It started out a bit slow but the pace picked up very quickly and then was nonstop. Once Galirras was introduced it reminded me a little of Eragon, though everyone adjusted better to Galirras than they did to Saphira. The world building was vivid and well done. I had no trouble picturing their world in my mind. I loved the descriptions of them climbing and the sand creatures. The bad guys were very bad. I was a little surprised at how bad they were. Usually the things they do get glossed over or are made PG 13 but these bad guys were done well. I hope karma gets them in the end. 

I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

A detailed and engaging read that provides the reader with a new world, characters and mythology. You can see influences from Anne McCaffrey in the dragon lore and Jim Butchers Codex Alera in the combat sequences but Norfield has made this world his own. The relationships between the main characters are well drawn and make you want to find out what happens next for Raylan, Galirras and their friends.

I really enjoyed this story. The characters are strong, and I was able to become attached to and invested in them. Yes, I enjoyed it very much and hope to read on.

An author who can make me care enough to laugh and/or cry has done their job! :)

When an ancient sacred relic is stolen from Tiankong Empire. Xi'Lao Wèn is tasked with recovering the relic. She asks Aeterra for their help. Raylan always admired his older brother Gavin's drive to protect those around him. Gavin and he along with several others are assigned to help Xi'Lao Wèn with recovering the relic. The journey to finding the relic is a harsh one yet our heroes succeed in finding the relic. However the relic proves to be something out of legend and myth. What is the sacred relic? Can Raylan and company recover the relic? Your answers await you in Windcatcher.

This new to me author has created a vast and beautiful world filled with wonder and hope. The story and characters were flawed, honest, real, raw, gritty, compelling, and intriguing too. I look forward to the next book in this exciting series.

“Windcatcher: Stone War Chronicles – Book 1” captured my attention from beginning to end.  Many times fantasy, especially with delicate cultural topics, can end up being poorly researched and written, but this was not the case with this novel.  Instead, author A.J. Norfield had a strong grip on his story and the cultural aspects that it involved.  While reading the novel I felt that I could visualize the setting of the story through his descriptions and his own mind’s eye.  None of the descriptions were excessive or tiresome to read, and it showed me how mature a writer Norfield is.  A great example of his descriptions is as follows:

“But these new sounds were the unwelcome, the loud cracks of thick wood splitting apart.  They forcefully invaded his hearing as he felt his life slip away.  And as his heart gave its final beat and the world disappeared into nothingness, Master Wen realized – to his horror – the sanctum doors had not merely been opened…they had simply been shattered by a single punch.”

He is also a very compassionate person, and his dedication page warmed my heart:

“For my two greatest – and most wonderful – distractions in the world and she who takes care of them.”

However, my favorite part about this novel was the emphasis put on the mythical creature of the Dragon.  Using this mythological aspect and bringing it to life warmed my heart.  I have not read a novel that captured the essence of dragons as well as this book has, and mixing both cultural and mythological aspects gave this novel power.  On A.J. Norfield’s Goodreads page he talks about how he is trying to give life to a story he has had in his mind for years, and with this book he has done just that.  All of his characters are well developed, and the storyline wasn’t lacking in any way.  This novel is full of action and adventure and fantasy fans will eat it right up.  While reading this novel, I could easily see the storyline being converted into a movie because of how in depth it was.

I highly suggest this novel for mythology buffs as well as fantasy fans, and I will be reading the sequels in this series as well.  This series is bound to go far.

Beginning a journey should always be this rewarding! 
I knew that this was a work in progress, book two wasn't event started when I read Windcatcher, but at the close of book one I was wishing I had book two already downloaded!
This fantasy epic takes you through a land apart from reality but one familiar enough that you are not confused or left to wander in story for story's sake. This action is fast and engaging throughout and this iteration of 'dragon myth' is one of the best and most thought out I have ever read. You care about the characters and their quest, and you will very likely wish that you had found a dragon egg in your day to day life. Be prepared to be transported!

I really enjoyed this book ! It was a bit slow to start but once the pace started increasing i was absolutely absorbed in it.

The Characters are well thought out and the book is full of action, so if you love fast paced action books this is the book for you.

I already want the second one!

a fast paced adventure story. a team is sent to retrieve a stolen object. part of the team are two brothers Gavin and raylan. I loved the interaction and sibling rivalry between the brothers. the team are deep in enemy territory when they find the missing object, a dragon egg, the ONLY dragon egg. the dragonet gilarris is immensely appealing as a character. he bonds with raylan and they can communicate telepathically. 

not since the dragon books of the late Anne McCaffrey have I been so drawn to a dragon. the team have many adventures making new friends. no spoilers so you need to read it yourself. meanwhile, I want a dragon!

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest unbiased review.

Book Review

Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

When one of their most sacred monasteries is attacked by a force of unknown origin, the royal family of the Tiankong Empire requests aid in tracking down and reclaiming their sacred ancient relic. Under the command of his brother Gavin, Raylan and his squad must undertake this dangerous mission for their kingdom’s trading partner. He would soon discover that the ancient relic holds unexpected life; a creature buried in legends, one not seen in their world for more than two hundred years.

Windcatcher (Stone War Chronicles, Book 1) by A.J. Norfield is an epic fantasy built on the dragon theme and a world where other ethereal creatures exist. The writing is effortless in its liveliness, describing the world that Norfield created easily and imaginatively. Personally, I found the pace was moderate in general (except for the fight scenes). On the other hand, I found myself connected to the story and its characters, entertained by Norfield’s inventiveness in using and incorporating the classic dragon theme into the plot. Characterization is solid; Gavin, Xi’Lao, Raylan, the dragon Galirras, as well as other sub-characters are well developed, and have sufficient depth in terms of their emotions and relationships.

The ending provides a suspenseful cliffhanger and an insight to another great plot that readers can anticipate in the next book. Windcatcher is the cross-generational book a reader of any age can devour and fantasy fans will find it a satisfying read. I look forward to reading more of the adventure that is available in the Stone War Chronicles.

This book was one action packed moment after the next and that is no lie!

We begin the story with a wonderful prologue which gives insight to the importance of the main focus of this tale, which is an ancient relic. It is protected within a monastery and hidden away, until something horrible happens and it is stolen.

Once we hit the first chapter we meet Raylan, who is a soldier beneath his older brother Gavin's command. We are introduced to them at length, which allows us to become invested in them. After this we meet several other supporting characters, too.

Soon, they are part of a mission to extract an ancient relic that must be protected and return to the monastery at all costs. Except, when said stone-like relic is found and Raylan is drawn to it, it begins to react oddly to him. It softens and then the unexpected happens... 

A dragon hatches.

There was action before and a story before, but once the dragon is hatched things really kick up into high gear. For a while I found it a touch difficult to really submerse myself into the book and that is not because the story lacks detail or action, but I felt at times that there was too much action and then not enough world building, not enough political intrigue or further insight on the other side. Then, I stopped reading and mulled over my thoughts for a while, this is an action-adventure-fantasy tale about a dragon and soldiers...The writing is good, the characters interesting, so what if it's just action? That was my thought and I stand by it. For me, yes, I absolutely wish there was more of the aforementioned, but you know what? This was still a good story. 

There is peril after peril and just when you think there will be a calm, think again. There is action until the very last page. So, if you're looking for adventure and action, check this book out. There is another on the way, too!