Stone & Shadows by Melissa Toppen is a new fantasy series that sucks you in from the very beginning and keeps you captivated the entire story. Book one of a series we meet Thena (Athena) who is just a girl trying to make it in life. Having been an orphan she is best friends with Sid.

Everything was going okay…until it wasn’t. Thenas life changes in a matter of minutes. We meet characters that we love and we meet characters we loathe. This fantasy is full of entertaining action scenes. Thenas learning her powers and what a wild ride we take. Highly recommended.

I’m so invested in this series and I can’t wait for the next one.

A*R*C team read.1 KDRBCK6,188 41

Stone & Shadows by M. Toppen is the fiest book in the Fire & Shadow Series. It's the introduction to characters and a brand new world.
Athena - Thena - Elliot always was different from others and now she's about to learn the reason, learns about her origins and is in for a world of adventures and danger.
Haytham is determined to protect Thena and save his dying realm at all costs.
A complex story, well written and beautifully thought out and beautifully told is Stone & Shadows an unputdownable pnr read.
Blurb:
The hybrid-
Athena Elliot has always believed she was different- that something more existed beneath her frail, human form than just blood and bone. A whisper of power that she could never quite place but could always feel, simmering just beneath the surface. When she’s taken prisoner- held captive inside a realm she believed to be nothing more than myth- she learns it goes far beyond what she ever imagined possible.
A hybrid. Part human, part wielder- more powerful than both- the only living one of her kind. But if Thena has any hope of surviving in a world where everyone wants to either steal her power or see her dead, she’s going to have to master a magic she never could have dreamt of possessing.

The shadow prince-
A powerful wielder- a magical creature long since lost to the human world- Haytham’s realm is dying- poisoned by an unknown source that’s draining the land, and the people, of their magic. While many are quick to place blame on what they view as an impure bloodline, Haytham believes that the hybrid is not the cause, but the very cure they’ve been searching for. Determined to protect Thena at all cost, Haytham will stop at nothing to ensure her safety, including betraying his own father- who would love nothing more than to put an end to the hybrid bloodline for good.

The Stakes-
In a realm divided by factions of power all vying for control, it’s hard to know who you can trust. And when true intentions are revealed, Thena stands to lose a lot more than just her heart.14-24 Claire Cronin1,194 15

The first book in a fantasy series from Melissa, full of magic and immortals in parallel worlds, lots of world building and getting to know characters, but looks really promising!

(A)Thena is a girl who's been on her own for a lot of her life, with no one since her Grandma died, she only has an amulet to remind her of her. She has never felt that she fitted in with society, her only friend being Syd who she works with at the coffee shop. But her whole life changed one night down an alleyway where she meets Haytham, a prince from another realm, who believes Thena is in danger, that she has magical powers and just might be able to save his own dying realm.

It turns out there are 4 different realms, Haytham is from stone & shadow, Thena is from flesh & fire. He can see just how much potential she has, just how much power she could come into, if only she can learn to harness her powers - easy said than done for a human!

Haytham's land is dying, the magic being drained from it and his people - Thena is in danger as she is being hunted by the Elders of the 4 realms as they believe she is the cause of the magic drain, and so are trying to kill her or take her magic. Haytham believes she is powerful enough to cure the land and is not the cause, and does everything he can to protect her.

Great world building and story line, lots of characters to get to know, some you'll love, other's you'll hate! I love the budding chemistry between Thena and Haytham, can definitely see sparks flying there! Looking forward to reading more from this series.captive-kidnap fantasy forced-proximity ...more Roxs Reads727 1 follower

From start to finish, Stone & Shadows captured my attention and kept me engaged. Author Melissa Toppen has created a complex new world in her first paranormal series.

The main character, Athena Elliott, learns her life has a totally different and surprising purpose. Her bloodline and ancestors make her a special target. She may have the power to be a saviour, but she is met with opposition by those who believe she is the cause of their strife.

When she is swiped from the only life she knows, she draws all her courage and develops her special powers to do all she can to save and possibly unite the four realms.

Athena has people at her side who are helping her, but there are times when she isn't sure who to trust. The twists, turns, and dramatic action scenes make the story exciting and exhilarating. There is good and evil and no one is safe. The supernatural beings have powers that test Athena and her comrades.

I quickly became invested in the characters and their mission. I feared for their safety as they slowly made their way to the fire realm and met up with numerous obstacles and dangers.

The story seems to have a romance budding, but it definitely takes a backseat to all the action. The story leaves us at the brink of disaster and it is unknown who has survived the passage of the border. I will be on the lookout for book 2 to see where it leads Athena. Shawn66 1 follower

I was looking forward to reading this fantasy romance story Stone & Shadows and Wow! Melissa T. wrote a story that did not disappoint. Lady and Gents you are going to enter a wild ride and enter a magical realm of the wielders. This story draws you in from the beginning with Athena a student that doesn’t realize her life is about to change drastically when she meets Haytham a weilder who looks very angelic with glowing skin and unusual eye color.
She is taken to his Shadowlands for protection and learns she’s a hybrid who has her own magic to learn. There are so many layers and we meet great characters and some evil characters to this story that I could not quit reading this book! There’s friendship, beginning of a love story, betrayal and action and more action till the very end of this book which is left on a cliffhanger! This is book 1 of the Fire & Shadow series. I’m already wanting to read book 2! A must read!!
Becky Wise2,515 48

Stone & Shadows is a fantastic read. Book 1 in the new paranormal series and I'm already hooked. I love what Melissa Toppen brings to the pages and cannot wait to see where she takes us with Athena as she comes into her powers. Athena strength just grows the more the world around her changes. You understand her trust issues that come to play as she is thrown into the world she didn't know existed. She is fire and flesh and she just shines in the short time of coming into her power. Haytham is of stone and shadow trying to save his realm. He sees the true power Thena has even before she fully grows into her power. I love the chemistry build and pull between Thena and Haytham. This keeps you on your toes and pulled into the pages the entire time. I cannot wait to see where the Fire & Shadow series goes. Go one click this today. Loralie1,467 14

Fantasy isn't as different as believing in another world, such as spirits. I think we all wish we could have other abilities. While this one isn't a favorite trope, I to dive in to read something different every once in a while. I find it interesting that Thena is learning about a world that she doesn't really believe in, and then suddenly finds herself not only in it, but one of the most powerful beings who has the key to possibly save that world. Sounds easy, but when you have everyone wanting you, and not in a good way, Thena has to learn to trust her captor who claims he's keeping her safe. All of this while learning her new abilities, figuring out who to trust, and relying on her inner strength while trying to keep not only herself, but those she holds dear, safe. The idea of her relying on herself as she has learned to do, but needing to trust those around her while she learns what she is capable of only adds to her tests. Hanging on by my fingernails waiting to see what's ahead. Karen Lathbury216 1 follower

What a surprise from Melissa, a total 360 from what I’m used to reading, but in a goo way. This is her first paranormal story and I couldn’t put it down. Athena living college life, alone since her family has all passed away, and always feeling somewhat different. She is suddenly taken into a different world by a a man she describes as god, Haythem, who tells her she’s is a hybrid, half human, half wielded and possesses magic. There is so much involved in this story, lies, deception drama, so many different emotions, it’s hard to pull yourself away.

I can’t wait for the next book to see where Melissa takes us on Athena’s journey to find out how strong her magic is! Gladys12k 137

I found this book sinfully intriguing, and I cannot wait to read more of this enticing new series. The characters and world building are complex and inspire acute desire to explore and discover every aspect of it all. The story is a beguiling web of secrets, drama, tension, twists, emotion, heart, action and slowly simmering heat that pulls you in quickly and ensnares you so tightly that when that cliffy hits you're left gasping for breath and desperately aching for more. I cannot wait for book two of Athena and Haytham's story. Maria Angie Mendoza2,954 20

Book 1 in the Fire and Shadow Series and it’s off to a great start.
A paranormal romance is one I tend to be picky about and I was easily captivated by this complex and intense story.
Athena our heroine has discovered a new purpose to her life and how she carries it out made for an entertaining read. Fast paced and action packed, Ienjoyed how she executed her new found powers. Her budding slow burn romance with Haytham was icing on the cake.
The ending well let’s just say I wasn’t expecting that! Sandy Montemayor436 5

Fantasy type books have never been my first choice but I love Melissa Toppen and wanted to read this one. It was amazing, I could not put it down once I started. Athena is a college student, she knows she is different but could never quite understand it. Thenas life changes in such a short time, we meet characters that we love and characters we hate. This story is full of so many action moments. Thenas learning her powers and takes us a roller coaster ride. A must read, can't wait to what comes next. Mandee206 1 follower

Book one in the Fire & Shadow series follows Thena Elliot, a hybrid who is part human and part wielder. Always knowing she is somewhat different, the story begins with her as a college student who is then taken prisoner.

Since she is other, she is either blamed for the ongoing issues in the dying realm, or there are those that want to steal her powers.

It’s a great start, and I’m excited to learn more!arcs-2024 Lisa H4,655 17

A very different tale from Melissa Toppen…

In book one, we meet Athena “Thena” a human who finds out she’s a magical hybrid. Oh, and there’s other realms and she’s has to survive (and thrive?) in it.

Lots of works buildung as it is book one.
Of course, she finds an ally a prince, Haytham.
Recommend. Shasta Hope943 17

Wow! A new genre read for me, but I have to say it was so exciting and easy to read. I almost doubted that I couldn't or wouldn't finish reading it. It was so thrilling and suspenseful.

I love the characters and the hero and heroine. I will elaborate more on my thoughts once I read the conckusion duet that I know is coming.

Wow, Melissa!!! Crazy good!
5 STARS
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