The Stone War

The Stone War takes place in the New York City of the near future. An unexpected disaster strikes the city,causing chaos. An architect, hitherto an "ordinary guy",takes charge of an effort to rebuild in the midst ofdevastation and ghoulish obstacles. This book is very well-written. Its pacing and narrative resembles a golden agehard sci fi future history novel, but its plot devices and themes combine elements of fantasy, horror and heroic symbolism to achieve a work that is satisfying both as sci fi/fantasy and as sophisticated fiction. The story becomes utterly believable despite the most fantastic plot. Ms. Robins should be very proud of this effort. I recommend this as an excellent read.

While all good novels need an engaging plot and 3-D characters, a really good science fiction novel also contains an IDEA that traditional fiction could not as well illustrate. This novel does that, by making real and manifest the horrific consequences of putting our fears and anger into boxes -- of keeping ourselves boxed up. And what makes this story especially compelling, is that its hero survives on multiple levels by refusing to be boxed in. While near-future NYC residents live with gated city blocks and armed guards at every corner, he roams the streets, connecting with the city and its inhabitants. When the psychic fears of all the city burst loose to wreck havoc, his band of survivors win out by refusing to sit behind their defense walls. And in the end, he grows by learning to connect emotionally with his fellow survivors. NET, this story succeeds on many levels -- as an adventure-survival story; as a science fiction novel; and as an exploration of the dangers of disconnecting, and the joys of connecting, with our fellow human beings.

Madeleine E. Robins' book "The Stone War" is truly a show of modern magic. Mrs. Robins' wonderful style brings her characters to life. Her interpretation of near-future New York is realistic and believable. She gives you just enough information about the city's demise to let you guess the anwser along with the charecters. I would recommend "The Stone War" to anyone looking for a modern fantasy. It truly is a work of magic.

Madeleine Robins is best known for her short SF/Fantasy stories. Now she's done it more, better, bigger, and with style in a novel.From the fine detail to the big sweeping panoramas, to the characters and setting, this is one of those books that I wish I'd written myself, but never would be able to in a million years.Go pick it up.

If you like books in which Elfland comes to Poughkeepsie (or in this case, Manhattan, do pick up THE STONE WAR. The author pulls off the difficult trick of setting a fantasy in a rigorously-realized near future New York, and making both the SF and Fantasy aspects of the book work brilliantly. Robins is definitely an author to watch, and I am eagerly looking forward to her next.