{Review} Lodestone, Book Three: The Crucible of Dawn by Mark Whiteway

ISBN #: 978-1602642331

Page Count: 387

Copyright: August 15, 2011

Publisher: Virtualbookworm.com Publishing

Book Description:

(Taken from Amazon)

The multiple award-winning "Lodestone" series returns in an all-action third installment.

Having finally secured the four components of Annata's ancient device, ten Kelanni, together with the enigmatic Chandara Boxx, set sail for the Island of Helice in order to neutralize the human weapon designed to eradicate the planet's indigenous life and to give them control over lodestone - the most powerful substance in the universe.

After fending off an attack from an immense sea creature, the party is attacked by human flying machines. Shann and Rael, two of the four component carriers, are lost somewhere on the island, their fate unknown.

Will the Kelanni be able to reach the human weapon and disarm it? With time against them, they must battle to overcome internal conflicts and, along the way, uncover shocking new truths about themselves; about their enemies, the humans; and about the strange creature Boxx, whose ultimate purpose yet remains a mystery.

Mandy's Review:

Have you ever read a book that you wanted to hungrily devour with your eyes because you just had to know what was going to happen next, yet you didn't want to read it too fast because you wanted to savor it?

Or perhaps you've felt like this picture:

Those two feelings describe me perfectly whenever I read a Lodestone book.

For a lady who didn't used to like fantasy novels, Mark Whiteway has not only converted me but has become one of my must-read authors. His Lodestone series is absolutely phenomenal.

In this book, even though there was a lot of action, I felt like the author focused mostly on the relationships of the main characters. Everyone's edges started smoothing out and they began flowing together like a family. There was a sense of unity to the group that had not been there in the previous books. It was a welcomed feeling.

Once the group completed their mission of destroying the humans' weapon, though, the group separated on, seemingly, different agendas. By the end, we see that everyone's agendas coincided and assisted with a greater purpose: to kill the Prophet.

This story definitely had me feeling more emotions than the previous two books. I was saddened by three particular deaths in this story (no, I'm not going to tell you who); one of which, I found out, wasn't a death, but a transformation. The story ends as does so many situations in life: with some happiness, but with also a feeling of unfulfillment.

I highly recommend this series to all you fantasy-lovers out there, but you have to read the first two books first to get the full impact. This series will affect all of your emotions and leave you wanting more ... as it does me.

Please tell me there's more, Mr. Whiteway ... ???


*A paperback copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.