Lodestone Series

Finalist - 2010 Foreword Book of the Year Award. A white-hole portal from another universe rains so-called lodestones onto the surface of the planet Kelanni - a substance with unlimited power. With the aid of the fearsome Keltar enforcers in their flying cloaks, the Kelanni are being forced to mine the stones. Shann, an orphan with a fiery disposition, witnesses a battle between a Keltar and a stranger bearing a similar flying cloak. She tracks down the stranger, and learns of the technology behind the Keltars' power, joining him on a mission to free the slaves and cut off their supply of lodestones. Meanwhile Keris, a Keltar, is sent on a mission to track down the rebels. She is attacked by a flying creature and saved by the enigmatic Chandara. At their Great Tree, she learns that a mysterious "Prophet" is out to destroy the Kelanni people. Their only hope is a powerful instrument hidden in the distant past. Pursued by Keltar, the party will encounter bizarre creatures, ancient technologies and terrifying dangers. Finally, they must seek to cross a massive storm barrier in order to reach the other side of their world, where a world-shaking revelation awaits.

On a distant planet ruled by a brutal tyrant, an alien girl comes to the aid of a stranger and is plunged into the midst of a titanic struggle that will decide the fate of her world. For the first time in a single volume, this limited edition version includes all three books of the first Lodestone story arc, including a revised and updated version of Book One, a unique cover featuring a scene from the second book, and a special chapter navigation system. The combined 360,000 word epic is available for a limited period only. Lose yourself in the astounding world of Kelanni!

The multiple award-winning Lodestone series returns in an all-action third instalment. Having finally secured the four components of Annata’s ancient device, ten Kelanni, together with the enigmatic Chandara Boxx, set sail for the Island of Helice in order to neutralize the human weapon designed to eradicate the planet’s indigenous life and to give them control over lodestone—the most powerful substance in the universe. After fending off an attack from an immense sea creature, the party is attacked by human flying machines. Shann and Rael, two of the four component carriers, are lost somewhere on the island, their fate unknown. Will the Kelanni be able to reach the human weapon and disarm it? With time against them, they must battle to overcome internal conflicts and along the way uncover shocking new truths about themselves; about their enemies, the humans; and about the strange creature Boxx, whose ultimate purpose yet remains a mystery.

Their long journey over, the exiles from the planet Helvenna must now carve out a new existence. But the stain of war still blights the two factions - the hubbers with their strict caste system, now enforced by the new, fearsome keltar in their flying cloaks, and the free community of rimmers. On an alien world beset by unknown dangers and complex life forms they must find a way to come together...or be destroyed. "This is the fifth book in Mark Whiteway's beautifully crafted Lodestone series".

The discovery of an ancient artefact sends Keris of the kelanni and the human McCann spinning back into the distant past to uncover a threat more terrible than either of them could conceive. 'Seeds across the Sky' is the fourth book in the best selling Lodestone Series.

Epic Alien Adventure! With her old adversary, Glaisne, now loose on Helvena along with the fey creature, Ash, Keris of the Kelanni must risk everything by awakening an ancient power so dangerous that it could destroy both worlds... The first Lodestone trilogy saw Keris of the Kelanni join a ragtag band to combat the ‘alien’ invasion of her world. Five turns of the season have now passed. Keris receives a disturbing report of the theft of an ancient artefact. The perpetrator? Alexander McCann, the last human left on Kelanni! When she tracks him down in a liquor den, the drunken McCann spins a fantastical tale. An ancient sphere recording claims that her people, the Kelanni, are alien invaders just as the humans were. Worse yet it tells of Ash, an all-powerful alien being, who almost destroyed her world in the in the distant past. Now sinister forces are plotting his return. Accompanied by McCann, Keris must travel to the ancient ruined city of Gal Mador, uncover the truth of her people’s dark past, and find a way to defeat an invincible alien foe... Lodestone Book Four: Seeds Across the Sky Lodestone Book Five: The Conquered Shore Lodestone Book Six: Eternity’s Shadow “The new characters slotted in seamlessly and really strengthened the storyline. I especially enjoyed the suspicion and mystery wrapped up in the fantasy packaging. This went deeper than the other novels and has taken a great deal of thought, care and attention. The sub-storylines and the testing of each character’s beliefs was excellent. The twists and turns had me hanging onto every word. I didn’t want to put the book down. This book is a masterclass in how to create engaging characters in fantastical settings. It’s the best book yet. I do hope that there will be a follow-on.” Annette Young - The Creative Competitor. “I have had the privilege of reading all six books of the Lodestone series. To me the way the author wrapped up the series is brilliant. The author is a bit of a poet and philosopher. I found tears running down my face as I was reading the last chapter.” Sandra Heptinstall - Midwest Book Review. “Mark Whiteway's gifts go far beyond creating alien landscapes and imaginative technology. His complex characters and rich plots continue to fascinate long after the properties of lodestone have settled into the background. “What stands out for me is the author's ability to take two alien beings, each as completely different from one another as they are from my human experience, and leave me feeling their connection to one another. That doesn't come from a wild and crazy imagination; that is the forte of the masterful observer of human behavior. “Sometimes, when a series of novels reaches into five or more books, the plots can feel stilted and forced. Not so with the Lodestone series. Eternity's Shadow only deepens the intrigue and the machinations of beings vast and tiny, and leaves this reviewer eager for more.” Terence P Ward - Allbooks Review.

The desperate race to save a world continues. Washed up on a distant shore on the unknown side of her planet, together with the Chandara Boxx, the orphan Kelanni named Shann must uncover the fate of her companions, whilst searching for an artefact hidden there in the distant past. As she journeys farther into this new land, she will encounter strange sights, come up against new enemies and meet new friends, until finally coming face to face with the truth of her own past. First Place Award Winner (Science Fiction) - 2010 Reader Views Awards. First Place Award Winner (Young Adult) - 2010 Reader Views Awards. First Place Award Winner (Science Fiction) - 2011 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards. First Place Award Winner (New Author) - 2011 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards. First Place Award Winner (Young Adult) - 2011 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards. First Place Award Winner (Science Fiction) - 2011 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards. First Place Award Winner (Young Adult) - 2011 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards. Second Place Award Winner - 2010 Premier Book Awards. Second Place Award Winner - 2010 Written Art Awards. (Excerpt) A low snarling sound. A pair of yellow eyes appeared in front of her; then another, and a third. Shapes moved in the darkness, jostling each other impatiently, regarding her with a malevolence colder even than the bitter air. The snarl grew into a chorus of deep throated growls from every side. Saccath's staff was already in her hands, her tendons stretched white against the darkwood. "Boxx, stay close," she commanded. Glancing beside her, she saw that the Chandara had transformed itself into a ball of chitin. You'll have to teach me that trick. Shann whirled around. The creatures were circling her, probing her defences, testing her resolve. She strained her eyes, but their forms were elusive, melting into the anonymity of the starlit night. If she were on her own, she would have flared her cloak and scanned for lodestone, so as to effect her escape, but there was no way she was going to leave Boxx at the mercy of these...things. She keened her Kelanni senses, bracing herself for the attack. The attack erupted in a flurry of fur and fang-of horn and claw. Shann sliced, slashed and stabbed at anything that moved; her diamond blade flashing in the starlight as if the heavens were lending her their power. She brought her staff down on the head of one of the beasts and heard the crunch of bone; then pirouetted, cleaving phantoms and sundering shadows. Bass growling was now becoming interspersed with higher pitched yelping. The creatures backed off. Regrouping. Thinking. As she stood, breathing hard, braced for the next onslaught, Shann's mind went back to the battle with the sand scarags of the Great Southern Desert. The sand scarags were like automata. They had one tactic-swarm and overwhelm-which they pursued with a mindless compulsion. These creatures were different. There was a collective intelligence here-the cold unyielding logic of the implacable hunter. Shann felt a sudden sharp pressure in the small of her back. Before she could react, she was propelled forward and sent sprawling, face first onto the ground. She twisted on to her back. The stars were blotted out by a huge shape, looming over her. Xanthic eyes bore into her and hot, fetid breath washed over her face. (Continued)

For the first time in a single volume, this limited edition version includes all three books of the Second Lodestone Trilogy. Fully and professionally edited, the combined 320,000 word epic is available for a limited period only. Lodestone Book Four: Seeds Across the Sky The discovery of an ancient artefact sends Keris of the Kelanni and the human Alexander McCann spinning back into the distant past to uncover a threat more terrible than either of them could conceive. Five planetary turns have passed since Humans were driven from the planet Kelanni. Keris learns of an ancient record that purports to tell the true origins of her people, and of a being named Ash that has manipulated their development for his own purposes. But is the record true, or merely another cynical attempt by Humans to exploit the power of Lodestone? The first Lodestone trilogy saw Keris of the Kelanni join a ragtag band to combat the ‘alien’ invasion of her world. Five turns of the season have now passed. Keris receives a disturbing report of the theft of an ancient artefact. The perpetrator? Alexander McCann, the last human left on Kelanni! When she tracks him down in a liquor den, the drunken McCann spins a fantastical tale. An ancient sphere recording claims that her people, the Kelanni, are alien invaders just as the humans were. Worse yet it tells of Ash, an all-powerful alien being, who almost destroyed her world in the in the distant past. Now sinister forces are plotting his return. Accompanied by McCann, Keris must travel to the ancient ruined city of Gal Mador, uncover the truth of her people’s dark past, and find a way to defeat an invincible alien foe... Lodestone Book Five: The Conquered Shore Following a momentous journey across space, two groups of Helvenans are locked in a struggle for survival on the strange, virgin planet they have named Kelanni. Their long journey over, the exiles from the planet Helvena must now carve out a new existence. But the stain of war still blights the two factions - the hubbers with their strict caste system, now enforced by the new, fearsome keltar in their flying cloaks, and the free community of rimmers. On an alien world beset by unknown dangers and complex life forms they must find a way to come together...or be destroyed. Lodestone Book Six: Eternity's Shadow With her old adversary, Glaisne, now loose on Helvena along with the fey creature, Ash, Keris of the Kelanni must risk everything by awakening an ancient power so dangerous that it could destroy both worlds... “The new characters slotted in seamlessly and really strengthened the storyline. I especially enjoyed the suspicion and mystery wrapped up in the fantasy packaging. This went deeper than the other novels and has taken a great deal of thought, care and attention. The sub-storylines and the testing of each character’s beliefs was excellent. The twists and turns had me hanging onto every word. I didn’t want to put the book down. This book is a masterclass in how to create engaging characters in fantastical settings. It’s the best book yet. I do hope that there will be a follow-on.” Annette Young - The Creative Competitor. “I have had the privilege of reading all six books of the Lodestone series. To me the way the author wrapped up the series is brilliant. The author is a bit of a poet and philosopher. I found tears running down my face as I was reading the last chapter.” Sandra Heptinstall - Midwest Book Review. “Mark Whiteway's gifts go far beyond creating alien landscapes and imaginative technology. His complex characters and rich plots continue to fascinate long after the properties of lodestone have settled into the background. “What stands out for me is the author's ability to take two alien beings, each as completely different from one another as they are from my human experience, and leave me feeling their connection to one another." Terence P Ward - Allbooks Review.