Title: Stone Rose
Series: The Lost Gods 03
Author: Megan Derr
Genre: Fantasy, Alternative World
Length: Novel (231pgs)
Publisher: Less Than Three Press (30th May 2012)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Nine gods ruled the world until the ultimate betrayal resulted in their destruction. Now, the world is dying and only by restoring the Lost Gods can it be saved.
The Kingdom of Piedre has been torn apart by feuding since the Basilisk was found dead. The Brotherhood of the Black Rose seeks to ensure the Basilisk is destroyed forever, while the Order of the White Rose searches desperately for a way to restore him.
The latest mortal incarnation of the Lost God of Death is Prince Culebra, the Basilisk Prince. Plagued by assassins, one lover dead and the other gone, Culebra spends his days in despair, painfully aware that his predecessors died only one of two ways: murder or suicide.
Purchase Link: http://www.lessthanthreepress.com/books/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=320
Review: Oh. I was so looking forward to this one and it was worth the wait. Culebra is the incarnation of the Lost God, Basilisk. He goes through life feared, hated and worshiped, never able to see, as his eyes are covered to prevent his deadly gaze from killing. But, now one of the Roses has him in their hands and the fate of the world rests in the hands of the lover he drove away; the Captain who comforted him, his kidnapper and his kidnapper’s closest friend.
A great re-written story based on the original blog story. The story-line may have changed, but the plot is still the same (well with one added addition). Culebra is still reeling from the shock and horror of listening to one of his lovers being killed by mermaids and driving his other lover away. When he gets a visit from Captain Midori (now a Lord), he begins to think he might be able to put the past behind him. Cortez is given little choice in the matter of kidnapping the Basilisk Prince and it leads to an outcome that nobody could have foretold. Dario was pushed away by Culebra after the death of Dario’s brother. Now, he has been kidnapped to force the prince to do as he is told. Fidel has also been kidnapped, as a way to force Cortez to do as the cult wants. Now, as they all come together, the actions of a few have terrifying repercussions that could affect the world.
Okay. After all that and getting all the main characters a mention, I’m tired *sigh*. Okay, I’m refreshed, so this installment of The Lost Gods saga has quite a bit going on and is separated to different character’s POV. Luckily, we don’t lose track of what is going on or what is happening to whom, and although there are five MCs it doesn’t lessen the enjoyment of the story. We have seen Culebra and Midori in previous books so we have a good idea of their back stories. Dario is the bodyguard who was also Culebra’s lover and also the brother to Culebra’s other lover (confused?). Cortex and Fidel are former members of The Brotherhood of the Black Rose. I will be honest, for more information you will have to read the book otherwise this review will be an essay!
Culebra and Dario’s relationship was torn apart when Granito died. The trouble they find themselves in pulls them back together and add a new third to their relationship. We get to see a bit of M/M/M and we also see some hot sex, but it is far from that important to the story; finding that Schatten (the country) and Teufel (the God Licht’s companion) is involved in the plot to harm the Basilisk prince is. We also see the Gods from the previous books as well.
Well. I recommend everyone read this book, but then I am bias, so I will just say this, if you enjoy kidnappings… well, multiply kidnappings, snakes, assassins turning good, earthquakes, sword fights, chases through the mountains, throwing ones-self over a waterfall and a happy ending then I recommend this book for you. And for those of you who read the original then this is definitely worth reading.