passports , shoot-outs in public places without repercussions, non interference by law enforcement, well......... You get the idea. As a fantasy action, adventure it might be ok for some, but I couldn't get passed the ridiculousness of it. Three stars for the good writing.

9 people found this helpful

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Haraaron

I Wanted to Like It...

Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2017

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I've seen this book/series described as Lara Croft meets Dan Brown or Indiana Jones/National Treasure. I think both comparisons are accurate to some degree, but only if the Indiana Jones movie you're comparing it to is Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (less than stellar installment in that franchise, IMHO). I really wanted to like this book, but I just could not. The premise was interesting and the historical tie-ins were cool, but everything else was a flop for me. The characters were severely underdeveloped, their relationships were even more awkward, and, overall, the plot felt rushed. It reads much like the plot of a police television drama in which the ace detective(s) solve heinous or complex crimes in the span of 45 minutes using unrealistic forensics and non-existent technology with a little sexual tension thrown in to spice things up. I like J.F. Penn, but this book just does not do it for me.

17 people found this helpful

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Liquid Frost

Convenient Fiction

Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2016

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This is a fun, fast read in the vein of The Da Vinci Code, National Treasure, or anything with Knights Templar that involves finding lost items, and/or sleuthing to reach an objective. For me, you really, really need to suspend all reality for this one. Take Dues Ex Machina and run it into the ground. Apostle stones missing or hidden for 2000 years are rather easily found and retrieved in just a matter of days.

Toss in some loyalty and betrayal, a three-pronged motivation to gain the stones, some sexy, fit characters and boom – you’ve got the story.

Action starts fast – a nun burned alive in Varanasi with some weird atmospheric occurrences. The Pentecost stones – scattered through the ages – hold power that can cause great good or harm. Now the race is on to gather the stones to save or destroy the day. Toss in some cool religious architecture, and super-secret agencies, a tight timeline, and there you are.

Like I said – it was entertaining. This book (and I assume the others) are travel reads and/or guilty pleasure escapism.

23 people found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

She's on fire with this one

Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2017

Verified Purchase

I just finished Stone of Fire by J.F. Penn. I've got to say, Joanna Penn is on fire with her ARKANE series. Stone of Fire is the first in a series that promises to deliver non-stop thriller action.

This book takes the reader on a roller coaster trip to some of the most intriguing religious destinations in the world. Her descriptions are vivid in a way that makes the reader cringe when silence is broken in the sacred sanctuaries. (your mom always told you to be quiet in church--right?)

Imagine the diversion of a man dangling from a rope in the high dome of an ancient cathedral. That's the kind of action J.F. Penn packs into her novels. Think Indiana Jones meets the Pope.

Clearly, Ms. Penn has first-hand knowledge of the places she romps through with her characters. This wild, action-packed, "novel" vacation is an education as well as a tour.

One drawback to reading Stone of Fire. It's a series and you'll be hooked on reading them all.

10 people found this helpful

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Mjm

An entertaining story!

Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2020

Verified Purchase

This is my first exposure to Ms. Penn’s writing, and I was pleasantly surprised. I had picked up the book from one of the freebie sites and it had been in my TBR queue for a while. I read a variety of genres: mystery thrillers, space opera, some fantasy, post-apocalyptic stories. I read for escape and entertainment, and I’m not too concerned if things are contrived or perhaps violate the laws of physics, like magic, riding dragons, or space travel. I found this to be an easy read: the story flowed smoothly, the characters had some depth and the scenes were portrayed vividly. I got into the story fairly quickly and stayed interested throughout. I enjoyed the blend of history, myth, science and creative license that perhaps made it plausible and entertaining. I recommend this book and want to read more in this series.

One person found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Amy Reads Books

A disappointing debut

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 2, 2018

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Stone of Fire is the bastard love child of Indiana Jones and The Da Vinci Code. Our main character, Morgan Sierra has to find 12 stones (one for each apostle) or the bad guys are going to kill her sister and neice. No matter the stones have been hidden in different locations and kept secret for 2,000 years, she needs to get them in a few days. Right on cue, Arkane show up (a secret treasure hunting organisation) to help!

This whole novel felt rushed and not is a tense, pacy kind of way. The dialogue was stilted, and the characters felt a little shallow, their motivations and actions questionable. And this was after I made allowances for this being a debut novel.

I really wanted to enjoy this - I admire the writer for her work helping independent authors - but I couldn't.

10 people found this helpful

Clinken

Professionally written thrill-ride

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 14, 2019

Verified Purchase

Joanna Penn knows her subjects. Her theology degree has given her an excellent grounding in the religious subject matter, and she has clearly done plenty of specific research to get her facts correct.

That she has written and produced numerous YouTube videos on the subject of novel-writing gives her huge credibility in how to craft a thriller. A small but important difference between Penn and some other self-publishers that massively adds to be enjoyment: the punctuation, continuity and spelling errors have been eliminated - she seems to understand the value of a competent edit.

I found myself riveted to the story, and she kept me hanging on until the end. Thanks Joanna for the super novels, and also for your support to the writing community.

3 people found this helpful

Pamela Scott

A rocking read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 31, 2020

Verified Purchase

I recently read and loved the 9th book in the series, End of Days so I had to read this to find out how ARKANE started and tie up some of the loose ends I didn’t fully understand as I hadn’t any other books in the series. This is a great read, not quite on par with End of Days but excellent as the first in a series and presumably the author’s debut / early novel. The myth that inspired this book is clearly Prometheus who defied the Gods and gave fire to man. A legend I’m very familiar with. Stone of Fire has all the things I learned to expect from End of Days such as ancient legends, fast paced action, puzzles and intrigue. ARKANE is fascinating and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I wish I’d heard of these books years ago as they are right up my street and a treat. Way cooler than Dan Brown.

Kindle Customer

Myth and Psychology - a compelling combination

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 2, 2018

Verified Purchase

Thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend to those who enjoy a breakneck pace in a book, together with religious mysticism and psychology. I found the combination fascinating and enjoyable. The story covers an academic drawn into a race against time, aided by a secret organisation pledged to protect the world from unimaginable and unknown mystical power beyond comprehension. The theme of saving family is also present. One a direct threat to her sister and niece, the other from a brutal, very wealthy man who believes that the stones can save his brother, who is imprisoned in a troubled mind and failing body.

One person found this helpful

Stephen Clynes

Joanna does not poke fun at religion but it made me laugh!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 15, 2016

Verified Purchase

Follow Morgan Sierra as she searches for the Pentecost stones in this thriller about religious relics.

Joanna writes a wonderful and entertaining thriller that should appeal to all readers regardless of their faith or views on religion. Her book has a lovely mix of fact and fiction. There is lots of history and background in this story which is gently explained. You do not need to be a religious scholar to understand what is going on because as this story unfolds, the characters explain both the nature of faith and the importance of the Pentecost stones.

I found Stone of Fire a very interesting read because of all the detail within the plot. Joanna has done a tremendous amount of research to build her story around the Pentecost and this depth is a joy to read. This book works on a number of levels, the concept of faith, conspiracies, secret rooms and societies plus adventure and the thrill of the chase. The whole feel of this book is very similar to the average Dan Brown novel but for all the right reasons.

Stone of Fire was a pleasure to read. I loved the writing style which was very descriptive, educated, informative and with an extensive vocabulary. The whole story was bright and refreshing. It was a very entertaining tale and because I am an Atheist, I found it very funny! Joanna does not poke fun at religion but it made me laugh! She writes a very convincing tale that is verified by lots of detail and background. It was lovely that when the story ends she includes some author notes to explain which parts were fact and which were fiction in case you were confused. She gave me what I want from my reading experience, a refreshing trip into another world and for that I vote her the top score of 5 stars.

I used to read a daily newspaper and did not bother with books. But a passenger left behind a copy of The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown on my coach and I took it on holiday with me in June 2007. I enjoyed reading it so much that I abandoned my daily newspaper and moved onto books instead. I have never looked back and I feel that a novel like Stone of Fire can very easily turn on people and make them want to adopt reading books as a hobby. I view Stone of Fire as a stepping stone for readers to get the bug of a media that can give them years of pleasure.

2 people found this helpful

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