Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Tales of the Order" series book 3, 12 Jan 2008
Angus MacGregor has certainly let his upbringing influence his character. Since the day his parents fled The Order and their subsequent deaths from disease, he holds everyone and everything in contempt. Using his brutish strength to get what he wants, the respect he garners has been earned by his cruel and bullying behaviour. Misusing his own Druid powers to ensure the crops fail of those who cross him, his soul is truly lost until he finds a saviour in the small form of Elspeth, a child he inexplicably helps.
Maeve Donald, the current Sorceress of the Ancients and undisputed leader of an unknown magical world is determined that Angus pays for the crimes he has committed, yet rather than kill him outright she instead traps him within an unbreakable curse. For 300 years he will be trapped in the form of a hideous stone gargoyle; able to hear but unable to respond until someone speaks exactly the right words to free him. Never recording the words to break the curse Maeve is sure Angus will remain trapped for eternity; however no one notices the presence of Elspeth; returning to Angus with the gift of a pretty flower to thank him for rescuing her kitten. Unaware of his horrendous reputation, she simply sees a friend trapped, a friend she promises she will do anything for to free. Remembering exactly the words Maeve spoke,a magical incident soon becomes a family legend handed down from one generation to the next.
In present day USA; on her deathbed Agatha extracts a solemn vow from her niece Karen Matthews to follow exactly the instructions found in a safe deposit box. Although these instructions are odd to say the least; Karen is able to verify some facts in a database she finds whilst surfing for more information. With a specific destination in mind and a tight timeframe to accomplish her aunt's request; Karen finds herself in Scotland locating an unpleasant looking stone stature whilst reciting a poem on the night her aunt specified. A none believer of magic; Karen's views are rapidly changed when she witnesses the stone cracking and a stunning Highland warrior emerge.
From the moment that Karen utters the words to free him, she holds Angus' heart in her hands and with her beside him; he begins to explore a brand new world full of scientific wonders. Angus is a truly repentant man who greatly regrets the pain and suffering he caused in his former life, yet falling in love with Karen is a double edge sword. Born with a congenital heart defect she has perhaps months to live at the most and wanting to enrich her short life in anyway possible he does the forbidden. Taking Karen to the hidden headquarters of The Order in a great forest in England to witness magic no other Outsider (human) has seen before is an act punishable by death; however the delight and joy Karen finds in her encounters with fairies, elves and other fairy tale creatures is well worth it. Yet as an Outsider Karen faces bigotry from some of the magical races found within the Order; specifically the Goblins who now risk extinction after many were killed drinking from a pool contaminated by humans. Although Karen is nearing her death, someone is very much determined to remove the hated presence of a human from The Order.
"Stone Heart" is incredibly steamy in places, yet the intimate scenes between Angus and Karen are certainly poignant as her heart could literally give out on her. As they strive to cherish every small moment in the limited time they have together, I think this book made me cry on at least 3 separate occasions. The ending was also wonderful; thoroughly quietening my musings how Karen could be saved in a realistic way when her illness was beyond the help of both modern medicine and the magic of Shayla; the current Sorceress of the Ancients. I'm about to review book 4 in this series "Goblin Moon" (another 5 star read) and will strive to obtain a copy of the fifth book in this series, the somewhat elusive "The Craftsman".
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful fantasy, great romance!, 2 Jun 2009
I came across this book quite by accident and I liked what I read on the back blurb, so I got it.
'A cruel man feared and hated by the villagers is cursed to become a stone statue, as ugly as his demeanor for 3oo hundred years, by a Sorceress appalled by his lack of compassion. However, because of his one rare deed of kindness on that fateful day, it would become his key to freedom... A frail and sickly Karen Matthews is determined to fulfill her beloved, dying aunts unusual and bizarre last wish.'
300 years was a long time of frozen, tormented solitude for Angus MacGregor to repent the awful things he had done, when the curse is finally broken.
The irony was that the woman who breaks the spell and saves him from eternity as a stone statue, the gentle peace loving, Karen, is dying. And because of her, Angus learns what love and compassion is truly all about.
This was a wonderful fantasy story and with a heart-wrenching romance and a roller-coaster of emotions. I shed numerous tears while reading it. Karen was a very believable heroine and you see the changes Angus goes through and his unconditional love for Karen.
Love, loved the ending, it was truly magical.
Go ahead and get the book, it's worth reading.
Although this was part of a series, book 3, I was able to follow the story and enjoyed it very much. (despite the many glaring errors, a human proof reader would have helped much))
I have now ordered the rest of the series. I really liked Gryphon, and I want to read his story, and also find out what happened to Tearach, when he realizes just what his punishment is going to be. After all, he hates Outsiders! (mortals)
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