Since moving to Ireland, Ashling Donoghue has tackled one challenge after another. Now the mystery of her parents’ disappearance seems unsolvable. Are they dead or only missing? No one—not even the godlike Breasals—has a clue. Hope and fear war inside her, but she’s determined to find answers and stay strong for her siblings. Even as she hones newfound powers, her banshee-in-training sister … Deirdre needs her support.
Ashling could use a little help herself. She’s struggling to navigate her first romance, and while Aengus Breasal stirs her body, mind, and soul, his nemesis Lorcan does too. Both men harbor secrets about her past life as Caer. One has ties to Aoife, the scheming wind demon whose influence is on the rise.
As the Stone of Destiny awakens, so does the conflict within.
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Ashling still reels from her parents’ disappearance. Are they dead or just captured? The Breasals (Irish immortals) use all their resources to track down her parents. She feels the weight of responsibility now more than ever before. As the cauldron, she should be able to sense her parents but alas, all she can sense is her own isolation.
Dierdre, Ashling’s sister, is coming into her own powers as a banshee. Like Ashling, she’s trying to feel her way through her newfound powers and responsibilities. With the help of Ashling and Brigit, she embraces her life and the sudden wooing by an unlikely suitor.
A powerful enemy ups her attacks on Ashling and her family. Mysterious Lorcan watches Ashling and when she confronts him, her feelings for him as well as Aengus war within her heart. She’s attracted to both Lorcan and Aengus. Is this history repeating itself or will she make the right choice?
I’ve been looking forward to reading this for over eight months and it didn’t disappoint. Filled with plenty of conflict, action and mystery, this is a must-read for any reader looking for a book to lose oneself in. There’s quite a bit going on and Judith Sterling weaves mythology throughout the plot with ease. Everything is believable in my eyes and that is a huge thing, especially when reading the impossible.
Yes, there is a love triangle, but before you turn away, give this story a chance. Ashling, Aengus and Lorcan are entwined through their centuries-old past and while Ashling doesn’t remember this past (reincarnation), there’s a familiarity with both Aengus and Lorcan. Both males are on opposite ends of the good/evil spectrum, or are they? This element to the story speaks to my heart and I couldn’t help but root for Lorcan.
If you’re looking to be swept away to the Emerald Isle to live among dragons, sprites, dragons, banshees and even Jack Frost, pick this up today! You’ll never want it to end.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from The Wild Rose Press via Netgalley in the hopes I’d review it.
Favorite Character/Quote: Aoife! The wind demon whose foul plot shattered my family with a single blow. Hate and despair welled inside me. “No!”
My Rating: 5 stars
How mixed my feelings are between Lorcan and Aengus! The author does an incredible job at making the reader care about both characters and like certain characteristics that one has that the other might not have. While Aengus is protective and keeps his secrets, Lorcan is more easygoing and upfront. I can feel Aengus’s hope on every page as he learns to trust Ashling, and the pain of his broken heart when he feels he is betrayed. Wonderfully written, intriguing story, and easy to get invested in the characters.
And what’s going on with Bridget and Greagoir? Are we getting their story too?
So far, I have really enjoyed this series, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading the third!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“The Stone Awakened” is the second book in the “Guardians of Erin” series.
Having read the first book (“The Cauldron Stirred”) more than a year ago, I was surprised at how quickly the story came back to me. The characters helped with that a great deal. Since they felt like family by the end of the first book, it kind of felt like a family reunion!
The writing, as in the first book, has real warmth that welcomes you right in and holds your hand through the entire book.
The story is developed much further, adding more levels of mystery while answering some questions from book 1.
While the series is aimed at young adults, there’s plenty here for the more wrinkly among us to enjoy too – in fact, there’s nothing to not enjoy!
A amazing 2nd book. I can’t get enough. This one really amps up the action and plots. Ashling really gets into her role and her family slowly come into theres. This is such a magical series and well worth the read. Past lives, present lives all intertwine and the magic that comes to life , the love that builds because of it is stunning. Judith Sterling does such a beautiful job! The only thing I miss in this series is the narrator Sarah Lucero doesn’t do the same thing she did in the 1st book. She reads the words instead of acting them out. Its still an excellent book and she does a beautiful job. That was just unique in the audible world.
Audiobook: Narrator – Sarah Lucero
I really enjoyed this narration, more so than the first book. Ms. Lucero did an excellent job of accents, male and female characters as well as pulling me into the story.
Wow, this is chocked full of fantastical creatures from mythology and bursting with layer upon layer of danger and drama that will cast its spell upon you from one heartbeat to another.
As Ashling searches for clues to her parent’s disappearance, there is danger at every turn. Her sister is coming into her own powers which opens doors to more secrets and adventure. Along the way, Ashling continues to grow closer to Aengus but is also being pulled in another direction.
I’m not a fan of love triangles, but I have to admit, this one adds a new depth I didn’t see coming. Although this is primarily Ashling’s story, her siblings are definitely rising up to take their place and I can see that there’s a big showdown on the horizon. I was definitely engaged with this, although listening instead of reading some of the more finer details of the mythological beings could be a bit difficult at times. I wasn’t always able to rewind for a deeper listen so I lost some of the threads along the way.
Nevertheless, the sheer energy of this story is evident throughout. There were moments that were down right startling and sometimes frightening. I confess, I’m curious to see how this is all going to end!
Can this series get any better? Wow, I’m so loving the story and learning so much about Celtic mythology is an added bonus. Be prepared to meet demons, faeries, leprechauns, dragons and the guardians of Erin.
The story continues from where the first book ended and Ashling has really come into her role as the Cauldron. Her sister Deirdre is getting her full powers as well and her twin brothers are slowly coming into theirs. Their parents are still missing and Ashling is still torn between Aengus and Lorcan. The book ends with still so many unanswered questions so I’ll now wait (im)patiently for the next 2 books to come out:)
As well written as the first one, you just want to keep reading because this story truly makes you want to believe in the Otherworld and all of its magic and creatures. My favorite part is learning how snowflakes are really made:) I had won this book in a giveaway and am voluntarily giving my honest review.
I loved The Stone Awakened! I’d been waiting for Book 2 in Judith Sterling’s YA fantasy “Guardians of Erin” series, after the fantastic first book The Cauldron Stirred, and I was not disappointed. The Donoghue family’s adventures continue in this excellent continuation of their story.
In this book, the Donoghue children, aided by figures from Celtic mythology, search for their missing parents. I love how Sterling combines modern real-world characters with Irish myth and folklore.
I don’t want to say too much about the story, as I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but I especially enjoyed Ashling’s romantic situation in this book, torn between Aengus and Lorcan, in a love-story that crosses lifetimes.
The Stone Awakened is a page-turning adventure with magic and wonder, suspense, and romance. No pressure on the author, but I’m already anticipating book 3 in the series and can’t wait to read it!
Be transported into the land of Ireland, where mythical creatures exist in other worlds. Ashling, had come to Ireland with her mother, father and siblings which was described in the first book of this series. She has experienced so much and with Aengus Breasal’s help, has discovered this other world and learns to develop her own powers along with her sister Deidre.
I loved the interaction between Ashling, her sister and twin brothers and it pulled them all together. When her father and mother go missing, she is determined find them and really needs some help.
Her relationship with Aengus is lovely to watch as the beginnings of first love stir. But Aengus’ adversary Lorcan makes her feel things too.
Wonderfully written, it kept my attention as I turned that pages and with the paranormal mythology, I was hooked. You will really enjoy this tale and long for the next book in this series.