The Orange Stone:
What happens when people who have never known violence or war come face to face with a people who kill, but cannot be killed?
Two years have passed since Someisa received her red stone. She has become bored with her studies and desires something more exciting to enter her life. It does. Unfortunately, she didn’t specify what kind of excitement.
Hara teaches her how to build a house out of live trees and shrubs. Mayhem abounds. She learns how powerful early childhood beliefs can rule her now. She meets a delightful bunch of friendly lizards who have a language of their own and can communicate with the dragons using that language. They also have some abilities for healing.
Of course, we have to have bad guys or there would be no story. The metal men from Someisa’s dreams move into the story and cause all kinds of mischief, much of it unpleasant. Once again, Someisa must step to the foreground and save the day, without using or asking for violence of any kind to solve the problems brought about by the metal men.
Along the way, she learns more about herself, her abilities, and what it means to receive help from others.
From my beta readers
“I love the Orange Stone because not only is its
magic system and plot intriguing and unique, but is relatable to the younger
generation of people. The Orange Stone is one of my favorite books and I highly
recommend it to all readers.” -Maryam Szigethy age 12
I love the Orange Stone because, not only is its magic system and plot, intriguing and unique, but is relatable to the younger generation of people. The Orange Stone is one of my favorite books and I highly recommend it to all readers.” -Maryam Szigethy age 12 I feel deeply grateful for cozy fantasy The Red Stone by Linnie Thomas. Within my first sitting, I couldn't wait to dive in again to her vibrantly real characters, enticing story line, and transformative concepts. Though fantasy, I feel our world is so ready for the intriguing practices and often wise perspectives of the Cheschenaki people. I enjoyed every moment engaged in the world of Someisa, her community, and her intriguing companions. Linnie's skilled approach to revealing aspects of characters, cultural practices, and interwoven events, made me feel at home and deeply connected with the community, their journeys, and the mysteries they must resolve.
I'm especially blessed to be pre-reading a draft of Linnie's second book in The Wasaru Stones series. I loved book one, and book two feels even more juicy. Of course, now I'm awaiting the draft for book three. Meanwhile, here's hoping we'll have book two in our hands by the end of the season of falling leaves!
Prologue
The tree people welcomed the fog people, who came to say good morning. All was as it should be until something created a disturbance in a little glen not far from a path that wound through the forest. A shimmering took form at the edge of the trees. All movement stopped, and the forest went silent, watching the something foreign that had just arrived.
An odd creature stepped through the shimmering. Shaped somewhat like a man, it appeared to be made of metal. The energy around the thing did not mingle with the surroundings. Instead, it clung to the creature, venturing no further out than an inch. The metal man looked around to get a bearing on its location. Then it waited.
The plant people sent their consciousness into their roots and waited for the thing to go away. The animal people shied away from the area and silently made their way to places of observation where they felt safe.
The creature never noticed them. Its attention remained on the shimmering in front of it. Presently a man came rushing through the shimmering, nearly fell as he emerged, but stayed on his feet. He oriented himself, took note of the creature in front of him, and nodded as a way of greeting.
The creature pointed at the man, and a projectile flew from a finger like appendage. A hole bored into the man’s forehead, and he twisted and fell. The odd creature looked down at the dead man, now lying at his feet, with no sign of emotion. It entered the shimmering and disappeared.
The forest stayed quiet. The animal people left the area. No songs were sung that day.