Rating: 
Summary: Stopped at page 100
Review: Same old stock fantasy novel with nothing that engaged or interested me. Gratuitous cookie-cutter images of utopian monarchy, princes and princesses, evil wizard, a variety of chimaric beasts and mystical benevolent creatures. All of the above fantastical elements treated casually, non-fantastically. They're there and you don't know why or anything about them, i.e., little background for the creatures, land, events. To clarify, my criticism is not that there isn't some originality, it's that there is no richness to the story, characters, or style of writing. One could use only the above same-old elements and still spin a nice tale, e.g., the Bazil Broketail books, Duncan's Gilded Chain stories, Guy Gavriel Kay, Patricia McPhillip. Story begins in the middle of what sounds like an interesting story, I was wishing the book was about what came before. Awkward, aimless dialogue with sometimes excruciating detail, then literally the author lists events by way of summary to move the characters along to who knows where. Flat-footed romance: we know they're in love because their reactions are baldly described but don't know why because who are these two people and what makes them special or attractive?
Rating: 
Summary: An interesting work of fantasy
Review: The Ascendry is under attack by the violent Tathars and it looks like the country may never recover. But the Tathars are not alone in their attack. Erkai the chain, a powerful sorcerer, swears vengeance on the Dynast and his bloodline. The Dynast himself is weak and fearful, caring about no one but himself. To top it off the Dynast's youngest daughter is corrupt with the black arts and plans on taking the throne as soon as possible. It looks like there is no hope for the Ascendry and the country will not survive.But there is. Mandine, the future Dynatessa, has been given the task by the Two (the God and Goddess) themselves. She must find the Stingtana a powerful tool that affects everyone that it touches. Her only companion is to be Key, a young soldier who she finds herself strangely drawn and attracted to. But before their journey can even start Mandine finds herself trapped in her father's castle. Can they ever escape? And what will happen when they do? I was a bit unsure about reading this book, considering half of the reviews on amazon were negative. To tell the truth the only real reason I read this book was to read the sequel (The Mask and the Sorceress, which looks very entertaining.) When I read this book I was pleasantly surprised. Sure some of the characters were a bit underdeveloped but the storyline was entertaining and it took place in a new and intereresting world. The Stone and the Maiden is a good start to an interesting looking fantasy series. I would probably recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: nice start ,but dies by mid book
Review: The start of the story was very good, but by the middle of the book it just limps along. The main characters kept second guessing what they had done. This gets old fast. Skip this one.
Rating:
Summary: A very good fantasy
Review: The Tathar army seems invincible as it destroys everything in its path on their trek to conquer their neighbor The Ascendancy. Evil sorcerer Erkai the Chain leads the Tathars on their conquest. Already a master of the Black Craft, Erkai has tapped into the more deadly Deep Magic. Mandine Descaris, heir to the Ascendancy throne, knows she needs a miracle to defeat her foe and his horde. When she meets one of her soldiers, Captain Key Mec Brander from the land to the far east Elthanem, they fall in love. Together they seek the mythical talisman the Signata that has been reported to have surfaced three times in four millennium. As Key and Mandine risk their lives in search of the legendary magical amulet that they feel can save the country, her half-sister plots to take over the throne. THE STONE AND THE MAIDEN is a fabulous fantasy fable that will please readers of the sub-genre. The story line centers on the quest for a rare magic to defeat an apparently invincible enemy. Mandine is a great character who will garner much praise from fantasy lovers. Though the motives of Key, Erkai, and the secondary players never surfaces, Dennis Jones provides the audience with a pleasant plot that screams for a sequel. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Promising new writer--I liked the book
Review: This book from a new author of fantasy has the potential to be truly great. The characters are very interesting and Dennis Jones had created a full house of different and strange people--the magical beings like the hemandri (a wood sprite-like creatures), the Dascarids (the ruling family), Erkai (nasty sorcerer/villain), etc. However, the characters seemed to lack life. The heroine, Mandine (a brave princess and heir-apparent), is really likeable but I had some trouble identifying with her, perhaps because she was too brave and good. The hero Key Mec Brander--a soldier nobleman--is admirable but uninvolving. What you're left with by the end of the book is a satisfying read but not a masterpiece. Still, considering this is Mr. Jone's first book in the genre, I am very impressed and I think he deserves a good amount of credit. And he's CANADIAN! Whoever said canadians are dull and unimaginative should read this book and prepare to apologize with a white flag. This novel deserves 4 stars because it was entertaining, the plot and language is exciting and the ideas are original--I eagerly await the sequel.
Rating:
Summary: Promising new writer--I liked the book
Review: This book from a new author of fantasy has the potential to be truly great. The characters are very interesting and Dennis Jones had created a full house of different and strange people--the magical beings like the hemandri (a wood sprite-like creatures), the Dascarids (the ruling family), Erkai (nasty sorcerer/villain), etc. However, the characters seemed to lack life. The heroine, Mandine (a brave princess and heir-apparent), is really likeable but I had some trouble identifying with her, perhaps because she was too brave and good. The hero Key Mec Brander--a soldier nobleman--is admirable but uninvolving. What you're left with by the end of the book is a satisfying read but not a masterpiece. Still, considering this is Mr. Jone's first book in the genre, I am very impressed and I think he deserves a good amount of credit. And he's CANADIAN! Whoever said canadians are dull and unimaginative should read this book and prepare to apologize with a white flag. This novel deserves 4 stars because it was entertaining, the plot and language is exciting and the ideas are original--I eagerly await the sequel.
Rating: 
Summary: awsome and enchanting
Review: this book was so amazing i couldnt put it down. Teachers yelled at me in class to stop reading it.
You have love fighting and not your everyday migic story. Instead of just having mages and people with magical powers u have everyday people from an empire under attack trying to save their future.
this story was very unique and always kept u guessing what was going to happen next.
I would recommend this to any big fantasy reader and even if u are just starting to get interested in fantasy this book is a good way to start.
kaitlin
also i recomend- Mask and the Sourceress:dennis jones, The Darkangel:Merideith Ann Pierce, Wit'ch Fire:James Clemmens.
Rating: 
Summary: It has a good plot and is very imaginative, but lacking...
Review: This is a very good example of a fictional plot: characters are wonderful, adventure, fairy creatures, magic and a princess and prince who save the day. The only problem is reading it is like reading a stone. It is flat at many spots. The author gets descriptive at insignificant parts and flat during major parts. It is as if while he was writing it, he got so caught up in his own story, he left out many details. But he makes up for it with a wonderful plot and a good romantic character in it. All in all, it was time well spent.
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