The Fifth Sorceress

Robert Newcombe has characters and plot lines that have a lot of potential. Sadly, none of them live up to that potential. All too often a plot line takes a turn that is either predictably cliche' or so wildly improbable that it makes no sense. Characters have some good detail in their development, but all to often those details lead nowhere.

What decided me against reading additional books in the series was the ending: talk about deus ex machina. To me, Newcombe left himself plenty of plausible avenues to achieve what he wanted, and (as all too often in the book) went for the cliche'.

The Fifth Sorceress is an inspired, uniquely creative fantasy that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Rich in characters and emotionally wrought, dynamic action blends with thoughtful insights into human failings and the ultimate power of goodness and love.
I am puzzled by other reviews that suggest sexist overtones that simply are not there. Quite the opposite, the characterization of beautiful, intelligent sorceresses that have evil intentions, was clever and added an originality that is missing in other stories of this genre. The strengh, fortitude, and quiet dignity of the other women such as Morganna and Shailiha, was refreshing and added warmth and a nice balance to the cold, calculating ways of the sorceresses. Add to this the wizard, Wigg, who is touchingly fallible and the loyalty and steadfastness of the dwarf, Geldon, and you have a fantasy that entices the imagination, keeping the reader engaged and wondering where the next plot twist will lead.
After finishing this well-written novel, I found myself smiling, anxious to see where this talented new author will lead us next.

I picked this book up after seeing the massive advertising campaign that Del Rey was throwing around for this new author. I had hopes that it would even be half as good as the publisher claimed. I was well rewarded. Del Rey makes the claim up front of similarities between Robert Newcomb and Terry Goodkind, and for once those kind of claims bear out.
Newcomb has created his own unique world, with characters that I found to be highly believable, characters that are "flawed" as the now popular saying goes, but are still heroic. Through all of this Newcomb creates a feel, an atmosphere to his work which is very "Goodkindian", while still being unique unto himself.
Some of the negative reviews here are preposterous, of course the book has a few rough edges, after all it is the first novel that Robert Newcomb has ever written, but his writing improves with every chapter, which is also very similar to Goodkind. As far as some of the other comments go about being sexist and what not, all Robert Newcomb has done is reverse the tables, instead of the "Dark Lord" we have the "Dark Sorceresses", instead of evil men pillaging and raping, we have evil women doing it.
According to some of the reviewers here it seems ok when men are evil and participate in despicable acts, but when women do it, the author and his world are sexist. To me, this adds uniqueness to Newcomb's world, and there are many times where he stresses that women are not evil, and that not even all Sorceresses are evil, just the ones who at this time are the most powerful Sorceresses in the world.
As far as the violence within the book, there is certainly no more than you would find in a Jordan, Goodkind, or Martin book, and indeed if you do not like their works, or are too faint of heart for it, then you should not read Newcomb, after all, on the inside front cover, Del Rey compares him to Goodkind, and I find that Goodkind is far more descriptive of not only violence, but depravity as well.
Truthfully after only one book, I appreciate Newcomb more than I do Goodkind. I get the same feel out of Newcomb, yet he writes with more control than does Goodkind. It is obvious from the beginning that Newcomb has a plan for his series, and is well aware of where it is going, whereas Goodkind, by his own admission writes as he goes along with little pre-planning. Over time I think that Newcomb and The Chronicles of Blood and Stone as his series is called, will rise to grander heights than that of Goodkind's Sword of Truth. I finished The Fifth Sorceress in two days, and as soon as I finished the final sentence, I was impatient for the next book in the series. I can only hope that it will come quickly enough.

I have enjoyed reading epic fantasies such as "Lord of the Rings", "Lord Foul's Bane", "Dune", and even "Harry Potter", just to mention the most enjoyable ones. I was reluctant at first to begin "The Fifth Sorceress" because I didn't think it could favorably compare with what I've read and enjoyed in the past. Well, the first ten pages removed any apprehension I may have had. This book caught my interest from the beginning and never let go. My 17 year old son who's currently enjoying "Lord of the Rings" read "The Fifth Sorceress" and felt exactly as I did. This book is well written and builds each character with a great deal of thought. In fact, my opinion of books that I have read greatly improves if I feel that the author has "painted" a picture with his use of language. This book was "painted" with extraordinary colors. If you like epic fantasy, this is a must read. You won't put it down.

This book was great. As to all the people claiming he is homophobic and sexist here is what he has to say.
1.) "The Fifth Sorceress", (like all books), is merely a snapshot in time. In this case, a very short time period in a story than runs hundreds of years. There is much more to be told in future books. The first book deal was a trilogy, after all. And books three and four had been pretty much fleshed out by me and my publisher before TFS was published. If all of my subsequent books followed this theme, you would definitely have a valid argument. But they don't. Nor will the three in the second trilogy that I am writing now. This is not because of any criticism of the first book; it was planned this way from the start. As Steven Speilburg says, "Stories don't really have a begnning or an end. They only have a middle, and keep on beginning."
2.) Perhaps you missed it, but the reason why the coven was so bad was very carefully addressed. The sorceresses weren't evil simply because they were women--that would be ludicrous. If you check the book, the reason they were evil was because Failee unexpectedly went mad due to her improper use of the Vagaries, and she held sway over the others. In short, it's the magic that makes folks evil, not their gender. This having been said, the argument might be made that the only "evil" woman in the book was Failee, and the others were only her puppets. Even Failee, before her madness and during her marriage to Wigg, was a "good" woman. The lead wizard loved her very much.
3.) You ask about other "good" women. Don't Shailiha or Morganna qualify? Or any of the gnome wives? And the Minion warriors, (albiet they are under Failee's control), are male, and bad as bad can be. And in his explanantion to Tristan after the massacre, Wigg takes great pains to tell him that there were many good sorceresses living during the earlier war. Yet somehow you seem to argue that not only is there not a single "good"woman in the book, but no references are made to "good" women, either. Wrong on both points, I'm afraid. You might also be interested to learn that in book two, Shailiha is given powers of the craft, and she emerges as a strong heroine. And another strong female character also make her appearance. And guess what--all of the evildoers are male.
4.) Attacking someone personally that you do not know isn't just harsh--it has no basis in fact. I am not a mysoginist nor a homophobe, nor any of the other things you seem to think I am. No publishers in their right mind would continue to employ such a person. I have not attacked your personal character here; I don't think it appropriate that you attack mine. This kind of thing serves no purpose whatsoever.
5.) It's only a story, for Christ's sake. And by their very nature, stories are supposed to make us think, argue, and wonder. I didn't write the book this way solely for those reasons--I had a bigger story to tell; one that I hope will go forth for a long time. I didn't write the book to be provocative. But if I was able to make people question and discuss, a great part of my job was done. Attaching what you believe to be some bad points of my book to my actual personality makes no more sense than believing that Stephen King has an enchanted pet cemetary in his backyard.
6.) The truth test: Honestly, had the baddies in my book been male, would you really be this upset? Have you ever once expressed a harsh opinon about the fact that in most cases males, or groups of males, have so often been portrayed as the villians? True equality means equality in all things, does it not?
7.) True, my book received some harsh reviews from other readers, and I respect that. But in general, the professional reviews were pretty glowing. Apparently they can look at the book objectively, and they know better than to try to make it all about themsleves. And as you look around the web, there seem to be just many folks who rave about it as there are who castigate it. I would also mention here that the book was not only nominated as an Audie award finalist, but I was nominated by the British Science Fiction Book Club for The Best New Voice Award across both genres. You're entitled to your opinion, and I would defend your right to express it to the end. But that doesn't make everyone who disagress with you wrong, either.
I happen to agree with him. I can't stand people who jump to conclusions from baseless "facts". I would recommend anyone to read this book and the following novels.

Im just curious why people think books have to be so PC.
Maybe its just me but i always thought that writers weren't bound by any restrictions, that they were for all intents and purposes 'God' of the worlds they create and can do what they like.
There may or may not be sexist undercurrents and undertones in the book, but who cares. Why can't there be a world where most women are bad, it's usually the men that are the evil antagonists and no one cares then.
I like to keep an open mind about all the books i read and not get hung up on anything that would offend me because i see the worlds as alien and who are we to dictate the behaviour or culture of aliens.
I don't believe that people who read these books takes the writers ideas and philosophies as lessons to be learned, if they do they are ignorant, and i don't think impressionable youths would be interested in books like this, if they are then they would probably be a little more mature and probably less impressionable.
Oh yeah...its a good book.

I bought this book based on the Publishers Weekly review rather then the the store review, should have listened. I hope it is not a comment on the low expectations for fantasy writers as well as their editors that this book was even minimally recommended.

Wow, this book is shallow and it would appear not edited. On page 65 Tristan suggests that women allowed to learn the craft operate under a Death Enchantment. On the next page he is stunned to learn of the existence of Death Enchantments, come on.

...I myself have read quite a few fantasy novels and I found that I could not put this one down. I read it in practically one sitting. The Characters are unique and interesting, rather than 2 dimensional constructs. The world is vibrant and I wish to see where it is going from here. I like the Authors use of Magick and his rather unique flair for descriptions in this context.
I am not saying this book is perfect or it is a read this or DIE!, type of book, But I am saying it is a good read and worth your time.
Thanks

Robert Newcomb's The Fifth Sorceress did not disappoint. With compelling action sequences, wrapped in a complex and broad plot, Newcomb weaves a tapestry that will enthrall and delight. I was impressed with the originality of the work, and the character development. The plot will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page, and wanting more. It is the beginning of a successful fantasy series. I'm looking forward to the next book.

This book was so bad, on so many different levels, that I feel insulted as a fan of Fantasy that. It shows how little publishers must think of us if they believed that this would sell. My only consolation is that I bought it for 1.99 at a used book store.

I also was puzzled by the negative reviews written here, I found it to be a delightful read. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I am female and was not offended by the content of the book. I found the fantasy world created by Robert Newcomb to be very original and interesting, so many books seem to be a recreation of what has already been done, but this one is new and refreshing. I have not enjoyed a fantasy book so much since George R.R. Martin's wonderous fantasy epic!

The Fifth Sorceress is a must read for anyone that enjoys a truly captivating story with intense characters that you'll both love and hate. Even someone that has never read a book in this genre is bound to be thrilled with the story, characters, and the imagination and descriptive talent of this author.
I am troubled by the customer review "Derivative and sexist, July 30, 2002". I was stunned by this title and the comments attempting to validate it (claims that I must suspect are generated by some external motive) for they are absurd. I cannot comprehend how any rational person reading a work of fiction could make these conclusions. I must assume they are the result of an over-active imagination or someone that read ONLY the dust jacket and managed to make these wild conclusions.
This is a terrific read. I can't say enough good things about this story and this new author. I strongly recommend this book and think this author will be entertaining us for many years to come.

Even though the weight of this book might suggest long winded accounts and descriptions of insignificant details, I was pleasently surprised. The author did a magnificent job moving the plot along. Once I started, I could not put it down. If you enjoy a fast paced novel that avoids lengthy descriptions of every plant and tree in the forest then I would reccomend this book.

If I had stopped reading this book after about ten chapters, I might have concluded that it was derivative, but harmless. Unfortunately, I read further, and my opinion only went lower.
Readers will immediately notice a number of familiar elements, such as the extremely Gandalf-like inscrutable wizard character. Also note the magical force that has a light side and a dark side, and which the main character was born extremely gifted in, just like his sister.
Then there are the overused turns of phrase. You'll quickly tire of hearing about things broken at "impossible angles" or about people's hearts "breaking" over this and that. Add to this a few large holes in the back story - if the kingdom is completely isolated, has had no contact with other nations, and has no religion, how do they know what "religion" is, and why do they have a word for it?
On the good side (and this is why I did not give the book the lowest rating) there are no elves or orcs, thus avoiding some of the most overused fantasy tropes. The other monsters to be found are fairly original and interesting reading.
Read further, however, and you will find this world an extremely harsh place for women to live. There are powerful magicians of both sexes, but the male magicians are all good and noble, and the female magicians are evil, insane, and sexual deviants. (The central kingdom of the books has forbidden women from practicing ALL magic, light or dark, for reasons that are not sufficienly explained.) The magically-gifted hero reacts to the main crisis of this book with action and bravery, while his equally-gifted sister simply become helpless and catatonic.
A particularly disturbing scene is an early battle between the hero and an evil sorceress. She attempts to rape him, but he turns the tables on her, extending his special telescopic sword to its full length and slaying her. I am not sure what worried me more at this point - the idea that the author was not aware of the sexual symbolism in this battle, or the idea that he was aware, and wrote it anyway.
I had hoped we had outgrown the idea that good women are weak, and strong women are evil. Even if the author had the best intentions in the world when writing this book, I think the final results send some very inappropriate messages.

One of the greatest books ever written. In terms of character Newcomb's done it, he has come up with one of the best character lines up ever in a single book. Men = Good Woman = Bad is an entirely new concept that works very well. The actual plot itself is vivid, he leaves no stone unturned and keesp you wanting more. Im no speed reader but this was a page turner, finished the whole thing (what, 700 ish pages?) in around 3 days.. considering I can read a clancy novel in 2 weeks thats amazingly fast. Great book, if you have even the slightest or smallest idea of getting this book, dont let the idiots who wrote bad reviews spoil an amazing adventure, BUY THIS BOOK!

Inside the dust cover this book is compared to the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind. While The Fifth Sorceress IS a book, thats where the comparison ends. The story line is weak. I never felt captured by the characters or the setting. I'll give the second book a chance to change my mind, but I'll get it from the library.

I actually found this book to be very enjoyable and entertaining. It's funny that most of these reviews said that it was 'sexist' depicting women as evil WRONG. For the most part I think most of these reviewers are gender biased themselves afterall Robert Jordan was never accused as being sexist why? Because in The Wheel Of Time the women are empowered and the men are considered 'evil' or too stupid for their own good. Of course that isn't gender biasism because a man wrote it right?

It does have evil females but it also has evil males as well. Don't forget that in his sequal mostly its men that are doing the evil not the women. Other than going off about the store reviewers I find that alot of books they highly recommend to usually be borring pieces of drivel such as "Johnathon Strange And Mr. Norrel." It seems that this series got massive good reviews but to me it was just a bunch of trash.

Was this the best epic their is? No, but it certianly is better than most of the books that the reviewers seem to believe are good series such as 'The Wheel Of Time' PLEASE all women are the same and far more sexist than anything Robert Newcomb could ever come up with.

Give it a shot and ignore these so called 'critics.'

I loved almost everything about this book. Everything was so exiting, it kept me on the edge of my seat! I don't get how anyone could have been bored at any point. The scenery was lush, the characters were robust, and the story was a real page-turner! I started reading it yeasterday evening and didn't stop until I was done!

Since this was the first fantasy novel I have ever read, I was truly impressed with Newcomb's discriptions & imagination of his characters & was held spellbound as the pages kept turning, as It was hard to put the book down.
I usually get bored with very long written books,but I really enjoyed the way this man wrote to bring everything together until the end.

I was pretty reluctant to start reading this book. Actually the only reason I did was because I was guaranteed a different book after I read it. Let me say that I was glad I did read it. I found that once I started reading it, I could not put it down. It was a great story and I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Magic is based on "pure-bloodedness". Thus, the most powerful in the book are also the most inbred. This book is so awful it's ALMOST a self-parody. If you find the truly awful fascinating, give this book a try.

I have never written a review before but feel that I must. Robert Newcombs "Chronicles of Blood and Stone" reads like a great action movie! There is a darkness that pervades his world that other writers can seldom catch. The scope of his story, overall, is great and ever evolving.

I am so sick of reading these reviews where: "Women are evil, how dare he!" "The graphic nature was immature!" "He has odd sexual fetishes, 'sexually longing for water'(WTF?)"

LOL! Are you kidding me? Has anyone studied what it was like three or four thousand years ago? Do you people realize that rapes, murders, and the general lynching were part of everyday life??? Robert Newcombs book(s) capture the realism that SHOULD be there. It may be graphic, but so what? Fantasy books are no longer graphic, but have to be politically correct or else they are scorned! I can understand someone just not feeling the book and not liking it for that reason, but to SLAM a book based on the fact that a character had a "sexual longing for water" is quite asinine! The writer is simply trying to let the reader see and feel what the character is feeling. Its called SHOW not TELL! A technique writers are taught at a young age! If thats wrong, then guess a whole legion of writers from all genres need to be scorned as well!

In closing, I feel like this series is one of the better fantasy series to be released in quite sometime. It is sad that so many people have to feel superior by tearing it down. By attacking the most mundane elements. ("How can energy take on a physical form?" Its called Lightning there captain obvious! "How can a horse trot at a brisk pace?" LoL WTF! again! "The author used phrases like "impossible angles" LoL again! And what is wrong with that? Some of the greatest writers in our history have used phrases similar or equal! IE HP Lovecraft!)

I would hope that those who read these reviews will not let them soil your thought process going into the read. If you come into the book with an open mind and not wanting to hate it after the first page, then you should enjoy it!

OK, I actually read the reveiws for this book before I purchased it...

The concept of most people bashing the book for being well graphic while a small few raved about it; just made me have to read it.

Any body out there whoms read Goodkind, Martain, etc... has read graphic books before. Take the first scene in J.V. Jones' Book of Words series!

The only difference here is that the tables are turned and now the women are the cruel evil doers and a man is the poor helpless one.

I've gone on and read the second and third books aswell. I'm sorry to say though that the author 'lighten' up. I have a feeling all those book bashers had there way and the publisher pushed for a cleaner book! The masses had there say again, welcome to economics... I wonder when books will need parental warnings?

Ps. to any 'true' fantasy readers out there the books awsome!

After purchasing this book I read some of the reviews on the store and to be honest I was worried by it's low rating. So I set it aside and forgot about it until just recent. I read in a matter of 2.5 day, I just couldn't put it down. It's an amazing read for both male and female. Robert Newcomb is up there with Robert Jordan and C.S. Friedman as amazing authors.

No, this is not your normal good conquers all fantasy. Good people do actually die, bad does prevail, and there is graphic sex and violence. This book is so great because of its differences. Prince Tristan and his royal family are so innocent in the beginning of the tale, only to lose that innocence in a very violent and brutal slaughter on the Princes coronation day. He loses so much that day, including his pregnant twin sister, to a group of very evil sorceresses. They believe that his sister is their "fifth sorceress" needed to complete their evil plans. Tristan, along with his surviving wizard, must learn find his sister and stop the evil sorceresses. This is a wonderful read as is the second book in the series, The Gates of Dawn. Read and enjoy this enchanting book!