The Rue Stone

The Rue Stone is a sweet fantasy novella which I enjoyed reading in the style of a traditional fairytale. Janna is an interesting young woman, striving for independence, who takes employment at a mystical inn. I liked Janet Stock's descriptions of the inn and its customers, especially the way in which she establishes its isolated location. It's all too easy for travellers to be marooned there by inclement weather! The Rue Stone has a good sense of atmosphere throughout. Unfortunately the storyline was too patriarchal for my tastes. I wanted Janna to have a real say in her life choices and to be the driver of her own story. Instead everything is seemingly either predetermined by the Rue's destiny or only a possibility once Janna is securely attached to a male. Watching Janna waiting for others to act was frustrating.