Book Reviews

NOVELS PUBLISHED ON AMAZON!

The reviews come from either Amazon, Goodreads, or from the comments section of this blog.

Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening
Adult Fantasy/Sci-fi/International Thriller

Review From The Comments' Section Of This Blog

Have just enjoyed another epic story from Bob Stegner: Merlin & Arthur, The Awakening. Loved the way it jumped between the different characters and timeline. I am not keen on blood and gore, so this simple trick, kept me on board and enthralled. Having experienced tears towards the end of Black Grotto, I did not expect to have more with this story. How wrong could I have been. The last couple of chapters, had me tissues in hand, and struggling to read through the tears. Thank you for weeks of happy reading. On a final note, considering that this story was written pre 2020, and published early 2020, is it just coincidental that it is about a pandemic? Or is Mr Stegner actually a Seer?

5 Star Rating

Ironically this book, which centers around a pandemic of epic proportions, was written well before the current Coronavirus Pandemic was a part of our lives. It involves how the world reacted to this treat created by evil scientist and their government. The battle to control the pandemic centers around two magical heroes from times past. They awakened and play a major role in the attempt to stop the spread of the pandemic before it destroys the human population of planet earth. It is fascinating the way complex characters are developed and how geographic areas are described in a way that quickly paints vivid images in one's mind. The plot and storyline plays the darkness of human behavior against the heroic acts of others. It is a great read - well worth the heartbeats you will spend on it!

5 Star Rating

Stegners epic Merlin and Arthur tale defies genre classification. Is it Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Mystery, Thriller, or Contemporary? It is all of these with Dystopian elements and a touch of Romance. It weaves together legendary Merlin and King Arthur returning in the worlds darkest hours to join others in a contemporary struggle against evil forces that threaten world order and mankind when they unwittingly unleash a pandemic. It is a fascinating read filled with both fantasy and timely messages.

5 Star Rating

I’ve been waiting for an author to bring Merlin and Arthur into the modern world. This book delivered and kept me engaged from beginning to end! It is a timely story that effortlessly ties the awakening of Merlin and Arthur to a violent event brought on in modern times by a corrupt Russian government. The interweaving of human struggle, tragedy, and triumph thoughout this epic brought a quality of credibility and immediacy. I would recommend the book highly!

5 Star Rating

The premise of Merlin and Arthur reawakening at a time when their wisdom is critical to humanity is fun, interesting and well worth taking the time to explore. Bob Stegner has developed a story that moves through time but is relevant today. The book is easy to read and captures the imagination. Can't wait for his next one!

4 Star Rating

Merlin and Arthur awake in modern times to help save the world from a pandemic. Awesome blending of modern times and mythology!!!

BEATRICE: Adult Fantasy-Mystery

Review from the Comment's Section Of This Blog

Finally, I have just finished Beatrice. Did not take too long to read, but had taken months to find the time! It is a great book. Bob guides you gently through the story. I hate books, where right at the start you are inundated with characters and information. You spend the next half dozen chapters, playing catch-up. This was different, a lovely gentle read, which took you through all the complex twists and turns of the story. Looking forward to reading the Black Grotto next. Happy days from Inverness.

Enjoyable Read!
A real page turner as I couldn't wait to see what happened! Being from Scotland myself it was enjoyable to read about familiar places. Looking forward to reading the next in the series. 

Review From A New Reader In Scotland!

Just finished Beatrice.  I really enjoyed it.  It was one of those books, after reading a few chapters, I was so tempted to have a sneak preview at the end.....BUT, I didn't, I resisted.  Loved the plot, characters and the fact that you mentioned so many places I know.  The 'Port 'O' Leith' pub for example. I was sad the book ended, but I see you've left an opening for a sequel.....next one on the cards, I hope?  Would be good to see what happens to little B.  Great ending with that little twist to the tale.....I didn't see that one coming at all.

Wonderfully Written A Must Read
I don't usually read a lot of fantasy or mystery type books but the cover sounded interesting so I thought i would give it a try, I am sure glad that I did, I absolutely love it. The characters were wonderful, the setting was great and the book on a whole was very exciting and interesting. Mr Stegner can write and I have a feeling we are going to be seeing a lot more of his work. I look forward to reading anything he writes.

While Pondering The Larger Questions Of Cosmic Balance and the Interplay of Good and Evil...

The mysterious events in a contemporary Scottish family leads the reader into exploration of modern spiritualism and its ancient roots. One finds themselves intriqued by the story on one hand, while pondering the larger questions of cosmic balance and the interplay of good and evil on the other.

The reader is left with the questions about the characters and their future on a simple level--wanting to know more about the ancient European pagan beliefs/practices on a historic level--and wanting to dialog with the characters and author about the nature of good and evil on an intellectual level.

A sequel--I hope.

 A must read for people who love an exciting fantasy wrapped within a mystery
I've never read a fantasy/mystery quite like this before. I loved it! I really enjoyed all of the characters, and the setting in Edinburgh, Scotland was a superb choice for the content of the story. The plot was exciting, intricate, beautifully written, and the ending packed a punch and left me wanting more. I couldn't put it down! My congratulations to the author for successfully writing yet another story that not only entertains but also speaks to our capacity as humans to either hinder or advance our evolutionary growth through the choices we make. Can’t wait for the sequel!

This was a great read and it kept me guessing...
This was a great read and it kept me guessing as to what was going to happen next. This novel is unique because it has an interesting way of time sequencing events from the eyes and perspectives of all the main characters, including the really nasty ones. Everyone will enjoy the twists and turns and the unexpected ending to this book - I do believe there will be a sequel - there better be - I want to see what happens to "Little B".

Great Mystery story/must read from Amazon UK site

Beatrice was my first book of Bob Stegner. From the very beginning I was sucked into this great story. I love Scottish culture, and the author did an amazing job promoting it. I love the mixture of fantasy and history of this ancient Celtic culture. Strong and interesting characters, dynamic action, and really unexpected ending made this book one of my favorites. I truly appreciate Stegner's talent of describing places. I have always wanted to visit Scotland, now I desire it even more. I would love to see some of the places described in Beatrice. I strongly recommend this book. I had a lot of fun reading it, and cannot wait for its continuation!

Quite a good read
Quite a good read. Twists and turns and expertly told.

Engrossing

This was an engrossing read! Mystical, mysterious, with a totally unexpected and satisfying twist at the end. Set in beautiful Scotland. Loved it. Can't wait to read the sequel.

Black Grotto: Adult Fantasy

Review From The Comments' Section Of This Blog
Finished Black Grotto and what a fantastic read. Never expected to spend the last of it, in tears! Gripping from the beginning. Spent so many nights, thinking of the possible next twist or turn and normally, got it wrong. So looking forward to the last one.

5 Star Rating

It was so much fun to come back to the world created by Stegner. I have been waiting for this book for a long time. The result is just great. The new adventures of the Scottish family that has to face evil again are fantastic. The story is very rich with descriptions of the interesting places in Scotland that most of us would like to see. The Black Grotto is a very complex book that offers a lot of new possibilities for continuation. I hope that we will meet the characters created in Beatrice and Black Grotto again. Cannot wait for another books of this author!

5 Star Rating

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Bob Stegner’s novels. However, I have chosen Black Grotto as my favorite fantasy story in his repertoire so far. I was hooked from the opening scenes with Erin and his scribe in the Cave of Dreams, through Bea’s journey of self-discovery, until the heart-pounding end. His descriptions of the wild areas in Scotland were visually as well as spiritually powerful, and his characters were beautifully rendered. I hope to read the sequel to this wonderful story sometime soon!

5 Star Rating

Bob tells a tale of a uniquely created young woman caught up in the universal struggle of good and evil.

Bob Stegner has spun a superb tale of ancient Druid spirituality weaving across the centuries. With a deep knowledge of Celtic myths and legends blended with modern earth based spirituality, Bob tells a tale of a uniquely created young woman caught up in the universal struggle of good and evil. She holds within her the trajectory of the world's future. As he tells the tale Bob paints vivid pictures of the sacred places and the scenic countryside of Scotland. It all wraps together in a wonderful read.

5 Star Rating

Great read for anyone!

The author does a wonderful job of linking the distant past of the Ancient Druid Earth Based Religion with its presence in the modern world of today. The excellent descriptive writing easily paints pictures of people, places and events in your mind. The author makes it very easy to "see" the story unfold and creates the tension needed to keep you reading to find out how the adventure will end for the young Druid Priestess, her family and friends. It has a surprise ending that makes you want a sequel because questions remain unanswered - great read for anyone!

5 Star Rating

Great Story!

I've read all three of Stegner's books and his writing has reached a level of very good to excellent. The story is intriguing and skillfully weaves in lines from the previous books, but it isn't necessary to read them in order to enjoy Black Grotto. This book should be widely distributed...I fully expect Bob to make the best seller list in the near future.

5 Star Rating

Wonderful Read!

I loved Black Grotto! Although it is not a genre of book I would tend to pick up, I just could not put this one down once I started. Stegner weaves a story line through various time periods with clarity. He also developed characters that were so interesting that I really wanted to follow their stories. Stegner is great at creating appropriate suspense and that made for a fun read. The descriptions of the settings were so interesting that I wanted to travel to them myself.

Rooms: Adult Science Fiction

Goodreads' Review

A very moving and thought-provoking read. The author really draws attention to the current ecological problems that the world is facing, and weaves a fascinating story.

Goodreads' Review

I won this book on goodreads, and I'm glad for it. The book is science fiction(I hope.) Earth is dying, and the "Chosen" have decided to leave the planet. Now, people live in life globes. They cannot go outside to get any fresh air, because there is none. Rooms were invented to give the people entertainment. They were very addictive. One Room is very special. This room had been made to change the course of human history.

Goodreads' Review

Rooms by Bob Stegner is a book I won from Goodreads. Thanks so much. It has a very interesting plot line and interesting characters that are well developed. The first part starts a bit slow but it does pick up and get better. I love the concept completely. It seems to be a teen novel and lacks some depth I like but it still is a great sci-fi book. 

Here is a review of Rooms from a reader who read both it and the second book in the series, The Chosen.

"I very much enjoyed the two books. I have to admit I was intending to read Beatrice first, however, I was curious about Rooms and thought I'd take a peek at the first few pages, then I was hooked. I don't read many science fiction books, but it's nice to have a change. My only complaint is that they weren't long enough. I could have read on and on.

"I was finding that I would stop reading now and again to think about some of the terrible things that are going on in our present day situation. For example, when the people of Loon wanted a peaceful solution to Harlequin and her cronies, I couldn't imagine how you were going to do it. I was delighted with the ending.

"I think you brought pretty much everything in to the books, power hungry, evil, greedy, selfish characters, as well as amazing heroic, kind, loving and caring characters. ...lots of heroes in there. Rad obviously being the favourite."

Beautiful Story With A Timely Message

This book offers a timely view into a future brought on by the consequences of corporate greed and war. As I journeyed with Rad through the Old One's Room, I was not only entertained. I felt Rad's joy and reverence for the Earth and it's people. I felt his growing desolation as he witnessed the slow destruction of the Earth within each successive level of the Room. I struggled with him as he worked with Sparks and Zeer to bring health and hope to the demoralized Terran population.

Since the author left this story open to a sequel, I will be excited to see how his writing style evolves and how he ties the planet Loon (where The Old One and Zeer reside) to Earth and the other human outposts scattered throughout the universe.

Great Read!

Beautiful, deep story that captures your imagination. As you read the book, more and more elements of the plot come into play. The unique feature of the book is that it is not only a story written to entertain a reader but is also a complex, wise and touching story that will make you think about the world that we live in and what should be really important in our lives.

It shows human life from a distance, how it has changed over time and how human beings were altering the earth. At the same time, the story carries a lot of hope.

It also has scientific facts and touches on many world wide issues. It's not just a story that you forget after you finish it. This story moves you deeply and stays on your mind for a long time.

Great Ride!

What a great ride and adventure! You see people give books reviews all the time where they say they couldn't put the book down, well don't start reading unless you want to stay up all night with this one. Excellent writing style, you really get to know and care about the characters. It also really makes you think about what if. Loved it!!

In the process he has also created just a darn good story. It engaged me in ways I did...

I started Rooms one evening and found the story line engaging and the characters interesting. The next day I picked it up again planning to read for a bit. A third of the way in I couldn't stop--reading all day until finished. The characters became more and more real. The diversity and fullness of the plot held me.

Stegner touches on many issues--environmental, political, social, moral & spiritual. In the process he has also created just a darn good story. It engaged me in ways I did not expect and left me wanting a sequel!

The story/line plot found in this novel grabs you from...
The story line/plot found in this novel grabs you from the very beginning and holds your attention to the point you cannot put it down. It has twists and turns that will take a reader by surprise. The book highlights many important social and cultural concerns that really need to be addressed today as our world moves forward through time to an uncertain future. This novel is destined to become a movie - Order it now --- you are in for a very interesting ride through time and space.

Beautifully Written

I just finished the newest version of Rooms. Beautifully written! The story is engaging and holds your interest until the very end. I feel I know all the characters well. I care about them, and if I had not already read the second book in the series, I would be very interested to know what happens to those characters next. I also feel that the first book in the series segues very well into the second.

THE CHOSEN: Adult Science Fiction

Great Read!

So I loved Rooms and was looking forward to a sequel. The Chosen was fantastic, Rooms was great but for me I think I liked this one even better. I enjoyed reading it every evening and didn't want to put it down, you will get hooked and will find the ending was unexpected and worth the read. This author keeps getting better with each new book if that is possible.

Here is a review from a reader who read both books in the series, Rooms.

"I very much enjoyed the two books. I have to admit I was intending to read Beatrice first, however, I was curious about Rooms and thought I'd take a peek at the first few pages, then I was hooked. I don't read many science fiction books, but it's nice to have a change. My only complaint is that they weren't long enough. I could have read on and on.

"I was finding that I would stop reading now and again to think about some of the terrible things that are going on in our present day situation. For example, when the people of Loon wanted a peaceful solution to Harlequin and her cronies, I couldn't imagine how you were going to do it. I was delighted with the ending.

"I think you brought pretty much everything in to the books, power hungry, evil, greedy, selfish characters, as well as amazing heroic, kind, loving and caring characters. ...lots of heroes in there. Rad obviously being the favourite."

An Excellent Read!

I was excited to read the author’s sequel to Rooms, and he did not disappoint me. I was thoroughly impressed by the author’s capacity to not only successfully weave an intricate plot, but to create a variety of complex characters and societies that enriched and promoted that plot. I was kept on the edge of my seat the entire time as I read of the struggle between the Loonites and The Chosen to gain control of the Earth’s newly regained resources, the tiny outposts scattered throughout the galaxy, and the human’s who inhabited them. Which society won the right to change the course of human history? I will never tell. However, I will say that it was worth reading the entire novel to find out.

Loved the Book!

The Chosen was a Great Read! Enjoyed it all the way through!! Cool ending - not what I expected. Wonderful continuation and continuity with the first novel - Rooms.

WHEATGRASS: An Irish Young Adult Fantasy

(Out of Print)

Beautiful Tale!

A unique fantasy based in Ireland. Beautifully written. The characters seemed very real to me. I didn't want the story to end.

Excellent Fantasy Tale - A great read for any age group

Excellent fantasy tale with lots of twists and turns - leaves you guessing near the end as to how it will end. Excellent read for any age group -- buy it - you will like it!!

Excellent Short Story

This is a beautifully written short story with well developed characters and a great story. I enjoyed reading it immensely and think its' intended audience will love it!

Wonderful Tale
The plot is about a strong female character who finds a way to fight her fear. I ejoyed reading it a lot. The story is light, easy to read and teaches important values.