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From the author of Neverness comes a powerful new epic fantasy series. The Lord of the Rings meets Le Morte D’Arthur in the Ea Cycle. The Lightstone is as rich and as magical as both.The world of Ea is an ancient world settled in eons past by the Star People. However, their ancestors floundered in their purpose to create a great stellar civilisation on the new planet: they fell into moral decay.Now a champion has been born who will lead them back to greatness by means of a spiritual – and adventurous – quest for Ea’s Grail: the Lightstone.His name is Valashu Elahad, and he is destined to become King. Blessed (or cursed?) with an empathy for all living things, he will lead his people into the lands of Morjin, into the heart of darkness, wielding a magical sword called Alkadadur, there to recover the mythical Lightstone and return in triumph with his prize.But Morjin is not to be vanquished so easily…
Valashu Elahad, a prince burdened with profound empathy, must embark on a perilous quest to recover the legendary Lightstone and restore his people's lost moral purpose. As the heir to a civilization founded by ancient star-travelers, Valashu faces the encroaching shadow of the dark lord Morjin, whose influence threatens to consume the world of Ea. The narrative follows Valashu’s physical trek into hostile territories, utilizing a third-person perspective that emphasizes the weight of his royal destiny and the internal conflict between his compassionate nature and the violence required of a warrior-king. He must navigate complex political landscapes and supernatural threats while wielding the blade Alkadadur to confront the corruption that has plagued his ancestors for eons.
The narrative structure suggests a deliberate homage to the foundational texts of high fantasy, prioritizing expansive world-building and philosophical inquiry over rapid pacing. The premise indicates that the work functions as a meditation on the intersection of ancient myth and science-fiction-inflected history, creating a distinct atmosphere for the reader. The focus on Valashu’s internal moral struggles provides a consistent anchor for the sprawling geography and complex lore of the Ea cycle. The text appears to cater to readers who appreciate dense, character-driven epics that examine the ethical implications of power and the weight of ancestral legacy.
Page Count:
880
Publication Date:
2001-08-06
Publisher:
Voyager
ISBN-10:
0002247550
ISBN-13:
9780002247559
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