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Retrievers #6
Blood from Stone
Wren Valere's job is driving her crazy. She's still Manhattan's most sought-after Retriever, but after last year's deadly confrontation with the Silence, all this magic-user wants is a break. With her apartment going co-op and her relationship with the demon P.B. putting stress on her romance with partner Sergei, is Wren finally ready to settle down to a more stable existence?
Not likely.
Because when you're good, trouble always finds you. Wren's next assignment puts her on the wrong side of a child-snatcher—and a collision course with her past. But to save a friend—and protect her future—Wren must pull off the most important Retrieval of her life…and for once magic isn't on her side.
Not likely.
Because when you're good, trouble always finds you. Wren's next assignment puts her on the wrong side of a child-snatcher—and a collision course with her past. But to save a friend—and protect her future—Wren must pull off the most important Retrieval of her life…and for once magic isn't on her side.
346 pages, Paperback
First published April 25, 2009
8 people are currently reading
698 people want to read
About the author
Laura Anne Gilman
122 books824 followersLaura Anne Gilman’s work has been hailed as “a true American myth” by NPR, and praised for her “deft plotting and first-class characters” by Publishers Weekly. She has won the Endeavor Award for THE COLD EYE, and been shortlisted for a Nebula, (another) Endeavor, and a Washington State Book Award. Her work includes the Devil’s West trilogy, the Cosa Nostradamus urban fantasy series, the Vineart trilogy, and the story collection WEST WINDS’ FOOL. Her upcoming move, UNCANNY TIMES, will be out from Saga Books in 2022.
She lives in Seattle with a cat, a dog, and many deadlines.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 14, 2009
It's really a 3.5, but the writing is a cleat cut above 3. The author prefaced this entry with an explaination that this is the end of Wren's series, but not books set in this world. The next books will be about Wren's downstairs neighbor, Bonnie. Therefore there are many tantalizing references to Bonnie and her work. If the author hadn't made the connection clear it probably wouldn't have annoyed me. Or tantilized. So, a mixed feeling on that; putting the info at the beginning instead of the end was probably a gamble that paid off. As for Sergie, P.B. and Wren, the story was good but not as touching or exciting as the rest of the series. It was much more about closure than adventure, despite actually being quiet open-ended after all. I suspect to see more of these guys as supporting characters in Bonnie's books, possibly with more starring them if things go well for the author. Anyway, I very much liked the exploration of P.B.'s past and his relationship with Wren. But everything in this book was a continuation of previous plot points. It was definitely a part of a series, not a stand alone novel. There really isn't any aspect of the story that will make sense or be meaningful if you haven't read the other books, at least the first few.
May 26, 2009
I thought this was a decent end to the series. (This is not a spoiler -- Gilman notes on the first page that she's done with these characters for a while, and is moving on to a new series starring Bonnie). It gave me the weird impression that she wasn't done with them until about 3/4 way through the book, and then hastily wrapped everything up. Other than that, though, it was a fairly satisfying conclusion.
Now that Wren and P.B. have discovered their bond, and the truth about demons, they find that other people are aware of that same truth, and after the secret of how demons are created. P.B.'s life and freedom are threatened, and Wren and Sergei try to both find the papers that hold the secret and protect P.B. at the same time. In the meantime, Wren struggles with a bit of a midlife crisis, as her building goes up for sale, she Retrieves a small Talented child, and her old master (Neezer) begins to resurface, all while she's trying to repair her relationship with Sergei.
The P.B. story is wrapped up nicely, but some of the other stuff is left hanging -- I would have liked another hundred pages or so on where her life was going next. But maybe that'll all be wrapped up in the Bonnie books, since Bonnie will also have to deal with the building being sold.
And my favorite minor plot, the unhelpful Seer, gets another cameo (or, well, her cookies do.) :)
Now that Wren and P.B. have discovered their bond, and the truth about demons, they find that other people are aware of that same truth, and after the secret of how demons are created. P.B.'s life and freedom are threatened, and Wren and Sergei try to both find the papers that hold the secret and protect P.B. at the same time. In the meantime, Wren struggles with a bit of a midlife crisis, as her building goes up for sale, she Retrieves a small Talented child, and her old master (Neezer) begins to resurface, all while she's trying to repair her relationship with Sergei.
The P.B. story is wrapped up nicely, but some of the other stuff is left hanging -- I would have liked another hundred pages or so on where her life was going next. But maybe that'll all be wrapped up in the Bonnie books, since Bonnie will also have to deal with the building being sold.
And my favorite minor plot, the unhelpful Seer, gets another cameo (or, well, her cookies do.) :)
May 25, 2009
A sort of sad semi ending to a good series. I didn't like the way things were left off with Sergei and Wren, I felt like the end was a tad rushed and there just seemed to be an overall disconnect between two characters that were built to be connected. I would have liked to know more about Sergei's treatment, Wren's wizzed out behavior and more about PB.
I gave it a four because I like the series but it's really more of a 3.5 just because I walked away feeling a little confused and unsatisfied.
I gave it a four because I like the series but it's really more of a 3.5 just because I walked away feeling a little confused and unsatisfied.
September 13, 2020
In a sense this is a book long epilogue. In an online interview, with the Odyssey Writing Workshop, (Jan. 10, 2010) Gilman said, "The first five Retriever books were a definite story arc–the 6th book stood alone, even though it was part of the same series."
The dust, as it were, has settled from Free Fall. Sergei and Wren are tentatively reestablishing their sexual relationship. Wren is still the paramount Retriever in the New York City area. The antagonists from the first five volumes are off stage if not completely vanquished. Wren now is dealing with her new normal, that of a wizzed Talent who came back.
This is P.B.'s story. Our close mouthed demon finally reveals his back story. He is a being with a purpose, created to be of service to Talents. In fact, the descendants of his creator, consider him nothing more that a servant (slave) who was designed to always submit. The stench of white supremacy masquerading as Nazism runs through this novel. Sadly, this alone can make Blood from Stone a work of urban contemporary fantasy.
There are two retrievals in Blood from Stone. The first allows Wren to look at her feelings for children and also to revisit her thoughts of her mentor. How has wizzing changed her? The second retrieval is more challenging as P.B's existence is at stake. Gilman closes her series on a satisfying note. This reader hopes to meet them again as walk on characters in future series.
Recommended for all lovers of urban fantasy.
The dust, as it were, has settled from Free Fall. Sergei and Wren are tentatively reestablishing their sexual relationship. Wren is still the paramount Retriever in the New York City area. The antagonists from the first five volumes are off stage if not completely vanquished. Wren now is dealing with her new normal, that of a wizzed Talent who came back.
This is P.B.'s story. Our close mouthed demon finally reveals his back story. He is a being with a purpose, created to be of service to Talents. In fact, the descendants of his creator, consider him nothing more that a servant (slave) who was designed to always submit. The stench of white supremacy masquerading as Nazism runs through this novel. Sadly, this alone can make Blood from Stone a work of urban contemporary fantasy.
There are two retrievals in Blood from Stone. The first allows Wren to look at her feelings for children and also to revisit her thoughts of her mentor. How has wizzing changed her? The second retrieval is more challenging as P.B's existence is at stake. Gilman closes her series on a satisfying note. This reader hopes to meet them again as walk on characters in future series.
Recommended for all lovers of urban fantasy.
October 25, 2018
3.5 stars. This continued to be a good series about Wren, whose magic leaves her unnoticed by most people, and her partner Sergei, who isn't magical at all. If you're looking for a series that shows relationship development and isn't filled with explicit sex scenes, this could be your lucky day. :)
This is the last book focused primarily on Wren (and Sergei), but they appear in the background in some of Gilman's other books.
This is the last book focused primarily on Wren (and Sergei), but they appear in the background in some of Gilman's other books.
May 20, 2018
A satisfying conclusion to the series. I would love to read more about Wren, PB, and Sergio but I enjoyed the ride. Also, it provided something to enjoy during my traffic filled LA commute to and from work.
November 11, 2017
Solid writing. Another great installment in the Retrievers series.
February 19, 2020
Downright insane action.
July 14, 2020
4.75 stars
December 23, 2024
Demon Collectors
This series keeps getting better. The urge to power overcomes good sense. Wren struggles to find a balance to stay sane.
This series keeps getting better. The urge to power overcomes good sense. Wren struggles to find a balance to stay sane.
April 10, 2025
Interesting twist on witches and witchcraft. I may read another one in series. Good characters and plot.
June 19, 2010
Blood from Stone by Laura Anne Gilman was a very enjoyable urban-fantasy read set in modern day Manhattan. In it, dryads, giants and piskies makes an appearance, while the stage's main players are Sergei, a Null (non-magic user), "Wren" Valere, a Talent (a user of the magic force known as current) and P.B., a demon.
Valere is a Retriever, which is a nice way of saying she's a thief. In this story she does two retrievals, one for a client and one for her friend P.B. Both retrievals have their challenges for Wren. Both bring up unresolved issues from Wren's past.
Blood from Stone is the sixth novel in a series about Wren. I assume that her romantic interest, Sergei is in all, or most of those books as he was her partner before he became her romantic interest. No, I haven't read any of the other Retriever novels, Gilman is just a master at giving enough backstory to fill in the gaps in a reader's knowledge, and the Retriever novels are all listed inside the cover.
Blood from Stone was purchased through eHarlequin.com so i was expecting a run-of-the-mill randy romance novel. I was so pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be much more than that. The major players in the story are artfully, developed. The romance, while it burns hot where appropriate, is as comfortable as your favorite jeans. It has some very real challenges for the characters to overcome and most importantly it has a heroine who, though vulnerable, isn't waiting helplessly for someone to come along and rescue her. She is actively working things out, as is her love interest and together the two of them make a great pair.
Blood from Stone is wonderful to read. Once again I read the final volume of a series before I read the earlier volumes and once again it is an error I plan to rectify. I will absolutely read the entire series of Retriever novels. I'll re-read this volume when I get to its spot at the end of the series. I'll be looking forward to more of Wren and Sergei's adventures in the future, although I understand Gilman is taking a break from the Retriever series to pursue a line of novels focusing on paranormal investigations with one of the characters, also a Talent, who is introduced in the Retriever's series.
Here is an excerpt from the early pages of Blood from Stone:
"So why did you give the kid back?" he asked, not put off by her attempted change of topic, and not giving her a chance to dig further into his state of mental or emotional health. "Isn't the guy going to sell the kid again?"
"Maybe." She didn't seem too disturbed by the fact.
"Genevieve!" He only used her given name when he was really annoyed. Or scared witless, but annoyed pretty much did the job right now. "Do you know what happens to kids who-" He stopped himself. Of course she did. More, she knew what happened to Talented kids who ended up in the wrong hands. No matter her personal opinion of kids, which was usually that they were best served braised on a bed of spinach-she would not keep from protecting the boy if she thought there was a need.
He fixed her with a Look, brows lowered, eyes narrowed, lips downturned, trying to channel his father's best "come clean now" expression. "Genevieve, what did you do?"
His father's look had worked much better on a preteen Sergei. His partner merely showed him an evil little smile and poured herself some of the coffee, yelping when a drop of it hit her rather than the pot. She shook her hand to cool it off, but her expression remained smugly satisfied. "Nothing he didn't deserve."
Good luck you poor bastard, Sergei thought, managing to spare some sympathy for the client, whatever else he might or might not have done. Wren didn't just get even, she got ahead. Sergei suspected that if the guy even thought about being other than The Perfect Father for the next ten years, he would break out in a bad case of crotch-itch, or something equally attention-getting."
Gilman's sense of humor comes across repeatedly in Blood from Stone. I had several laugh out loud moments. I was glad no one was at home to hear me as they would have thought I was crazy. I was simply really enjoying what was a wonderful book.
Blood from Stone, copyright 2009 by Laura Anne Gilman, published by LUNA, a trademark of Harlequin Books S.A., Worldwide Library, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A., ISBN 978-0-373-80309-5
Valere is a Retriever, which is a nice way of saying she's a thief. In this story she does two retrievals, one for a client and one for her friend P.B. Both retrievals have their challenges for Wren. Both bring up unresolved issues from Wren's past.
Blood from Stone is the sixth novel in a series about Wren. I assume that her romantic interest, Sergei is in all, or most of those books as he was her partner before he became her romantic interest. No, I haven't read any of the other Retriever novels, Gilman is just a master at giving enough backstory to fill in the gaps in a reader's knowledge, and the Retriever novels are all listed inside the cover.
Blood from Stone was purchased through eHarlequin.com so i was expecting a run-of-the-mill randy romance novel. I was so pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be much more than that. The major players in the story are artfully, developed. The romance, while it burns hot where appropriate, is as comfortable as your favorite jeans. It has some very real challenges for the characters to overcome and most importantly it has a heroine who, though vulnerable, isn't waiting helplessly for someone to come along and rescue her. She is actively working things out, as is her love interest and together the two of them make a great pair.
Blood from Stone is wonderful to read. Once again I read the final volume of a series before I read the earlier volumes and once again it is an error I plan to rectify. I will absolutely read the entire series of Retriever novels. I'll re-read this volume when I get to its spot at the end of the series. I'll be looking forward to more of Wren and Sergei's adventures in the future, although I understand Gilman is taking a break from the Retriever series to pursue a line of novels focusing on paranormal investigations with one of the characters, also a Talent, who is introduced in the Retriever's series.
Here is an excerpt from the early pages of Blood from Stone:
"So why did you give the kid back?" he asked, not put off by her attempted change of topic, and not giving her a chance to dig further into his state of mental or emotional health. "Isn't the guy going to sell the kid again?"
"Maybe." She didn't seem too disturbed by the fact.
"Genevieve!" He only used her given name when he was really annoyed. Or scared witless, but annoyed pretty much did the job right now. "Do you know what happens to kids who-" He stopped himself. Of course she did. More, she knew what happened to Talented kids who ended up in the wrong hands. No matter her personal opinion of kids, which was usually that they were best served braised on a bed of spinach-she would not keep from protecting the boy if she thought there was a need.
He fixed her with a Look, brows lowered, eyes narrowed, lips downturned, trying to channel his father's best "come clean now" expression. "Genevieve, what did you do?"
His father's look had worked much better on a preteen Sergei. His partner merely showed him an evil little smile and poured herself some of the coffee, yelping when a drop of it hit her rather than the pot. She shook her hand to cool it off, but her expression remained smugly satisfied. "Nothing he didn't deserve."
Good luck you poor bastard, Sergei thought, managing to spare some sympathy for the client, whatever else he might or might not have done. Wren didn't just get even, she got ahead. Sergei suspected that if the guy even thought about being other than The Perfect Father for the next ten years, he would break out in a bad case of crotch-itch, or something equally attention-getting."
Gilman's sense of humor comes across repeatedly in Blood from Stone. I had several laugh out loud moments. I was glad no one was at home to hear me as they would have thought I was crazy. I was simply really enjoying what was a wonderful book.
Blood from Stone, copyright 2009 by Laura Anne Gilman, published by LUNA, a trademark of Harlequin Books S.A., Worldwide Library, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A., ISBN 978-0-373-80309-5
October 29, 2023
Trying to create something u don't understand can get you killed
Aww serve and pb handled that fight together even if pb didn't need help. Glad wren is starting to understand she can't save her mentor and that Max was helping her.
Aww serve and pb handled that fight together even if pb didn't need help. Glad wren is starting to understand she can't save her mentor and that Max was helping her.
June 7, 2009
It feels like a spoiler, but since Gilman says this at the front of the book, I suppose it isn't: Blood From Stone is the last Retrievers novel, at least for a time. She's moving on to focus on other characters in the Cosa Nostradamus universe. I wasn't happy to read that, but after reading the book, I'm okay with it.
Blood From Stone definitely isn't a book to start with if you're new to Gilman's work. The Retrievers series really does need to be read sequentially. If you have read the rest, you know that Gilman has developed a very interesting universe and some very well-developed characters in the series. Book 6 doesn't disappoint at all, and brings the major plot threads to a very satisfactory close. I can't be more specific without real spoilers, though!
I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next novel in the universe, which will focus on Bonnie and the PUPIs (Private, Unaffiliated, Paranormal Investigators). I adore CSI, Bones, NCIS and the like, so I'm curious as to how forensics will work in urban fantasy settings. Jes Battis' A Flash of Hex is supposed to be waiting for me at the library, so by the time I get to Hard Magic I'll have something else to compare it to.
Blood From Stone definitely isn't a book to start with if you're new to Gilman's work. The Retrievers series really does need to be read sequentially. If you have read the rest, you know that Gilman has developed a very interesting universe and some very well-developed characters in the series. Book 6 doesn't disappoint at all, and brings the major plot threads to a very satisfactory close. I can't be more specific without real spoilers, though!
I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next novel in the universe, which will focus on Bonnie and the PUPIs (Private, Unaffiliated, Paranormal Investigators). I adore CSI, Bones, NCIS and the like, so I'm curious as to how forensics will work in urban fantasy settings. Jes Battis' A Flash of Hex is supposed to be waiting for me at the library, so by the time I get to Hard Magic I'll have something else to compare it to.
June 26, 2012
A nice end cap, for now anyway, to the series. Wren Valere is on a personal mission to help her friend, P.B., a member of the non-human Fatae community that is made up of all supernatural creatures in this universe. P.B. is a demon, one of several created beings made by someone with Talent, magical ability, in order to allow Talent (magic users) to draw on more power, more safely than they ordinarily could.
A cabal of those related to P.B.'s creator or descendants of his students are looking for his notes to recreate his work. They also want P.B. to study, read vivisect, for even more data.
The story is a closure, whether or not Laura Ann comes back to these characters or not. Many questions are asked but not answered. The main threat is neutralized, but after the major threat of a clandestine organization, this story is quiet and subtle, but full of meaty characterization.
Very nice, a change and a wave goodbye.
March 17, 2011
After reading Free Fall, I couldn't imagine Laura Anne Gilman making Wren Valere's life any more "interesting," but I stand corrected. While not the nail-biting, hair-raising page-turner of the previous book, Blood Stone is as filled with twists and turns as ever. To me, Blood From Stone is about learning to accept oncself and one's history as the past comes back to haunt Wren and those closest to her. Wren is forced to face the reality of her own particular mortality, that the thing that makes her uniquely who she is could ultimately destroy her. Her relationship with Sergei is having to be rebuilt along new lines but can they truly learn to live between those lines? And P.B. is brought further into the forefront of her life in ways that confuse and yet stablize them all. Hard to go further without giving any spoilers. Just take my word for it, even after the massive roller coaster of Free Fall, Blood from Stone will keep you going strong.
July 19, 2012
This is more like 4 and a half stars. I liked this book more than I liked the last two Retriever books. This one was just about Wren, Sergei, and P.B., instead of all the extra characters/conspiracies/etc. Not that I didn't enjoy those books, I just liked this story about the core characters even more. I know Gilman is taking a break from Wren for awhile to write more about Bonnie and the PUPIs, and I like them too, but I hope we see more of Wren, Sergei, and P.B. soon!
July 11, 2010
Impressive as always. I'm just sad to see this is the last one. It was a good ending, but it still doesn't feel like it's the end of the series. From the author's note though it sounds like it's only a temporary ending, so she may get back to it eventually. I hope she does because this is an excellent series that I would love to see more of.
May 9, 2010
I have enjoyed this series since I stumbled across it. The appears the to be last one in this arc (but not in this world, apparently).
Am not sure if it's because it's been a few days and I read four books in the middle, but, man, I'm having a hard time thinking of things to say. I guess that means it was pleasant enough but not particularly memorable.
Am not sure if it's because it's been a few days and I read four books in the middle, but, man, I'm having a hard time thinking of things to say. I guess that means it was pleasant enough but not particularly memorable.
August 18, 2010
I have been a little unenthusiastic with this series as of late, but this book is a satisfying conclusion to Wren's and Sergei's story in this world. I don't know if I'll pick up the continuing adventures of Bonnie though. We'll see.
January 18, 2011
i hope the series is nice and wrapped up now. ok, just say it, r-rated. everyone is safe and people are getting the mental help they need and even young future talent is being retrieved and monitored to make sure they stay safe. sounds like and ending to me. i'm done.
February 9, 2010
This book cleared up some interesting questions. And it was as near to a happy ending as it was going to get.
July 6, 2009
Interesting series. but this book will make little sense unless you started at book one.
July 10, 2009
good end to the series
October 7, 2009
I love this series and am sorry no future books for it. Looking forward to "Hard Magic" the first PSI book next year.
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January 9, 2010Amazon preorder,Amazon received
May 14, 2010
Great (temporary) wrap up to the Retrievers series! Loved the insight into P.B.'s background and the connection with him and Wren.
May 21, 2011
Terrible; dull and implausable.
May 11, 2011
Love the whole series....!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews