Book Review: THE WIZARD'S STONE by Herman P. Hunter

A Fantasy Tale that Stands Tall on the Shoulders of The Hobbit

Since his epic fantasy tome fell into our hands, the shadow of J.R.R. Tolkien has loomed large over the genre. The Lord of the Rings defines it. Such is the case with The Wizard’s Stone, and comparisons are inevitable. Fortunately, the story of young Odo, who knows little of the world beyond his pastoral community, has an aura of its own. 

Like The Lord of the Rings, it’s the story of an unassuming innocent surrendering a treasure rather than finding one. But unlike that journey, the treasure itself insn’t inherently evil and he’s in no danger of it corrupting him. The lands he must travel are simply dangerous and Odo has lived a sheltered life. Consequently, Odo’s story is more inward than outward as he comes to a greater understanding of himself, and it’s that key difference which makes his more than a ripoff.

For this review I listened to the audiobook. Some stories are best experienced read aloud, and such is the case here.

The Story

Odo is an orphan who was taken in by the wizard Remfrey. Though he was allowed to study books of magic and lore, he remains humble and holds his master in awe. Mostly he just does chores around the farm, fearful of what exists “out there.” As we later learn, his fears are justified. War is a recent memory, civilized society crumbled (what of it ever existed), and everyone is responsible for his own welfare. Thanks to Odo’s dark skin, people are unsure of him. Without a family’s love and support, he’s unsure of himself.

When Remfrey tasks him with delivering a magic stone to a faraway king, Odo is terrified, knowing he’ll be facing the hardships of the cruel outside world. And the mercenary Captain Inoch, who is hired as his protector, isn’t exactly reassuring. Remfrey is willing to pay a fortune to the Captain and his not-so-merry band of cutthroats to see Odo to his destination, but Inoch doesn’t have to be nice about it. Not that the situation permits it.

Along the way Odo has to rely on his limited knowledge of magic, his wits, and most of all, the Captain and his crew. They aren’t much better or kinder than Inoch, either. His travels take him to many grimy places, with no Rivendell respites, and he ends up doing things that trouble his conscience. The spark of goodness he carries in his heart may be as (or more) important as the stone.

The Characters

Odo isn’t Frodo, and we don’t see him relishing in country comforts. Life has never treated him kindly, so he never expects kindness. He’s timid and uncertain of everyone, even Remfrey, whose influence is his guiding light. All along his journey he finds himself wondering what the old wizard would do in difficult situations, of which there are many.

Captain Inoch is a harsh mentor, fitting for a cruel world. In the places he takes Odo it’s kill first and ask questions later, and he’s a survivor in a country filled with death. The rest of his crew is about the same. Everyone is distinct and has a backstory that gradually develops as Odo gets to know them. These are characters with ambitions beyond earning some gold, and regrets deeper than a stack of dead bodies.

The World

As you would expect, everything is in the mold of medieval fantasy, with farms, fishing villages, and kings. Naturally, fantasy means elfin beings, monsters, and magic, though the monsters mostly remain in the shadows and the magic system itself isn’t explained in any great detail. Mostly, we see that this is a harsh world, still recovering from the ravages of war.

The Politics

None

Content Warning

Nothing as frightening as Weathertop, nor grimy as Game of Thrones.

Who is it for?

Your local bookstore might throw this on the YA shelf and call it a day. But as someone said, all stories are for adults and some can also be enjoyed by children. Anyone looking to scratch that LOTR itch with something more than a pastiche will appreciate what Hunter does here.

Why read it?

There are some stories told with such loving care that you can feel it in every word and carefully crafted detail. These are works that the artist had to create and took time developing the skill to share with the world. The Wizard’s Stone is one of those stories. This alone doesn’t make it worth reading, though it certainly helps. When the fantasy story landscape is littered with nihilistic doorstoppers featuring Mary-Sues, it’s refreshing to find something simple and familiar, that’s not simplistic.