Of Stone and Steel

The Queen Trials #3

by Penelope Wright

Thrown into the Wishing Well, Clio must find three keys while fighting to stay alive in a nine-square grid of fear. Whether she wins or loses the round, her wish will be read aloud. Clio knows that when King Ergondy learns what she wished for, if she holds three keys, her wish will have to be granted. But she also knows that if she loses, a swift execution will be the most merciful outcome she could receive. And King Ergondy is not known for his mercy.

Genres: Dystopia, Fantasy, Young Adult, Magic

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2023

About the author

Penelope Wright spent a quarter of her life on the east coast and the rest in Washington state. She worked her way through college in restaurants, hospitals, factories, and everything in between, finally graduating summa cum laude from the University of Washington after an absurdly long time. She loves both traditions and new experiences, and will try anything once, except skydiving, which is a hard no. She lives north of Seattle with her husband and two amazing teenagers.

Reviews

[K Chandwani · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a good book, and I can see the hunger games meeting the selection but god damn it, all 4 of these books could’ve been 1 book and the author should’ve given us more spice than this BS.

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite

I was so looking forward to this next installment of this series and was disappointed. The first half was just Clio by herself and frankly I was bored. It wasn't until she met up with Snow that it became more interesting. To me, it lacked the dynamics of the last book. The Wishing Round trial was so very similar to the Hunger Games, but again it needed more interaction with other characters. Hope the next book is better.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far so good. I like this series. Some of it was predictable. Most was fast paced, hoping snow is indeed a good person, lol, and that Clio can end up wiping the floor with the disgusting king. The prince .. no opinion on him YET. Need more info, 😕

[Diana Davis · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book begins with a plot, a setting, and some of the characters lifted straight out of The Hunger Games. I do not recommend any plagiarized books.

[Lesley Barklay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 3 in this series gave us a little bit me or The Hunger Games vibe than book one. Instead of primping and looking pretty, Clio, Snow, and 38 (I believe) other girls and women were dropped into the wishing well, a three by three grid, in which each square contains a different danger. Contestants are looking for three keys in order to win their own wish.

This one was a little more action packed than the previous books, which made it a more interesting read. We get more time with Clio, more time with Snow, and also with Odessa.

[Sharon Hendrix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!

Oh what things Clio is learning here at the Rotunda! But she must be careful. Especially after she figured out what happens with the king and his wives, why they die so quickly.
There are so many surprises for her, some downright shocking. And these bride trials are like no others. The king has made sure of that himself.
I can’t wait to see what the king makes of the wishes he has granted. The two bombshell wishes? What will he do with those???

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dang, didn’t know the next one won’t be out til December

Enjoying this series, but I didn’t look to see if it was a complete series and it is not. And I hate that. By the time the next book comes out, I will have forgotten most of this story and have to reread it. But, overall, good storytelling.

[Sammy Motz · Rating 4 out of 5]

that Ending

Watch out! Dang I did not see that coming! Love the way this ended. Agreed this one should have been titled wishing round and the 2nd one should be titled something different.

Still some similarities to Hunger games but I have enjoyed this twist on it.

[Robbi Pfeil · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has me hooked! I love that sometimes the dialog makes me laugh out loud in the midst of this fast paced, action packed story. The friendship between Clio and Snow is beautiful and I’m here for it! Killer cliffhanger… I’m ready for the next book

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great clean drama

I enjoyed the drama and twists and turns of the story. A bit fanciful but enjoyable. I recommend this story for the young adult reader.

[Jacqueline S. Hemminger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book! Great series! Love the sisterhood of the two girls.

[Kassy Labo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twists and Turns

I can’t believe the trauma these girls have gone though but they’ve gotten their wishes. The king may trap Clio yet. Wonderful series!

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great continuation of the story!! I'm totally hooked!!

[Michelle Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a great series

Amazing writing. This author makes you never want to put the book down. Characters are people you can imagine in your mind clearly. Would be a great movie.

[Guscilla Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the first book in the series. I skimmed through this one. Slow read. It droned on and on and on. I will not finish the series

[Adheera Chilamkurthi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2

[Astrid Novak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book!

This kept me listening and reading until the end! Great character development! I am excited to read the next installation of The Queen Trials!

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, this series has no right being this good 😂😂 this book was very “hunger games-y” and I loved it!!

Interested to see what I think of the next book!

[Pen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eh. It was good but dragged in parts. I didn't really care enough about any of the main characters. I enjoyed the first three books enough, but I doubt I'll read on in the series.

[James Gilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

great fun and suspense

I am really enjoying this series. It is well-written and has me reading quickly. Looking forward to the next one.

[Tekeya P · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg!!

This has been the best series and I am enjoying every moment. I can’t put the book down. I look forward to reading more.

[Humaira (H.N.Ahmed) · Rating 4 out of 5]

i think i'm getting bored of this....
WHERE IS RELICANT????

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed much of this book, but I'm knocking off a star because the beginning felt slow. Clio was by herself for the first half of the book and it just felt a bit slower. That said, I found the grid idea fascinating and really enjoyed all of the new revelations in this book. The second half is much more action packed and the ending was really well done too!

[Nole4Life · Rating 3 out of 5]

PROS
- finally starting to get some answers in regards to some of the secrets
- ending has me looking forward to the next book

CONS
- some of the writing seems lazy. For know reason, Clio can read lips and sign language. There should have been a reason that she knows how to do this. Also the dream walking is confusing and I feel like new rules about it are made up based on the needs of the plot.
- this book become too fantasy. I don’t mind the fantasy but the first two books were basically a regular girl with some kind of sixth sense competing in trials. In this book there talking trees, life saving mushrooms and Clio has weird powers. It all just happened too abruptly.
- it appears that there are at least 5 more books to this series. That absolutely not necessary. This series is already getting too long and each book seems to be getting longer. I look forward to the next book but I’ll be surprised if I’m still reading or interested in this series when book 8 is published.

[O’rion Risher · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s pretty good. Very hunger games like. What drove me insane was rehashing things that happened in previous books as well as the internal monologue for a long chunk of time in the beginning of this book. The whole plane ride seemed to take 6 months to complete and every reader had to know exactly what was going on, so it just seemed stupid to push it off for so long. I also want to know why the names of the books don’t match up with the theme. This one should’ve been called the wishing well or whatever, since it’s what the entire book is about. But ehhh whatever!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was very much reminded of Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games as I read this book.