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Kate Murdoch

Stone Circle Kindle Edition

by Kate Murdoch (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

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Is the Ability to Read Minds a Blessing or a Curse?

When Antonius’s father dies, he must work to support his family. He finds employment as a servant in the Palazzo Ducal, home of Conte Valperga. Sixteenth-century Pesaro is a society governed by status and Antonius has limited opportunities.
When a competition is announced, Antonius seizes his chance. The winner will be apprenticed to the town seer. Antonius shares first place with his employer’s son.

The two men compete for their mentor’s approval. As their knowledge of magic and alchemy grows, so does the rivalry and animosity between them. When the love of a beautiful woman is at stake, Antonius must find a way to follow his heart and navigate his future.

Length: 242 pages	Word Wise: Enabled	Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled
Page Flip: Enabled	Language: English

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“In this debut historical fantasy, two young men become apprenticed to a seer during the Renaissance, igniting a rivalry for the man’s daughter…Best of all, Murdoch delivers wisdom valuable to anyone trying to master a field: ‘Those who are consumed by negative thoughts about others cannot possibly reach the level of purity required.’ Despite a clever, definitive ending, readers may clamor for a sequel. Italy sparkles in this layered 16th-century romance.” —Kirkus Reviews

"Stone Circle is a tale of 16th century Italy, but not as you have ever read about it before. This history is enlivened by a famous seer, his beautiful psychic daughter, two smitten apprentices, magic rituals, shape-shifting birds, evil brewing and true love, a thrilling combination that hooked me from the beginning. Kate Murdoch's fabulous writing is full of vivid sounds, sights and scents that pull us into the scene, expressed in inspired word combinations that are a joy to read. A wonderful, entertaining book." —Gail Cleare, USA Today bestselling author

“Kate Murdoch's Stone Circle is a stunning historical fantasy debut set in Renaissance Italy, packed with rich imagery, well-developed characters, and an enthralling plot. The execution of the love triangle is both captivating and refreshing, weaving love, jealousy, and rivalry into a complicated but realistic story of one young seer's journey into alchemy and adulthood. I can't wait to read more by Kate Murdoch.” —Madeline Dyer, author of the Untamed series.

--This text refers to the paperback edition.

About the Author

Kate Murdoch is a Melbourne-based writer and artist. Her short-form fiction is regularly published in Flash Fiction Magazine, Eunoia Review, Sick Lit Magazine, Ink in Thirds and Spelk Fiction. She also writes for her blog https://kabiba.wordpress.com/ Kate's first novel is Stone Circle, a beautifully imagined work of historical fiction. An earlier version of Stone Circle was widely-acclaimed on the HarperCollins UK website, Authonomy, where it was chosen by the editors as the "one to watch" and ultimately ended up ranked 16th out of more than 10,000 manuscripts. --This text refers to the paperback edition.

Product details

ASIN : B075YDQPKJ
Publisher : Fireship Press (1 December 2017)
Language : English
File size : 3426 KB
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Not Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 242 pages

Best Sellers Rank: 621,417 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- 3,249 in Historical Fantasy (Kindle Store)
- 4,747 in Historical Fantasy (Books)
- 5,590 in Coming of Age Fantasy

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Isobel Blackthorn

Delightful!

Reviewed in Australia on 3 August 2019

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Stone Circle is a classic, romantic tale suited to young adult and adult audiences. Set in Renaissance Italy, the story is brimming with the esoteric practice of the era – geomancy, astrology and 'seeing' are especially prominent. The inclusion of such practices might for some place the novel in the fantasy genre, but I would dispute that. Esoteric practice is not fantasy! This novel might just as well be termed visionary fiction or magic realism.

The story is simple. When seer Savinus needs a new apprentice, he devises a simple test to find one. Two applicants show the necessary attributes and Savinus decides to take them both on, making the poor and lowly and very talented Antonius his primary apprentice, and the rich and spoilt and lesser talented Nichola his secondary. Any reader will predict the tensions to follow. Nicholas shows himself to be jealous and spiteful, and Antonius of fine character. Yet he is a man with burdens and troubles and might not make the best decisions. Both young men are also attracted to Savinus' beautiful and intelligent daughter, Giulia – also a seer – and competing for her affections. Giulia cannot practice her talents as she is female and would be classed a witch and persecuted if she did. Yet she is always there, always at the edge of being exposed.

The plot is as old as storytelling but Murdoch fills it with a unique complexity the result of her intriguing cast of lovingly crafted characters and the esoteric theme. Add to this an evocatively portrayed historical setting and the result is a captivating and gentle read that progresses at a measured pace with numerous delights and insights along the way. Stone Circle is a novel filled with charm, a story that envelopes the reader and takes them far from everyday reality. Highly recommended.

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Rachel Le Rossignol

An intriguing blend of historical fiction and fantasy

Reviewed in Australia on 9 September 2020

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When Antonius becomes first apprentice to the seer Savinus a chain of events begins to unfold that will change not only his future but that of everyone he loves.
An interesting world, rich in detail, vivid characterisation and a plot that draws you forward to the inevitable.

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Clara Redman

Sumptuous Renaissance historical fantasy

Reviewed in Australia on 29 March 2019

Historical fiction with some fantasy for added spice: I am tempted to say it’s the 16th century Italian version of Camelot, complete with Savinus as the Renaissance Merlin. But there is quite a different vision to this story, and hereditary kingship is not among the qualities to be celebrated.
Kate Murdoch’s Stone Circle follows the story of Antonius, a poor lad in Pesaro who works as a servant in the local palazzo’s kitchen to help support his widowed mother and his siblings. Antonius gets the chance to audition to be the new apprentice to the town’s aging seer Savinus, and his mind-reading abilities set him well above the other talent on offer.
Complicated by Savinus’ social obligation to add the Conte’s slightly-talented son as second apprentice, the story gathers emotional depth as the antipathy between the two young men grows to dangerous proportions. At stake is not only the future post as a fully-fledged seer, but also the love of the seer’s clever, self-reliant and talented daughter Giulia.
I’m resisting spoilers here, as usual, but I think readers will enjoy this fully-imagined historical fantasy. There is sumptuous detail and breathless action, mind-reading and shape-shifting, bullying by the church and the rich, and a wonderful rounded finale. Plus a beautiful cover. If you enjoy the likes Juliet Marillier, Mary Stewart, and Katherine Kerr, transport yourself immediately to Pesaro!

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Elizabeth Jane Corbett

A richly imagined renaissance world

Reviewed in Australia on 9 March 2018

Antonius works as a servant in Palazzo. When he wins an apprenticeship with the town seer he does not anticipating sharing first place with his employer, the Conte Valperga’s son. As their knowledge of magic and alchemy deepens, so does their rivalry for the seers lovely daughter. A rivalry which will threaten family and draw the attention of the church to their hidden practices.

In Stone Circle, Kate Murdoch paints a sumptuous Renaissance world - so rich that her fantasy elements seem to blend with the contemporary foods, fashion and social practices of the day. Murdoch writes in a deft omniscient voice moving between characters with ease. The exquisite detail and richly imagined magical realm lift this simple love story above the ordinary, imbuing the reader with a gentle spiritual wisdom. I look forward reading more from this author.

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sebnem sanders

A gripping tale of magic, love and conflict

Reviewed in Australia on 19 December 2017

Stone Circle is a fascinating book. Kate Murdoch transports the reader to medieval Italy where she tells us a tale of magical realism. Savinus, a seer, needs an apprentice to teach his knowledge. Antonius, a young lad from a poor family, is his candidate though Savinus must also employ Nichola, the son of Conte Valperga, his patron.

As the young boys begin their education under Savinus' guidance, both fall in love with Giulia, his beautiful daughter. The rivalry between the young men does not escape the attention of Savinus nor the Conte's. Guilia falls for the fairy tale prospects of a marriage with Conte's heir, but is this what her heart really wants?

Meanwhile, the church is reconsidering the benefits of Savinus' practice, as well as other seers. A love triangle set in Pesaro, Italy with vivid descriptions of the area, from the lavishness of the Count's palace, to the poverty in the village; the ball at the palace, to the mysterious atmosphere of the Stone Circle up on the hills. Kate Murdoch delivers a visual feast of reality mixed with magic, alchemy, and geomancy, as well as a gripping tale with lively characters. Thoroughly recommended.

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sebnem sanders

A gripping tale of magic,love and conflict

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 December 2017

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Tabatha Stirling

Accomplished debut

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 February 2018

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I was lucky enough to receive a signed copy of Stone Circle by Kate Murdoch and this historical romance with a touch of the supernatural did not disappoint. One of the highlights for me was the author's extraordinary use of colour woven through the whole of the novel making the imagery bloom like day-end peonies.

The love story between Antonious and the Master Seer's daughter and the rivalry that ignites between the two apprentices as they seek to win her crackles with energy and danger.

This is an accomplished debut from Kate Murdoch who takes the historical romance genre and busts it open to reveal complex layers of magic realism, the supernatural, the darkness that resides in all our hearts and the search for purity.

A fantastic first novel. Highly recommended.

T. Minkinow

Strong story, characters you care about, would read a sequel/series

Reviewed in the United States on 7 March 2018

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In Stone Circle, we believe we're in 16th Italy, and we become a silent partner in watching how two young men compete for the affection of their mentor and his daughter. Nichola enjoys every advantage a young man can wish for. His father is a rich, Italian aristocrat, he lives on a large estate, servants and townspeople fawn over him, and on top of it all, he's handsome. Antonius starts with apparent disadvantages. His father, a fisherman, dies and leaves his family scraping to get by, and he lives in a space with his widow mother and sister taking work for money, and a younger brother with mental difficulties. Antonius's thinks himself fortunate when the sub rosa network of village peasants work together to land him a job as a servant's assistant at the same estate owned by Nichola's father.

The boys couldn't be further apart when it comes to things people consider important in old Italy. Nichola has the prestige of aristocracy behind him, he moves in the most upper class of society, his Mother fawns over him, and those of his caste adore him. And, that's the way he thinks it should be because he’s a product of his era. Opposite for Antonius, a person so hidden from polite society that he would be invisible to any of them, even if he stood in front of them. And though Antonius doesn’t question the system, he yearns to move above it.

Both boys possess an inner skill that allows them to see things others can't...like the future or the thoughts of others. When Savinus, the local seer, holds an apprenticeship contest, both boys qualify. Antonius sees a way to hoist his mother and siblings above their constant poverty, Nichola sees insult. Why? Because when Antonius's skills nearly match Savinus's, he becomes the primary apprentice and thus the only of the two allowed to learn the most complex aspects of the seer trade. Nichola, only mildly capable, and mostly because of his father's patronage, becomes the secondary apprentice. Not an easy thing for Nichola's pride to swallow.

But for their feelings for Giulia, Savinus's daughter, the two may have begrudgingly worked with each other. She's smart, beautiful, and as good a seer as any of them...though societal protocols dictate she and Savinus keep her skills hidden. Both boys will use whatever they can--money, position, connections (read, the church), even incantations and physical transformations--to battle each other for her, and for the approval of Savinus. That both boys really do love Giulia makes choosing between the two not an easy task, at least not at first.

Stone Circle is like life, the border between good and bad gets blotched by shades gray. You can cheer for one of the boys while at the same time feeling pity for the other. And the one you do like the most? He might disappoint you with his choices. At times.

The story moves along at a fast pace with something new on every page, yet it maintains cohesiveness throughout. Murdock handles the historical setting as well as I’ve seen it done, I got immersed and easily suspended disbelief. Thankfully, no era-correct code words for me to constantly decipher. The village of Pesaro, Italy became my home and Savinus, Giulia, Nichola, Antonius, Agnese, Katerina, the Conte, and others became real people in my life rather than characters in a novel. It's not a cliche, "good versus evil" story, because, like I said, enough life seeps in to make Stone Circle both enjoyable and believable. How much (riches and opportunities) is enough for a person, how far are we willing to go to get what we want, and how do we reconcile it when dishonorable people have honorable feelings and honorable people do dishonorable things? Figure out those answers and you might soar like an eagle.

Yeah, I enjoyed it. 😊

Cindra

A fantastic book!

Reviewed in the United States on 12 January 2018

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I loved it! Rivalry, friendship, and chemistry move this delightful story along at a good pace.

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