Book Review: The Veil of a Thousand Tears

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Veil of a Thousand Tears     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Eric Van Lustbader
Class/Genre:   Fantasy
Series: Pearl Saga # 2
Tor, Jul 2002, $27.95, 667 pp.

Riane as the prophesied redeemer Dar Sala-at saved Kundala from extinction by obtaining the RING OF FIVE DRAGONS. Riane thought her quest would end with the ring. Though she and her friends have temporarily saved their world, their adventures have only started because the ring failed to unseal the spell of sisters Giyan and Bartta that closed the magical Storehouse Door allegedly containing the secrets of the Goddess Minna.

The spell merged Annon Ashera's male V'ornn essence into Riane's dying female body saving two lives, but at the cost of providing an exit from the Abyss for deadly daemons. Trapped daemons flee the Abyss committing atrocities in Kundala. The only chance to stop the daemons resides with the VEIL OF A THOUSAND TEARS. Thus Riane and associates must complete an intermediate sidebar quest before they can continue their efforts to open the magical Storehouse Door.

Part Two of the Pearl Saga, VEIL OF A THOUSAND TEARS, is a complex fantasy tale that showcases Eric van Lustbader’s ability to make magical alien realms seem real. The key cast members appear as genuine individuals through the depth provided by the author to enable the audience to comprehend their beliefs, philosophies and religions that motivate each one’s actions. The story line is action packed, well written, and can stand alone, but easier to follow if the reader recently read the RING OF FIVE DRAGONS as much of the first tale’s activities impact the second saga.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner