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Damewood Trilogy #2
Stones of Time
Surviving the battle of Ferrington Pass, Nadia must overcome her old beliefs of the world around her and connect with allies old and new to stop the Order and restore King Andrew to his throne, while learning what it truly means to be human.
351 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2009
54 people want to read
About the author
Erin Durante
5 books48 followersErin Durante also writes as Danielle Kaheaku
As a note, I have abandoned my old pen name and am now publishing under my legal name, Danielle Kaheaku.
You can follow me here:
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https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDaniel...
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https://www.kaheaku.com/books/the-sa-...
As a note, I have abandoned my old pen name and am now publishing under my legal name, Danielle Kaheaku.
You can follow me here:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDaniel...
Website:
https://www.kaheaku.com/books/the-sa-...
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 24, 2009
I won a copy of Stones of Time through Goodreads' first reads giveaway.
This is the sequel to Demons of the Past , and immediately I liked Stones of Time better. Although Demons of the Past was OK, I felt that its plot did not delve deep enough into the social ramifications of this neo-medieval America, nor was the plot complex enough to make up for the dearth of dimension in Durante's characters. Stones of Time went a long way toward both improving the plot and increasing the complexity of its characters.
Three years have passed since the end of the first book, and Nadia is now a prisoner of the devious Ordi ex Machina. They plan to return Earth to the pastoral times of advanced technology and fast food franchises, but in order to do this, they need Nadia's eggs! Nadia, now a "demon" who can shift into the form of a puma, manages to convince her new guard to help her escape. She meets up with her old flame, Prince Andrew, rescues her other old flame, Vestro the Kelpie, and they and sundry characters flee Colorado Springs and head for Andrew's kingdom, the Pearl Isles (actually the now-island of California). Their goal: detonate an orbital nuclear bomb to set off an electromagnetic pulse that will disable electronics across America, levelling the playing field for the technology-inept forces of good. I must say, that's a fair step up from "rescue the magic ocarina and keep the demons imprisoned."
Indeed, the main characters' increasing tech savvy was refreshing. Nadia now casually mentions things like computers and cameras, although she's still surprised by some modern things, such as flashlights and paper money. She even tries to use a gun once or twice (rubbish at it so far). My predictions in my last review, that Nadia would mature from a petulant princess into a truly worthy Action Girl, have largely come true—and I'm quite glad. It made the story so much more enjoyable. Moreover, there are genuine moments of emotional turmoil for Nadia, as opposed to the manufactured love triangle we got in the first book. It helps, I think, that she has a fellow female companion on this trip; Andrew's new hotness, Anna, is a foil to Nadia, a nemesis and potential ally. I loved how Nadia discovered Anna was pregnant and then later she had to confront the fact that her own coupling with Vestro (her second time having sex, as far as we're aware) has left her pregnant and is complicating her ability to shift into the form of an animal—although, this keeps up, I may start thinking that this is a horror series instead of a fantasy series, and only the virgins are safe....
Speaking of virgins, the guard who helps Nadia escape is one of the first demons bred from Nadia's eggs. Shaden, part-human, part-dragon, can't but help bonding with Nadia and seeing her in a maternal light, even before he knows that she is, biologically, his mother. I applaud the twisted moral gradient here. It's just the right amount of disconcerting without skewing over the line to downright wrong. Also, it emphasizes the cold, clinical nature of the Ordi Ex Machina, who will go so far as to offer up their own bodies if it helps the breeding program—Shaden wasn't grown in a test tube but matured in a surrogate mother, who later acted as Nadia's "therapist" during her incarceration. Yeah, it's all one big twisted family....
Stones of Time, like Demons of the Past, is chock full of action scenes. Its action is even better, in part because Nadia is more combat-capable, but also because the fights are more varied. There's some urban warfare against Ordi Ex Machina guards as well as woodland combat and a chase sequence in a minefield. What's not to like?
Well, the book again doggedly adheres to quest-style fantasy's travel motif: book begins in point A and ends at point B, with a largely linear journey in between. The characters must hack and slash their way from A to B, once and a while pausing for some exposition or a little conflict among the protagonists, but the majority of the book is spent getting to the Pearl Isles so that they can find the launch facility. Although Durante's writing is smooth enough that I never felt like abandoning the book, I still get the sense that, in some ways, Stones of Time is just Demons of the Past redux with new-and-improved characters and extra special effects—I get story déjà vu.
For the most part, I enjoyed the new characters (particularly Shaden and Anna), and I praised Nadia's changes above. Andrew is still pretty variable, unfortunately; his unsavoury habits tend to come and go as the story requires. Vestro, although not as annoying as he was in the first book, also has a conceit that crops up only when the plot requires it (and I'm not sure I follow why "kelpie107" was the password for the bomb detonator...). As much as Stones of Time tries to give us interesting character development, however, it lacks something that Demons of the Past also lacked: a compelling and personable villain.
I don't mean the Ordi Ex Machina or its flunkies, Maurdruik the Ex-Wizard and Dr. Reichard. Yes, the Ordi Ex Machina is the story's organizational antagonist and serves that purpose well. But evil needs a face, someone who is plotting and scheming behind the scenes to dispose of the good guys before they run everything. We don't see enough of evil's face, in my opinion. Although our protagonists occasionally encountered some resistance, it seemed a safe bet they would reach the Pearl Isles and succeed in their mission—sometimes, you need a cackling villain to instill a little concern over the hero's survival. It's a shame, too, because the Ordi Ex Machina could create such a powerful villain or group of villains to oppose Nadia; so far, the most opposition she gets is from her temperamental two-year-old son and his unwitting kelpie father.
Stones of Time is a good step forward for the Damewood trilogy. I'd even go so far as it recommend it even if you don't want to read the first book—I seldom advocate this, but it's sufficient to read a plot synopsis for Demmons of the Past and then skip directly to this one.
This is the sequel to Demons of the Past , and immediately I liked Stones of Time better. Although Demons of the Past was OK, I felt that its plot did not delve deep enough into the social ramifications of this neo-medieval America, nor was the plot complex enough to make up for the dearth of dimension in Durante's characters. Stones of Time went a long way toward both improving the plot and increasing the complexity of its characters.
Three years have passed since the end of the first book, and Nadia is now a prisoner of the devious Ordi ex Machina. They plan to return Earth to the pastoral times of advanced technology and fast food franchises, but in order to do this, they need Nadia's eggs! Nadia, now a "demon" who can shift into the form of a puma, manages to convince her new guard to help her escape. She meets up with her old flame, Prince Andrew, rescues her other old flame, Vestro the Kelpie, and they and sundry characters flee Colorado Springs and head for Andrew's kingdom, the Pearl Isles (actually the now-island of California). Their goal: detonate an orbital nuclear bomb to set off an electromagnetic pulse that will disable electronics across America, levelling the playing field for the technology-inept forces of good. I must say, that's a fair step up from "rescue the magic ocarina and keep the demons imprisoned."
Indeed, the main characters' increasing tech savvy was refreshing. Nadia now casually mentions things like computers and cameras, although she's still surprised by some modern things, such as flashlights and paper money. She even tries to use a gun once or twice (rubbish at it so far). My predictions in my last review, that Nadia would mature from a petulant princess into a truly worthy Action Girl, have largely come true—and I'm quite glad. It made the story so much more enjoyable. Moreover, there are genuine moments of emotional turmoil for Nadia, as opposed to the manufactured love triangle we got in the first book. It helps, I think, that she has a fellow female companion on this trip; Andrew's new hotness, Anna, is a foil to Nadia, a nemesis and potential ally. I loved how Nadia discovered Anna was pregnant and then later she had to confront the fact that her own coupling with Vestro (her second time having sex, as far as we're aware) has left her pregnant and is complicating her ability to shift into the form of an animal—although, this keeps up, I may start thinking that this is a horror series instead of a fantasy series, and only the virgins are safe....
Speaking of virgins, the guard who helps Nadia escape is one of the first demons bred from Nadia's eggs. Shaden, part-human, part-dragon, can't but help bonding with Nadia and seeing her in a maternal light, even before he knows that she is, biologically, his mother. I applaud the twisted moral gradient here. It's just the right amount of disconcerting without skewing over the line to downright wrong. Also, it emphasizes the cold, clinical nature of the Ordi Ex Machina, who will go so far as to offer up their own bodies if it helps the breeding program—Shaden wasn't grown in a test tube but matured in a surrogate mother, who later acted as Nadia's "therapist" during her incarceration. Yeah, it's all one big twisted family....
Stones of Time, like Demons of the Past, is chock full of action scenes. Its action is even better, in part because Nadia is more combat-capable, but also because the fights are more varied. There's some urban warfare against Ordi Ex Machina guards as well as woodland combat and a chase sequence in a minefield. What's not to like?
Well, the book again doggedly adheres to quest-style fantasy's travel motif: book begins in point A and ends at point B, with a largely linear journey in between. The characters must hack and slash their way from A to B, once and a while pausing for some exposition or a little conflict among the protagonists, but the majority of the book is spent getting to the Pearl Isles so that they can find the launch facility. Although Durante's writing is smooth enough that I never felt like abandoning the book, I still get the sense that, in some ways, Stones of Time is just Demons of the Past redux with new-and-improved characters and extra special effects—I get story déjà vu.
For the most part, I enjoyed the new characters (particularly Shaden and Anna), and I praised Nadia's changes above. Andrew is still pretty variable, unfortunately; his unsavoury habits tend to come and go as the story requires. Vestro, although not as annoying as he was in the first book, also has a conceit that crops up only when the plot requires it (and I'm not sure I follow why "kelpie107" was the password for the bomb detonator...). As much as Stones of Time tries to give us interesting character development, however, it lacks something that Demons of the Past also lacked: a compelling and personable villain.
I don't mean the Ordi Ex Machina or its flunkies, Maurdruik the Ex-Wizard and Dr. Reichard. Yes, the Ordi Ex Machina is the story's organizational antagonist and serves that purpose well. But evil needs a face, someone who is plotting and scheming behind the scenes to dispose of the good guys before they run everything. We don't see enough of evil's face, in my opinion. Although our protagonists occasionally encountered some resistance, it seemed a safe bet they would reach the Pearl Isles and succeed in their mission—sometimes, you need a cackling villain to instill a little concern over the hero's survival. It's a shame, too, because the Ordi Ex Machina could create such a powerful villain or group of villains to oppose Nadia; so far, the most opposition she gets is from her temperamental two-year-old son and his unwitting kelpie father.
Stones of Time is a good step forward for the Damewood trilogy. I'd even go so far as it recommend it even if you don't want to read the first book—I seldom advocate this, but it's sufficient to read a plot synopsis for Demmons of the Past and then skip directly to this one.
August 26, 2009
After finishing this book I find myself angry that I have to wait for the next one to come out in 2010. Durante really took the action up a notch and gave all the characters more depth, which seems to be hard to do in other series. Nothing was repeated and the story moved at a great pace. I think I might have liked this one just a tad more than the first so I can't wait to see if the third will be even better!
I also won this books as a First Reads book on goodreads.
I also recieved a copy of the first book from the publisher after winning this book. It can stand alone but I really recommend reading them in order because it adds so much more intensity to the story.
I also won this books as a First Reads book on goodreads.
I also recieved a copy of the first book from the publisher after winning this book. It can stand alone but I really recommend reading them in order because it adds so much more intensity to the story.
August 19, 2009
This is one of the books that I won on goodreads.com, the 2nd in a series. I decided to tackle it without having read the first book. I had finished about a third of the book when I returned from vacation and found that the publisher had sent the first book to me too. What a pleasant surprise!
Stones of Time stands on its own. Characters from the first book reappear, but the author's expertly weaves their history into the text. I don't usually read this genre, but thoroughly enjoyed it. I am looking forward to reading Demons of the Past and Rise of the Dark Son (Damewod Trilogy #1 & #3).
Stones of Time stands on its own. Characters from the first book reappear, but the author's expertly weaves their history into the text. I don't usually read this genre, but thoroughly enjoyed it. I am looking forward to reading Demons of the Past and Rise of the Dark Son (Damewod Trilogy #1 & #3).
September 16, 2009
I enjoyed this sequel more than the first book in the series, which wasn't bad either. Nadia was far less annoying and immature here and it was interesting to see her reactions to modern technology and many of the things our society takes for granted. The author does an excellent job of moving the story along at a satisfying pace, throwing a number of twists and turns into the mix along the way. I can't wait to get my hands on the final book in the series and find out how the characters fare by the end.
August 17, 2009
This was an awesome read that I daresay enjoyed even better than the first book.
Stones of Time starts off right where Demons of the Past ended as Nadia is imprisoned by the scientists and her betrayer Maurdruik. She gets to know one of her guards, Shaden, probably my favorite character in the book, a soldier who is well read and unlike his brethren. Soon Nadia gains his trust and somewhat manipulates him in helping her escape, after revealing his dismay toward the way the other soldiers think. The opening scenes are interspersed between flashbacks of horrific experiments to create super soldiers and one genetically enhanced "demon" child (whom it is hinted as being Shaden) is subjected to countless painful experiments.
As Nadia and Shaden escape, she stops at a door where her old friend/love interest/former mentor Vestro is being held and still kept alive. Insistent on taking him, Nadia and Shaden then make their escape toward the city of Colorado Springs (with a stop here and there) and run into some old friends, the demon hunter Damien and the former would be king of the Pearl Isles Andrew who has changed a bit in appearance and moved on with a new love interest Anna. From there, they devise a plan to stop the Ordi and the vicious experiments while attempting to gather the last remnants of the Pearl Isles together to rise up and retake the kingdom from the growing Ordi empire.
There are some nice moments between Shaden and Nadia earlier on that I believed would turn into an interesting triangle but instead gave way to another connection that would band Shaden, Nadia and Vestro together. I was taken aback with the revelation and also how Shaden changed from a hardcore warrior to somewhat child-like in mentality and curiosity but it was understandable after getting a bit used to it.
The beauty in this story not only lies within the depth and complexities of the characters but in the detail of this future world. From steam energy powered lights in the future city of Colorado Springs to the fact that California had broken off the rest of the continent, the technological future that was hinted at in book 1 is fully shown as Nadia makes her way out of the city. Genetically enhanced beings are treated with contempt and subhumans and we see in the low paying jobs they are given, the way they are treated as property and the disapproving glances they are thrown on the streets.
This was a great addition to the Damewood trilogy and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how the series is tied up as the final confrontation looms and the characters begin to settle with each other and in their home to prepare for war once again.
Stones of Time starts off right where Demons of the Past ended as Nadia is imprisoned by the scientists and her betrayer Maurdruik. She gets to know one of her guards, Shaden, probably my favorite character in the book, a soldier who is well read and unlike his brethren. Soon Nadia gains his trust and somewhat manipulates him in helping her escape, after revealing his dismay toward the way the other soldiers think. The opening scenes are interspersed between flashbacks of horrific experiments to create super soldiers and one genetically enhanced "demon" child (whom it is hinted as being Shaden) is subjected to countless painful experiments.
As Nadia and Shaden escape, she stops at a door where her old friend/love interest/former mentor Vestro is being held and still kept alive. Insistent on taking him, Nadia and Shaden then make their escape toward the city of Colorado Springs (with a stop here and there) and run into some old friends, the demon hunter Damien and the former would be king of the Pearl Isles Andrew who has changed a bit in appearance and moved on with a new love interest Anna. From there, they devise a plan to stop the Ordi and the vicious experiments while attempting to gather the last remnants of the Pearl Isles together to rise up and retake the kingdom from the growing Ordi empire.
There are some nice moments between Shaden and Nadia earlier on that I believed would turn into an interesting triangle but instead gave way to another connection that would band Shaden, Nadia and Vestro together. I was taken aback with the revelation and also how Shaden changed from a hardcore warrior to somewhat child-like in mentality and curiosity but it was understandable after getting a bit used to it.
The beauty in this story not only lies within the depth and complexities of the characters but in the detail of this future world. From steam energy powered lights in the future city of Colorado Springs to the fact that California had broken off the rest of the continent, the technological future that was hinted at in book 1 is fully shown as Nadia makes her way out of the city. Genetically enhanced beings are treated with contempt and subhumans and we see in the low paying jobs they are given, the way they are treated as property and the disapproving glances they are thrown on the streets.
This was a great addition to the Damewood trilogy and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how the series is tied up as the final confrontation looms and the characters begin to settle with each other and in their home to prepare for war once again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2010
I won a review copy of this one and must say that the genre is not my usual read. Durante did a fantastic job of holding my attention. The story was fast-paced and interesting which means that it is better than 60% of the books out there. Her descriptions of the shifting is great. The melding of the old and new worlds was unique.
The only criticism I would have is that I didn't feel as though I got to know the characters as well as I could have. For example I liked the manner in which she portrayed Shaden as shy with very few smiles and body language but I would have liked to get inside all of the character's heads not just Nadia's. This, however, could simply the brevity of the book that does not allow for this type of elaboration.
I delved into this book without having had read the first of this trilogy and, again, Durante exhibits her talent in having the books connect but also completely stand alone so I was not left frustrated and confused.
A great introduction to my first fantasy book.
The only criticism I would have is that I didn't feel as though I got to know the characters as well as I could have. For example I liked the manner in which she portrayed Shaden as shy with very few smiles and body language but I would have liked to get inside all of the character's heads not just Nadia's. This, however, could simply the brevity of the book that does not allow for this type of elaboration.
I delved into this book without having had read the first of this trilogy and, again, Durante exhibits her talent in having the books connect but also completely stand alone so I was not left frustrated and confused.
A great introduction to my first fantasy book.
November 25, 2014
Over all a wonderful read... the story was a bit choppy to start out with but I thought that was to be expected since the story picks up three years after the first book. Ms. Durante really knows how to draw the reader in, take us through twists and turns, and she also creates very dynamic multidimensional characters! I loved the fact that we get to find out what happened to the old kingdoms and even meet back up with some characters from the first book whom we assumed had died! Again Ms. Durante takes us on a thrilling science fiction adventure story and skillfully manages to weave in some heart throbbing romance into the storyline.
You won't be able to put it down, and you WON'T be disappointed!
Review Written by Virginia Lori Jennings
Author of Visionary From The Stars &
The Alien Mind
You won't be able to put it down, and you WON'T be disappointed!
Review Written by Virginia Lori Jennings
Author of Visionary From The Stars &
The Alien Mind
February 8, 2010
Since, my wife won this in a goodreads contest, I felt obliged to read and review it despite my dislike of the first book in this series. I am glad that I did. It was nice to see a budding author really starting to take off. This book was such an improvement over the first story that it almost seemed like a different author wrote it. Individual characters voice was much stronger. The plot was much more interesting. The pacing worked well. I finished reading it in just 2 days and I'm looking forward to reading the final book in this series when it comes out.
August 10, 2009
Adventure filled Sci-fi tale of friendship and loyalty. With Damewood detroyed and Princess Nadia imprisoned, she must rely on those whom she would least expect to help her in order to escape. The characters had depth and the story moved quickly. I am looking forward to the third book in the trilogy.
August 26, 2009
A captivating scifi story of love, friendship and survival. In the second of the Damewood Trilogy we learn more about the secrets of the Ordi Ex Machina and follow the adventure of Princess Nadia and her companions. Stones of Time is a facinating and easy read that leaves you wanting for more. I anxiously await the 3rd book in the Damewood Trilogy.
August 6, 2009
"Two Thumbs Up" Can't wait to read complete trilogy. Adventure and fantasy could not put down till completed.
October 21, 2009
Good book. I enjoyed reading it.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews