What if you were born with an addiction to magic? What if your pleasure meant their pain?Ian Troy is one of the Shinree, a fallen race born with an addiction to magic. Enslaved and drugged to suppress their deadly desires, the Shinree live to serve their masters. After years of forced combat in Rella’s long, brutal war, Ian is desperate for peace. With defeat imminent, he defies the queen’s … queen’s orders and wields the Crown of Stones; an ancient relic of untold power. Unaware of the artifact’s true nature, he ends the war, but pays a terrible price.
A decade later, Ian is still running from the blood in his veins and on his hands. Curbing his cravings with wine and regret, he struggles to forget. But when a fateful encounter with a pretty assassin brings him down that dark path again, Ian’s addiction is awakened—and denial is no longer an option. With the realm he gave up everything to protect once more in jeopardy, Ian becomes embroiled in a violent race for control of the Crown of Stones. As deceptions unfold, the truth becomes clear. To save the realms, he must embrace the one thing he fears most: his own power.
Magic-Price is the award-winning first installment in The Crown of Stones trilogy.
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I give The Crown of Stones: Magic-Price by C.L. Schneider, 5 stars.
This book is absolutely amazing!!! It centers around Troy, an outcast who is looked down upon because of both who he is and what he has done. He feels extreme guilt for what he has done and vows never to use magic again — vowing it to be evil. You can really feel his internal pain and conflict. But he has to defend those he swore to protect. He cannot see it, but others see good in him. To see him learn, change and make decisions that can have dire consequences is so enthralling, I could not wait to see what he would choose to do next. He is so flawed, but somehow humble, but fighting the revenge he feels at the same time. He has help though. Along the way, he befriends those who become closer to him then he’s ever known.
Then there is the story itself. It is ever-evolving and although there seems to be one final goal, Troy takes one day a time, deciding as he goes along. There is much tragedy, but there is also passion, hope, and love. It is an epic adventure, travelling throughout the lands. As you would expect with any good epic fantasy, the author paints such a vivid picture of the landscape and the people we meet along the way. She puts you right there with Troy, going through all of the things he goes through.
I was enthralled by this book and highly recommend it to those you like epic fantasy adventures with strong characters and a wonderful story.
I should probably start off with the disclaimer that I normally shy away from these books. Likely it is for me to simply not read a book with so much sci-fi infliction on the blurb and cover. However, I have read other novels by CL Schneider (her Nite Fire series) and I thoroughly enjoyed each of the books by her. I decided to stop being so dismissive and give these novels that belong to the The Crown of Stones series a chance. I am happy that I did.
Schneider has a huge knack for writing a vivid and realistic scene with thoughts and elements that you would not ever expect to be realistic. I often feel as if I have hopped into her books and The Crown of Stones: Magic-Price, was no different. The characters are full of life and so fun to follow, often relatable. I love the thought and attention to detail that is super evident throughout. These books are so much more than the sci-fi drama I could ever label it as. I feel as if you get a bit of everything in these stories.
In this book we find Ian a man that has been living in literal fear for his life and freedom. He is terrified to use his magic and that makes life extremely complicated for him. When new threats are brought forth he is forced to figure out how to use his magic and find his balance. I loved the adventure Ian went on and I am so looking forward to seeing what will happen next in book two!
What a wonderful book! It has a good solid story, great plot, the dialogue was smooth and flowing. C. L. Schneider has written a winner with The Crown of Stones: Magic Price. Ian Troy is unforgettable as are all the well-crafted players in this great book. It gets a little steamy in places but even with all that this book hits my perfect list. Although this is a fantasy it doesn’t feel like one. I can’t wait to read the next one, however I should probably clean my house first because I couldn’t put this one down.
Wow, an excellent novel. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. I really can’t explain how awesome this book is. It’s full of so many twists and turns it is unreal.
This is rather long but will keep you entranced. Twists and turns galore as Ian Troy attempts to find out who he really is and how to control the magic he inherited as a Shinree–a full blooded Shinree. He is a slave to the Queen who wants to be at war without him using magic. He finally tires of it all–finds a crown of jewels–and uses it–everyone on both sides dies. He swears off magic after this for 10 years, which is incredibly difficult for a Shinree.
Along his journey he meets several very interesting characters! I can’t say too much more or give everything away. There is some romance-some thrills and chills and a lot of traveling. At the very end I found myself hitting that arrow that takes you to the next page——nothing there–guess I’ll have to read the next in the series to see what occurs next in this fantasy novel.
Much like Ian Troy, I too have an addiction to magic, though mine is confined within pages of fantasy novels, and this was no exception, if anything it only made my addition worse. It begins with your usual fantasy good vs evil but as the story unfolds, and more background and world building is done, it becomes so much more than that. Schneider did such an amazing job taking the fantasy novel and making it her own. The building of the background material and the world made me want more and more. I loved how it wasn’t all just so simple black and white with how everything was meant to be, but that it touched on all the Grey area in between. I will be the first to say all magic comes with a price, but it’s a price worth paying to read this book.
5 stars
This is book 1 of The Crown of Stones and wow, it was so interesting right from the synopsis.
This book is about Ian Troy who is apart of a fallen race called the Shinree. They were born addicted to magic, they ruled centuries before and when their empire fell they became drugged and enslaved.
Ian is forced to fight in Rella’s long brutal war against the Langorian’s, when things turn for the worst he finds a quick solution when he finds the crown of stones and sees an end to the war. But it came with a heavy price that he wasn’t prepared to pay.
10 years after the war ended, and everyone is at peace Ian has learned to ignore the craving for magic and serves the realm as a bounty hunter. When his latest bounty goes awry, he finds he has a rogue Shinree on his trail.
With him out of the loop of the world’s politics, he finds that the 10-years peace has come to an end, and the Langorian’s are back for revenge. With Mirra’kelan under attack and only a few allies with him along the way, Ian is the only one who can reclaim the crown of stones and stop those who are after it’s power.
With the world crushing down on him and everything at stake, will he defeat the ones after him and reclaim the crown of stones?
Ian was my favorite character obviously. I loved how strong of a character he was and can’t wait to read more. This story was built with amazing detail, and everything about this book had me hooked. It is unique and original definitely worth a read. I honestly couldn’t put it down, and I know y’all won’t be able to either.
The Crown of Stones series drew me in because I love books involving magic, and the story kept me hooked from the very first page. I love the idea of magic coming at a high cost. The descriptions of how alluring and addictive spells are is almost seductive, as is the strength it takes for our protagonist to resist their call. It’s not just something he can wield. It’s what he is, coursing through his very essence. Using it comes with a price, but so does resisting it.
The world building was fast-paced and easy to become immersed in. The characters were well formed and realistic (their personalities, that is), managing to be both likeable and frustrating at times. I loved the writing style. There were a few misused words, but otherwise it was easy to become enveloped in Troy’s point of view and perspective of his world. I’m excited to read the sequels.
Best book I’ve read in years
This is honestly the best book I’ve read in years and that’s not just the best in the fantasy genre but in general. It has mystery suspense, romance and lots of battles! It has me hooked straight away which to me is very important in a book. I loved the way the author brought in crystals and gemstones and it was genius the way the intertwined with the main storyline throughout the book. I loved following the main character Ian as he is a character with depth. He’s someone who has so much power inside him that he doesn’t know what to do with. I feel privileged to have read it and can’t wait to read more from C.L. Schneider!
“The Crown Of Stones: Magic Price” is an incredible fantasy novel! This first installment was an amazing way to kick off a series. It took me away to a different world, and I got lost within the pages and the chapters. It’s a book about magic and responsibilities of the like I’ve never read before. The closest thing I can compare it to, is Game of Thrones meets Harry Potter, in the adult way. If I could give this novel 10 out of 5 stars I definitely would! I highly recommend this book, and I can’t wait to finish the series!
“With great power, comes great responsibility”, is a well-acclaimed phrase attributed to spider-man. But this is a universal truth, applicable to all the people who toy with power. If the power is not used wisely, it will lead to chaos and destruction and we end up paying a heavy price. This forms the crux of this fast-paced, gripping fantasy novel from C.L. Schneider.
Plagued by his own past, a handsome warrior and a magician, Ian Troy, forces himself into self-exile to escape from his own power. He belongs to Shinree, a fallen race, scorned for their innate addiction to magic. Shinree are drugged to forget their power and enslaved to curb their usage of magic at free will. Ian grows up as a warrior and a soldier in the kingdom of Rella, whose queen looks upon magic as a bane. But when the barbaric Langorians engage in a fierce, gory battle with Rella, Ian is forced to use a powerful magical weapon to end the war. This entails heavy destruction, leading to a complete wipeout of armies on both sides.
Crestfallen by the damage he has caused, Ian lives in exile, succumbing to alcohol and women, to escape his own obsession with magic. But after a decade, he is confronted with a series of bizarre events that compel him to embrace magic again. An unknown powerful force has joined hands with his deadly Langorian enemy, and together they are uprooting empires. Rella, the kingdom to which Ian had pledged himself to, is in ramshackle and the current queen is in jeopardy. This powerful force aims to break Ian’s will and forces him to use magic, for reasons unknown. Ian is challenged at every step, subjected to physical and emotional torture through spells, both ancient and powerful. He has no other choice, but to invoke his own magical prowess, to tackle this omniscient sinister force.
In his quest to find his enemy, Ian encounters many people, none whom he can completely trust. He uses his instincts to the best of his abilities but finds himself misled and trapped in a magical labyrinth. The traps are set at every point and the magic runs thick and deep. Finally, when he unravels the mystery, layer by layer, he comes face-to-face with the hidden murky truth, which shakes the very foundation of the principles on which he had laid his life. The truth is nowhere close to what he had believed it to be. As the thin lines between right and wrong grow dim, Ian attempts to close down on the very source of magic which is causing this devastation. And as the burden of the power falls on his shoulders, he has to pay a heavy price, yet again.
The book is very fast-paced and manages to keep the reader engaged and hooked to the plot. The spells are very imaginative, and with each spell, the plot deepens. Both the friendships and the enmity run deep and it gets difficult to decipher the illusion from reality. The twists and turns last until the very end of the book, and it leaves the reader wanting more.
The only qualm, which I have is the portrayal of women in this book. All women are condemned and derogated. In particular, there are two powerful female protagonists, who demand a well-respected standing in the plot. But on the contrary, either willingly or tossed as a bait, they find themselves as objects of physical desire to the men. Though the author ties up the loose ends in the end and clears the air behind their intentions, I wish there could have been another way, that they were also addressed as noble and treated with some respect.
But with the sequels following, I am hoping that this impression will be erased and the women get their due credits.
Leaving this aside, it is a brilliant piece of work by the author. I could not put the book down and I am looking forward to reading the sequel.
The Crown of Stones: Magic-Price by C. L. Schneider. This is the story of Ian who is a Shinree, a Magic user whose race has an addiction to using magic. While trying to stop a war Ian used his magic to end a war and by mistake killed lots of fellow soliders and the woman he loved. He is on a mission to save the Rella Empire because he was sworn to do it. As he sets out on the journey he meets lots of people who are not his friends but pretend to be so he has to sort thru them all. He’s also having to deal with a magic addiction and get it under control before it consumes him. This is a great adventure with lots of magic, sorcery, drama, action and intrigue. Once you pick this up you will not want to put it down. Do yourself a favor and start reading it today!
The Crown of Stones: Magic-Price by CL Schneider is the first in The Crown of Stones trilogy. This book is a really great and intriguing start to a new series. Magic is reworked into something awe-inspiring and dangerous. Ian is addicted to magic. The problem is all magic comes with a price. What might be good for one, might pain another. Ian lays his hands and wields the Crown of Stones to help end a war. But what price must he pay for this power?
This is really well written and interesting. I like how magic comes with a cost. This is mentioned in other series but you rarely see the consequences. Ian sees the consequences of his power over and over. I really enjoyed the build-up and am excited to start into the next book in this series.
MAGIC-PRICE is Book 1 in “THE CROWN OF STONES” series and is an epic fantasy. It is one of those tales that has a moral built into the story and it could actually be applied to some of events in currently present in the world. Good vs Evil – Action vs Reaction – Life vs Death.
Addiction [əˈdikSH(ə)n] NOUN: the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity. One wouldn’t think addiction to magic could be real, but clearly the main protagonist is addicted to his gift. The compulsive transfer from one addiction to another without treating the underlying cause is the theme to this book.
There are many characters that we are introduced to. This is a story that is told from the MCs POV and each character he introduces us to is explained so as to prevent any confusion. The story seems well plotted and has a very strong beginning, middle and end. It’s a story that keeps the reader engaged by moving from one situation to another in a well defined time frame, always moving the story forward.
This is not a story I read in one sitting. It is a little different from the books I normally pick up and I’m glad I had an opportunity to read this one.
I look forward to the next installments of this epic trilogy.
****
The Crown of Stones: Magic-Price by C. L. Schneider was a fantastical read. I would give this book a five out of five stars. The world building was beyond what I expected. I felt drawn in and it reminded me of some of my favorite fantasy stories. I felt empathetic to Ian’s struggles and was glad to see some development as the story progresses. I cannot wait to read the next book, I am sure it’ll be another great experience.
5 Star
The Crown of Stones: Magic-Price by C. L. Schneider is a science fiction/ fantasy book that once you start reading you won’t be able to stop until the end. A Shinree is a person who is addicted to magic that is exactly what Ian Troy is. He believes he can make a difference but he was born a slave and his magic is used to serve the purpose of other people. What will happen when he goes against orders? He turns to the Crown of Stones ,but does he know the real purpose At what price will he pay? Find out what happens next in this must read. I can’t recommend this book enough. I looking forward to reading the next Book in this series.
The Crown of Stones: Magic- Price is the first book in the Trilogy of The Crown of Stones by C.L. Schneider. This is not my first book by C.L. Schneider. I liked the other series and when I saw this series I knew I had to read it. Schneider has great plot lines with amazing characters. This story has a little of everything- magic, action, war, and adventure. Her characters are complex and fully developed. This particular story is about Ian and his journey. Ian is part of fallen race, Shinree, who has an addiction to magic. Ian was made to serve his masters. He fought in the brutal war and he wanted peace. At the end of the war, Ian moved forward and was running from his involvement in ending the war. Will Ian be able to keep his addiction in check? WIll Ian’s world turns upside down in the awakening of the past? You will have to read the book to find out the answers to these questions and more.
A great read about temptation. Ian Troy is a Shinree, one of a race of magical beings. Ten years ago, he stopped a war with dark magic and paid the price. Now, he roams the world, helping out where he can. When pursuing an assassin, he discovers there may be more to magic than he imagined. As events unravel, Ian finds friends and foes alike and struggles to resist the addiction of magic. Can he use magic for good or will he pay the price of death and destruction once again?
A great read. Well developed plot with twists and turns that I just couldn’t put down. Well developed characters like Ian as a strong warrior but with his anxieties underneath. Great cast of supporting characters like the sarcastic but kind Malaq or the supportive Jarryd.
I loved the visual detail throughout the novel like with the destruction and the use of grey and dark colours draining even the description of life. Or the scenes with the eldrings later on as gothic and monstrous and beautiful, wonderfully written. Or the swamp with its mud and bogs with their sounds and smells so vivid its as if you’re actually there.
A great example of world building with a range of magical beings in a fantasy world with their own rules and laws and histories.i also liked the sense of geography with its islands and swamps and mountains giving the reader a sense of the world as .harsh and unforgiving.
I also liked the use of suspense with details revealed slowly to make you want to keep on reading to find out the truth.The only issue I would raise is that there was some reptition with ians guilt which could have been reduced. Overall, a great read and I would give four stars.
The initial introduction into the life of Ian Troy was epic. It brought to my mind stories like JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings Trilogy. As I proceeded on the journey with Ian Troy I was left in awe of this author’s imagination. The story captured my attention and I enjoyed the journey. The ending was dramatic and left me wanting more. I look forward to the next installment and cannot wait to continue the journey.
The Crown of Stones: Magic-Price by C. L. Schneider. I love a book that takes me by surprise, and this one definitely has. This author has quickly become a one click for me. This story was amazing and I’m so glad I picked it up. From page one I knew I was in for quite the adventure with Ian and I loved every minute of it. The storyline is well written with every detail described so well it all comes alive before your eyes. Each character brings something unique to the story and have a place. I’m not always one for fantasy types but I love when I find one that changes my mind. Five stars and highly recommend, can’t wait for more!