What do you think?
Rate this book
The Mirror Chronicles #2
Circles of Stone: An Epic Fantasy Adventure of Prophecy and Two Broken Worlds
The second volume in an epic fantasy trilogy that will thrill everyone who loves rich stories of wonder and magic.
Together, they have unimaginable power. But unless they part, that power may destroy them.
As the dark lord Thoth raises a monstrous army, Sylas and Naeo discover that their new-found power could also be their undoing. At the same time, Sylas longs to find his mother, and Naeo her father. So begins a mirrored quest that will bring Naeo into our world of science and take Sylas deep into the magic of the Other. They both hope to find the one the other loves, but also the ultimate of our broken worlds and divided souls, of prophecy and of Sylas and Naeo’s wondrous power.
But it’s a race against time. Even as they begin their journey, Thoth’s creatures mass at the gateways between our worlds – at the ancient circles of stone…
War is coming and unless Sylas and Naeo can stop it, it may destroy us all.
Together, they have unimaginable power. But unless they part, that power may destroy them.
As the dark lord Thoth raises a monstrous army, Sylas and Naeo discover that their new-found power could also be their undoing. At the same time, Sylas longs to find his mother, and Naeo her father. So begins a mirrored quest that will bring Naeo into our world of science and take Sylas deep into the magic of the Other. They both hope to find the one the other loves, but also the ultimate of our broken worlds and divided souls, of prophecy and of Sylas and Naeo’s wondrous power.
But it’s a race against time. Even as they begin their journey, Thoth’s creatures mass at the gateways between our worlds – at the ancient circles of stone…
War is coming and unless Sylas and Naeo can stop it, it may destroy us all.
561 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 2, 2015
13 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Ian Johnstone
3 books43 followersIan Johnstone was brought up in Oxfordshire and he now lives in Oxford, which might suggest a man who likes to stick to what he knows. In fact, Ian makes an awkward habit of shifting between worlds. He grew up in a quiet English town but has spent much of his life travelling and working in Africa. He has a love of science but studied English Literature. He grew up in Oxford but received his degree from Cambridge. He started off his publishing career producing books for West Africa and ended up creating futuristic websites and virtual learning environments. Most recently, he left publishing to become a writer. So perhaps it is not surprising at all that he writes fantastical novels about journeys to other worlds. Ian lives on a hill with his wife Emily and his daughter Ella.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 19, 2015
I received a free ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Circles of Stone is book 2 in the Mirror Chronicles trilogy.
Sylas has to go find Naeo's father, Bowe, while Naeo has to find Sylas' mother in the Other. Meanwhile, Thoth is raising an army which he plans to take to the Other, Sylas' world.
I enjoyed this book more than the first and started liking some of the characters even more. Overall, quite a good read.
Circles of Stone is book 2 in the Mirror Chronicles trilogy.
Sylas has to go find Naeo's father, Bowe, while Naeo has to find Sylas' mother in the Other. Meanwhile, Thoth is raising an army which he plans to take to the Other, Sylas' world.
I enjoyed this book more than the first and started liking some of the characters even more. Overall, quite a good read.
July 13, 2015
If you liked the Bell Between Worlds you will love Circles of Stones. The story just gets better and better. The writing makes you feel that you are there watching, feeling, smelling and breathing the action in both worlds. Book three can't come soon enough and then the films! The audio books of bbw and circles of stone are also now out and well worth listening to.
July 25, 2015
Absolutely brilliant - I loved Bell Between Worlds but this is even better. A thrilling page Turner but also beautifully written. Johnstone creates a totally convincing alternative world - entrancing, magical and dark.
November 4, 2015
CIRCLES OF STONE by Ian Johnstone is the second book in his impressive series The Mirror Chronicles. The book continues the adventures of Sylas as he attempts to be reunited with his mother, and of Naeo who longs to be reunited with her father. Events set in motion in the previous book, THE BELL BETWEEN WORLDS, start to reach a head as Thoth begins to make his move.
This book is epic. Both in terms of the scope of events that Johnstone weaves into a single narrative, pressing ever onwards, and in terms of how much I enjoyed sitting down and reading this. Without a doubt this book is the best second book in a series I have read in, probably, ever: I was captivated from the first page, and had to know how it would go. If you loved THE BELL BETWEEN WORLDS, then you will undoubtedly adore this. Johnstone builds upon the pages of the first book, and creates a world and characters that are absolutely compelling.
There is a richness to this book that reminded me why I fell in love with the fantasy genre. Johnstone has created a world that just comes alive on the page as you read, with interesting and complex characters. If you are a fan of the fantasy genre this book – this series – really should be a must read. CIRCLES OF STONES has everything you would want from a good book in the fantasy genre.
One of the things I really enjoyed about the book was that from the first page I was back in the world and with the characters. It has been a while since I read the first book in the series, but when I started CIRCLES OF STONE it honestly didn’t feel like that. It did take me a while to remember exactly what was going on, but I never felt lost – and for me, that is a sign of a good book. It was nice to be reunited with Sylas and Simia, and to see more of Naeo and Ash. I also really enjoyed the fact that this book showed more of both worlds and their history.
CIRCLES OF STONE was a truly epic journey: this book did not feel like a second book to me. Johnstone really built up the sense of tension and urgency as this book progressed. I cannot wait to read the third book in this series; if the first two books are anything to go by, it should be an amazing ride.
I got a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This review was originally published on The Flutterby Room.
This book is epic. Both in terms of the scope of events that Johnstone weaves into a single narrative, pressing ever onwards, and in terms of how much I enjoyed sitting down and reading this. Without a doubt this book is the best second book in a series I have read in, probably, ever: I was captivated from the first page, and had to know how it would go. If you loved THE BELL BETWEEN WORLDS, then you will undoubtedly adore this. Johnstone builds upon the pages of the first book, and creates a world and characters that are absolutely compelling.
There is a richness to this book that reminded me why I fell in love with the fantasy genre. Johnstone has created a world that just comes alive on the page as you read, with interesting and complex characters. If you are a fan of the fantasy genre this book – this series – really should be a must read. CIRCLES OF STONES has everything you would want from a good book in the fantasy genre.
One of the things I really enjoyed about the book was that from the first page I was back in the world and with the characters. It has been a while since I read the first book in the series, but when I started CIRCLES OF STONE it honestly didn’t feel like that. It did take me a while to remember exactly what was going on, but I never felt lost – and for me, that is a sign of a good book. It was nice to be reunited with Sylas and Simia, and to see more of Naeo and Ash. I also really enjoyed the fact that this book showed more of both worlds and their history.
CIRCLES OF STONE was a truly epic journey: this book did not feel like a second book to me. Johnstone really built up the sense of tension and urgency as this book progressed. I cannot wait to read the third book in this series; if the first two books are anything to go by, it should be an amazing ride.
I got a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This review was originally published on The Flutterby Room.
December 3, 2023
Simia and Naeo are absolutely best girl.
December 28, 2022
At the end of my 2nd year of high school, we had to do a project and my project was to translate this book, bc I read the first part in Dutch and this part hadn't been translated to Dutch yet. I translated about 30 pages, maybe. But the book was great at least!
September 20, 2018
Excellent sequel.
January 3, 2020
I love this book so much!! This series is one of my favourites!! It is such well written and described! Deffintly deserves more then five stars!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
August 8, 2022
This book is very interesting and I found it really nice to read. There is action at every turn in the book and I love that sort of atmosphere.
April 11, 2016
I received this book in an exchange for an honest review
This book picked up exactly where it left off in the first book, Naeo and Silas cannot bear the pain with them being together by the Merisi band which activates whenever they are near each other. But only Sylas and Naeo want to do is find their parents, not fight Thoth and his army. I have to say this book was much more better than the first, there was historic information in this too but I felt it went compatible with how the action was turning out. My heart was in danger of bursting out of my lungs. I was constantly at the end of the seat, Ba BUM ba BUM ba BUM...up down up down up down.
Sylas and Naeo are required to have better connection and understand each other better, become one. They are two halves of one like the ying and yang, but Sylas and Naeo find it really hard and difficult. However, it is only when they travel to each other's world and have a glimpse of the former's life do they really begin to know one another. This is an integral part of their bond, without this they won't be able powerful enough to defeat Thoth. I think this is an important lesson to be learned, funny how I keep going on about that in my reviews nowadays? Oh well! As I was saying, I think the same principle applies when trying to understand your other half of your soul, the love of your life. Your bond is incomplete until you truly become one and understand one another. I know it is easier said then done. Another major theme in this book is self confidence, having the belief you can do it and then doing it with full conviction.
Simia was a joy to read, there always needs to be one quirky funny character in each book which brings humour and enthusiasm to the story. I really LOVED reading about her and getting some background knowledge of how these two world separated, how the glimmer myth began and Sylas's lineage. I kind of was hoping that Sylas and Naeo would have some love interest but after learning about their background I think that would be kind of hard!
This book picked up exactly where it left off in the first book, Naeo and Silas cannot bear the pain with them being together by the Merisi band which activates whenever they are near each other. But only Sylas and Naeo want to do is find their parents, not fight Thoth and his army. I have to say this book was much more better than the first, there was historic information in this too but I felt it went compatible with how the action was turning out. My heart was in danger of bursting out of my lungs. I was constantly at the end of the seat, Ba BUM ba BUM ba BUM...up down up down up down.
Sylas and Naeo are required to have better connection and understand each other better, become one. They are two halves of one like the ying and yang, but Sylas and Naeo find it really hard and difficult. However, it is only when they travel to each other's world and have a glimpse of the former's life do they really begin to know one another. This is an integral part of their bond, without this they won't be able powerful enough to defeat Thoth. I think this is an important lesson to be learned, funny how I keep going on about that in my reviews nowadays? Oh well! As I was saying, I think the same principle applies when trying to understand your other half of your soul, the love of your life. Your bond is incomplete until you truly become one and understand one another. I know it is easier said then done. Another major theme in this book is self confidence, having the belief you can do it and then doing it with full conviction.
Simia was a joy to read, there always needs to be one quirky funny character in each book which brings humour and enthusiasm to the story. I really LOVED reading about her and getting some background knowledge of how these two world separated, how the glimmer myth began and Sylas's lineage. I kind of was hoping that Sylas and Naeo would have some love interest but after learning about their background I think that would be kind of hard!
January 4, 2016
Ian Johnstone's writing is so atmospheric, it conjures up beautiful and fantastical imagery that suits the epic quality of this second part of the Mirror Chronicles. I absolutely loved the first book, Bell Between Worlds...but this second one had simply TOO MUCH stuff in it.
I hate to be negative about any author's books, because they've spent so much time on their project (especially one of this formidable size!), so I'm not going to be negative, just going to give my honest opinion. I recognise I'm a hard man to please in terms of books, so I hope the following doesn't come across as too harsh.
There were, as in book 1, some amazing ideas in Circles of Stone. A really huge and complex landscape of two worlds needing to be saved from each other has the mark of LOTR and, at times, this book made me go "wow!". Annoyingly though, because there was so much action, the characters of Sylas, Simia and Naeo becamde a little lost. On top of this, there were so many sit-down-and-explain-the-worlds-philosophy moments, and so many settings, it became quite overwhelming by the middle of the book. As in: too many ideas, too many layers of myths, too much overall description and not enough forward-motion action.
However, the beginning lands in the Valley of Outs has some of the best and most magical fantasy creations I've read in a long while, and Thoth and his evil army of freaks, Ghors and Scarpia were equally as dark and badass as Book 1. I just think this book could have done with scaling down slightly...so perhaps the chronicles could have gone on for more than 3 books??
I'm still giving it 3 stars on the basis it's an amazing achievement, and I'm going to read the final chapter book 3, but I really hope it's a bit more sparse and to the point. Sorry Ian (and Ben), I do absolutely love what you've done here, just not as much as book 1! Hugs.
I hate to be negative about any author's books, because they've spent so much time on their project (especially one of this formidable size!), so I'm not going to be negative, just going to give my honest opinion. I recognise I'm a hard man to please in terms of books, so I hope the following doesn't come across as too harsh.
There were, as in book 1, some amazing ideas in Circles of Stone. A really huge and complex landscape of two worlds needing to be saved from each other has the mark of LOTR and, at times, this book made me go "wow!". Annoyingly though, because there was so much action, the characters of Sylas, Simia and Naeo becamde a little lost. On top of this, there were so many sit-down-and-explain-the-worlds-philosophy moments, and so many settings, it became quite overwhelming by the middle of the book. As in: too many ideas, too many layers of myths, too much overall description and not enough forward-motion action.
However, the beginning lands in the Valley of Outs has some of the best and most magical fantasy creations I've read in a long while, and Thoth and his evil army of freaks, Ghors and Scarpia were equally as dark and badass as Book 1. I just think this book could have done with scaling down slightly...so perhaps the chronicles could have gone on for more than 3 books??
I'm still giving it 3 stars on the basis it's an amazing achievement, and I'm going to read the final chapter book 3, but I really hope it's a bit more sparse and to the point. Sorry Ian (and Ben), I do absolutely love what you've done here, just not as much as book 1! Hugs.
February 17, 2016
This is an excellent follow-on from book one. The characters have been developed even further and it ends on a satisfying note. My only complaint is that I feel parts of the story could have been more succinct, allowing it to end sooner without me feeling as if I had been cheated of anything.
I was given a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
I was given a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
August 17, 2015
A brilliant page-turner that takes you on two parallel adventures. I loved seeing the realities of our world through the eyes of someone from 'the Other'. Johnstone writes beautifully, with highly visual imagery, and can be read at two levels. I would recommend this for 11+ also suitable for adults.
August 7, 2015
Great book. I got really in to it. The Bell between worlds was more ponderous. This was equally beautifully written but with more pace. It rattled along at 100 miles an hour all the way through. Loved it and can't wait for the next.
April 5, 2024
Great second book to the series! I felt like a part of the characters' adventures - I was there with Sylas and Simia visiting Isia. I was there with Naeo meeting Sylas' mom for the first time. I love how the divide came together in the end and set it all up for the final book in the trilogy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2016
Just as good if not better than book one. I need to get my daughter to read this series. I know she would like it.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews