Lodestone

Lodestone is a wonderful novel that I'll be recommending to every one of my book loving friends this year! While most fantasy these days is happy rehashing the all-too-familiar fantasy tropes we've all read a thousand times, Lodestone brings us something new. A powerful and engaging tale of fantasy involving a fresh take on magic and the casting of spells that is 100% original. I won't spoil it here, but if you want to read fantasy that brings something new to the table, this is your book.A compelling female lead character, is forced to deal with the things we all love in good fantasy: unspeakable villains, swords in the darkness, unspeakable monsters and dungeons most foul. However, while the book took me to places I loved, Lodestone never took me exactly where I expected i was going, each chapter offered a twist I absolutely didn't see coming. (And I've been reading fantasy all my life.) Mix in a little bit of romance, along with a dash of mystery, and some genuine creepiness, and you've got a book you can't put down.I have nothing but the most sincere admiration for Katherine Forrester and her bravery for developing a dark fantasy novel so fresh, challenging and unexpected. I wish there were more writers out there that had the courage to write some fantasy that isn't just another retread of The Lord of the Rings. I don't ever put reviews on Amazon, but for Lodestone, it was easy. FIVE BIG STARS!

Fans of dark fantasy and romance, haunted castles and grotesque monsters will find much to love in Lodestone! For me, Lodestone's original and complex magic system shone brightest, where magic can be given and transferred via the use of lodestones, as the name suggests. The book is gritty and moody, with a dash of mystery and Beauty and the Beast vibes with a driven and free-willed heroine.TW: Sexual assault & gore

"Every human could use magic to an extent. It nestled in their bone marrow, waiting to be tapped from birth." I knew from the start I was going to love this fantasy, but I wasn't prepared for how gripping it was. It starts in the gritty, sickness laden streets of Stakeside, and progresses through Melaine's arduous journey to earn tutelage from the Overlord in Highstrong Keep. The Keep itself is pregnant with dark secrets, leading Melaine and her intrinsic magic, onward, revealing a sinister past which had me turning the lights on as I read. Forrister's world building in Lodestone was spot on, weaving the epic fantastical history off the kingdoms and people with the magic system, set in a. gothic-esque castle. The idea of magic being in the very marrow of our bones was a tangible, chilling thought--especially when we start to see what lurks in the Keep, wanting to feed from the marrow of its inhabitants! I would definitely recommend Lodestone for fans of fantasy, gothic horror, and any kind of magical tale. Looking forward to reading more from Katherine Forrister.

Ms. Forrister has written a very engaging debut novel. While I am not someone who typically reads dark fantasy, I found the novel to be interesting, particularly with regard to the magic, and the arc of the characters. The Overlord was especially intriguing to me. Melaine put me through a series of emotions, which I imagine was the author's intent. I started off rooting for her--she's a scrappy, streetwise lodestone peddler--but I did have moments were I found her behavior off-putting, though perhaps it could be attributed to Stakeside street sensibility, the poor section in the very detailed world Forrister built. However, by the end, Melaine redeemed herself in my eyes (do not wish to spoil!). If I had one major critique for this author, it would be that I wished for a tad more romance, as this was marketed as a dark fantasy romance. But nothing that would prevent me from recommending this book. It's a strong debut, and I congratulate her on a job well done! Looking forward to reading whatever she has coming next.

If you are a lover of fantasy, horror, mystery and romance, Lodestone should be your next read. Melaine is a unique protagonist who isn’t shy about her desire to elevate herself from the slums she grew up in. Her desperation to escape poverty at any cost, even by seeking out favor from the dark figure who rules over her city, creates a realistic and grounded framework for this fantasy novel. From the beginning, Melaine is clearly capable, but her path could lead her into darkness or light. Beyond the tight-knit cast of characters, the other star of Lodestone is the magic system. It’s fascinating and unique, unlike any other I’ve encountered in a book, and manages to be simple to understand yet still surprising in its application. Overall, Lodestone is an enjoyable and intriguing novel that scratches a lot of fantasy itches. Highly recommended.