Eleven Bastions of the Stone Lion
Snippets from my books and life
Dark Secrets
A secret British organisation plots to reclaim lost colonies, starting with Cyprus.
Conflict
The story begins in 1955 during the deadly clash between Cypriot freedom fighters and the British Empire.
Conspiracy
Alex, an introverted teenage mathematics prodigy from a poor home, is forced to leave Cyprus and fulfil his destiny as a mystical peacemaker.
Readers Say
What fans think about my historical thrillers
The tale of a gifted, little isolated boy is written with informed, educated intelligence.
Colette
Cyprus
Intriguing!
Sam
USA
★★★★★
★★★★★
Frequently asked questions
What is Sarah Fenwick's book Eleven Bastions of the Stone Lion about?
Eleven Bastions of the Stone Lion is a mystical, character-driven historical novel set against the collapse of a fading empire. It mixes political intrigue, magical realism, and Cyprus’ enigmatic past into one gripping story.
The book follows Alex, an introverted teenage mathematics prodigy from a poor family in 1955 Cyprus, during the brutal struggle between Cypriot freedom fighters and the British Empire. Forced to leave his homeland, Alex must step into his unexpected destiny as a mystical peacemaker while the world around him fractures.
What happens to Alex?
As Alex reluctantly boards a British warship bound for Southampton, he believes he is simply escaping violence and poverty. On the journey, an Oxford professor on an intelligence mission recruits him for national security work, throwing him into a lion’s den of colonial intrigue with consequences that will alter his life and the lives of many others.
What is the tone and style?
The story blends the political complexity and psychological tension of John le Carré’s Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy with the rich, mystical atmosphere of Isabel Allende’s The House of the Spirits. It is at once a tale of war and peace, love and death, and the unseen spiritual forces moving beneath history’s surface.
What are the main themes?
Major themes include the end of empire and the possibility of peace in a world built on conflict. Mysticism, destiny, and the weight of Cyprus’s layered and enigmatic past shape Alex’s journey and the choices he is forced to make.
Where can I buy Eleven Bastions of the Stone Lion?
The novel is available on Amazon in eBook, paperback and hardback versions. Find it here.
Is Eleven Bastions of the Stone Lion a fiction book?
Yes, although it features several real historical turning points around colonial power, resistance, family and cultural identity, and the emotional impact of political upheaval. The “bastions” and “stone lion” imagery evoke ideas of defense, legacy, and the weight of history on present lives.
What books has Sarah Fenwick written?
Sarah Fenwick has written four books as of the end of 2025. These include fiction and nonfiction.
Fiction for adults: Eleven Bastions of the Stone Lion.
Fiction for children: Rocky, an animal adventure story for ages eight to ten.
Nonfiction: Digital Marketing for Musicians and Understand Forex Trading News.