The Divine Talisman: Book Three of the Legend of Asahiel [Mass Market Paperback]

Eldon Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Legend of Asahiel | Publication Date: July 28, 2009

To protect his people from the demonic Illysp, Torin, king of Alson, made the ultimate sacrifice. Now his best friend and his former love seek to salvage the shattered lands beyond their borders.

But a treacherous assault costs them their most powerful weapon—the fabled Crimson Sword.

Hopelessly outmatched, Pentania's citizens must flee their conquered homeland or else perish. And now the Leviathan has been awakened—an unfathomable creature whose wrath could single-handedly destroy the entire world. Scant hope remains—save for the possibly futile efforts of a lone elf, a mad witch, and a fallen hero charged with unraveling a series of divine riddles. But doom is inevitable, unless they can somehow break the powerful bonds of a fiendish, insidious possession.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The gory final Legend of Asahiel novel (after 2006's The Obsidian Key) brings this grim fantasy epic to conclusion with plenty of violence and magical mayhem. The dreaded Illysp pressure the forces of good in Pentania with their Illychar, monsters created from the bodies and memories of the dead. Krynwall, capital of Alson, reels from the death of Torin, last bearer of the Crimson Sword, and a power struggle erupts among the city's leaders. Matters worsen when Torin's body is inhabited by the Illychar called Itz lar Thrakkon, the Boundless One. Only half-elven Annleia, daughter of the last Vandari elf, can battle Thrakkon and petition the ancient Dragon God Ravar to learn how to destroy the Illysp once and for all. The final chapter of this dense trilogy is not for new readers, but those familiar with previous events will be satisfied with its sneering villains, bloody battles and decisive climax. (Aug.)
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Review

“Written in a cinematic style, here is a novel both intimate in detail, yet breathaking in scope. It’s a brilliant odyssey that stays with you long after you turn the last page. I envy those who haven’t discovered this world yet.” (--James Rollins, New York Times bestselling author of The Judas Strain )

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 784 pages
• Publisher: Harper Voyager (July 28, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060741554
• ISBN-13: 978-0060741556
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,113,937 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

After surrendering his goal of playing pro football, Eldon set out to publish a fantasy adventure novel. In 2003, he sold his "Legend of Asahiel" trilogy to HarperCollins. In it, he is dutifully following some of the longest-standing conventions of the genre... so that he can tear them all down and catch a reader or two by surprise. If that doesn't work, he is on the verge of making a splash in Hollywood--and hopes that he won't merely drown. His screenplay adaptation of Terry Brooks's "Shannara" is currently in development at Warner Bros.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Poor., January 1, 2012

By 

Stephen R. - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Divine Talisman (Legend of Asahiel) (Kindle Edition)

An otherwise unremarkable ending to Thompson's enjoyable, if sometimes conventional, fantasy series. I grudgingly respect his desire to strike out into new territory, but it appears he forgot his roadmap. Slow, grinding at times, and with very little payoff, some may wish to stop reading at the more climactic second novel. I would prefer its cliffhanger ending to the tedious pace of this third novel.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great story, November 2, 2008

By 

Julio C. Miranda (Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Divine Talisman: Book Three of the Legend of Asahiel (Hardcover)

This book was an exelent culmination of the triology. Like the previous ones, Divine Talisman was full of battles, blood and gore, magic, and enless suffering for the main characters. Overall the story was creative, entertaining, powerful, and kept me glued to the pages the whole time. However, I was disappointed that one important character from the first book did not appear and also at the book's bittersweet ending. These three books connect us so intensely with the main character's emotions and dreams that it felt wrong that the author left his life unresolved and purposeless. Anyways, it was still one of the best fantasy series I've read and I highly recommend it!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 3rd in the Legend of Asahie, August 14, 2008

By 

SciFiChick "The SciFiChick" (Fishers, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Divine Talisman: Book Three of the Legend of Asahiel (Hardcover)

After sacrificing himself for his friends, Torin has now become possessed by the evil Illysp. And with the Crimson Sword in their control, the Illysp become nearly invincible. The only hope for the land lies in the hands of the half-elf Annleia, who appeals to a higher power in order to discover how to defeat the Illysp.

This third novel is the most exciting and action-packed yet. With the events culminating, the odds seem insurmountable. As even the most trusted of friends could be hosts to the enemy, it becomes harder for the characters to know who has or has not been possessed. Over the course of the three novels, Torin gains friends, a fiancé, a magical sword, becomes king; and then, looses it all. Even his own body, when the Boundless One possesses him. More enemies, means more battles; and Thompson doesn't skimp on the violent details. A fantasy story of epic proportions, The Divine Talisman is a wonderful conclusion to a tale of destiny, friendship, love, and sacrifice. Fans of the fantasy genre will definitely enjoy this trilogy.