Rating: 
Summary: Bland and Predictable
Review: Although several reviewers here have stated that this book isan imaginative and compelling read, I have to disagree. While therewere a few moments scattered about here and there where the storybecame somewhat engaging, for the most part this novel was bland andpredictable. The characters were (for the most part) one-dimensionaland difficult to distinguish from one another, the plot the essence offormulaic, and the romantic interplay between Mandine and Key was flatand dry and routine. Likewise, the world lacked any real depth ortexture, seemingly little more than a loose collection of workingnotes without any substantive development or coherent vision. Whilecertainly not the worst novel I've read (indeed, its not even in thetop ten), this one is nonetheless pretty dull fare. If you can get itcheap, suffer from insomnia, and have nothing else to read, you mightconsider picking this one up. If not, however, I would suggest youget your hands on something by George R. R. Martin, J. V. Jones, orKate Elliot.
Rating:
Summary: Bland and Predictable
Review: Although several reviewers here have stated that this book isan imaginative and compelling read, I have to disagree. While therewere a few moments scattered about here and there where the storybecame somewhat engaging, for the most part this novel was bland andpredictable. The characters were (for the most part) one-dimensionaland difficult to distinguish from one another, the plot the essence offormulaic, and the romantic interplay between Mandine and Key was flatand dry and routine. Likewise, the world lacked any real depth ortexture, seemingly little more than a loose collection of workingnotes without any substantive development or coherent vision. Whilecertainly not the worst novel I've read (indeed, its not even in thetop ten), this one is nonetheless pretty dull fare. If you can get itcheap, suffer from insomnia, and have nothing else to read, you mightconsider picking this one up. If not, however, I would suggest youget your hands on something by George R. R. Martin, J. V. Jones, orKate Elliot.
Rating: 
Summary: Pleasant, but empty.
Review: Dennis Jones debut as a fantasy writer is pleasant enough but lacks substance. The story is familiar, two people must work together to battle an ultimate evil and save the world from darkness. During their quest they realize they love each other (which the reader has realized from chapter 2) and also realize the man who thought he was minor royalty is actually descended from a powerful leader.The plot isn't much. Jones does create an intriguing world. I especially like the 'hemandra' creatures. Wait for this to come out in paperback, and only read it if you have to read all fantasy books.
Rating: 
Summary: why bother?
Review: i cannot recommend this book at all, except as an example of what the genre has sunk to. the characters are trite, the story is absolutely uninteresting. jones basically decided he needed to make a quick buck and decided to exploit the heroic fantasy genre. there's no dramatic or narrative tension driving this story forward at all. you can all but see the numbers in the template (and it wasn't a good one) he followed to write this book. i'm dismayed (but not surprised) that eos has the audacity to publish a second book in the series. no wonder heroic fantasy continues to have a bad name. (i gave this book one star because the format wouldn't allow me to give it none.)
Rating: 
Summary: I couldn't put it down
Review: I have only recently begun to read books of this genre, but I found The Stone and the Maiden to be a colorful tale unlike any others I have read. I can't wait for Book 2 to come out!
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't put it down
Review: I have only recently begun to read books of this genre, but I found The Stone and the Maiden to be a colorful tale unlike any others I have read. I can't wait for Book 2 to come out!
Rating:
Summary: Very Nicely Done
Review: I haven't enjoyed a book quite this much since some of Dennis McKiernanns earlier work. Mr. Jones' characters are as richly developed as any you're likely to run across, and his writing is smooth and even. It's one of those books that you have a hard time putting aside. Of course there are common elements... medieval fantasies usually do contain chimeras, prince/princesses, evil sorcerers, etc. Duh! And Mr. Jones paints this as his own unique medieval world in rich earth tones, and colourful prose. He also manages to stay away from the Tolkien traps so many of his contemporaries fall into. I had a hard time putting it down, and I'm a hard core reader of this type of fantasy fiction. I hope The Mask and the Sorceress comes out soon!! I for one can't wait.
Rating:
Summary: Very Nicely Done
Review: I haven't enjoyed a book quite this much since some of Dennis McKiernanns earlier work. Mr. Jones' characters are as richly developed as any you're likely to run across, and his writing is smooth and even. It's one of those books that you have a hard time putting aside. Of course there are common elements... medieval fantasies usually do contain chimeras, prince/princesses, evil sorcerers, etc. Duh! And Mr. Jones paints this as his own unique medieval world in rich earth tones, and colourful prose. He also manages to stay away from the Tolkien traps so many of his contemporaries fall into. I had a hard time putting it down, and I'm a hard core reader of this type of fantasy fiction. I hope The Mask and the Sorceress comes out soon!! I for one can't wait.
Rating:
Summary: Not Bad, but not Great
Review: It's an entertaining read. It is. If you want a nice, interesting read pick it up. There are quite a few elements going for this book, like the main characters. Mandine, the heir to the throne, is a competent heroine, neither a wishy-washy shrieker or a muscle-bound amazon. Key, the noble born soldier is brave and experienced without being the typical "I'm a tough soldier and you've gotta listen to me cause I'm a guy." I also like the setting, a world left over after wizards had decimated the old empire and destroyed themselves with powerful magics. The Ascendency is the government ruled by a Dynast or Dynastessa, an interesting change from a King, Queen, etc and has a medieval setting without too much stereotyping. The different species are cool too, the forest dwelling Hermanders and Hippaxas, huge cavalry mounts with horns.
Things that are NOT going for the book. Interesting characters that lack depth. You don't really feel connected toward Mandine or Key. You can still feel worried for a character even though you know they'll probably be alright, but I didn't feel worry or anything else towards them. They just got a little boring after awhile. The melodramatic love story was also a little gagging. And Erkai, a "servant to no one" sorceror with Black Craft, was a cool villain without a meaningful existence except to terrorize some people and go away. I felt like I was waiting for the book to really rev up and get going but it ended before it did, and ended with a petit pop instead of a bang. Not unexpected, but a little disappointing. It is not however a bad book, I was just expecting more. Take it out from the library would be my advice.
Rating:
Summary: Great escape reading!
Review: Just as the Blues in music has a formula, so does epic fantasy. The Stone and the Maiden follow this formula faithfully with real bad guys versus real good guys, magic, wizards etc. Nothing new here for sure but what do you want? Tolstoy? Don't expect too much from this genre, because you'll be disappointed. This book certainly delivers what a good fantasy should and that is escape reading!
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