Robert Newcomb, A March Into Darkness

A March Into Darkness

Robert Newcomb

Del Rey, February 2007, $26.95, 656 pp.

ISBN 034547709X

When the Azur Pass was created during Prince Tristan's war with Wulfgar a battle of the Vectors (good magic) and Valories (bad magic), nobody knew what was behind the glow. Guards were posted there, but when a horseman came out of an opening that suddenly appeared; he killed all the guards with ease. He then went on to torture, mutilate, and kill men, women and children in a nearby village. The man/spirit Xanthus orders the villagers to go to Tristan and tell him what happened.

Xanihus goes to Tristan's homes and orders the Prince to go with him to the portal in the Azur Pass to meet with the Heretics, people who practice the Valories there. He refuses, but is blackmailed into following him in order to save his people. As he follows Xanthus, he sees Xanthus torture and kill in order to break his will. Tristan finally gives in when he is forced to partake as the torturee. He meets the Heretics and learns that all is not what he thought, and he is sent back to his realm to stop the Valories, in the form of Queen Serena, Wulfgar's widow, who is a minion of the Heretics, from forcing the Valories on the entire world.

Book Two in the Destinies of Blood and Stone is epic fantasy in the grand tradition of Terry Brooks and Tad Williams. Tristan is a decent man, who has to make life and death decisions that most people could never do. There are plenty of action scenes, and a support cast that adds valor and depth do this high fantasy tale. Robert Newcomb leaves readers eager for the next installment in his entertaining saga.