Amber discovers a conspiracy so earth-shattering it threatens the whole of the human race. Forced to go on the run, it seems that she has enemies in every corner - some for her power, others see her as their savior - others still Seek her out of twisted love or simple lust. At the center of everything, the Salamander Stone Attracts more than earthly evil. A demon is after Amber as well, and his desires are unthinkable
Review:
This book was not my favorite. The basis of the story was an interesting thing to think about, but the over all way it was developed I was not a fan.
As I first started out I found myself lost, it almost felt as if this was a sequel to the book and it kept me in a constant state of worry that I was missing something. It really took away from the book.
I was also not a fan of the protagonist always being in danger... that is a huge pet peeve of mine in actuality, if someone is always falling for the same thing, always needing rescued, I really just start to wish that they would do the world a favor and just end it all since they can't seem to learn from their mistakes.
I did like the romance-ish aspect, so many books are focusing so heavily on that love angle, it was refreshing to see an emotional level that wasn't so heavy, so intense as everyone Else's.
I did enjoy the mystery that seemed to lurk within the book and despite it starting out slow it actually got better the more into the book I got. I also loved the cover, it is truly beautiful.
Rating:
3 out of 5 Raven's.
(Kinda Eh about it.)
Interview with The Author:
. How did you come up with the title for your book?
This title wasn’t my first choice; I went through quite a few before I realised The Salamander
Stone sounded exactly right, though at home the book is still referred to as ‘The Amber
Book’ – not very thrilling! There are no actual salamanders in the story, but the Salamander
Stone itself is a beautiful crystal which plays a vital part in the action.
2. What would you do in the place of Amber in a world you created?
In the world I created for Amber? I’d probably act pretty much as she does, as she’s really
just an ordinary girl trying to survive an extraordinary situation. But maybe I wouldn’t be as
brave, or sensible, as she turns out to be!
3. What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
As well as the usual advice: ‘read around your genre... write what you know... edit
ruthlessly... join a creative writing class’ etc etc, what an aspiring author really needs is self-
belief, as it can be a long, disheartening process to get work out in the world. If you don’t
have sufficient self-belief, you need someone close to you who keeps your spirits up when
you get the inevitable knocks, and, more importantly, who keeps you writing.
4. Who are your favorite authors?
They change with time and mood. I’ve always had a fondness for classic authors such as
Dickens, George Eliot, Conan Doyle, Tolkien etc. But more recent favourites are Yann
Martel, Margaret Attwood, Philip Pullman, Michael Morpurgo and, of course, J.K. Rowling.
5. If your book was made into a movie who would you want to be cast for your characters.
Amber would have to be someone slim, tall, charismatic. There are plenty of actresses around
who fit that description but sometimes you see the ideal person just walking along the street.
Meshak I envisaged as a very young Arnold Schwarzenegger, or a young Meatloaf. And
Khiza is a beautiful African boy, a younger version of Denzel Washington.
6. What do you do for writers block?
I drink lots of coffee, play a few rounds of spider solitaire, go for a walk/bike ride and eat
far too much chocolate. Then I outline my problems to my husband and we have a good row
about it – which usually clears the mind.
7. What is the hardest part of being a writer for you?
The non-writing part, especially the self-promotion. It doesn’t come easily or naturally to me,
but I’m learning.
8. What do you do in your free time not including writing?
I read. I ride bikes/horses. I avoid doing housework (I’m very good at this). I spend a lot of
time just ‘footling’.
9. What is your biggest fear and why?
To do with writing? My biggest fear is I’ll sit in front of a blank page with an equally blank
mind – and nothing I say or do will fill that page. But if you’re talking about real, terrible,
ultimate fears then they are: spiders, death, spiders, annihilation, spiders, catastrophes and
spiders – in that order.
10. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to sit down and talk to us today at
Wonderland Reviews, are there any last words you would like to leave with our readers?
If you’re a reader, you can be a writer. I spent most of my life not believing I could write –
until I was forced into it and the words just came. If I can do it, anyone can. Go on, have a go.
What have you got to lose?
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