Fantasy can be thought of as lying along a continuum. At one end are works told in broad strokes that emphasize events. These are big stories, often epic in scope, with characters moving within the framework of the plot like chess pieces on a board. Although I enjoy fantasy drawn from all along that continuum, I tend to prefer works centred on personal relationships among the characters. The Stone Maiden weaves a story around Alainna and Sebastien that brought the Celtic history and legends alive for me.
Celtic folklore abounds with legends that involve stone.
In this book, those themes provide an allegory for the political backdrop of the story and act as a symbol of human spirituality. The stone also becomes a metaphor for Alainna, who is a skilled stone carver. King's subtle blending of mythology and the art of stone carving create a poetic mood, one enhanced by her evocation of the stark beauty in the Scottish countryside. This book isn't an action-packed thriller or a Grand Quest. It is a quieter story centred around two remarkable people.