The Sapphire Rose : (#3) (Eddings, David//Elenium)

Rating:
Summary: Sapphire Rose
Review: Anyone who likes science fiction will like David Eddings. Just loved all books of the Elenium series.

Rating:
Summary: simply wonderful
Review: CAUTION: If you are planning to buy the book solely on the basis of the cover (always a bad thing to do), I must warn you - there are no goblins in Eosia, no orcs, and no elves. There are a few savage trolls and ogres in the snowy northern forests, but they would certainly never wear the armor they seem to be wearing on the cover.

I must agree with other reviewers that this is certainly the best book in the series, despite the obvious plot and cardboard characters. There are certainly a few interesting, ORIGINAL surprises, like the powers of the Bhelliom and the Troll Gods, the siege of Chyrellos and the election of the new Archprelate, and, finally, the crumbling city of Zemoch and Azash himself.

What really disgusts me is the grisly, mind-blowing violence that the main characters participate in and then go on with their lives like nothing happened. One incident involves an attacking Rendorish marauder being slashed in two, his upper half falling down the wall and swinging in a pendulum fashion hanging by the unrolling intestine, while his lower body remains stuck on top of the wall. But nobody really seems to care! During a later scene, Sephrenia cold-bloodedly orders a Zemoch to be beheaded right before her. Ugh.

There are also a few things that Eddings handles clumsily. For example, the black shadow that seems to be following Sparhawk - I recall that on one occasion Sparhawk uses the Bhelliom's powers to dissipate it, revealing the concealed [you know I won't tell you what it is], but why was it sent? What was it sent to do? What is it? And that treck across the plains of Zemoch in the dead of the winter just sems too easy. In other words, watch your step.

Nevertheless, at times Eddings achieves moments of high, almost classic fantasy, and there are a few instances of enchanting originality.

What probably seems most disappointing when you finish the series is that by the end all you did was making a circle - except for the main characters' lives, the world returns to its corruption and such. Rendorish uprising returns en force, church corruption spreads. Nevertheless, it's a great ending.

Rating:
Summary: A nice rainy day reading!
Review: Honestly, it's not the most profound book in the whole wide world, but it does entertain, and that's what it's for. A lot better than the previous two books... the plot isn't as predictable and the characters are *finally* developed, though Ehlana gets on my nerves a bit (to say it without spoiling the plot). Eosia is a bit dreary for my taste as a world, but the story is fun.

I doubt I'll read the Belgariad though.. one trilogy with blue jewels is enough. Maybe I'll pick up the Tamuli when I can find it.

Oh, and to the reviewer below.. I doubt that the Church of Elenia is the same as the Catholic Church, though it could be implied. It *is*, after all, fantasy. The Church of Elenes is probably something of a social commentary on the real Church here, but of course, the specifics aren't going to be exactly the same.

Rating:
Summary: Greatest books ever
Review: I have read all of Eddings books, and many other.
Now I do not know how to live without Sparhawk when I finished the last one. I can strongly recommend anyone to start at the first book, but be careful, you will not be able to stop until the last book is finished to the last page.
I am from Sweden and I have read them all in swedish and now I will buy them in english to see if I missed anything in the translation.

Rating:
Summary: Fetch, Lassie, fetch!
Review: It's strange how long it takes one to understand even the most obvious things. Now I've seen the light.

All books by David Eddings are rewrites of the old Lassie-series with violence.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing - a cliche is broken
Review: One of the main characters dies...
And stays dead!
I was astounded.

Rating:
Summary: A fantasy finale, but wait there¿s more!!
Review: Since I was first introduced to the writings of David Eddings, through the best selling series, The Belgariad, at the age of 11, I have had a real affection for the seemingly realistic characters and simple yet exciting writing style that Eddings had so cleverly utilised to draw the reader into his fantasy world. Since then, I have come to think of Eddings as the king of modern fantasy writing, and I feel that the final book, The Sapphire Rose, in his series The Elenium, has upheld his title.

The world that Eddings has created in the series The Elenium, has a complex series of religions and races that are spherically different yet are interactive with each other. The religious zealots that are inherent with any religions, be they fantasy or in the real world, are the story keys and can simply described as good and evil, dependent on the religions and their role in the aiding or thwarting of the heroes journey.

The Sapphire Rose continues from the first two books in the trilogy, The Diamond Throne and The Ruby Knight telling the story of the short-tempered, Sparhawk, the Queens Champion and member of legendary Pandion Knights. The trilogy follows Sparhawk and his quest to find the magical jewel Bhelliom to cure his poisoned queen, along with the help of his band of companions, including, the powerful and wise Sephrenia of the Styric religion, her goddess Aphrael.

The medium paced and predictable plot of the first two books is spiced up quiet a bit in The Sapphire Rose. Eddings simple writing style enables the reader to keep track of the action and the characters, yet creates many twists and turns, adding surprises, that even the most critical fantasy reader would not anticipate. This is demonstrated in the plot intrigue when Sparhawk, having managed to retrieve the Bhelliom and cure his queen, the logical end to the trilogy, finds that he now must wage a war on the evil Styric god Azash and his followers, and must demonstrate his faith, which he is sceptical of, by taking the Bhelliom right into Azashs' hands.

One of the main things that I have enjoyed about David Eddings' writing is that all readers will find a character that they identify with. Each of the characters, although written very simply and perhaps a little two dimensional in the first of the series, are fully developed near the end of the second book. It is a pity that in the third book the characters, having been well developed in the second of the trilogy appear to have changed in The Sapphire Rose, suddenly presenting with different values. This is demonstrated particularly in Eddings need to make his descriptions more violent then I would consider necessary. Even though I understand that the characters were fighting a war, did everyone have to be constantly dripping with blood?

The impact of the violence in the story line is minimal, and it leaves one wondering why the change of the characterisation was seen as necessary for the author, and if the author was writing to a new formula to attract new readers to his slow selling trilogy. Compared to the Belgariad series, the Elenium series was not as quick to move off the shelves, and this is a possible reason for the change in the authors' direction. The slow development of the characters throughout the trilogy leaves one with a lack of empathy for the characters and their motives, and the new direction of the writing style makes this writer wonder if Eddings was attempting to hang on to the die hard fans, and attract new ones to his series.

It is interesting to note that two prequels to the Belgariad series were released after the slower selling Elenium series, thus demonstrating an attempt to recapture the audience that might have been lost to the author from the change of formula and the unneeded violence of The Sapphire Rose.

Even though the book was slow moving at times, and certain characters were not developed to their best, and with the added element of the incongruous violence, The Sapphire Rose maintains Eddings wit and offbeat humour that has made many readers addicts to his style of writing. The book is written specifically for lovers of the fantasy genre, however it does relate to many aspects of the real world, particularly in the areas of diversity of religion and culture. It does not match Eddings previous submissions, and is a bit of a disappointment, to those anticipating a revisit to the Belgariad world. Sparhawks world is darker, and a little more mature than the gentle and innocent world of Begariad, yet, Eddings still maintains his ability to spin a good story, and in this writers opinion maintains his regal position in the world of fantasy writers.

Rating:
Summary: My favorite Eddings book ever!
Review: The "Sapphire Rose", of course, is the Bhelliom, an object of such enormous power that worlds literally revolve around it and Gods have fought wars for it. All Sparhawk cares about, though, is that it is the one thing that can save the life of his poisoned Queen, Ehlana.
Ehlana's healed pretty early in, which leaves the rest of the book for Sparhawk to vanquish evil, destroy the Bad Guys, etc etc. See, once the Bhelliom resurfaces, Azash, the evil God of the Zemochs, knows who's got it. Since Bhelliom is the one thing Azash needs to free himself from his prison and take over the world, he's a little interested in getting Sparhawk to give it to him - or wresting it from his cold, dead hands, whichever's easiest. To that extent, there's a long, protracted section of the book devoted to the election of the Archprelate (the equivalent of the Pope) in the Holy City. If Annias, who secretly worships Azash, can buy enough votes, he wins, and Azash gets Bhelliom. So before Sparhawk can go off and kick immortal butt, he and his buddies have to head off this impending disaster first. It's political, it's complicated, and there are long sections where nothing happens but debate and voting. But it's also intelligent, witty, and gives several characters (including Ehlana) a chance to shine. Put it this way - if you think the political stuff in "Star Wars" is too complicated, you'll hate this part of the book. But if you enjoy that stuff, as I do, and seeing how wars are won by more than sword-waving, this book is fantastic.
Of course, there's real action, too - Sparhawk does face down Azash, with some help (of course). Ehlana and Sparhawk get married - their love story is both awkward and romantic, and quite cute. And someone dies - I can't say who, but I cried when I read it. (And there's no "Man-with-two-lives" business as in the Belgariad.)
The best book in a great series!

Rating:
Summary: simply wonderful
Review: The Elenium series was definitely one of the best fantasy series I have ever read. Eddings inserts humor in every line; there is a lingering amount of his own wit in every character which I found simply fascinating. My love for enchantment as well as the knights of the Medieval era was realized in this series--no small feat by any means. I recommend this series--Diamond Throne, Ruby Knight, and Sapphire Rose to anyone who appreciates magic, adventure, comedy, and romance in the same book.

Rating:
Summary: Umpossible!!
Review: You know, when you read a lot of fantasy novels like I do, you can predict what will happen. But Eddings' fantasy books are a great surprise each time. It's unbelievable how an author can maintain his talent and come up with new stories each time. Usually the author uses his past descriptions over again, but it isn't the case with Eddings. I've read The Belgariad and The Malloreon which is totally different from this series. This series is based on medievil times and it feels like Eddings takes us back to the 13th century where warriors battled with swords and axes instead of guns.
I also liked the way Eddings divides his characters in categories by their religion like Elenes and Styrics and Zemochs. (just remember, patriarch is pronounced Patriark)

This book is an overall 4.5 on 5 (round to the nearest whole number), except I thought the last battle could of used more juice to it. I touch you, you die, really disappointed me. One major sad part could of had made me shed tears but I'm a guy, and its just not right for us guys to do that. (you could feel it inside, though)
Eddings has done it once again, I felt The Malloreon wasn't as good as The Belgariad so I didnt review it, I hope this isn't the case for The Tamuli. Please Goddess Aphrael, make The Tamuli as good as The Elenium!