"This is good guys versus bad guys at its finest." Ray Simmons for Readers' Favorite "Action-packed, riveting, and steeped in the atmosphere so carefully built in prior books in the series." Diane Donovan for Midwest Book Reviews "An impeccable YA fantasy read." Sarah Scheele for Readers' Favorite The Stone of Wisdom, by Award-Winning author M.J. Evans, is the final book of The Centaur Chronicles, the epic saga that will captivate YA and Adult readers who love Tolkien-like settings and characters. Carling, the half Fairy/half Human teenager who is to inherit the throne of Crystonia, must complete the Silver Breastplate to be worthy to be the queen. But an evil Wizard named Xanbar has returned to claim the throne for himself and is amassing a vicious army of Centaurs, Ogres, and Cyclops to help him do it. "Action Packed and Riveting!" by Diane Donovan for Midwest Book Reviews. The Stone of Wisdom is the fourth book in the Centaur Chronicles series and continues the saga of Carling and her companions, who seek protection from the evil Heilodius Centaurs who stalk them. They have fled for home and have already fought and won a deadly battle with one band of Centaurs, but their encounters become even more dangerous when other roving bands try to end their lives. In keeping with Evans' past books, a quest for another powerful stone is involved in an effort to complete a Silver Breastplate, and a wizard re-enters the picture to offer much-needed magical assistance. Despite the nature of their quest and many friends (both good Centaurs and other fairy-world beings), Carling once again finds herself at a disadvantage and must summon every ounce of courage and resources to locate the Stone of Wisdom while preserving her life and those of her loyal companions. Foe Xanbar attempts to defend his rule from a threat by teen Duende Carling and her efforts to become the Queen of Crystonia, but the real question is what will happen when Carling's breastplate is complete and she enters the next phase of her mission: to take the throne and rule Crystonia. Events and confrontations are fast-paced and firmly rooted in a fantasy world replete with all manner of mystical friends and enemies. The result is a powerful quest story best appreciated by prior fans of the 'Stones' series (likely to be young adult readers, but which also should include quite a few adults who like Tolkien-like settings and epic sagas). These audiences receive clashes, confrontations, the story of a plucky girl's courage in facing down formidable adversaries, and a consideration of the kind of loyalty that leads others to make supreme sacrifices supporting her ultimate goals. Action-packed, riveting, and steeped in the atmosphere so carefully built in prior books in the series, The Stone of Wisdom is a fine conclusion to a sweeping epic fantasy that offers some unexpected twists and turns as Carling finally comes into her powers.