The Round Red Stone
Jeff Burton adds to our collection of Young Adult (and Family Friendly) titles with his novel, The Round Red Stone:
This tale concerns a lad of twelve, who sets off unwillingly on a journey with his uncle. In the course of his adventures, he obtains a stone, whose ultimate meaning is tied up with the fate of a war between two cities. As commonly happens with boys, he finds himself at the center of the conflict. Can he divine the stone’s purpose in time? Even more importantly, can he even hang on to it?
The story includes a mystery, long journeys, prisons, adventure, and living out-of-doors. There is also a fairly large battle at the end, with plenty of blood. Death appears throughout. I believe that no one washes his hands at any point in the account, but sometimes my memory is faulty. It takes place long ago, but not in a place you’ll find in an atlas. Some may be disappointed in the absence of wizards and dragons.
Girls are welcome to listen, but they should be forewarned. Horses are mentioned, but no person develops any meaningful friendship with one. Talking animals, while interesting, do not figure in any way (unless one considers boys between the ages of ten and fourteen to be talking animals). There is absolutely no kissing of any kind.
With those cautions in mind, I invite you to listen to The Round Red Stone.
July 27th, 2008 at 11:17 am
What happened to chapter three?
Episode one is described as chapters one through three but only has chapters one and two. Episode two then starts at chapter four it seems that chapter three has been misplaced?
I was enjoying listening to this story but have been stopped by the missing chapter. I do not want to listen to episode two without listening to chapter three.
July 27th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Sorry about that. I just uploaded the corrected file. Chapter 3 begins at 17:40.
July 27th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
A little more fast paced then what I have been listening to recently (Nathan Lowell) but two episodes in I am hooked. If you could just add some bit of the intro music between the chapters it would be give me a chance to breath. Anyway great stuff.
July 28th, 2008 at 7:22 am
Fast paced? I know - I’m constantly fighting that as I’m narrating. It’s tough to be compared to the master (Nathan), but it inspires me to try to do better. Thanks.
July 28th, 2008 at 8:39 am
You don’t have to try narrate like anyone else, it still is a gem in your style. But adding a little space (5-10 seconds of music) between the chapters would increase suspense.
July 28th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Just finished listening to the first three chapters….great story, Jeff!
I like the brisk narration pace. One reason I usually prefer reading to audio books is that the pace can be mind-numbingly slow. Your pace was just right, in my opinion. Looking forward to the rest of the story.
July 28th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Thank You very much Jeff, I like the story very much so far can’t wait to listen to the rest. I like the pace too. keep the good work and thanks again
TRAX
August 12th, 2008 at 8:22 am
I’d have to say a few of the chapters were narrated quite fast but still very listenable. Enjoyed the story but seems as though the ending is just the beginning.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:11 am
I just finished the last chapter and am waiting impatiently for the second book
Great stuff.
September 8th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
I was a little tentative about starting this, but I loved it. The only thing is that, now that I have finished it, I want more and can’t find anything else. Do you have any plans for the second book yet?
September 9th, 2008 at 4:31 am
Good news: I do have plans for a sequel or sequels.
Bad news: The book I am working on now is not a sequel.