Book Mark
Lodestone: Book One-The Sea of Storms by Mark Whiteway-a Book Review
Lodestone: Book One-The Sea of Storms
Mark Whiteway
Virtualbookworm.com Publishing (April 12, 2010)
978-1602645462
On a planet known as Kelanni the people live under the cruel thumb of a dictator. The people are enslaved to mine a resource called “Lodestone.” An unlikely band form an uneasy alliance to overthrow their oppressor, free the slaves, and thus save the world. Mystery and magic, adventure and more are all for the taking in Lodestone: Book One-The Sea of Storms by Mark Whiteway.
Kelanni is peppered with constant meteor showers. The meteorites, or lodestones, possess a wide range of powers from being explosive to enabling a person to fly. Ruling Kelanni is “the Prophet.” The Prophet has learned to manipulate the lodestone and, through his highly trained Keltar knights, controls the Kelanni people through violence. Oppressing an entire world takes a great deal of lodestone and thus many Kelanni are taken from their families as slaves to mine the ore. For most Kelanni, this is just the way of things—serve the prophet and live in fear of the Keltar—with the possibility of being enslaved always looming.
Lyall will live this way no longer and along with his endearing friend, Alondo, is set on overthrowing the Prophet. During an attack on a Keltar, Lyall meets a young woman named Shann. Shann has her own reasons for wishing the end of the Prophet’s reign. Lyall teaches Shann his knowledge of lodestone, the source of Keltar’s power, and the two form a tight friendship.
Keris is one of the most skilled Keltar, groomed and trained since childhood to be ruthless in her duties. For some time, she has quietly questioned her beliefs. She is rescued by strange creatures called Chandara after an attack by a giant bird. Through Boxx, a Chandara, Keris learns the true nature of the Prophet and his evil plans. Keris is charged with stopping Lyall and his band of Rebels; instead she joins them in their journey. Together they must cross the Great Barrier of Storms, something never before accomplished. But first they must endure the pursuit of Keltar, countless monsters, dangerous terrain, and mistrust of a former Keltar turned traitor.
Author Mark Whiteway has created a universe with amazing technology, horrible monsters, and fascinating characters. The heroes are well drawn and I immediately bonded with their plight. The scene painting narrative drew me in and I felt as though I was right there battling along with Shann and her friends. There is more than enough conflict and suspense to keep the pages turning. In fact, as I read I was increasingly enthralled—my reading pace increased as I was eager to find out how this one turned out—only to be let down when the book just ended, leaving things up in the air. I understand the author’s need to set up the series; however, the fact that Book One doesn’t stand alone was disappointing.
I recommend Lodestone Book One: The Sea of Storms to readers who enjoy Sci-Fi/Fantasy and are looking for an entertaining, well-crafted new series in the genre.
Reviewed by William Potter for Reader’s Choice Book Reviews
Mark Whiteway lives in rural West Sussex, England, near the former home of H G Wells. A lifelong devotee of H G Wells and Jules Verne, this is Mark’s first science fiction novel, built around the concept of negative matter – an extension of Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity. Mark lives with his wife Sandra.
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