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The Tamuli #2
The Shining Ones
Book Two of The Tamuli. The New York Times Bestseller!
Years ago, the Child-Goddess Aphrael had hidden Bhelliom, the Stone of Power, at the bottom of the sea. Yet now it is needed again to stop a malign force from spreading evil and destruction across the lands. Sparhawk, Queen's champion, sets out to retrieve the Stone. But others seek the gem for their own diabolical ends. Most fearsome of these are the Shining Ones, whose mere touch melts human flesh from bone. Now Sparhawk finds himself stalked by these creatures out of myth . . . whose touch is all too real.
Years ago, the Child-Goddess Aphrael had hidden Bhelliom, the Stone of Power, at the bottom of the sea. Yet now it is needed again to stop a malign force from spreading evil and destruction across the lands. Sparhawk, Queen's champion, sets out to retrieve the Stone. But others seek the gem for their own diabolical ends. Most fearsome of these are the Shining Ones, whose mere touch melts human flesh from bone. Now Sparhawk finds himself stalked by these creatures out of myth . . . whose touch is all too real.
472 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 2, 1993
83 people are currently reading
3820 people want to read
About the author
David Eddings
220 books5,559 followersDavid Eddings was an American author who wrote several best-selling series of epic fantasy novels. David Eddings' wife,
Leigh Eddings
, was an uncredited co-author on many of his early books, but he had later acknowledged that she contributed to them all.
They adopted one boy in 1966, Scott David, then two months old. They adopted a younger girl between 1966 and 1969. In 1970 the couple lost custody of both children and were each sentenced to a year in jail in separate trials after pleading guilty to 11 counts of physical child abuse. Though the nature of the abuse, the trial, and the sentencing were all extensively reported in South Dakota newspapers at the time, these details did not resurface in media coverage of the couple during their successful joint career as authors, only returning to public attention several years after both had died.
After both served their sentences, David and Leigh Eddings moved to Denver in 1971, where David found work in a grocery store.
David Eddings' first books (which were general fiction) sold moderately well. He later switched to writing epic fantasy, a field in which he achieved great success. In a recent interview with sffworld.com, he said: "I don't take orders from readers."
On January 26, 2007 it was reported that Eddings accidentally burned about a quarter of his office, next door to his house, along with his Excalibur sports car, and the original manuscripts for most of his novels. He was flushing the fuel tank of the car with water when he lit a piece of paper and threw into the puddle to test if it was still flammable.
On February 28, 2007, David Eddings' wife, Leigh Eddings (born Judith Leigh Schall), died following a series of strokes. She was 69.
David Eddings died on June 2, 2009 at the age of 77.
They adopted one boy in 1966, Scott David, then two months old. They adopted a younger girl between 1966 and 1969. In 1970 the couple lost custody of both children and were each sentenced to a year in jail in separate trials after pleading guilty to 11 counts of physical child abuse. Though the nature of the abuse, the trial, and the sentencing were all extensively reported in South Dakota newspapers at the time, these details did not resurface in media coverage of the couple during their successful joint career as authors, only returning to public attention several years after both had died.
After both served their sentences, David and Leigh Eddings moved to Denver in 1971, where David found work in a grocery store.
David Eddings' first books (which were general fiction) sold moderately well. He later switched to writing epic fantasy, a field in which he achieved great success. In a recent interview with sffworld.com, he said: "I don't take orders from readers."
On January 26, 2007 it was reported that Eddings accidentally burned about a quarter of his office, next door to his house, along with his Excalibur sports car, and the original manuscripts for most of his novels. He was flushing the fuel tank of the car with water when he lit a piece of paper and threw into the puddle to test if it was still flammable.
On February 28, 2007, David Eddings' wife, Leigh Eddings (born Judith Leigh Schall), died following a series of strokes. She was 69.
David Eddings died on June 2, 2009 at the age of 77.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
May 30, 2013
It took a while for me to get back in the swing of Eddings after the dystopian sci-fi I've been reading lately but it picked up toward the end. At one point I mentioned my trouble to my husband and he replied "But you've been laughing out loud constantly!" and that is the main charm of Eddings for me, the humor, which is very present in this volume.
January 11, 2012
This series continues to frustrate as David Eddings leaves the reader with a massive unfinished scene at the very end of the book. This book continues his style of writing pages of dialogue, unbroken by any personal reflection by any of the characters or even descriptions of who's talking.
Character interaction is at the forefront of this book at the expense of a complex plot, though it's still hard to fathom motives for some of the stranger plot devices, or any sense of excitement, as the characters never find themselves in any challenging situation.
The fact that all the characters have the exact same sense of humour and few other defining characteristics makes the book a boring read since there is little other content than character interaction.
Battles are poorly described and go into no detail.
Overall not terrible book, but too painful to read.
Character interaction is at the forefront of this book at the expense of a complex plot, though it's still hard to fathom motives for some of the stranger plot devices, or any sense of excitement, as the characters never find themselves in any challenging situation.
The fact that all the characters have the exact same sense of humour and few other defining characteristics makes the book a boring read since there is little other content than character interaction.
Battles are poorly described and go into no detail.
Overall not terrible book, but too painful to read.
January 10, 2017
The format is getting old at this point - snarky characters who are all too self-satisfied and smug for their own good, powerful beings who act like petulant children, and a plot that has holes in it a truck could drive through if you examine it too closely.
The one intriguing part of this novel was seeing the Bhelliom had an awareness, although I could have done without the archaic language used by the gem.
The female characters are really troublesome. Yes, they're shown to be as capable and clever as the men (very good) but they all act as though men are some kind of bug that needs to be squished (bad). They are manipulative and horrendously spoiled, and none of them makes a good impression.
The one intriguing part of this novel was seeing the Bhelliom had an awareness, although I could have done without the archaic language used by the gem.
The female characters are really troublesome. Yes, they're shown to be as capable and clever as the men (very good) but they all act as though men are some kind of bug that needs to be squished (bad). They are manipulative and horrendously spoiled, and none of them makes a good impression.
July 6, 2019
5 Stars
The Shining Ones is the second book in the Tamuli Series by David Eddings. The Tamuli series is a follow up to The Elenium Series and picks up several years after the events in The Elenium. We again get to catch up with some characters we know and love, as well as meeting new ones.
It is an adventure, with some action, battle scenes, and the epic fantasy we expect from Mr. Eddings. The story does lag a little in places, and there is a lot of dialogue- but this didn’t detract too much from my overall enjoyment of the book/series.
This is a fun read!
The Tamuli Series books are:
-Domes of Fire (Book #1)
-The Shining Ones (Book #2)
-The Hidden City (Book #3)
Happy Reading!
The Shining Ones is the second book in the Tamuli Series by David Eddings. The Tamuli series is a follow up to The Elenium Series and picks up several years after the events in The Elenium. We again get to catch up with some characters we know and love, as well as meeting new ones.
It is an adventure, with some action, battle scenes, and the epic fantasy we expect from Mr. Eddings. The story does lag a little in places, and there is a lot of dialogue- but this didn’t detract too much from my overall enjoyment of the book/series.
This is a fun read!
The Tamuli Series books are:
-Domes of Fire (Book #1)
-The Shining Ones (Book #2)
-The Hidden City (Book #3)
Happy Reading!
August 19, 2012
Another excellent installment. I'm finally nearing the end of Sparhawk's adventures (one more book to go) and I find that I'm almost reluctant to begin reading "The Hidden City". This is not because I don't want to read it, but more because I don't want the series to end. I'm going to miss this world and all of the wonderful characters that I've grown so very attached to. But I think that is the plight of anyone who enjoys reading.
There was much character growth to be had in "The Shining Ones", especially concerning Sephrenia. I had been forewarned about certain aspects involving this and wasn't too sure how I was going to handle it. Thankfully, in the end, I found that it was a good kind of side-story that added to the character rather than simply hanging limply off to the side (we all know those side-stories that have absolutely no relevance to the plot or the characters).
I also enjoyed the introduction of a new race to the books and thought that Eddings was masterful, as always, in relaying certain nuances about these new people. The interplay between existing characters and new characters is always one that I find interesting.
Despite my reluctance to pick up the last book, I won't be able to stop myself. This one ended with a bit of a cliffhanger and I must see how everything is finally resolved!
There was much character growth to be had in "The Shining Ones", especially concerning Sephrenia. I had been forewarned about certain aspects involving this and wasn't too sure how I was going to handle it. Thankfully, in the end, I found that it was a good kind of side-story that added to the character rather than simply hanging limply off to the side (we all know those side-stories that have absolutely no relevance to the plot or the characters).
I also enjoyed the introduction of a new race to the books and thought that Eddings was masterful, as always, in relaying certain nuances about these new people. The interplay between existing characters and new characters is always one that I find interesting.
Despite my reluctance to pick up the last book, I won't be able to stop myself. This one ended with a bit of a cliffhanger and I must see how everything is finally resolved!
September 19, 2022
One of the shadiest books in the series, when it comes to the actions of the main characters. Amidst a discussion about overcoming hatred, our heroes arrange a brutal purge of their political opponents, many of whom are explicitly only tangentially involved in any broader evil scheme. The book concludes with a divine intervention that amounts to a slow genocide (of the Trolls). However, it's still all rather cheery.
November 18, 2009
As much as I love this series, I just have to say: at one point there is a string of exposition that lasts forty pages. FORTY PAGES. yeargh.
October 7, 2013
Things finally start to get going in the Shining Ones, but it's still the weakest book of the Tamuli trilogy. Most of this is down to several things previously considered unalterable in the Sparhawk-verse suddenly changing. Bhelliom is sentient. Zalasta is evil. Aphrael appears as an adult. Sephrenia is a howling bigot. That last one is a huge plot point and it comes out of nowhere given the people she's prejudiced against aren't introduced until this far in the story. And then there's Xanetia, who extends so far into Mary Sue territory it's almost painful. She's beautiful, but no-one finds her attractive because she's the member of a despised race, she's incredibly powerful, even by the standards of her own people, but she considers her gifts a curse and while she could easily solve everyone's problems, nobody trusts her. And didst I perchance mention that she speakath constantly in an archaic dialect that is painfully annoying to behold? Or that we get to spend several chapters in her company while she excruciatingly details what all the bad guys have been up to for the past few decades? It's one of the worst examples of "show, don't tell" I've ever come across. Add this to the fact they shipped off two of the best characters, Emban and Tynian, to the other side of the world for the majority of the novel and you have a very dodgy middle of the book. Still, the plot rattles along at a good pace, the gang members left behind in the Elene Castle while Sparhawk goes after Bhellion are finally given some interesting stuff to do, and it all gets a lot more fun once the Troll Gods arrive. You just wish Eddings could have got to that part without having Xanetia trawl through everyone's memories in a haze of self-flagellation first.
February 25, 2019
This book is a bit better than its predecessor. The writing doesn't feel as bloated, needing to include every minuscule detail. Still, it's unbelievably smug. Generally, that's usually the part where the authors show the characters to succeed before something terrible happens to derail the good guys' plan. 3.5 stars, but lowered to three for recycling of the a horrible country dialect from Mallorean and exaggerated smugness when the characters involve themselves in political intrigue.
September 12, 2022
The story is enjoyable to read, but am somewhat disappointed that this trilogy is so very similar to the first Sparhawk stories. The second novel did include a few unseen twists and turns, but still seems like a replay of the first trilogy. Worth a read, but don't expect anything to truly surprise you with this one.
May 23, 2025
Great adventure looking forward to read the next book.
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December 13, 2017Personal Response
I liked The Shining Ones because there are more magical creatures than in the first book, and there is more action. I also like how it transitions into this book from the first one-it is a very smooth transition. I also like the mystery of trying to find out who is the evil force in the book, and I was very surprised when I found out who it was.
Plot Summary
This book begins with Sparhawk venturing to retrieve the Bhelliom, a magical force capable of destroying the world as well as taking down their enemy. Of course Ehlana did not know the true reason of Sparhawk's trip, and Aphrael had to split her form so Danae would stay with Ehlana so Flute could go with Sparhawk. On their trip back to Tamul after retrieving the Bhelliom, they encounter the magical beings of nightmares called the Shining Ones. The Shining Ones have the ability to melt flesh with a single touch, and they can also glow brightly when they wish. Sephrenia, a Styric, has a large dislike for the Shining Ones, and refuses to work with them at first. But after Emperor Sarabian and Queen Ehlana overthrow Sarabian's corrupt government, Sephrenia finds out that Zalasta has been feeding her lies about the Shining Ones, and wishes to kill her sister, the Goddess Aphrael.
Recommendation
I recommend this book to higher level readers because the language from the first book continues on into this book, and if you don't understand it, you will miss almost all of the plot. This book has more of the magical properties than the first book, and there is more action. Readers that like magic and knights will like this book as well.
I liked The Shining Ones because there are more magical creatures than in the first book, and there is more action. I also like how it transitions into this book from the first one-it is a very smooth transition. I also like the mystery of trying to find out who is the evil force in the book, and I was very surprised when I found out who it was.
Plot Summary
This book begins with Sparhawk venturing to retrieve the Bhelliom, a magical force capable of destroying the world as well as taking down their enemy. Of course Ehlana did not know the true reason of Sparhawk's trip, and Aphrael had to split her form so Danae would stay with Ehlana so Flute could go with Sparhawk. On their trip back to Tamul after retrieving the Bhelliom, they encounter the magical beings of nightmares called the Shining Ones. The Shining Ones have the ability to melt flesh with a single touch, and they can also glow brightly when they wish. Sephrenia, a Styric, has a large dislike for the Shining Ones, and refuses to work with them at first. But after Emperor Sarabian and Queen Ehlana overthrow Sarabian's corrupt government, Sephrenia finds out that Zalasta has been feeding her lies about the Shining Ones, and wishes to kill her sister, the Goddess Aphrael.
Recommendation
I recommend this book to higher level readers because the language from the first book continues on into this book, and if you don't understand it, you will miss almost all of the plot. This book has more of the magical properties than the first book, and there is more action. Readers that like magic and knights will like this book as well.
May 5, 2018
I enjoyed this story but I didn't think it was mind blowing or the best fantasy book I'd ever read. I find it interesting that these books are written in quite a simple and easy manner but yet the content is more on the heavy side than what the writing suggests. It's an interesting series and I am keen to see how it ends.
February 9, 2020
I almost. *ALMOST.* Threw this one at the wall and DNF it.
We have a naive young man who holds his vows of chastity — which is his right to do — in high esteem, who is being stalked (sexually harassed) by an older, sexually provocative woman with more power than him.
Our 'hero' emotionally manipulates him, through his own position of power over this young man, into giving this woman what she wants.
IF WE ARE NOT HERE FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF WOMEN, WE ARE NOT HERE FOR IT FOR MEN EITHER.
When we open this passage, Sparhawk has basically just scared off this creepy woman (Elysoun) from cornering this young man (Berit) yet again.
'Thanks, Sparkhawk,' Berit said with relief. (THIS KID IS RELIEVED HIS BOSS HAS SAVED HIM. He doesn't WANT this attention.)
'Why don't you just stay away from her?'
'I can't. She follows me everywhere. She even trapped me in the bath-house once — in the middle of the night. She said she wanted to bathe with me.' (WTF this is not ok)
'Berit,' Sparhawk smiled, 'as your preceptor (establishing the power dynamic again) and spiritual guide, I'm supposed to applaud your devotion to the ideals of our order. As your friend, though, I have to tell you that running away from her only makes matters worse. (WTF) We have to stay here in Matherion, and if we stay long enough, she *will* (their emphasis) get you. She's very single-minded about it.'
'Yes, I've noticed that.'
'She's really quite pretty, you know,' (LIKE THIS SHOULD BE RELEVANT?) Sparhawk suggested tentatively. 'What's your difficulty with the notion of being friendly?' (If your stalker is pretty why are you saying no.)
'Sparhawk!'
The big Pandion sighed. 'I was afraid you might look at it that way. Look, Berit, Elysoun comes from a different culture with different customs. (And.... Berit comes from his own culture with customs, why is his agency irrelevant?) She doesn't see this sort of thing as sin. Sarabian's (oh yeah, that's her HUSBAND) made it quite clear that he wants some of us to accommodate her, and she's chosen you as the lucky man. (What you want is irrelevant). It's a political necessity, so you're just going to have to set these delicate feelings aside. (At this point I was barely breathing I was so angry). Look upon it as your knightly duty, if it makes you feel any better. I can even have Emban grant you an indulgence if you think its necessary.'
Berit gasped.
'You're starting to embarrass us,' Sparhawk said. 'Elysoun's been making Sarabian's life miserable about the whole thing. He won't step in and order you to do as she asks, no matter how much she nags him, but he quite obviously expects ME to speak with you about it.'
'I can't believe you're saying this, Sparhawk.'
'Just go ahead and do it, Berit. Everybody expects you to. (Oh yes because some PEER PRESSURE is what we need here for the winning trilogy of stupid). You don't have to enjoy it if you don't want to, but do ig. Do it as often as you have to, but make her stop screaming at the Emperor. It's your duty, my friend, and after you and Elysoun have romped around the bedroom a few times, she'll start looking for new playmates.'
'But what if she doesn't?'
'I wouldn't worry too much. Patriach Emban's got a whole saddle-bag full of indulgences if it should turn out that you really need them.'
NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE.
Now, if this was written as a gender-flipped critique of women being expected to do this, that would be one thing. Or if it were written in such a way that negative consequences arose, that would also be one thing.
BUT NO. It plays out that our perfect hero did in fact give this young man perfect advice and in the long run, was completely justified in doing so.
THAT. That is what made me beyond angry.
Beyond that, everyone who had been established one way in terms of characterisation become a blob or a complete idiot or had their motivations completely flipped 180 for the purposes of the plot. Sephrenia is now a bigot, Aphrael is now a manipulative conniving child with no redeeming qualities (she had redeeming qualities previously), Kalten cries regularly at singing and is oblivious to obvious manipulation, the list goes on. This was a painfully awful book to slog through.
We have a naive young man who holds his vows of chastity — which is his right to do — in high esteem, who is being stalked (sexually harassed) by an older, sexually provocative woman with more power than him.
Our 'hero' emotionally manipulates him, through his own position of power over this young man, into giving this woman what she wants.
IF WE ARE NOT HERE FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF WOMEN, WE ARE NOT HERE FOR IT FOR MEN EITHER.
When we open this passage, Sparhawk has basically just scared off this creepy woman (Elysoun) from cornering this young man (Berit) yet again.
'Thanks, Sparkhawk,' Berit said with relief. (THIS KID IS RELIEVED HIS BOSS HAS SAVED HIM. He doesn't WANT this attention.)
'Why don't you just stay away from her?'
'I can't. She follows me everywhere. She even trapped me in the bath-house once — in the middle of the night. She said she wanted to bathe with me.' (WTF this is not ok)
'Berit,' Sparhawk smiled, 'as your preceptor (establishing the power dynamic again) and spiritual guide, I'm supposed to applaud your devotion to the ideals of our order. As your friend, though, I have to tell you that running away from her only makes matters worse. (WTF) We have to stay here in Matherion, and if we stay long enough, she *will* (their emphasis) get you. She's very single-minded about it.'
'Yes, I've noticed that.'
'She's really quite pretty, you know,' (LIKE THIS SHOULD BE RELEVANT?) Sparhawk suggested tentatively. 'What's your difficulty with the notion of being friendly?' (If your stalker is pretty why are you saying no.)
'Sparhawk!'
The big Pandion sighed. 'I was afraid you might look at it that way. Look, Berit, Elysoun comes from a different culture with different customs. (And.... Berit comes from his own culture with customs, why is his agency irrelevant?) She doesn't see this sort of thing as sin. Sarabian's (oh yeah, that's her HUSBAND) made it quite clear that he wants some of us to accommodate her, and she's chosen you as the lucky man. (What you want is irrelevant). It's a political necessity, so you're just going to have to set these delicate feelings aside. (At this point I was barely breathing I was so angry). Look upon it as your knightly duty, if it makes you feel any better. I can even have Emban grant you an indulgence if you think its necessary.'
Berit gasped.
'You're starting to embarrass us,' Sparhawk said. 'Elysoun's been making Sarabian's life miserable about the whole thing. He won't step in and order you to do as she asks, no matter how much she nags him, but he quite obviously expects ME to speak with you about it.'
'I can't believe you're saying this, Sparhawk.'
'Just go ahead and do it, Berit. Everybody expects you to. (Oh yes because some PEER PRESSURE is what we need here for the winning trilogy of stupid). You don't have to enjoy it if you don't want to, but do ig. Do it as often as you have to, but make her stop screaming at the Emperor. It's your duty, my friend, and after you and Elysoun have romped around the bedroom a few times, she'll start looking for new playmates.'
'But what if she doesn't?'
'I wouldn't worry too much. Patriach Emban's got a whole saddle-bag full of indulgences if it should turn out that you really need them.'
NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE.
Now, if this was written as a gender-flipped critique of women being expected to do this, that would be one thing. Or if it were written in such a way that negative consequences arose, that would also be one thing.
BUT NO. It plays out that our perfect hero did in fact give this young man perfect advice and in the long run, was completely justified in doing so.
THAT. That is what made me beyond angry.
Beyond that, everyone who had been established one way in terms of characterisation become a blob or a complete idiot or had their motivations completely flipped 180 for the purposes of the plot. Sephrenia is now a bigot, Aphrael is now a manipulative conniving child with no redeeming qualities (she had redeeming qualities previously), Kalten cries regularly at singing and is oblivious to obvious manipulation, the list goes on. This was a painfully awful book to slog through.
March 6, 2011
I decided to read this book because i have read several other David Eddings books and have enjoyed all of the m so i decided to read this one.
This book completes the "Fantasy" category on the bingo board.
I liked this book because of the diversity of its characters, such as the main character , Sparhawk, an old and grumpy Church Knight.
There was nothing I disliked about this book.
I would recommend this book to any avid fantasy readers as it is one of the best fantasy books I have come across.
This book completes the "Fantasy" category on the bingo board.
I liked this book because of the diversity of its characters, such as the main character , Sparhawk, an old and grumpy Church Knight.
There was nothing I disliked about this book.
I would recommend this book to any avid fantasy readers as it is one of the best fantasy books I have come across.
May 29, 2012
As much as I love all of the books by the Eddings couple, I have to admit this one is a bit of a mess. The storyline is all over the place and the plotting is incredibly raise your eyebrow ok I kind of see what you're trying to get at but not really.
That said, the characters in these novels are always the key. I think I could read entire novels of just little snippets of their lives (which in a way is what this series is).
I'd actually forgotten about the conclusion to the novel! So I'm looking forward to re-reading the last novel again lol.
That said, the characters in these novels are always the key. I think I could read entire novels of just little snippets of their lives (which in a way is what this series is).
I'd actually forgotten about the conclusion to the novel! So I'm looking forward to re-reading the last novel again lol.
September 29, 2013
"Well, I know in the last book we solved all the problems by chucking the magical rock into the ocean. But wait! I need to write a sequel! Hang on, I know. It wasn't just a magical rock, it's actually a rock full of gods! And we need to have the characters go back & fish it out of the ocean and carry it around some more so they can use it to very unethically yet gleefully slaughter their enemies and enable the extinction of species! Yeah, that's it!"
February 26, 2017
Quite possibly the perfect fantasy novel. A number of well-time, stunning reveals. Some of the characters effortlessly move into "glorious prose" without its feeling forced.
November 3, 2023
Dieses Review bezieht sich auf die Neuauflage aus dem Blanvalet-Verlag aus dem Jahre 2023, die ausschließlich als eBook erhältlich ist.
Bevor die Handlung voranschreitet, bekommt der Leser eine knappe Zusammenfassung, was im ersten Band passierte. Das ist auch gut so, denn im zweiten Band der Tamuli-Trilogie erwarten den Leser sehr viele Hintergründe, vor allem zu Sephrenia und Zalasta. Aber auch die Natur der Saphirrose wird offengelegt, ebenso wie viele andere Elemente der Handlung, die alle irgendwie zu Haupthandlung gehören. (Deshalb ist es auch ratsam, zuerst die Elenium-Trilogie zu lesen.)
Es passiert so viel in diesem Buch, dass ich zwar viele Handlungsstränge gesehen habe, aber keine Nebenhandlung. Alles hängt irgendwie miteinander zusammen. Das zeigt sich auch (wieder) im Schreibstil von Eddings, der gerne fließend innerhalb eines Absatzes oder manchmal innerhalb eines Satzes von den Ereignissen der einen Figur zu den Ereignissen einer anderen Figur übergangslos wechselt. Hier muss sich der Leser durchaus konzentrieren, denn es passiert fast auf jeder Seite etwas für die Haupthandlung Relevantes.
Eddings benutzt sein gewohntes Schema, in dem sich die Hauptfiguren eine Aktion ausdenken, die durchaus einen Machtimpuls auslöst, die Gegenpartei aber zu einer unerwarteten Folgeaktion verleitet, die ihrerseits wieder eine noch mächtigere Gegenreaktion erfordert. Ein Konzept, das erstaunlich gut aufgeht. Der Autor schafft es zwar auch wieder, einiges an Humor in seine Geschichte zu packen, kommt hier aber nicht an seine Belgariad-Saga heran.
Fazit
Mir gefällt der Stil von David Eddings sehr. Er lässt immer wieder sehr mächtige und teils übermächtige Figuren in seinen Roman eine große Rolle spielen, die dann aber dennoch in ihre Schranken verwiesen werden. So wie es hier im zweiten Band der Tamuli-Trilogie der Fall ist. Er schafft es, einen überaus gelungenen Mix aus Politik, Intrigen, Kriegen und persönlichen Interessen seiner Figuren zu erzählen. Es bleibt noch zu erwähnen, dass das Buch offen endet, da noch ein dritter Band folgen wird (Trilogie eben).
Bevor die Handlung voranschreitet, bekommt der Leser eine knappe Zusammenfassung, was im ersten Band passierte. Das ist auch gut so, denn im zweiten Band der Tamuli-Trilogie erwarten den Leser sehr viele Hintergründe, vor allem zu Sephrenia und Zalasta. Aber auch die Natur der Saphirrose wird offengelegt, ebenso wie viele andere Elemente der Handlung, die alle irgendwie zu Haupthandlung gehören. (Deshalb ist es auch ratsam, zuerst die Elenium-Trilogie zu lesen.)
Es passiert so viel in diesem Buch, dass ich zwar viele Handlungsstränge gesehen habe, aber keine Nebenhandlung. Alles hängt irgendwie miteinander zusammen. Das zeigt sich auch (wieder) im Schreibstil von Eddings, der gerne fließend innerhalb eines Absatzes oder manchmal innerhalb eines Satzes von den Ereignissen der einen Figur zu den Ereignissen einer anderen Figur übergangslos wechselt. Hier muss sich der Leser durchaus konzentrieren, denn es passiert fast auf jeder Seite etwas für die Haupthandlung Relevantes.
Eddings benutzt sein gewohntes Schema, in dem sich die Hauptfiguren eine Aktion ausdenken, die durchaus einen Machtimpuls auslöst, die Gegenpartei aber zu einer unerwarteten Folgeaktion verleitet, die ihrerseits wieder eine noch mächtigere Gegenreaktion erfordert. Ein Konzept, das erstaunlich gut aufgeht. Der Autor schafft es zwar auch wieder, einiges an Humor in seine Geschichte zu packen, kommt hier aber nicht an seine Belgariad-Saga heran.
Fazit
Mir gefällt der Stil von David Eddings sehr. Er lässt immer wieder sehr mächtige und teils übermächtige Figuren in seinen Roman eine große Rolle spielen, die dann aber dennoch in ihre Schranken verwiesen werden. So wie es hier im zweiten Band der Tamuli-Trilogie der Fall ist. Er schafft es, einen überaus gelungenen Mix aus Politik, Intrigen, Kriegen und persönlichen Interessen seiner Figuren zu erzählen. Es bleibt noch zu erwähnen, dass das Buch offen endet, da noch ein dritter Band folgen wird (Trilogie eben).
January 27, 2019
I have been trying to move forward in this David Eddings series for months, but with travel and the ease of audio books, this ebook just never got any attention. I'm at the end of the year and trying to finish up what I can, so I finally made it a priority to finish.
This installment of the Sparhawk series is very similar to the others. The characters are shallow, the plot is shallow, but overall the book has just enough to keep me reading. It isn't that it is a bad book, it is just predictable and dated. It is similar to how a nice house from the 1970s, if preserved, might still be a serviceable home, but would be missing a lot of features we expect in 2018. Will I finish this trilogy? Probably, some day. Am I in a rush? No.
One more thought, or pet peeve, is how there are gods and people with extraordinary gifts always around to help solve problems. It is a bit cheesy. The only thing that keeps that from ruining the book is that they don't seem to really test the limits of the divine capability to short cut the bad guys. Good thing, I guess.
This installment of the Sparhawk series is very similar to the others. The characters are shallow, the plot is shallow, but overall the book has just enough to keep me reading. It isn't that it is a bad book, it is just predictable and dated. It is similar to how a nice house from the 1970s, if preserved, might still be a serviceable home, but would be missing a lot of features we expect in 2018. Will I finish this trilogy? Probably, some day. Am I in a rush? No.
One more thought, or pet peeve, is how there are gods and people with extraordinary gifts always around to help solve problems. It is a bit cheesy. The only thing that keeps that from ruining the book is that they don't seem to really test the limits of the divine capability to short cut the bad guys. Good thing, I guess.
July 19, 2017
Book Two of the Tamuli. Having discovered that Cyrgon is behind all these events, Sparhawk sets out to retrieve Bhelliom. They also meet with the Delphae or Shining Ones, a race of people who can kill with their touch. They were thought to be fictional. Their future leader Xanetia joins them. Sephrenia is against this at first, thinking the Delphae were behind her family's murder. It turns out Zalasta was behind everything--from the death of Sephrenia's family (he was after Aphrael, incarnate as her sister) to all the events in Elenium. He went to Cyrgon. Zalasta wants Bhelliom to kill Aphrael so he can have Sephrenia.
The Troll-Gods are released to get the trolls away from Cyrgon and at the end, Ehlana and Alean are kidnapped by Krager for exchange with Bhelliom.
The Troll-Gods are released to get the trolls away from Cyrgon and at the end, Ehlana and Alean are kidnapped by Krager for exchange with Bhelliom.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2019
The Shining Ones, volume five in The Pandion Knight Saga, is the most far-fetched and wild book in the series to date. Not only are there dozens of new characters, but the plot diverges into two concurrent stories. At times it flows as a thrill-and-reprieve, other times it causes the plot to slow to a halt while something confusingly tedious takes place.
What I loved was how it turned some of the major character arcs upside down for a time, looking more introspectively rather than learning as we quest.
Time, space, and reality bend to the wills of gods; gods just as flawed and self-absorbed as humans.
I really enjoyed this book. It might even be my favorite of the whole saga if not for the occasional 20+ pages of B-plot that heads to nothing.
What I loved was how it turned some of the major character arcs upside down for a time, looking more introspectively rather than learning as we quest.
Time, space, and reality bend to the wills of gods; gods just as flawed and self-absorbed as humans.
I really enjoyed this book. It might even be my favorite of the whole saga if not for the occasional 20+ pages of B-plot that heads to nothing.
June 24, 2025
Pokračujeme v príbeh, ktorý je rozvláčny a predovšetkým o politike a oveľa menej o dobrodružných cestách a šibeničnom humore. Vlastne tu ostalo veľmi málo priestoru na také odľahčenejšie okamihy. Lebo to zákulisné, tie machinácie a mocenské hry, tu predstavujú to hlavné predstavenie. A musím obdivovať tú detailnosť i to, ako je to všetko napojené na udalosti v Eléniu. A aké nové svetlo na ne Tamuli vrhá. Ale tiež musím podotknúť, že v niektorých veciach sa autor rýpal možno až príliš. Nehovoriac o tom, že mali postavy nutkanie opakovať mi tie isté informácie aj trikrát a pri každom ďalšom raze o čosi rozvláčnejšie.
Ale áno, má to niečo do seba a našla som si tam to svoje. Hlavne postavy a niektoré okamihy.
Ale áno, má to niečo do seba a našla som si tam to svoje. Hlavne postavy a niektoré okamihy.
Read
October 23, 2025Book Two of The Tamuli. The New York Times Bestseller!Years ago, the Child-Goddess Aphrael had hidden Bhelliom, the Stone of Power, at the bottom of the sea. Yet now it is needed again to stop a malign force from spreading evil and destruction across the lands. Sparhawk, Queen's champion, sets out to retrieve the Stone. But others seek the gem for their own diabolical ends. Most fearsome of these are the Shining Ones, whose mere touch melts human flesh from bone. Now Sparhawk finds himself stalked by these creatures out of myth . . . whose touch is all too real.
December 13, 2021
this book was just as enjoyable as the previous ones. i found that i really enjoy eddings' writing style, and that doesn't change with this book.
my one.... question? complaint? with this book is that it feels like a cheat move to bring back the bhelliom, given that the final act of the last series was to dispose of it who knows where so no one could ever use it again, except no, forget about that. like, what?
oh well.
my one.... question? complaint? with this book is that it feels like a cheat move to bring back the bhelliom, given that the final act of the last series was to dispose of it who knows where so no one could ever use it again, except no, forget about that. like, what?
oh well.
February 4, 2022
Some of the laziest story-writing I have laid my eyes on in years.
SPOILER ALERT
Wow, this was a shocker...
Awkward language that soon had me skipping whole pages of monologue, heroes who act like the worst villains, plot revealed by someone who can see what everyone else is and was thinking just by looking at them, and for some strange reason, a sentient all-powerful artifact is not sufficient to finish it all?
SPOILER ALERT
Wow, this was a shocker...
Awkward language that soon had me skipping whole pages of monologue, heroes who act like the worst villains, plot revealed by someone who can see what everyone else is and was thinking just by looking at them, and for some strange reason, a sentient all-powerful artifact is not sufficient to finish it all?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2022
Like the previous book, the story itself is ok-ish in terms of excitement. That's why I read book 2, after being somewhat annoyed with book 1. But wow, bool two is unimaginative. Having Blue-Rose around sure makes inconvenient stuff easy to deal with. Instant travel? Giant cliffs? An inconvenient enemy? No problem whatsoever. Just to be on the safe side, let's add a mindreader. And the ending of the book: pff, that's shallow. Let's quickly finish book three, and forget all about this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2022
So this book five of the adventures of Sparhawk and friends -- if you liked the first four, you'll like this one. If you didn't, you're probably not looking at this ranking or reading this review.
I confess I have an unexplainable fondness for David Eddings, despite his weaknesses, so maybe others wouldn't enjoy the usual fantasy tropes he rolls out so professionally as much. For me, though, I'm ready for volume six.
I confess I have an unexplainable fondness for David Eddings, despite his weaknesses, so maybe others wouldn't enjoy the usual fantasy tropes he rolls out so professionally as much. For me, though, I'm ready for volume six.
March 7, 2023
The book's questionable ethics and anachronisms get to me more than they used to. The concept of races and nations ticks both of those boxes, and the authors' attempts at poetry make me sad. Characters still mostly endearing, however. Glossing over serfdom and 'institutionalised' slavery as fine and groovy with no actual examination of it is just peculiar. Also, we know have too many characters standing on the shaky foundation of a mediocre plot.
January 11, 2017
I know that David Eddings books are very much a repeated formula from series to series but that does not take away from my enjoyment of them. I first read his books many years ago when I chose them because they were the longest books I could find. I enjoy his characters and the plot and I find that in general they stand up to the test of time as long as you can enjoy the raging sexism.
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