Elenium (4) / Tamuli (1) - Domes of Fire by David Eddings
You thought Sparhawks mission was over? His story told? Nope! Here comes book 4! A new series with (nearly) the same characters! Domes of Fire by David Eddings, Book one of The Tamuli! (In German Die schimmernde Stadt, in French la trilogie des périls - Les Dômes de feu) I read it in English where it contained 471 pages. Originally published 1992, same addressee.
When the Archprelate summons Sparhawk, Queen Ehlana follows her husband, her entire court and her divine daughter on her coat-tails. Which is good, because the heads of the Fire-Domed Malloreon need her help - as well as Anakah's. Under the guise of a state visit Ehlana, Danae, Sparhawk, the whole crew of the Elenium plus the ambassador of Fire-Domed Malloeon, the king of thieves, the run-away head of the Pandions, and the three most important ladies-in-waiting/maids/bodyguards of Ehlana journey to help the Emperor Sarabian and his nine intriguing wives. While Ehlana shows the Emperor how exactly the games of politics are played, Sparhawk and his companions discover a plot and lots of super-naturals...
This book was as wonderful as the first! I love Aphrael, in all her incarnations – and she still doesn't get a whale! Poor, little girl! How can the world be so cruel? Well, at least she has poor Mrrr. And Talen. He's better than a pet – even though Danae shouldn't have told him, she plans to marry him. Well, she comes after her mother, doesn't she? Ehlana is, by the way, even more stunning than in Sapphire Rose! Not because she changed – she didn't – but because she is at the centre of events more often. You really get to know her, how she thinks, et cetera. Her ladies in waiting are gorgeous as well. Alean seems to be just quiet and naïve, but, my my, that girl! And Melidere absolutely knows her skills, that's for sure. As for Mirtai... her society consists basically of fighters who out themselves in voluntary slavery in order to survive. Not because of an outside threat, but because they turned so aggressive, they would have killed themselves out of pride. That says everything, doesn't it? Her “father” is wonderful as well. And he does appreciate the carpet.
Mirtai herself turns heads as well – mostly poor friend Kring's.
The Tamul Empire is, similar to the old Austria-Hungarian or the Roman Empire, a great nation full of different cultures. But, in contrast to these two real-life nations, they became an Empire because the Atans (the warrior race) chose them as their masters. The others yielded without putting up a fight. Their latest leader, Sarabian, is just wonderful! He's super-intelligent, but hides it. And under the supervision of his “mother”, he does grow to be a good ruler. His harem consists of one wife per original nation – meaning nine wife. I do not envy him. Even though his wives are very fascinating, especially Elyoson. And that girl's not only fascinating in character... my, that girl does have a social life!
As always, the ideas were gorgeous and it was very, very funny.
All in all, I give this book a star for characters, style, plot, ideas and, last but not least, the societies.