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Galleries of Stone #3
Rakefang
After years of searching for someone brave enough, Tupper Meadowsweet finds her at Pennyflax & Quince.
Tupper Meadowsweet is a young man by Flox reckoning, but he no longer fits in with his own people. Wild hair, stealthy grace, and foreign fashions make it obvious that he's lived with Pred since boyhood. In his own quiet way, he's been on the lookout for someone willing to follow him onto the legendary Moonlit Mountain. The last place he expected to find her was in his own hometown. Meanwhile, Master Freydolf faces the challenge of shaping his masterpiece while the Statuary's close-knit community deals with new additions, cross-cultural courting traditions, magical meddling, mixed ancestry, and kidnapping.
Excerpt:
Aurelius's eyebrows slowly arched. In a last ditch effort, he pressed into the girl's personal space and grumpily said, "Boo."
Freydolf knew from experience that this tactic usually sent women and children screaming, but the lass folded her arms over her chest and eyed Aurelius skeptically. The sculptor begged, "Stop trying to frighten the child!"
"Does she look frightened?" With a put-out expression, Aurelius demanded, "What's wrong with her?"
"Perhaps you're losing your touch?"
"Impossible. You may be considered a lesser evil, but I still possess the necessary charisma to send these simple folk skittering!"
"That's hardly something to be proud of," Freydolf muttered, giving the young lady an apologetic nod.
Tupper Meadowsweet is a young man by Flox reckoning, but he no longer fits in with his own people. Wild hair, stealthy grace, and foreign fashions make it obvious that he's lived with Pred since boyhood. In his own quiet way, he's been on the lookout for someone willing to follow him onto the legendary Moonlit Mountain. The last place he expected to find her was in his own hometown. Meanwhile, Master Freydolf faces the challenge of shaping his masterpiece while the Statuary's close-knit community deals with new additions, cross-cultural courting traditions, magical meddling, mixed ancestry, and kidnapping.
Excerpt:
Aurelius's eyebrows slowly arched. In a last ditch effort, he pressed into the girl's personal space and grumpily said, "Boo."
Freydolf knew from experience that this tactic usually sent women and children screaming, but the lass folded her arms over her chest and eyed Aurelius skeptically. The sculptor begged, "Stop trying to frighten the child!"
"Does she look frightened?" With a put-out expression, Aurelius demanded, "What's wrong with her?"
"Perhaps you're losing your touch?"
"Impossible. You may be considered a lesser evil, but I still possess the necessary charisma to send these simple folk skittering!"
"That's hardly something to be proud of," Freydolf muttered, giving the young lady an apologetic nod.
- GenresFantasy
258 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
8 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Milbrandt
21 books186 followersC. J. Milbrandt has always believed in miracles, especially small ones. A lifelong bookworm with a love for fairy tales, far-off lands, and fantasy worlds, CJ began spinning adventures of her own on the advice of a dear friend. Her family-friendly stories mingle humor and whimsy with a dash of danger and a touch of magic.
The Galleries of Stone trilogy [A magic master sculptor of Pred descent and the only Flox boy with the nubs to take his hand. Cozy fantasy.]
Journeymen of Stone [Readers join other Meadowsweets as they go out into the world. More mountains. New cultures. Adventure!]
Byways Books [Ewan, Zane, and Ganix take sibling rivalry to new lengths as they race each other across their homeland. Chapter books for young readers, beginning around age 6, escalating into middlegrade.]
The Galleries of Stone trilogy [A magic master sculptor of Pred descent and the only Flox boy with the nubs to take his hand. Cozy fantasy.]
Journeymen of Stone [Readers join other Meadowsweets as they go out into the world. More mountains. New cultures. Adventure!]
Byways Books [Ewan, Zane, and Ganix take sibling rivalry to new lengths as they race each other across their homeland. Chapter books for young readers, beginning around age 6, escalating into middlegrade.]
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 30, 2022
I think this series does a few things really well, and a lot of things poorly. The main conflict of this book was really poorly plotted. I'm still not 100% sure how it all went down. The villain was very one dimensional, his goals/aims were quite hazy. It also bummed me out that there wasn't any kind of final reckoning between Freydolf and his father.
Additionally, I felt like by the end there was way too much going on. Potential subplots I would have liked to see explored more (Tupper's dad's death, his mother and how she raised all those kids on her own. How she feels seeing her family's fate become so heavily intertwined to that mountain. How Tupper's growth as a person was influenced by Freydolf and his circumstances. It almost seemed like he was influenced more by Arulieus. Why was he so unwaveringly dedicated to Frey and the mountain, but also so determined to be a family man and have lots of kids?) were suffocated by things like the vendor carrying the heart of another mountain, Tupper's sister becoming a surrogate daughter to Ulrica and 2 of his brothers also being on the mountain, one of them becoming Freydolf's apprentice (!) which is barely developed. By the end of the series it was like, who *can't* talk to the mountain?
I felt like some of the most interesting parts of this series were 1-2 sentence asides that were never expanded upon. Like when it's intimated that Tupper didn't really like his younger brother, but celebrated his nubs coming in anyways. Or Ulrica briefly describing the abuse Freydolf endured at the hands of his father, or Tupper talking about how he liked feeling useful and needed.
It feels like a wasted opportunity, because I feel the core theme of this series was love. Not just romantic or familial, but love in general and how people can form bonds with each other. The relationship between Tupper and Freydolf was so beautiful, it pulled me through all 3 books. But love isn't always easy. It's revealed halfway through the book that Tupper (a boy who expressed quite an interest in seeing the ocean and shells, as well as potentially going to other continents in book one) can't go too far from the mountain or he will literally *die* and it's just shrugged off. No big deal, this is what I wanted anyways. It's only the rest of my entire life. No ambiguity here.
Anyways, I guess my ultimate point is I think this series would have worked a lot better if it wasn't YA and was written for adults. Because I felt like so much meat got left on the bone. As pleasant and palette cleansing as it was, I wanted more.
Additionally, I felt like by the end there was way too much going on. Potential subplots I would have liked to see explored more (Tupper's dad's death, his mother and how she raised all those kids on her own. How she feels seeing her family's fate become so heavily intertwined to that mountain. How Tupper's growth as a person was influenced by Freydolf and his circumstances. It almost seemed like he was influenced more by Arulieus. Why was he so unwaveringly dedicated to Frey and the mountain, but also so determined to be a family man and have lots of kids?) were suffocated by things like the vendor carrying the heart of another mountain, Tupper's sister becoming a surrogate daughter to Ulrica and 2 of his brothers also being on the mountain, one of them becoming Freydolf's apprentice (!) which is barely developed. By the end of the series it was like, who *can't* talk to the mountain?
I felt like some of the most interesting parts of this series were 1-2 sentence asides that were never expanded upon. Like when it's intimated that Tupper didn't really like his younger brother, but celebrated his nubs coming in anyways. Or Ulrica briefly describing the abuse Freydolf endured at the hands of his father, or Tupper talking about how he liked feeling useful and needed.
It feels like a wasted opportunity, because I feel the core theme of this series was love. Not just romantic or familial, but love in general and how people can form bonds with each other. The relationship between Tupper and Freydolf was so beautiful, it pulled me through all 3 books. But love isn't always easy. It's revealed halfway through the book that Tupper (a boy who expressed quite an interest in seeing the ocean and shells, as well as potentially going to other continents in book one) can't go too far from the mountain or he will literally *die* and it's just shrugged off. No big deal, this is what I wanted anyways. It's only the rest of my entire life. No ambiguity here.
Anyways, I guess my ultimate point is I think this series would have worked a lot better if it wasn't YA and was written for adults. Because I felt like so much meat got left on the bone. As pleasant and palette cleansing as it was, I wanted more.
June 21, 2015
Rakefang is Book 3 in the Meadowseet Trilogy. I read it first because the title intrigued me. Though the story jumped straight into the action, I felt challenged to stick with these charming families and become acquainted with their unique community. The world they inhabit is down to earth and full of family and community, yet it is also inexplicably intertwined with magic. Despite a well-rounded group of characters, Tupper had my attention from the beginning, and I followed his courtship and obstacles, both man-made and magical with keen interest. By the conclusion, Tupper had me wrapped around his finger. Though Rakefang is for t'weens and teens, I would recommend it to fantasy readers of any age. The character development is as vivid as the magic
April 11, 2015
I only had one disappointment with this book: it ended too soon.
This was a great example of what family and community are supposed to be. I'm still smiling weeks later.
This was a great example of what family and community are supposed to be. I'm still smiling weeks later.
April 18, 2020
Wonderful!
I never wanted this series to end. I came to love all the characters. Aurelius and Ulrica became my favorites. I was so happy to see her get at least one of her sons back from her father. I was so enraged for her and happy at the end. I would have liked to have found out if their other sons came back to them too. This lovely strange but familiar world was hard to leave behind and I know there is a reread in the future.
I never wanted this series to end. I came to love all the characters. Aurelius and Ulrica became my favorites. I was so happy to see her get at least one of her sons back from her father. I was so enraged for her and happy at the end. I would have liked to have found out if their other sons came back to them too. This lovely strange but familiar world was hard to leave behind and I know there is a reread in the future.
June 22, 2020
Series has Hobbit charms.
Highly recommend trilogy. High price worth it. An artist as mild as moonlight from a predatory species and a rather fearless youngster from a peaceful hobbit with horns like people become bond brothers. Tupper "mothers" eccentric genius with his common sense and latent magic.
Highly recommend trilogy. High price worth it. An artist as mild as moonlight from a predatory species and a rather fearless youngster from a peaceful hobbit with horns like people become bond brothers. Tupper "mothers" eccentric genius with his common sense and latent magic.
September 15, 2022
This one I’ll give 4 stars, more for how the drama around the bad guy is handled. In a lot of ways it still has the strengths of the earlier books, but something about the story line didn’t sit right. I’m still looking forward to sharing these books with my girls but we might hold off on this one since the bad guy story is much darker than the other books main plot.
September 15, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this series and am sad to finally reach the end. Hopefully there will be more someday and we can hear more about Tupper, Freydolf, and their menagerie of friends and family, both stone and flesh.
August 24, 2025
I loved this series. So sweet and fun and kind.
April 11, 2015
Tupper, now a boy of sixteen, has been searching for a girl brave enough to live with him and Freydolf on Morven. And, when he thinks he may have finally found one, he realizes that there is something wrong with her. After trying to introduce himself to the girl, whose name is Chelle, he is informed that something is wrong with her ears, and that she was deaf. But that doesn’t stop him, Freydolf, and Aurelius from communicating with her. After a while of writing notes back and forth, they noticed something very important. When Missus Quince said that something was different about Chelle’s ears, she hadn’t been talking about her deafness...
The corner of her mouth quirked, and she blithely said, “You look very strange.” Without further ado, she lifted her curls, revealing a lightly-furred, triangular ear set neatly against the side of her head.
Aurelius nodded approvingly. “Classic Clow. Quite adorable. My wife could confirm my assessment if you’d care to meet her.”
She looked from the merchant to the sculptor, and Frey also nodded. “Thank you for trusting us, Chelle Tremont. Please, count us as friends.”
It has been revealed that Chelle is not fully Flox, but she is part Clow (a mythical race.). Tupper doesn’t mind that, he is used to living with people who aren’t Flox, and he has found that he likes Chelle very much.
But while Tupper is thinking about Chelle, there are other important things happening on top of the mountain. And it has something to deal with Dessa, the thirteenth mountain...
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Aurelius scoffed, “I’ve already decided. Dessa will be Frey’s masterpiece.”
“You decided?” Freydolf echoed.
“Aye. Which is why I’ve been documenting your progress with the lost mountain,” his brother-in-law smoothly revealed.
And while Aurelius choosing Dessa to be his masterpiece isn’t much of a surprise to Freydolf, Tupper has something to tell him about Chelle that certainly is a big surprise...
The Pred couldn’t resist teasing a little. “Already planning to see her again?”
“Yes.” The lad’s smile took a sly turn that meant he was teasing back, “I’ll have to.”
Playing along, he asked, “And why’s that, lambkin?”
“Because she accepted my gift. We’re courting.”
Freydolf gawked. Tupper grinned. And the strength of Morven’s joyous song doubled.
When Ulrica, Aurelius’s wife, finds out that Tupper and Chelle are courting, she decides to help them along a little. Although Tupper doesn’t know about the Pred woman’s plans, Ulrica decides to bring Chelle to the statuary for a visit. And Tupper finds out that Chelle is braver then he thought she was when she quickly warms up to Graven...
Freydolf caught her attention and tapped his sketchbook. “Take it slow. If you’re nervous, stay behind Tupper.”
Chelle frowned, “I’m sorry, did I miss something? Take what slow?”
Aurelius elbowed his brother-in-law, who grinned and underlined his previous note. “Try petting Graven under his chin. He likes that.”
“I did miss that,” she said, glancing back at Tupper, who has his arms wrapped around the tiger as far as they could reach, “Will he mind?”
He shook his head and chuffed the big cat under the chin. Chelle followed suit and found the statue’s fur was soft to the touch. Bands of bright color blended with stone-gray fur as it slipped through her fingers. Curious, she delved deeper, scratching at the firm jaw line she found beneath the deep plush. Graven’s eyes drooped to half-mast, and Tupper looked on with an indulgent smile.
But, though everything seems to be going fine atop Morven, something terrible is hiding within her forest. Something everyone thought they would never have to seen again.
Rakefang is one of my top-favorite books; I think it was a great end to a great series. It was full of surprises that I wasn’t expecting! I would definitely recommend this book if you are a fantasy lover, it’s different than other fantasy book that I have read, and it is a very good kind of different. I think it is written for all ages.
The corner of her mouth quirked, and she blithely said, “You look very strange.” Without further ado, she lifted her curls, revealing a lightly-furred, triangular ear set neatly against the side of her head.
Aurelius nodded approvingly. “Classic Clow. Quite adorable. My wife could confirm my assessment if you’d care to meet her.”
She looked from the merchant to the sculptor, and Frey also nodded. “Thank you for trusting us, Chelle Tremont. Please, count us as friends.”
It has been revealed that Chelle is not fully Flox, but she is part Clow (a mythical race.). Tupper doesn’t mind that, he is used to living with people who aren’t Flox, and he has found that he likes Chelle very much.
But while Tupper is thinking about Chelle, there are other important things happening on top of the mountain. And it has something to deal with Dessa, the thirteenth mountain...
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Aurelius scoffed, “I’ve already decided. Dessa will be Frey’s masterpiece.”
“You decided?” Freydolf echoed.
“Aye. Which is why I’ve been documenting your progress with the lost mountain,” his brother-in-law smoothly revealed.
And while Aurelius choosing Dessa to be his masterpiece isn’t much of a surprise to Freydolf, Tupper has something to tell him about Chelle that certainly is a big surprise...
The Pred couldn’t resist teasing a little. “Already planning to see her again?”
“Yes.” The lad’s smile took a sly turn that meant he was teasing back, “I’ll have to.”
Playing along, he asked, “And why’s that, lambkin?”
“Because she accepted my gift. We’re courting.”
Freydolf gawked. Tupper grinned. And the strength of Morven’s joyous song doubled.
When Ulrica, Aurelius’s wife, finds out that Tupper and Chelle are courting, she decides to help them along a little. Although Tupper doesn’t know about the Pred woman’s plans, Ulrica decides to bring Chelle to the statuary for a visit. And Tupper finds out that Chelle is braver then he thought she was when she quickly warms up to Graven...
Freydolf caught her attention and tapped his sketchbook. “Take it slow. If you’re nervous, stay behind Tupper.”
Chelle frowned, “I’m sorry, did I miss something? Take what slow?”
Aurelius elbowed his brother-in-law, who grinned and underlined his previous note. “Try petting Graven under his chin. He likes that.”
“I did miss that,” she said, glancing back at Tupper, who has his arms wrapped around the tiger as far as they could reach, “Will he mind?”
He shook his head and chuffed the big cat under the chin. Chelle followed suit and found the statue’s fur was soft to the touch. Bands of bright color blended with stone-gray fur as it slipped through her fingers. Curious, she delved deeper, scratching at the firm jaw line she found beneath the deep plush. Graven’s eyes drooped to half-mast, and Tupper looked on with an indulgent smile.
But, though everything seems to be going fine atop Morven, something terrible is hiding within her forest. Something everyone thought they would never have to seen again.
Rakefang is one of my top-favorite books; I think it was a great end to a great series. It was full of surprises that I wasn’t expecting! I would definitely recommend this book if you are a fantasy lover, it’s different than other fantasy book that I have read, and it is a very good kind of different. I think it is written for all ages.
May 9, 2018
Tupper has long known what he wants in a wife. And when a chance visit to town brings a new girl to his attention, he doesn't need long to decide she's the one. But courtship is a special kind of challenge for Tupper, who has never been especially outgoing or outstanding. And someone has dark designs on Morven . . .
This is almost two stories. The first half is primarily Tupper courting Chelle, and the second circles back around to a plot thread left hanging in the first book and finishes it out nicely.
Chelle is an interesting match for Tupper. True to form, he enjoys those things about her that make her different--and therefore outcast--and isn't bothered at all by her deafness. But for her, Tupper's surprises aren't as big a problem as the fact that no one in his home village really knows him anymore, so she's not sure what kind of person to expect. And she never expected anyone to be interested in marrying HER, so she's also getting used to the idea of being in love.
I really don't want to spoil the surprise of the second half, but I was very pleased that dangling plot thread not only got resolved, but was thoroughly dealt with.
If Freydolf is the head of Morven, Tupper is its heart. This is a new chapter in Morven's recovery, with marriage and babies and people intending to make a village out of its formerly empty halls. Interestingly, although this could work perfectly well as a trilogy, it also leaves a good sense of things still being uncovered, and there's plenty of room for more story in the future. I rate this book Highly Recommended.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
This is almost two stories. The first half is primarily Tupper courting Chelle, and the second circles back around to a plot thread left hanging in the first book and finishes it out nicely.
Chelle is an interesting match for Tupper. True to form, he enjoys those things about her that make her different--and therefore outcast--and isn't bothered at all by her deafness. But for her, Tupper's surprises aren't as big a problem as the fact that no one in his home village really knows him anymore, so she's not sure what kind of person to expect. And she never expected anyone to be interested in marrying HER, so she's also getting used to the idea of being in love.
I really don't want to spoil the surprise of the second half, but I was very pleased that dangling plot thread not only got resolved, but was thoroughly dealt with.
If Freydolf is the head of Morven, Tupper is its heart. This is a new chapter in Morven's recovery, with marriage and babies and people intending to make a village out of its formerly empty halls. Interestingly, although this could work perfectly well as a trilogy, it also leaves a good sense of things still being uncovered, and there's plenty of room for more story in the future. I rate this book Highly Recommended.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
April 21, 2017
Rakefang reunites us with beloved characters from the series ~ mystified Freydolf, taciturn Tupper, flamboyant Aurelius, darling sweetpea-of-a-girl Dulcie who says “I luff you, Unca Doff” at every encounter with Frey. Indeed, all the varied cast of characters is here and they, with a few new ones, have formed a lively community atop Morven.
One of my favorite elements in Milbrandt’s engaging, fast-paced series is watching as each citizen’s strengths and talents are mobilized to resolve challenges, face threats, vanquish foes. They form a close-knit society, one most of us would love to join. This charming tale brims with self-sacrifice, courage, loyalty, and bountiful love and creativity.
Milbrandt’s Galleries of Stone stories are wonderful, and as good for all ages as The Chronicles of Narnia or The Lord of the Rings. Don’t pass up these classics-in-the-making.
Postscript ~ Putting this review together ran into Easter. On my blog [www.marykaymoody.com/category/jotting...] I described in April 17 post how the song I heard Easter morning, “Arise, My Love,” touched me. It so clearly showed a heart full of love tenderly expressed, and reminded me of the little family headed by Freydolf in the Galleries of Stone series. Please don’t be put off by fantasy elements or reference to magic. I cannot put words in the author’s mouth, but the “magic” in these stories to me represents miracles we see in Scripture. Like the Narnia stories, you’ll see representations of God in every chapter.
One of my favorite elements in Milbrandt’s engaging, fast-paced series is watching as each citizen’s strengths and talents are mobilized to resolve challenges, face threats, vanquish foes. They form a close-knit society, one most of us would love to join. This charming tale brims with self-sacrifice, courage, loyalty, and bountiful love and creativity.
Milbrandt’s Galleries of Stone stories are wonderful, and as good for all ages as The Chronicles of Narnia or The Lord of the Rings. Don’t pass up these classics-in-the-making.
Postscript ~ Putting this review together ran into Easter. On my blog [www.marykaymoody.com/category/jotting...] I described in April 17 post how the song I heard Easter morning, “Arise, My Love,” touched me. It so clearly showed a heart full of love tenderly expressed, and reminded me of the little family headed by Freydolf in the Galleries of Stone series. Please don’t be put off by fantasy elements or reference to magic. I cannot put words in the author’s mouth, but the “magic” in these stories to me represents miracles we see in Scripture. Like the Narnia stories, you’ll see representations of God in every chapter.
August 2, 2025
I wish this was as cozy as the others, but I understand. What a beautiful ending to this series. I so wish there were more, more, more. I'm in love with Tupper and Frey and Aurelius and everyone... I would live on Morven's mountain with them all. This is such a gorgeous found-family kind of story (with really sweet real family for good measure).
I've re-read this series every Christmas since 2022. I don't re-read books normally, so that says a LOT.
Edit: Dec 2024
Annual comfy cozy Christmas re-read
Edit: Aug 2024
Needed to re-read my comfiest series early this year
Edit: Dec 2023
The best heart-warming series to re-read for the holidays. 3rd re-read and will make this one of my yearly traditions.
Edit: Dec 2022
Re-read for the 2nd time to get warm fuzzies for the holiday
I've re-read this series every Christmas since 2022. I don't re-read books normally, so that says a LOT.
Edit: Dec 2024
Annual comfy cozy Christmas re-read
Edit: Aug 2024
Needed to re-read my comfiest series early this year
Edit: Dec 2023
The best heart-warming series to re-read for the holidays. 3rd re-read and will make this one of my yearly traditions.
Edit: Dec 2022
Re-read for the 2nd time to get warm fuzzies for the holiday
July 26, 2024
5 stars
The absurd cost kept me waiting for a sale which never came. After several years I gave in.
Brimming with magic and acquaintances both old and new, Tupper is nearly a man yet thoroughly himself. I greatly enjoyed returning to this world that is both homey and enthralling. However, things felt a bit rushed towards the end.
The absurd cost kept me waiting for a sale which never came. After several years I gave in.
Brimming with magic and acquaintances both old and new, Tupper is nearly a man yet thoroughly himself. I greatly enjoyed returning to this world that is both homey and enthralling. However, things felt a bit rushed towards the end.
October 10, 2019
Really a well-done fiction series. Heart-warming.
April 1, 2020
Waiting for the next trilogy!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews