Title:  Of Shadow & Stone
Series:
Author:  Michelle Muto
Genre:  Paranormal
Published:  February 24, 2015
Source:  NetGalley

Story Blurb:

Gargoyles were created centuries ago to protect mankind, but something went horribly wrong. Now only the sentinel—a mortal chosen to control the stone beasts—stands between them and their human prey.

When the latest sentinel is killed, Kate Mercer is destined to take his place. But Kate has enough going on in her life—like a skyrocketing film career, a delusional ex-boyfriend, and a crazed stalker who will stop at nothing to get to her. But the powers that be have decided, and Kate is transported to Shadow Wood, a mysterious castle that serves as a sanctuary for the supernatural. Although beautiful, Shadow Wood is no safe place for a mere mortal. Yet Kate is drawn not only to the gargoyles but also to Ian McGuire, a charming novelist who might be in the greatest danger of all.

As Kate decides whether to accept the most perilous role of her life, she discovers there are more secrets than answers within the castle’s walls. Her survival and Ian’s depend on her ability to master the gargoyles before time runs out. Is fate really cast in stone?

Read on for my thoughts on Of Shadow & Stone.

I don’t often run across stories with gargoyles as some of the main creatures that play a huge part of the story.  Because of that I wasn’t really sure what to expect.  I was very pleasantly surprised to find a rich, entertaining story with these unusual paranormal creatures as the star.

Unfortunately, for my style of reviewing I don’t feel that I can talk too much about the actual story found in Of Shadow & Stone.  If I say too much then I give away major spoilers – if I say too little, then you might think it’s not a novel worth picking up.  So it’s a fine line I type on this one.

As you decide to pick up this novel or not, let me mention that Shadow Wood is a sanctuary to all things paranormal.  You will never know just exactly what or who you may run into at the mysterious castle or on the grounds.

Kate Mercer is having vivid living dreams.  It seems to her that she is actually transported to a land where the majestic gargoyles that watch from the castle ledges are speaking to her, showing her the world from their point of view – which is a guardian of mortals with swift justice dealt out to those that harm others.  Each time she sleeps, Shadow Wood becomes more real to her, feels more like an actual place that she needs to be, that she has a purpose there.

Ian McGuire is a novelist who’s best selling paranormal mysteries have become very popular — due in large part to the help his friend Declan has given him while sharing stories of Shadow Wood.  Ian is suffering from writer’s block and accepts an invitation from Declan to visit the castle at Shadow Wood hoping for inspiration.

And that is all I can tease with – I really, really wish that you would give Of Shadow & Stone a chance, pick it up and transport yourself into a very compelling world where nothing is exactly as it first appears.

I sincerely hope that this is not the only novel we will visit Shadow Wood in.  The world building is detailed without giving away too much detail.  There is so much room for more stories based in and around Declan’s castle – and enough secondary characters who could have their own stories told to fill a series (in my opinion).

I really enjoyed this novel.  I would give it 5 outta 5 on the rating scale.  Why?  Because it delivered more than I expected.

*I received an e-ARC of Of Shadow& Stone from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*