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Stone and String
In the world of "The Wishing Blade," everyone is born with two strings of magic. One strand is life, and the other is death. Very few can manipulate them.
Among the Cantingen Islanders, children are tested for this ability during their first rites of magic, a ceremony which determines what magic they have and their future as a mage. But when Edyli's little sister, Akymi, dies in an accident before those rites can occur, Edyli does the unthinkable. She uses magic to return Akymi to the living. As a result, she finds herself in a land of web-like strings… the afterlife.
Edyli refuses to give up seeing her sister's first rites. With the help of a mysterious immortal and sheer determination, she has every intention of seeing her sister once more, even if it means incurring the wrath of Madia, the goddess of the dead.
~
Author's Note: This is an 8,000-word short story based in the universe of "The Wishing Blade" series. Though the stories are related ("Stone and String" takes place at the same time as the events of "Magic's Stealing"), "Stone and String" stands alone.
Among the Cantingen Islanders, children are tested for this ability during their first rites of magic, a ceremony which determines what magic they have and their future as a mage. But when Edyli's little sister, Akymi, dies in an accident before those rites can occur, Edyli does the unthinkable. She uses magic to return Akymi to the living. As a result, she finds herself in a land of web-like strings… the afterlife.
Edyli refuses to give up seeing her sister's first rites. With the help of a mysterious immortal and sheer determination, she has every intention of seeing her sister once more, even if it means incurring the wrath of Madia, the goddess of the dead.
~
Author's Note: This is an 8,000-word short story based in the universe of "The Wishing Blade" series. Though the stories are related ("Stone and String" takes place at the same time as the events of "Magic's Stealing"), "Stone and String" stands alone.
- GenresFantasy
37 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 2, 2016
5 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Flint
41 books56 followersHello, and thanks for visiting my Goodreads page. :-)
Though all my new works should show up on this page, please visit my Stephanie Bibb account if you want to see what I've read or follow my reviews.
Also, I have a Wordpress blog where I talk about writing and book cover design here.
Feel free to ask me questions through Ask the Author, and I'll get to them as I can. :-)
Thanks!
Stephanie Flint
~
Stephanie Flint (formerly Stephanie Bibb) graduated from the University of Central Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in photography and a minor in creative writing. She merged the two interests into book cover design and photographic illustration, but she particularly enjoys writing speculative fiction and plotting her stories in the form of table-top RPGs with her creative partner, Isaac. They cofounded Infinitas Publishing in June 2015.
Though all my new works should show up on this page, please visit my Stephanie Bibb account if you want to see what I've read or follow my reviews.
Also, I have a Wordpress blog where I talk about writing and book cover design here.
Feel free to ask me questions through Ask the Author, and I'll get to them as I can. :-)
Thanks!
Stephanie Flint
~
Stephanie Flint (formerly Stephanie Bibb) graduated from the University of Central Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in photography and a minor in creative writing. She merged the two interests into book cover design and photographic illustration, but she particularly enjoys writing speculative fiction and plotting her stories in the form of table-top RPGs with her creative partner, Isaac. They cofounded Infinitas Publishing in June 2015.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 22, 2018
Enriching
A story that tugs readers in on many levels to a world rich with ideas, magic and rituals that seem to bring it all together. The love for family and the closeness of the sisters is apparent throughout. The characters rich and full of life... pun totally intended. I loved this book and am looking forward to reading the next one.
A story that tugs readers in on many levels to a world rich with ideas, magic and rituals that seem to bring it all together. The love for family and the closeness of the sisters is apparent throughout. The characters rich and full of life... pun totally intended. I loved this book and am looking forward to reading the next one.
October 12, 2018
Flint mixes a youthful viewpoint with magic capable of resurrecting the dead to create brief but poignant perspective on the death of a family member.
This short story takes place at the same time as events in Magic’s Stealing , but does not share characters or primary plot arcs with it.
Edyli’s younger sister, Akymi, has yet to undergo the formal first rites to confirm she is a mage; but Edyli already knows her sister has magic. So, when Akymi dies in an accident—an accident her magic should have easily saved her from—Edyli is doubly shocked. Breaking a cardinal rule of her society, Edyli uses magic to resurrect her sister; only to be draw into the afterlife herself. Escaping would compound her sin, but only if she’s caught.
The story is told entirely from Edyli’s viewpoint. While the narration mostly focuses on immediate events, there are occasional moments when narration explains context rather than leaving it to the reader to infer from Edyli’s thoughts and reactions. As a result, some readers might find parts a little dry or distant.
Despite this occasional exposition, large parts of the metaphysics (a key element to understanding the plot) are neither explained fully nor shown in enough detail to allow detailed deductions; readers unfamiliar with Magic’s Stealing might therefore not feel either the challenges Edyli faces or the weight of consequences.
A significant amount of the story is Edyli reacting to circumstance rather than proactively seeking; however, this less proactive tone entirely fits both her youth and her panicked state, distinguishing her from the implausibly competent or serene chosen ones of some young adult novels.
Edyli is a sympathetic protagonist, motivated by a strong but not overblown desire to see her sister again even once and prepared to accept uncertain consequences rather than abandon a chance at progress.
The small supporting cast do not display great depth and complexity; however, given that this is both a personal quest narrative and a short story, readers are likely more to appreciate the lack of distraction than mourn the lack of nuance.
Overall, I found this story pleasant but a touch light. I recommend it to readers seeking a little more time in the universe of The Wishing Blade.
I received a free copy from the author with a request for a fair review.
This short story takes place at the same time as events in Magic’s Stealing , but does not share characters or primary plot arcs with it.
Edyli’s younger sister, Akymi, has yet to undergo the formal first rites to confirm she is a mage; but Edyli already knows her sister has magic. So, when Akymi dies in an accident—an accident her magic should have easily saved her from—Edyli is doubly shocked. Breaking a cardinal rule of her society, Edyli uses magic to resurrect her sister; only to be draw into the afterlife herself. Escaping would compound her sin, but only if she’s caught.
The story is told entirely from Edyli’s viewpoint. While the narration mostly focuses on immediate events, there are occasional moments when narration explains context rather than leaving it to the reader to infer from Edyli’s thoughts and reactions. As a result, some readers might find parts a little dry or distant.
Despite this occasional exposition, large parts of the metaphysics (a key element to understanding the plot) are neither explained fully nor shown in enough detail to allow detailed deductions; readers unfamiliar with Magic’s Stealing might therefore not feel either the challenges Edyli faces or the weight of consequences.
A significant amount of the story is Edyli reacting to circumstance rather than proactively seeking; however, this less proactive tone entirely fits both her youth and her panicked state, distinguishing her from the implausibly competent or serene chosen ones of some young adult novels.
Edyli is a sympathetic protagonist, motivated by a strong but not overblown desire to see her sister again even once and prepared to accept uncertain consequences rather than abandon a chance at progress.
The small supporting cast do not display great depth and complexity; however, given that this is both a personal quest narrative and a short story, readers are likely more to appreciate the lack of distraction than mourn the lack of nuance.
Overall, I found this story pleasant but a touch light. I recommend it to readers seeking a little more time in the universe of The Wishing Blade.
I received a free copy from the author with a request for a fair review.
May 3, 2019
You can find this review and all my others over at www.readbookrepeat.wordpress.com
Edyli is stuck with the job of corralling her younger sister. Today is the day, Akymi will go through her first rites of magic ceremony, if Edyli can get her out of the tree of course. When Akymi falls from the tree after crying out about not being able to feel her magic, Edyli does the only thing she can think of. She goes against everything the goddess Madia stands for, and brings her back from the dead, only to take her place. Finding herself in the realm of the dead, Edyli is desperate to get back to the land of the living, she just wants to see her sister take the rites.
I was pleasantly surprised by this short story. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Flint was able to write a riveting short story that gave a glimpse into the world of the Wishing Blade series. I found the characters well rounded and likeable, and the world incredibly interesting. I love the concept of ribbons of magic, something about it just makes me smile. Being a short story, there was no room to explain the world, the different races, the magic system or even really the god and goddess system, but this didn't detract from the story at all. I felt like enough information was given for the reader to be able to become fully immersed in the story and still understand the basis of what was happening.
Reading this story introduced me to Flint, and I have to say, I absolutely LOVE her voice. I cannot WAIT to check out more of her work. I'm super excited!!
Edyli is stuck with the job of corralling her younger sister. Today is the day, Akymi will go through her first rites of magic ceremony, if Edyli can get her out of the tree of course. When Akymi falls from the tree after crying out about not being able to feel her magic, Edyli does the only thing she can think of. She goes against everything the goddess Madia stands for, and brings her back from the dead, only to take her place. Finding herself in the realm of the dead, Edyli is desperate to get back to the land of the living, she just wants to see her sister take the rites.
I was pleasantly surprised by this short story. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Flint was able to write a riveting short story that gave a glimpse into the world of the Wishing Blade series. I found the characters well rounded and likeable, and the world incredibly interesting. I love the concept of ribbons of magic, something about it just makes me smile. Being a short story, there was no room to explain the world, the different races, the magic system or even really the god and goddess system, but this didn't detract from the story at all. I felt like enough information was given for the reader to be able to become fully immersed in the story and still understand the basis of what was happening.
Reading this story introduced me to Flint, and I have to say, I absolutely LOVE her voice. I cannot WAIT to check out more of her work. I'm super excited!!
October 11, 2022
A powerful short tale focused on the importance of family and sacrifice. Really well done. Kept me engaged right to the end. I received this as a freebie for signing up for the author’s newsletter and I’m definitely interested in reading more.
August 23, 2018
This is a compelling short story set in a very intriguing world. It hooked me right away and I'm glad there's a novella to move onto. Highly recommended to fans of coming of age fantasy tales!
September 15, 2022
A short story that pulls you into a world of magic. With love for her sister Akymi, Edyli used her magic in order to save her sister from death. Doing so caused Edyli consequences.
November 27, 2016
A short, but interesting introduction to "The Wishing Blade" series.
For me, the imagery evoked by the words was of the Hindu belief system of many Gods and Goddesses, with specific magic powers being included (ribbons and strings).
Beautifully written.
See my review also at:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01L...
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/...
For me, the imagery evoked by the words was of the Hindu belief system of many Gods and Goddesses, with specific magic powers being included (ribbons and strings).
Beautifully written.
See my review also at:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01L...
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/...
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews