Stone of Doubt by Margaret Izard, the fifth book in the Stones of Iona series, is a spellbinding mix of romance and magic set in the world of the Fae. Evie MacDougall has always felt stuck between two worlds, never quite sure where she belongs. She’s still figuring out how to balance her Fae abilities with her human life when Aodhán, her first love, suddenly comes back into the picture. Torn between the familiar pull of their past and the temptation of a mysterious new suitor with a dangerous edge, Evie soon realizes there’s more at stake than just her heart. An ancient prophecy is coming to life, and she holds the key to a magical stone that could change the fate of both the human and Fae realms. With enemies closing in and no idea who to trust, Evie has to make choices that could alter everything—including her own destiny.

Margaret Izard brings this magical world to life in a way that makes it easy to get lost in it. The mix of romance, danger, and Fae mythology kept me completely hooked, and I loved following Evie’s journey as she figured out who she really was and what she wanted. The chemistry between her and Aodhán is full of history and tension, while the new suitor adds an extra layer of mystery and intrigue. The story moves at just the right pace, balancing the action with plenty of heartfelt moments. Overall, Stone of Doubt is a captivating read, perfect for anyone who loves paranormal romance with high stakes, deep emotions, and a touch of destiny, and I would certainly recommend it.

Set in the Scottish city of Edinburgh, Margaret Izard’s Stone of Doubt straddles two worlds. The ancient, cobbled city streets couldn’t be further from the ethereal castles of the Fae, but their tenuous connection is human. Evie MacDougall and her twin, Ewan, have the gifts of the Fae despite their mortal upbringing. Evie’s lifetime goal is to capture a photographic record of the ghosts she encounters every day, but, despite her efforts, she never imagines she’ll succeed. She is defeated before she’s even begun. So, when a prophecy directs Evie to find the Stone of Doubt and restore it to the good Fae, both worlds collide with devastating results and the stone becomes the epitome of her weakness.

Margaret Izard weaves the theme of doubt throughout the novel, from the first sentence to the last. I liked the commitment with which this theme pervades everything; the reader is never allowed to forget it. It is the reiteration of the character’s central arc. My favorite line is toward the end of the novel when the Fae prince, Aodhán, quantifies what they’ve learned. “The opposite of faith is certainty. Where there is certainty, there is no room for doubt.” This is a delightfully positive story, filled with the rawness of human frailty and moralistic in its outlook. I found the characters realistically flawed but likable, even the evil ones. I enjoyed the push and pull within the trope of good versus evil, and the engaging romantic triangle between Aodhán, Evie, and Manix. There is refreshing light humor too, with the gruff proclamations of Laird MacDougall and the hilarious antics of Evie’s twin brother. In Stone of Doubt, there is juxtaposition within the world-building as rugged, historic Edinburgh clangs against the soft landscape of the Fae realm. I loved how this was done, with gentle descriptions vying with the boisterous artiness of the mortal city.