I don’t usually choose to read Fantasy stories, but I kept hearing wonderful things about Barbara Ann Wright’s fantasy novels, so when Lady of Stone became available, I decided to give this book a try. It is the fifth book in her series, The Pyradisté Adventures, but it is a prequel to the stories, so I figured it would be fine to read it out of order. I’m happy to tell you that I totally enjoyed the book, and had no problems understanding this fantastic universe Ms. Wright has created.
This tale takes place about two hundred years before the first book in the series, and involves two young women from very different stations in life. Lady Sylph is the daughter of a Duke and in line to inherit the title, lands, and wealth that comes with it. Thana is a peasant and the royal pyradisté to the queen. Only peasants are supposed to be pyradistés (able to perform magic using special crystals). When Lady Sylph realizes that she has not only pyradisté powers, but unusually strong ones, she asks Thana for help, and thus begins a fantastical adventure that could end with the destruction of the entire kingdom if things go wrong.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The setting of this tale is a universe that has already been created for four other books, so it is obviously well developed. I connected with the two main characters immediately, even though Lady Sylph is very much an ice queen to begin with. I quickly realized why she was that way, and enjoyed seeing her character develop through the book. There is a beautiful and dangerous romance that develops between Sylph and Thana on top of everything else that they’re facing. The story is well constructed and exciting, I was hooked right away and was kind of sad when the book ended. I wanted more. It’s a good thing I have four more books to read in this series.
If you like romantic fantasy, then try this book. I wholeheartedly recommend it.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
Rainbow Reflections 