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The Change #1
The Stone Mage & the Sea
The Stone Mages rule the huge deserts of red sand. The vast coastlines are ruled by Sky Wardens. Magic is everywhere, but not all have the power to control and direct it. Any child found to have magical ability is sent to the Haunted City to be trained in the Change.
On the coast of the Strand, Sal and his father arrive in the small, apparently normal town of Fundelry, where the locals are suspicious of newcomers and of anyone who stands out or appears different. Sal and his father are on the run from an unnamed someone . . . or something. When a local bully attacks Sal, he is rescued by Shilly and her teacher, Lodo. Lodo is marked with mysterious tattoos and seems to know a lot more about Sal than Sal knows about himself. Sal’s father wants to stay, but the Sky Wardens will be coming and Sal needs to learn what connection Lodo had with his mother and what fate seems to have been chosen for him before he was even born.
On the coast of the Strand, Sal and his father arrive in the small, apparently normal town of Fundelry, where the locals are suspicious of newcomers and of anyone who stands out or appears different. Sal and his father are on the run from an unnamed someone . . . or something. When a local bully attacks Sal, he is rescued by Shilly and her teacher, Lodo. Lodo is marked with mysterious tattoos and seems to know a lot more about Sal than Sal knows about himself. Sal’s father wants to stay, but the Sky Wardens will be coming and Sal needs to learn what connection Lodo had with his mother and what fate seems to have been chosen for him before he was even born.
402 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 27, 2002
16 people are currently reading
432 people want to read
About the author
Sean Williams
277 books468 followers#1 New York Times bestselling Sean Williams lives with his family in Adelaide, South Australia. He’s written some books--forty-two at last count--including the Philip K. Dick-nominated Saturn Returns, several Star Wars novels and the Troubletwister series with Garth Nix. Twinmaker is a YA SF series that takes his love affair with the matter transmitter to a whole new level. You can find some related short stories over at Lightspeed Magazine and elsewhere. Thanks for reading.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
April 28, 2012
ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature.
Sal and his father have been on the run from something for as long as Sal can remember. Now they’ve come to the seaside town of Fundelry and it seems like Sal’s father may finally be giving up. Sal doesn’t know what they’ve been running from, or what happened to his mother, who left them when he was young. Most of the townsfolk are suspicious of the newcomers, but Lodo the hermit and his young apprentice Shilly take an interest in Sal. Under their tutelage, Sal learns that he has some blossoming magical powers, which might be what his father has been trying to keep concealed. He must learn to control these powers before the Sky Wardens can find him.
The Stone Mage & The Sea is the first novel in Sean Williams’ young adult series called THE CHANGE. Despite the familiar young-boy-discovers-he’s-got-a-destiny type of YA epic fantasy elements, The Stone Mage & The Sea has some unique qualities to praise. The setting, for one. Rather than the familiar European medieval setting, the world of THE CHANGE appears to be influenced by Sean Williams’ native Australia. Red inland deserts, where the Stone Mages practice their craft, give way to sandy dunes as we approach the sea where Sky Wardens use seagull spies to hunt for youngsters with burgeoning talent. The technological status of this society is intriguingly unclear. Sal’s father has a motorized dunebuggy, but it’s the only one we see, and it seems to be the highest form of technology available in this world.
Williams’ plot and characters are engaging and his writing is solid, though it lacks even a trace of humor. It will appeal most to its target YA audience. Adults will wonder why Sal, at 12 years old, knows so little of his own history. What happened to his mother? What are they running from? Why, when the children of Fundelry are hoping to be chosen by the Sky Wardens, does Sal’s father think they’re so evil? It would have saved them both a lot of trouble if his father had just explained things to Sal. We get the impression that Sal has just now started questioning his father in earnest. Of course, the reader understands that the tale is being unfolded for us as it unfolds for Sal, but I found it hard to admire a 12 year old who’s had no idea what’s going on around him for this long.
The Stone Mage & The Sea is definitely a set-up book. By the end, Sal is just beginning to get a glimpse of his destiny and the book stops as tragedy strikes and things really get going. Most teen readers will be eager to move on to book two, The Sky Warden and the Sun. This is an intriguing world with a unique magic system that we’re only beginning to understand. There are lots of interesting questions left unanswered.
Eric Michael Summerer narrates Audible Frontiers’ version of The Stone Mage & The Sea. He gives a good reading and I can confidently recommend this version of The Stone Mage & The Sea. Audio readers will be pleased.
Sal and his father have been on the run from something for as long as Sal can remember. Now they’ve come to the seaside town of Fundelry and it seems like Sal’s father may finally be giving up. Sal doesn’t know what they’ve been running from, or what happened to his mother, who left them when he was young. Most of the townsfolk are suspicious of the newcomers, but Lodo the hermit and his young apprentice Shilly take an interest in Sal. Under their tutelage, Sal learns that he has some blossoming magical powers, which might be what his father has been trying to keep concealed. He must learn to control these powers before the Sky Wardens can find him.
The Stone Mage & The Sea is the first novel in Sean Williams’ young adult series called THE CHANGE. Despite the familiar young-boy-discovers-he’s-got-a-destiny type of YA epic fantasy elements, The Stone Mage & The Sea has some unique qualities to praise. The setting, for one. Rather than the familiar European medieval setting, the world of THE CHANGE appears to be influenced by Sean Williams’ native Australia. Red inland deserts, where the Stone Mages practice their craft, give way to sandy dunes as we approach the sea where Sky Wardens use seagull spies to hunt for youngsters with burgeoning talent. The technological status of this society is intriguingly unclear. Sal’s father has a motorized dunebuggy, but it’s the only one we see, and it seems to be the highest form of technology available in this world.
Williams’ plot and characters are engaging and his writing is solid, though it lacks even a trace of humor. It will appeal most to its target YA audience. Adults will wonder why Sal, at 12 years old, knows so little of his own history. What happened to his mother? What are they running from? Why, when the children of Fundelry are hoping to be chosen by the Sky Wardens, does Sal’s father think they’re so evil? It would have saved them both a lot of trouble if his father had just explained things to Sal. We get the impression that Sal has just now started questioning his father in earnest. Of course, the reader understands that the tale is being unfolded for us as it unfolds for Sal, but I found it hard to admire a 12 year old who’s had no idea what’s going on around him for this long.
The Stone Mage & The Sea is definitely a set-up book. By the end, Sal is just beginning to get a glimpse of his destiny and the book stops as tragedy strikes and things really get going. Most teen readers will be eager to move on to book two, The Sky Warden and the Sun. This is an intriguing world with a unique magic system that we’re only beginning to understand. There are lots of interesting questions left unanswered.
Eric Michael Summerer narrates Audible Frontiers’ version of The Stone Mage & The Sea. He gives a good reading and I can confidently recommend this version of The Stone Mage & The Sea. Audio readers will be pleased.
June 11, 2019
Judging by this beginning volume, this series is promising to be a fairly standard "special" teenager on the run from dystopian police state sort of story. It's more explicitly fantasy in its presentation of magic vs. sci-fi sort of concepts, but the basic setup is on the same lines. This "standard"-ness isn't necessarily a bad thing (sometimes, it's nice to spend time with familiar tropes in a new iteration) but unfortunately, this first volume doesn't make the best "opening argument" for the series, imo. This sort of story always has some sort of crisis point where our hero goes from being unaware that he's special to having things ripped out from under him and getting thrust into the action. The first 3/4 of this book is almost entirely the "pre-crisis" story of our hero sort of poking along, knowing that something's going on and making little baby steps towards doing something about it, but nothing having any real urgency. There may be some appeal there for those who enjoy worldbuilding that spells out exactly how society is structured and goes through specific exercises in how magic works in the world, but for me, this section was quite plodding and infodumpy, and I was ready for the crisis-event to occur waaaaay earlier than the book was ready to give it to me.
That said, the ending post-crisis-point did manage to do its job of making me wonder what will happen next, so I will probably continue with the series... but I won't be quick to recommend it to others until I have a better idea of whether it improves in the next book.
That said, the ending post-crisis-point did manage to do its job of making me wonder what will happen next, so I will probably continue with the series... but I won't be quick to recommend it to others until I have a better idea of whether it improves in the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2010
Oh how I wish I could have read this book sooner, but so many things got in my way. In a way it was a good thing - the book lasted longer - but I could have devoured this in a day if I'd had my wishes.
I discovered Sean Williams in the Legends of Australian Fantasy anthology - something I HIGHLY recommend - and I'm so glad I've started with him.
The Stone Mage & The Sea is the first in a trilogy called The Change. Sean Williams is incredibly visual. Though he writes of amazing, fantastic things, you're able to visualise it all before you as if watching a play, rather than reading a novel.
His characters are fluid, believable and likeable no matter what they're doing or saying. You really do feel as if you're there, and that you know them all almost intimately. You feel their emotions and all you want to do is read on, and on.
I really like how Sean weaves Australianisms into his writing. Describing Tom to look like a Bilby is effective. Having red sand instead of pale yellow, etc. I would love to know what a non-Australian, who's never been here, would think, reading this book.
Anyway. I'm wasting time here writing this, I NEED TO READ THE SECOND ONE IMMEDIATELY.
I discovered Sean Williams in the Legends of Australian Fantasy anthology - something I HIGHLY recommend - and I'm so glad I've started with him.
The Stone Mage & The Sea is the first in a trilogy called The Change. Sean Williams is incredibly visual. Though he writes of amazing, fantastic things, you're able to visualise it all before you as if watching a play, rather than reading a novel.
His characters are fluid, believable and likeable no matter what they're doing or saying. You really do feel as if you're there, and that you know them all almost intimately. You feel their emotions and all you want to do is read on, and on.
I really like how Sean weaves Australianisms into his writing. Describing Tom to look like a Bilby is effective. Having red sand instead of pale yellow, etc. I would love to know what a non-Australian, who's never been here, would think, reading this book.
Anyway. I'm wasting time here writing this, I NEED TO READ THE SECOND ONE IMMEDIATELY.
October 12, 2022
Great southern fantasy
Sal and his father stay for a while in a small coastal town where Sal will discover information about his past and who he is.
This is one of the few fantasy novels I've read which is set in the southern hemisphere. Everything to the north is hot and dry, coast is to the south. In the book there's a mention of the didj and kangaroo leather, but these two brief mentions are really the only nods in the entire novel that it is set in an Australia-esque land.
Throughout the novel the characterisation is good, there's emotive responses to what happens, and the plot moves at a good pace.
Sal and his father stay for a while in a small coastal town where Sal will discover information about his past and who he is.
This is one of the few fantasy novels I've read which is set in the southern hemisphere. Everything to the north is hot and dry, coast is to the south. In the book there's a mention of the didj and kangaroo leather, but these two brief mentions are really the only nods in the entire novel that it is set in an Australia-esque land.
Throughout the novel the characterisation is good, there's emotive responses to what happens, and the plot moves at a good pace.
July 10, 2021
what do you know another story ruined right in the middle for a cheap twist. Happens every single time i try to read anything I dont think Im going to bother trying anymore
November 1, 2020
This has everything that a traditional fantasy novel should have. The fantasy novels that I grew up with and first introduced me to the genre had this same kind of amazing mystical feel to it. From the very first page, I was swept into Williams’ world and really, seriously didn’t want to leave. I could imagine this small town, the confused Sal and the immensity of the sea from the very beginning. Even now, when I close my eyes, I can picture it all in my mind’s eye.
The characters in this story are really strong and well thought out. Sometimes it can take me a little while to get attached to characters and find the rhythm of the story. Or, as the case may be, the world building that has constructed the story and characters. That’s not the case with The Stone Mage and the Sea. From that very first scene with Sal and his father driving into a town, you are there. Right in the moment. Pulled in, whether you like it or not.
Lodo is everything that a mysterious teacher should be. I’m hoping that he doesn’t just disappear off the face of the earth after this book. He is tattooed, enigmatic and completely impossible to predict. Partnered with his apprentice, Shilly, they are great duo that help to build Sal up and help him start on a new path in life. Which, considering how this novel ended, I think is incredibly and wonderfully important. Sal grows so much in this first novel, I can’t wait to see how he’ll grow in the next two novels.
The Stone Mage and the Sea is everything I haven’t realised I’ve been missing in fantasy novels. I have been reading a lot of urban fantasy and paranormal fantasy and all such. So picking up a novel that bought me back to the fantasy novels that first got me enthralled in the genre… well, I’m glad that I have the rest of the trilogy sitting on my shelves, ready to go.
The characters in this story are really strong and well thought out. Sometimes it can take me a little while to get attached to characters and find the rhythm of the story. Or, as the case may be, the world building that has constructed the story and characters. That’s not the case with The Stone Mage and the Sea. From that very first scene with Sal and his father driving into a town, you are there. Right in the moment. Pulled in, whether you like it or not.
Lodo is everything that a mysterious teacher should be. I’m hoping that he doesn’t just disappear off the face of the earth after this book. He is tattooed, enigmatic and completely impossible to predict. Partnered with his apprentice, Shilly, they are great duo that help to build Sal up and help him start on a new path in life. Which, considering how this novel ended, I think is incredibly and wonderfully important. Sal grows so much in this first novel, I can’t wait to see how he’ll grow in the next two novels.
The Stone Mage and the Sea is everything I haven’t realised I’ve been missing in fantasy novels. I have been reading a lot of urban fantasy and paranormal fantasy and all such. So picking up a novel that bought me back to the fantasy novels that first got me enthralled in the genre… well, I’m glad that I have the rest of the trilogy sitting on my shelves, ready to go.
May 3, 2024
I expected much from this book. It opened up as a mystery and looked quite promising, especially the occasional philosophical lessons were quite good. I truly regret the time I wasted reading this book. This book is all about a man raising his son on ignorance and brainwashing him to the point that he isn't able to make a sound judgement of his own regarding his own path in life. Just because he didn't like the outcome of his system of government, this father choose to fly instead of fight the system and try to make it better. He filled his child's mind against his own people with all the negative connotations as he could find. What a cowardly figure and what a bad father figure and lover for that matter! Really did not expect such a character in the fantasy genre. Truly disappointing. I also did not understand the motivation behind the actions taken by the other characters, especially the adults since our protagonist is still a child.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2024
This was the first book of Sean Williams that I read...and I knew that I was going to be a fan for life. The magic building is not overly complicated or involved (or innovative)...but it sets the stage for the other books (2 more in this trilogy and a separate 4-book---trilogy plus one---follow-up)...and the magic building with the societal elements of this post-cataclysmic world really is innovative. And, the 2-3 main characters in this book become "best friends" in my imaginary mind instantly...and that bond grows over the entire series.
August 9, 2022
Good
I like how the story moves from one point to another! The authour Sean Williams weaves a great story that is hard to stop reading. He finishes the book at the point where you MUST get the next book to see what is happening!!
I like how the story moves from one point to another! The authour Sean Williams weaves a great story that is hard to stop reading. He finishes the book at the point where you MUST get the next book to see what is happening!!
August 9, 2017
I liked this book. Very entertaining. Good strong characters and a great introduction to a new world. Looking forward to the next book in the series. Would recommend for YA or adult readers.
November 7, 2020
it's a nice chill story. Nothing to over the top. if you are looking for a nice evenly passed book, this is for you
July 26, 2009
The Stone Mage and the Sea by Sean Williams has been sitting on my book shelf for a couple of years and I thought it was about time I read it. I’m glad I made that decision.
Sean Williams is an Australian writer and I was pleased to see the Australianisms come through in his writing. In fact, it made for a nice change. The setting is clear and feels so real that I would almost be willing to guarantee that the author did his research by sitting in the Australian desert.
What I especially liked about this book was the mixture of modern everyday items in what seemed like a futuristic world touched by magic. Yet, on the other hand, the people in the story seemed backwards in their technology too. I liked the balance. It made me wonder how far we can go, technology wise, before we do something wrong and end up worse off than when we started.
Anyway, the main character is a young boy and the story falls into the “coming of age” category. At a guess, I would say this is a young adult book yet any avid reader will enjoy the storyline. It’s fresh and clean, and in a lot of ways different to other fantasy stories. It’s the first is a trilogy and I felt it nicely setup the world, the characters and the conflicts for the two following books.
I can’t say it was fast paced, but I didn’t find it boring or slow either. However, as the book neared the end, the tension raised and I had no choice but to follow the characters into a climax filled with everything that makes a good book.
This book is highly recommended.
I have already started reading the second book in the series – The Sky Warden and the Sun.
Sean Williams is an Australian writer and I was pleased to see the Australianisms come through in his writing. In fact, it made for a nice change. The setting is clear and feels so real that I would almost be willing to guarantee that the author did his research by sitting in the Australian desert.
What I especially liked about this book was the mixture of modern everyday items in what seemed like a futuristic world touched by magic. Yet, on the other hand, the people in the story seemed backwards in their technology too. I liked the balance. It made me wonder how far we can go, technology wise, before we do something wrong and end up worse off than when we started.
Anyway, the main character is a young boy and the story falls into the “coming of age” category. At a guess, I would say this is a young adult book yet any avid reader will enjoy the storyline. It’s fresh and clean, and in a lot of ways different to other fantasy stories. It’s the first is a trilogy and I felt it nicely setup the world, the characters and the conflicts for the two following books.
I can’t say it was fast paced, but I didn’t find it boring or slow either. However, as the book neared the end, the tension raised and I had no choice but to follow the characters into a climax filled with everything that makes a good book.
This book is highly recommended.
I have already started reading the second book in the series – The Sky Warden and the Sun.
May 10, 2010
The Stone Mage and the Sea was an all right book. It wasn't anything special nor did it bring anything new to the table. It was also a bit slow. That's not to say I didn't like it.
It's hard to judge the first book in a series. The Stone Mage does an excellent job at world building and for setting up the rest of the series. If that's what Williams wanted then he accomplished that. However, since I was hard pressed getting through this book then I'm on the fence to whether I want to continue the series.
Another knock I have against the book is that the magic users seem entirely too powerful. That's one of my biggest peeves in fantasy and it's here. The rules aren't completely defined yet so I'm not sure what they can't do. What I did learn was what they can do like have secret hiding places hundreds of miles from where they're at, mirages, summon lighting, and so on.
I may read the next book, but who knows?
It's hard to judge the first book in a series. The Stone Mage does an excellent job at world building and for setting up the rest of the series. If that's what Williams wanted then he accomplished that. However, since I was hard pressed getting through this book then I'm on the fence to whether I want to continue the series.
Another knock I have against the book is that the magic users seem entirely too powerful. That's one of my biggest peeves in fantasy and it's here. The rules aren't completely defined yet so I'm not sure what they can't do. What I did learn was what they can do like have secret hiding places hundreds of miles from where they're at, mirages, summon lighting, and so on.
I may read the next book, but who knows?
May 20, 2009
I picked this novel up before boarding a flight. The writing style is visual, direct and engaging. It reads fast and easy, and reminds me of the juvenlie fiction of Heinlein. I suspect that the protagonist will "grow up" as the story progresses in later novels. The story is fantasy fiction, where the "Change" referred to in the title of the series is an inheritable trait for magical ability. However, this may be "Arthur C. Clarke" magic, as there are plenty of indications that the society portrayed is the remnant of an earlier, more advanced age. In that since, then, it is not the "high-fantasy" of a Tolkien-like setting.
I'll probably read the rest of the series if I can get my hands on it.
Recommended for teens +. There is no objectionable content.
I'll probably read the rest of the series if I can get my hands on it.
Recommended for teens +. There is no objectionable content.
June 7, 2013
This, the first Book of the Change, is a quieter and more wistful story than the later Books of the Cataclysm (which I read first), lacking the same epic quality but with a particular charm of its own. Here we meet a younger Sal and Shilly, and it's really the start of a coming of age story for the pair of them. As I would expect from Williams, it's well-characterised, and the (very Australian) landscape lives and breathes more than most do. A really solid starting point to the series, and compulsively readable.
July 11, 2011
I read "The Crooked Letter" before this book and despite the fact that "Stone Mage" is more simplistic, as befits a work written largely from the point of view of a pre-pubescent boy, the former work gives great insights into the background of the Change. A well-written novel, with great descriptive language encompassing what is undoubtedly the Australian outback complete with camels and native fauna. A few Americanisms creep in (airplane) to Sean's work, alas, that's Australia these days.
November 17, 2014
I read this book ages ago, so I don't remember a lot about it.
But Sean Williams is a massive fantasy nerd (he wrote a bunch of Star Wars books, just saying) and made a really interesting (if not completely original) magic system. When I read fantasy, I generally look for new or new ways of applying magic systems... because I am a nerd.
But yeah, I remember liking the one in these books.
But Sean Williams is a massive fantasy nerd (he wrote a bunch of Star Wars books, just saying) and made a really interesting (if not completely original) magic system. When I read fantasy, I generally look for new or new ways of applying magic systems... because I am a nerd.
But yeah, I remember liking the one in these books.
February 20, 2011
Before I'd read any of his books, I met Sean through the South Australian Writers' Centre and I liked him. Despite his lofty New-York-Times-bestseller status, he gave a lot of time and support to this fledgling speculative fiction writer.
This was the first book of Sean's that I read. It's fantasy in a landscape uniquely (South) Australian. Captivating and unnerving.
This was the first book of Sean's that I read. It's fantasy in a landscape uniquely (South) Australian. Captivating and unnerving.
Read
July 29, 2011I didn't know what to expect with this book. I found a rich world with an engaging system of magic. The characters are interesting and everything seems to work together well. I particularly enjoyed references to native Australian animals in a fantasy setting. Doesn't happen often. I would probably classify it in a teen fantasy category.
February 27, 2012
The Stone Mage and the Sea is a nice change from all the high fantasy novels that are so popular these days.
While it is fantasy, it's original as the main scenery is a coast town and the desert. It also features engine powered buggy's instead of horses. This modern edge to the world gives it an edge above the standard fantasy.
While it is fantasy, it's original as the main scenery is a coast town and the desert. It also features engine powered buggy's instead of horses. This modern edge to the world gives it an edge above the standard fantasy.
September 30, 2012
This story took me on an adventure I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved the characters and found myself rooting for them all the way. Also, the colorful scenery and variety of characters was great. Sean Williams created a universe with this series that I was addicted to. I am hoping he decides to write more of them!
January 23, 2016
Amazing! I could barely put it down once I started. I never considered myself into Sci-fi but as per a review, it "is both eerily familiar and strangely alien" and this familiarity helped bridge the gap of my comfort zone. The ending left me wanting to seek out the next installment of The Change. Congratulations Sean Williams on a well written gripping story!
December 20, 2016
Amazing book, fun, lots of adventure
I actually listened to the book and it was amazing!!! Great voice actor!! Have fun either listening or reading because the book is very enjoyable!!
I actually listened to the book and it was amazing!!! Great voice actor!! Have fun either listening or reading because the book is very enjoyable!!
August 26, 2012
Turned out it wasn't really my thing.
December 22, 2012
Really enjoyed the Australian flavour of this one.
March 14, 2013
Really a young adult coming of age series, I still enjoyed the good writing and the premise. Once I realized the author is Australian, the geography of the settings became much clearer.
October 24, 2013
Pretty good aussie fantasy / sci-fi mash up with some interesting concepts but ultimately feels like it's just setting the stage for a larger story. Will definitely check out the rest of the series.
November 1, 2013
Just could not get into this book.
not-finished
October 18, 2016Nothing really wrong with this, I just got halfway through and realised I was unexcited about finishing. Probably would have stuck with it if there was more going on.
July 19, 2011
wonderful read so loved it must read on the next books .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews