The Treasured One - Softcover

Eddings, David; Eddings, Leigh

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0007157622 ISBN 13: 9780007157624

Publisher: Voyager, 2004

Synopsis

The second brilliant book in a brand new fantasy series, set in an entirely new world, from bestselling authors David and Leigh Eddings.

They are called the Dreamers. They look like sleeping children. They are, in fact, Gods.

Despite the literally earth-shattering climax of The Elder Gods, Dahlaine still does not regret having brought the Dreamers into the world of the Elder Gods. He only wishes he’d thought harder about the consequences.

His sister Aracia fears the whole world will collapse in on itself if the Dreamers should all wake up and realize where they are. It’s bad enough with them dreaming the future, but at least it’s a future.

Dahlain is pretty sure he’s safe from an ‘I-told-you-so’ from Aracia. The Dreamers give the Elder Gods a chance in the battle against the vicious Ruler of the Wasteland.

Then spies of very short stature start cropping up in Veltan’s bucolic and peaceful domain.They look like people, or maybe they all look like the same person, but they are more sinister than that.

Fortunately, Dahlaine is soon on the scene riding his thunderbolt. This second story of the sibling Gods is the story of the first God Dahlaine and his child Yaltar, who is so dangerous when asleep. And it is the story of the Treasured One, a mysterious presence who is controlling Yaltar’s dreams!

About this title

Review:

The Treasured One is another lightweight, feelgood fantasy epic from David and Leigh Eddings. As book two of their sequence The Dreamers, it continues the story that opened in The Elder Gods.

The idyllic land of Dhrall, home of this fantasy world's gods, is still threatened by an unpleasantness lurking in its inland wastes. The Vlagh is an insect-like hive mind which in the great tradition of Dark Lords is constantly experimenting with magic genetic engineering, to spawn ever nastier and more venomous hordes of cannon fodder.

Although the forces of light are led by four somewhat naive gods, with elemental support from Father Earth, Mother Sea, and others, there is a snag. The gods are unable to kill. So the other four gods (whose 25,000-year shift hasn't yet begun) have been brought back early in the form of excessively cute kids whose dreams are not only prophetic but can unleash cataclysms like floods and volcanoes. Take that, Vlagh!

Further backup comes from overseas human mercenaries whose traditional enmities are cured by promises of much gold, and whose conversations are full of jolly military and nautical camaraderie. Unfortunately the southern homeland's utterly corrupt, repulsive Church--which has no redeeming features at all--hears about this gold and sends its own invasion fleet to Dhrall

The narrative has a somewhat padded feel, with frequent flashbacks and recaps which explore the past lives of significant characters (farmer, treacherous churchman, military commander, pirates), retell events in the previous book, and even retell events in this book. We hear many times what happens when the Church invaders arrive, as character after character after character is told the story. Meanwhile, despite all the forces arrayed against the next Vlagh attack, a secret ally with more than godlike power is weaving her own cunning if slightly unscrupulous plan to help.

The Treasured One reads smoothly, raises the occasional smile with passages of friendly banter, contains no huge surprises, and is destined to sell very well indeed. For the Eddings' legions of fans, this is essential comfort reading to pass the long holiday hours.--David Langford

Review:

Praise for David Eddings:

‘My ideal summer read... fantastic escapism’
The Irish Times

‘All the verve and pace we’ve come to expect.’
The Dark Side

‘Offers an absorbing storyline and some memorable characters as, once again, the author touches all the right fantasy bases, with warring gods, political intrigues, supernatural creatures and appealingly human magicians involved in a titanic war over the course of seven millennia.’
Publishers Weekly

‘There’s no denying Eddings’ offerings do entertain. This novel is for fantasy fans fed up with more fusty fare, or for anyone who likes mischief and merriment.’
West Australian

About this edition

• Publisher: Voyager
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0007157622
• ISBN 13: 9780007157624
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 528