The Stone Mage Wars, Vol. 1: Journey To The Fringe (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
Journey to the Fringe was a very well-written and captivating novel. After I read it, I was amazed when I learned that this is the author’s debut novel. It’s about a fantasy kingdom called Lyria. Long before Lyria existed, there used to be what were called Stone Mages. These men and women had power over the elements, and each of them had tradestones that helped them use their powers. In current-day Lyria, the princess Ivy—the hope of the people—was kidnapped, and a motley crew of Lyrians want to go rescue her, believing that she was taken to what was called the Fringe, or the very dangerous edge of everything the Lyrians knew geographically. To make matters worse, the Southern realm threat of invasion hangs over all Lyrian’s heads like a storm cloud. Those that have dared to travel to the Fringe have never returned because of the treacherous sea waters, so this group of people knew that they would be risking their lives to save the princess. The group consisted of Simon, a comedian; Burr, a homeless thief; Gilda, a magical witch; and Merrick, a sea captain. When they reach the Fringe, they find more than hope for their despairing nation. They find something that will change their lives forever. If these unlikely heroes band together and rise as Stone Mages of Lyria, then they can succeed. Nielsen described the scenery and the characters eloquently, making the setting easy to visualize and the characters very likable and easy to relate to. Normally, I’m not a fantasy fan, but this novel put that into question. Filled with mystery, high adventure, suspense, mystical powers, plot twists, and a spoonful of romance, this book will keep you turning the pages, anxiously anticipating but never truly knowing what will happen next. I know the author's parents and I was excited to read her book. I liked it a lot. It is a fantasy geared toward young adults. It is a well thought out book, the characters are developed and the plot is intriguing. It's about magical men and women who use powerful tradestones to harness their unique gifts of wind, rain, and earth to help those around them. There is a war against those who use their powers for evil. The good ones are called Stone Mages and are all but extinct. An unlikely band of people embark on a dangerous journey to the Fringe to try to save their kingdom. There is nothing to object to in this book. I would recommend it and I look forward to the 2nd one in the series.
What do You think about The Stone Mage Wars, Vol. 1: Journey To The Fringe (2012)?
The prose flowed nicely, but the characters and story were flat and did not hold my interest.
—abu
Can't wait for the next adventure. This one was satisfying and creative.
—mightymouse
I really enjoyed this story. Enjoyed the writing style. A clever story.
—evolve_33
