Review: The Art Stone by Jesse A. Ellis

An unlikely group of young heroes converges for an epic quest to defend an ancient artifact in The Art Stone by Jesse A. Ellis, the first book of the Echoes of Elybion series. In classic fantasy fashion, the stakes are infinitely high, and the odds of success are incredibly slim.

The transformation of these adolescent characters over the course of the novel is remarkable; managing a coming-of-age story for multiple main players is ambitious, but Ellis pulls it off well. As their mystical world continues to crumble, a long-lost stone – one of the first twelve creation stones from the Goddess – summons powers both good and evil who are seeking to fill the void of fallen empires.

Kai is a curious, authentic and hardworking hero, whereas Lifia is bold and deadly, but also weighed down by imperial expectations. Marr and Jupp make an odd pair, clumsy around the fairer sex, but united by a most powerful bond. These individuals are not initially united by a common purpose, but rather by the state of being uncertain about their futures, though destiny’s hand soon makes them allies. As clear themes emerge – rebelling against unjust power, controlling your own identity, being careful when placing trust, and waiting to pass judgment, readers watch these unique and distinctive characters grow up before their eyes.

The fundamental premise of a fantasy land divided into conflicting factions is a cornerstone of the genre, yet this iteration seems offers something distinctly new. The world-building alone is enough to make this novel a delight, while the disparate strands of plot lines leave an endless number of directions for future books to take. Ellis weaves a tale of magical beasts, bitter and unforgiving landscapes, a magic-infused history and a world tumbling out of balance as gods look on from above. While there is a clear cadre of main protagonists whose lives and paths inevitably intertwine, the author doesn’t neglect the small details of secondary and supportive characters, making this feel like a deeply thoughtful and well-conceived debut.

In some of the narrative sections, the first-person dictation does feel overly declarative, whereas from other perspectives, the mental monologue is more delicately chosen and engaging. The book is clearly targeted at younger readers, based on the overall simplicity of the language and general lack of more mature themes, but that doesn’t mean spoon-feeding information is necessary. Self-referential questions within internal monologues are also a common cheat to progress an idea, but can easily be overused, and Ellis treads close to the line. Additionally, the exotic complexity of proper nouns (e.g., names, cities) can sometimes be distracting or difficult to track in such a lengthy book.

That being said, there are far more examples of carefully chosen prose, variable syntax, and compelling images throughout this rich and expansive story. As a whole, The Art Stone is an original and entertaining first installment of a series with great potential. Despite being a longer read, the swirling, ever-deepening adventure will keep young readers racing through this imaginative work of YA fantasy.