The Damning Stone

Tales from Verania, Book 5

De: TJ Klune

Narrado por: Michael Lesley

A year has passed since the Dark Wizard Myrin attempted to take control of the Kingdom of Verania. Though the scars of the final battle remain, Veranians have come together in unity in order to rebuild. Good King Anthony sits on the throne once more, with Morgan of Shadows at his side.

However, a king is not immortal. One day, Anthony will step down, paving the way for his son, Grand Prince Justin, to assume the throne. And Justin wants anything but.

Unfortunately for him, he finds himself with bigger things to worry about than just becoming the ruler of a country. At the celebration of the might of Verania and its people, a delegation arrives, led by a man who calls himself a magician. This man represents the king of Yennbridge, who has come to claim what was promised to him years before: the hand of the firstborn son of the king and queen of Verania. With his ridiculous friends at his side—Sam, Ryan, Kevin, Gary, and Tiggy—Justin sets out to make the visiting king’s life a living hell. Which, of course, backfires spectacularly, and when the dust settles, Justin finds his friends changed in ways he can’t expect, leaving him standing alone.

Except he’s not as alone as he thinks, given the king of Yennbridge will do anything to prove he’s worthy of the frozen heart of the Ice Prince.

Prince Justin has finally met his match. Let the games begin.

©2022 Travis Klune (P)2022 Travis Klune

*Fabulous* Vocal Performance Compensates for Plot

Michael Lesley's vocal performance is once again absolutely fabulous in all the right ways. The plot is a bit weak in places, and I really wish that the ending crisis hadn't been shoehorned in--not to give spoilers, but there were at least two other crises available that would have meshed better with the story up to this point and given us an opportuntiy to see some real character growth from Sam, despite Justin being the focus of this book (and he does have a lot of legitimately excellent character growth). One of these seems likely to crop up in the next book, but the other is foreclosed on by the events that end this book.

Ah well. Again, Lesley's fabulous performance makes up for any faults in the plot structure, and I can't wait for the next one.

OUTSTANDING!

I love these books so much! This is maybe the best one yet. I find myself bursting out laughing constantly.

Shockingly Enjoyable!

I was worried about the POV... I should not have worried about the POV. Klune is STILL a master storyteller and Lesley a brilliant narrator. I cannot praise this book (and series) enough!

TJ KLUNE IS MY HERO

I literally cannot speak highly enough of tj klune or this series. Heck, all of his series! They are magic and show what true love is, in all forms. This book, and the entire verania series is medicine. What a gift 🌈❤️

perfect as always

I didn't know I needed this series to continue until I saw that it is, and I'm so excited for the next one! Michael Lesley is wonderful as always, and TJ Klune truly knows how to balance adventure, found family, and romance.

Perfection

I never thought I’d write a review screaming about a relationship that wasn’t between the main MC’s, but I am. The friendship between Sam and Justin is THE BEST THING EVER. I adore Dylan and Justin but the friendship between Sam and Justin in this was just… ugh. So good. Damn you, TJ. I need more.

4 Stars 🌟

This has been a crazy week. I was VERY invested in another Epic Fantasy Saga Trilogy (2200 pages worth) and when I finished that, I wanted something lighter than what I had been reading. This, was a complete 180, and it was perfect.

I'm not going to go into too much other than to say that this isn't a stand alone. If you have not read any books in this series, stop now and start with Book 1. It will not be completely confusing if you don't, but you won't really GET so many things. Half of what makes TJ Klune so endearing - besides his incredibly dry humor and emotionally invested characters - are the Inside Jokes (It's Capitalized...so that means it's true...) and there are a MILLION inside jokes. You do not want to have them all fly over your head...trust me.

Did I like this book as much as the previous 4 books? No - not really. It wasn't that it was bad, there just didn't seem to be the level of investment in the situation that this book revolves around. Sam has fought the big battle and won, a year has gone by since that happened and we then get to come back and visit the gang. The city of Lockes is rebuilding, people are trying to move on from the events that occurred (in the previous 4 books) and all of a sudden there is a King who arrives to say he has been promised to Prince Justin. Or, I guess a better way to say it would be that Prince Justin has been promised to him.

Craziness ensues - and boy, do we hit an extreme level of zaniness (this might be a record level). There is the requisite evil monologuing, kidnapping and magic. All in all - it's fun, light hearted and full of immature humor. What more could you ask for?

Missed it so much!

I’m so happy I just finished and can’t wait for more!! TJ Klune continues to write amazing books with the best characters I have so many favorites and Michael Lesley’s voice is amaze balls spectacularly awesome! Thank you for another great listen. Getting ready for second listen. Can’t wait for book 6!!!! Cough cough hopefully we get to see Momma again.

Always a great world to re-visit

The point of view from the prince makes it more interesting. I really hope that TJ Clunes continues the story. The climax twist was kinda annoying because obvious reasons but made sense. the performance is awesome as ever but may need to have more than the same person doing multiple voices or have at least 2 to split as listening to multiple books it gets kind of familar when hearing the same person. If you like the world of the series then get this book. worth the credits to keep.

Whoa!!

The unexpected happens in this book! I was totally shocked and pleased at the same time! I felt that this book tied things up pretty good and I didn’t even know that I needed that to happen. Wonder what Will happen in the future.