In the third and concluding volume of Eddings' Elenium saga, Sparhawk the knight has achieved his quest for the jewel Bhelliom, which will save Queen Ehlana from death by poison. Unfortunately, the possession of this powerful talisman makes him a target for a wide variety of beings, divine and mortal, who are also interested in acquiring Bhelliom and its powers. Sparhawk and his companions have an extremely lively time staying ahead of their enemies and a great many adventures in Eddings' well-wrought world before the knight can marry Ehlena and with her become foster-parents to a little girl who is also a goddess. This trilogy shows more originality and equivalent talent in other respects when compared to Eddings' other work. At this rate, his large audience may grow still larger. (Reviewed Dec. 1, 1991)0345374746Roland Green

This final volume of the Elenium trilogy, which began with The Diamond Throne , is also set in a magic world in turmoil. Here we follow the Pandion Knight Sparhawk as he uses the infinitely powerful sapphire-rose jewel Bhelliom to awaken Cimmura's queen Ehlana from the poison administered by the primate Annias, who seeks control over her kingdom and, in particular, her treasury. Annias is supported in his bid to become archprelate of the Church of the Elenes by the Elder God Azash, imprisoned by his fellow gods and seeking release through the powers of Bhelliom. After Sparhawk is coerced into marriage by Ehlana, he sets out with his companions, including the Styric seer Sephrenia, for the Holy City of Chyrellos, to rescue his people from destruction by Azash and his archpriest Otha. Having saved the city from its besieger, Martel, the small band of adventurers must proceed to Azash's lair to vanquish him and safeguard their world. Eddings adroitly mixes the exalted with the mundane in a tale that should satisfy his many fans. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved