The Lion Hunter

The Lion Hunters #4

by Elizabeth Wein

It is the sixth century in Aksum, Africa. Young Telemakos, King Arthur's half-Ethiopian grandson, is still recovering from his ordeal as a government spy in the far desert, trying to learn who was breaking the Emperor?s plague quarantine. Before he is fully himself again, tragedy and menace strike, and he finds himself sent, with his baby sister, Athena, to live with Abreha, the ruler of Himyar, a longtime enemy of the Aksumites, now perhaps a friend. His aunt Goewin, Arthur's daughter, warns him that Abreha is a man to be wary of, someone to watch carefully. Telemakos promises he will be mindful, but he does not realize that Goewin's warnings are not enough to protect him. The Sunbird (?Intense, absorbing, and luminously written, Kirkus Reviews, starred review) was the first book about Telemakos. The Lion Hunter continues his story, to be quickly followed by The Empty Kingdom?a two-book sequence called The Mark of Solomon.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical, Fiction, Arthurian, Africa

216 pages, Hardcover

First published June 14, 2007

About the author

TIME magazine has put Code Name Verity on its list of "100 Best YA books of All Time."

O.o

https://time.com/collection/100-best-...

Reviews

[Sherwood Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really first half of one story, called The Mark of Solomon. In these days of long books, I really don't know why it was split--readers complained that it wasn't properly ended, and when I was championing the second half for the Norton Award, it was pointed out that the second half didn't stand alone.

Whatever, I just mention that so readers will be sure to have The Empty Kingdom at hand, to read the entire tale.

It ties back to the events of The Sunbird, and matches it in tension and sharp drama. Telemakos, a boy, has to live a man's life, which happened to those born to high rank all through history. Though the Arthuriana is mythical and so is its blending with this mythic Ethiopia, the subtle characterizations and above all the emotional fallout from political drama ring so true.

I've recommended this to readers who like Megan Whalen Turner (and vice versa) with success.

[Chachic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread this for EWein Special Ops:



_______________


2011 Review for The Mark of Solomon duology: The Lion Hunter and The Empty Kingdom, originally posted here.

I think we've safely established that I'm a book pusher and there's nothing I enjoy promoting more than under-the-radar books. I am constantly amazed that so many excellent books don't get the attention that they deserve. I reviewed The Sunbird by Elizabeth E. Wein last year, hoping that more people would read her books but I haven't been that successful because I haven't seen reviews of that book in the past year. Also, it makes me sad that The Sunbird is now out of print. So now I feel like I need to talk about The Mark of Solomon, the duology that comes after The Sunbird, because the blogosphere seriously needs to show more Elizabeth E. Wein love.

I've already dubbed Telemakos as Gen-in-Africa so that should serve as enough encouragement for all Megan Whalen Turner fans out there. I originally found out about these books from Sounis, back when I didn't have a blog and I got most of my recommendations from that community. If you have no idea what I'm talking about (shame on you!), Gen is the main character in the Queen's Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner and he's all kinds of awesome. Telemakos is young but he's wise beyond his years. His upbringing as a half-British, half-Aksumite noble and his innate curiosity has landed him right smack in the middle of political intrigue involving several countries. I find it ironic that he has such a striking physical appearance - cinnamon-colored skin, bright blue eyes and pale hair - and yet he excels in subtlety. A line from page 11 reads: "Oh, the wealth of intrigue you heard when no one imagined you were listening."

Elizabeth E. Wein is not afraid of letting her characters suffer and even though I've known from the start that Telemakos is as brave as they come, my heart goes out to him whenever something terrible happens. *huggles Telemakos* He also kept surprising me with how intelligent his strategies were. Sorry for being vague but he kept being thrown into situations where he had to make the most out of his wits if he wanted to keep himself and everyone he cares for out of harm. Also, the secondary characters in these books? They're all so smart and complex and they keep readers guessing. You never know who's really trustworthy. Which also paves the way for complicated relationships between the characters. I love that you can feel the love and respect that the characters have for each other but their interactions are never simple.

The Lion Hunter and The Empty Kingdom should be read together because the first book ends on a major cliffhanger. I heard that they're actually just one book that was split by the publisher, I have no idea why. The Sunbird is the first book about Telemakos and The Mark of Solomon duology continues with his journey. They're historical fiction books set in Aksum (ancient Ethiopia), Africa but there's a hint of Arthurian legend in them as well. Telemakos is actually the son of Medraut (Mordred) and the grandson of Artos (Arthur). So if you're a fan of historical fiction or Arthurian tales or you just want to read books with excellent worldbuilding, multi-faceted characters and plots riddled with conspiracies then you should pick these up as soon as you can. And spread the word about them when you're done reading.

[Maureen E · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lion Hunger and The Empty Kingdom
by Elizabeth Wein


I finished the last word of The Lion Hunter, shrieked (quietly--my roommate was already in bed), and dove into The Empty Kingdom. I stayed up far too late to finish that one, but it was worth it. Telemakos has grown so much over the course of this series and with the new twists I can't wait to see what he does next.

A Sounisian said that Telemakos is kind of like reading The Queen of Attolia from Attolia's point of view. I think that's a really great point. Like Attolia, Telemakos is cut off, highly powerful in some ways and highly powerless in others. When he makes mistakes it is usually in not trusting someone he should have. Although there are definite connections with Attolia, I also saw some to Gen: the cockiness, the sneakiness, the enormous sense of loyalty and the correspondingly enormous sense of betrayal. Both have to deal with a loss of one kind of power and the gaining of another. Gen's attendants and Telemakos's silver bracelet even serve the same basic purpose. And then there's one huge similarity that just happens to be a big spoiler for both series, so I won't say it. But it should be obvious to anyone who's read both.

Anyway, I'm in a state of Attolia fever, due to the upcoming book release (1 month, 8 days! Not that I'm counting or anything), but I think that in this case the comparisons aren't just valid, they're inescapable. And even if you haven't read any of the Attolia books (in which case, what is wrong with you?), Wein's books come highly recommended.

She is apparently writing another one, which makes me filled with glee.

Previously:
1. The Winter Prince
2. A Coalition of Lions and The Sunbird

Book source: Inter-library loan

Spoilery review in which Sherwood Smith also compares them to Megan Whalen Turner's books.
-------

Here are my notes for the first part of this book, verbatim. “Telemakos! I love you! And I kind of want to smack every adult around you, even though usually I love Medraut-well, maybe not Goewin.” Yes, a lot of Telemakos love here. I mean, how could I not love a small, sneaky Aksumite/British prince? As with The Sunbird, I really noticed the many moments that resonate with earlier books, especially Winter Prince. As I finished this book and went on into the next I thought about the fact that Abreha is like Medraut, and wondered if he was also like Artos, since Medraut often reminds me of his father. [Jan. 2011]

[elissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first 3 in this loosely connected series, and I finally found this at another library. I'm not too liberal with my 5 stars--just about everything I read seems to hover at 3, 3 1/2, or 4 for me. I just love books and reading! BUT Wein (pronounced Ween, as it says on the back cover flap) is a genius!! I'm amazed by the ferociously loving quality to this book. The characters are all so much people of extremes, which is something that I can definitely relate to, and they're also extremely unique and memorable. I'm amazed by Wein's imagining of 6th c. Ethiopia (Aksum) and Southern Arabia, and the area's relation to Arthurian legend. I'm amazed by the unexpected political intrigue, and the uniqueness of the entire thing. It's hard to write something this unique in the world of books today, and it takes an incredible imaginiation and intelligence. I wrote a better review of this in my head when I was going to sleep last night (when I just had one chapter left to savor in the morning). I should have turned back on the light and written it down, but maybe I can capture a little more of it today. I also need to go immediately capture THE EMPTY KINGDOM, the companion to this book, which came out this year! I will be hunting it down later today. I recommend this one highly for fans of Megan Whelan Turner, who's had much more notice than Wein (I hadn't heard other people make the same comparison, but came up with it on my own--now I see that others have written about that in their reviews). It's also even more of a YA than Turner's books, since the main character, Telemakos, is only 12 years old when the book begins. It would be a richer read if you read the other 3 books first, but I think this one could easily stand on its own.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, those Megan Whalen Turner comparisons seem more apt then ever now. Telemakos is wonderful in this novel, fully come into his own as a character. I love all the undercurrents of love, guilt, anger, and intrigue. There's not much resolution to the story here--no surprise, given that it's part I of a duology--so I'm waiting anxiously for the sequel now. Lucky for me it's just been released and should show up at the library soon.

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trouble seems to find Mordred's son wherever he goes...

[Terry (Ter05 TwiMoms/ MundieMoms) · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG I am glad I have the next book sitting here. I understand this was written as one book or some such thing - this is The Mark of Solomon - book one. I will pick up book two when I finish this report. This book actually follows the first three books; The Winter Prince, A Coalition of Lions, and The Sunbird. The first book is very very loosely based on the Arthurian legend but we are way past that in this book - other than this one continues with the story of Medraut's (Mordred of Arthur legend)half Ethiopian son, Telemakos. I seldom read books about twelve year old boys, but this author has drawn me into a world I am unable and unwilling to give up. It's difficult to explain exactly why that is.

In this book Telemakos, who is still recovering from his injuries from his ordeal as a government spy in the desert and the subsequent mauling by a lion, is sent with his young sister to live with Abreha. Abreha is the ruler of Himyar and a long time enemy of Telemakos people, but now considered a friend. Telemakos finds himself an honored guest and revels in the freedoms at this amazing palace and the friends he acquires. But he is troubled by no contact from his aunt Goewin who warned him of dangers in this place. They had agreed on a code of sorts but there have been no letters received. I do not want to tell the story here, but everything comes crashing down on Telemakos in one day and evening, and he comes close to losing his life as a spy and a traitor. It is very tense writing as I have learned this author is very capable of dishing out. When I came to the last page and it said:

To be continued in THE EMPTY KINGDOM.....

I took a fast look at the shelf by my chair to be sure The Empty Kingdom was sitting there - sure enough it is!

I really liked some of what the author wrote at the end of the book so will share it here.

"There is an Ethiopian proverb that goes, 'To lie about a far country is easy.' The world of Telemakos's adolescence is a world that exists mostly in my head, though parts of it bear passing resemblances to ancient places in the world we know. My maps are imperfect. Too often, when I can't find an accurate record of something, I make it up."

"I do my best to make these details accurate to the time and place I am writing about, but I cannot guarantee that accuracy. Is Le Morte D'Arthur an accurate portrayal of King Arthur's court? It postdates the historical Arthur by a thousand years. I do not like to draw attention to my own inaccuracies, but I know they exist. This is a work of fiction. Enjoy these lies about a far country, and if you can, forgive them."

I forgive. It's a great story she tells.

[2brienh]

The Lion Hunter is an amazing and fantastic novel written by Elizabeth Wein. The main character Telemakos, King Arthur's half-Ethiopian grandson, is trying to recover from his ordeal as a government spy in the far desert, trying to learn who was breaking the Emperor's plague quarantine. Before he's fully himself again, tragedy strike's, and he find's himself sent, with his baby sister, Athena, to live with Abreha, ruler of Himyar, longtime enemy of the Aksumites, now perhaps a friend.His aunt Goewin, Arthur's daughter, warn's him that Abreha is a man to be cautioned, someone to watch carefully. Telemakos promises he will be mindful—but he does not realize that Goewins' warning's are not enough to protect him.

Some key plot events in the story are: how Telemakos wants to keep his daughter because his daughter keeps his wife up all night every of the week. Now the only way he can keep his daughter is if he gives up something of importance. So, he gave away his arm just to keep the daughter his wife had. Another key plot event is how Telemakos had to be a be a spy ever since the age of twelve. Also while watchin his sister's, Telemakos was so worried about his sister, he was grievously injured.

I think the audience is for teens to adults,fourteen to forty-four. For the teens, it refers to Telemakos watchin his little sister. For adults, it's about sacrifice and giving up something good for something even better. Sacrificing is worth giving up for the people you love.Sacrificing is something worth giving up for the things you do to help out somebody.

I think that the author wants us to learn how to give things up for the people we love. The author wants us to learn what to do in big situations. For example, if we were supposed to watch our little brother or sister we would have to sacrifice our time to watch him or her. The point is that the author wants us to learn how to make sacrifices for the people we love and things we dont like to do.

[Adrienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 39th book of the 2008 Book Count was The Lion Hunter by Elizabeth Wein. Overall, it was an okay book, with likeable characters and a very interesting setting that is apparently made up, but felt an awful lot like our world, albeit in the 6th century, which I don’t know too much about. Still, I wouldn’t have known that the setting of the book was made up if I hadn’t read the afterword. Wein has taken elements of Arthurian legend and transported them to the Horn of Africa and the Arabian peninsula for an interesting mix of Celtic, Greek, Christian and African culture. It was pretty fascinating (and a little disconcerting) to have such a cosmopolitan world with a 6th century flavor!

The problem I had with the book was not the unconventional setting, but the fact that the book was labeled “The Mark of Solomon ~ Book One.” Now, it might be the first in a cycle called “The Mark of Solomon,” but it’s not the first book concerning this setting, or these characters, and the book really starts in media res in a way that’s very confusing for a reader who is just starting with the series. I felt like it was being taken for granted that I knew all sorts of things about the main character and his situation that I didn’t know because I had assumed that this was the very beginning of the story. It was an easy mistake to make; the information I was using to decide what book to get was in the catalog record and it came directly from the book itself (as it should - good job UP cataloger!), but there is no indication on or in the book that it’s better to read some of Wein’s other books first. I’m going to blame the publisher for this, partly because publishers make librarian’s and cataloger’s jobs more difficult, and partly because they really should make it easier for me to realize that I should read one of the other books first.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I haven't already convinced you to try this series, well, I don't know what to say. It starts with Arthurian legend and jumps off from there into all kinds of travel and political intrigue and personal trials - and some of my favorite, complex characters that I've encountered recently. These characters make mistakes - and are tortured by them - but are still strong and interesting, never whiny. I have one more in the series and I might panic a little when I finish it. Each book - The Winter Prince, A Coalition of Lions, The Sunbird, and The Lion Hunter - has been strong on its own merits, but taken as a whole it's really a fantastic series.

And Telemakos, our hero in the The Sunbird and this one - I've said all along that he reminds me of Eugenides, from Megan Whalen Turner's fabulous books. In this one, as Telemakos struggles with I-won't-tell-you-what, I suddenly had to laugh over one of the most un-funny things ever because it was yet another thing they have in common. Reading about Telemakos is like reading about Gen as a 12 year old. In other words, awesome. This series reads a tad bit younger than Turner's books, but I would definitely recommend each series to fans of the other.

[Nicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lion Hunter is less able to stand alone than the other books of this series: the story ends in a cliffhanger, which goes directly on to the last book, The Empty Kingdom, so beware of that! It does help if you have read the other books, too, but really you just need to know what happens in them, what the main characters did in previous books.

Early in this book, Telemakos is severely wounded, and part of the point of this book is his adjustment to that, his ways of dealing with it, and also his ways of dealing with the mental scars from what happened to him in The Sunbird. It's a story of recovery, and it goes carefully with it -- it's not a magical healing, by any means.

Easy to read, like the other books, but yes, dark and even quite saddening, near the end.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first in a new series, The Lion Hunter follows Telemakos and his younger sister as they leave the comfort of home and travel to the kingdom of San'a. Uniquely set in Northern Africa and Southern Arabia, Wein uses the open landscape, animals, birds, foods, textures and fabrics to great advantage. Telemakos, heir to the throne, learns how treacherous family can be.

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

PSA:

Do not start this book unless you have the next one in your backpack.

Otherwise you'll die.

Like me.

[GraceAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth Wein has once again forged a powerful tale that unites ancient Ethiopia with the Arthurian legends, but she makes us wait for Book Two until next year. Telemakos is a compelling character, as is his aunt Goewin, you won't be sorry to be in their company.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

pt.1 of 'mark of solomon' duet. quarantine has been lifted in empire, but intrigue still continues.
telemakos suffers terrible accident at start of book, then is sent with baby sister to stay with uncle in another kingdom where secrets continue to unfold.
total cliff-hanger of an ending.

[Rosalee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give it five stars except for the cliffhanger at the end... it just suddenly cuts off, right in the middle of the story... whats with that? But the characters, plotting, etc. was great. Until that cliffhanger, which is really bothering me.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continues the story of Telemakos, the half Ethiopian grandson of King Artos, after his sufferings as a spy in Sunbird. Great adventure story.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent start to the sequel series revolving around Telemakos. For those of you who have read "The Winter Prince" and its sequels, you will not be disappointed in this novel. It still carries the same fiery writing style and the same ever-present tension that keeps us on the edge of our seats. All the while telling a slightly softer story about the growing son of one of our former main characters. To those who have not read the previous books, you're in luck! You don't need to read them to enjoy these last two in the series. They are built as pretty much stand alones in the series, but of course, there are some nuggets and other such suggestions that may go unnoticed without prior experience. Allow me to say this, if you get past the first chapter you will more than likely finish the first book and beg for the next.
Good luck!

[Kes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This deals with the repercussions of the Sunbird: Aksum is still under quarantine, and is debating lifting it. Telemakos's family receives death threats from the unknown informer. Telemakos is then sent with his sister, Athena, to live with Abreha where we end the book discovering that Abreha is planning to invade the Hanish islands which belong to the Emperor. Abreha discovers Telemakos's knowledge, and with end with Abreha threatening death to Telemakos.

[Rosamund Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging, gripping fantasy novel, set in Aksum, the sixth-century Ethiopia. Telemakos is just recovering from the events of The Sunbird, when tragedy strikes, and he becomes permanently disabled due to a lion attack. This happens on the same day his little sister, Athena, is born. Death threats are sent to Telemakos's house, and his parents decide to send him to be fostered by a rival king, Abreha of Himyar. This is a moving story about recovering, tragedy, and survival.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm enjoying this series so much. And, I'm torn because I desperately want to start the next one in order to resolve the awful cliffhanger suspense, but then I know I'll finish it. And then, it's over!! Argh.

[Mora · Rating 5 out of 5]

there is so much book per book in this series. aah. the first half was more compelling to me than the second, but it did make a recovery. and i do understand the pattern/pacing since this and the next book were originally intended to be one book

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful

[Reading Through the Lists · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cliffhanger!

I must start The Empty Kingdom at once!

[Agh]

very good, I forgot how much it was a continuation of the Sunbird, HOW WAS THAT THE ENDING?!?!

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, that ending! I can’t wait to finish this story…yet I like the characters too much to want the series to end!

[Macklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Athena! I love her so much. My poor Telemakos.

[Classical Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Deirdre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely, you will like this book if you love Megan Whalen Turner's Queen's Thief series.

Telemakos! You are such a wonderful character -- I love you!!

In fact, I love this book so much I hardly know what to say....

I will say that I was perplexed by one review I read by a fellow Sounisian, comparing Telemakos with Attolia. (I'm sorry -- I don't remember whose review that was...). But the person said that reading this book was a bit like reading QoA from Attolia's point of view. So, so, so.....

I definitely agree that elements of Attolia, and characters who resemble her, appear in these books. The closest Attolia equivalent for me, though, is not Telemakos at all -- it's Goewin -- even to her coloring, and the color of her dress. Although a strong argument could also be made for Goewin as Eddis, with her maps and her devoted and brilliant young spy. But there are no exact equivalents here, which is all to the good. Elizabeth Wein and Megan Whalen Turner are two very brilliant authors, each of whom tells her own unique and gripping tale.(BTW, I always thought The Queen of Attolia was from Attolia's point of view. Which is part of its brilliance. You get to see the gradual development of her character by seeing through her eyes. But I digress ...)

I will say that these books are dark. Poor Telemakos encounters incredible evil, and endures dreadful things. But the story is great, nonetheless, and the characters! Even people who appear quite briefly are vivid and seem to have hidden depth. And I adore Athena -- and Sofya, too!

I will also say that I almost downgraded this book to a 4 -- or even a 3 -- because it is the worst cliffhanger ever. (To give you an idea, it's as bad as the end of The Two Towers). But I couldn't in the end. It's just too good a book.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This is an extraordinary series - I'm wavering between a four and a five on this book, because some of what happens to poor little Telemakos (and he is still just a child at the beginning of this series) is so very harsh. But I think it merits five stars because of the depth of characterization and the quality of the writing.

As Deirdre said, worst cliffhanger EVER! But, otherwise, when death threats apparently directed at him arrive at Telemakos's grandfather's house, his family sends him and his little sister to Himyar (modern Yemen), where they will be safe. Or will they? As it turns out, the ruler of Himyar is apparently plotting against Aksum. And he's a very clever and ruthless man. As a student of astronomy, Telemakos is being forced to create the very maps Himyar will use in his invasion. And - the death threats have not gone away. Some of Telemakos's enemies from earlier books seem welcome in the palace - and there is constant foreshadowing of a possible dreadful fate for the boy. As the book ends, the king has caught him spying, and has given him a humiliating punishment and separated him from his baby sister, Athena. If Telemakos puts one foot wrong, he will be crucified. And - he's responsible for getting his little sister out of this hornet's nest, if he possibly can. How can he rescue Athena and himself, and how can he get word of the king's plans back to Aksum?

If you like books such as Megan Whalen Turner's "Queen's Thief" series, you must read this series. The setting and the characters are both remarkable. Highly recommended, though not everyone will like it.