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alexauthorshay's review against another edition
3.0
For some reason, I remembered Elsepth having gotten to the computermachines and destroying them already. I was wondering what the last two books could possibly be about, only to find that I forgot most of this book and aside from two key events, remembered absolutely nothing. Much more of Elspeth's quest is revealed in this book, but I have noticed the tendency to focus on certain issues in the beginning and to cram a bunch of Seeker prophecy elements in the last 50-100 pages. And, in the NA editions, there are only 2 books left. And yet her actual main quest is just getting started. It reminded me a fair bit of Harry Potter how the whole horcrux thing was mainly instituted in the last 2 books instead of being more spread out through all 7. I have yet to read the last 2 books, so I'm hoping the fresh stories will be more enjoyable.
I will say, however, that I have come to like Elspeth as a character much more by this book compared to the first one. She is more involved with people and what happens around her, and she takes more direct control in her choices. However, I still notice another heavy tendency of her describing things in the past tense when it comes to Elspeth needing to know how to do something. Two paragraphs are spent telling who instructed her and how and when, but it is never mentioned in any other book or earlier in the current one, so it's a really cheap save compared to introducing little bits here and there throughout the series.
I will say, however, that I have come to like Elspeth as a character much more by this book compared to the first one. She is more involved with people and what happens around her, and she takes more direct control in her choices. However, I still notice another heavy tendency of her describing things in the past tense when it comes to Elspeth needing to know how to do something. Two paragraphs are spent telling who instructed her and how and when, but it is never mentioned in any other book or earlier in the current one, so it's a really cheap save compared to introducing little bits here and there throughout the series.
sophusbofus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
nicolang's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
ashybear02's review against another edition
4.0
Mmmm another book down for the Obernewtyn chronicles. Great as usual! I wouldn't say it was my favourite out of the series. In some parts, it dragged on too long for my opinion and I found myself becoming bored with those parts. But all in all, great story and it makes me want to read The Sending right now!
georgia_pogson's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
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.