The Emerald Cavern [Mass Market Paperback]

In the sequel to The Fifth Ring, Graham abandons that novel's direct-to-action approach in favor of a more densely political, character-driven tale that is, sadly, not as entertaining. Mathew Lewin, hero of the first novel, still holds an enchanted ring that gives him enormous powers. Only two such rings are thought to exist, but strange disturbances lead Mathew and his friends to suspect that at least one other ring exists and is in the hand of an enemy. The action accelerates about halfway through, but the preceding 200 pages are tiresome at best, a dreary litany of rambling dialogue and redundant narrative. Graham portrays a sprawling, realistic milieu with its own flavors and conventions, but the amount of extraneous detail and the sheer number of characters is numbing. In addition, the geopolitical structure of his world gives readers little insight into the power plays and battles that unfold as the story draws to a close. An intriguing plot and some likable characters are present, but unfortunately, they rarely rise to the surface.
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A force for good. . . or evil?

Destiny and tragedy placed an awesome power in the hands of young Mathew Lewin. But is he its master -- or its pawn?

Needing shelter from his enemies, Mathew Lewin has come to a kingdom neighboring the one he saved by harnessing the might of the ring. The haven he has chosen, however, is anything but safe. Treachery and mysterious murder plague this land and its giant king, threatening a devastating civil war and giving rise to dangerous suspicions aimed at the boy who seeks sanctuary. But Mat fears the destructive resources at his fingertips -- he must learn their secrets or be destroyed by them -- and his quest has led him here. Now, to find the answers he covets, he must confront another who wields the power . . . and venture into an enchanted place of darkness where the truest and most terrible of evils dwells.

Mitchell Graham was born in New York City and is an attorney in the State of Florida. A former member of the U.S. National Fencing Squad, he represented the U.S. in a number of competitions around the world and won more than thirty-five individual titles in the sport, placing in the top five more than one hundred times over the course of his career. In addition, he holds a doctorate in neuropsychology from the University of Miami. Mr. Graham lives in Miami with his fiancée and is currently at work on his second fantasy novel.