Book Review – The Garden of the Stone

The Garden of the Stone – Victoria Strauss (2010) – Years ago the world had been divided between those with the power of the Mind, the Gifted, and those who worked in the physical world, the Ungifted, whose world was known as that of the Hand.  The Gifted kept control of the rest through the supernatural powers of the Stone.  A prophecy said that a man would come and use the Stone to reunite the Mind and the Hand.  When Bron finally came he did the unexpected.  He stole the Stone and disappeared.  (All of this action is laid out in the previous book to this one, “Arm of the Stone“).

This book picks up years later when Bron’s daughter Cariad, a powerful empath and assassin must infiltrate the Fortress that once held the Stone.  The prophecy that predicted Bron’s arrival also predicts his return.  The problem facing the prophecy is that a sworn enemy of astounding power is waiting for Bron.  Waiting to destroy him and take total control of the world.  Cariad must discover the enemy’s secret and destroy him to protect a father she never knew.

Like any good fantasy novel, trying to explain the story in just a few words is very difficult.  Victoria Strauss has created a world of great complexity and placed an equally intricate story in the middle of that world.  Her characters are beautifully crafted.  The story lines are woven with skill.  The end result is a story that carries you along with great energy.  At the end I wished that I could immediately start reading not only the other book in the series and then start looking at Strauss’s other work.  It’s the kind of book where you’re disappointed when you hit the end.

Rating – **** Recommended