There are three reasons I have not read much fantasy fiction over the last few years. First, most works are very long and seem to require a major commitment to an especially long series. Second, it seems, in the first few pages, to insist the reader memorize a plethora of strange names as an initiation to the story. Third, when I think of reading fantasy I simply pick up Tolkien again.

            “Stonefather” was a very pleasant surprise. First it is very short, a Novella, of about 112 pages. It had all the usual ingredients done very well. A young man out of place in his hillside village goes looking for something better. He finds not only better in the outside world but in himself. It is an adventure fantasy that lays out the ground work for a much more complex epic and world while being a complete and satisfying story.  There are wicked sorcerers, beautiful maidens, roughnecks and nobles aplenty. There is a complex but naïve main character and a long term war smoldering under the surface. In short everything a fantasy reader wants to read.

            Mr. Card is a talented and experienced writer.  So, for a young person who needs to be gently nudged into a good book or for an old guy like me who wants to remember the fun of these stories without the major commitment, this is the book.