Book Review: Lodestone Book Two: The Land of Ice and Stars by Mark Whiteway

Lodestone Book Two: The World of Ice and Stars
Mark Whiteway
Virtualbookworm.com Publishing (August 2, 2010)
978-1602645882
312 pages


Return to Kelanni where a band of rebels reunite to locate an instrument that will disarm the evil Prophet’s powerful weapon. Lodestone Book Two: The World of Ice and Stars picks up where Lodestone Book One left off in this thrilling science fiction/fantasy series.

Shann finds herself alone with the six-limbed creature named Boxx. Boxx, the Chandara, as his people are called, and Shann were swept overboard during the harrowing journey across the barrier in Book One. Shann first notices two things about her new surroundings; Lyall and the others are nowhere to be seen, and this side of Kelanni is very different from her home—stars fill the night sky and an icy white powder falls and sticks to the ground. After fending off an attack from several creatures, Shann and Boxx take refuge for the night inside a strange vehicle.

Meanwhile Lyall, Alondo, and Keris have run the sailing vessel aground and set out on foot. Lyall is injured and Keris leads Alondo to a village to find help. Despite Keris’ attempt to sabotage village vehicles, Alondo quickly befriends the villagers and the three are taken in as Lyall recuperates.

Shann meets a boy about her age, an awkward scientist’s apprentice named Rael. Shann learns that this side of the barrier is known as Kelanni-Skell; the far side (her home) is called Kelanni-Drann. The technology of Kelanni-Skell is far superior to Drann with flying machines and floating transport vehicles. Shann depends on Rael’s knowledge of the area as she decides to continue the mission to find the necessary components to defeat the Prophet and his people.

Alondo and Lyall struggle to come to terms with the thought that Shann and Boxx did not survive the journey across the barrier. Keris is eager to carry on the quest and decides that the first step is to find the Chandara living somewhere in Kelanni-Skell. More is revealed about the Prophet and his powers, his followers and their origin.

Author Mark Whiteway has a knack for developing an epic saga while keeping the pages interesting, entertaining, and believable. The reader can’t help being enthralled by Whiteway’s characters’ tireless passion to save their world. Captivated from the opening pages, I felt unable to stop reading as I became truly engaged in the story. Lyall, Shann and the others are tested for worthiness. The tests are unique to every one and push each to their physical and emotional limits. The result is a mesmerizing read that showcases Whiteway’s considerable imagination and creativity. Book One was an enjoyable sci-fi adventure. Book Two is a powerful, poignant story of unyielding determination. Book Three—I can’t wait!

If you liked Book One: The Sea of Storms, then Book Two: The World of Ice and Stars is a must read. If you are a science-fiction/fantasy fan you should read the wonderful prequel knowing that the follow-up is even better.

Reviewed and highly recommended by William Potter for Reader’s Choice Book Reviews.

Available at Amazon.com

Mark Whiteway (1959- ) lives in rural West Sussex, England, near the former home of H G Wells and is a lifelong devotee of H G Wells and Jules Verne. The Lodestone series of novels is built around the concept of negative matter-an extension of Einstein's Theory of General Relativity. Mark lives with his wife Sandra.