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winterreader40's review
3.0
Johnson and Boswell have a definite Sherlock and Watson vibe as they head out to discover if the stone of destiny in Westminster abbey is real or a fake and they have several adventures during their search.
I wasn't expecting the way this book was formatted, it's a series of diary entries followed by the story being told more in depth before the next entry, and while they are all interesting little side quests it really disrupted the flow of the story for me. I also didn't realize when I requested this book that it was book 2 in a series and while it read fine as a standalone you'll likely get more out of it if you start at the beginning.
The characters are interesting and based on actual people with obviously a lot of liberties taken to tell a fantasy story, but I found how Dr. Johnson always explained away each little side quest to be a bit abrupt and with very little show and to much tell. Overall it was an interesting story that has made me want to learn more about the people the author based the characters on.
I received this ARC through NetGalley and Burning Chair
I wasn't expecting the way this book was formatted, it's a series of diary entries followed by the story being told more in depth before the next entry, and while they are all interesting little side quests it really disrupted the flow of the story for me. I also didn't realize when I requested this book that it was book 2 in a series and while it read fine as a standalone you'll likely get more out of it if you start at the beginning.
The characters are interesting and based on actual people with obviously a lot of liberties taken to tell a fantasy story, but I found how Dr. Johnson always explained away each little side quest to be a bit abrupt and with very little show and to much tell. Overall it was an interesting story that has made me want to learn more about the people the author based the characters on.
I received this ARC through NetGalley and Burning Chair
2ndchance_chad's review
4.0
I picked this up as an eARC via Netgalley earlier this year. I did anticipate this one being a bit different than my usual reads let alone ARC's. I didn't realize when I first signed up for it that it was book two but I figured I'd give it a shot anyways. I still want to go back and read the first book. However, the way book two is put together it wasn't that bad just jumping into this adventure.
With that being said, as I started The Stone of Destiny it definitely gave strong vibes of Sherlock Holmes and even so far as just some retellings of some well know stories from yester-year.
Character development was solid in this book. We definitely learn a lot about our two main protagonists throughout the book. We also have many supporting characters through out each story as well to learn about. Some are very shallow in what we learn but others do go a bit more in depth, especially those that do come back around more than once.
Pacing the pacing initially started off a bit rough for me. Not so much the speed of the story but the confusion and jarring switch of stories. It wasn't until about halfway or more through the book that I realized the collection of short stories being told were in fact the same grand adventure as things started falling into place. I really liked the initial plot of the Stone of Destiny and was kind of disappointed when I thought that story kind of got abandoned as we moved onto other stories. However, trust in the author's process as things will make sense eventually!
World building was probably the strongest aspect for me. With the telling of so many different stories around the world and connecting these to historical facts and/or myths (however loosely) was what made this such an enjoyable read to me. When finished, I couldn't help but take a breath and only try to grasp the grand adventure these two just took part in over a relatively short time period!
Overall the book got stronger and became more of the authors own as it progressed. The ending was solid and I enjoyed the note from the author at the end apologizing on how fast and loose he used historical events and persons. As a consumer of entertainment I am blessed with the ability to take most stories regardless of media at face value and hope to simply enjoy the ride. But I know not everyone feels the same. So I enjoyed this little addition at the end. I could definitely see myself looking into more works from the author especially more adventures from Johnson and Boswell.
I'd recommend this to a reader that likes a more traditional mystery such as Sherlock Holmes with a general sprinkle of history and mythology. This isn't a long read and the writing style did flow well. I did find myself looking up a few words here and there that weren't familiar to me in present day United States. Not sure if they are used in the United Kingdom these days or if they harken back more to older times when the story takes place.
With that being said, as I started The Stone of Destiny it definitely gave strong vibes of Sherlock Holmes and even so far as just some retellings of some well know stories from yester-year.
Character development was solid in this book. We definitely learn a lot about our two main protagonists throughout the book. We also have many supporting characters through out each story as well to learn about. Some are very shallow in what we learn but others do go a bit more in depth, especially those that do come back around more than once.
Pacing the pacing initially started off a bit rough for me. Not so much the speed of the story but the confusion and jarring switch of stories. It wasn't until about halfway or more through the book that I realized the collection of short stories being told were in fact the same grand adventure as things started falling into place. I really liked the initial plot of the Stone of Destiny and was kind of disappointed when I thought that story kind of got abandoned as we moved onto other stories. However, trust in the author's process as things will make sense eventually!
World building was probably the strongest aspect for me. With the telling of so many different stories around the world and connecting these to historical facts and/or myths (however loosely) was what made this such an enjoyable read to me. When finished, I couldn't help but take a breath and only try to grasp the grand adventure these two just took part in over a relatively short time period!
Overall the book got stronger and became more of the authors own as it progressed. The ending was solid and I enjoyed the note from the author at the end apologizing on how fast and loose he used historical events and persons. As a consumer of entertainment I am blessed with the ability to take most stories regardless of media at face value and hope to simply enjoy the ride. But I know not everyone feels the same. So I enjoyed this little addition at the end. I could definitely see myself looking into more works from the author especially more adventures from Johnson and Boswell.
I'd recommend this to a reader that likes a more traditional mystery such as Sherlock Holmes with a general sprinkle of history and mythology. This isn't a long read and the writing style did flow well. I did find myself looking up a few words here and there that weren't familiar to me in present day United States. Not sure if they are used in the United Kingdom these days or if they harken back more to older times when the story takes place.
annarella's review
5.0
WOW! A very entertaining, gripping, and well written story that mixes horror, mythology, and historical characters and the mix works perfectly.
It's slow burning book but it turns into a fast paced story that kept me hooked and entertained.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It's slow burning book but it turns into a fast paced story that kept me hooked and entertained.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
monk's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.75
2.75 out of 5.0
The Stone of Destiny by Andrew Neil MacLeod is an Action / Adventure with Mysterious elements sprinkled into the stories. Set in 18th Century Scotland, Samuel Johnson and James Boswell search for the legendary Stone of Destiny and encounter many strange people along the journey.
The writing seemed to reflect the past method of serialized storytelling. This choice helps to set the atmosphere of a spooky Scotland in which ancient folklore lurks around every Abbey. The caricaturized personalities of Johnson and Boswell did not work at all. Johnson was a Holmes type intellectual while Boswell was a W. C. Fields type womanizing drunk.
Some of the stories were a good fun read but the main quest was a dull tale. Not a recommend.
The Stone of Destiny by Andrew Neil MacLeod is an Action / Adventure with Mysterious elements sprinkled into the stories. Set in 18th Century Scotland, Samuel Johnson and James Boswell search for the legendary Stone of Destiny and encounter many strange people along the journey.
The writing seemed to reflect the past method of serialized storytelling. This choice helps to set the atmosphere of a spooky Scotland in which ancient folklore lurks around every Abbey. The caricaturized personalities of Johnson and Boswell did not work at all. Johnson was a Holmes type intellectual while Boswell was a W. C. Fields type womanizing drunk.
Some of the stories were a good fun read but the main quest was a dull tale. Not a recommend.
marthe1998's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
eArc provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
To be honest this book was a bit disappointing compared to the first book in the series. Although this again was very atmospheric and has great prose throughout, I did not feel like the main characters were very relatable, which was amplified by the impulsivity of their actions and decissions. This book being divided in many side quests and adventures also made me lose interest as the danger presented was very deadly and well developed but, you already know that they will overcome it (mostly by sheer luck) and the consequences were just mentioned briefly, but did not feel detrimental in the long run. I was very interested in the main quest and plot line presented at the beginning of the book, which was not fleshed out very much until the end of the book, which made the side quests even less significant in my eyes. If you like books that jump from one conflict into another, this is really great, but it did not work for me unfortunately.
To be honest this book was a bit disappointing compared to the first book in the series. Although this again was very atmospheric and has great prose throughout, I did not feel like the main characters were very relatable, which was amplified by the impulsivity of their actions and decissions. This book being divided in many side quests and adventures also made me lose interest as the danger presented was very deadly and well developed but, you already know that they will overcome it (mostly by sheer luck) and the consequences were just mentioned briefly, but did not feel detrimental in the long run. I was very interested in the main quest and plot line presented at the beginning of the book, which was not fleshed out very much until the end of the book, which made the side quests even less significant in my eyes. If you like books that jump from one conflict into another, this is really great, but it did not work for me unfortunately.
niseag's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
This might be the first ARC I will be giving 5 stars, but... It's worth it for sure. I went into this book ready to rip it to shreds, on the hunt for anachronisms and historical malady but... I stopped making notes quite soon as I was simply swept away. This book is best approached as a short story collection, but each of its parts is intriguing and tense and near impossible to put down. It's themes felt almost tailor made to the things I enjoy, too, further taking away my will to scrutinise. From mad scientists to werewolves, the Loch Ness monster and the Isles: Each of them written with a clear love for the country and its history. It was exciting!
That is to say it was not without its flaws... The English centric narrative occasionally grinded my gears, which were grinded even worse by the mention of ogham being "ancient druidic". And I wished that the narrative would play with local folklore just a bit more. I would have liked seeing the Celtic benevolent werewolves, or the boobrie bird, etc.
But. It cannot take away from my overall enjoyment. The writing style reminded me of HG Wells or Verne, seemingly taking inspiration from victorian writing at large, but with a more modern pacing that keeps it exciting. The plots hit hard and the descriptions, gruesome as they sometimes were, where incredibly lively. Splendid!
Thanks netgalley for the ARC
That is to say it was not without its flaws... The English centric narrative occasionally grinded my gears, which were grinded even worse by the mention of ogham being "ancient druidic". And I wished that the narrative would play with local folklore just a bit more. I would have liked seeing the Celtic benevolent werewolves, or the boobrie bird, etc.
But. It cannot take away from my overall enjoyment. The writing style reminded me of HG Wells or Verne, seemingly taking inspiration from victorian writing at large, but with a more modern pacing that keeps it exciting. The plots hit hard and the descriptions, gruesome as they sometimes were, where incredibly lively. Splendid!
Thanks netgalley for the ARC
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Animal cruelty, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Alcoholism
lachesisreads's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
If Indiana Jones had been looking for the lost Ark, pardon, the lost Stone of Destiny, in 18th century London, it might have read something like this.
We follow Dr Johnson and his friend James Boswell as they try to solve the mystery of the lost Stone of Destiny - the stone English Kings are traditionally crowned on. We quickly realise that their version of England and Scotland is home to plenty of supernatural creatures - and not all of them mean them well. In an episodic manner that is reminiscent of Dumas' The Three Musketeers our two heroes stumble from one scrape into the next, and MacLeod does an excellent job of capturing the tone of the time. However, the book never veers of into the obscurely verbose, and instead offers a fun and fast-paced romp through our fictional paranormal realms of the past.
I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys the Sherlock Holmes stories, intriguing mysteries and new twists on mythology woven into real history; all with a smattering of philosphy and scientific debate.
I want to thank the author and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinons here expressed are my own.
We follow Dr Johnson and his friend James Boswell as they try to solve the mystery of the lost Stone of Destiny - the stone English Kings are traditionally crowned on. We quickly realise that their version of England and Scotland is home to plenty of supernatural creatures - and not all of them mean them well. In an episodic manner that is reminiscent of Dumas' The Three Musketeers our two heroes stumble from one scrape into the next, and MacLeod does an excellent job of capturing the tone of the time. However, the book never veers of into the obscurely verbose, and instead offers a fun and fast-paced romp through our fictional paranormal realms of the past.
I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys the Sherlock Holmes stories, intriguing mysteries and new twists on mythology woven into real history; all with a smattering of philosphy and scientific debate.
I want to thank the author and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinons here expressed are my own.
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