About the Book
From the publisher: Sworn to protect a powerful artifact, Arden of Throckmorton is reluctant to carry out her duty until the relic sends her nearly eight hundred years into the future. Her only way home is to find it. Modern England is no place for a medieval maid.
Hawkins Arlington is a prominent medievalist and just the man to help her, once he gets over the whole time travel and magic nonsense. Besides, the chance to study a real medieval woman is too brilliant to pass up. But when a villain from the past appears, Arden and Hawk race to find the artifact first, risking their lives, their homes and their reputations.
And if they find it, can Arden discover what her heart wants, and will Hawk be able to let her go?
Betty’s Quick Review
WARNING: SPOILERS! The Stone Key has an interesting concept. I really wanted to like it. But I do not remember inwardly groaning so much while reading a book. After finishing it, I believe I have realized the problem: it feels like a first draft.
The concept and general plot are fine. The characters need refinement and several of the scenes need rethinking. For people who are supposed to be highly intelligent, they do absolutely the dumbest things. Going to a pub while on the run from the law when you have provisions in your backpacks? Staying in someone’s barn to sleep for a night and the farmer does not check out why his dog is barking at the barn?? The antagonist, who should be intelligent, menacing, and sly, giving into his emotions so readily and making stupid moves? Lots of groan.
Even the beginning. Why do people believe Arden is who she says she is and believe her story is true? I would be calling an ambulance because this woman has clearly knocked herself on the head or is loony. The plot needs to move forward, I get it, but even a line about how strong the magic was that it allowed people to see the truth would have sufficed. Better than characters basically shrugging and saying, “Don’t know, I just believe her!” Groan.
The characters are . . . okay. Hawk’s parents and their butler are so cringe-worthy that I found myself rolling my eyes whenever they were in the scene. The characters in general need more depth and, well, characterization. And I feel there needs to be more to a choice than just because. “I’m hungry” leads to going to a pub while they are on the run and do not want to be seen. That makes no logical sense. If there was a reason they were forced to do so, that would make it a more palatable choice at least.
I really, really did want to like this story. With a lot of polish, it could be fun. As I said, it feels like a first draft rather than a finished novel.
Read It Yourself!
Author: Gabi Stevens
Series: The Stone Key, Standalone novel
Publisher: Gabriella Anderson, Independently published
Publication Year: 2016
ASIN: –
ISBN: 0997442816
