The Fifth Sorceress

A Fantasy Novel

By: Robert Newcomb

Narrated by: Simon Jones

Length: 5 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

It is more than three centuries since the ravages of a devastating war nearly tore apart the kingdom of Eutracia. In its wake, those who masterminded the bloodshed - a quartet of powerful, conquest-hungry Sorceresses - were sentenced to exile, with return all but impossible and death all but inevitable. Now a land of peace and plenty, protected and guided by a council of immortal wizards, Eutracia is about to crown a new king. And as the coronation approaches, the spirit of celebration fills every heart. Except one.

Prince Tristan is a reluctant monarch-to-be. Though born with the “endowed” blood that will give him the power to master magic, and destined by tradition to succeed his father as ruler, he is a rebel soul. And when he discovers the ancient, hidden caves where strange red waters flow - possessed of their own mysterious magic - it only makes him yearn all the more to escape his future duty...and succumb to the stirrings of enchantment within him.

But more than tradition compels Tristan to ascend the throne. The very existence of Eutracia depends upon it. For after these long centuries of peace, dreadful omens have begun to appear, heralding something too unspeakable to ponder. And if indeed the old evil has returned, hungry to wreak vengeance, Tristan’s role in an ages-old prophecy must be fulfilled - or the cost to his kingdom and his people will be beyond imagination.

It will be a battle like none ever known, against an enemy whose thirst for blood and domination is depthless and unyielding. And for Tristan, it will be the ultimate challenge: facing an adversary whose greatest weapon is the person he loves most - transformed into the instrument of his annihilation...and the catalyst that will doom Eutracia forever to darkness.

©2002 Robert Newcomb (P)2002 Random House, Inc., Random House Audio, a Division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Newcomb may be a newcomer to fantasy writing, but it doesn't show in this surprisingly original doorstopper...it leaves you wanting more." (Publishers Weekly)

I don't understand the controversy

Many have accused the author of being a misogynist and the book a projection of the viewpoint. I don't see it. It's simply the sorcerers against a coven of sorceress'. Any way, this book is about a young hero that doesn't want to be one and his fate requiring him to be one due to circumstances.I thought the book was pretty good, though due to it being abridged it was pretty clunky. The narration was above average. I enjoyed the book enough to buy the second in the series and listening to it right away. Buy the book on sale because it is abridged.

I would certainly recommend this title, but...

What did you love best about The Fifth Sorceress?

I enjoyed everything about the book; however, I do wish that this would have been an unabridged version rather than abridged.

What did you like best about this story?

The fresh take in this book and the unique storyline definitely makes this book worth the time invested in listening.

Any additional comments?

Some key points were missed in this book due to the fact that it is abridged. Listeners should be offered the opportunity to purchase an unabridged version of this title.

The Fifth Sorcewress

This one was great, I hope that Mr Newcomb comes out with a continuing sequel

definitly good Harry Potter Game of Thrones mixed

if J.K. Rowling & George R.R. Martin used a time turner went to 1953 & had a baby this book would be born

The Fifth Sorceress

This is a story which is both well written and well read. I enjoyed it thoroughly and look forward to the next book by this author.

All women are bad, in this trite fantasy

This book was miserable, standard fantasy fare, poorly written with the usual character archetypes -- such as the, like, totally awesome main character who is ignorant of his destiny to save the world despite everyone else knowing. The only real twist is the bizarre underlying sexism that doesn't really relate to the plot, but simply seems to be the voice of the author. In this book, all the women are basically evil (and dress in leather) or simply really weak. Some of this might be forgivable if it was well written. It isn't. Stay away.

this book is abridged

not sure why but this book is missing like quite a bit of material that was just not mentioned especially in the beginning no mention of the stalker or the harpy. or Tristan almost falling off the cliff. no mention of the wiktor after the first attack. No mention of who lilith really is, no mention of the gallipoli at all no back story on the minions. so much of the story that aids imperative to understanding what is going on. and sicciu and tristans scene has no power behind it. I feel cheated that I paid for a half assed version of this book. I feel this isnt fair to new readers that they will judge the book based on this trash abridged verison.

Newcomb missed his calling to write Hentai

Poor confusing prose, boring characters, and an excess of needless sex scenes dominate this book. All of which suggest that Newcomb really wanted to write Hentai but chickened out.

Tolerable

This book was barely tolerable. It was not very well written in my opinion. The story line was trite and jumped around with some very fantastical and unlikely sections. I'd not recommend this book too highly.

A bit standard

This book was the typical sci-fi work up in my opinion. It was good in so far as they go, but the story didn't seem all that original or consuming.