A Cast of Stones (The Staff and the Sword)
Feb 2013 · Baker Books
3.9star
476 reviews
Ebook
432
Pages
family_home
Eligible
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About this ebook
2014 Carol Award Winner for Speculative
The Fate of the Kingdom Awaits the Cast of Stones
In the backwater village of Callowford, roustabout Errol Stone is enlisted by a church messenger arriving with urgent missives for the hermit priest in the hills. Eager for coin, Errol agrees to what he thinks will be an easy task, but soon finds himself hunted by deadly assassins. Forced to flee with the priest and a small band of travelers, Errol soon learns he's joined a quest that could change the fate of his kingdom.
Protected for millennia by the heirs of the first king, the kingdom's dynasty nears its end and the selection of the new king begins--but in secret and shadow. As danger mounts, Errol must leave behind the stains and griefs of the past, learn to fight, and discover who is hunting him and his companions and how far they will go to stop the reading of the stones.
"With an engaging, imaginative world that bristles with danger, characters that keep you guessing, and a story that sticks with you, A Cast of Stones will keep you devouring pages until the very end. I highly recommend it!" --John W. Otte, author of Failstate
"Carr's debut, the first in a series, is assured and up-tempo, with much to enjoy in characterization and description--not least the homely, life-as-lived details." -Publishers Weekly
This fast-paced fantasy debut set in a medieval world is a winner. Both main and secondary characters are fully drawn and endearing, and Errol's transformation from drunkard to hero is well plotted. Carr is a promising CF author to watch. Fans of epic Christian fantasies will enjoy discovering a new voice.
"Like the preceding series title, Inescapable, this tale of suspense offers a colorful cast of characters, small-town drama, and a hint of romance. A sure bet for fans of Hannah Alexander." --Library Journal
"[Good fantasy books] have to be excellent. Good storytelling and exceptional characters with circumstances that are easy enough to follow and wrap your brain around but keep you entertained and guessing... Cast of Stones has found itself firmly in that list of books. I absolutely, one hundred percent loved this book." --Radiant Lit
The Fate of the Kingdom Awaits the Cast of Stones
In the backwater village of Callowford, roustabout Errol Stone is enlisted by a church messenger arriving with urgent missives for the hermit priest in the hills. Eager for coin, Errol agrees to what he thinks will be an easy task, but soon finds himself hunted by deadly assassins. Forced to flee with the priest and a small band of travelers, Errol soon learns he's joined a quest that could change the fate of his kingdom.
Protected for millennia by the heirs of the first king, the kingdom's dynasty nears its end and the selection of the new king begins--but in secret and shadow. As danger mounts, Errol must leave behind the stains and griefs of the past, learn to fight, and discover who is hunting him and his companions and how far they will go to stop the reading of the stones.
"With an engaging, imaginative world that bristles with danger, characters that keep you guessing, and a story that sticks with you, A Cast of Stones will keep you devouring pages until the very end. I highly recommend it!" --John W. Otte, author of Failstate
"Carr's debut, the first in a series, is assured and up-tempo, with much to enjoy in characterization and description--not least the homely, life-as-lived details." -Publishers Weekly
This fast-paced fantasy debut set in a medieval world is a winner. Both main and secondary characters are fully drawn and endearing, and Errol's transformation from drunkard to hero is well plotted. Carr is a promising CF author to watch. Fans of epic Christian fantasies will enjoy discovering a new voice.
"Like the preceding series title, Inescapable, this tale of suspense offers a colorful cast of characters, small-town drama, and a hint of romance. A sure bet for fans of Hannah Alexander." --Library Journal
"[Good fantasy books] have to be excellent. Good storytelling and exceptional characters with circumstances that are easy enough to follow and wrap your brain around but keep you entertained and guessing... Cast of Stones has found itself firmly in that list of books. I absolutely, one hundred percent loved this book." --Radiant Lit
Ratings and reviews
3.9
476 reviews
Charles Horne
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March 25, 2014
As a 42 year old closet fantasy fan, lol, I stumbled onto this series starting with a free download.... I read it in 2 days, bought the second book and waited impatiently for A Cast for Kings. I reread the first two books days before Kings was released and dive straight into Kings right away. I would HIGHLY recommend this series. Great books.
1 person found this review helpful
Elin Tate
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May 17, 2014
I have been reading and enjoying Fantasy/ Science Fiction Fantasy my whole life and this is a good book! You are drawn into the story and to the characters from the very beginning. The story is very nicely paced and allows you to be part of the different characters' stories without constantly swinging back and forth. Although, this book is a Fantasy set in a land and time far away, the characters face trials, loose their way, and endure, because they must - all the while enabling us to experience and empathize with their very realistic emotions. I am not experienced in writing reviews, so let me just say - if you enjoy being transported to new lands that feel real, and rooting for "people" that feel real, too - this book is for you! Enjoy!
4 people found this review helpful
kanoah2
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June 2, 2014
I bought this book because it was free and I was searching for something new after moving through most of the fantasy that's out there now. Thats all I read and my standards are very high for good literature. But this book has been engaging and not at all the stereotypical 'farm boy with mysterious heritage finds out he's secretly heir to a throne blah...blah..blah. and its considered Christian? I havent really seen the Christian theme yet but admittedly im only halfway through. Great book, 6 stars. Try it
1 person found this review helpful
About the author
Patrick W. Carr teaches high school math and makes his home in Nashville, Tennessee, with his incredible wife, Mary, and their four awesome sons, Patrick, Connor, Daniel, and Ethan. Learn more at www.patrickwcarr.com.
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