The second installment of the Lodestone series had me hooked right away! I saw a definite improvement (less errors & repetition) and found the plot engaging from beginning to end. I can't wait to read the third book! ( )

I didn’t think it was possible but this book is even better than the first book. Mark Whiteway has a defiant talent for developing an excellent series and I really hope this series becomes a bestseller and receives the recognition that it deserves.

All the characters have matured since we first meet them and have grown into their roles within the novel. The addition of new characters into the plot gives the novel a fresh feel and keeps the reader engaged with the novel.

I felt unable to put this book done once I started reading it and I became sucked right in to the world of these characters. I couldn’t recommend this book more to fans off the first novel in this series.

I am really looking forward to the next book in this series.

This book was received for review from the author for free and all opinions expressed are my own through reading this book.

This review was first published on http://everybookhasasoul.wordpress.com ( )

Very enjoyable book, well written and follows a clearly defined path. All the characters seem to grow as the story progresses.
Very good reading, hard to put down. ( )

Faster, tighter story with greater reading pleasure

In book two of his Lodestone series Mr. Whiteway improves on the effective story started in the first book. His use of action and dialogue takes the story and characters to another level.

Among a number of qualities, I enjoyed one specific thing more than the other aspects of Book Two: The World of Ice and Stars. The books were described as science fiction. Book one didn’t necessarily suffer from a lack of science, it just wasn’t the star of the show for me. The plot of the second book moves firmly into the arena of science fiction. The divided nature of the planet is finally revealed. Likely the division is part of the reason for the changes in scientific tone between the two books. The science and reasoning behind this “two-sided” planet is believable and well-supported.

Due to the structure of the society initiating the action of the story, I wanted more science to meet the science fiction criteria. Book two reveals this nature while successfully contrasting the existence of the theocratic and rational aspects of the species social difference. The contrast is more effective for how book one was handled—and I was pleased to be back in a land more geared toward science and logic.

The original, species that is alien to the reader and dominant inhabitants of the planet continues to be the stand out presence in the Lodestone series. As a reader this really gets me wondering what Mr. Whiteway has in store for the insectiod creatures in future installments. It’s clear that the author greatly enjoys writing about the mysterious creatures. They seem realized from actual material; one of my gauges for an author successfully communicating his imagination.

One of the reasons I love reading science fiction is being exposed to new concepts, ideas and findings wrapped in the fun of fiction. If you also enjoy books that encourage you to consider new ideas and concepts while romping through fictional landscapes with unusual creatures, then you’ll enjoy both books. Perhaps you will enjoy Lodestone, Book Two: The World of Ice and Stars as much as I did. ( )

As at the end of The Sea of Storms, Shann wakes to beautiful and strange stars in the sky on a foreign coast, all only heard of in ancient stories, with only Boxx. This new land is hard to believe. Shann finds herself in a more technically bound world with metal boxes people ride around in and flying boxes as well. Shann needs to find the rest of her friends as they have another piece of the important puzzle to stop the Prophet from destroying their world. But when time passes by with no luck in finding them she sets off with her new scientist friend to find the Chandara of this world to help her get the machine she needs. Mean while the others of her crew are fighting their sadness at the loss of Shann and Boxx they try to find the remaining Chandara of this world as well, to see if one of them can be the "key" in replacement of Boxx. And to learn what they need to do to get the one and only weapon to save their kind. All will have to over come great challenges to complete their dire mission.

This book builds the suspense more in the underlining plot of the books. I enjoyed the unfolding of what is going on here in the world. We get further into the story and what is fueling the agendas of the Prophet and who or what he is. Nice. And what... well, the lodestones of course.

Here the world is developed greatly too! This is a Young Adult fantasy read with a touch of time difference of thousands of years through communicating, and new planet setting. There's computers and technology in this side of the world. Almost a blend of time travel and science fiction with fantasy here. Nicely blended together. Here we learn more history of both sides of the world, and why they don't know of each other, other than ancient stories. The graphics of the world as a whole here is explained and scientifically made sense. Then the new side of the world we are visiting has much more scientific background and uses. This is where we learn more about the lodestone and its abilities. We even get a touch of humans in this world of Kelanni's.

I felt closer to the characters in this book as well. I could feel the frustration of Shann when no one believed her when she told she was from the other side of the great barrier. And I have seen a great growth in Keris. The group separates for a short time in this book, either by accident or intentionally. And the characters get their chance to shine. Even in the great test they need to take in the end of the book. I really like how this shows the growth of the characters; emotionally and mentally.

I liked in the end how the challenges the characters had to undergo related back to the first book, and even brought back questions and concerns I had for the characters then. I'm thinking the author is going to touch on these in the next book and I'm looking forward to it. ( )