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Reviews of The Lightstone:
‘Vividly imaginative and truly grand’ Time Out
‘Remarkable for scale, ambition and a capacity to evoke sinister beauty … with the inherent strengths of mythic structure, bringing to the tale a sense of urgency and spiritual depth … heroism is not just heroic acts but an emotional space that goes with the acquisition of doomed love and mortal enemies. This is an impressive start to an interesting cycle.’ Roz Kaveney AMAZON
‘Every so often a novel comes along that threatens to redefine its genre. The Lightstone is such a novel … Zindell re-imagines the epic on a grand scale … The Lightstone shines brightly ’ DREAMWATCH
‘David Zindell’s words are like magic, which manage to capture the tiniest nuances of his landscapes and characters and bring them to life … If you want something that will make you think, that touches on elements of spirituality and philosophy and the fine lines between good and evil then The Lightstone is a winner’ WHSMITH.CO.UK
Product Description
Death and destruction surround the Lightstone in the second book of this magnificent and deeply moving fantasy epic.
The Cup of Heaven has been wrested from the hall of Morjin the Liar, the Great Red Dragon himself, by Valashu Elahad, Valari knight and seventh son of the King of Mesh.
As Lord Guardian of the Lightstone, his task is to find the Maitreya, the one person to whom its secrets will be revealed. Even so, the power of the Lightstone pours through Valashu like a golden fire. There are many who believe Valashu himself to be the Maitreya. But Valashu can find no voice of certainty within himself. He only knows that if a man proclaims himself falsely to be the Shining One, then he shall become a new Red Dragon, only mightier and more terrible.
Then the scryer Kasandra declares a new prophecy: ‘This is the vision that I and my sisters have seen: that you, Valashu Elahad, will find the Maitreya in the darkest of places; that the blood of the innocent will stain your hands; that a man with no face will show you your own.’
What could be darker than finding the Lord of Light inside the cavern of his own heart?
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Customer Reviews
The book itself revolves around Valashu's quest to discover more about the lightstone and what to do with it, whilst trying to confirm to himself if he is the fabled maitreya.
Zindell does a good job throughout in keeping the author in two minds as to Valashu's existence as the maitreya, and the revalation comes in a well orchestrated scene later in the book.
The emotional side explored in this book was fascinating throughout, though some characters were not expanded upon quite enough, mainly Kane, who im sure all readers would've liked to see more of.
Zindell capps the book off with one of the best battle descriptions in modern literature, vividly recreating his vision into words and senteces.
In all the book makes no sense without the first one (The ninth kingdom), but with it expands the plotline to the point zindell could continue to the next book with little hesitation. Definitely a clarification book but will still keep you glued to the pages in anticipation.
Now this set-up looks promising enough, but unfortunately The Lord of Lies is a pretty weak sequel. Maybe it’s just mid-book syndrome, but it seems Zindell ran out of story in the first book, and now is struggling to piece something together without a general plan. Val and his companions travel over large parts of Ea, but it’s like they are fumbling around in the dark, and as a reader you also feel lost and confused.
The lack of a good plot is only part of the problem though. The characters are pretty one-dimensional and Zindell’s prose does not flow very well. In The Lightstone the well-paced story kept these things in the background, but without that distraction they become very obvious.
I hope Zindell gets back on track with the next installment of the series. I can not rate this book higher than 2 stars.
The plot of the series seems one that's been done before, obviously Lord of the Rings has an influence and so do many other books in the genre seem to ring a tune throughout, but, Zindell still brings a richness of original story and imagination not to mention brilliant characterization that he weaves into one of the most ripping epics I've ever read. I could tell you more, but am afraid to spoil the plot.
As I write this, I'm just getting into the 3rd book Black Jade, and it is blowing me away. This series is NOT becoming bland or stale like some other epics floating around at the moment and it appears that it may finish in 4 installments. That would be enough I'd think.
So get into it, I insist, you'll not be disappointed.
The world of Ea is a fascinating place.
The quest for the mythical Lightstone had brought more trouble to the kindgom. Valashu Elahad, the 7th prince of the house of Mesh, forsook his quest for knowledge for the sword and leadership of his companions. The Dark Angel Morijin has battled against Val, only to lose the object he sought. The sacred cup of Light is desired by Morijin, and yet guarded by Val. As the forces build against him, he begins to understand the magnitude of the battle he must face. His strength of character and judgement must be sound to survive what must come, the final conflict over the cup of Light. Power is nothing without temptation!
David Zindell weaves a magical tale bursting with narrative energy. His deeply hypnotic style turns the literary into imaginary, `live' images dancing on the tapestry of our imagination. I was drawn into the battle as the family of Mesh, led by Val (and the sword of sight) finally overcomes Morijin, but losing the stone. Remembering Morijin as a `man with golden eyes and a smile like the sun, beautiful in form and face.', he learns that the contrast between deception and the truth is strong Lessons can sometimes only be taught through loss. Such are those that Valashu learns. Compassion and Revenge are two sides of the same wolf. Feed one, and that side will thrive, feed the other, and the other suffers.
The 3rd book of the world of Ea sets up the next series. The quest for the Lord of Light and the Lightstone (again) will be a marvelous search, and three more delightful novels.
Look for these at your local book store or online at www.tor-forge.com.
Tim Lasiuta
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