STAERSTONE: THE NOVEL

Staerstone is a fantasy adventure novel by H.K. Stubbs, inspired by climbing. Launch is scheduled for May 2026. How do you pronounce it? Like Starstone. 

It's not available to order yet, but to find out more, subscribe to Crimpy Jug.

Zericha and her sister Catiallé having a chill day climbing one of Staerstone's many overhangs.

Staerstone is a desperate climbing quest up a massive mountain. The main characters, Zericha—a girl—and Andalu—a guy—battle it out to take the new Scepter, formed of stone, in the highest cave.

It’s more complicated than a simple climb and wrestle, because the moment they meet, they click, although they’re supposed to be enemies.

Instant attraction between Zericha and Andalu won’t stop them going head to head in the race to climb Staerstone Mountain. Both are stoke-strong and desperate to take the Scepter of Peace—Zericha to protect her Wyld forest home, Andalu to claim more farmland for his starving Plainspeople.

Shocked by the Plains invading the forest, dirtbag Andalu rescues Zericha, beginning a star-crossed relationship that cuts deep across cliff and culture.

Climbing Staerstone Mountain forces them to face lies obscured in their pasts, reveals the dark natures of others, and what lies in their own hearts. It strips them of everything they have, and everyone they care for until, alone, they’re forced to rely upon each other.

Danger presses on their tail and from deep within the mountain. Unseen threats in the darkness and sky blaze closer. As the quest flips and forces them to delve into the mountain and ancient myth, will Zericha and Andalu follow their hearts or their duty? Can they find a way to hold onto their world and each other?

Future articles talk about the writing of the novel, the publication process, and behind-the-scenes news.

As we said above, Staerstone isn't not available to order yet, but subscribe to Crimpy Jug to keep up with the latest news.