Violette Malan

Originally I bought this book because I thought it was part of Malan's Dhulyn and Parno series (though I'm not sure what convinced me of that), but found out pretty quickly it was its own stand alone fantasy. This is almost my dream come true set-up, but the problem is that its a set-up I've seen quite often in the last decade in young adult fiction. The 'hidden faerie royalty' plot has been beaten to death it sometimes feels like.

In all honesty I enjoyed the human-Max better than later as he regained his memories of being the Guardian Prince, Dawntreader. Its not that he changed for the worse personality-wise, but more I couldn't connect with him as much. Cassandra was hot and cold for me, but a lot of that had to do with a past history with Max that isn't fully explored. She did her job, she did it well, but she resented it a lot of the time, having wished to avoid Max as much as possible. I liked Max and Cassandra's interactions in the beginning, as he tried to convince himself she was the crazy one, she tried to convince him he needed to listen regardless and they both tried to fight their attraction.

I had trouble staying focused while reading the book, my mind kept wandering and I kept wanting to just stop reading, but once I start a book I finish it. Its not that the world wasn't interesting or I wasn't interested in the final battle between the Basilisk Prince (the bad guy) and Max, I just didn't have enough interest. The characters didn't feel real to me, so I didn't feel the suspense or shock that the author was trying to convey at times.

I much prefer the Dhulyn and Parno series by Malan. As a first novel I think this had a lot of potential, but fell flat where the characters were concerned, so that kept this from being a book I could really enjoy.… (mais)

Welcome to the world of The Godstone.

A world of different modes (counties) reaching out from the court of practitioners (like mages) The White Court, and it’s balancing group, the Red Court (wherein lies the law) The world is out of balance we slowly learn, caused it appears by the creation of the Godstone, an artefact locked away for many years by a gifted practitioner
Practitioner Fenra Lowens and Elvanyn Karamisk know what’s at stake but before they can state the case for World health things come to a head. She has to persuade the Courts via the Council to work together to heal the World. This should be their highest priority.
Fenra has been commanded to convince the Council that, “The world … and everything in it, the Modes, practitioners, mundanes, rivers, mountains, animals, everything is a piece of one organism. The World had already begun to fail, and when … the Godstone [was torn]from it, it lost the ability to act in its own defense, and it lost the ability to heal.”
The problem is the Council doesn’t believe Fenra. They are sceptical and view Fenra as a lowly no nothing third class practitioner. We know she’s so much more. The political games have begun!
The old ways might heal the World but it seems no-one’s listening. Fenra begins to suspect there’s something off key than she first thought, but with deep fissures opening up in the earth, avoiding being arrested and quakes happening her attention is somewhat divided.
Interesting to note that Dadian philosophy where the world seen as a sentient being seems somewhat akin to to some concepts of Deep Ecology.
Tension builds slowly but in a distinct Violette Malan way that we’ve come to appreciate.

A DAW ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change… (mais)

Pros: good worldbuilding, interesting magic system, complex characters

Cons: a bit slow at times

When the artisan Arlyn Albainil receives word that his cousin Xandra named him executor of his testament he knows something’s up. The White Council wants to open Xandra’s practitioners’ vault, the place magic users keep their most important - and dangerous - work. But Arlyn knows what Xandra kept his his vault - the godstone - is a powerful artifact too dangerous to be released. So he enlists the help of the village practitioner, Fenra, to seal the godstone away forever.

I really enjoyed the worldbuilding and learning how modes worked. There were a few confusing moments as the characters understood what was happening as they passed between modes in a way that wasn’t explained to the reader, but I caught on quickly. I also liked the complexity of magic and learning that there were other planes of existence.

Fenra was a great character, compassionate but also pragmatic. I loved watching her relationship with Elvanyn develop. While her age is never given, it’s clear she’s not young, and her actions show the careful consideration of someone with a good deal of experience behind her.

The story was told from the three protagonists’ points of view, with the character named at the start of each section so it was very easy to keep track of whose thoughts you were sharing.

The pacing is slow but steady, doling out information at a good rate to keep you interested and with some tense scenes as the godstone comes into play.

Though the author is working on a sequel, The Godstone works as a standalone, wrapping things up nicely at the end.

I really enjoyed the book and if you like old school fantasy, you should give it a try.… (mais)