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Book Review: Heatherstone

Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆ 4.5/5

Title: Heatherstone

Author: Kathleen Stone

Publication Date: March 5, 2022

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Cover:

The cover of Heatherstone features a book with golden edges and a delicate crown with emeralds placed at intervals. Above the gold script of the title are a pair of green-yellow eyes staring out at the reader. While I like the bottom portion of the cover, I feel the eyes compete for attention and create a somewhat cluttered presentation.

Premise

Shelby is a young woman without memories. She knows that she lives in the shadow of Heatherstone Castle and serves a ruthless ruler, Master Richard. And when she dreams, she sees the face of a villager named Simon, who she believes is honorable and trustworthy. While Shelby struggles to unravel the mystery of who she is and why she cannot remember her identity, the villagers know her well. In the end, Shelby is caught between living the life that has been chosen for her by Richard and living the life her heart yearns for.

Why I chose this book:

I had a Twitter exchange with author Kathleen Stone after learning that an individual had given every single one of her books a one-star rating at the same time. I found this so appalling that I offered to review a book of her choice. Heatherstone is the book she chose.

First Impression:

The story starts with a bit of mystery as the reader is left to wonder about who Shelby is and why she has no memories of her life even though those around her clearly know who she is. Once I started the book, it was hard to put down.

What I loved:

I always enjoy reading a classic good versus evil plotline complete with a happy ending, and this is precisely what Stone delivers. In Master Richard, she creates a malevolent leader who is selfish, deceptive, and stops at nothing to have what he wants. In Simon, Stone offers a hero who loves deeply and unconditionally, even to the point of sacrificing his own happiness to ensure those he loves are safe and cared for. The contrast of characters provides an interesting tension as the story plays out.

Although Shelby is young and, in many ways, naïve, she proves to be a strong main character due to her quick thinking and ability to survive. The reader watches her progression from a young girl who is unsure of herself to a woman capable of managing an environment of lies and manipulation while remaining true to her core.

Additional Thoughts:

Heatherstone is an excellent book choice for people who do not typically read fantasy, as there are enough medieval story elements to make the story accessible to a broad audience.

Stone packs a fantastic amount of material into just 175 pages. I couldn’t help but wonder how the story could have been further developed by slowing it down slightly and diving deeper into characters, storylines, and scenes. The framework is there to support a robust novel with additional depth.

Quotable Quotes:

• “Your life, your very soul, will belong to Richard,” he whispered, his voice cracking. “You will never be the same. The Shelby that I know, that I love and adore with all my heart, will no longer exist.” (Page 73)
• “We promised each other a lifetime,” he whispered. “What if this, right now, is the only lifetime we were meant to have?” (Page 75)
• “The prison is my greatest gift to you. Anyone who defies us will spend their days here, regretting that they ever crossed my path.”

Who might enjoy this book:

Heatherstone is ideal for readers who enjoy a quick read set in medieval times with just enough fantasy to allow entertaining twists and turns.

Overall Impression:

Four and a half stars. Heatherstone is a delightful and entertaining read that blends a medieval setting with a touch of fantasy. Stone offers readers a well-written and fast-paced story in which true love battles and wins against deception and scheming. I look forward to reading more of Stone’s diverse and award-winning collection of novels.

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