So as we have seen there are many things that Robert Newcomb has copied from his beloved muse Terry Goodkind, gaping plot holes, ridiculous deus ex machina resolutions and incredibly stupid characters, but I have just uncovered another cornerstone of Tairy's work which has been lifted straight from the Yeard.  The hero of the book, Prince Tristan, is in fact a Gary Stu.  Gasp!  Yes it is true take this exchange from page 262 of The Fifth Sorceress for example, this is from the scene where Tristan has tea with his mother and sister:

[quote]'This kingdom is about to become yours, and you must grasp it firmly, yet tenderly, the way a man would hold a woman he loves most, never letting her go.'

[i]She has a special way about her, especially when it comes to loving and understanding me,[/i] he thought. [i]She always has.[/i] He slowly removed his hand from her hand and smiled into the lovely face before him. [i]My sister. My twin, and my best friend.[/i]

'HAIL TO THE KING, BABY!  LETS ROCK!'  Tristan said, fearing that his voice was about to crack. 'IT'S TIME TO KICK ASS AND CHEW BUBBLE GUM, AND I'M ALL OUT OF GUM.'[/quote]

Or how about this from earlier in the same chapter when Tristan wakes up in bed with Evelyn of the House of Norcross:

[quote]'Good morning, Your Highness,' she said tentatively.  She looked around in amazement at the sumptuous decorations of his private bedroom, still holding the sheet up to her chin like a shield in battle. 'Apparantely we fell asleep last night,' she said, a hint of mischief crowding into the corners of her mouth.

'IT'S GOOD TO BE THE KING, BABY!' Tristan said smiling, his hand once again in her hair. 'SUCK MY BOOMSTICK!'[/quote]

Still don't believe me, how about this from page 473 where Wigg and Tristan attempt to cross the chasm into Shadowood and meet Shannon the Small for the first time:

[quote]'We have come to see Faegan,' Wigg said simply.

At the mention of the wizard's name the little gnome sat up straighter in his chair and narrowed his eyes. '[i]Master[/i] Faegan to you,' he called back rather sarcastically. 'The master sees no one. But when I return to his presense, who shall I say tried unsuccessfully to cross the canyon this day?'

'I am Wigg, Lead Wizard of the Directorate of Wizards and this is Tristan of the House of Galland, prince of Eutracia,' Wigg said. 'I strongly suggest you let us cross.'

'I am to see that no one crosses. Not since the unpleasantness in Tammerland. Go away and leave us alone.'

'I'LL RIP YOUR HEAD OFF AND SHIT DOWN YOUR NECK!
LET GOD SORT 'EM OUT!
I FEEL LIKE DRINKIN' A GALLON O' TURPENTINE AND PISSIN' ON A BRUSH FIRE.'

'You don't understand,' Wigg said quietly. 'Even if we cross the bridge and overpower him we will still need his permission, or Faegan will sense an unauthorised crossing.  He would most certainly go into hiding, especially considering everything that has transpired in the last few days.'

Tristan could not believe his ears, 'YOU'RE AN INSPIRATION FOR BIRTH CONTROL.
BURN PIGGY BURN!
NUKEM 'TILL THEY GLOW THEN SHOOT 'EM IN THE DARK!
COME GET SOME!
YOUR ASS, YOUR FACE, WHATS THE DIFFERENCE?'[/quote]

So as you see Duke Newcomb is clearly guilty as charged.