The Wandering Isles: A Crown of Stones Novella (Soulbound Journeys Book 1) by C. L. Schneider – Review by Ayla Phipps

The Wandering Isles by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Details. While this is not the first book, I have read by the talented C.L. Schneider, it is the first book about Ian Troy, and the world of A Crown of Stones that I have read. As the synopsis states this book can be either a continuation of the original series or an introduction. Being new to the series this book served as an amazing introduction to the characters of Ian Troy and Jarryd Kane.
Ian Troy was once the Fated savior of the Rellan people during the endless wars with the Langorians. Given nearly infinite power fear led him to give it all away and take on the addiction to magic of his entire race, Shinree. Jarryd Kane is the person, friend, crewmate, that Ian takes with him when he leaves his homeland and all that it represents. Leaving Mirra’kelan was one of Ian’s hardest decisions to make, and to ask Jarryd to leave his son and loved ones behind to follow him. Saving the people, he was a reminder of a history everyone wanted to forget and a savior that was no longer needed. Setting out on the fabled journey of his Shinree ancestors, the first stop was The Wandering Isles, thinking they were abandoned. Finding them they find more than they ever anticipated, they are magical beings but not one that Ian can identify or recognize the magic of. Isuara, their leader and her male attendant Taalman tell them the only way they leave is with a trade. With no choice they are taken from their ship, their clothes changed and thrown into their worst fears. Ian quickly becomes aware but when one moment can’t be contradicted with facts, he is left doubting himself. Jarryd is thrown back in prison, told Ian is dead and no help will ever come. He contradicts the words being said to him with his memories of events only for the hope to slip further away, his half soul left helpless and alone in the darkness. The only way to be free is to do it their way: Endure the process. Claim their bottles. Complete the trade.
Will they be able to endure the process, or will their minds be too broken to finish? Can they find their way back to each other and their ship? Did they make a mistake when they left their homeland? The first book I read by this amazing author was Necrosis, and like that book the level of details leave you sometimes squirming as the visual fills your mind. Her ability to give such a detailed, complete image in everything she describes is incredible. I anxiously await the next book in this series and am already planning to go back and read A Crown of Stones. This world is unlike any other I have ever read, and one little taste is not enough, I need more.

View all my reviews