Taelstone - Stones of the Azuri 1
Formats: E-Book, Audio, Paperback
Ages: 16-18
Haunted by music. Hunted by evil. Two young slaves must outrun their past — and the darkness which threatens their world.
Ash was never meant to be a hero – just a kitchen slave. But with strange music filling his head and his best friend’s life hanging in the balance, he embarks on a quest he doesn’t understand. Fleeing the only home they’ve ever known, Ash and Kep race across the wilderness, pursued by Kep’s relentless tracker and an unnamed evil.
As their enemies close in, the mystery of the Taelstone deepens. Ash’s connection to the Song grows stronger — and more perilous. All magic comes at a cost, but the Song could claim his life.
‘A superbly written fantasy adventure. A BRONZE MEDAL WINNER and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2019
Reviews
Star Rating: 5 ‘A fantastically exciting fantasy adventure teenagers will love!’ The Wishing Shelf REVIEW I’m a fantasy fan. I’m also a fan of YA novels. So, this epic fantasy is perfect for me. In a nutshell, Taelstone is the first book (of a trilogy possibly) set in Mildaresh (at the beginning anyway) and follows the ups and down of a kitchen slave named Ash and a girl named Kep. What follows is a fantastically exciting adventure as the two teenagers go on the run hunted by a ‘ruthless tracker’. Many elements of a successful YA fantasy adventure are here: strong characters who develop with the story, a ton of twists, turns and surprising secrets, and, of course, a tiny element of ‘will they/won’t they’ fall in love. But, on top of all of that, there are a number of elements that jumped out at me as being different. There’s the music – or the Song – which is an interesting, cleverly plotted part of the story and which I suspect the author will develop in following books. There’s also the wonderful pacing. So much happens ALL OF THE TIME! It’s cool. There seems to be a plot twist in every chapter, helping to keep the reader interested and turning the page. So, who is this novel for? Well, I think any teenager who enjoys a good adventure with a smaller element of fantasy will find this gripping. Recently, I have been reading lots of Sarah Noffke books. In a way, this author is just as good as her as, like Noffke, she knows her readers and she seems to know what they want: lots happening, relatable characters, a tiny bit of romance, and a ton of twists. I dare you not to like it! A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review www.thewsa.co.uk
