Elenium (6) / Tamuli (3) - The Hidden City by David Eddings
And... Finally: The Hidden City! (In German Das Verbotene Land, in French la cité occulté) I read it in English where it contained 616 pages. Originally published 1995.
Bhelliom's ultimate enemy was summoned into this world. The Troll Gods are free and try to help Sparhawk rescuing Ehlana and Alean. Aphrael herself gets help from her cousins of the Thousand and the Gods of the Tamuli - and the God of the Shining Ones - what a divine mess! But a funny one...
In the meantime, Elyoson, one of the wifes of Sarabian, discovers a plot to kill her husband...
These books are amazing. And the final really good! Especially Sparhawks decision in the end. I like Bhelliom's character, and what he does for Sephrenia and Vanion in the end. Their marriage really is blessed!
Of course, Eddings' dry humour is G. O. R. G. E. O. U. S., as are the rest characters and the gods. I personally like how Krager's alcoholism is described - and the wives of Sarabian, of course. Especially the Tamul wife really turned out different than first described. The Atan wife of course... he he.
Kalten really grows Alean is good for him – and Stragen's chase for Melidere good for him. It's so nice how he takes care of her!
Danae herself steps in the footprints of her mother. It's so cool how she plays Mirtai – I like her spoon, by the way, did I mention that?
Basically, the book is well done: The variety of the different gods, the characters, the style, the content, the ideas. But for me, it's a little too sad - because Sparhawk's missing Ehlana is nearly mad with fear for her. Which makes total sense. But I miss the humour. Apart from that, it's very well done, especially the prologue.
Plot, ideas, characters (and gods), and style - one star for each!