Rating: Summary: Okay - if you like that kind of thing Review: David Eddings has written what is essentially the same novel four times now, and while it is an undemanding read for those who have enjoyed his previous work, there is a real sense that inspiration was starting to wear very thin. The writing is lazy. There is too much cutesy author commentary and too many lines and situations being recycled for the umpteenth time, (character X says something outrageous, character Y stares at him helplessly, then gives up and laughs; character X is profoundly shaken by the theological implications of pretty much everything Aphrael gets up to). There is a scattering of teeth-grinding anachronisms ('cookie' 'mom'). The darker themes in this novel - life in an oppressive church run state, religious persecution - do not reconcile well with the cast of familiar, cheerfully bickering archetypes. There's no real tension and no serious threat, since Aphrael is on hand to sort everything out at the drop of a hat. The enemy is unconvincing and there are few significant new storylines - this was the first Eddings book where I found reading a chore. I've read all the other series several times over the past few years, but I only made it through the Tamuli once, and now I'm finding re-reading it drags just as much.
Rating: Summary: Deja Vu all over again...and again...and again Review: David Eddings made a name for himself in the fantasy fiction arena with the release of his epic series the Belgariad, which had some very memorable characters, some interesting concepts, and spirited dialogue, but stuck pretty close to the staples of the genre - orphan boy finding out he is the focus of an ancient prophecy, gods fighting over a powerful talisman, wizards & sorceresses, etc. The series was a hit, and Eddings obviously liked the characters enough to bring them all back for the 5-book Malloreon series. Unfortunately for the readers, the series fell short of the standard achieved by the Belgariad. Eddings then turned his attention to a new series, the Elenium. Like the Belgariad, the Elenium had some very memorable characters and some more interesting concepts. The series focused on militant orders of Church Knights who were trained in various forms of magic. Familiar concepts like gods fighting over magical objects, prophecy, and wizards & sorceresses once again featured prominently, but the series proved to be quite enjoyable. Once again, Eddings seems to take pleasure in the spirited dialogue between the main characters. True to form, Eddings couldn't help but bring the characters from the Elenium back for another trilogy, or which Domes of Fire is the first volume. The Tamuli series is basically the Elenium all over again with a different evil god as the man foe. The storyline is very weak, and there is almost no sense of urgency to the series. It was a struggle to make it all the way through, since there really wasn't any motivation to do so. The whole series seemed to be thrown together just so Eddings could have his characters banter back and forth for three more books. By this time, the dialogue that was once fresh and clever is tired and stale. One can only read the phrases "Be nice" and "Isn't he a nice boy" so many times before they wear quite thin (long time Eddings readers will know what I'm talking about). While I would recommend reading the Belgariad and the Elenium, I just can't say the same about the Malloreon and this series, the Tamuli. It is just repeating what has already been done to death. Hopefully Eddings will realize this and try something new soon. Otherwise there will be no need for me to bother reading his future works.
Rating: Summary: Why i love david Review: Great Book! What a wonderful follow up to the elenium
Rating: Summary: Great Book!! I ran out to buy the next one right away!! Review: I found the book to be good moving with lots of action right from the start. If this book is any indication this series
should prove to be a good one. I am now a David Eddings fan.
Rating: Summary: Could Be Better! Review: I have a feeling that this series will not match up to past favourites like the Belgariad or the Mallorean. His past efforts were filled with wonderfully magical characters which were surrounded by an even greater plot. Prophecy and dragons entailed all a surreal world were made of. I find the politics and characters of his latest novels too close to real life and I am thoroughly dissapointed by this.
Rating: Summary: Well Worth the Read Review: I haven't read anything by Eddings since the Belgariad series years ago. As I recall, I enjoyed it. The first book of the Tamuli series, "Dome of Fire", is a pleasure if you enjoy dialogue between characters and a fast paced plot. In "Dome", the situation and characters appear to be very straight forward. Eddings keeps things moving and the characters are sarcastic in their humor, direct in their conversation, emotional as necessary, and honest(the Elenes) to a fault. The "Bad Guys" are typically distasteful and so far, not too bright. In this book, the bad guys represent very little of a threat. Sparhawk and his "clan" dispatch them handily on every occasion and are never really pressed. But Eddings gives you every impression that the tables will turn and the Elenes will be sorely tested in book three(I assume). My only complaint is that there is an ABUNDANCE of references to events and people that Sparhawk and his group encountered in the past, that may or may not be relative to their current situation. This is a little distracting and keeping track is impossible. Nevertheless, I am quickly reading book 2, "The Shining Ones" for which I have very high hopes.
Rating: Summary: Too much (supposedly) witty dialouge Review: I really was looking forward to joining all the old characters from the Elenium and I brought this book the second it came onto the shelf. I was extremely dissapointed to find out that all the characters I had grown to love were gone. All replaced by a single person with a too sarcastic wit who was playing all of the main characters at the same time. There was never any tension in the story as it was always clear that our hero(s) would always outwit the stupid enemy while making fun of him at the same time. Sadly, I have not even considered picking up a David Eddings book since that day, and I would reccomend that if you like Eddings don't read this book; it may change your mind.
Rating: Summary: An Awesome Adventure Review: I Thought that Domes of Fire was well written. The Characters in this book seemed real. Sparhawk was my favorite by far. He always had something cool to say, and he was tough. It left alot of room for the following books. One thing that I wished were done a little diffrently were the battles. They seemed so short. Just when they got started, they ended. All in all this was an awesome fantasy adventure.
Rating: Summary: It's only entertainment... but I like it. Review: It seems that all you have to do to enjoy a book by Eddings is turn your brain off. It's been some time since I read the Elenium, and I didn't have much expectations as it comes to this sequel, but yes, the man can still write. Some people here complain that the characters never encounter any real danger, but I don't see that as a bad thing. In fact, what I've been missing in many fantasy books is a certain sense of lightness. You can get tired of savage, breathtaking battles for the victory of the good. I mean, we all know the good _will_ win in the end! So why bite your fingernails off for nothing.Eddings is a humorous writer, of course, but his language is great and makes me laugh very often. Also he has a certain understanding of human nature. This is not great art, but surely there's worse fantasy writers around. I'll be very delighted to read the rest of Tamul.
Rating: Summary: After starting to read it, i could not put down the book. Review: It's the best book i've read in ages.David Edding surely know to capture the heart of the readers by using the characters and a wonderful storyline. He displayed a true meaning of friendship by telling how the characters help one another.He also created a vivid picture in the mind of the reader about how the story is going on.His plot and storyline is hard to predict.Thanks to him for giving us a wonderful by the title of "The Ellenium" and "The Tamuli"All the six books was great.
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