A Cast of Stones (The Staff and the Sword #1) by Patrick W. Carr

About the front:
This has got to be a fantasy novel … though the big round things at the bottom actually make me think of dragon eggs. So, maybe there’s something paranormal? I dunno, but this cover caught my eye because of that castle. I have a thing for castles … in that I want to visit one! In any case, I’m thinking dragon’s eggs, castles and some princess who needs to be saved. That’s hitting me even more because in the clouds up there, I’m seeing evil eyes. You know, like the man or bunny in the moon … it’s there but not? Am I right? Probably not, but that’s what I see.

Now let’s look at what the back says:

An Epic Medieval Saga Fantasy Readers
Will Love
In the backwater village of Callowford, Errol Stone’s search for a drink is interrupted by a church messenger who arrives with urgent missives for the hermit priest in the hills. Desperate for coin, Errol volunteers to deliver them but soon finds himself hunted by deadly assassins. Forced to flee with the priest and a small band of travelers, Errol soon learns he’s joined a quest that could change the fate of his kingdom.
Protected for millennia by the heirs of the first king, the kingdom’s dynasty is near an end and a new king must be selected. As tension and danger mount, Errol must leave behind his drunkenness and grief, learn to fight, and come to know his God in order to survive a journey to discover his destiny.

Does it match? Front to Back without the in between?

An Epic Medieval Saga Fantasy Readers

Medieval. Yep. Fantasy. Got it!

Will Love

Huh? Is this an oops?

In the backwater village of Callowford, Errol Stone’s search for a drink is interrupted by a church messenger who arrives with urgent missives for the hermit priest in the hills.

Ooh, so the castle is the home of a hermit priest?

Desperate for coin, Errol volunteers to deliver them but soon finds himself hunted by deadly assassins.
So a thriller!

Forced to flee with the priest and a small band of travelers, Errol soon learns he’s joined a quest that could change the fate of his kingdom.

And a quest! Gotta love a good fantasy quest.

Protected for millennia by the heirs of the first king, the kingdom’s dynasty is near an end and a new king must be selected. As tension and danger mount, Errol must leave behind his drunkenness and grief, learn to fight, and come to know his God in order to survive a journey to discover his destiny.

Oooh … so a philosophical, character growth story where I’m guessing Errol here is gonna be king. Totally got that from this cover. Love it!

Will I read it?
So the cover and blurb match. LOVE that. Now, I have to admit, fantasy and I don’t mix very well. But I am intrigued and I like the consistency here, so if the story the same and the writing is great, I bet it’ll hold me through!

Will you add it to your bookshelf virtual or otherwise? Share in the comments!