plot_head's review
5.0
BEWARE ALL YE WHO ENTER HERE FOR HERE BE SPOILERS FOR BOOK 1
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Stones of Light is the sequel to 2020’s Voice of War and the second book in Zack Argyle’s Threadlight trilogy. Although I had a few issues with the first book (you can read my spoiler free review here), I am happy to say that its sequel improved on every bit that made the first book great AND resolved my very minor gripes. I am so happy to have gotten the opportunity to read this book early but, like, is book three almost done because I have QUESTIONS? Seriously, I had just recovered from the whiplash of the ending of book one and Argyle does this?
“Not all waves are wont to break. Some waves, like the awe that fills me when I look out over the Terecean sea, those waves forever remain at their crest.”
Although I went into it hot off the heels of the first book, Argyle includes a recap at the beginning to help you remember where our adventure left off. Stones of Light picks up immediately after the events of Voice of War, with our heroes scattered to the wind. Alverax is accompanying Iriel and the Zeda people as they seek asylum in distant Felia. Laurel is struggling to come to terms with her near-death and the loss of her threadlight. And Chrys, having given in to the Apogee, is being taken across the mountains and into the wastelands beyond against his will. The stakes are absolutely astronomical and the direction in which the plot is advancing is, since no other words come to mind, epic.
The world is further explored, with the majority of the novel taking place in both Felia and the Wastelands, and the additional worldbuilding is excellent. Felia feels like a living, breathing place and the little that we get to navigate the courts politics and history of the country is great. Additionally, I thought that the religion and culture of Felia was very unique and well implemented. If Felia is regal nobility and white stone buildings nestled against a glimmering ocean, the Wastelands are dirty, violent and alien. My only complaint is that I wish I could have seen even more of each! I want to learn everything there is to know about this world.
I said that I liked the magic system in Voice of War and that has, of course, continued to be the case for its sequel. Argyle managed to bring new elements into play that changed the way the different magics interacts with each other in interesting ways. The expansion of the magic system here is handled well and I think it really helps to, again, ramp up the stakes (are you seeing a trend here?) I am also very impressed with how Argyle has managed to leave some subtle clues sprinkled throughout both books as to what may be possible, giving just enough information to satiate, while also exciting the imagination.
Part of him wanted to stand tall and spin a beautiful lie and become what they believed him to be, but that was something his father would have done. He had to be better. He had to be honest. He had to be good.
The only real complaint that I had with Argyle’s debut was that one of the characters in particular didn’t have much of a character arc. That is not the case with Stones of Light as each character in turn receives their due. It was especially satisfying for me that Alverax, the weakest POV from the last book, was easily one of my favorites in this one. Seeing him overcome some very heavy emotional things was so magical and, if I may, a little cathartic. I was a little frustrated by the tracks that some of the character arcs seemed to be on, but everything was resolved very nicely. Honestly, I need to learn to just trust in the author because it is clear at this point that he knows what he is doing. Argyle’s ability to write relatable characters are undeniable and the choices they make are never in question.
As a sequel, Stones of Light really sticks the landing. Argyle’s writing noticeably improved over his debut (not that it was in any way bad before) and I had the hardest time deciding which of the twenty (!) quotes that I highlighted was going to be added to this review. Overall, it improved on everything from the first and in the end it even fixed the few issues that I had with Voice of War. I can’t wait to see where Argyle takes us next; book three is very high up on my most wanted list. There’s no wonder he is doing so well in this years SPFBO and I am fiercely pulling for him and Voice of War to win.
Life had taught him brutal lessons, but one lesson most of all. Hope is a sham. A trick of the mind. Hope is opening your eyes at dusk and believing it is dawn. His life—he’d decided—was a setting sun.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Stones of Light is the sequel to 2020’s Voice of War and the second book in Zack Argyle’s Threadlight trilogy. Although I had a few issues with the first book (you can read my spoiler free review here), I am happy to say that its sequel improved on every bit that made the first book great AND resolved my very minor gripes. I am so happy to have gotten the opportunity to read this book early but, like, is book three almost done because I have QUESTIONS? Seriously, I had just recovered from the whiplash of the ending of book one and Argyle does this?
“Not all waves are wont to break. Some waves, like the awe that fills me when I look out over the Terecean sea, those waves forever remain at their crest.”
Although I went into it hot off the heels of the first book, Argyle includes a recap at the beginning to help you remember where our adventure left off. Stones of Light picks up immediately after the events of Voice of War, with our heroes scattered to the wind. Alverax is accompanying Iriel and the Zeda people as they seek asylum in distant Felia. Laurel is struggling to come to terms with her near-death and the loss of her threadlight. And Chrys, having given in to the Apogee, is being taken across the mountains and into the wastelands beyond against his will. The stakes are absolutely astronomical and the direction in which the plot is advancing is, since no other words come to mind, epic.
The world is further explored, with the majority of the novel taking place in both Felia and the Wastelands, and the additional worldbuilding is excellent. Felia feels like a living, breathing place and the little that we get to navigate the courts politics and history of the country is great. Additionally, I thought that the religion and culture of Felia was very unique and well implemented. If Felia is regal nobility and white stone buildings nestled against a glimmering ocean, the Wastelands are dirty, violent and alien. My only complaint is that I wish I could have seen even more of each! I want to learn everything there is to know about this world.
I said that I liked the magic system in Voice of War and that has, of course, continued to be the case for its sequel. Argyle managed to bring new elements into play that changed the way the different magics interacts with each other in interesting ways. The expansion of the magic system here is handled well and I think it really helps to, again, ramp up the stakes (are you seeing a trend here?) I am also very impressed with how Argyle has managed to leave some subtle clues sprinkled throughout both books as to what may be possible, giving just enough information to satiate, while also exciting the imagination.
Part of him wanted to stand tall and spin a beautiful lie and become what they believed him to be, but that was something his father would have done. He had to be better. He had to be honest. He had to be good.
The only real complaint that I had with Argyle’s debut was that one of the characters in particular didn’t have much of a character arc. That is not the case with Stones of Light as each character in turn receives their due. It was especially satisfying for me that Alverax, the weakest POV from the last book, was easily one of my favorites in this one. Seeing him overcome some very heavy emotional things was so magical and, if I may, a little cathartic. I was a little frustrated by the tracks that some of the character arcs seemed to be on, but everything was resolved very nicely. Honestly, I need to learn to just trust in the author because it is clear at this point that he knows what he is doing. Argyle’s ability to write relatable characters are undeniable and the choices they make are never in question.
As a sequel, Stones of Light really sticks the landing. Argyle’s writing noticeably improved over his debut (not that it was in any way bad before) and I had the hardest time deciding which of the twenty (!) quotes that I highlighted was going to be added to this review. Overall, it improved on everything from the first and in the end it even fixed the few issues that I had with Voice of War. I can’t wait to see where Argyle takes us next; book three is very high up on my most wanted list. There’s no wonder he is doing so well in this years SPFBO and I am fiercely pulling for him and Voice of War to win.
Life had taught him brutal lessons, but one lesson most of all. Hope is a sham. A trick of the mind. Hope is opening your eyes at dusk and believing it is dawn. His life—he’d decided—was a setting sun.
mythical_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
graff_fuller's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This middle story in the trilogy really went dark. This world is NOT forgiving...and LOTS of people die.
The gods are not benevolent and merciful.
It seemed (and in actuality, was) really horrible for EVERY character that we loved. Poor Chrys may have suffered the most. Being taken over by Apogee, which went from bad to worse. Dying, but then not and wash, rinse, repeat. Ugh. But, he did not quit...he persevered.
Laurel. Such an impetuous child. Nothing can hurt me...and she fell into NEEDING Threadlight, like a drug addiction, which in turn made her do STUPID things. One thing after another, she kept making the WRONG decisions, and SO many people paid for it. BUT, she made ammends, to a degree, then found out that she'd made the WRONG decision, AGAIN! Ugh.
Alverax, a new character...seemed to have the WORST luck. He was killed, but then rose again (without knowledge of how he made it back). Upon coming back, he finds out that he's an Obsidian Threadlight weaver. BUT it that didn't change his luck. He tried to gain his revenge, but had to flee. He got involved with the Bloodthieves through Alabella (which we KNOW is bad news), but though he was with her, he didn't agree with her. He was JUST trying to be a good man. Ugh. Death and destruction seemed to follow after him...and his own conscience was getting the worst of him. THEN he found someone to save, then he met the woman of his dreams (loved their banter), then lost her.
What else could go wrong. Oh, he'd missed his thief of a father, hating his way of life, thinking he'd died, BUT he meets him. What is going to happen, now?
This book just few by. I kept flipping the pages...NEEDING the story to be revealed.
Will be reading the final book, soon.
The gods are not benevolent and merciful.
It seemed (and in actuality, was) really horrible for EVERY character that we loved. Poor Chrys may have suffered the most. Being taken over by Apogee, which went from bad to worse. Dying, but then not and wash, rinse, repeat. Ugh. But, he did not quit...he persevered.
Laurel. Such an impetuous child. Nothing can hurt me...and she fell into NEEDING Threadlight, like a drug addiction, which in turn made her do STUPID things. One thing after another, she kept making the WRONG decisions, and SO many people paid for it. BUT, she made ammends, to a degree, then found out that she'd made the WRONG decision, AGAIN! Ugh.
Alverax, a new character...seemed to have the WORST luck. He was killed, but then rose again (without knowledge of how he made it back). Upon coming back, he finds out that he's an Obsidian Threadlight weaver. BUT it that didn't change his luck. He tried to gain his revenge, but had to flee. He got involved with the Bloodthieves through Alabella (which we KNOW is bad news), but though he was with her, he didn't agree with her. He was JUST trying to be a good man. Ugh. Death and destruction seemed to follow after him...and his own conscience was getting the worst of him. THEN he found someone to save, then he met the woman of his dreams (loved their banter), then lost her.
What else could go wrong. Oh, he'd missed his thief of a father, hating his way of life, thinking he'd died, BUT he meets him. What is going to happen, now?
This book just few by. I kept flipping the pages...NEEDING the story to be revealed.
Will be reading the final book, soon.
bookish_slagathor's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Are you tired of reading about plain old magic, elves and your usual high fantasy tropes? Don’t you just wish someone would come up with some awesome and exciting new magic system that would lead to awesome, action packed scenes? Look no further, Threadlight has got you covered!
Stones of Light is the second book in the series and where the first one felt a bit like a prelude of things to come, this book just explodes with action, emotions and character arks.
Oh and on a side note, things have come and now stuff is pretty bad.
Yes, I am good with words, why you ask?
Problem is, I can’t write much without spoiling the story, so I’ll just say this: if book three manages to put the icing on the indie cake, this will officially become one of my all-time favorite series and you will be seeing me shouting from rooftops for people to go and read it.
For now I’ll just say that book two blew my mind and besides some minor gripes (sometimes I wished we spent a bit more time on scenes or with characters that led to some emotionally or story-wise impactful things), but still this book was as near perfection as it could get.
sofiesbokhylla's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
blainembentley's review
3.5
As you can see from this rating I enjoyed this book more than the first book. I felt a lot more invested in this book than in the first book. For the most part the prose for me was a lot better for me in this book. The differing viewpoints did feel a lot more unique to me than they did in Voice of War. I think this really helped me connect better to the characters in this book. I also felt a lot more invested in the plot during the entire book. I think these things all contributed to me enjoying this book a lot more. Although the prose was a lot better for me, I still had some issues. There were several times where I felt that Argyle was trying too hard. There were lines, which I agree were well written, but for me, came at an awkward time and so felt too preachy. Another point of criticism I had was that I didn’t love some of his scene transitions. There were times it felt we switched points of view in the middle of a scene and it just didn't work for me. My last point of criticism is his action scenes. I don’t feel Argyle has quite nailed down writing good action scenes. For the most part there isn’t any sort of feeling of suspense for me, or if there is suspense, it lasts very briefly. Lastly, I just wanted to say that I loved the world building in this book. A lot more of the lore is revealed and explored in this book and I loved every word of it.
I think this is an improvement upon Argyle’s first book. I am excited to continue to see where he goes as an author and can’t wait until the release of the next book in this series (which looks like it is currently anticipated for August of this year).
I think this is an improvement upon Argyle’s first book. I am excited to continue to see where he goes as an author and can’t wait until the release of the next book in this series (which looks like it is currently anticipated for August of this year).
2ndchance_chad's review
5.0
I'm enjoying this series so much! They really are just quick, fun and entertaining reads right up my alley! I loved the ending of book two so much!
Full review coming soon!
Full review coming soon!
jloud_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lvh's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0