Title: The Stone Awakened (Guardians of Erin, Book Two)
Author: Judith Sterling
Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy
Book Blurb:
Since moving to Ireland, Ashling Donoghue has tackled one challenge after another. Now the mystery of her parents’ disappearance seems unsolvable. Are they dead or only missing? No one—not even the godlike Breasals—has a clue. Hope and fear war inside her, but she’s determined to find answers and stay strong for her siblings. Even as she hones newfound powers, her banshee-in-training sister Deirdre needs her support.
Ashling could use a little help herself. She’s struggling to navigate her first romance, and while Aengus Breasal stirs her body, mind, and soul, his nemesis Lorcan does too. Both men harbor secrets about her past life as Caer. One has ties to Aoife, the scheming wind demon whose influence is on the rise.
As the Stone of Destiny awakens, so does the conflict within.
My Review:
Ashling still reels from her parents’ disappearance. Are they dead or just captured? The Breasals (Irish immortals) use all their resources to track down her parents. She feels the weight of responsibility now more than ever before. As the cauldron, she should be able to sense her parents but alas, all she can sense is her own isolation.
Dierdre, Ashling’s sister, is coming into her own powers as a banshee. Like Ashling, she’s trying to feel her way through her newfound powers and responsibilities. With the help of Ashling and Brigit, she embraces her life and the sudden wooing by an unlikely suitor.
A powerful enemy ups her attacks on Ashling and her family. Mysterious Lorcan watches Ashling and when she confronts him, her feelings for him as well as Aengus war within her heart. She’s attracted to both Lorcan and Aengus. Is this history repeating itself or will she make the right choice?
I’ve been looking forward to reading this for over eight months and it didn’t disappoint. Filled with plenty of conflict, action and mystery, this is a must-read for any reader looking for a book to lose oneself in. There’s quite a bit going on and Judith Sterling weaves mythology throughout the plot with ease. Everything is believable in my eyes and that is a huge thing, especially when reading the impossible.
Yes, there is a love triangle, but before you turn away, give this story a chance. Ashling, Aengus and Lorcan are entwined through their centuries-old past and while Ashling doesn’t remember this past (reincarnation), there’s a familiarity with both Aengus and Lorcan. Both males are on opposite ends of the good/evil spectrum, or are they? This element to the story speaks to my heart and I couldn’t help but root for Lorcan.
If you’re looking to be swept away to the Emerald Isle to live among dragons, sprites, dragons, banshees and even Jack Frost, pick this up today! You’ll never want it to end.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from The Wild Rose Press via Netgalley in the hopes I’d review it.
Favorite Character/Quote: Aoife! The wind demon whose foul plot shattered my family with a single blow. Hate and despair welled inside me. “No!”
My Rating: 5 stars
Buy it now:
Amazon US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K4Y7QV6
Amazon CA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07K4Y7QV6
Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07K4Y7QV6
Author Biography:
Judith Sterling's love of history and passion for the paranormal infuse everything she writes. Flight of the Raven, Soul of the Wolf, and Shadow of the Swan are part of her medieval romance series, The Novels of Ravenwood. The Cauldron Stirred and The Stone Awakened are part of her young adult paranormal fantasy series, Guardians of Erin. Written under Judith Marshall, her nonfiction books--My Conversations with Angels and Past Lives, Present Stories--have been translated into multiple languages. She has an MA in linguistics and a BA in history, with a minor in British Studies. Born in that sauna called Florida, she craved cooler climes, and once the travel bug bit, she lived in England, Scotland, Sweden, Wisconsin, Virginia, and on the island of Nantucket. She currently lives in Salem, Massachusetts with her husband and their identical twin sons.
Social Media Links:
Website https://judithmarshallauthor.com
Reviewed by: Mrs. N