Like most authors, I always want to hear from my readers. Thank you to those of you who have contacted me and provided feedback. I’m delighted that your response to Adamant in Dust is overwhelmingly positive. But you’ve had some questions about the book. So, because you asked, let me address a few of them.
Who Is That?
A number of you have commented on the proliferation of hard-to-pronounce names in the book, which are difficult to keep track of. To help you with this, I’ve included a Glossary of Characters at the end of the ebook and print books. Unfortunately, it is not on the audiobook. That could be rough for my listeners. So, I’ve decided to extract the Glossary into a separate publication and make it freely available to my subscribers. In preparing it, I was also able to correct some errors. Therefore, this Adamant in Dust Glossary of Characters is the most accurate version of the Glossary to date. Get it here. You can also find it on the Free page under the Books menu on the website. Enter your subscribing email address to download it.
Each new edition of this Glossary for the next book in the series will add the names from that book to those already there. With the last book, it will become the Far Stone Cycle Glossary of Characters. A friendly tip-off: that final publication will be sizable, and you will need to consult it.
What’s in Your Heart?
Minor spoiler alert! Skip this section if you haven’t read the book and don’t want to know anything in advance.
As in any fantasy story, metaphysical concepts abound in Adamant in Dust. One in particular has baffled a reader. What does it mean that a stonemage carries a Far Stone in the heart? Well, I don’t think a mechanical explanation is what you are looking for, and I certainly can’t furnish one. Ultimately, it’s a mystical process by which the Stone defies the rules of matter and fuses into a mage’s heart. It remains there as a physical entity, not just a sensation or force, and can be extracted whole given the right impetus. But the Stone doesn’t interfere with the functions of the body. Yep, it’s magic.
Inside the heart, the Stone enables the stonemage to use its power to work wonders. The Stones can be used even if they are not in the heart of the wielder, but their potency is greatest when they’re so integrated with the mage. So, obviously, one must have certain abilities to carry the Stone in the heart. But that’s enough with the spoilers. You can find out more in the book.
Characters Redux
Finally, several people appreciated the character sketches I did in the newsletters and were distressed not to find them in the book itself. I can’t include them there because they are AI generated images. But I can put them here so that you have a central place to view them all, instead of having to look through your emails. Here they are again. Enjoy!
Shang-Li is Princess Pergi’s instructor and companion. She is one of the fabled Wise Woman of the eastern continent of Meiwen and is skilled in MouFu, the martial arts of that land. Cantankerous and eccentric, she does not suffer fools kindly. And good luck figuring out her age.Slevin is the chief Mountain Man who offers to help the companions track the runaway bride. Don’t let his rough exterior fool you. His woodland skills and staunch resourcefulness may yet save the day. Who do you think would win in a fight between him and Shang-Li?Sadira is the golden princess of Berginthold. Amiable and decorative, she involves herself only in singing and dancing, right? Who knew she would cause so much trouble… or have so much to offer.Teyrnon is the sole prince of Pennith and the heir of Jasper the Bright. It’s a role that comes with duty and sacrifice. His affable air hides the burden of this expectation. But marrying Sadira is no hardship… until she doesn’t want him anymore.Adlaren is Teyrnon’s personal steward and his most loyal servant. The prince depends on him for protection, advice, and quiet strength. Nothing could come between them… except maybe Adlaren’s complicated feelings for a certain princess.Princess Peregrine (Pergi to her friends) is the elder princess of Berginthold and have borne the expectation of Jasper’s prophecy all her life. She has the steel to effect any duty, but love is not a feeling she can produce on demand… Yet it will slip in from the most inconvenient place.Gael is the older of the twins serving as Prince Teyrnon’s personal guards. Fastidious and taciturn, he is nevertheless staunch and lethal in protecting his charge. This current quest will test him to the uttermost and reveal who he really is.Loyal and easy-going, Egan is a masterful archer and knows it. But he takes his responsibilities to the prince and his brother very seriously. They are not identical and rib each other like any other siblings. Yet their bond is anything but typical and must withstand the strains of this mission.Cywen, Teyrnon’s cousin, enters our story as an enthusiastic young woman ready for an adventure. She soon discovers that their quest is far more than fun and games. Her skills in languages and music are essential for their travels in Elolle, but will she play a greater part than she could ever have imagined? Obadiah is the faithful and brilliant visere and Mountain Man, who holds an encyclopedic amount of theology, history, and lore in his mind. He appears morose often because nothing much challenges or excites him. That is about to change on this journey, like his life.Ketti is the leader of the caravan of Enobi that our companions stumble across in Elolle when they most need help. He is kind, courteous, well-spoken, and extremely helpful. Is he a godsend or something else?Urtod is Ketti’s seven-year-old son. Like other kids his age, he is quiet with strangers, loves to play games, and needs to pee at the most inconvenient times. But don’t let those innocent eyes fool you. He is precocious beyond his years and inclined to provoke adults.Argent is Malchor’s lieutenant in Elolle. Forged in the unforgiving ice fields of Lothaulind, he carries the scars of that cruel land. His effectiveness and loyalty made him a top commander for his master. Yet he had never fit in. Could he be the enemy that beats Pergi and her companions at this juncture?
Thank you so much for updating the glossary and putting all the character sketches together.
I am looking forward to your next book!
Know Like a Stonemage!
Sign up for my newsletter to get updates and free short stories! I won't spam you. Unsubscribe anytime.
You're almost subscribed! You must confirm on the Confirmation Email. Look for it in your Spam or Promotions folder if you don't see it. Once confirmed, links to your free short stories will come shortly.
Wonderful!
Thank you so much for updating the glossary and putting all the character sketches together.
I am looking forward to your next book!