Customer Reviews

Rise of the Blood Royal: Volume III of the Destinies of Blood and Stone

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the 6th book in a wonderfully detailed world of magic. Unfortunately just recently went to author's website and found out there are currently no more books scheduled since his former publishing house had only contracted for 6 books - period. Mr Newcomb easily has enough story lines, characters and depth to do an additional 6-8 books, if he only had a publishing house to pick up a contract with him. Have suggested he (or agent) speak with Tor fantasy (his storyline fits the genre well.)to see if there would be an interest.

As a reader, these 6 books have held me spellbound night after night for the last 2 1/2 months! Even if Mr Newcomb never gets another to pick up on the contract, you should still read the 6 because alot of loose ends are tied up by the end of book 6, enough so that the average fan would be happy with them only - and only slightly upset that this is it.

In the kingdom of Rustannica, Emperor Vespasian finds his realm in trouble. They are nearly devoid of gold, and if they do not find a way to turn their fortune around, it is likely that they will fall at the hands of Shashida, the neighboring realm that gathers power from the Vigors.

Vespasian devises a plan with the help of the Vagaries-leaning Pon Q'tar, led by Gracchus Junius, to seize the Shashidan gold mines and strike a deadly blow. He hopes to ultimately overrun Shashida and wipe out the Vigors once and for all. Even with his attention on the homeland, one eye must remain across the Tolenka Mountains and the kingdom of Eutracia.

It is there that Prince Tristan and his twin sister, Shailiha, continue to learn the abilities inherent in their endowed blood as they seek to unite the two sides of the craft --- the Vagaries and the Vigors. Unlike Vespasian, they believe that if either side of the magic world were to be eradicated, the world would suffer dire consequences. Each needs the other, and Tristan, together with his Conclave, seeks to find a way across the Tolenkas so that they may unite with the Shashidans. Such a pathway has proven impossible until a simple twist of fate unveils the existence of subtle matter, which provides them with the answer they need to possibly make their endeavor a success.

Yet all is not well, as a new and savage power has been unleashed by a long-dormant spell. Khristos, the Viper Lord, has risen from a stream in Hartwick Wood. The lover of Coven leader Failee, he does not know that she is dead and begins his march of terror across Eutracia. When Gracchus reaches out to him and gains his trust, the two strike a plan to bring down Tristan and Shailiha and secure the land for the power of the Vagaries.

With this third volume in The Destinies of Blood and Stone, Robert Newcomb has found a solid voice and delivered an outstanding adventure. Within these pages is an astounding imagination and a world that is growing all the more intriguing as readers continue to explore it. He provides exceptional visual references that help bring the world to life and enough new twists and moments of intrigue to keep readers on edge.

The standard characters from the previous books all return here, and their stories continue to lure you in further. Perhaps the strongest addition to the line is Khristos. Part human, part viper, he is driven by his love for the fallen Failee and his sense of revenge. This is all the more interesting as he was also a victim of her power, becoming the monster he is only because she twisted him to her will. His is a story of tragedy, and yet his involvement in this book is bloody and destructive.

Newcomb does a fantastic job in story shift; one chapter sees us within the halls of Emperor Vespasian's court and the other finds us back in Eutracia, watching as Tristan and his companions struggle to answer the riddles that will lead them to victory. Even with the constant shifting and returning, there is never a time when it becomes too much. Newcomb strikes a perfect balance between worlds and keeps you itching to return to the other just as he gives you enough of a thrill to not want to leave where you are.

RISE OF THE BLOOD ROYAL is the strongest work in Newcomb's line. It would be impossible to delve into this tome without first plowing through the previous five titles (the three books that comprise The Chronicles of Blood and Stone, in addition to SAVAGE MESSIAH and A MARCH INTO DARKNESS). That, however, is a trip worth making, especially with this being the current endpoint. It is a deserving reward for those who take up the adventure.

--- Reviewed by Stephen Hubbard

I have read the previous 5 installments of this series by Newcomb, and this one is the first to garner a high 3 star rating from me! Finally, the characters are not facing a threat that will destroy the world as they know it! (He likes world destroying ticking time bombs)

The main problem that I have with the books is not the premise nor the characters (both of which are quite good, actually) but the way he writes each and every chapter. Let me summarize:
Chapter %
1 paragraph to establish POV
POV and description of the location (long long long)
Some dialogue
POV flashback (to keep the readers informed as to how the character got there)
some dialogue
CRISIS
end of chapter.

Seriously, they all read the same way.

If you as a reader can handle that, then read 'em! I had to put it down and glare at the book after the 40th time that some character said "more than 300 years", but I made it through unscathed.

This book is the most disappointing book ever in the whole series so far. I enjoy the first 5 book, regardless of other criticisms, but this book just plainly shows that Newcomb runs out of ideas. Seriously, it's supposed to be a fantasy novel, give me something interesting and fantasy-like. The introduction of the 2 ancient civilizations that so obviously mimic the Roman and Japanese feudal system puts a stop to my interest. He doesn't even bother to change the names of the characters to make them sound different.

I like to find out what's going to happen to Tristan and his sister, but at this rate, it's just gonna be a war between the Roman and the Japanese. The military and social hierarchy are pretty much the same as one would see in real life. What's the point of reading if one could already figure out the details.

Not sure if i should be sad when the publishers drop him

I found this series to be very intriguing. I found myself barely able to put any of the books down. Would recommend it to anyone who is interested in science fiction.

I finally got around to reading this book. I kind of liked it since it tied together so many loose ends that had been created in the first five books in the "Blood & Stones" series. In those books the story took place on the East Side of the Tolenka Mountains where there weren't too many (if any) swift rulers or talented wizards. All there was was a young man who had some extremely rich endowed blood and his throne kept being threatened. In the instant book being reviewed we are finally brought to the West Side of the Tolenka Mountains where the swift rulers and talented wizards reside. And most (if not all) of our questions about the Vigors and Vagaries and the story behind the civil war and the creation of the Tolenka Mountains & the Sea of Whispers is told. We also are introduced to the "Blood Royal" aka Vespasian who is the Vagaries main man who has extremely rich endowed blood like Tristan (the hero of the series).

This series was one of the first I read after starting to read a number of fantasy novels and enjoying them. I think the story behind this series is a pretty slick one. And I think this series could have been really good. In fact, if you are not particularly well read in the fantasy genre you very well might think this is a wonderful series. I know I did originally. But then I read a series by Carol Berg, then a series by Juliet Marillier, two series by Jacqueline Carey, and one by Brandon Sanderson. A couple of months ago I sat down and read Patrick Rothfuss' novel "The Name of the Wind." These authors have taken good stories and presented them very well in my humble opinion. They are true wordsmiths. Two days ago I picked up "Rise of the Blood Royal" and read it in a couple hours. I found it to be a hassle to read. I just did not like the way the author told his story. There's lots of rehash of things said and done previously that need not have been repeated throughout. So much is told bluntly instead of things being said whereby I'm expected to pick up on subtle comments and make inferences to follow the storyline. In a way I felt like the author was treating me like a 1st grader and had no confidence in me to understand the story without him drilling it into me.

So much of the first five books are summarized in this book that I almost recommend you read this book before tackling the first five. I'm sure if you read this book first you will be able to plow through the first five really quickly, and then you can reread this 6th book again to get a real solid understanding of the overall story. But if you are looking for a series that is written by a wordsmith and want to slowly turn the pages and digest every paragraph to have fun, then skip this series altogether. You won't find that here. 3 stars!

The hundred years of the brutal War of Attrition between Rustannica and Shashida continues with no sign of either side abating the hostilities. In fact if anything the atrocities are getting worse as formidable ambitious beings see opportunities to grab power.

Malevolent wizard Gracchus Junius tries to convince the insolvent Emperor Vespasian of Rustannica that if they combine their magic and use lethal taboo enchantments they can end the war by turning Shashida into rubble. That would allow them to replenish their fortunes by taking their defeated enemy's gold.

At the same time that Vespasian considers Junius offer, in the land of Eutracia, two talented but novice mages, Prince Tristan and Princess Shailiha are studying how to control their talent. They believe they will end the War of Attrition, but must learn how to use "subtle matter" and locate the hidden Azure Sea that leads to Shashida.

This is a terrific ending to The Destinies of Blood and Stone trilogy (see March into Darkness and SAVAGE MESSIAH) as Robert Newcomb's implications and applications to our world is frightening. Amazingly even with a somewhat big picture perspective the vast cast in the three prime lands is fully developed. Newcomers need to read the previous novels or they will get lost most likely in Rustannica.

Harriet Klausner