If I had to describe Blood and Stone in one word, it’d be “chaotic”—but like, in the best way possible. Elias Karo’s debut novel doesn’t just throw you into the deep end of high fantasy—it yanks you in with political drama, betrayal, sorcery, and a charming prince who’s really just trying to survive a world that’s falling apart around him.
It follows Prince Percival Drake, a noble from the isolationist isle of Edelheim who suddenly finds himself accused of mass murder and plunged into a continent-wide crisis. And if that sounds intense, buckle up—it only gets messier from there.
“The blade flashed across the boy’s throat, and he gasped, clutching his neck as he crumpled lifelessly to the ground. Percy’s face was splattered with his blood, the hot spray coating his eyes and mouth. He wiped his hand across his face, smearing the boy’s blood over his eyes. He let out a shaky breath and brushed his fingers through his hair, leaving streaks of red in his sandy-blond hair. His throat bobbed, and he turned back to the door, ignoring the heat that now pulsed from the tenebrous blade on his hip.”
— Blood and Stone, Chapter Three, p.26
Intrigue, Magic, and a Poisoned Throne
Blood and Stone is about power—who has it, who abuses it, and what happens when you lose it all. Prince Percival is heir to a kingdom that doesn’t seem to want him. When the High Cleric of the Covenant of Light is assassinated, Percy’s framed, imprisoned, and abandoned by his own blood. Suddenly he’s not a prince—he’s just a guy trying not to freeze to death, get killed by nightmares, or lose himself entirely.
The plot wastes no time in letting things fall apart. And that’s when it gets good. We’re talking explosive temple massacres, cursed relics, divine interventions, magical fallout zones, and yes—a sword that hums with ominous red mist (because of course it does). Percy’s not your typical chosen one, but watching him claw his way back into relevance—and maybe even redemption—is why this story lands so hard.
The standout section? Definitely the quiet breakdown after Percy’s been disowned and locked away, where he reflects on being forgotten and unloved. It’s raw and incredibly human. For all the spellcraft and swordfights, this book’s best magic is emotional honesty.
And just when you think you’ve figured out where it’s going, it flips the script. No one is safe, no power is absolute, and every alliance has a dagger hidden somewhere. The best part? It doesn’t try to make Percy perfect. He’s flawed, a little desperate, sometimes reckless—but man, does he fight like hell to keep going. And that’s what sticks.
Young, Nerdy, and Dangerous with Dice
Elias Karo is a 19-year-old writer from Bozeman, Montana. He’s been writing stories since 2013 and brings a serious love for fantasy RPGs and tabletop games like D&D 5e and Call of Cthulhu into his worldbuilding. Blood and Stone is his first published novel—and based on how it reads, it won’t be his last. You can feel the campaign-style structure in the story (in the best way), with lore that feels lived-in and characters you actually want to root for—even when they’re falling apart.
Blood and Stone is a must-read for anyone craving a fantasy novel with heart, teeth, and a cast of characters that feel all too real. This book invites you to get messy, get emotional, and maybe find hope where everything’s gone to hell.
Blood and Stone
Elias Karo
Grab your copy before Percy does something else reckless.