From Publishers Weekly
The chilling conclusion to Newcomb’s majestic but sometimes ponderous trilogy (after March into Darkness) suggests that the bloody, centuries-old War of Attrition between the countries Rustannica and Shashida may never end. Evil wizard Gracchus Junius is determined to persuade the impoverished Rustannica Emperor Vespasian, whose magical gifts far exceed those of all other Rustannica wizards combined, to destroy Shashida with banned magic and steal all its gold…
Buy Rise of the Blood Royal: Volume III of The Destinies of Blood and Stone at Amazon
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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.