Marks of Stone

Dave Jenkinson is a professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba and the author of the “Portraits” section of Emergency Librarian.

This fourth volume in the Stoneman series, which concludes the quest of
Julian, nephews Thiunn and Eruinn, and Princess Darla, needs to be read
in conjunction with the previous volumes for the sake of continuity.

While Lord Merm, leader of the bellicose Gotts, finally comes into
possession of the Key, Julian acquires the “Passwords of Promise,”
two books that, if united with the Key, will make the possessor
invincible. To ensure that Evil will not gain this power, thereby
destroying the Balance, the Julian-led quartet must deliver the
Passwords to a secure place identified by the Marks of Stone. Good
triumphs in the end, although readers are cautioned that Julian’s band
has won only an isolated battle, not the war.

Marks of Stone exhibits some of the stylistic difficulties found in the
earlier volumes. Although Munsey is capable of delivering fast-paced,
reader-involving action, his prose tends to be mired in wordiness.
Recommended with reservations.