A Hero Born (Realms of Chaos: The First Book) [Mass Market Paperback]

Michael A. Stackpole (Author)

Book Description

Series: Realms of Chaos | Publication Date: March 27, 1997

An apprentice swordsman, Locke has ridden the narrow trail to the City of the Sorcerers to see with his own eyes the Ward Walls that hold back the realms of Chaos. It is Locke's dream to become a Chaos Rider, and seek his destiny beyond the Wall. It is Locke's hope that somewhere, in the wildness where time and change rage out of control, his lost father still survives.

But more than just survival is at stake. For on the other side of the Wall awaits a Darkness beyond all ken--and evil inchoate that will test the steel of one young hero and, indeed, all of that bold and foolish race called humankind.

"Stackpole spins tales which grab you by the heart, throat, and imagination." -Dennis L. McKiernan, author of The Drogonstone

"Magic, action, adventure, romance...Michael

Stackpole has it all." -Jennifer Roberson

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael A. Stackpole got his first rejection slip in 1964, at the tender age of six. He got the next one in 1976, and they arrived with more frequency after that. Clearly clueless about the fact that other folks didn't think he could write, he persisted. Shifting his sights temporarily, he moved into the game industry, writing and designing products for companies like Flying Buffalo, Inc., TSR Inc., Mayfair Games, FASA Corp., Interplay Productions, Steve Jackson Games, and West END

Games. In 1987--self-deluded into believing rejection could no longer hurt him--he convinced the folks at FASA to let him write novels for them, which they did (the twelfth of which will see print later in 1998).

In the realm of fiction he is best known for his bestselling Star Wars X-wing Rogue Squadron novels. An Enemy Reborn is the fourth novel he has written in a universe of his own devising (or as some folks put it, this is his fourth "real novel"--save for those pundits in the SF industry who consider anything containing magick to be trash.) (And he'd live in terror that said pundits might -see this sort of contemptuous remark and think !If of him, but he really doesn't care what they think).

In his spare time he plays Indoor soccer (and at this writing has a three-game scoring streak going), rides a bicycle, and has actually cut down on his television watching (yet another sign of the coming apocalypse). He lives in Arizona with Liz Danforth and three Welsh Cardigan Corgis: Ruthless, Ember, and Saint.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 420 pages
• Publisher: Eos (March 27, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061056804
• ISBN-13: 978-0061056802
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 3.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #163,154 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

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Interesting Book, July 31, 2000

By 

AllieKat - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Hero Born (Realms of Chaos: The First Book) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the first book that I've read of Michael Stackpole's. It's the story of a young man named Locke, who is the third son of one of the world's greatest hero's. Locke was a very interesting character that, while young, had a marvelous, logical way of looking at the world and figuring out problems. Locke is sent by the Emperor into the Realm of Chaos to succeed in doing what his father was killed trying to do. Chaos is a fasinating land that changes everyone, including animals, that go to it in physical ways, and the longer the time spent there, the greater the change. It is also a land of many deadly creatures, including various tribes of Chademons. There were a few parts of the plot that I didn't totally understand, but didn't hinder me from enjoying the book, and a few things that I thought could have been a little more clear or focused on a bit more. I won't go into details because I wouldn't want to give away anything. All in all this was a good book that I would recommend.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fast moving great read, February 5, 2000

By 

H. Sowle "ms2thdr" (RI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Hero Born (Realms of Chaos: The First Book) (Mass Market Paperback)

This was the first book I've read by Michael Stackpole, and what a good book! I was given the book as a must read and it is. Stackpole combines all the elements of a great fantasy-uncertainty, the fight between good and evil and a good ending that begs for more, but is enough in its own right. He keeps the ending as a surprise but once you get there you say, Yes, thats what should be. I am looking forward to the next one.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Science-Fiction Fan, December 20, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: A Hero Born (Realms of Chaos: The First Book) (Mass Market Paperback)

When I read all the books my 8th grade teacher had available (the books my teacher we like a 6th grade reading level to me), I went in search of a book. Not just any book. I was looking for a challenge and I came upon this book. I picked it up thinking, what a weird cover. I started reading it and immediatly got hooked. I bought it from the store, took it home, went to my room, and never came out for hours. When I finished the book I read it again. I can't wait to read the second book! Michael A. Stackpole is now my favorite author. Keep up the good work!