Synopsis
Orin is a sworn protector. As a stalwart member of the Griffin Guard, he’s proud to protect the kingdom against a dreaded nation of orcs. But when the fires of war burn bright from the north, his entire squadron falls to deadly wyvern riders, leaving the devastated Orin bloody and alone. Orin teams up with a local huntsman’s family. He and his new friends must push themselves past their limits to face mysterious dangers and ancient magics. Shocked to discover the orcs’ secret weapon, the lone guardian’s last chance to save his home could require the ultimate sacrifice.
Review
Z.S. Diamanti does a great job of introducing us to his world in this first book of his series. This is a story that is full from cover to cover with unique magic as well as fantasy style creatures. Pretty much all of the usual fantasy races, plus a couple of extra, are highlighted in this story.
We get to experience the world of Finlestia through the eyes of several POV characters including humans, dwarfs, elves, and orcs. This gives a wide view of the world and allows us to see things from the perspectives of different fantasy cultures. At times I felt that there may have been too many POV characters leading to a disruption of the flow of the story, but as the story progressed it became more evident why that decision was made. Diamanti brings the story to a satisfying conclusion while also setting up anticipation for the next book, Stone and Tide.
I am a huge fan of classic epic fantasy. Stone and Sky checks all the boxes that makes epic fantasy such an enjoyable genre. There is also the added bonus of this being clean fantasy that anyone in the family can enjoy.
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