Stonefather is our introduction to the Orson Scott Card's fantasy series, The Mither Mages. It's the story of Runnel, an abused child from parents who'd just as soon forgot he existed, in a village that's a few steps below third world -- even for a fantasy.

Runnel runs away from his village and discovers there's a whole new world out there. That includes friends, which is definitely a different concept for him. Lark, the servant girl who takes pity on him, is an excellent teacher of the world outside, from showing Runnel what effect his facial expressions have on others to explaining the ways of men.

When he signs up as a servant in a stone mage's house, he quickly learns he's got some abilities of his own. Of course, this is going to lead to trouble.

This short story (which, at 112 pages, I'd actually call a novella) is rich in details of the world, but the story vehicle is one we've heard before, time and again. With another author, I'd call the storyline "trite," but I think Card is using this narrative primarily as a vehicle to get us into his new world.

If that is his goal, he succeeds with his usual mastery.

Stonefather is in any case a hopeful tale that opens our eyes to a new world that I'm very much looking forward to exploring.

Note: The Mither Mages series, published by Tor Books, includes The Lost Gate, The Gate Thief and Gate Father.