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Michael R. Fletcher
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Black Stone Heart (The Obsidian Path Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Michael R. Fletcher (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 1,254 ratings
THE FIRST STEP ON THE OBSIDIAN PATH

A broken man, Khraen awakens alone and lost. His stone heart has been shattered, littered across the world. With each piece, he regains some small shard of the man he once was. He follows the trail, fragment by fragment, remembering his terrible past.

There was a woman.

There was a sword.

There was an end to sorrow.

Khraen walks the obsidian path.


REVIEWS:
"Honestly, this is my favourite book. Best one I've read in my life, alongside (and on a par with) Prince of Thorns." — booknest.eu

"Insanely brilliant. Fletcher did it again." — novelnotions.net

"Black Stone Heart is Fletcher's best novel to date, and that is really saying something coming from someone who can't stop talking about Beyond Redemption." — fanfiaddict.com

"Readers will probably wonder about Fletcher's sanity before it's all over." — grimdarkmagazine.com

"This is a riveting start to an excellent saga. The author has surpassed himself again and we are all luckier for it." — grimmedian.com

"This book is AMAZING and INTENSE and DARK and WEIRD and all those delightful things that Fletcher is known for." — Sarah Chorn, author of Seraphina's Lament

"This might be the best Fletcher book I've read to date. That's not a light statement, considering his oeuvre: Beyond Redemption, Smoke and Stone, The Mirror's Truth, and on, but I tore through this in less than four days, and it left me wanting more. More, more, more now." — Clayton Snyder, author of The Obsidian Psalm

"Once again Michael Fletcher manages to spellbind you into this grimdark spiral of madness, and yet it feels so very fluent and logical it makes you take a double take at your own thoughts and emotions." — fantasy-hive.co.uk

"A dark tale full of unconventional ideas with that special kind of madness that only Fletcher can provide. Bring on the sequel!" — fantasybookreview.co.uk

"Black Stone Heart is, above all, addictive and compulsively readable - it forced me to prolong my lunch as much as I dared because I couldn't bear to stop reading it. If anything depended on me, I would forbid Fletcher to work on anything but The Obsidian Path series. I need the sequel." — fantasybookcritic.blogspot.com
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    The Obsidian Path
  2. Print length
    382 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    April 1, 2020
  6. Reading age
    14 - 18 years
  7. File size
    1.5 MB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

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Editorial Reviews

Review

Honestly, this is my favourite book. Best one I've read in mylife, alongside (and on a par with) Prince of Thorns.
--booknest.eu

Insanely brilliant. Fletcher did it again.
--novelnotions.net

Black Stone Heart is Fletcher's best novel to date, and thatis really saying something coming from someone who can't stop talking aboutBeyond Redemption.
--fanfiaddict.com

Readers will probably wonder about Fletcher's sanity beforeit's all over.
--grimdarkmagazine.com

This is a riveting start to an excellent saga. The author hassurpassed himself again and we are all luckier for it.
--grimmedian.com

This book is AMAZING and INTENSE and DARK and WEIRD and allthose delightful things that Fletcher is known for.
--Sarah Chorn, author of Seraphina's Lament

This might be the best Fletcher book I've read to date.That's not a light statement, considering his oeuvre: Beyond Redemption, Smokeand Stone, The Mirror's Truth, and on, but I tore through this in less thanfour days, and it left me wanting more. More, more, more now.
--Clayton Snyder, author of The Obsidian Psalm

Once again Michael Fletcher manages to spellbind you intothis grimdark spiral of madness, and yet it feels so very fluent and logical itmakes you take a double take at your own thoughts and emotions.
--fantasy-hive.co.uk

A dark tale full of unconventional ideas with that specialkind of madness that only Fletcher can provide. Bring on the sequel!
--fantasybookreview.co.uk

Black Stone Heart is, above all, addictive and compulsivelyreadable - it forced me to prolong my lunch as much as I dared because Icouldn't bear to stop reading it. If anything depended on me, I would forbidFletcher to work on anything but The Obsidian Path series. I need the sequel.
--fantasybookcritic.blogspot.com

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B083Y748QX
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ MRF Books Corp.
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 1, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.5 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 382 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 3 ‏ : ‎ The Obsidian Path
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 14 - 18 years
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 1,254 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Michael R. Fletcher

Michael R. Fletcher

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Michael R. Fletcher lives in the endless suburban sprawl north of Toronto. He dreams of trees and seeing the stars at night and being a ninja. He is an unrepentant whiskey-swilling reprobate of the tallest order and thinks grilled cheese sandwiches are a food group.

His novels include the Manifest Delusions trilogy (BEYOND REDEMPTION, THE MIRROR'S TRUTH, A WAR TO END ALL), the Obsidian Path trilogy (BLACK STONE HEART, SHE DREAMS IN BLOOD, AN END TO SORROW), the City of Sacrifice trilogy (SMOKE AND STONE, ASH AND BONES, SIN AND SORROW), and the standalone novels, SWARM AND STEEL, GHOSTS OF TOMORROW, THE MILLENNIAL MANIFESTO, NORYLSKA GROANS (co-written with Clayton W. Snyder). He also has a short story collection A COLLECTION OF OBSESSIONS.

http://michaelrfletcher.com/

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
1,254 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise the book's plot twists and turns, with one noting it provides plenty of backstory to keep things interesting. Moreover, the writing is well-executed, and customers find the pacing engaging, with one describing it as the most visceral novel they've read. Additionally, they appreciate the character development, particularly the antihero protagonist, and the imaginative storytelling, with one highlighting its unique perspective in the fantasy genre.

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Story qualityCharacter developmentReadabilityWriting qualityPacingImagination
47 customers mention "Story quality"40 positive7 negative

Customers enjoy the plot twists and turns in this fantasy book, with one customer noting it has plenty of backstory to keep things interesting.

"...With its breakneck pace, excellent banter, wild twists and reveals, Black Stone Hearts bullies you into liking it. There’s no time not to...." Read more

"...Solid writing and really fast, clear plotting will keep you reading from beginning to end in no time...." Read more

"...There’s decent info in the roaming but he goes over it again and again...." Read more

"...It's well written, nicely edited, creative, clever, interesting, and so on. Highly recommend!" Read more

29 customers mention "Character development"22 positive7 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, particularly the antihero protagonist and their journey into the soul of demonology.

"...I really enjoyed the distinct personalities and traits of the side characters, even if one of them did make me skin crawl a solid 99% of the time..." Read more

"...there is an abundance of fun involving necromancy, wizardry, and demonology...." Read more

"...a depth of moral dilemma that makes his protagonists and characters unforgettable...." Read more

"...isn’t overly complicated but it still describes the world and its characters well...." Read more

29 customers mention "Readability"29 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and thoroughly enjoyable, with one customer noting it's good enough to be finished in a few sittings.

"...There’s no time not to. Things happen and they are exciting...." Read more

"...give him cause to question his actions of a past life. An interesting read. Recommended" Read more

"...I will say that there is an abundance of fun involving necromancy, wizardry, and demonology...." Read more

"...As a fantasy world, it provides plenty of ‘WOW, that’s cool!’ moments...." Read more

21 customers mention "Writing quality"19 positive2 negative

Customers find the book well written and easy to read, with one customer specifically praising the excellent characterization.

"...Black Stone Heart is, above all, addictive and compulsively readable - it forced me to prolong my lunch as much as I dared because I couldn’t bear..." Read more

"...Solid writing and really fast, clear plotting will keep you reading from beginning to end in no time...." Read more

"Wow! This book drew me in and wouldn’t let go. It's well written, nicely edited, creative, clever, interesting, and so on. Highly recommend!" Read more

"...The dialogue is outstanding and at times downright humorous amidst the violence. The plot twists and turns...." Read more

20 customers mention "Pacing"14 positive6 negative

Customers enjoy the pacing of the book, finding it fast and drawing them in, with one customer noting how it combines brutal action with humor.

"...With its breakneck pace, excellent banter, wild twists and reveals, Black Stone Hearts bullies you into liking it. There’s no time not to...." Read more

"...Solid writing and really fast, clear plotting will keep you reading from beginning to end in no time...." Read more

"...You can't have a struggle without both sides. He's also just really dumb, which in the first half you assume is because he isn't whole, but the..." Read more

"...The dialogue is outstanding and at times downright humorous amidst the violence. The plot twists and turns...." Read more

12 customers mention "Imagination"12 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book's imaginative storytelling and brilliant character development, with one customer noting its unique perspective in fantasy novels.

"...Fletcher has a knack for characterization and, surprisingly, for crafting entertaining and dark comedy...." Read more

"...It's well written, nicely edited, creative, clever, interesting, and so on. Highly recommend!" Read more

"...This is where Fletcher shines. His characterization is brilliant...." Read more

"...The style isn’t overly complicated but it still describes the world and its characters well...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Lu
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
    Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    When Khraen wakes up, he has almost no memories of his past. It included violence, murder, and hacking his own chest open but other than that? Hard to say.

    He doesn’t act like a human being; rather as a savage creature focused on survival, living off bugs and roots. Only after finding an obsidian shard that pierces his skin and finds its way to his heart, he regains parts of his identity.

    His integration into the local society gets tricky, especially that he has no marketable skills beyond killing children and women. His actions stem from the urge to follow the remaining shards of his heart scattered around the world. After getting each shard Khraen undergoes a painful process of integration during which he regains some memories of the past. And with them comes a growing sense of unease - it’s possible people hate him for a reason other than the color of his skin. It’s possible his past actions had disastrous consequences.

    With its breakneck pace, excellent banter, wild twists and reveals, Black Stone Hearts bullies you into liking it. There’s no time not to. Things happen and they are exciting. Yes, I know that I write vaguely about this book but I do it out of a desire not to spoil it. The plot is fairly simple (protagonist and narrator regains parts of his heart, gets drunk and laid, regains his memories, travels to impossible places, meets old friends and foes, discovers his violent past) and most of the fun comes from experiencing events with Khraen and seeing how they change him. Fletcher has a knack for characterization and, surprisingly, for crafting entertaining and dark comedy. It’s a dark book and yet it made me laugh multiple times.

    He brilliantly captures the change of Khraen’s voice as he ponders on his identity and the essence of identity in general. Each new Shard allows Khraen to reassemble himself and regain his memories. If you’ve already read Fletcher, you know better than to expect happy endings and uplifting mood. Here, though, the darker side of the story hides behind the darkly humorous voice.

    Make no mistake, Khraen and his companions aren’t good guys (although one question Fletcher asks is about the nature of evil - is a predator evil when it feeds itself to survive?). One of them, a necromancer, harvests people to repair herself. She treats people as a source of parts.

    Black Stone Heart is, above all, addictive and compulsively readable - it forced me to prolong my lunch as much as I dared because I couldn’t bear to stop reading it. If anything depended on me, I would forbid Fletcher to work on anything but The Obsidian Path series. I need the sequel.

    It’s clear I’m biased. For the sake of objectivity, I have to say it probably won’t appeal to readers tired of over-the-topness, violence, and a certain level of predictability (those two final surprises weren’t really exactly shocking). I loved it too much to care, though, and felt fully immersed in the narrative.
    14 people found this helpful
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  • David Akridge
    4.0 out of 5 stars The path to hell is lined with good intentions.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    What makes an act evil? Intentions? Desire? Malice? Hate?
    This fantasy tale is on the dark side & is written in a way that the main character has memories that give him cause to question his actions of a past life.
    An interesting read.
    Recommended
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  • Callum
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read Grimdark!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Well that was a hell of a ride. Black Stone Heart by Michael R. Fletcher is one of the darkest, most visceral novels I’ve read. I know grimdark is not for everyone but if you’re in the mood for it, this is for sure one to check out as soon as you get chance. Between Fletcher and Rob J. Hayes (of Along The Razor’s Edge genius), they have the market damn near cornered on fantastically plotted, dark as hell stories right now.

    A quick synopsis: The main character, Khraen, wakes up less than a man. As he slowly pieces himself back to some semblance of a human and regains his lost memories by collecting pieces of his heart that are scattered across the lands, he begins a journey of self discovery and vengeance that leads him to some horrifying places and realizations.

    This was my first book of Fletcher’s and even going in expecting it to be pretty grimdark, it was darker than I expected. Solid writing and really fast, clear plotting will keep you reading from beginning to end in no time. I’m definitely a fan of Fletcher’s now and I’ll be both anticipating the next book in The Obsidian Path and making time to go back and check out his previous works.

    The main character, Khraen, is some serious Walter White Breaking Bad craziness dialed up to 11. I started out really rooting for him and siding with him, then, and I don’t even know when this happened, I just hit a point of wondering to myself how the hell we got where we were and what he was doing. It speaks to Fletcher’s absolute skill that Khraen’s character arc felt totally natural to the narrative, and the weaving of the different plot threats was deftly done.

    There are a few main side characters that I don’t particularly want to get in to for spoilery reasons, but oh how much heart breaks (that almost counts as a pun, considering the plot of this book) for one of them. I really enjoyed the distinct personalities and traits of the side characters, even if one of them did make me skin crawl a solid 99% of the time they were present.

    I’m going to be looking forward to the sequel and seeing where this whole crazy story goes next because, honestly, this thing could go anywhere. Your best bet is to read this book as soon as you get chance then just hold on tight and go for the ride. I really don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • MKW
    3.0 out of 5 stars fizzled out for me
    Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I spent several weeks trying to read this book but it’s just not for me. I got about 60% of the way through. The beginning is long passages of him talking to himself, the middle is long passages of him and Shaylan roaming the wizard keep then him roaming a castle alone, then we’re on to more roaming and thinking. There’s decent info in the roaming but he goes over it again and again. Then I realized it’s setting up a book 2 and I don’t have the interest to keep reading. I need more action.
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  • SparkleChick
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
    Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Wow! This book drew me in and wouldn’t let go. It's well written, nicely edited, creative, clever, interesting, and so on. Highly recommend!
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • santhiya sathiamurthi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must read book
    Reviewed in India on July 7, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Absolutely amazing read. I was enthralled till the end. Couldn't put it down at all. Recommended to all swords and sorcery fans out there.
    Report
  • Sean
    5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible
    Reviewed in Australia on August 19, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This book compelled me from the very first page and kept me engaged until the end. I’m keen to read the rest of the series!
    Report
  • Alfred
    1.0 out of 5 stars interesting premise, but doesn't deliver
    Reviewed in Sweden on July 23, 2023
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    This book had a neat Premise that is ruined by the fact that the main character was a psycho from the beginning so any moral decline feels unimportant
    all of the relationships in this book feel so hollow and fake
    it is very repetitive and feels like it's stalling for time
    Report
  • Cliente Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping and full of dark secrets yet to be revealed
    Reviewed in Brazil on March 1, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Discovering Khraen's past is a road of no return, once you're in it, you must know the answers.
    Report
  • James Downe
    5.0 out of 5 stars Dark and Wonderfully Unique
    Reviewed in Canada on April 22, 2023
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    A great concept, wonderful writing, and interesting characters. Fletcher weaves a dark tale here, following a shattered man named Khraen (like, really and actually shattered). As he rebuilds himself, acquiring shards of his obsidian heart, he recalls pieces of a past life. Who was he? A good man, or a terrible evil? I really enjoyed this one. Bought the next one before I was done and I do not regret it, can't wait to continue this story.
    Report

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