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 Names 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. I add to it when each book in the series is released. Therefore, this Far Stone Cycle Glossary of Names is the most accurate version of the Glossary to date. Get it here. You can also find it on the Free page under the Bookshelf menu on the website. Enter your subscribing email address to download it.
A friendly tip-off: the 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?Jonette is the eldest child of Lady Linniue and cousin to Pergiand Sadira. Together with her brother, she disappeared fromBerginthold over two years ago, supposedly traveling theworld as nobles of leisure. The truth is far more intriguing.She is clever and dutiful, but will that save her from thecoming tempest?Beranger is Jonette's younger brother, who left Berginthold anoverweight and feckless young man. In Meiwen, he foundhimself and so much more. But as the presumptive male heirto the throne of Berginthold after his Uncle Sigebard, fatewould not leave him in peace. Ripples in an ocean, their storywill swell and take you by surprise. It certainly did me.Ma KimMai is the oldest daughter of Ma CheVu, the Chancellor of Phu Valon. Beautiful and reverential, she wishes to serve her father by obtaining a favorable marriage with one of her many royal suitors from the neighboring kingdoms. But that is not her only motive in infiltrating the monarchial houses of Meiwen.Ma HaLien is KimMai's younger sister, and she couldn't be more different. A fierce warrior and expert archer, she accompanies her sister in all her court visits as a bodyguard. It is a dangerous game to flaunt her martial prowess in the often intolerant and patriarchal realms, but nothing fazes her... until she meets a bowman from Pennith.A thirteen-year old teenager at the cusp of adulthood, Napha is curious to see the world. But, as a daughter of the king, she has few expectations. She isn't a princess nor her mother, a wife. But Napha possesses something both powerful and dangerous, which plunges her into a pivotal role in the conflict.Lady Sukanda's deplorable life as First Concubine to the king affords her few joys, but her children are her greatest ones. She despairs that her daughters would not escape her fate. But when the chance comes, she will sacrifice everything to see them safe.Krabo escaped a dubious past in Berginthold to be a mercenary soldier in Meiwen. He usually keeps to himself but has taken a shine to a young recruit with a lot of promise.Commander Zin Zaw is a hard man who runs his military unit with a firm hand. Yet he is fair and almost a good man. His people respect him ... except for the new soldier who appears both addled and imperious.Irvon is the genius son of Slevin and acting Habriger of the Mountain Folks in his father's absence. But circumstances has led him far from home. His agile brain is always up for a challenge. Yet the trials looming before him may test the limits of his resources.Ermina, Irvon's teenage daughter, shares her father's intellect and a bond of curiosity. With him gone, it falls to her to be the innovator among her people. But there are hardships beyond the realm of science and nature that her young heart may not be able to bear.With her customary moue and driving ambition, Rykelia arrives in Meiwen on a secret mission from her father. Having little love for allies or rivals alike, she seeks only to advance herself. What damage could her pettiness achieve? The fate of kingdoms and lives will tell.Lord Tobyn, self-proclaimed Lord Protector of Berginthold, sets schemes in motion and watches from his perch for them to play out to his advantage. He may not feature much in Veil of Wisdom, but his influence is felt in the machinations of his daughter. Would he approve of Rykelia's course of action or her execution of it?Once the darling of the Bergintholdian court who would steal a princess' heart and wield the power of a Far Stone ...Launfal is now reduced to an enervated madman. How are the mighty fallen. But does this chicken-adverse, disgraced nobleman still have a part to play in the struggle for the Far Stones? Come and find out.
Thank you so much for updating the glossary and putting all the character sketches together.
I am looking forward to your next book!
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Wonderful!
Thank you so much for updating the glossary and putting all the character sketches together.
I am looking forward to your next book!