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emma_m's review against another edition
4.0
I really loved being able to see all the foreshadowing in this book. And now I am a bit older I am 100% more able to appreciate Isobelle Carmody's mastery in weaving all the plots of this story together in a way that doesn't over complicate things with unnecessary details. This book is overly long, and some of the writing is laughable, but I think this is the book I have forgotten the least from. So many of the things that happen in this book are BIG and impossible to forget. And the scene with Domick... I was in tears. Isobelle Carmody certainly doesn't shy away from massive losses for her main characters which makes the story so much more intense.
There were definitely some details in this book that I'd completely forgotten though, such as the theory that Salamander was Sadorian, and the stuff about the woman's room in Ariel's residence, and about how there were stories of a shining city further in the mountains ... my theories for the last book are developing. I can't wait to reread The Sending (although it will probably still take me ages) because I remember getting a lot of answers within that book and also reuniting with some familiar characters. Hopefully it won't take me quite as long as this book took.
There were definitely some details in this book that I'd completely forgotten though, such as the theory that Salamander was Sadorian, and the stuff about the woman's room in Ariel's residence, and about how there were stories of a shining city further in the mountains ... my theories for the last book are developing. I can't wait to reread The Sending (although it will probably still take me ages) because I remember getting a lot of answers within that book and also reuniting with some familiar characters. Hopefully it won't take me quite as long as this book took.
ros_lanta's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Stone Key is simply brilliant, by far the best book in the Obernewtyn Chronicles, and Carmody's writing is significantly improved from earlier books in the series.
At 1,000 pages TSK is far longer than previous books in the series (so much so that the US editions divided the book into two). This isn't from unnecessary padding: numerous events happen which are key to the plot arcs of the series, and while there are slower, quieter parts of the book they are needed as balance to the many fast paced, action filled sections.
Despite the plot heavy content, possibly the biggest strength of the book is characterisation. The main character Elspeth grows in multiple ways as a result of her experiences; she has come a long way from the Elspeth of book 1, an orphan child afraid to make connections with others. Other characters are also given more nuance than in previous books. There are some very emotional moments in the book, and the use of first person throughout the novel adds to their impact.
In many ways the Obernewtyn Chronicles aged with the main character (and with those of us readers who discovered it as children). Not only do the books increase in length and plot complexity, they get darker and examine more adult issues, and this is very apparent here. While the books have always been set in a dystopia, with darker topics referenced, the earlier books could easily be read by preteens: I would not recommend that for TSK, which falls far more towards the older end of YA. Carmody generally handles these topics well.
One thing I appreciate in the Obernewtyn novels (though some readers may not) is that Carmody does not feel the need to have her main character present at every single key event in the story. Sometimes things happen that are just related to her afterwards. Other times she is involved but is not the key instigator. I find this very realistic and there are certainly more than enough instances where she plays a central role.
Overall I find this a gripping, satisfying novel; one that I have reread multiple times and will no doubt read again in the future.
At 1,000 pages TSK is far longer than previous books in the series (so much so that the US editions divided the book into two). This isn't from unnecessary padding: numerous events happen which are key to the plot arcs of the series, and while there are slower, quieter parts of the book they are needed as balance to the many fast paced, action filled sections.
Despite the plot heavy content, possibly the biggest strength of the book is characterisation. The main character Elspeth grows in multiple ways as a result of her experiences; she has come a long way from the Elspeth of book 1, an orphan child afraid to make connections with others. Other characters are also given more nuance than in previous books. There are some very emotional moments in the book, and the use of first person throughout the novel adds to their impact.
In many ways the Obernewtyn Chronicles aged with the main character (and with those of us readers who discovered it as children). Not only do the books increase in length and plot complexity, they get darker and examine more adult issues, and this is very apparent here. While the books have always been set in a dystopia, with darker topics referenced, the earlier books could easily be read by preteens: I would not recommend that for TSK, which falls far more towards the older end of YA. Carmody generally handles these topics well.
One thing I appreciate in the Obernewtyn novels (though some readers may not) is that Carmody does not feel the need to have her main character present at every single key event in the story. Sometimes things happen that are just related to her afterwards. Other times she is involved but is not the key instigator. I find this very realistic and there are certainly more than enough instances where she plays a central role.
Overall I find this a gripping, satisfying novel; one that I have reread multiple times and will no doubt read again in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Slavery, Murder, Torture, Violence, Emotional abuse, Death, and Animal cruelty
meganori's review against another edition
3.0
It's still a great story, but it's becoming very drawn out. This book would have been excellent at 300 pages - not 1,000.
celiaedf12's review against another edition
5.0
I am loving this so far - yes, some clumsy exposition, overly formal dialogue, but who cares - I have loved these characters since I first read Obernewtyn at age 11, 12? And reading this takes me right back to that uncritical age. I have a feeling I will enjoy this book tremendously no matter what.
***
I managed to stretch out my reading over quite a few days, which I was pleased with - I adored this book. What a fantastic continuation of the series. Then I went and read this thread at Obernewtyn.net and boggled at all the various theories that fans have developed after reading this book. It's made me want to go through and read the series again from the beginning, and then read The Stone Key again.
I loved the way Elspeth has matured and developed in this book, I loved the resolution of her relationship with Rushton (in fact, it hadn't really dawned on me that there were fans that didn't like the Elspeth/Rushton relationship - wah? They are Meant to Be Together!), and the continuation of her quest is most terribly exciting. I loved the part set in the Beforetime complex.
Oh please Isobelle, don't take another 8 years with The Sending.
***
I managed to stretch out my reading over quite a few days, which I was pleased with - I adored this book. What a fantastic continuation of the series. Then I went and read this thread at Obernewtyn.net and boggled at all the various theories that fans have developed after reading this book. It's made me want to go through and read the series again from the beginning, and then read The Stone Key again.
I loved the way Elspeth has matured and developed in this book, I loved the resolution of her relationship with Rushton (in fact, it hadn't really dawned on me that there were fans that didn't like the Elspeth/Rushton relationship - wah? They are Meant to Be Together!), and the continuation of her quest is most terribly exciting. I loved the part set in the Beforetime complex.
Oh please Isobelle, don't take another 8 years with The Sending.
witskee1's review against another edition
3.0
I started out really loving the Obernewtyn series. But, to me it has felt like from the third book on Carmody has lost the focus of her story.
It was foretold that the main character, Elspeth, will find the 'weaponmachines' that caused the nuclear holocaust in their post-apocalyptic world and destroy them before they destroy the world completely. But somehow she keeps getting side tracked again and again. She's involved in overthrowing governments, evil religious orders, furthering animal rights and on and on and on. I wish that Elspeth could just get back to her original journey and that all the sub-plots and extra characters would just go away.
It was foretold that the main character, Elspeth, will find the 'weaponmachines' that caused the nuclear holocaust in their post-apocalyptic world and destroy them before they destroy the world completely. But somehow she keeps getting side tracked again and again. She's involved in overthrowing governments, evil religious orders, furthering animal rights and on and on and on. I wish that Elspeth could just get back to her original journey and that all the sub-plots and extra characters would just go away.
readingraiinbow's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
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