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The Alchemists' Council #2
The Flaw in the Stone
Move back through time into the alluring worlds of the Alchemists’ Council.
The anticipated second book in Cynthea Masson’s series takes readers to Flaw Dimension, centuries before the events of book one. Rebel scribe Genevre, exploring secreted libraries with Dragonsblood pulsing through her young veins, accidentally discovers a 5th-Council manuscript with a long-forgotten alchemical formula whose implications could permanently transform both the Alchemists’ Council and the Rebel Branch.
A revolution looms as High Azoth Dracaen strengthens the power of the Rebel Branch, Cedar and Saule take treacherous steps against fellow alchemists, and the unprecedented mutual conjunction of Ilex and Melia changes the fate of all dimensions. With insurgents gathering, Ilex and Melia’s attempt to open a forbidden breach through time could bring salvation — or total destruction — to the elemental balance of the world.
The battle over free will for all of humanity continues in The Flaw in the Stone, the remarkable second instalment of this epic fantasy trilogy.
The anticipated second book in Cynthea Masson’s series takes readers to Flaw Dimension, centuries before the events of book one. Rebel scribe Genevre, exploring secreted libraries with Dragonsblood pulsing through her young veins, accidentally discovers a 5th-Council manuscript with a long-forgotten alchemical formula whose implications could permanently transform both the Alchemists’ Council and the Rebel Branch.
A revolution looms as High Azoth Dracaen strengthens the power of the Rebel Branch, Cedar and Saule take treacherous steps against fellow alchemists, and the unprecedented mutual conjunction of Ilex and Melia changes the fate of all dimensions. With insurgents gathering, Ilex and Melia’s attempt to open a forbidden breach through time could bring salvation — or total destruction — to the elemental balance of the world.
The battle over free will for all of humanity continues in The Flaw in the Stone, the remarkable second instalment of this epic fantasy trilogy.
- GenresFantasy
400 pages, Paperback
First published March 13, 2018
4 people are currently reading
412 people want to read
About the author
Cynthea Masson
9 books64 followersCynthea Masson is a professor in the English department at Vancouver Island University. After completing a Ph.D. in English with a focus on medieval mysticism, she undertook a postdoctoral fellowship involving work with medieval alchemical manuscripts at the British Library. In addition to articles on mysticism and alchemy, many of her publications over the past decade have been in the area of television studies. She is a co-editor of the academic book Reading Joss Whedon (Syracuse University Press, 2014); her fiction includes The Elijah Tree (Rebel Satori, 2009). She lives in British Columbia.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 8, 2018
There are very few books that I've encountered that are written in such an intriguing way, the dynamics of this curious world drawing you deeper in with rich characters and overall wonderful storytelling. The Flaw in the Stone takes you on a labyrinthine adventure that you don't want to put down (I finished it in just over a day, and then kicked myself for reading it so quickly) and offers a truly refreshing story in a genre that can be repetitive. I can best describe the story as unpredictable but simultaneously intricately woven, every twist a vital part of what happens next.
Must be alchemy.
(Many thanks to Cynthea Masson for allowing permission to read it early, and Becka for providing me with the book)
Must be alchemy.
(Many thanks to Cynthea Masson for allowing permission to read it early, and Becka for providing me with the book)
December 11, 2017
Thanks for the ARC!!
In so many ways, the Flaw in the Stone is unlike anything I've ever read and the author takes several risks that I think paid off. I really enjoyed it and I look forward to the third volume!
The first risk is that this book is a prequel that largely excludes Jaden the protagonist from Book One. Fortunately Genevre is a fascinating and complex character in her own right, and the void left by Jaden's absence allowed other characters from Book One to shine. Going back in time also paid off in that the events of Flaw are building inexorably toward the events of Book One, building tension the whole way. I would definitely recommend reading Book One (or even rereading it) before reading Flaw as a solid understanding and memory of the events of Book One are crucial to understanding what is happening, and keeping the characters straight. I thought it was really neat how this book shed new light on mysterious events from Book One, like the visit to Qingdao and the Third and Fourth rebellions.
I loved how the world-building built on what was already established in Book One by adding new locations and fleshing out existing ones like the Flaw Dimension, Apiary, Qingdao, Sundsvall, etc. It was also exciting to see the ramifications of Alchemists' choices play out across two world wars. The book doesn't go into much specificity with regard to outside world events, but that makes sense since the characters are much more concerned about what is going on in the two dimensions and how that will affect the world in a general sense.
There is an awful lot of magic going on, and there were a few times when I wanted to understand what was happening a little more concretely, but I felt that it was usually explained well enough if I was patient, and I think there were times when the bombardment of alchemical processes is supposed to be a little confusing, contributing to the inherent wonder and unknowability of the alchemy.
Excellent character drama. Again, one thing I love about both books is how the characters' relationships and excruciatingly conflicted loyalties have far-reaching consequences because of their status as alchemists. Lots of exploration of love vs. duty. Great twists and turns in the plot.
Four stars rather than five only because I got confused a few times, there was a little more sex than I prefer in a fantasy novel, and it's the second book of a trilogy so it doesn't quite have the wonder of being in a brand new world or the exciting epic conclusion of the whole story. Although it does have a good ending and a really cool secondary climax about halfway through!
(Content warning: This book contains a great deal of fantastic alchemy inspired by real-world mysticism. Additionally, the characters engage in romantic relationships that are occasionally polyamorous and often not limited by gender. The depictions of sex are fundamentally tied to alchemical processes occurring at the same time. Alchemical baby-making is a crucial and recurring plot device.)
In so many ways, the Flaw in the Stone is unlike anything I've ever read and the author takes several risks that I think paid off. I really enjoyed it and I look forward to the third volume!
The first risk is that this book is a prequel that largely excludes Jaden the protagonist from Book One. Fortunately Genevre is a fascinating and complex character in her own right, and the void left by Jaden's absence allowed other characters from Book One to shine. Going back in time also paid off in that the events of Flaw are building inexorably toward the events of Book One, building tension the whole way. I would definitely recommend reading Book One (or even rereading it) before reading Flaw as a solid understanding and memory of the events of Book One are crucial to understanding what is happening, and keeping the characters straight. I thought it was really neat how this book shed new light on mysterious events from Book One, like the visit to Qingdao and the Third and Fourth rebellions.
I loved how the world-building built on what was already established in Book One by adding new locations and fleshing out existing ones like the Flaw Dimension, Apiary, Qingdao, Sundsvall, etc. It was also exciting to see the ramifications of Alchemists' choices play out across two world wars. The book doesn't go into much specificity with regard to outside world events, but that makes sense since the characters are much more concerned about what is going on in the two dimensions and how that will affect the world in a general sense.
There is an awful lot of magic going on, and there were a few times when I wanted to understand what was happening a little more concretely, but I felt that it was usually explained well enough if I was patient, and I think there were times when the bombardment of alchemical processes is supposed to be a little confusing, contributing to the inherent wonder and unknowability of the alchemy.
Excellent character drama. Again, one thing I love about both books is how the characters' relationships and excruciatingly conflicted loyalties have far-reaching consequences because of their status as alchemists. Lots of exploration of love vs. duty. Great twists and turns in the plot.
Four stars rather than five only because I got confused a few times, there was a little more sex than I prefer in a fantasy novel, and it's the second book of a trilogy so it doesn't quite have the wonder of being in a brand new world or the exciting epic conclusion of the whole story. Although it does have a good ending and a really cool secondary climax about halfway through!
(Content warning: This book contains a great deal of fantastic alchemy inspired by real-world mysticism. Additionally, the characters engage in romantic relationships that are occasionally polyamorous and often not limited by gender. The depictions of sex are fundamentally tied to alchemical processes occurring at the same time. Alchemical baby-making is a crucial and recurring plot device.)
November 29, 2017
I was lucky to able to read an advanced copy of the novel.
This is a novel smelling of time, dusty manuscripts, bees, and amber, and it is steeped in the terminology and beliefs of medieval alchemy. It is set years before The Alchemist’s Council.
At first I was confused by the jumping around between the various times and between the council and rebel groups, but as I read on I saw that a pattern was emerging, very like the delicate patterns and clues scattered in the various manuscripts.
I found Genevre the most compelling of the characters, although the relationship between Ilex and Melia with its challenges and almost smothering nature was also fascinating. I don’t want to give too much away, but conjunction is a key concept in understanding this world. Love and loss are movingly described.
There’s also a sense of menace or perhaps more accurately of disturbance here. I enjoyed the ambiguity and became more and more unsure of who to trust, but that’s part of the pattern that Masson weaves.
Most of all I love how it’s about words: specific words, invocations, words appearing on velum pages.
As in the earlier novel the descriptions of the settings are beautiful, embroidered and glittering as in Milton. As well as the Miltonic references there are others to Yeats and Shakespeare which add to the novel’s richness.
There is a point where suddenly a key scene from the first novel is turned on its head and expanded on, and from then on the novel explains much that we didn’t know when reading the first in the trilogy; I won’t write more!
I highly recommend this fantasy novel and look forward to the concluding volume.
This is a novel smelling of time, dusty manuscripts, bees, and amber, and it is steeped in the terminology and beliefs of medieval alchemy. It is set years before The Alchemist’s Council.
At first I was confused by the jumping around between the various times and between the council and rebel groups, but as I read on I saw that a pattern was emerging, very like the delicate patterns and clues scattered in the various manuscripts.
I found Genevre the most compelling of the characters, although the relationship between Ilex and Melia with its challenges and almost smothering nature was also fascinating. I don’t want to give too much away, but conjunction is a key concept in understanding this world. Love and loss are movingly described.
There’s also a sense of menace or perhaps more accurately of disturbance here. I enjoyed the ambiguity and became more and more unsure of who to trust, but that’s part of the pattern that Masson weaves.
Most of all I love how it’s about words: specific words, invocations, words appearing on velum pages.
As in the earlier novel the descriptions of the settings are beautiful, embroidered and glittering as in Milton. As well as the Miltonic references there are others to Yeats and Shakespeare which add to the novel’s richness.
There is a point where suddenly a key scene from the first novel is turned on its head and expanded on, and from then on the novel explains much that we didn’t know when reading the first in the trilogy; I won’t write more!
I highly recommend this fantasy novel and look forward to the concluding volume.
December 18, 2017
I was positively thrilled to receive an ARC of The Flaw in the Stone and immensely enjoyed the reading of this book. The Flaw in the Stone is a prequel to the first novel, and as such gives us a view of the making of certain events that were referred to in The Alchemists’ Council as well as adding fresh perspectives from new and already-dear characters. This is a very enjoyable book that adds layers to the first and builds up expectations for the third.
I liked being able to see the focus shift to include more Flaw dimension perspective; to come to know the Rebels from the inside, so-to-speak, rather than just as “other.” By allowing the readers the chance to see perspectives both from Council dimension and from Flaw dimension, the author has built a tension that I imagine will come to heads and be resolved, to at least some degree, in the third book.
My favourite character(s) were the conjoined Ilex and Melia. There was a sense of comedy (in my mind) as these two tried to tackle the challenges of being conjoined; but there was also profound insight that reflects the struggle for balance that all couples must find.
Even though it was only lightly touched on, I was intrigued to see a connection between Earth’s two World Wars and events in Council / Flaw dimensions. I would like to know more of this type of connection of Council/Flaw to Earth events, but suspect that to not be a critical aspect to where this story might go in its third novel. Perhaps there can someday be an expanded line of novels taking place in Council and/or Flaw dimension where this theme can be explored more fully – just a very selfish little thought.
I liked being able to see the focus shift to include more Flaw dimension perspective; to come to know the Rebels from the inside, so-to-speak, rather than just as “other.” By allowing the readers the chance to see perspectives both from Council dimension and from Flaw dimension, the author has built a tension that I imagine will come to heads and be resolved, to at least some degree, in the third book.
My favourite character(s) were the conjoined Ilex and Melia. There was a sense of comedy (in my mind) as these two tried to tackle the challenges of being conjoined; but there was also profound insight that reflects the struggle for balance that all couples must find.
Even though it was only lightly touched on, I was intrigued to see a connection between Earth’s two World Wars and events in Council / Flaw dimensions. I would like to know more of this type of connection of Council/Flaw to Earth events, but suspect that to not be a critical aspect to where this story might go in its third novel. Perhaps there can someday be an expanded line of novels taking place in Council and/or Flaw dimension where this theme can be explored more fully – just a very selfish little thought.
January 16, 2018
I very much enjoyed reading the ARC of The Flaw in the Stone, and am grateful to have received an advance copy. I was a bit worried at first that I would have forgotten too many of the details of the complex worlds and plot of The Alchemists’ Council, but the author gives the reader just enough reminders, in a subtle and elegant way, to find her way back into the worlds and the lives of the characters with ease. (I do recommend reading the first book first.)
I was thrilled to find that this prequel explores the lives of two very intriguing characters who are only legendary in the first novel: Melia and Ilex. It takes us into their challenging experiences with exquisite detail, and chronicles their lives in a thoroughly satisfying way. It provides the backstory for several other characters as well, giving them more depth than they had in the first novel (and I hadn’t thought they lacked it!) and connecting them to each other in fascinating ways.
Of course it does much more than that! Like in The Alchemists’ Council, there is a twisting plot of conflict and subterfuge. It weaves real, historical events and their causes in the fantastical dimensions together seamlessly. It explores sexuality and reproduction in unique ways that also link, metaphorically, to contemporary culture. And like the first novel, it is written in prose that flows, tumbles, and meanders rhythmically with the plot, forcing the reader to read some bits aloud just to savour them.
Looking forward to the third book!
I was thrilled to find that this prequel explores the lives of two very intriguing characters who are only legendary in the first novel: Melia and Ilex. It takes us into their challenging experiences with exquisite detail, and chronicles their lives in a thoroughly satisfying way. It provides the backstory for several other characters as well, giving them more depth than they had in the first novel (and I hadn’t thought they lacked it!) and connecting them to each other in fascinating ways.
Of course it does much more than that! Like in The Alchemists’ Council, there is a twisting plot of conflict and subterfuge. It weaves real, historical events and their causes in the fantastical dimensions together seamlessly. It explores sexuality and reproduction in unique ways that also link, metaphorically, to contemporary culture. And like the first novel, it is written in prose that flows, tumbles, and meanders rhythmically with the plot, forcing the reader to read some bits aloud just to savour them.
Looking forward to the third book!
February 12, 2018
I read this book immediately after the first in the series, The Alchemists' Council, and found it improved by having more clearly cut distinctions between the characters. There was a good deal more character depth, and individual history, and so it was easier to keep track of who's who. Some of the more mysterious aspects of alchemy described in the first book were explored in more depth here, and the interwoven character arcs much more developed. There are still a couple of issues with the basic world-building that bother me, however, despite the obvious political allegories applying to real world events and movements. I still found it hard to buy into anyone's general acceptance of conjunction, more so when there were apparently at least two "pairs" who wound up doing something else with it. Self-sacrifice is a human phenomenon, but there seemed to be rather little faith involved it, and not much logical reason to do it either. In addition, neither the rebels nor the Alchemists' Council seemed to have solved the inherent problems of hierarchy being dominated by semi-tyrannical male figures of authority, and neither really seemed to understand what balance actually means in a dual system of what amounts to theology. Hoping that side of things gets more attention in the books to follow because I am much intrigued by the whole concept of "alchemical children" and they affect and are affected by all this.
June 14, 2020
Big thank you to ECW and Cynthea Masson for the ARC of this book - I honestly don't believe I could have waited until March 2018 to read it!
Every question that I had about book one was finally answered, and I loved the way the plot was slowly unraveled. Despite the many twists and turns the plot took, I found the story very much character driven, which I liked because Cynthea has very memorable characters. In Book One, Jaden and Arjan felt so new, particularly because we experienced everything as they did. In this installment, we return to the characters we already know and love, so they felt much older and wiser, even as they attempted the impossible.
Every question that I had about book one was finally answered, and I loved the way the plot was slowly unraveled. Despite the many twists and turns the plot took, I found the story very much character driven, which I liked because Cynthea has very memorable characters. In Book One, Jaden and Arjan felt so new, particularly because we experienced everything as they did. In this installment, we return to the characters we already know and love, so they felt much older and wiser, even as they attempted the impossible.
February 15, 2018
Wow!!! This is a thrilling continuation of "The Alchemists' Council" -- I read "Flaw" on a plane and had planned to bring book one along to re-read first, but then decided against for lack of space. Huge mistake -- I can't wait to reread them both! I was captivated learning the backstory to the previous volume and seeing the pieces come together in "The Flaw in the Stone." I had a very hard time putting this book down! Masson does a wonderful job of weaving a compelling, intricate tale in this beautiful fantasy world she's crafted. This was so, so good -- I eagerly await book three!
January 18, 2018
First of all, in order to get the full effect of this book, I strongly encourage you to read Book 1.
After the first book, I was surprised at the time shift in the second and wondered how the storyline would be able to progress without Jaden and her counterparts. What Masson has done is taken the story into a completely different time period with new and a few familiar characters, and woven the events in with historical periods of earthly war and unrest. This historical fiction/re-imagining of real and dimensional timelines made for a very interesting read, with several twists and surprising revelations in the second half of the book. I am very much looking forward to reading the third and final installment of the series!!
After the first book, I was surprised at the time shift in the second and wondered how the storyline would be able to progress without Jaden and her counterparts. What Masson has done is taken the story into a completely different time period with new and a few familiar characters, and woven the events in with historical periods of earthly war and unrest. This historical fiction/re-imagining of real and dimensional timelines made for a very interesting read, with several twists and surprising revelations in the second half of the book. I am very much looking forward to reading the third and final installment of the series!!
March 7, 2018
*thank you to Netgalley and ECW Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
3 stars.
First, that cover!! Definitely 2 thumbs up from me. The story, I found it tricky to get into as most epic fantasy books need full concentration so it wasnt an easy read which took a star off it. It was good though. I got lost in it at times and was pleasantly surprised at how much I was enjoying it. I haven't read anything from this author before but I hope she has more books coming in this series.
3 stars.
First, that cover!! Definitely 2 thumbs up from me. The story, I found it tricky to get into as most epic fantasy books need full concentration so it wasnt an easy read which took a star off it. It was good though. I got lost in it at times and was pleasantly surprised at how much I was enjoying it. I haven't read anything from this author before but I hope she has more books coming in this series.
November 21, 2018
This was a beautiful book! It's amazing and astonishing to me how intricate and far back this book goes. It is crucial that you read book 1 before reading book 2. The world and many of the characters have already been developed and introduced. I think it was a wise choice of the author to organize her story this way. Book 1 (Alchemist's Council) focuses on Jaden a new initiate to the Alchemist's Council. And the reader is also, most likely, new to the world of alchemy and certainly the dimension of the Alchemist's Council and the Rebel Branch. So the reader is taken on the same journey of learning and discovery as Jaden. It is a very smart way to start a series and introduce a complex and powerful world. Therefore, when reading book 2 the unexplained phenomenons of book 1 become more clear. It is a beautiful journey of discovery and clarity. It would be redundant and take away from book 2 if the author were to spend more time developing characters that we already know and describing dimensions that have already been described. So please, I urge you to read Book 1 first! I don't agree that a book in a series should be able to stand on it's own, parts would be lost and the whole vision of the author would not be maximized. It's a series for a reason. So do yourselves a favour and get book 1 (if you haven't already) and book 2 and relish in the beauty, intricacy, clarity and sexuality of this book.
January 21, 2019
I found that this second book moved quite a bit quicker, as the fictional world and most characters were already explained and set up in the first novel of this series.
I loved how much more in depth the story got, explaining some mysteries left over from the first, as well as divulging deeper into the Flaw dimension and the Rebels. The character development again was a little weak, as there are so many players, but still enough for the story progression.
I only found that the second half moved wayyy too fast, and the details from the beginning of the book were a bit lacking - almost too much dialogue and explanation, rather than actual content of painting the picture. Otherwise, quite loved it, and anticipating the third already!
I loved how much more in depth the story got, explaining some mysteries left over from the first, as well as divulging deeper into the Flaw dimension and the Rebels. The character development again was a little weak, as there are so many players, but still enough for the story progression.
I only found that the second half moved wayyy too fast, and the details from the beginning of the book were a bit lacking - almost too much dialogue and explanation, rather than actual content of painting the picture. Otherwise, quite loved it, and anticipating the third already!
February 10, 2021
Honestly I was prepared to not like this book because I was upset when I found out this was a series after buying the first one. But man, this book did not disappoint. It goes back to before the first book and ends at the same time as the first book and fills in so much that was missing from the first one. I can’t wait for the third now.
October 23, 2017
This book seemed to have potential at the outset. The plot started out intriguing and the use of Alchemy at a level seeming magical was an interesting variant. Unfortunately I found myself losing interest before halfway through. The world development is almost non-existent. Occasionally this can be made to work if the reader is deep within a character's psyche and the outside world is not their primary concern. Here we are jumping place to place from fantastical point in the Council & Flaw dimensions to scenes in the real world. The scenes in the real world are a little easier to grasp, because if you have an idea of what it looks like already, like Santa Fe's arid environment, it makes it easier to form that picture. As I mentioned, world development can be off set by significant character development, but here again I find this book significantly lacking. The characters are rifled through pretty quickly, jumping from perspective to perspective. This not only limits character development, but also makes the story less interesting as the reader doesn't get invested into characters. I feel like the author has a great story in her head, but it needs much more development and detail for readers to truly enjoy being a part of it. The story continued on to the end, but none of it ever seemed much different to me. I think this must be targeted to those who enjoy soap operas to be successful. I could see how some of this may draw upon emotional ties to children for mothers, but it wasn't developed enough for me to have anything invested into it. It seemed to be just one plot twist with new characters after another with yet newer characters, eventually loosely tying back in. The tie back was meaningless to me personally, once again I was not invested to any of the characters. The prose was good, everything was very readable. The creativity of some of it, combined with the fact that it was a ARC copy that I felt some obligation to finish, are probably the only reasons that I did finish it. Normally I'm afraid this would be a DNF for me. I have to give this story 2.5 stars. I think that it very well could do better than that with general public, perhaps over 3 stars, but I doubt it will get above 3.5 from the masses.
September 13, 2018
Entertaining book 2 of the series.
I only gave it a 4 because I felt like it left me in the middle of the story. I personally prefer that all novels, even if they are in a series, to stand on their own.
Looking forward to book 3 that I hear will be coming out soon.
I only gave it a 4 because I felt like it left me in the middle of the story. I personally prefer that all novels, even if they are in a series, to stand on their own.
Looking forward to book 3 that I hear will be coming out soon.
June 5, 2019
I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review.
mhhhh. I read the 1st book and thought it was decent. This one seemed to start nowhere interesting, contain some mild action, and finish nowhere.
mhhhh. I read the 1st book and thought it was decent. This one seemed to start nowhere interesting, contain some mild action, and finish nowhere.
July 31, 2020
Even better than the first one! So much depth and richness in this storyworld. I kinds of never want to leave it.
March 22, 2024
Book 2 takes a full 180 turn from book 1. You get more background on the council and the backstories of minor characters from book 1. The conspiracies come to a head and the political world-building continues to get more complicated.
January 20, 2019
A revolution looms as High Azoth Dracaen strengthens the power of the Rebel Branch, Cedar and Saule take treacherous steps against fellow alchemists, and the unprecedented mutual conjunction of Ilex and Melia changes the fate of all dimensions. With insurgents gathering, Ilex and Melia’s attempt to open a forbidden breach through time could bring salvation — or total destruction — to the elemental balance of the world.
This is the first book I read from this author. It was definitely different from most the books I read. I didn’t know that there had been another book before this one before I read it. It probably would’ve made things a little less muddling for me. I’m not sure I’ll try any more from this author.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book
This is the first book I read from this author. It was definitely different from most the books I read. I didn’t know that there had been another book before this one before I read it. It probably would’ve made things a little less muddling for me. I’m not sure I’ll try any more from this author.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews