Stoneways Trilogy Series by S.C. Butler

Reiffen, only twelve years old, is the true heir to the thrones of both Wayland and Banking. He and his friends Avender and Ferris live in a magical world of talking animals, dwarves, and shape-shifting bears but…he lives with the shame of knowing that no one will ever let him rule these kingdoms, that their crowns will bring him nothing but betrayal and sorrow…and that he is powerless... moreReiffen, only twelve years old, is the true heir to the thrones of both Wayland and Banking. He and his friends Avender and Ferris live in a magical world of talking animals, dwarves, and shape-shifting bears but…he lives with the shame of knowing that no one will ever let him rule these kingdoms, that their crowns will bring him nothing but betrayal and sorrow…and that he is powerless. Reiffen will have only a short life of child's innocence, a brief respite from the trial of impossible adult responsibility, the trial of attempting to finish a task he can never complete.And then he is shown the nations of his world from the peak of a fortress drear and tempted with fame and fortune and his rightful place on the throne of great kingdoms--his kingdoms. He need only surrender his humanity; kill his loves and he would have his childhood fantasy.He would be granted great Black knowledge, more furious than anything he had ever imagined. He could desire justice…but would have to kill everything he loved to get it. His prayers would be answered…if only he would sacrifice everything he held dear.Reiffen's Choice is the first book in a trilogy about innocence and struggle that can only be compared to Eragon and Eldest, The Once and Future King and Raymond E. Feist's Magician. It will be an experience you will never forget. less

Reiffen, true heir to the kingdoms of Banking and Wayland, had lived his entire life quietly with his mother and best friends, Ferris and Avender. His days were filled with sailing, fishing with the talking seals, and trying to swipe as many extra maple candies as he could. All that changed when the three Wizards snatched Reiffen away to their fortress in the north... moreReiffen, true heir to the kingdoms of Banking and Wayland, had lived his entire life quietly with his mother and best friends, Ferris and Avender. His days were filled with sailing, fishing with the talking seals, and trying to swipe as many extra maple candies as he could. All that changed when the three Wizards snatched Reiffen away to their fortress in the north. There they offered Reiffen the twin gifts of power and immortality--if he helped them wrest control of Banking and Wayland away from his uncle, the usurper. Although Reiffen's friends rescue him at great peril, Reiffen now decides to return to the Wizards knowing that he would never again be trusted in this old life--even his best friends would fear that the Wizards had “turned” him. He intends to fool the Wizards--gain their knowledge, find their weaknesses, and defeat them with their own weapons and regain the throne that is rightfully his. But Reiffen is forced to do terrible things to gain the Wizards' trust. Has he become as greedy, ambitious, and avaricious as the three Wizard brothers? less

In Reiffen's Choice we learned how Reiffen chose magic. In Queen Ferris, we learned what he did with his magic. In The Magicians' Daughter, we learn what his magic does to him. Ten years have passed since Ferris, Reiffen, and Avender raised the siege of Rimwich and killed two of the three Wizards. Ferris and Reiffen have married, and their daughter Hubley is approaching her tenth birthday... moreIn Reiffen's Choice we learned how Reiffen chose magic. In Queen Ferris, we learned what he did with his magic. In The Magicians' Daughter, we learn what his magic does to him. Ten years have passed since Ferris, Reiffen, and Avender raised the siege of Rimwich and killed two of the three Wizards. Ferris and Reiffen have married, and their daughter Hubley is approaching her tenth birthday. Despite the years of peace, Reiffen believes the last of the Wizards, his old teacher and enemy Fornoch, wants to kidnap Hubley the same way he once kidnapped Reiffen. As Reiffen's fear grows increasingly irrational, Avender attempts to intervene. But Avender's help simply drives Reiffen further into madness. And what happens to Avender is almost worse. Now, with the help of her mother and all her old friends, including Redburr the Shapeshifting Bear, Nolo the Dwarf, and the mysterious magician Mims, Hubley must do what she can to rescue her father from the consequences of his own madness. And all the while the manderstone is growing in Issinlough . . . and no one knows what's inside. less