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The Ea Cycle #3
Lord of Lies
The Red Dragon is the story of the Dark Angel's swift and terrible revenge against Valashu Elahad. Death and destruction surround the Lightstone in the second book of this magnificent and deeply moving fantasy epic. Valashu Elahad only regained the Lightstone in Argattha when he realized that his purpose was to guard the treasure of his ancestors so that he could pass it to the enlightened one, the Maitreya, who would lead them back to the stars. At the time he understood that the mysterious powers of the Lightstone were not his to use. But perhaps it would have been wise to seek the enlightened one before undertaking his quest for the Lightstone. Now he has it, Morjin knows where it is, and he will use all his talents to get it back. Val's victory in Argattha was only the beginning of a war with Morjin. His brothers and his father King Shamesh march out to do battle with the armies of the Dark Angel. Val alone must protect the sacred vessel won by his courage and purity of vision. But his bright sword Alakaladur cannot prevail against the treasonous plots and betrayal by those closest to him, evidence of Morjin's power to destroy him and take the Lightstone.
548 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 2, 2021
Very interesting book in the series. It's VERY much a Grail tale like the others, but it picks up with what happens after finding it, with every kind of interesting snag that comes with all the local kings and warriors who covet it or play extended politics.
The first part has a lot of an Ivanhoe feel, knights and tournaments and processions, and a focus on the Lightstone which is just a stand-in for Christ, etc., without BEING that kind of thing at all. Indeed, what it IS, is a kind-of epic SF that includes many, many civilizations and planets, a time span in the tens of thousands of years, and people who have been alive as long as that. And the Lightstone itself is there to bridge the gap between worlds.
While the overt ideas are pretty well-worn, the deeper ramifications are rather gorgeous.
And when we get to the Arthurian-type tragedies, the Ea Cycle doesn't disappoint either. Who is good and just, who is worthy, who is free from sin -- all of this plays right into the core idea of Power, and the idea that absolute power corrupts absolutely.
The betrayals and the reasons and even the SUBJECT of betrayal in this book are pretty complicated and carefully explored. Lord of Light? Aye. And Lord of Lies.
But above all, this IS a true epic fantasy, with many battles, many quests (continued here), and it feels rather awesome -- considering that you, as a reader, want an epic Grail quest with new-age concepts, truly excellent worldbuilding, and interesting, complicated characters.
The first part has a lot of an Ivanhoe feel, knights and tournaments and processions, and a focus on the Lightstone which is just a stand-in for Christ, etc., without BEING that kind of thing at all. Indeed, what it IS, is a kind-of epic SF that includes many, many civilizations and planets, a time span in the tens of thousands of years, and people who have been alive as long as that. And the Lightstone itself is there to bridge the gap between worlds.
While the overt ideas are pretty well-worn, the deeper ramifications are rather gorgeous.
And when we get to the Arthurian-type tragedies, the Ea Cycle doesn't disappoint either. Who is good and just, who is worthy, who is free from sin -- all of this plays right into the core idea of Power, and the idea that absolute power corrupts absolutely.
The betrayals and the reasons and even the SUBJECT of betrayal in this book are pretty complicated and carefully explored. Lord of Light? Aye. And Lord of Lies.
But above all, this IS a true epic fantasy, with many battles, many quests (continued here), and it feels rather awesome -- considering that you, as a reader, want an epic Grail quest with new-age concepts, truly excellent worldbuilding, and interesting, complicated characters.
August 19, 2008
I tried to like this series. I slogged through the first two books (The Lightstone, The Silver Sword) and I gave this one 250 pages but I had to give it up.
I remember reading Zindell's first novel, Neverness, soon after it came out and not being terribly impressed so I never picked up any of his other stuff until I came across The Lightstone on one of my libraries' New Book shelf. The jacket blurb sounded intriguing, and an epic fantasy based more on a Buddhist worldview than the Medieval/Christian one found in most books (the savior figure is even called the "maitreya") interested me.
But the execution is awful.
The reader is constantly being torn away from immersion in the book by clunky exposition and the characters tend to speak in sermons.
I have more potentially interesting books on my shelf than to continue with this one.
I remember reading Zindell's first novel, Neverness, soon after it came out and not being terribly impressed so I never picked up any of his other stuff until I came across The Lightstone on one of my libraries' New Book shelf. The jacket blurb sounded intriguing, and an epic fantasy based more on a Buddhist worldview than the Medieval/Christian one found in most books (the savior figure is even called the "maitreya") interested me.
But the execution is awful.
The reader is constantly being torn away from immersion in the book by clunky exposition and the characters tend to speak in sermons.
I have more potentially interesting books on my shelf than to continue with this one.
March 22, 2013
This is a good follow up book in the series due to its faster pace which personally I think is Zindell's downfall. It is a very dark book and the main character is comes across much more human in this part of the series.
July 27, 2010
Didn't like the way this one ended. Still a good book. The author has left it so he can write another in this series.
November 25, 2013
Did I want the book to end the way it does? No. Is it a lot more true to life than the usual happy-go-lucky fantasy where everybody gets what they want, and the hero is a saint? Yes
May 15, 2016
This is the filler book of the series really. Not a whole awful lot happens, but it moves everything in place for the final showdown. Could have been condensed quite a bit, I think.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews