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A review by mary_soon_lee
Carved from Stone and Dream: A Los Nefilim Novel by T. Frohock
5.0
Note: I read an ARC (advance reader copy) which may differ slightly from the final published version. This book is historical horror/dark fantasy with a strong military component. Set in early 1939, close to the end of the Spanish civil war and before the outbreak of World War II, it centers on the nefilim, beings with part mortal and part supernatural ancestry. The setting and the fantastical elements are distinctive and very well drawn. The story and action are compelling: the book held me from the first page and didn't let go. But it is the characters that matter most to me.
This is the third book with Diago and Miquel and their son Rafael, one of my favorite fictional families, and, as with the previous books, also highlights the deep friendship between Diago and Guillermo. I love these characters. I think about them in between books. There are a lot of books with solitary heroes or heroines, and many others where people are divided by misunderstandings and dramatic strife before finally coming together. I often enjoy those books, but I crave stories where people help each other without reservation. Even though "Carved from Stone and Dream" takes the characters into some very dark places (very dark -- be warned), they continue to care for each other. Highly recommended.
5/18/2020 note: I just finished re-reading this, and enjoyed it every bit as much the second time round. I love these characters and how they care for each other.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
This is the third book with Diago and Miquel and their son Rafael, one of my favorite fictional families, and, as with the previous books, also highlights the deep friendship between Diago and Guillermo. I love these characters. I think about them in between books. There are a lot of books with solitary heroes or heroines, and many others where people are divided by misunderstandings and dramatic strife before finally coming together. I often enjoy those books, but I crave stories where people help each other without reservation. Even though "Carved from Stone and Dream" takes the characters into some very dark places (very dark -- be warned), they continue to care for each other. Highly recommended.
5/18/2020 note: I just finished re-reading this, and enjoyed it every bit as much the second time round. I love these characters and how they care for each other.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).