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The Tamuli #1
Domes of Fire
Danger stalked Queen Ehlana's realm. When an ambasador from the far-off Tamul Empire begged for help, Sparhawk, Ehlana's champion and Prince Consort, was the Emperor's last hope. For surely the knight who had killed the evil God Azash could prevail against the terror in Tamul. But waiting for him was a glittering court seething with corruption, treachery--and the greatest danger Sparhawk would ever face!
471 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
About the author
David Eddings
335 books5,434 followersDavid Eddings was an American author who wrote several best-selling series of epic fantasy novels. David Eddings' wife,
Leigh Eddings
, was an uncredited co-author on many of his early books, but he had later acknowledged that she contributed to them all.
They adopted one boy in 1966, Scott David, then two months old. They adopted a younger girl between 1966 and 1969. In 1970 the couple lost custody of both children and were each sentenced to a year in jail in separate trials after pleading guilty to 11 counts of physical child abuse. Though the nature of the abuse, the trial, and the sentencing were all extensively reported in South Dakota newspapers at the time, these details did not resurface in media coverage of the couple during their successful joint career as authors, only returning to public attention several years after both had died.
After both served their sentences, David and Leigh Eddings moved to Denver in 1971, where David found work in a grocery store.
David Eddings' first books (which were general fiction) sold moderately well. He later switched to writing epic fantasy, a field in which he achieved great success. In a recent interview with sffworld.com, he said: "I don't take orders from readers."
On January 26, 2007 it was reported that Eddings accidentally burned about a quarter of his office, next door to his house, along with his Excalibur sports car, and the original manuscripts for most of his novels. He was flushing the fuel tank of the car with water when he lit a piece of paper and threw into the puddle to test if it was still flammable.
On February 28, 2007, David Eddings' wife, Leigh Eddings (born Judith Leigh Schall), died following a series of strokes. She was 69.
David Eddings died on June 2, 2009 at the age of 77.
They adopted one boy in 1966, Scott David, then two months old. They adopted a younger girl between 1966 and 1969. In 1970 the couple lost custody of both children and were each sentenced to a year in jail in separate trials after pleading guilty to 11 counts of physical child abuse. Though the nature of the abuse, the trial, and the sentencing were all extensively reported in South Dakota newspapers at the time, these details did not resurface in media coverage of the couple during their successful joint career as authors, only returning to public attention several years after both had died.
After both served their sentences, David and Leigh Eddings moved to Denver in 1971, where David found work in a grocery store.
David Eddings' first books (which were general fiction) sold moderately well. He later switched to writing epic fantasy, a field in which he achieved great success. In a recent interview with sffworld.com, he said: "I don't take orders from readers."
On January 26, 2007 it was reported that Eddings accidentally burned about a quarter of his office, next door to his house, along with his Excalibur sports car, and the original manuscripts for most of his novels. He was flushing the fuel tank of the car with water when he lit a piece of paper and threw into the puddle to test if it was still flammable.
On February 28, 2007, David Eddings' wife, Leigh Eddings (born Judith Leigh Schall), died following a series of strokes. She was 69.
David Eddings died on June 2, 2009 at the age of 77.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 252 reviews
April 3, 2012
I originally read the Belgariad and Mallorean series, which were massive sellers in the 80's, as a teenager and enjoyed them but never as much a some of the other fantasy series I read at the same time.
It wasn't until his later books featuring Sparhawk and the Pandion knights that I really fell in love with his writing. While I don't think I'll ever read the Belgariad and Mallorean again I have decided to re-read (or rather listen) the Elenium and this series again.
While the story could be critisised as being simply more of the same from the Elenium, we are transported this time to the continent of the Tamuli. It is however the time we get to spend again with beloved characters that is the pay off. Eddings really outdid himself with the characters in these two series and it is humour that he injects into their interactions that for me makes these books so much fun and a throughly enjoyable read (or in this case listen).
It wasn't until his later books featuring Sparhawk and the Pandion knights that I really fell in love with his writing. While I don't think I'll ever read the Belgariad and Mallorean again I have decided to re-read (or rather listen) the Elenium and this series again.
While the story could be critisised as being simply more of the same from the Elenium, we are transported this time to the continent of the Tamuli. It is however the time we get to spend again with beloved characters that is the pay off. Eddings really outdid himself with the characters in these two series and it is humour that he injects into their interactions that for me makes these books so much fun and a throughly enjoyable read (or in this case listen).
July 21, 2014
First I want to say that I really like David Eddings novels. The Belgariad series was totally awesome!
Domes of Fire is the first book of the sequel to the Elenium series. I was disappointed in this book. It was an extremely slow read. There is more political stuff that was happening then actual action. Their journey was very slow pace. It took them half the book just to find Sephrinia and she didn't have a huge role in the second half. The good parts are very small portions and spread thin throughout the book.
The book can be summed up by a quote that Sir Bevier states near the end.
"We've been had, my friends, he said. This was all an elaborate ruse-armies from the past, resurrected heroes, vampires and ghouls-all of it. It was a trick with no other purpose then to get us to come here without the entire body of the Church Knights at out back"
From these events it was concluded that Sparhawk would need Bhelliom again in order to show his enemies he means business.
When I read Brevier's quote I was a little annoyed that this 484 page book could be so easily summed up in a few really quick sentences. It sets up the plot it is just slow.
Domes of Fire is the first book of the sequel to the Elenium series. I was disappointed in this book. It was an extremely slow read. There is more political stuff that was happening then actual action. Their journey was very slow pace. It took them half the book just to find Sephrinia and she didn't have a huge role in the second half. The good parts are very small portions and spread thin throughout the book.
The book can be summed up by a quote that Sir Bevier states near the end.
"We've been had, my friends, he said. This was all an elaborate ruse-armies from the past, resurrected heroes, vampires and ghouls-all of it. It was a trick with no other purpose then to get us to come here without the entire body of the Church Knights at out back"
From these events it was concluded that Sparhawk would need Bhelliom again in order to show his enemies he means business.
When I read Brevier's quote I was a little annoyed that this 484 page book could be so easily summed up in a few really quick sentences. It sets up the plot it is just slow.
August 6, 2014
Originally posted on Once Upon a Bookcase.
WARNING: This is a follow up trilogy to David Eddings' The Elenium. The events in these books take place several years after those in The Elenium, with the same characters. Therefore, this series - and so also my review - discusses things revealed in the previous trilogy. Read no further if you plan on reading The Elenium but don't wish it to be spoiled for you.
Domes of Fire begins six years after the end of The Sapphire Rose. Queen Ehlana is back on her throne, married to Sparhawk, with a daughter of six - who we know to actually be an incarnation of the Child Goddess Aphrael. Annias, Martel and Azash are no more, and the Bhelliom is at the bottom of some unknown sea off of some unknown coast. Apart from Sparhawk wearing a few too many hats for his liking - Prince Consort and Interim Pandion Preceptor - and feeling stretched thin with all the political goings on that requires his attention, all in Elenia is fine.
However, strange things soon crop up in Lamorkand, talks of rebelling against the King and that the return of a long dead local hero from centuries past. With the arrival of an emissary of the Tamuli Empire, Foreign Minister Oscagne, at the Basilica in Chyrellos with grave news of turmoil in the Empire, Sparhawk is called by Archprelate Dolmant to hear the trouble Oscagne's homeland is having at his request. It seems all over the Empire, people are stirring up the countrymen to revolution, announcing the reappearance of ancient heroes come to free them from those above them. The Emperor is failing to stamp down on the revolts as he normally is with the help of the Atans, Tamuli warriors, what with whole armies of centuries past being raised from the dead and supernatural monsters being spotted. Having heard of Sparhawk's proess and achievement against Azash, Oscagne has come to plead that he journey to Tamuli and help save the Empire.
Domes of Fire is the first book in a second trilogy following Sparhawk and his friends. I enjoyed their company so much in the last trilogy, I decided to continue reading about them in The Tamuli, despite feeling a little disappointed at the end of the last. The majority of this story covers the journey from Chyrellos to fire-domed Matherion, the capital of the Tamuli Empire, and it is an incredibly long journey. Saying that, there's still a lot that happens. Now aware that the books about Sparhawk are more political intrigue and strategy based, I enjoyed Domes of Fire much more than I did The Sapphire Rose, simply because I wasn't expecting more.
There are various different peoples occupying the countries that make up the Empire, with their own culture and beliefs. Each country that Sparhawk and his companions travel through, bar Atan, have seen their own evidence of the people wanting to revolt. Information is gathered and introductions are made along the way - Queen Ehlana's presence helping to smooth things over with the royals met, her wonderful personality making easy alliances for when action is needed as the story goes on. Much is afoot in Tamuli, and someone really wants to cause trouble. But more than that, there is some supernatural element behind it all, or allianced with the people, something with enough power to raise the dead... something that strongly hints at a God or Gods. And with the arrival of a familiar dark shadow, Sparhawk and his friends begin to strongly suspect the Troll-Gods.
We see a lot more of Mirtai in this book. Mirtai, an Atan warrior, was introduced to us in the last trilogy, but she didn't get much page time. "Given" to Queen Ehlana by Platime, leader of the Elenian crimals, Mirtai becomes Ehlana's personal bodyguard, and takes her job very seriously - even going so far as to bullying the Queen into doing what she thinks is best for her health and safety, and pretty much everyone else too. She is a formidable woman of about six feet, but one dearly loved by all who know her well. Especially Kring, the Domi of the Peloi, the horse people of Pelosia. It's awesome to see how their relationship develops. It's even more awesome to learn more about the Atan culture while in Atan, and come to understand Mirtai a little better. Again, kudos to Eddings for his strong women!
We meet a number of new characters in this book, two being Baroness Melidere and the maid Alean, ladies in waiting to the Queen. Both are so much more than they seem, and both are brilliant. There are political advantages to having their perspectives while in Tamuli, but it's also wonderful to see them plan to rope in several of Sparhawk's male companions. I do love me some romance! We also get to meet Oscagne, Norkan, the Tamuli ambassador in Atan, and Emperor Sarabian. These characters! They add much humour to a story already quite humourous, what with Kalten, Tynian and Ulath continuing to make an appearance. there is a lot of politics involved, but there is also a lot of humour. These characters really know how to banter!
A fantastic start which looks to be a really exciting trilogy - and if I remember rightly, I won't be disappointed!
WARNING: This is a follow up trilogy to David Eddings' The Elenium. The events in these books take place several years after those in The Elenium, with the same characters. Therefore, this series - and so also my review - discusses things revealed in the previous trilogy. Read no further if you plan on reading The Elenium but don't wish it to be spoiled for you.
Domes of Fire begins six years after the end of The Sapphire Rose. Queen Ehlana is back on her throne, married to Sparhawk, with a daughter of six - who we know to actually be an incarnation of the Child Goddess Aphrael. Annias, Martel and Azash are no more, and the Bhelliom is at the bottom of some unknown sea off of some unknown coast. Apart from Sparhawk wearing a few too many hats for his liking - Prince Consort and Interim Pandion Preceptor - and feeling stretched thin with all the political goings on that requires his attention, all in Elenia is fine.
However, strange things soon crop up in Lamorkand, talks of rebelling against the King and that the return of a long dead local hero from centuries past. With the arrival of an emissary of the Tamuli Empire, Foreign Minister Oscagne, at the Basilica in Chyrellos with grave news of turmoil in the Empire, Sparhawk is called by Archprelate Dolmant to hear the trouble Oscagne's homeland is having at his request. It seems all over the Empire, people are stirring up the countrymen to revolution, announcing the reappearance of ancient heroes come to free them from those above them. The Emperor is failing to stamp down on the revolts as he normally is with the help of the Atans, Tamuli warriors, what with whole armies of centuries past being raised from the dead and supernatural monsters being spotted. Having heard of Sparhawk's proess and achievement against Azash, Oscagne has come to plead that he journey to Tamuli and help save the Empire.
Domes of Fire is the first book in a second trilogy following Sparhawk and his friends. I enjoyed their company so much in the last trilogy, I decided to continue reading about them in The Tamuli, despite feeling a little disappointed at the end of the last. The majority of this story covers the journey from Chyrellos to fire-domed Matherion, the capital of the Tamuli Empire, and it is an incredibly long journey. Saying that, there's still a lot that happens. Now aware that the books about Sparhawk are more political intrigue and strategy based, I enjoyed Domes of Fire much more than I did The Sapphire Rose, simply because I wasn't expecting more.
There are various different peoples occupying the countries that make up the Empire, with their own culture and beliefs. Each country that Sparhawk and his companions travel through, bar Atan, have seen their own evidence of the people wanting to revolt. Information is gathered and introductions are made along the way - Queen Ehlana's presence helping to smooth things over with the royals met, her wonderful personality making easy alliances for when action is needed as the story goes on. Much is afoot in Tamuli, and someone really wants to cause trouble. But more than that, there is some supernatural element behind it all, or allianced with the people, something with enough power to raise the dead... something that strongly hints at a God or Gods. And with the arrival of a familiar dark shadow, Sparhawk and his friends begin to strongly suspect the Troll-Gods.
We see a lot more of Mirtai in this book. Mirtai, an Atan warrior, was introduced to us in the last trilogy, but she didn't get much page time. "Given" to Queen Ehlana by Platime, leader of the Elenian crimals, Mirtai becomes Ehlana's personal bodyguard, and takes her job very seriously - even going so far as to bullying the Queen into doing what she thinks is best for her health and safety, and pretty much everyone else too. She is a formidable woman of about six feet, but one dearly loved by all who know her well. Especially Kring, the Domi of the Peloi, the horse people of Pelosia. It's awesome to see how their relationship develops. It's even more awesome to learn more about the Atan culture while in Atan, and come to understand Mirtai a little better. Again, kudos to Eddings for his strong women!
We meet a number of new characters in this book, two being Baroness Melidere and the maid Alean, ladies in waiting to the Queen. Both are so much more than they seem, and both are brilliant. There are political advantages to having their perspectives while in Tamuli, but it's also wonderful to see them plan to rope in several of Sparhawk's male companions. I do love me some romance! We also get to meet Oscagne, Norkan, the Tamuli ambassador in Atan, and Emperor Sarabian. These characters! They add much humour to a story already quite humourous, what with Kalten, Tynian and Ulath continuing to make an appearance. there is a lot of politics involved, but there is also a lot of humour. These characters really know how to banter!
A fantastic start which looks to be a really exciting trilogy - and if I remember rightly, I won't be disappointed!
April 28, 2019
A classic fantasy favorite! Gotta love the sarcasm and humor.
July 6, 2019
4 Stars
Domes of Fire is the First book in the Tamuli Series by David Eddings. The Tamuli series is a follow up to The Elenium Series and picks up several years after the events in The Elenium. We again get to catch up with some characters we know and love, as well as meeting new ones.
It is an adventure, with some action, battle scenes, and the epic fantasy we expect from Mr. Eddings. The story does lag a little in places, and there is a lot of dialogue- but this didn’t detract too much from my overall enjoyment of the book/series.
This is a fun read!
The Tamuli Series books are:
-Domes of Fire (Book #1)
-The Shining Ones (Book #2)
-The Hidden City (Book #3)
Happy Reading!
Domes of Fire is the First book in the Tamuli Series by David Eddings. The Tamuli series is a follow up to The Elenium Series and picks up several years after the events in The Elenium. We again get to catch up with some characters we know and love, as well as meeting new ones.
It is an adventure, with some action, battle scenes, and the epic fantasy we expect from Mr. Eddings. The story does lag a little in places, and there is a lot of dialogue- but this didn’t detract too much from my overall enjoyment of the book/series.
This is a fun read!
The Tamuli Series books are:
-Domes of Fire (Book #1)
-The Shining Ones (Book #2)
-The Hidden City (Book #3)
Happy Reading!
September 17, 2022
The sequel begins, with the gang-back-together elements being enlivened with new characters and some additional focus on more minor characters from the first series. Plot-wise, this is looser than the books of the first trilogy, with a more diffuse goal ("figure out what's going on") and the break-point for the end of the book is less conclusive (the characters decide that they one again need to Fetch The Thing). Despite this, the 'flavour' of the series is stronger -- perhaps because there are more female characters this time around, the scenes are chattier and the sense of community and belonging feels more permanent. I'm still enjoying revisiting the series, which makes long train journeys far more tolerable.
January 20, 2012
Yes, I'm finally, after all these years, reading the Tamuli Trilogy for the first time. Standard Eddings - hero and his group of wise-cracking badasses-with-hearts-of-gold (including the white-haired old wizard now joining the black-haired beautiful and ageless sorceress) go traipsing across every country named on the map in a quest to defeat the machinations of the power-hungry ancient god. I think Mr Eddings forgot the magic stone, though - so the party is going to go get it in the second book. Amusing retreat to childhood. 2/5
December 13, 2017
After reading and enjoying the Elenium trilogy earlier this year I was interested in picking up the follow up trilogy. I thought the beginning of this book was quite intriguing and had me reading at a steady pace but once the adventure got under way things slowed down a bit for me. I think it was just because there was a lot of sitting around and talking which is never something I particularly love reading about. I did enjoy this book and I'm looking forward to picking up book 2 soon.
February 2, 2014
I was glad to get all of the books in this series as a Christmas present, because I at the moment I finished one book I had to start the next one. And I recommend to all of you who still haven´t read these: buy them all before starting to read, or you will regret it the moment you finish one book and realize you don´t have the next one yet.
These books can make anyone fall in love with fantasy.
These books can make anyone fall in love with fantasy.
December 28, 2016
The length of time this novel has taken me to read says something about how heavy-going I was finding it. I liked the original Sparhawk trilogy, but this one was rough. Reading it with more open adult eyes brings the racism and sexism into glaring focus, while some of the scenes were virtually unreadable, such as where Sephrenia bullies a Styric and afterwards glories in it. It was way too smug and self-satisfied for its own good.
May 10, 2016
I have reread this series and intend to do so every decade for the rest of my life along with
Raymond E Feist's Riftwar and Empire
David Eddings' Belgariad, Mallorean, Elenium and Tamuli
Patricia Briggs' Hurog, Raven, Mercy Thompson and Alpha and Omega
Joel Rosenberg's Keepers of the Hidden Ways (unknown classic)
Dave Duncan's A Man of His Word (unknown classic)
Robin Hobb's Farseer and Tawny Man
S M Stirling's Dies the Fire
Tad William's Memory, Sorrow and Thorn
Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels
Kevin Hearne's Iron Druid
Joe Abercrombie's the Heroes book
David Gemmell's Drenai
Raymond E Feist's Riftwar and Empire
David Eddings' Belgariad, Mallorean, Elenium and Tamuli
Patricia Briggs' Hurog, Raven, Mercy Thompson and Alpha and Omega
Joel Rosenberg's Keepers of the Hidden Ways (unknown classic)
Dave Duncan's A Man of His Word (unknown classic)
Robin Hobb's Farseer and Tawny Man
S M Stirling's Dies the Fire
Tad William's Memory, Sorrow and Thorn
Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels
Kevin Hearne's Iron Druid
Joe Abercrombie's the Heroes book
David Gemmell's Drenai
December 6, 2020
December2020:
I wrote a book review for this (and the two sequels, I think) back in my senior year. I've never read the prequel trilogy at that time because the only known copies went missing (stolen, is my guess--poor owner). I got high marks for the review, anyway.
I wrote a book review for this (and the two sequels, I think) back in my senior year. I've never read the prequel trilogy at that time because the only known copies went missing (stolen, is my guess--poor owner). I got high marks for the review, anyway.
March 26, 2018
While magnificent overall, it probably can't go as a stand-alone. Definitely assumes knowledge of the previous trilogy's characters. Nonetheless, it begins to fill in the back story of some of the mythos in the Elenium.
January 18, 2018
David Eddings' books are comfort reading for me: I loved them as a teenager and I have been enjoying re-reading them now. Possibly due to his wife's uncredited co-authorship, the female characters are realistic and, while all of his characters are archetypes (and repeated ones at that: the characters of the Elenium/Tamuli echo the characters of the Belgariad, and the plots of each series tend to echo each other as well), the dialogue is fun and snappy, a readable mashup of medieval/modern. Eddings is occasionally a little too pleased with his own cleverness (why yes, I have read The Cherry Orchard, thanks) but it's a fun read nonetheless.
December 2, 2011
Masalah rusuhan yang berlaku di negara Tamul telah menyebabkan maharaja negara tersebut mengundang Sparhawk ke negaranya untuk membantu menyelesaikan masalah tersebut. Sparhawk menyedari bahawa bukan hanya negara Tamul sahaja mengalami masalah tersebut. Negara-negara lain yang berdekatan dengan Tamul juga menghadapi masalah yang serupa. Bersama-sama dengan isterinya (yang juga merupakan Permaisuri negara Elesia),anak mereka,Puteri Danae (yang juga merupakan jelmaan kepada Tuhan/Dewi Kanak-Kanak,Aphrael) dan beberapa teman mereka yang lain berangkat menuju ke Tamul untuk menyahut seruan Maharaja Tamul. Di dalam perjalanan mereka,Sparhawk menyedari bahawa apa yang berlaku ini dilakukan oleh suatu 'kuasa' yang ingin menakluki dunia. Satu rancangan jahat yang dirancang oleh Tuhan-Tuhan/Dewa-Dewa! Dan,Tamul merupakan sasaran utama yang perlu dihalang oleh Sparhawk dan rakan-rakannya.
Saya bukanlah peminat tegar atau 'hardcore' novel-novel yang genrenya berkisar tentang fantasi ala-ala The Lord of The Rings. Tetapi,selepas membaca novel tulisan mendiang David Eddings ini,saya berasa amat teruja sekali dengan kisah fantasi dan kepahlawanan ini. Ianya tambah menyakinkan saya untuk membaca lebih banyak lagi novel-novel fantasi yang seumpamanya.
Buku yang bertajuk 'Domes of Fire' ini sebenarnya merupakan sambungan siri novel yang sebelumya iaitu The Elenes yang menyaksikan Sparhawk sebagai watak utama (sila rujuk Wikipedia untuk maklumat lanjut). Oleh itu,disarankan terlebih dahulu untuk membaca The Elenes (yang mengandungi tiga buah buku kesemuanya) untuk lebih memahami jalan cerita yang cuba disampaikan oleh penulis. Namun begitu,novel ini masih lagi boleh dibaca secara 'stand alone' kerana penulis juga ada menyelitkan serba sedikit latar belakang yang berlaku di dalam The Elenes secara ringkas di dalam bahagian prolog.
Apa yang membuatkan novel tulisan David Eddings ini begitu menarik adalah kerana latar belakang dan jalan ceritanya yang menarik sekali. Walaupun bersifat kontroversi,kisah pertembungan antara Tuhan/Dewa menentang manusia adalah sesuatu yang agak luar biasa dan lain dari yang lain. Selain itu,penulis juga turut menyelitkan isu-isu yang berlaku di dunia realiti di dalam kisah fantasinya. Sebagai contoh,isu perkauman turut dipaparkan di dalam novel ini. Hal ini menjadikan novel karangan beliau tambah menarik dan mempunyai serba sedikit perkaitan dengan hal-ehwal dunia semasa. Selain itu,penulis juga berjaya mencipta watak-watak yang amat menarik dan mempunyai sifat-sifatnya yang tersendiri dan unik. Dialog antara watak juga baik dan menarik. Unsur jenaka juga diselitkan di dalam penceritaan yang menjadi antara rencah utama yang membuatkan novel ini menarik untuk dibaca.
Dari segi kelemahan novel ini pula,walaupun dialognya menarik dan baik,kadang-kala agak membosankan. Penggunaan dialog yang agak banyak di dalam novel ini boleh membosankan pembaca kerana dialognya yang panjang. Malahan,terdapat beberapa babak yang boleh digantikan dialog dengan penceritaan pihak ketiga oleh penulis,untuk memudahkan pemahaman pembaca. Jumlah babak pertarungan/pertempuran juga agak sedikit. Namun begitu,hal ini mungkin sengaja dilakukan kerana novel ini merupakan buku yang pertama dari siri Tamuli. Mungkin akan ada lebih banyak babak pertempuran di dalam buku-buku yang seterusnya.
Secara keseluruhannya,novel ini amat menarik sekali untuk dibaca. Buku ini mesti dimiliki dan dibaca oleh mereka yang gemar membaca novel bergenre epik fantasi.
Saya bukanlah peminat tegar atau 'hardcore' novel-novel yang genrenya berkisar tentang fantasi ala-ala The Lord of The Rings. Tetapi,selepas membaca novel tulisan mendiang David Eddings ini,saya berasa amat teruja sekali dengan kisah fantasi dan kepahlawanan ini. Ianya tambah menyakinkan saya untuk membaca lebih banyak lagi novel-novel fantasi yang seumpamanya.
Buku yang bertajuk 'Domes of Fire' ini sebenarnya merupakan sambungan siri novel yang sebelumya iaitu The Elenes yang menyaksikan Sparhawk sebagai watak utama (sila rujuk Wikipedia untuk maklumat lanjut). Oleh itu,disarankan terlebih dahulu untuk membaca The Elenes (yang mengandungi tiga buah buku kesemuanya) untuk lebih memahami jalan cerita yang cuba disampaikan oleh penulis. Namun begitu,novel ini masih lagi boleh dibaca secara 'stand alone' kerana penulis juga ada menyelitkan serba sedikit latar belakang yang berlaku di dalam The Elenes secara ringkas di dalam bahagian prolog.
Apa yang membuatkan novel tulisan David Eddings ini begitu menarik adalah kerana latar belakang dan jalan ceritanya yang menarik sekali. Walaupun bersifat kontroversi,kisah pertembungan antara Tuhan/Dewa menentang manusia adalah sesuatu yang agak luar biasa dan lain dari yang lain. Selain itu,penulis juga turut menyelitkan isu-isu yang berlaku di dunia realiti di dalam kisah fantasinya. Sebagai contoh,isu perkauman turut dipaparkan di dalam novel ini. Hal ini menjadikan novel karangan beliau tambah menarik dan mempunyai serba sedikit perkaitan dengan hal-ehwal dunia semasa. Selain itu,penulis juga berjaya mencipta watak-watak yang amat menarik dan mempunyai sifat-sifatnya yang tersendiri dan unik. Dialog antara watak juga baik dan menarik. Unsur jenaka juga diselitkan di dalam penceritaan yang menjadi antara rencah utama yang membuatkan novel ini menarik untuk dibaca.
Dari segi kelemahan novel ini pula,walaupun dialognya menarik dan baik,kadang-kala agak membosankan. Penggunaan dialog yang agak banyak di dalam novel ini boleh membosankan pembaca kerana dialognya yang panjang. Malahan,terdapat beberapa babak yang boleh digantikan dialog dengan penceritaan pihak ketiga oleh penulis,untuk memudahkan pemahaman pembaca. Jumlah babak pertarungan/pertempuran juga agak sedikit. Namun begitu,hal ini mungkin sengaja dilakukan kerana novel ini merupakan buku yang pertama dari siri Tamuli. Mungkin akan ada lebih banyak babak pertempuran di dalam buku-buku yang seterusnya.
Secara keseluruhannya,novel ini amat menarik sekali untuk dibaca. Buku ini mesti dimiliki dan dibaca oleh mereka yang gemar membaca novel bergenre epik fantasi.
July 12, 2022
Like with the other books, there are some important things to point out about elements that, in the nicest of terms, have not aged well. There is a new group of people to be racist against, though in a less overt way. The Tamuls, the rulers of the massive, eastern continent-spanning empire the trilogy is primarily set in, are major characters and aren't looked down on the same way the Rendors were in the first trilogy. They're a mixed bunch of allies and scoundrels (rather than all being stupid, rabid religious fanatics), but much is made of their skin tone - and yellow is frequently used.
The book also manages to straddle both being a white saviour trilogy (the Tamuls can't solve the problem, so go ask this European-coded character for help) while also rather seriously interrogating Sparhawk's prejudices at times. The sequence when they're in Sarsos digs into the idea of prejudice, but often in a very clumsy (and at times felt like it might be bordering on offensive) manner.
I did, however, enjoy it. We see all our favourite characters return, and then they're upended into a new world with new threats. There is a lot of mystery around what exactly is happening and who's behind it. In that sense (particularly given an apparition reveals crucial information kickstarting the next book at the end), the structure is quite similar to THE DIAMOND THRONE.
However (unlike in the Mallorean, the follow up series to Edding's Belgariad, and the first two fantasy series he wrote) it doesn't feel repetitive. The very different setting and lack of a clear goal beyond "get to the Tamuli Capital and work it out" helps differentiate it. There is also a larger cast, and less sneaking about. The inclusion of more women in the core group (Ehlana, Danae, and Mirtai, plus Melandire and Alean to a lesser degree in this book) help.
There are also sorts of dangers to face. They come from a more mythical background this time, rather than mind-controlled soldiers. Plus there's a vast conspiracy slowly unfolding. It's not "we know these characters are involved, we just don't know exact what they're doing." Instead there's more a sense that something big is happening but there's not enough to put it all together yet.
The audiobooks of this trilogy have a different narrator to the audiobooks of the previous trilogy. It means that many words are pronounced differently. For some deceased characters (like Annais) it doesn't matter as he doesn't come up much. However, some major characters like Sephrenia are said differently, which is rather jarring at first. Naturally, the voices/tones for the characters are different too.
It's very unusual for me to listen for as long to audiobooks as I have been recently - two in a row is usually all I can manage before I nope out. I think it helps that I know the stories already and that the classic fantasy feel brings up a lot of nostalgic feelings. I'm continuing on to the next book.
The book also manages to straddle both being a white saviour trilogy (the Tamuls can't solve the problem, so go ask this European-coded character for help) while also rather seriously interrogating Sparhawk's prejudices at times. The sequence when they're in Sarsos digs into the idea of prejudice, but often in a very clumsy (and at times felt like it might be bordering on offensive) manner.
I did, however, enjoy it. We see all our favourite characters return, and then they're upended into a new world with new threats. There is a lot of mystery around what exactly is happening and who's behind it. In that sense (particularly given an apparition reveals crucial information kickstarting the next book at the end), the structure is quite similar to THE DIAMOND THRONE.
However (unlike in the Mallorean, the follow up series to Edding's Belgariad, and the first two fantasy series he wrote) it doesn't feel repetitive. The very different setting and lack of a clear goal beyond "get to the Tamuli Capital and work it out" helps differentiate it. There is also a larger cast, and less sneaking about. The inclusion of more women in the core group (Ehlana, Danae, and Mirtai, plus Melandire and Alean to a lesser degree in this book) help.
There are also sorts of dangers to face. They come from a more mythical background this time, rather than mind-controlled soldiers. Plus there's a vast conspiracy slowly unfolding. It's not "we know these characters are involved, we just don't know exact what they're doing." Instead there's more a sense that something big is happening but there's not enough to put it all together yet.
The audiobooks of this trilogy have a different narrator to the audiobooks of the previous trilogy. It means that many words are pronounced differently. For some deceased characters (like Annais) it doesn't matter as he doesn't come up much. However, some major characters like Sephrenia are said differently, which is rather jarring at first. Naturally, the voices/tones for the characters are different too.
It's very unusual for me to listen for as long to audiobooks as I have been recently - two in a row is usually all I can manage before I nope out. I think it helps that I know the stories already and that the classic fantasy feel brings up a lot of nostalgic feelings. I'm continuing on to the next book.
Read
December 13, 2017Personal Response
I liked Domes of Fire because it was interesting trying to keep up with all of the different perspectives, because it switched so often. I liked the difficulty of trying to understand the different ways that their conversations are written, between the normal way that most people speak and the archaic language that only some speak. It was a good challenge to try and put the two together, and try and keep up with the plot as well.
Plot Summary
The book began with Sparhawk-the queen's Prince Consort, coming back from a long journey and not looking forward to his wife's reaction to him being away for so long. Queen Ehlana did not react the best, because she does not like when her husband is gone for longer than was expected. Their daughter Princess Danae, is actually an incarnation of the goddess Aphrael. Sparhawk and Danae have been keeping this a secret from Ehlana and everyone else so nothing bad happens to her and so no one worries about it. Later on, the emperor of Tamul- Sarabian, pleads for their help with his corrupt government. In the process of assisting Emperor Sarabian with his corrupt government, they find out that there is more trouble at foot than just the government, but some other evil is out there trying to take over the world.
Recommendation
I recommend this book to higher level readers because you have to be able to understand the older language that is used in this book in order to understand what is going on. I also recommend this book to readers who like the stories of knights and monsters because this has all of that involved. There is also a fair amount of magic involved, which goes right along with the knights and monsters.
I liked Domes of Fire because it was interesting trying to keep up with all of the different perspectives, because it switched so often. I liked the difficulty of trying to understand the different ways that their conversations are written, between the normal way that most people speak and the archaic language that only some speak. It was a good challenge to try and put the two together, and try and keep up with the plot as well.
Plot Summary
The book began with Sparhawk-the queen's Prince Consort, coming back from a long journey and not looking forward to his wife's reaction to him being away for so long. Queen Ehlana did not react the best, because she does not like when her husband is gone for longer than was expected. Their daughter Princess Danae, is actually an incarnation of the goddess Aphrael. Sparhawk and Danae have been keeping this a secret from Ehlana and everyone else so nothing bad happens to her and so no one worries about it. Later on, the emperor of Tamul- Sarabian, pleads for their help with his corrupt government. In the process of assisting Emperor Sarabian with his corrupt government, they find out that there is more trouble at foot than just the government, but some other evil is out there trying to take over the world.
Recommendation
I recommend this book to higher level readers because you have to be able to understand the older language that is used in this book in order to understand what is going on. I also recommend this book to readers who like the stories of knights and monsters because this has all of that involved. There is also a fair amount of magic involved, which goes right along with the knights and monsters.
November 17, 2013
Danger stalked Queen Ehlana's realm. When an ambasador from the far-off Tamul Empire begged for help, Sparhawk, Ehlana's champion and Prince Consort, was the Emperor's last hope. For surely the knight who had killed the evil God Azash could prevail against the terror in Tamul. But waiting for him was a glittering court seething with corruption, treachery--and the greatest danger Sparhawk would ever face!
### From Publishers Weekly
Magic, insurrection, rebirth and new gods and cultures propel this first volume of a proposed second trilogy featuring Sir Sparhawk, Queen Ehlana and other stalwarts of Eddings's best-selling Elenium trilogy. The distant Tamul Empire, endangered by civil unrest exacerbated by paranormal (or magical, depending on the point of view) incidents, begs help from Sparhawk, destroyer of the Elder God Azash and savior of the Elenes. Undertaking the long journey to Tamul, the knight, his royal wife, their daughter Princess Danae and assorted followers encounter unrest in each of the lands through which they pass. Incidents taking more or less the same form--rumors, supported by rabble-rousing orators, of ancient heroes reborn to lead the downtrodden--arouse Sparhawk's suspicion of godly or magical opposition to his cause. Arriving in the Tamul capital, Sparhawk and his cohorts thwart a plot against the emperor but find disturbing evidence that the Troll-Gods and other old enemies are at work. Eddings' likable, spirited characters are not deeply etched but they reflect his original touch nevertheless.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
### From Library Journal
Hard on the heels of the Elenium trilogy, Eddings launches a new fantasy epic featuring the futher adventures of Pandion knight Sparhawk and his companions. Eddings is a first-class storyteller with a gift for easy humor and colorful characters. There will be considerable demand for this title.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
### From Publishers Weekly
Magic, insurrection, rebirth and new gods and cultures propel this first volume of a proposed second trilogy featuring Sir Sparhawk, Queen Ehlana and other stalwarts of Eddings's best-selling Elenium trilogy. The distant Tamul Empire, endangered by civil unrest exacerbated by paranormal (or magical, depending on the point of view) incidents, begs help from Sparhawk, destroyer of the Elder God Azash and savior of the Elenes. Undertaking the long journey to Tamul, the knight, his royal wife, their daughter Princess Danae and assorted followers encounter unrest in each of the lands through which they pass. Incidents taking more or less the same form--rumors, supported by rabble-rousing orators, of ancient heroes reborn to lead the downtrodden--arouse Sparhawk's suspicion of godly or magical opposition to his cause. Arriving in the Tamul capital, Sparhawk and his cohorts thwart a plot against the emperor but find disturbing evidence that the Troll-Gods and other old enemies are at work. Eddings' likable, spirited characters are not deeply etched but they reflect his original touch nevertheless.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
### From Library Journal
Hard on the heels of the Elenium trilogy, Eddings launches a new fantasy epic featuring the futher adventures of Pandion knight Sparhawk and his companions. Eddings is a first-class storyteller with a gift for easy humor and colorful characters. There will be considerable demand for this title.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
October 7, 2013
Domes of Fire suffers from many of the same problems as its predecessor, The Eleniums's Diamond Throne, namely that the whole thing feels like a big setup for something bigger. Unlike the Diamond Throne however, driven by the desperate need to find a cure for Queen Ehlana within a year, the plot feel mostly arbitrary. First of all they need an excuse to get all the best characters from the last trilogy together again, then an excuse to send them to the bit of the world we didn't get to see last time and then a new big bad, seeing as they'd killed most of them off. What this amounts to is a lot of travelling around and expanding the cast massively, sometimes for better and sometimes for worse. Emban, Stragen and Oscagne are welcome visitors to the party, but I could happily leave Melidere and Sarabian out of it, and the abundance of Aphrael, now floating around in two separate incarnations, really begins to grate. There's a couple of nice big battles at the end of course, but even those become completely arbitrary when we find out there was no real point to them except to test our heroes' strength. The inclusion of traditional mythological and literary monsters like vampires, werewolves and ghouls, even in passing, feels like a hug mis-step for a series set in such an imaginative universe. Still, it's an enjoyable read thanks to Eddings' fluent prose, and there's enough diversity on the Tamul continent to give our friends something new to do. It's just a pity they spend so long getting round to it.
January 31, 2017
This is actually my second time reading through this series. I read through it the first time when I was in junior high or high school. Reading it again reminded me why I truly enjoyed this story. I love the characterizations and the twists and turns in the plot.
Having read the other fantasy series by this author, I'm noticing things... Like Stragen is very much this book's "Silk". He looks nothing like the other character, but he acts very much the same. Baroness Milidere (and I'm not sure of that spelling. Sorry if it's wrong...) is this book's "Liselle/Velvet". She's even a honey-blonde who wears violet! It's pretty obvious that they're going to end up together.
There are certain things that I vaguely remember from that first reading so many years ago. However, it's very much a series that I could read again. If you didn't like the Mallorian/Belgariad, you might like this series. It's not quite the "let's poke at all the tropes in Fantasy" that the other series is.
Having read the other fantasy series by this author, I'm noticing things... Like Stragen is very much this book's "Silk". He looks nothing like the other character, but he acts very much the same. Baroness Milidere (and I'm not sure of that spelling. Sorry if it's wrong...) is this book's "Liselle/Velvet". She's even a honey-blonde who wears violet! It's pretty obvious that they're going to end up together.
There are certain things that I vaguely remember from that first reading so many years ago. However, it's very much a series that I could read again. If you didn't like the Mallorian/Belgariad, you might like this series. It's not quite the "let's poke at all the tropes in Fantasy" that the other series is.
August 15, 2012
I'm sad that it took me two weeks to complete this one. I love having the time to finish a novel in a day or two, but I didn't have the opportunity to do so with this one. Thus, my memory is a bit unreliable as I try to seperate what happened in this book from what happened in the last three.
There's no denying the fact that I love reading Eddings' stuff now that I've gotten a taste of it. It's fraught with entertainment, wit, great characters, one liners, action, sideline love stories, and generally great story telling . I've read that some people have accused his books of not having any plot to them, but I find that I must disagree. Each of the books I've read so far has had conflicts and resolutions that have been interesting enough to keep me more than sufficiently intrigued to pick up the next one.
I was pleased to find that this next trilogy is pretty much a continuation of the last (only a bit later). I'm not ready to part with these characters quite yet!
There's no denying the fact that I love reading Eddings' stuff now that I've gotten a taste of it. It's fraught with entertainment, wit, great characters, one liners, action, sideline love stories, and generally great story telling . I've read that some people have accused his books of not having any plot to them, but I find that I must disagree. Each of the books I've read so far has had conflicts and resolutions that have been interesting enough to keep me more than sufficiently intrigued to pick up the next one.
I was pleased to find that this next trilogy is pretty much a continuation of the last (only a bit later). I'm not ready to part with these characters quite yet!
September 27, 2016
The down side of rereading books a lot is that eventually you start to give the book less stars than in the past. I still like the book but traveling to a new location doesn't make the story 'fresh'. Especially when it takes months to get there, months at the place, and will take months to return. No head of state can be gone from the country for a year. As I say that, I suddenly remember that I believe some heads of state might have done just that in the Medieval period in Europe. Okay maybe it isn't as unbelievable as I thought. Still, there despite the years between the two series, there seems to be little in the way of personal growth. Some characters are recognizably older, but that is about it. It is still a good book but I found myself scanning parts to get to the better parts. So I dropped it by one star.
November 9, 2015
Its been years since I read this series, but I figured it was time to revisit these Eddings books.
As always, Eddings is a master at creating societies and culture, but reading this as an adult, I feel that it is definitely written for young adults. This doesn't make it less fun to read, but don't expect any revelations here. What I often remember from these books is that the author is great building characters that you love. They are the best at what they do and when they are all working together, they create a synergy that is really fun to watch. No plan is incomplete, no stone is left un-turned. Unfortunately, he doesn't really write his protagonists that way. The heros are always one step ahead of the bad guys, which doesn't make for a super climactic ending.
But it's a fun read.
As always, Eddings is a master at creating societies and culture, but reading this as an adult, I feel that it is definitely written for young adults. This doesn't make it less fun to read, but don't expect any revelations here. What I often remember from these books is that the author is great building characters that you love. They are the best at what they do and when they are all working together, they create a synergy that is really fun to watch. No plan is incomplete, no stone is left un-turned. Unfortunately, he doesn't really write his protagonists that way. The heros are always one step ahead of the bad guys, which doesn't make for a super climactic ending.
But it's a fun read.
August 15, 2012
Compared with what I've read in the recent past, this is a great piece of fantasy. Since I read quite a lot of YA-fantasy lately, I was getting quite sick of it, especially the love triangles.
Domes of Fire has mature main characters, not too much of romance but is humorous. I also quite liked Eddings' writing style and the narrator's style of reading the book.
It might have been preferable to start with the series that precedes this, but although I didn't do that, I could follow the story perfectly well (but I think I might have enjoyed it even more, had I known more about the references to the first series given here). I'll probably read the first series one day and I'll certainly continue this.
Domes of Fire has mature main characters, not too much of romance but is humorous. I also quite liked Eddings' writing style and the narrator's style of reading the book.
It might have been preferable to start with the series that precedes this, but although I didn't do that, I could follow the story perfectly well (but I think I might have enjoyed it even more, had I known more about the references to the first series given here). I'll probably read the first series one day and I'll certainly continue this.
December 4, 2016
I'm really not sure how I want to rate this book. It feel short on so many things for me. It was slow, character names and relationships were explained so fast I had no idea who anyone truly was. For an adventure book it was decent, I enjoyed the politics & the relationships between the different races. The action and combat scenes were very inviting. The problem was not many, and they only lasted roughly 1 chapter each.
I do want to continue the Tamuli adventure simply to see what happens, however I just don't see myself doing that. There are many other series I know are quicker and I would enjoy more. I may return to book 2,3 eventually but i'll wait to find this in a used book store.
I do want to continue the Tamuli adventure simply to see what happens, however I just don't see myself doing that. There are many other series I know are quicker and I would enjoy more. I may return to book 2,3 eventually but i'll wait to find this in a used book store.
April 19, 2013
This is the first book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it. In this, the hero Sparhawk and his Queen have to travel across the world to investigate stange stories of legendary heroes rising from the grave to help the people fight their rulars. But not everything is as it seems and even with a God on their side, they are hard pushed to find their enemy. Even a great victory ends up being just another test by those they face.
This had a really good sense of humour about it and a good story. Although I haven't read the preceding novels, I didn't feel that I had missed anything. Well worth the read and I can't wait to get on to the next in the series.
This had a really good sense of humour about it and a good story. Although I haven't read the preceding novels, I didn't feel that I had missed anything. Well worth the read and I can't wait to get on to the next in the series.
April 6, 2016
Plot-wise, it seems the Tamuli series is not as strong as the Elenium (much like I didn't think the Malloreon was as strong as the Belgariad). Character-wise, however, I really liked all the new developments our favourite characters went through, the ways in which some of them grew up and others merely changed, and the way the relationships between them developed. In all reality, I don't mind so much that the story isn't as solid because I just like reading about everyone again and seeing what happened to them some years into the future. I guess that means I wasn't ready to say good-bye to the world of the Elenium yet!
August 13, 2020
I forgot how much I enjoy fantasy novels. This was my first venture into David Eddings (yes I know I have read them out of order) and overall I am enjoying it. So far the story has been rather predictable and there are moments of cringe in relation to sexism and racism and other moments where I feel like I've missed things and assumptions, decisions and actions are just made with no real lead up or understanding as to why!
It's one of those books where it is what it is. Once you remember who everyone is and the names of places it's an enjoyable easy fantasy read which ends abruptly so you read the next one 🤣
It's one of those books where it is what it is. Once you remember who everyone is and the names of places it's an enjoyable easy fantasy read which ends abruptly so you read the next one 🤣
November 17, 2011
This review applies to the whole of the Tamuli trilogy. It follows on directly from the intial Elenium and should be called Sparhawk Rides Again. Don't get me wrong I like the trilogy - it extends the characters we have already met, who are likeable enough to care about, and answers some of the questions that the Elenium raised. The trilogy introduces other characters, most of whom are well rounded and believable. The dialogue remains crisp and humorous and the plot rips along towards a surprising end.
September 17, 2013
Read all three of this series one after the other. Love David Eddings but a long time since I read him... Managed to get the series in a really quaint second hand book shop on my way home from my mother-in-laws'. I have read other series by him and so was pleased to see that this was just as complex and good, though one does tend to feel that innovation was rather slow to happen in these worlds and that medieval life was rather more dirty and smelly and uncomfortable than it is made out to be in these books.
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