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Summary: The Scrolls of the Ancients
Review:
When we last left Eutracia, Prince Tristan had barely escaped death in the deadly battle of the Gates of Dawn. In the time soon after he and his companions try to unravel the mysterious prophesies left to them by the even more mysterious Ancients. Unfortunately evil never stays quiet for long and Tristan finds himself flung headlong back into another hellish adventure.
Kidnapped by his late son's former henchmen and taken to sea, Tristan is rescued (or so he thinks) by the feisty pirate lass Tyranny who searches for her lost brother. Paths intertwine and plots unfurl as Tristan and his friends seek to find the Scroll of the Vigors before Krassus finds the opposing Scroll of the Vagaries and unleashes untold horror upon the world.
Weaving yet another fascinating tale of magic and adventure Robert Newcombs third venture into Eutracia is his best yet and garners him another Faery Queen.
If you love adventure and magic that actually follows a plan rather than just happening *cause we say so* then The Chronicles of Blood and Stone are for you.
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Summary: Definately NOT the End
Review: After reading the editorial review by Publisher's Weekly I expected this book to be a letdown.It was not.
Newcomb's style of writing seems to be improving in each volume. And since there are three more volumes after this one(at least) I can not wait until the others come out.
I think that he had a three book deal(originally) to Del Rey may have made it appear that it was a trilogy.
Since book four is already titled Savage Messiah and book 5 and 6 listed for future I think we will have quite a few more adventues in "The Chronicles of Blood and Stone"
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Summary: this books is freaking awesome
Review: I don't care what any of these idiots say robert newcombs series is great. Especially this book. some parts are so well done that it gives me chills. READ THIS SERIES!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Thank Goodness it's [Allegedly] Over
Review: I only read this awful book to see if all the five star reviews were right in saying it was better than that horrible piece of garbage, the Fifth Sorceress.
Bottom Line: It's not. It's worse.
This series started off with so much hype it would be almost impossible to live up to it, but Newcomb manages to make all the amateurish writing in the world seem professional by comparison. "Whump! Whump! Whump!" Oh for goodness' sake.
Please, Robert Newcomb, like Ashlee Simpson, give up trying. It's not your field.
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Summary: SERIES GETTING BETTER AND BETTER
Review: I read a lot of fantasy. For those of you who like the more commercial, action oriented fantasy then this series is totally for you. Mr. Newcomb's biggest strength is his unlimited imagination. He always adds new, fresh surprises to his world. He is a true worldbuilder!
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Summary: Worth reading
Review: I started out reading Newcomb very happily, having found yet again something new that seemed like it was on a larger scale than typical fiction. I have to say that I like the Chronicles of Blood and Stone, despite some definate shortcomings.
I was prompted to write this simply because of the comparison it has to Goodkind, Jordan, and Martin on it's inside cover, and while I do enjoy Newcomb, I have to say that he sadly (because it seemed at first that he might) does not equal up to those three, and I still very definately favor Carey, Williams, and Brooks ahead of him.
Now, as far as The Scrolls of the Ancients go, I'm about halfway through it right now, and while it is surely keeping me interested and reading, I still find myself lacking several things. Some really in depth character development for Shailiha, some concrete base for which I can form a full sense of their magical system (which he seems to not have worked out beforehand, and just kind of changes and adds to when it suits him, which seems kind of irresponsible). Vigors and Vagaries are nice and all, but it seems in some ways that the Vagaries aren't truly evil, although they're regarded as such, and what really is the difference between them? How do they differ in how they work, other than a name? It seems so far, out of each of the books, that using the Craft is just one entity already, although I'm sure it's just not explained yet.
I have found more than one inconsistency in the books, that were obvious (several, actually), which makes me feel kind of bad, but the plot is still engaging, so I continue reading. It would be kind of cheap, but I find myself hoping all of Tristan's talents are brought out through the use of Forestallments so that we don't have to endure an entire book of him attempting to learn to use the Craft, and just have one that has him using it and fullfilling his destiny (if indeed Newcomb releases a fourth book).
All in all, it is definately worth reading, and I very much like Tristan, Faegan, Wigg (especially the amusing bickering between the two of them), and a few of the others (although I think that while Celeste has the excuse of still being relatively new to the group, Shailiha is way overdue for some serious character development, rather than the occasional tidbits we've gotten so far). I actually find myself already liking Wulfar as much as some of the good guys, and rather miss Nicholas (it was a real shame to finish him off in a way that made the entire second book seem pointless, since it would have happened to him even if they had all ran and hid themselves in a hole somewhere that they would have been safe). He was an excellent villain, and while failing in the second book, he shouldn't have killed him off, since Krassus seems like a generic stand-in, and Nicholas would have been far better performing the things that are being done, and it's pretty out of character for him that he modified Krassus at all and left him behind to do all this(he had been 100% confident of his superiority and success, the concept of failure didn't even exist for him, and rightly so, really, so why would he have gone through such measures in case he failed? How could he have failed other than he did, which he in no way suspected? Seemed rather convenient to just add that in to me).
Anyway, the writing could be better, and I think Newcomb has the talent, he just, for God only knows what reason, isn't utilizing all of it. As far as the graphic content, I've read MUCH worse as far as graphic, and with better writing. Carey's Kushiel's Legacy, for example. Anyway, if he would only slow down a bit and do some serious outlining instead of just writing whatever came into his head at the time, I think he could (with his next saga, and whatever furthur sequals to these that he writes, since he can't really go back to re-write the first three) equal up to those other Elite writers mentioned earlier.
Newcomb, don't be in such a rush to be a success! You're really good, you just need to define your world a little better, instead of adding stuff in that sometimes conflicts with what you've said earlier to convenience what you want to do next.
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Summary: PLEASE
Review: Okay I loved this books and for all those people who recommend Goodkind and Jordan over this much superior novel get a life. Jordan's books are terrible and Goodkind just loves to rip people off and place his own philosphy in his novels. Hell he doesn't even world build!
Robert Newcomb's books are so far better writen than Jordan's drivel and his characters are better thought out than Goodkinds crappy one diminsional cardboard characters.
Now is Newcomb as Jordan? Some people would say NO however when I consider that Newcomb is a brand new author and this is his first series I would have to say YES. Why support and author that never plans on finishing his series like Robert Jordan? Or makes his characters very trying on the nerves? I couldn't even stand The Eye Of The World!
Come on folks get real I will always prefer an author who thinks his novels out more than an author who just goes on and on and never even finishes a series.
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Summary: It Just Keeps Getting Better and Better
Review: Okay, I'll get it out of the way...I love this series, I love the gore, the fighting, the cliches of fantasy, but most of all I love the story...Rob just keep em coming. This is by far the best of the series. If you enjoyed the first 2 books, you'll like this one even more. If you didn't like the first 2 don't waste your time... I can hardly wait for the next book!
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Summary: enthralling and memorable series
Review: Prince Tristan killed his father Nicholas to prevent his sire from opening the portal that would allow the Heretics to enter the realm, allowing the Vagaries, those who practice dark magic to wipe out those who work for the good of mankind (the Vigors). The prince and his sister are the chosen ones who are supposed to bring into harmony the Vigors and the Vagaries but because of his Azur blood Tristan is not trained in the use of magic. Wizards Wigg and Faegan won't teach him until they find a way to turn his blood red. Nicholas' legacy is being carried out by his acolyte Krassus who is searching for Tristan's half-brother Wulfgar and the scrolls of the Vigors and the Vagaries. Using his magic he has conjured up an army of near invulnerable monsters to help him seek out what he needs to carry out his plan. When Wulfgar and the scroll of the Vagaries are brought to him, he is able to bring Wulfgar to the side of the Vagaries, setting up a confrontation between the two brothers for the future of the world. Volume III of the Chronicles of Blood and Stone is the last book in an enthralling and memorable series. There are many otherworldly sentient who side with the protagonist and the antagonist and both sides are loyal to their individual masters. One has to put the villain who was transformed against his will into a power hungry man who wants to reshape the world in his own image. Robert Newcomb is a great worldbuilder who will be one of tomorrow's superstars. Harriet Klausner
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Summary: Best of the 3
Review: Scrolls of the Ancients is the best of the three books out so far by Robert Newcomb. The other 2 were very good, but it seems with each book he puts out, they just get better and better!
Newcomb makes each character memorable by creating flaws and traits that are very unique. The characters are all ever evolving, constantly changing and finding out new things about themselves. The action scenes are fast paced and gore filled! It is about time a Fantasy series came out that did not dance to the tune of little kids and FCC, censoring morons!!!
"woman-hating, illiterate, porn-addicted, one-man freak show, but it's about time for them to toss him back." Was written by one person to close a review of this novel. For the love of me I cannot understand why so many people dislike the female villains, graphic nature and just good old fashion action! Its a book! He is porn-addicted because he has some graphic sexual scenes??!!?? He hates women because, in his world, a woman can be evil??!! Yea, b/c I have NEVER met an evil woman! *snickers* And, he is SOOO illiterate that he has sold thousands of novels and has attained some level of success in the writing world! Wow, if that is illiterate, then book me on that train!
In closing, if you want a Harry Potter, mushy-gushy, everything is all right, kiss the kids, bake an apple pie, and play bingo with grandma kind of book...THEN STAY AWAY FROM CHRONICLES OF BLOOD & STONE! Just stick with the 4th grade literature and I am sure you will have nothing to complain about!
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