*Book Review* Gates of Thread and Stone by Lori M. Lee

Series: Gates of Thread & Stone # 1
Published by Skyscape
Format: E-Book, 335 pages
Released: August 5, 2014
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

In a city of walls and secrets, where only one man is supposed to possess magic, seventeen-year-old Kai struggles to keep hidden her own secret—she can manipulate the threads of time. When Kai was eight, she was found by Reev on the riverbank, and her “brother” has taken care of her ever since. Kai doesn’t know where her ability comes from—or where she came from. All that matters is that she and Reev stay together, and maybe one day move out of the freight container they call home, away from the metal walls of the Labyrinth. Kai’s only friend is Avan, the shopkeeper’s son with the scandalous reputation that both frightens and intrigues her.
Then Reev disappears. When keeping silent and safe means losing him forever, Kai vows to do whatever it takes to find him. She will leave the only home she’s ever known and risk getting caught up in a revolution centuries in the making. But to save Reev, Kai must unravel the threads of her past and face shocking truths about her brother, her friendship with Avan, and her unique power.

So, I'm a bit conflicted by Gates of Thread and Stone. While I liked the story, I didn't fall in love with it to the point of doing somersaults across the lawn. But, I didn't totally hate it either, thus the 3 star rating. I enjoyed the world building. I enjoyed the mythology of the Infinite's. I loved that the main character had enough good in her heart not to walk away when things got bad. But, I still don't understand where the Stone part of the title comes from.

The story's main protagonist is 17-year old Kai. Kai can feel the threads of time, and manipulate it. What we do know. Kai and her "brother" Reev live in what's called the Labyrinth, or the poor section of town, while the high and mighty live behind the walls of the White Court. The time they live in is called post-Rebirth. Now, before you ask me what the hell Rebirth is, let me just say that if I read the story correctly, it was a time after war between magic and technology ended up tearing the world apart, and when Ninurta was created.

Like I said, Kai is a character who really does have a good heart, and isn't driven by snark, or anger, or a desire to reign fire down on anyone's heads. She has an ability that she truly doesn't understand and has been warned not to use it openly. She doesn't know who her parents were, but refuses to give up hope of finding them. We also know that she has a crush on her friend Avan Drivas who sneaks her free food. She also desires to make enough credits to move out of the Labyrinth to a better section of the city.

What we don't know is why she was found by her "brother" Reev when she was 8 years old? Why doesn't she have any memories of the time before Reev found her and adopted her as his sister? If she has these time warping abilities, where did they come from? Why does Reev wear an unusual tattoo on his neck? Are there any others like Kai, and if so, where are they?

Then there is the presumed love interest Avan, best friend, sex machine, and person who also wears a strange tattoo that he refuses to explain what it means. It is obvious that Avan cares a whole lot about Kai, but feels a bit on the outside looking in because of Kai's connection to Reev. When Reev goes missing, and Kai starts down a very dangerous road, it is Avan who follows Kai into the Void to seek out answers. Yet, trying to understand why Avan would get his nose bent out of shape because of Kai and Reev's relationship, is befuddling.

I would have liked that Kai used her abilities a bit more to get an understanding at the range of what she could actually do. I would have loved to see more than 2 weeks of training in order to get ready for a Tournament that's basically to the death. I do like Mason, or G-10 as he's called. I liked that there wasn't any romantic triangle between the characters. I didn't agree with the ending. Sometimes it is better to just let go of what you had planned, and come back in the sequel and do better.

Gates of Thread and Stone is an entertaining book once it gets going and you understand the secondary characters intentions towards Kai. There is a whole lot of potential of telling a kick ass story that I hope Lee follows through with in the sequel. I will say that I wasn't bored, nor put out by requesting or reading this book. I like stories that are different, and this is by far, very creative in its creation.  I'm looking forward to reading the next book called The Infinite.

**I received this book for free from (Skyscape ) via (NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review**

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