[.ca] The Stoneholding: First Book of the Talamadh (ISBN 1897130007)

Wow!!!!:
I was totally blown away by this book and I think that fantasy readers of any age will enjoy this trilogy. The charecters are believible and I can relate to many of them. The plot was suspencful and satisfiying. This book resembles Tolkein in as much that the history and culture if the world is developed and described. The detailed text makes you feel as if you are actually there and experiancing the story along with the charecters who you have come to know. I recomend this book to anyone of any age.

Briacoil, Mark:
I've waited a long time for this book to come to fruition, and the wait was not in vain...I enjoyed every word! The research, the imagination, the characterization and the quality of writing are rivetting and well worth the investment of time expended in reading "The Stoneholding". And as with any good trilogy, one is left at the end of this one heaving a sigh of relief, and yet feeling anxious for what is yet to come. Briacoil, Mark!

An enchanting world:
When you read the Stoneholding, you discover the world of Arvon. The richly detailed history of its people and culture create a storyboard or a background for the compelling narrative to unfold. The characters draw us into their world and their adventure keeps us captivated. The end is but a well-earned breathing space for our friends before their next head-long rush into danger. Bring it on!

A great start:
My only complaint, and it's a big one for me, is that I thought the authors should have switched the storytelling viewpoint back to the Ferabek/Enbarr faction i.e. the bad guy's point of view, rather than always reading about Kal/Wilum/the Lammermorn Clansfolk. This, to my mind, was the single, biggest flaw of this First Book of the Talamadh. Other than that, "The Stoneholding" is a strong beginning for Mark & James. The authors have really laid out a world rich in history, culture, and legend, and I believe have really set the reader up for serious story development in those areas later on in this series. I look forward to reading the Second Book of the Talamadh.

A Whole New World:
When you are a Tolkien fan (as I am) you can't expect to find anything more descriptive than Middle Earth. The way Tolkien told his creation to the human world is awesome.... Now I can't say any longer that Middle Earth is the only place that you can close your eyes and you're there due to the way that is described.... Now we have Arvon too to feel that amazing landscape all around us. No wonder after reading the book why Ted Nasmith painted such an incredible cover. From the very beginning I was captured by the way in which Mark James shows me all the characters, all the actions, but most of all the landscape of "The Stoneholding". I consider myself a privileged person for having this book and I can't wait to read the other two. For those who are asking themselves who I am....Well I'm a Cuban Tolkien Fan who'd never imagined to feel, with another book, the same sensation I feel when I read something related to Middle Earth. I'm glad to see I was wrong. Thanks Mark & James for "The Stoneholding"