The First Stone

ROMANTASY ROUNDTABLE: THE FIRST STONE — ARC REVIEW

We got our hands on an early ARC of The First Stone by Robert Biehn, and folks… WE HAVE THOUGHTS. And by thoughts, we mean Rick is giving this one FIVE STARS, Kim is handing out FOUR, and together we're landing at a very respectable 4.5 stars. Not bad for a debut fantasy novel!

Think Avatar meets Mistborn meets Star Wars, with a post-apocalyptic wasteland, elemental magic, dangerous government forces, missing memories, and two siblings who are just trying to survive. Oh, and there's an antagonist named Felix who might just make your skin crawl while smiling directly at you. What's not to love?

Amanda is still off enjoying married life and her minimoon, so Rick and Kim are holding down the fort this week. We're keeping this review SPOILER-FREE, so if you're curious about The First Stone, you can hang out with us without worrying about ruining the surprises.

WHAT WE TALK ABOUT:

• THE STORY: Cass and Eve are siblings navigating a devastated world where survival is a daily battle. When Eve becomes dangerously ill, Cass risks everything to find medicine. But their strange markings, missing memories, and unusual abilities suggest their past is much bigger than they realize.

• CASS & EVE: A protective older brother, a determined younger sister, and a relationship at the heart of the story. We discuss their choices, their stubbornness, and whether Cass needs to learn a lesson or just needs to be allowed to be an impulsive teenager.

• FELIX, THE WALKING RED FLAG: Rick has found a new favorite villain. Imagine Hans Landa from Inglourious Basterds, except in a fantasy novel. He's charming, unsettling, dangerous, and absolutely NOT someone you want showing up at your door.

• THE WORLD: Post-apocalyptic California, wastelands, refugee encampments, a tightly controlled government, and a magical academy. Kim tries to figure out where everyone is in California while Rick is just happy to be in the wasteland.

• THE MAGIC SYSTEM: Elemental powers, magical wielders, augmented soldiers, and a mysterious substance that can strip magic away. We compare the system to Mistborn and Avatar and discuss how the author introduces the rules without drowning us in a giant lore dump.

• THE MYSTERY: Who are Cass and Eve really? Why are they being hunted? What happened to their memories? And why does Rick desperately need book two RIGHT NOW?

• THE PACING & POVs: We discuss the gradual worldbuilding, the action sequences, the dual perspecti