Rose of the Prophet (3) - The Prophet of Akhran by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
Last but not least: The Prophet of Akhran by Weis Hickman (in German Das Buch der Nomaden (1) and Das Buch Promenthas (2)) I read it in English where it contained 386 pages. Originally published 1989.
The three protagonists have to cross the hottest part of the desert to rejoin and rescue their people from certain death and destruction. Even though mathew finally found his inner courage, it's no use to him - he's deadly ill. The only thing that can save him is water. Auda wants to kill him, Khardan's hands are bound... Mathew's life is in Zohra's hands now. Will she overcome her fears? And the immortals: Will they be able to fight the battle that will decide the fate of the world?
The development of Zohra, Puka and Mathew is gorgeous. As are the relationships, especially the ones of Asrial - and the ones of Mathew. The two should hook up with each other, they are so much alike in some ways: Both are loving, selfless and good. However, the ending is so cute! I love how Zohra and Khardan finally forgive each other – through Mathew, who'd actually have gained most if they never forgave themselves. I'm sorry for him – he loves both and they both suffer. And no one actually loves him back. Except for Asrial, but he doesn't even know she's there.
And I'm so sorry for him because of this spell. Really, it worked, but just because he didn't remember everything of it... poor, poor Mathew.
What Puka did in the end totally surprised me. Really, that this pseudo-schemer could actually come around with a plan that worked – and put him in a position which is... well, not very favourable? Really, there's much more depth in him than I gave him credit for. I like it.
The only thing, that doesn't make sense, is the ending. An army doesn't just say: Let's ignore these thousands of bloodthirsty soldiers in front of us and have some fun! That totally ruins the ending.
This is a candidate worthy of five stars: characters, style and ideas are just perfect - as are the relationships! But unfortunately, the army-thing doesn't make sense. So I have to delete a star for it. So... sorry, but three stars it is.