The Grand Crusade (The DragonCrown War Cycle, Book 3) [Paperback]

Michael A. Stackpole (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dragoncrown War Cycle | Publication Date: December 30, 2003

In this incredible conclusion to the epic fantasy saga, continuing from When Dragons Rage, New York Times
bestselling author Michael A. Stackpole returns to a world of mystery, prophecy, and magick, where dreams-for better or worse-can come true...

The Grand Crusade

The hope of the future, Will Norrington, prophesied to bring down the northern tyrant Chytrine and redeem the world, is said to be dead, lost in the heart of a fiery volcano. The news has thrown the Council of Kings into a furor and drained the spirit from once united factions. As questions swirl about as to Will's legacy, and even his identity, one thing is clear: a divided alliance lacks power. And this may be exactly the opening Chytrine needs to seize control-and capture the empowering artifact, the DragonCrown-once and for all. Still, Will's friends and comrades remain true to his cause, preparing to continue the fight. Among them is the Vilwanese hero, Kerrigan Reese, and Alyx, groomed to lead an army. Sayce, pregnant with Will's child, must remain behind as the new custodian of the Norrington future in case they fail. But even as they draw up battle plans, with the enemy nearer than they think, a shattering betrayal-and a stunning revelation-may change the course of everything.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The last volume in Stackpole's DragonCrown trilogy (after 2002's When Dragons Rage) should please his many fans with its large helpings of violence, intrigue and plot twists. Still reeling from the unexpected death of prophecy-bound hero Will Norrington, his friends and allies struggle to marshal a coherent defense against the sorceress-dragon Chytrine, whose forces continue to further fracture the squabbling nations of the Southlands. Should Chytrine gain all the long-ago scattered pieces of the legendary DragonCrown, she'll be able to reconstruct the crown and open the way for the return of the treacherous Oromise, an ancient race long banished from the world. With Will Norrington gone, only a handful of heroes can stand against her: the young upstart sorcerer Kerrigan Reese, the charismatic war leader Princess Alexia of Okrannel and her lover, Crow, and the Vorquelf Resolute. While Chytrine schemes with King Scrainwood and manages to kidnap Sayce, Will's pregnant lover, the blind seeress Oracle has a vision that suggests all is not lost. This is fantasy on the most epic of scales, with plenty of bloody conflict and treacherous double-dealing. Readers new to the series will be at a distinct disadvantage, but those who can successfully navigate a course through the dense backstory in the opening chapters will find plenty of excitement and adventure.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

The Norrington, prophesied hero and hope of the future, is reported dead. The Council of Kings, once united, is now conflicted about what to do next. As fear and uncertainty increase, the land grows more vulnerable to invasion and takeover by Chytrine, empress of the North and the darkest of evils. She seeks the Truestones of the Dragoncrown, most of which are still hidden, and she is closer than ever to possessing all of them and, with them, power to rule the world. With her formidable forces against them, Will Norrington's faithful companions organize to fight to the bitter end and to find Will, if he still lives. When Princess Sayce, who is carrying his child, is captured, it is a dark hour indeed. Now, all the Norringtons are missing. With a plot like a set of Chinese boxes, complex military strategies, horrific undead creatures, a fabulous mage, and a sweet love story to soften it a bit, Stackpole's white-knuckle ride of an epic fantasy continues in fine form. Paula Luedtke
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Spectra; 1ST edition (December 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553379216
• ISBN-13: 978-0553379211
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,270,622 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael A. Stackpole is the New York Times bestselling author of over 40 novels, including I, Jedi and Rogue Squadron. He's won awards in the realms of podcasting, game designer, computer game design, screenwriting, editing, graphic novel writing and novel writing. He lives in Arizona and frequently travels the United States attending conventions and teaching writing workshops. His website is www.stormwolf.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Flop-o-rama!, April 21, 2004

By 

Tony (Chi. IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Grand Crusade (The DragonCrown War Cycle, Book 3) (Paperback)

Dear Reader,
I usually enjoy Michael Stackpole books very much. It greatly pains me to write a poor review for one of his books. Quite frankly, however, The Grand Crusade stinks! At the risk of spoiling the novel I pose this question: Why "kill off" the most likable character of the series and then bring him back as an animated slab of lava? Another question: Is it really necessary to include the romance scenes between the old man and the hot twenty-something? It was sick enough to make me put the book down and watch "Simpsons" reruns. Worst Series Ending Ever!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Grand Shortcomings, March 31, 2004

By 

William "phorai" (Frederick, MD United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Grand Crusade (The DragonCrown War Cycle, Book 3) (Paperback)

I first started reading Stackpole around the time his fourth X-Wing novel, Bacta War, hit stands and I've been entranced ever since. He's been my favorite author for years. I've gone back and read Talion:Revenant, Once a Hero, A Hero Born, the Battletech novels - anything I could get my hands on. I've never had reason to look back or to doubt that a Stackpole book would be enjoyable. However, as Stackpole's books roll out, I find that I keep feeling his talent is regressing. He has grand ideas that fall short of the vision. In short, I felt that the Dark Glory War was his best novel of this series and The Grand Crusade his worst. I felt hardly any affinity for the characters. Crow or Tarant Hawke seemed to lose the virtues that I enjoyed in him. Instead he became a two dimensional character: love Alexia, kill bad guys. The other characters seemed to feel the same way, with the worthy exception of Resolute. Resolute seemed to thrive in this novel. Perhaps this is because Resolute has always been melodramatic, so his human side seemed that much better. The reincarnation of the Norrington was, unfortunately for me, I very big let down.

In all, I felt like the story had great potential, despite my reservations about the Norrington, but it lacked the development, vitality, or the rapport I needed to grab onto this novel. Take this review for what it is. I'm still waiting for the next Stackpole novel with high hopes (the new trilogy he's working on). And hopefully, his mystery novel will be released at some point. Peace.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Very disappointing, April 6, 2005

By 

CatBleux "Catbleux" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Grand Crusade (The DragonCrown War Cycle, Book 3) (Paperback)

I've never read Michael Stackpole and was pretty happy with the first book in this series..couldn't wait until the second one came out. Of course, the ending was a bit of a shock (the author's own notes warn about ill will towards him because of it) but I still was hoping the story would pick up a bit of speed and resolve itself in the third installment. What did I find? Ho-Hum...I had to force myself to finish. Nothing is resolved to any satisfactory measure - the most important character is a lump of clay (literally) and the other characters just seem to start fading away. We can't always expect a happy ending, but there didn't even seem to be one at all! A thoroughly disappointing way to spend some hard earned cash. Next time one of his books come out I'll be sure to see if my local library has it first so I at least don't bother spending my own money.