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3 Book Review: Heartstone Series by Elle Katharine White
Heartstone
You’ve heard of “Pride and Prejudice” with zombies, prepare to meet “Pride and Prejudice” with dragons!
Aliza Bentaine is still reeling from the loss of her sister, who was killed by a gryphon, and is relieved that the elite riders are coming to Merybourne Manor to eradicate the murderous monsters from the vicinity. However, her first encounter with Alastair Dairead, dragonrider, is far from ideal, and so begins a relationship that is rifle with misunderstandings, and a clash of wills between two stubborn yet goodhearted people.
Based loosely on Jane Austen’s novel, “Heartstone” is best where it deals with its own fantasy world. The world building of the different factions of creatures is fascinating, the creatures themselves well drawn characters, and the heartstones of the title – where each creature has a beautiful jewel buried in their heart that is harvested by their hunter – are appealingly original.
I loved the world of “Heartstone” and longed to explore it fully. Several plot points are set up in this book that are continued in the second book of the trilogy, to be resolved in the final book of the series.
My favourite character was Aliza’s sister, Mari, and I will riot if she doesn’t get a spin off series, or at least a novella.
Where “Heartstone” falls down for me is the constraints imposed by trying to keep to the format of Austen’s novel. I love Jane Austen’s work, but there is an epic fantasy story in “Heartstone” desperate to spread its wings, which I’m glad to say happens in the sequel.
Dragonshadow
Aliza and Alastair are married, but there is no time for a honeymoon when you’re the country’s finest dragonrider.
Murders in Castle Selwyn, on the far northern border of Arle, draw Alastair Dairead back to work only days after his wedding to Aliza Bentaine. Refusing to be left behind by her new husband, Aliza insists on accompanying Alastair and Akarra on the long dragon flight to Castle Selwyn. There she acquaints herself with the mysterious lady of the house, and uncovers many secrets, some crucial to the case, others much more personal.
In “Dragonshadow” the carefully crafted fantasy world introduced in “Heartstone” flourishes without having to follow the constraints of “Pride and Prejudice“. It is nice to see Alastair and Aliza exploring their world, which this time around is more medieval than regency, and has a decidedly Celtic flavor. The subplot of the mysterious Silent King of Els is advanced, and Aliza gains more knowledge of the Tekari. While it is a shame that the rest of the Bentaines – especially Mari – are absent from this novel, it is also understandable and makes narrative sense.
I enjoyed the continuation of Aliza and Alastair’s story in “Dragonshadow“. I am in love with the world of Arle, and I enjoyed getting to know it better. There is also a character named Isolde, which is a variant spelling of my name, and while the author may deny it, I am sure that she named the character after me. I am very grateful.
Flamebringer
The threads from the previous books are gathered together, and turned up to 11, in “Flamebringer“, the third installment in the “Heartstone Series”.
Aliza and Alastair Dairead have a rough journey home after the events at the end of “Dragonshadow“, but there is no rest for the fireborn Daireads as they journey to the capital, Edonarle, to warn the king about Wydrick and the rise of the ghasts. However, even the best laid plans fall apart, and with the Silent King landing on the shores of Arle, and war threatening, what can Nakla born Aliza hope to do to help the Dragonriders keep the peace?
“Flamebringer” starts strong and builds to a shocking finale. Old friends from the first book return including Mari – yay! – and the adorable hobgoblin, Tobble. The history of the world and the fourfold gods make up a large portion of this book, and the increased mention of the mythology was something I welcomed. It is so rich and well thought out, I wish it had played a larger part in the earlier books.
With “Flamebringer“, I feel that the world of Arle has grown up. Much as I enjoyed the first two books, they are haunted by the shadow of Austen, and the true beauty of White’s world wasn’t free to spread its wings. There was something cosy about the first two books, which is thankfully gone in the third book. Not everyone is safe, not everything is as it seems, and the book is all the better for it.
Like Garth Nix’s Old Kingdom, Arle has turned into a three dimensional world, elevated beyond the mere words that describe it, into a real place that I would happily visit.