Patrick Carr's A Cast of Stones ~ Reviewed

A Cast of Stones

By Patrick W. Carr

Published by Bethany House

ISBN#978-0-7642-9701-4

400 Pages

Book Cover: An Epic Medieval Saga Fantasy Readers  Will Love 
 
In the backwater village of Callowford, Errol Stone's search for a drink is interrupted by a church messenger who arrives with urgent missives for the hermit priest in the hills. Desperate for coin, Errol volunteers to deliver them but soon finds himself hunted by deadly assassins. Forced to flee with the priest and a small band of travelers, Errol soon learns he's joined a quest that could change the fate of his kingdom.
 
Protected for millennia by the heirs of the first king, the kingdom's dynasty is near an end and a new king must be selected. As tension and danger mount, Errol must leave behind his drunkenness and grief, learn to fight, and come to know his God in order to survive a journey to discover his destiny.

Review: Patrick W. Carr’s debut novel will quickly draw you into a unique adventure. A Cast of Stones is a fun fantasy story that will remind readers of King author adventures in Camelot. This is a delightful character driven story in the POV of a young broken young man named Errol.

Patrick’s kingdom names are Illustra and Erinon! The main character Errol instantly grabbed my heart and attention as this orphan boy (who’s seen more than a nineteen year old man should!), turns to Ale to deaden life’s pain and sorrow! He’s a regular at Cilla’s Tavern in the village of Callowford. The only home he’s known.

While in the tavern a church messenger desperately seeks help in delivering an extremely important message to a hermit priest in the wilderness. Everyone in the tavern points to Errol. They know he’s the only one that knows the hills like the back of his hand! They also know he’ll do most anything to earn coins to purchase more ale.

The messenger barked out a laugh, “A drunkard? You want me to give the most important message in half a century to a drunkard? Look at him: He’s barely a man. Only Deas knows what keeps him on his feet…How would I know he delivers the message?

Cruk pipes up, “You’re willing to pay, aren’t ya? Half pay now and a receipt in Pater Martin’s own hand will earn him another half crown. He’ll get it done.”

Errol is thrilled the church messenger gives him a coin up front and there’s hope for an additional coin when he delivers the signed note from the priest. Errol has to hurry. This message was urgent. It was a message on behalf of the church. His mission to deliver this urgent quickly has his life on the line when he notices a man dressed in black, holding an arrow aiming at him from across the field. He rushes through the woods trying to escape his attacker. When he arrives at the priests’ house – in record time - He explains everything! The Hermit Priest says they need to evacuate the house immediately. This wasn’t good news! They were in danger. The Assassin would stop at nothing to get to them!

So off they go on adventure of a life time, with the most unlikely traveling companions, running for their lives. Errol is forced to embark on a wild and mysterious journey outside his home of Callowford heading to Erinon! He’s filled with questions.

I liked how this author had the reader learn about things and places as Errol did. It was fun to learn together and try to piece the puzzle pieces together to solve the mystery along with Errol. Who was after them? Why the chase? Why did the Priest have to rush to Erinon? What was in that message? Do you like King Arthur stories? Lord of the rings? Like a good mystery with surprises. If you do then you’ll love this book as much as I did.

Even if you aren’t a fantasy fan you’ll quickly be drawn into Errol’s unforgettable journey to Erinon and captivated by this author’s creative imagination. I can’t wait to read the next installment of this expedition. You’ll catch yourself marking your calendar to purchase the next book in this series too!! Patrick W. Carr is a writer to definitely watch!!

Reviewed by: Nora St.Laurent

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