2026 Reading Challenge
Heartless (Tales of Goldstone Wood, #1)

Questions About Heartless (Tales of Goldstone Wood, #1)

by Anne Elisabeth Stengl (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (6)

Are all the novels in this series stand- alones or do I have to read each book in the series in order to understand the story?
J.M. Most of the books can be read as stand-alones, but understanding and appreciation of the world grows as you read the books in order. The books also gr…moreMost of the books can be read as stand-alones, but understanding and appreciation of the world grows as you read the books in order. The books also grow deeper and better-written as the series progresses. If you pick up a book from the middle of the series, say DRAGONWITCH, you can simply enjoy the story and the characters of that particular book, and the main characters are unique to that story. But the world as a whole and some carry-over characters will be more enjoyable if you have read the series through. Best stand-alone books: DRAGONWITCH, GOLDEN DAUGHTER, STARFLOWER, and HEARTLESS. The other three are more dependent on earlier books in the series (although some people think VEILED ROSE is a better starting place than HEARTLESS).
Hope this helps!(less)
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Would guys like this book, or is it directed more toward girls?
Elizabeth Faustina It might be directed towards girls, but I think that boys would like it too! There's a lot of dragonish content that would interest them.…moreIt might be directed towards girls, but I think that boys would like it too! There's a lot of dragonish content that would interest them.(less)
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Is this book appropriate for young teenagers? Also, is it a romance?
Anna Catherman I would say so. It's a bit dark - dragons are present and at times the destruction they cause is chronicled in a chilling, but not grotesque, manner. …moreI would say so. It's a bit dark - dragons are present and at times the destruction they cause is chronicled in a chilling, but not grotesque, manner. There's no crude language or sexual content. There is a very strong romance element, but I'm not sure I'd call it a straight-up romance. (less)
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Is the setting possibly in the forest?
Anna Catherman No, it mostly takes place around a castle and surrounding village and lands. The Wood in the series' title is distant in this one, although other book…moreNo, it mostly takes place around a castle and surrounding village and lands. The Wood in the series' title is distant in this one, although other books in the series do take place in the forest (Veiled Rose comes to mind). There is, however, a small portion of the book that takes place in a Faerie forest.(less)
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Is there a lot of romance?
☆ serethiel ☆ Mild, yes; there is some infatuation, but eventually real love. :)
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Unanswered Questions (1)

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