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Domes of Fire (Tamuli, Bk. 1)

Domes of Fire (Tamuli, Bk. 1)

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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 2 stars
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: 4 stars
Summary: Good Ol' Eddings
Review: I do not argue that Eddings repeat a general plot of fantasy again and again in all of his works. The template of his is always character-centered stories based on interesting dialogue and adventure. One will notice that he avoids dwelling into too much combat action where he could, most of his battles are fought before and after the actual bloodshed (which is in fact reality).

However, the same format means BY NO MEANS the same book. In the Sapphire Rose he again introduces a new set of settings and satiric jokes.

For those that like these types of books, they would enjoy every one of Eddings' books, for those that feel his books duplicate themselves (which I feel is really untrue), at least read a few of his works, and the Elenium + the Tamuli is a nice option.

Rating: 4 stars
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: 2 stars
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: 5 stars
Summary: The new adventures of Sparhawk
Review: ~The Tamuli is the follow-up trilogy for the brilliant The Elenium, which introduced a hero, called Sparhawk, and followed him on his quest to save his queen, and ultimately his entire world, from the clutches of the e~ details, that might need further explaining. When I first read Domes of Fire, the first book of The Tamuli, I was genuinely impressed, with how well this book took up the very points I had been wondering about... plu~ description of the world thay live in, and of the new continent Daresia in particular. The Tamuli is well worth the effort of buying if you like David Eddings special writing-style. If you have not read The Elenium,


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