I loved Chanterelle. I didn’t want it to end and I had to read it twice.  It may be possible to read this second book of the Five Stones Trilogy on it’s own, but why miss The Fog of Forgetting where we first meet the Isle of Ayda? I wish the cover reflected a more beautiful aspect of the book. Chanterelle himself, is a rich new character whose description is irresistible. The setting may be my favorite part. The creative imagining of this world and it’s systems is terrific. We aren’t over burdened with description, yet we find ourselves traveling through dramatic landscapes that are visually stunning and factor strongly in the culture and characteristics of the people who inhabit them.  Certainly there is despair and violence as the four peoples of Ayda battle evil; but the triumphant themes are those of truth, faith, and goodness. There is a great scene where the children show mercy to their captives; they realize the suffering they have been put through and want to become friends. Thank you Genevieve!  There are many key scenes that leap off the page with dramatic tension, clarity and originality. I know I will be wondering about the characters, especially Mom and Teddy, all winter while waiting for #3.