The Fifth Sorceress: A Fantasy Novel

by Robert Newcomb

Book Overview

Not since Terry Goodkind unsheathed the Sword of Truth has there been such an epic tale of heroism and magic that so captures the imagination as this monumental new work by a master storyteller. In... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345448936
• ISBN13: 9780345448934
• Release Date: June 2003
• Publisher: Random House Worlds
• Length: 688 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

What books have you written?

I don't need to bother writing a long review. This book as well as the entire series is fantastic. To all the haters who gave it one or 2 stars-- WHAT BOOKS HAVE YOU WRITTEN? Please let me know so I can read them since you all seem to know everything there is to writing fantasy. I read well over 100 fantasy books a year most of which are 'doorstoppers'. I've read everyone. I READ everyone. Maybe this book as well as the rest of the series has not broken huge ground-- but it is extremely entertaining, geat world building, very gritty and dark as well as humorous, vividly descriptive. You know this author has PASSION for the story by the way he writes. Aaahh I've said enough... To all the haters out there go back to reading your Waste of Time, Women of Time, and Wheel of Grime series

What A Terrific and Different Fantasy Read

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!

Couldn't put it down...

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.

TRULY A FIVE STAR START TO A GREAT NEW SERIES

I read a lot of epic fantasy and I think that Robert Newcomb is definitely one of the freshest voices to come along in a long time. Yes, there are a lot of very good fantasy writers out there right now but there are very few fantasy writers that are able to tell a big, complicated story and create a mythology that is both unique and universal. There are exceptions to the rule but it is not a surprise that a lot of the major epic fantasy writers of the moment did other things in life before setting pen to paper. Terry Brooks was a lawyer. Tad Williams was in to radio broadcasting and worked for Apple. Terry Goodkind was a wildlife artist. It is clear that Mr. Newcomb also brings a lot of life experience to this work. And he keeps it all fun and entertaining. I agree with the folks giving this novel five stars. This is a great read with larger than life characters and a very inventive author. I believe Robert Newcomb is here to stay and the genre is enriched by his presence. Enjoy.

great fantasy

Over three centuries ago, the malevolent Coven nearly destroyed Eutracia. However, the kingdom's wizards managed to defeat the evil sorceresses. The victory resulted in exile of the surviving sorceresses across the vast ocean to Parthalon, the ban on female magic practitioners within the realm, and required vows by male applicators to remain on the side of the light.Plotting vengeance and final destruction of their enemies, the sorceresses begin a diabolical plot to obliterate Eutracia and its magical do-gooders through the regal line. They plan to abduct Princess Shailiha so that a special doomsday machine incantation can be completed that will result in either their victory or the end of the planet. Only her brother Prince Tristan and his advisor Wigg the wizard stand in the way of the sorceresses' success.THE FIFTH SORCERESS is clearly one of the top three fantasy tales of the year. The story line is typical good vs. evil epic with the forces of the light led by a reluctant hero and his wise advisory wizard while their opponents will stop at nothing including global destruction to gain victory. However, Wigg, whose advice does not always work, makes the tale as he misinterprets things leading to unfortunate calamity and even when he is on target things can still go wrong in a Murphy sort of way. Thus, the quest becomes real as the audience never knows what will succeed or fail even whether Tristan will win the day. This novel heralds a tremendous new force in the genre as Robert Newcomb casts quite a spell on the audience.Harriet Klausner