The Eunuch's Heir [Mass Market Paperback]

Elaine Isaak (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 31, 2007

Wild prince of the realm Wolfram duRhys spends his days carousing and wenching—anything to avoid the legacy of his revered father, Kattanan duRhys, who saved the kingdom and created a legend impossible to match. But when his carefree existence is shattered by an assassination attempt, he discovers that he's been living a lie and a dark destiny awaits.

Fleeing to a distant land of magic and mystery, he finds the love of a cloistered virgin, the ire of a priestess with a plan for bloody revenge, and a cult that would claim all those he holds dear. But a much darker threat looms that will either save his land or leave it in utter ruin.

Sweeping magical adventure, political intrigue, and romance unite in this stunning follow-up to The Singer's Crown.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The lusty Prince Wolfram, heir to the late, saintly King Kattanan Rhys, flees the kingdom of Lochalyn following an attempt on his life in Isaak's colorful but overly ornate sequel to her debut, The Singer's Crown (2005). With his safety endangered and true parentage in question, Wolfram leaves behind his mother, Queen Brianna, and her Lord Protector, Fionvar DuNormand, but is accompanied by his foster sister, Princess Melody, to the land of Hemijrai, a Middle Eastern stand-in contraposed with the "western" realm of Lochalyn. He falls in love with Deishima, a virginal acolyte of the priestess Faedra, a zealot who seduces Melody into a Hemijrai Rebirth ritual that could imperil Lochalyn. Isaak's occasionally slow-going sophomore effort may confuse readers unfamiliar with her debut. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Harper Voyager; First Thus edition (July 31, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060782595
• ISBN-13: 978-0060782597
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,665,112 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I began writing stories at an early age, and my mother's keepsake chest contains several tiny spiral-bound notebooks full of childish block-lettered tales. I spent much of my youth guiding friends on imaginary quests and rescues in the forests of central Massachusetts--I used to pretend I was Aragorn.

After discarding other career options including archaeology and genetic engineering, I elected to attend the Rhode Island School of Design, intending to study fashion design and perhaps work for the theater, combining my interests in art and literature. Instead, I opted for a sculpture major where I created artworks based on the history of books and wrote an installation proposal no artwork could hope to live up to. While studying abroad in Italy, I acknowledged my inner drive and withdrew from school to work on a novel. Yes, I am an art school drop out.

In the meantime, I worked creating animal mascot costumes for corporations and parades. During this time, I began writing The Singer's Crown, the third novel I started, and the second one I completed. In 1997, I founded Curious Characters, creating and marketing unique stuffed animals like greelings, hyffers, and the Amazing Zahnee! Part of the plan included a "storyletter," the Curious Times, where I told stories about the mythos of these creatures to introduce them to the public.

Rekindling an old passion for poetry, I became a regular at a local coffee house open mike where I discovered a new passion: Edward, a fellow poet, who married me. We bought an old house, painted it mint green, and moved in two cats, two computers and a collection of masks from around the world. That same year, I attended the Odyssey Speculative Fiction Workshop where I learned to sculpt words into something stronger, bolder and better by far.

After taking time to visit India, China, and Mongolia, Ed and I welcomed our daughter, Laurel. My husband is a software engineer and Laurel, now 5, is working on becoming an engineer or a fairy princess. In addition to soft sculpture, Curious Characters specializes in a line of light-hearted small-scale metal sculptures available at gift shops across the country. I write in a quiet office in my new green house, where I am free at any moment to leap into a new adventure.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars solid romantic fantasy, October 14, 2006

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Eunuch's Heir (Paperback)

His father the late King Kattanan duRhys is a legend for his fair, just and strong rule; some would say a saint. Most of residents of the Kingdom of Lochalyn believe the deceased revered monarch made one mistake, his heir. Knowing he could never live up to his sire's accomplishments Prince Wolfram spends much of his time partying with women.

That changes when someone tries to assassinate Wolfram, which shakes him out of his hedonistic lifestyle at the same time his ascension to the throne is challenged by doubts that he is the true offspring of the good King Kattanan. Needing time to regroup while remaining safe, Wolfram flees with his eighteen year old foster sister Princess Melody; he leaves his mother Queen Brianna and the Lord Protector Fionvar duNormand in charge of the monarchy. The two royal travelers reach the mystical Hemijrai where the Prince falls in love with virginal Priestess Dieshima while her mentor Priestess Faedara wants the male infidel dead and his female companion to join them in a sacrificial rebirth that could lead to a flowing of blood in Lochalyn.

The sequel to THE SINGER'S CROWN (Kattanan's tale) is a solid romantic fantasy starring a spoiled prince whose late father gave him everything he wanted as a reaction to the murders of those he loved when he was the heir. Thus in many ways Wolfram is the more fascinating character than his sire whose "mission" was established by his uncle's killings. The story line is filled with action and a sort of comparative analysis between the two nations that are polar opposites in outlook. Still to fully understand the goings-on, readers should first peruse THE SINGER'S CROWN as that not only provides explanations to the exiled heir's personality; it gives insight to referenced events. Elaine Isaak provides a solid second story to her saga.

Harriet Klausner

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Eunich's Heir is a great read, January 13, 2007

By 

Wendy L. Trommer "Wendy L." (Bedford, NH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Eunuch's Heir (Paperback)

Having recently finshed "The Singer's Crown", I couldn't wait to pick up "The Eunuch's Heir". I was not disappointed, another complex plot line, well developed characters, fast paced novel combining all my favorite things, suspense, intrigue, spies and unexpected plot twists. Looking foward to seeing more from this author.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Phenominal Sequel to a Fantastic book, November 17, 2006

By 

K. Henson (Milford, NH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Eunuch's Heir (Paperback)

This is a fantastically written sequel to a wonderfully adictive novel. Elaine never fails to draw you into her worlds quickly and fully. Wolfram is a character that you love for his faults and despise those who try to hurt him. The characters are masterfully written, truly able to draw out your empathy, sympathy, disadain, and yes even hatred. The setting is strange and vaguely familiar at the same time. Again this is a wonderful book from a fanatstic writer. A must read.