In Stone’s Clasp

In Stone’s Clasp is the second installment in the miniseries, The Final Dance, and sequel to On Fire’s Wings.

Kevla is the Flame Dancer. She can summon fire just with a thought. She seeks the additional four elements: Stone, Sea, Wind, and Soul. All five elements will be needed to defeat the Shadow. She has set out on her first of four adventures to locate the Stone Dancer. In her visions or dreams, she sees a tall, strong man in the midst of the icy north. Kevla and her companion, the dragon, fly to a country devastated by an unnaturally long winter. In the midst of a land unfamiliar to her, she befriends a local woman who offers to assist her in finding the Stone Dancer. When Kevla locates the Stone Dancer, she becomes aware that he is a man driven for vengeance against the ones be believes betrayed him. Will Kevla be able to lead Jareth to the future he is destined to have?

Jareth is the Spring-Bringer. With the gift of changing the seasons, he has ensured his people bountiful harvests and mild winters. When Jareth loses both his family and his ability to communicate and summon the earth, he is left bitter and angry. Setting out to locate the gods and force them to bring back both his family and magic, he has no idea what this mission will bring. Will Jareth locate the gods that he seeks? Learning that he is actually the Stone Dancer and not just the Spring-Bringer, Jareth must come to understand what he truly is. Will he accept the responsibilities of being the Stone Dancer?

Jareth and Kevla will be thrown into an adventure that neither of them is truly prepared for. Surrounded by dangers that they can and cannot see, they must learn to trust each other and accept who they are even though that means that means they have to let go of something or someone very important to them. As they seek the Ice Maiden to save the land from the never ending winter, they will come to realize what they are capable of doing and being. Will they be able to complete the task ahead of them?

Christie Golden has provided readers with a well thought out plot, with unique and realistic characters, and many twist and turns to keep readers engrossed in the story. Kevla is a strong and determined woman set to do the right things even though she does not realize that she is as strong as she is. Forced to make one of the hardest decisions in her life, she rises to the moment with a great heart and understanding of who she is. Jareth is a tender man that cares for many people only to have them turn their back on him in his time of need. Left feeling alone, he is forced to come to terms that he is truly not alone. Jareth and Kevla are two people with big hearts and personalities that readers will instantly bond with. Can Kevla stand strong in the face of danger when she cannot see it? Will Jareth make the right decisions and become the one he is supposed to be? Will Kevla and Jareth defeat the Ice Maiden?

In Stone’s Clasp is a wonderfully written story that had me glued to my seat within just a few pages. The trust and understanding between Kevla and her dragon companion is rewarding to read. The kindness that Jareth has within him is touching and tender. Although I did not read the first installment of this series, the story beautifully portrayed Kevla as a character that I knew and cared for deeply. I am definitely waiting impatiently for the next installment to become available. Readers will not be able to walk away after reading just one of these stories. They will have to read each and every one to see how each one turns out and watch the characters grow and evolve into their powers. Christie Golden has done a tremendous job developing a story that draws readers into the plot and holds their attention until the end. In Stone’s Clasp is outstanding and has earned 5 Angels and a Recommended Read!

Reviewed by: Jessica