The Stone Knife by Anna Stephens

Publisher – Harper Voyager

Published – Out Now

Price – £8.99 paperback £3.49 Kindle eBook

For generations, the forests of Ixachipan have echoed with the clash of weapons, as nation after nation has fallen to the Empire of Songs – and to the unending, magical music that binds its people together. Now, only two free tribes remain.

The Empire is not their only enemy. Monstrous, scaled predators lurk in rivers and streams, with a deadly music of their own.

As battle looms, fighters on both sides must decide how far they will go for their beliefs and for the ones they love – a veteran general seeks peace through war, a warrior and a shaman set out to understand their enemies, and an ambitious noble tries to bend ancient magic to her will.

The desire for power, war, violence and ever more people to rule casts a a long shadow on human history. Multiple empires across the globe pushing themselves onto other lands, taking over cultures, changing languages and back home all the conquests being cheered on and becoming a tale of victory. In our world yes there are always political and economic motivations behind this need for more but in fantasy there is always room to explore this incessant desire in different ways. In Anna Stephen’s power fantasy novel The Stone Knife we watch the first acts of conquest as a strange magical empire has one more people and land I it’s sights but this time the song of victory will itself be a curse.

The forests of Ixachipan are hearing the ever closer sound of the Empire of Songs. A huge powerful civilisation slowly absorbing its neighbours; enslaving them and making all who live in the country hear it’s strange song and worship the mysterious Setahmeh the water gods who take so so many sacrifices. Standing alone is Tokoban a resourceful people now sheltering some refugees from a recent encroachment. Under the direction of their rule The Singer the Empire prepares its next attack but this time various intrigues on both sides mean battle is neither straightforward nor going to have any clear winners.

Anna Stephens has created a very intricate world for this story that has intrigue, magic and battles galore throughout moving at a searing pace; which I highly enjoyed and also appreciated. We are in a world with stone and plant based technology – very little mention of metal. Plunged intot he deep end from the start the reader has to work to put the world together as we move from various character viewpoints. I always appreciate this approach as it does not lead to excessive exposition and it is always rewarding when you finally get how a culture or character works in a story. As we reach a very bloody and devastating final opening up the rest of the series all the pieces of the story come together immensely satisfying both changing the world we see at the start and also opening up a host of character arcs.

All the characters in this story are interesting even those you would not want to be left in room with. In Takoban we meet Lilla a warrior and his husband Tayan a shaman who are a perfect blend together but will find most of the book split. Lilla will find himself in the heat of battle while Tayan finds himself t the heart of the Empire witnessing first hand it’s intrigue, power, violence and seductive magic. Another interesting duo are Xessa a deaf character who uses sign language and is a skilled and ever adventure seeking warrior patrolling the dangerous rivers and the quiet refugee Ilandeh who keeps getting in the way of things but starts to play a central role as the war moves closer hinting at hidden reserves we do not expect. Within the Empire we get two powerful figures almost at odds with each other. Enet is the Singer’s Second and also a lover and yet we soon see a skilled woman eft at making powerplays and not above making herself in line for the ultimate throne. But despite all that power lust we also see her pay a cost making you almost feel sorry for her. A more amoral character is Philos who is both a great warrior but also slave owner and fiercely loyal to the Empire. He manages to be someone you can admire; sometimes like and sometimes hate. What all these characters deliver is complexity in how thy see the world; their role and how they start interacting with each other. They cross paths a lot and each encounter changes the world  - its impressive storytelling.

The other two aspects worth appreciating are the magical side of this world and the immense battle scenes. The magic here is two competing systems. The Empire appears to be under one united spell  -it is an interesting approach to see an empire where ethe control seeps everywhere even to the conquered and this raises interesting questions of how empires all call for a common sense of purpose from the inhabitants native and conquered absorbing all into it – willing or not. I did like that just as much as The Empire of Song has a price even in Tokoban we see their spirit driven magic system also requires sacrifices and perhaps there are hints neither system is ‘good’. Into this is the mysterious, vicious, and deadly Setameh who cast such a powerful spell on the Empire and yet elsewhere are known as the Drowned awaiting unwary people to cross paths. I sense they are key to many mysteries this story starts with. I love the idea that these creatures themselves produce a hypnotic song hence why the only warriors to stop them are deaf or hard of hearing.

Stephens has long been known for excellent fight scenes and again these are delivered in a skilled ballet of blood, pain and prowess. You know each character will face pain and indeed they do…oh so much. Some in battle and some in places less expected as people strive for power or control of others. All of which makes you feel any character at any moment may be about to meet their last scene and that neatly adds to the tension.

The Stone Knife is intricate; creative and full of creative ideas all hinting at a much larger tale to be told. Greta characters; set pieces and an imaginative magic system plus monsters all make the reader compelled to find out what happens next and also fear that their favourite characters will meet their end. Highly recommended and well worth a look.

Stay tuned for the sequel soon!