The Stone Dance of the Chameleon, Second Edition Series by Ricardo Pinto

The Masters is volume one of seven of The Stone Dance of the Chameleon—a coming of age story—a saga of love and war—an apocalyptic epic fantasy about power and redemption. A black ship defies winter gales, bringing to young Carnelian’s remote island of exile three masked Lords of the Chosen—a cruel ruling caste. These Masters beg his father to return with them to oversee the election of a new God Emperor... moreThe Masters is volume one of seven of The Stone Dance of the Chameleon—a coming of age story—a saga of love and war—an apocalyptic epic fantasy about power and redemption. A black ship defies winter gales, bringing to young Carnelian’s remote island of exile three masked Lords of the Chosen—a cruel ruling caste. These Masters beg his father to return with them to oversee the election of a new God Emperor. To repair their ship, they pillage and destroy Carnelian’s home—the only world he’s ever known—condemning his people to starve. He and his father embark with the visitors on a long and perilous journey—against deadly opposition—to Osrakum, the heart and wonder of the world and seat of absolute power. (This Second Edition is a leaner and extensive reworking of the acclaimed original.) less

Young Carnelian has spent his entire life alone with his father, who years ago rejected the savage cruelty of the Masters of Osrakum and was sent into exile. But now a ship has come flying through the winter gales to shatter his quiet world. Three Masters disembark, and as they remove their masks of gold, Carnelian is awed by the light that seems to radiate from their skin. In formal conclave they beg Carnelian's father to return with them to Osrakum to oversee the election of a new God Emperor... moreYoung Carnelian has spent his entire life alone with his father, who years ago rejected the savage cruelty of the Masters of Osrakum and was sent into exile. But now a ship has come flying through the winter gales to shatter his quiet world. Three Masters disembark, and as they remove their masks of gold, Carnelian is awed by the light that seems to radiate from their skin. In formal conclave they beg Carnelian's father to return with them to Osrakum to oversee the election of a new God Emperor.And so Carnelian begins to fulfill his destiny. Along his perilous journey to the Osrakum, he is forced to learn bitter lessons in bloodshed, power, intrigue, love, and treachery -- and sets in motion the concluding events in a story four thousand years old. less

THE ACCLAIMED SEQUEL TO THE CHOSENIn desperation, the Ruling Lord Suth searches within the sacred walls of Osrakum for Carnelian, his son, and Osidian, the God Emperor elect. He suspects the Empress Ykoriana is behind their disappearance and knows that if they are not found soon it is her other son, Osidian's brother Molochite, who will rule - with fearful consequences for the Three Lands... moreTHE ACCLAIMED SEQUEL TO THE CHOSENIn desperation, the Ruling Lord Suth searches within the sacred walls of Osrakum for Carnelian, his son, and Osidian, the God Emperor elect. He suspects the Empress Ykoriana is behind their disappearance and knows that if they are not found soon it is her other son, Osidian's brother Molochite, who will rule - with fearful consequences for the Three Lands.Captive of the tribes of the Earthsky, Carnelian is - for the moment - safe, and succumbs readily to the seasonal rhythms of tribal life, he is convinced by unexpected discoveries that it is fate that has bought him there.He grows to love these simple people and hopes for sanctuary among them. But the dark forces Carnelian helped unleash in Osrakum begin to cast their shadow over his adopted home. He is witness to the awful oppression that the Masters - whom the tribesmen call the Standing Dead - have been inflicting on them for millennia. But even more terrible is the presence Carnelian has unwittingly brought with him. Potent and terrifying, it threatens everything he now holds dear in this new-found world.With The Standing Dead, Ricardo Pinto gives us a tumultuous new chapter in the Stone Dance of the Chameleon trilogy and confirms his place as one of fantasy's most singular and literate voices. less

The Darkness Under The Trees is volume four, of seven, of The Stone Dance of the Chameleon—a coming of age story—a saga of love and war—an apocalyptic, epic fantasy adventure about power and redemption.Seeking a treasure to fund his rebellion against the Masters, Osidian follows a Marula priest to initiation on the Isle of Flies. As Osidian succumbs to the terror of the Darkness-under-the-trees, Carnelian struggles to contain the growing chaos as events edge towards disaster... moreThe Darkness Under The Trees is volume four, of seven, of The Stone Dance of the Chameleon—a coming of age story—a saga of love and war—an apocalyptic, epic fantasy adventure about power and redemption.Seeking a treasure to fund his rebellion against the Masters, Osidian follows a Marula priest to initiation on the Isle of Flies. As Osidian succumbs to the terror of the Darkness-under-the-trees, Carnelian struggles to contain the growing chaos as events edge towards disaster.(This Second Edition is a leaner and extensive reworking of the acclaimed original.) less

Desperate to save those he loves from extermination, Carnelian joins Osidian’s rebellion. But how can they hope to overcome Aurum’s dragons and their fire? And—if they reach the Guarded Land—will Carnelian be able to control the forces he has unleashed?

Carnelian and Osidian march against the Masters, overturning the power balance of centuries. They must confront the insane God Emperor and his overwhelming power on the battlefield... moreCarnelian and Osidian march against the Masters, overturning the power balance of centuries. They must confront the insane God Emperor and his overwhelming power on the battlefield. Despite Osidian’s deranged faith in his dark god, with their paltry two legions of dragons and vast rabble of unarmed slaves, what chance do they have of even surviving?The Mirror Breaks is volume six, of seven, of The Stone Dance of the Chameleon—a coming of age story—a saga of love and war—an apocalyptic, epic fantasy adventure of power and redemption.(This Second Edition is a leaner and extensive reworking of the acclaimed original.) less

Caught in the jaws of the apocalypse that he set into motion, can Carnelian find a way to wrench the world back into balance? What if the only way to save those he loves is to sacrifice himself to his most bitter enemies? What if the price he must pay is his own life?The Third God is the seventh and final part of The Stone Dance of the Chameleon—a coming of age story—a saga of love and war—an apocalyptic, epic fantasy adventure of power and redemption.