A unique and refreshing read! I'm pleasantly surprised by how the story turned out and for such a short read you get the full package.

The story starts with how Conbert first met Elinor and then proceeds with the story, where a few years later he and Elinor and the people of the now deceased Lady Kian Lliane have to face the battle of their lives.

I really liked Elinor's character. She is the main hero of this story. She's a really strong, loyal, young character, that at first sees the world with grim eyes. In her younger years she had to learn the hard way that sometimes fighting for something can only result in nothing. But her point of view changes when she meets a younger version of herself, Tae. She shows Elinor that there are still some things worth fighting for and that no matter how bad the situation may be, there is always hope for better times.

A Reaper of Stone is truly an inspiring story. There is tragedy, heartbreak, treachery but there is also bravery, hope and victory. A journey that's worth reading!

As a firmly established cover art magpie, I took one look at the beautiful artwork for A Reaper of Stone and thought 'this is the novella for me!'; a novella which turned out to be extremely well written, incredibly enjoyable and had me on the hunt for more literary creations by Gelineau and King. This is a fast-paced fantasy novella which succeeds in drawing you into a world which appears intricate and fully realised, all in less than a hundred pages.

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A Reaper of Stone follows the story of Elinor, a Reaper for the King who fells keeps and brings lands under his dominion. Elinor journeys with a team of engineers, a retinue of tiresome and entitled nobles, and a company of deadly Razors, those who are skilled with weapons and trained in magic fuelled combat. As they make their way through the lands of Aedaron, strongholds are razed to the ground, claimants are removed from power and the will of the King (and often his petty nobles) is at all times enforced.

There are some things in this new world they are creating, however, that weigh heavily on Elinor's shoulders and, fuelled by her dreams of the heroes and valiant deeds of legend, the mission on which she is sent may not be the one she fulfils.

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The world of Aedaron appears to have the depth and scope of a much lengthier narrative and, together with its inhabitants, is described in enough detail to keep the story flowing and give it a sense of realism that is sometimes lost in novellas. There is a sense of a greater world beyond what we read, a world full of history, myth and legend which lurks beneath the surface and works together with the narrative to create the impression of reading a much longer novel.

The people and monsters which inhabit Aedaron are extremely well depicted, and the characters, whilst reminiscent of those who grace the pages of many fantasy epics, use this recognition to connect fully with the reader. Elinor is a multifaceted protagonist who makes a charming fantasy heroine - a heroine who stands up for what is right whilst wielding a mace like a badass - and the side characters are suitably detailed to become firmly established in the imagination.

Gelineau and King have created a multi-layered world which resounds with the influence of epic and traditional fantasy yet unfolds in the fast-paced and action-filled narrative which we’ve come to expect from modern fantasy. The language used throughout is lyrical and descriptive, giving depth to the world and its creatures whilst driving the story and the action forward at all times. Gelineau and King have fashioned a universe I would wish to return to time and time again.

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If you want a short read to break up those long tomes then look no further; A Reaper of Stone has the essence of a traditional fantasy epic, full of adventure and beautiful, lyrical prose, in well under a hundred pages. And luckily for us, Gelineau and King plan on publishing many more 'Echoes' with the promise of another Elinor Ascended novella in the near future. I for one cannot wait.

Wow. This is a seriously good story. No wasted pages needed to establish characters or setting. Jumps right in and just sucks you into their world and situation so that you can read and enjoy. Well written, original story with action and heart. I for one cannot wait to join these authors in their world and adventures. Well written and thoroughly enjoyable. I want more !

I loved A Reaper of Stone!! I was browsing through Netgalley one day and the gorgeous cover instantly captured my attention! It is a short book around 90 pages long. I read it all in one sitting and also requested the other 3 available books on Netgalley that belong to the same series, An Echo of the Ascended.

I will keep my review relatively vague as I don’t want to spoil anything for you all. I want to just highlight the parts that I particularly loved about it.

- The world building is absolutely fantastic! The descriptions were so meticulously written that it played out like a movie in my mind.
- I loved Elinor’s character! She is a total badass! Con is just as captivating!
- The villains of the novel were as evil and manipulative as you can possibly imagine. They really pulled the entire story together.
- I have no complaints whatsoever! I really enjoyed it and I look forward to reading their other books!
- I plan on buying the paperbacks as well as all of the covers for the entire series are to die for! Oh and in case you’re wondering, it does not end in a cliffhanger. Each book has different characters, but they seem to be linked somehow.