Title: The Spider and the Stone

Author: Glen Craney

Genre: Historical Fiction











Rating: 5 out of 5 fairies














Synopsis: As the 14th-century dawns, the brutal Edward Longshanks of England schemes to steal Scotland. But a frail, dark-skinned boy named James Douglas defies three Plantagenet kings and champions the cause of his wavering friend, Robert the Bruce, to lead the armies to the bloody field of Bannockburn. A thrilling saga of star-crossed love and heroic sacrifice during the Scottish Wars of Independence.


Review:  An absolutely brilliant and captivating tale of love, war, daring, and sacrifice. From the very moment you turn to the first page and begin reading, you will be unable to put this book down. So craftily is the story woven that you will be caught up as a fly in a spider’s web. You will find a new appreciation for history within the pages of this book. 

Where to buy: Amazon, Amazon UK


Praise: “[B]est historical fiction I have read in years. From the beginning to the end there is not a dull moment. If I could give this book 10 willies I would. But alas I can only give 5 and I do.” —To Read, Or Not To Read Review Blog


“[Craney] has woven a well-crafted, interesting tale.” — Historical Novel Society
“It was a marvelous book and I was moved to tears.” — Kathleen Ingram, Reading the Ages
“Is there anything better–or worse–than when you finish the most amazing, epic, breathtaking book and fear that you’re forever ruined for other books? That you’re cursed to read inferior books the rest of your life?… ‘Epic’ doesn’t quite do it justice, and although I know I’ll meet more book soulmates, it just doesn’t feel like it right now.” — Jannie Lund, Chaser of Shadows and Deadlines blog


“Amazingly crafted novel…. Lovers of Scottish history will love the accuracy and presentation of events, and lovers of a good story will be enthralled by its drama and intensity. I finished it today and feel as though I’m in mourning that it’s over.” — Amazon reviewer


“Loved it! So much fun to read. This is a heartbreaking, heartwarming, exciting, interesting, well-written book.” — Goodreads reviewer

About the Author: Glen Craney holds graduate degrees from Indiana University School of Law and Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. He practiced trial law before joining the Washington, D.C. press corps to cover national politics and the Iran-contra trial for Congressional Quarterly magazine. The Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences awarded him the Nicholl Fellowship prize for best new screenwriting, and he is a three-time finalist for Foreword Reviews Book-of-the-Year Award and a Chaucer Award First-Place Category Winner. His debut historical novel, The Fire and the Light, was honored as Best New Fiction by the National Indie Excellence Awards. His books have taken readers to Occitania during the Albigensian Crusade, to the Scotland of Robert Bruce, to Portugal during the Age of Discovery, to the trenches of France during World War I, and to the American Hoovervilles of the Great Depression.