Rating: 
Summary: A magical tale more than the sum of its parts
Review: Baker tells an excellent story that incorporates many ideas into a fantastical setting. The first FR book I know of with a close examination of wizardry colleges. The hero starts from humble beginnings, unlike most FR tales, and we see the hero Aeron grow and mature over seven years in many roles and settings. This region of FR is relatively unexplored, with many foreign names and even gods (Assuran?). It's hard to believe a tale of this magnitude could be told without Elminster becoming involved, but it was fun nonetheless.
Rating: 
Summary: So-so
Review: I didn't even finish this book. I got about six chapters into it and had to set it aside because the boredom factor had set in.The beginning of this book was believable enough-but it was very slow. Things seemed to take forever, and the plot kept going around in circles. The characters, most of them, were very detailed and had good lives, descriptions, etc.; but I was not fond of this plot. I am not one to continue reading something if the crisis has not set in by one hundred pages into the book, and it doesn't in this book. It is about the same length as all the books in the Cleric Quintet by R.A.Salvatore, but nothing starts happening until after 100 pages...in those books, the crisis happens only about 50 pages in. Maybe you'll like this better than I did, and maybe I'll go back some day and finish it-or at least try to.
Rating:
Summary: Not quite worth your time or money...
Review: I didn't even finish this book. I got about six chapters into it and had to set it aside because the boredom factor had set in. The beginning of this book was believable enough-but it was very slow. Things seemed to take forever, and the plot kept going around in circles. The characters, most of them, were very detailed and had good lives, descriptions, etc.; but I was not fond of this plot. I am not one to continue reading something if the crisis has not set in by one hundred pages into the book, and it doesn't in this book. It is about the same length as all the books in the Cleric Quintet by R.A.Salvatore, but nothing starts happening until after 100 pages...in those books, the crisis happens only about 50 pages in. Maybe you'll like this better than I did, and maybe I'll go back some day and finish it-or at least try to.
Rating: 
Summary: good standard story
Review: I read this story directly after barely surviving Elminster in Myth Drannor and found it rather refreshing to know that there are still some "normal" folk around. You accompany the wizard Aeron as he learns and matures and unlike Elminster doesn't spring almighty from somewhere or else. The college of magic though was transplanted directly from the American educational system to the Realms. Quite obvious I think, at least if you only know colleges from American television series. Overall well worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: good standard story
Review: I read this story directly after barely surviving Elminster in Myth Drannor and found it rather refreshing to know that there are still some "normal" folk around. You accompany the wizard Aeron as he learns and matures and unlike Elminster doesn't spring almighty from somewhere or else. The college of magic though was transplanted directly from the American educational system to the Realms. Quite obvious I think, at least if you only know colleges from American television series. Overall well worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: A good read. Some fresh ideas.
Review: I was finding it hard to pass page 100. After that however, things started getting more interesting. I liked the clear character outline, and some of the details given in the book of various things seemed to come from a new perspective.
It is predictable, but not a bad book to be added to the Forgotten Realms archive.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Adventure
Review: My very first Forgotten Realms novel and for that matter, my very first Fantasy Novel. I found this book to be a very good read, holding my attention to the very last page. I would definitely recommend this one. Now I'm hooked on Forgotten Realms.
Rating:
Summary: Beware of Shadow Magic...
Review: Shadow Stone deals with a neglected part of the Realms: the Old Empires and specifically the land of Chessenta (located south of the Sea of Fallen Stars).
The book sheds light on Aeron, a commoner out of Maerchlin, a town found within Akanax's sphere of influence, and his quest of fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming a powerful wizard.
The plot as a whole is excellent. The book is very well written and the reader feels that they have been transported to another plane of existence and are actually present among the characters, seeing what they see, feeling what they feel, sensing what they sense. Richard Baker does a fairly good job of presenting the distinct culture and civilization of the peoples of Chessenta, though more research is needed in order to provide a fuller, more accurate and lucid description of the region's inhabitants. What it comes down to is that the book lacks that strong Ancient Greek style/flavor associated with Chessenta.
On the negative side, the book does have several significant flaws e.g. the king of Akanax is Hippartes (human male LN Fighter 19) not Gormantor.
Moreover, on page 284 Aeron says he will lose his invisibility if he tries to magically open a locked door. This is not true since only an offensive spell would dispel his invisibility; meaning an actual magical attack against a foe.
In addition, the deaths of both Crow/Samir and Fineghal took place as if both were novices, first level characters (!!!); one arrow (!!!) was enough to dispose of the Master of Invocation, while one thrown dagger (!!!) was enough to render the ancient elf helpless so as to be stabbed to death by commoners??? Hmmm... After a thousand years, and after serving as the Storm Walker, this was hardly the death this character deserved. Sacrificing himself against Oriseus or to seal a portal to the demi-plane of Shadow or to destroy to Shadow Stone itself would have been a much more likely and heroic death.
Furthermore, it would have been very helpful to know HOW the Sceptenar and Chessenta's champions were defeated by Oriseus as well as WHY other heroes did not intervene with such clear signs of trouble all about e.g. Elminster, the Seven Sisters, Khelben Blackstaff and the other heavyweights. With the merging of the demi-plane of Shadow onto Chessenta, one would expect help and assistance from the forces of Good from all over Fearun in the shape and form of knowledge/information or the arrival of powerful priests and/or wizards.
Keep in mind that this is a major event concerning the Realms as a whole and not just Chessenta. In the Third Edition Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting there is mention of the events detailed in the Shadow Stone, and one can find gaming info concerning Aeron (half-elf male N Wiz13/Sha3) and Melisanda (human female LG Wiz 7).
Finally, it takes a while for the story to take off. The beginning is very slow and not that original. It is way too predictable and as Aeron makes all the wrong moves and takes all the wrong actions it becomes rather annoying.
Approximately 85 pages into the book, this major transformation occurs and all of a sudden you're captivated, to the point that you can't put the book down. In short the first third of the book should have been better written.
Richard Baker does a FANTASTIC job of conveying the sheer power and evil of the Immaskari and Shadow Magic, especially after reading: "Each chant was a litany of destruction, a hateful incantation of decay and foulness."
I was very excited that the setting for this book was that of the Old Empires. I wish more novels would be set in that area of Fearun, namely Chessenta, but also Threskel, Unther, and Mulhorand, as opposed to the usual, Waterdeep or Western Heartlands locations.
Hopefully, a sequel will be written shedding light as to what comes next, since the demand for one is definitely there. If you love Chessenta, Mulhorand, and Unther, try and get your hands on a copy of the Old Empires Accessory (it is Second Edition AD&D, out of print and it will take a bit of searching, but it's well worth it).
In conclusion, despite its flaws, Shadow Stone is a book highly recommended to all Fantasy and especially Forgotten Realms fans. Those with a soft spot for the Old Empires and Chessenta in particular will have a ball.
Rating:
Summary: So-so
Review: The novel starts off not exactly as a typical FR novel; it reads more like a generic fantasyland. The feel of the Realms atmosphere is sadly rather lacking in the beginning. The book doesn't leave a lasting impression, and frankly it was a tedious read rather than entertaining. The prose and style are not that bad, though, hence the three stars. But it's not a book I'll read a second time. One thing. Richard Baker seemed to have made an error - he called the language of the elves "Tel'Quessir" (!) instead of Espraur. Tel'Quessir = The People, as in the elves, not the language. *sighs*
Rating:
Summary: A standard sword and socery novel with some twists.
Review: The Shadow Stone is fairly typical of Forgotten Realms novels; the downtrodden hero rises from humble beginnings to save the world. Mr. Baker did a good job of fleshing out his main character, including both light and dark sides. Supporting characters, with exception of the main villian, were rather weak and often lost in storm surrounding the lead character. The plot moved quickly, keeping my interest. The ending was predictable, but consistant with the overall storyline. This book is not my favorite from the Forgotten Realms setting, but it was pleasant to read.
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