A March into Darkness » (Reprint)

Robert Newcomb is the author of Savage Messiah, the first novel in The Destinies of Blood and Stone, as well as The Chronicles of Blood and Stone: The Fifth Sorceress, The Gates of Dawn, and The Scrolls of the Ancients. He traveled widely in his youth as a member of the American Institute for Foreign Study, studying at the University of Southampton, England, and aboard a university-sponsored ship in the Mediterranean Sea. He lives in Florida with his wife, a neuropsychologist and novelist. Visit the author’s website at www.robertnewcomb.com.

The defeat and death of the evil Wulfgar should inspire a time of rejoicing throughout Eutracia. But Prince Tristan grieves. Not only is his beloved wife dead, but across the Sea of Whispers, in the island fortress known as the Citadel, Wulfgar’s bride, the sorceress Serena, plots to continue her husband’s nefarious plans, aided by the Scroll of the Vagaries and the advice of the otherworldly Heretics. Although the ranks of Tristan’s faithful soldiers were decimated in recent battle, the prince nevertheless plans a bold surprise attack.

But on the eve of the mission, disaster strikes. From behind the towering azure wall of magical energy in the forbidding face of the massive Tolenka Mountains comes Xanthus, a powerful warrior dispatched by the Heretics to bring Tristan into their mysterious realm. A master of a mystical martial art against which even the great swordsman Tristan is helpless, Xanthus launches a reign of terror against Eutracia’s innocent subjects, compelling Tristan to journey behind the azure wall. There, in a magical land as beautiful as it is violent, Tristan will learn the shocking truth about the destiny he and Shailiha, his sister, will share.

In Tristan’s absence, Shailiha must lead the fleet of Black Ships against the Citadel, accompanied by the wizards Faegan and Wigg and the beautiful pirate queen Tyranny. But unknown to them, Serena has prepared a deadly trap with hellish creatures summoned by the Heretics. And as Shailiha’s troops sail blindly into danger, Serena is preparing a spell unlike anything the world has ever seen–a spell powerful enough to defeat death itself.

Publishers Weekly

For lovers of Dragonlance-style fantasy, Newcomb's second entry in his Destinies of Blood and Stone series (after 2005's Savage Messiah) wonderfully captures the imagination with wildly overblown characters and improbable battle scenes. On the other hand, fans of more cohesive epic fantasy may find tiresome the convoluted action sequences featuring Prince Tristan, who the author constantly reminds the reader serves as a sort of prophetic pawn. Tristan's endowed blood is the most potent in the land of Eutracia, but he has never been trained to use the magic inside him-nor does he appear to want to learn. Instead, Tristan becomes enamored of a martial-arts mystical state called K'Shari, which makes the recipient nearly invincible in battle. Those who prefer their fantasy full of blood and torture, with a cast restricted to good people and evil nemeses, will be most rewarded. (Jan.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.