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The Age of Discovery #3
The New World
Time is running out. Nalenyr is besieged on all sides by those who would save the fabled land—and those who would enslave it. Soon the realm will be ravaged by the scourge of magical warfare—overrun by terrifying forces created by an ancient enemy, and soaked in the blood of champions and gods. It is the moment of final conflict, and the grandchildren of the Royal Cartographer are at the center of the climactic struggle.
Keles Anturasi will race across the world, fleeing assassins, seeking control over powers he can barely understand. His brother, Jorim, having ascended to godhood, now finds himself pitted against an elder god—the very god who once created the entire pantheon and now seeks its destruction. And their sister, Nirati, embarks on a treacherous crusade with a dead hero to wage war on hell itself!
As the final battle lines are drawn, they will gather the land’s newly awakened defenders of the ancient past. But can this small band of champions, mystics, and magicians stand against an evil that threatens to sweep reality itself into an unending dark age of nightmare and oblivion?
Keles Anturasi will race across the world, fleeing assassins, seeking control over powers he can barely understand. His brother, Jorim, having ascended to godhood, now finds himself pitted against an elder god—the very god who once created the entire pantheon and now seeks its destruction. And their sister, Nirati, embarks on a treacherous crusade with a dead hero to wage war on hell itself!
As the final battle lines are drawn, they will gather the land’s newly awakened defenders of the ancient past. But can this small band of champions, mystics, and magicians stand against an evil that threatens to sweep reality itself into an unending dark age of nightmare and oblivion?
399 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
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417 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
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May 2, 2011I will say this for Michael Stackpole; he is the first author in years who has managed to get me to read two books in a series consecutively. Lately I’ve been in the habit of reading a book, putting the series aside for a while, coming back to it, and so on. Even with Lawhead’s King Raven trilogy, which was also awesome, I felt inclined to take a break between the second and third books (albeit a short one). Granted, Stackpole pulled a dirty trick by ending Cartomancy on a huge cliffhanger, but still…it was a pretty captivating series anyway.
A New World picks up on the action more or less where Cartomancy left off, and follows Cartomancy’s pattern of upping the ante from there. Stackpole slowly ramps up the trilogy over the course of three books, from being a story about essentially human political conflicts and adventures in the first book to a story about nations, gods, and the nature of reality and perception by the third book. The build up happens naturally enough so that it doesn’t feel odd or awkward, but when I stop to reflect on it, it’s actually a pretty dramatic shift.
While the action may be taking place on grander scales by the third book, it is still (mostly) focused around the same group of characters. With the exception of a single minor character, whose sole role in the trilogy seems to have been to kill someone else, the other major characters all have purposes and roles to play in the story. Some of them are a bit predictable, but they’re all pretty fun. There is a “big twist” about a couple of the characters and their influence on the world that I called somewhere in the first book, but some of the other twists and turns actually kind of surprised me.
If I have a complaint about this book, it’s that the ending seems to come up awfully fast, and feels a bit rushed (to the point where a couple of characters have a conversation about how they can end something as quickly as possible). While I wouldn’t have wanted the series to drag out into a fourth book, a few extra pages wouldn’t have hurt it.
But overall, this is a really excellent, fun series. Stackpole does some very interesting stuff with his world and his characters, particularly with his ideas about skill, magic, perception, reality, and how all of those things interact. Fans of the Matrix (or geeks who remember Mage: The Ascension fondly) definitely will enjoy it, but it is really worthwhile for any fantasy fan. Check this one out.
A New World picks up on the action more or less where Cartomancy left off, and follows Cartomancy’s pattern of upping the ante from there. Stackpole slowly ramps up the trilogy over the course of three books, from being a story about essentially human political conflicts and adventures in the first book to a story about nations, gods, and the nature of reality and perception by the third book. The build up happens naturally enough so that it doesn’t feel odd or awkward, but when I stop to reflect on it, it’s actually a pretty dramatic shift.
While the action may be taking place on grander scales by the third book, it is still (mostly) focused around the same group of characters. With the exception of a single minor character, whose sole role in the trilogy seems to have been to kill someone else, the other major characters all have purposes and roles to play in the story. Some of them are a bit predictable, but they’re all pretty fun. There is a “big twist” about a couple of the characters and their influence on the world that I called somewhere in the first book, but some of the other twists and turns actually kind of surprised me.
If I have a complaint about this book, it’s that the ending seems to come up awfully fast, and feels a bit rushed (to the point where a couple of characters have a conversation about how they can end something as quickly as possible). While I wouldn’t have wanted the series to drag out into a fourth book, a few extra pages wouldn’t have hurt it.
But overall, this is a really excellent, fun series. Stackpole does some very interesting stuff with his world and his characters, particularly with his ideas about skill, magic, perception, reality, and how all of those things interact. Fans of the Matrix (or geeks who remember Mage: The Ascension fondly) definitely will enjoy it, but it is really worthwhile for any fantasy fan. Check this one out.
February 4, 2008
I wish I had read the first two books before embarking upon this one ... there were so many characters to keep track of, and so many unique terms (and no glossary!), I found myself struggling to stay on top of things. Still, the storyline was good & the trilogy well resolved.
February 5, 2012
A short description for the whole trilogy: a combination of Shogun, World of Warcraft and Lord of the Rings. ;)
June 29, 2018
Just a terrible, terrible book. I finish every book I read but I could not finish this one, despite how hard I forced myself to.
The author spits in the face of anyone who read the first book. He completely throws out any rules and boundaries he established and just plows through any intricacies with a bulldozer. I thought that maybe this book was going somewhere meaningful and the author would pull off a thoughtful conclusion. Instead he relies heavily on Deus ex machina's that make the reader groan.
Characters that die either get reborn or turned into Gods. None of the good guys die. The bad guys lose. There is no meaningful or complex outcome for any of the characters. The strength of the previous books was its twists and turns but this book concludes in ways that are absurd.
It was just a really terrible end to an otherwise decent series. I would not recommend the series to anyone because the ending is so unsatisfying and made me feel that reading the first two books was a waste of my time.
The author spits in the face of anyone who read the first book. He completely throws out any rules and boundaries he established and just plows through any intricacies with a bulldozer. I thought that maybe this book was going somewhere meaningful and the author would pull off a thoughtful conclusion. Instead he relies heavily on Deus ex machina's that make the reader groan.
Characters that die either get reborn or turned into Gods. None of the good guys die. The bad guys lose. There is no meaningful or complex outcome for any of the characters. The strength of the previous books was its twists and turns but this book concludes in ways that are absurd.
It was just a really terrible end to an otherwise decent series. I would not recommend the series to anyone because the ending is so unsatisfying and made me feel that reading the first two books was a waste of my time.
December 29, 2025
finished the reread of this series at Like 3am still hold up to this day , the depth of how politics/magic and them pesky Gods get involved in each *chefs kiss*
and at the base of it, how one mortal man's choice can matter *
Nirati, you're at the end of this light too 👏🏾🫶🏾
and at the base of it, how one mortal man's choice can matter *
Nirati, you're at the end of this light too 👏🏾🫶🏾
December 2, 2025
A few of the characters seem too mentally dense, but they learn. There are a few curveballs thrown in also. Generally a good read. 3 1/2 stars.
May 5, 2015
It probably seems strange for me to shift from an extremely high rating for the second book of this trilogy, Cartomancy, to this below-average rating for The New World. I may seem incredibly inconsistent for me to change the rating for an author that I almost always rate on the high end of the scale, especially since the author is a respected acquaintance. It is my opinion, however, that Mike Stackpole wrote himself into a cosmic corner in The New World. This master of combat prose, particularly dueling in a martial arts or fencing style, gets caught up in creating his own pantheon (almost as opaque to me as the Aztec pantheon).
I suppose it was inevitable for the plot to become so cosmic in a story where cartographers can change the lesser known portions of the world simply by revising a map. That was a fascinating concept, but in order to make it interesting, one has to increase the threats exponentially. And it is in the massive threat, the gargantuan shifts in alliances, and the constantly shifting perspectives with beings which have lived more “lives” than one of Moorcock’s eternal champions, that I quit caring. I have to be honest that it took longer to read this volume than it ever has taken me to read one of Stackpole’s books. I cared so much in Cartomancy, but felt like the humanity that Stack usually presents was sacrificed on an altar of epic proportions (and the sacrifice itself became so miniscule it made no difference).
To be sure, Stackpole can still turn a phrase. For example, is this not a great reverse statement of a Utilitarian ethic? “Which do you love more? A small piece of creation, or the larger part of it?” (p. 92) I like when the equivalent of a master swordsman tells his apprentice that “Training and discipline are no brake on ambition.” (p. 63) Of course, the best line (after some heavy consideration of what I would call philosophical subjectivism) may be: “People who do not look to the future really have no future. They’re just waiting for the rot to set in.” (p. 536) That is a brilliant way of describing entropy.
Yet, I can honestly say that this novel is the first time that I’ve felt like reading Stackpole was more work than pleasure. I can’t imagine why this book seemed so much more disjointed that the first two books. Maybe it was trying to be “too epic?” Regardless, it was disappointing to me.
I suppose it was inevitable for the plot to become so cosmic in a story where cartographers can change the lesser known portions of the world simply by revising a map. That was a fascinating concept, but in order to make it interesting, one has to increase the threats exponentially. And it is in the massive threat, the gargantuan shifts in alliances, and the constantly shifting perspectives with beings which have lived more “lives” than one of Moorcock’s eternal champions, that I quit caring. I have to be honest that it took longer to read this volume than it ever has taken me to read one of Stackpole’s books. I cared so much in Cartomancy, but felt like the humanity that Stack usually presents was sacrificed on an altar of epic proportions (and the sacrifice itself became so miniscule it made no difference).
To be sure, Stackpole can still turn a phrase. For example, is this not a great reverse statement of a Utilitarian ethic? “Which do you love more? A small piece of creation, or the larger part of it?” (p. 92) I like when the equivalent of a master swordsman tells his apprentice that “Training and discipline are no brake on ambition.” (p. 63) Of course, the best line (after some heavy consideration of what I would call philosophical subjectivism) may be: “People who do not look to the future really have no future. They’re just waiting for the rot to set in.” (p. 536) That is a brilliant way of describing entropy.
Yet, I can honestly say that this novel is the first time that I’ve felt like reading Stackpole was more work than pleasure. I can’t imagine why this book seemed so much more disjointed that the first two books. Maybe it was trying to be “too epic?” Regardless, it was disappointing to me.
April 23, 2008
It was hard for me to get back into the series for some reason. I guess the writing is kind of "old" style in the sense that a lot of the books that I read are now more up to date or more colloquial. Also the fact that there were many different threads going on at one time was kind of hard to follow (especially after being away from the series for so long).
However, toward the end of the book, thing were heating up, so it kept my attention more. (and also I thought that I should probably finish this book and return it to the library).
Overall, I think the series is pretty good. However, due to the use of made of words, especially spelling that looked like ping-yin, kind of turned me off. (since I am from there). I am always trying to find the connection, but knowing that there probably isn't one. Furthermore, there was no way of knowing how to "pronounce" the words probably also fustrated me. It just became a string of characters that meant something. very hard to remember that the word meant. (I guess I am more of a aural person).
However, toward the end of the book, thing were heating up, so it kept my attention more. (and also I thought that I should probably finish this book and return it to the library).
Overall, I think the series is pretty good. However, due to the use of made of words, especially spelling that looked like ping-yin, kind of turned me off. (since I am from there). I am always trying to find the connection, but knowing that there probably isn't one. Furthermore, there was no way of knowing how to "pronounce" the words probably also fustrated me. It just became a string of characters that meant something. very hard to remember that the word meant. (I guess I am more of a aural person).
February 3, 2014
A trilogy that began at a relatively tolerable level of fantasy is full-blown high fantasy by the third installment. Characters visit Hell and battle against demons and meet characters that have died earlier, dead gods don't stay dead, magic users perform deeds that make them seem gods in all but name...
Somehow, Stackpole still manages to keep the characters somewhat interesting. It is a page turner until the very last page, although some plotlines are rather predictable. I was, however, rather dismayed by the fate of one of the central characters and the open end for his/her (not going to say which) storyline - either Stackpole plans a sequel or he's just an evil author. Some other characters' stories are wrapped up rather hastily as well, leaving a rushed feel to this final installment.
If you are willing to take a bite of high fantasy in its true sense, you could do far worse than Stackpole's trilogy. It's well worth a read. And, for me, that's saying a lot as high fantasy is really _not_ one of my favourite genres.
Somehow, Stackpole still manages to keep the characters somewhat interesting. It is a page turner until the very last page, although some plotlines are rather predictable. I was, however, rather dismayed by the fate of one of the central characters and the open end for his/her (not going to say which) storyline - either Stackpole plans a sequel or he's just an evil author. Some other characters' stories are wrapped up rather hastily as well, leaving a rushed feel to this final installment.
If you are willing to take a bite of high fantasy in its true sense, you could do far worse than Stackpole's trilogy. It's well worth a read. And, for me, that's saying a lot as high fantasy is really _not_ one of my favourite genres.
May 28, 2009
Consider this review as a review for the whole trilogy. Michael Stackpole is slowly growing to take a top spot in my pantheon of English language writers. His gift for an engaging story, with a near impecable balance of action and suspence is truly remarkable. Age of Discovery is a truly immense world, where Gods still care about affairs of man. Its like everything we remember and love about the Greek Myths, but mortals actually have an honest chance.
February 18, 2016
The last part of the trilogy and the one that I liked least. This sews up all the plotlines but the book is largely one long battle scene. There's a lot of fighting and death and, although I understand why it's included, it gets a bit tiresome in the end. I thought that I would keep this trilogy to read again but, having completed Book 3, I can't see myself revisiting it in the future. Engaging but disappointing.
October 16, 2007
Stackpole presents a solid but unremarkable conclusion to his New World series. It's a fun and exciting read, and characters we've been introduced to in the previous books still have room to grow and expand.
Nirati's story arc ends somewhat disappointingly, as does the book. The ending, while tying off all the loose threads, does not deliver on the promise of A Secret Atlas.
Nirati's story arc ends somewhat disappointingly, as does the book. The ending, while tying off all the loose threads, does not deliver on the promise of A Secret Atlas.
January 24, 2009
This is why you shouldn't wait years and years between books in a trilogy. If you don't feel like re-reading the first two -- you forget some of the things from them when reading the third. I did like it, it was just a bit confusing since I forgot some things.
June 28, 2010
Starts as an improvement on the earlier 2 books in the trilogy, but went downhill from there. Definitely not his best work. His characters are 2-D and his plot felt crunched and barely coalesced at the end. Still a decent read, but try his other work first.
August 7, 2011
This was the best of the three. Although the ending was a really quick wrap-up, it provided adequate closure to the story.
08.01.11 Currently on page 308 and so far it's the best of three. Hoping for a decent wrap-up to the story story line.
08.01.11 Currently on page 308 and so far it's the best of three. Hoping for a decent wrap-up to the story story line.
February 1, 2012
The best book of the trilogy. Basically it's a 400 page climax to all that was setup in the first two books. Very interesting to see how this book develops the whole "god" concept (characters becoming gods, not anything to do with any religion). Fast paced. Fun. Definitely worth a read.
August 20, 2013
Not as good as the other two books in the series. The end came very quickly, a typical "final battle" starts about halfway through, so you pretty much know where the book is going and just have to wait for it to get there. Also, Jorim's part in the Hells was very boring.
March 15, 2008
Michael Stackpole finally finished a non star wars series with a good ending. It felt a little rushed, but I still enjoyed it.
January 31, 2008
Not the best in the series. It kind of lost its steam as it went.
August 29, 2008
The book basically wrapped up all the story lines. I did think that some of them were a bit rushed and cut short. It was as if the book could have been a bit longer to add more depth.
May 28, 2009
Very good series. Really enjoyed it.
December 24, 2014
I found the ending a bit too rushed and slightly disappointing.
April 2, 2012
I like this series..but got a little tired at book 3.
July 23, 2012
A good fantasy read - the end of the trilogy with a nice development of the story. The end did feel rushed though.
December 24, 2017
Nejlepší díl z celé trilogie :)
Na celou trilogii naleznete v blízké budoucnosti na Fantasyi recenzi ;)
Na celou trilogii naleznete v blízké budoucnosti na Fantasyi recenzi ;)
June 11, 2022
Retroactive Review (11 Jun 2022): Please see my review of the series
here
under the first volume.
June 12, 2013
Good series - but action was to dense in this last book. A mix of goods, humans .. zounds of heroes - but it was too much.
April 17, 2024
Soft spot for this fantasy trilogy (cont’d)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews