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A review by kayshiddenshelf
Stone & Sky by Z.S. Diamanti
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
4.5/5
Z.S. Diamanti captures the wonder of classic epic fantasy in a spellbinding tale of revenge, hate and hope.
There’s no time wasted as readers are thrown right into the thick of battle in Orin’s pov. Orin, a member of the Griffin Guard works with his brothers to defend their home from the orcs that threaten it. In the battle their squadron is cut down and Orin is left to die on the battlefield. But fate has other plans for Orin as a local huntsman’s family tends to his wounds, giving him another chance. With war on the rise between orcs and humans Orin teams up with his new friends to warn his home of the impending threat.
As this is multi-pov in the style of classic fantasy, there are several characters to meet along the way. Being dropped right into the thick of conflict and going on this journey with Orin and cast of characters made this hard to put down. From the first page the stakes are high and the journey that follows is immersive.
There are a few reasons why I enjoyed this and I’ll do my best to break it down.
First and foremost, the overall tone and style is what makes this a great read and accessible for various age groups. In a similar vein of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, Stone & Sky is a clean epic fantasy that effortlessly immerses readers in the conflicts of a world on the brink of war without delving into graphic detail. Amid the high stakes and emotional scenes, there are plenty of wholesome and lighthearted moments mixed in. A big reason this works so well across a variety of age groups is that it allows readers to define their own experience. A younger reader may not think too hard on some of the more thought provoking scenes and can easily get lost in the adventures, magic and story. Whereas an adult is still able to go on those adventures with touches of nostalgia while diving into the deeper topics woven in.
Secondly, something that surprised me was how I started off by cheering for the humans and their plight, only to discover that it’s not black and white. Z.S. Diamanti gives you several reasons to doubt which side to cheer for. One in particular was seeing the supposed enemy humanized in a way that made me question everything I thought I knew and added a layer of depth I wasn’t expecting but truly appreciated.
Overall, the storytelling balances lighthearted, wholesome moments with emotional damage and high stakes beautifully. Making this a great read for both new and long standing fans of the genre as it captures the nostalgia of classic fantasy so many readers love.
Finally, the theme of family and “doing the right thing” is prevalent throughout. Not only does it explore found family, and unlikely friends but also blood related families in difficult times. Seeing this contrast between the two was heartwarming as blood families were not left behind but rather, their bonds tested through hardship.
As for the characters, they were thoughtfully done and had a depth I wasn’t expecting. The more I read the more intrigued I became, and while their arcs are satisfying in Stone & Sky, there is room for growth which I imagine will continue with the rest of the trilogy.
Amid all these aspects there was plenty of magic, mystery, action, magical creatures, divided kingdoms, villainous machinations and survival in the face of adversity. The world setting is also familiar with that classic fantasy setting and creatures from humans, elves, orcs, goblins, griffins and wyverns to name a few.
Now, in addition to the physical copy, I also listened to the audiobook narrated by Peter Leppard who gave a fantastic performance. Not only did Peter perform various voices for the characters, he also showcased his acting skills bringing the story to life.
This truly is the type of book for the whole family and one I hope to reread with my own son in years to come. In the meantime I’ll be continuing the journey with book 2, Stone & Tide and I’d highly recommend this for readers looking for their next read.
Note: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I purchased the audiobook myself.