The Jewel of Tamar [Paperback]

Karyn White (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 3, 2002

When their village is destroyed, Sillara, a young noblewoman, and Tsujatha, a grimy youth of uncertain parentage, find themselves swept up in affairs that rock their entire nation. Who are the invaders who attacked their borders? Why was their village burned but not sacked? And why did the victorious army go back instead of pressing its advantage? Neither Sillara nor Tsujatha can make anything of it, but they must learn the truth before the chain of events set in motion brings down all the Savage Elves. Yet the two companions must also each discover the truth of themselves before they can face the challenges ahead. Can Tsujatha stand the truth of his history? And what of Sillara's noble heritage? Will it bear scrutiny?The Jewel of Tamar brings the reader into Gilalion, an entirely new world, complete with its own history, languages, and peoples. It is epic fantasy, with its broad canvas of world-shaking adventures, yet it never loses sight of the inner workings of the minds of its protagonists. The vividly drawn characters will stay in your memory long after you have finished the book, and you will want to return to them and to Gilalion again and again.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Raised with an appreciation for all literature, for fantasy in particular, Karyn Alease White has always dreamed of writing her own fantasy novels. She began writing stories at the age of twelve and has never stopped. The Jewel of Tamar is her first full-length novel.Alease was born in the United States in 1974, but her parents moved abroad when she was nine. From that time she has lived the life of an expatriate, moving from various capitals in Europe to her current residence in Japan. She now lives in Saitama with her husband and three daughters, where she is working on her master's thesis in literature for California State University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 468 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (October 3, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1403355819
• ISBN-13: 978-1403355812
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,361,289 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars An intriguing story, but poorly told ( and far too expensive for what it is)., March 28, 2006

By 

AR "ineedagoodnickname" (Nowhere, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Jewel of Tamar (Paperback)

"The Jewel of Tamar" introduces the reader to the world of Gilalion, a fantasy realm of the author's own device. The story centers around two young elves, unaware of their peculiar heritages, forced to walk the path of their destiny. The story in and of itself is quite enchanting, especially so for those familiar with K. Alease White's Gilalion based web site or her Tsujatha mod for Baldur's Gate II. However, the story's execution is somewhat flawed. White's writing ability is lacking - she dedicates numerous pages and chapters to mundane and repetitive incidents, while sparing a few, rushed pages for the tale's climatic events. Furthermore, her writing is amateurish, most defiantly not on par with modern fantasy fiction's star writers (Terry Brooks, George R.R. Martin, Robbin Hobbs, etc.). Numerous spelling mistakes can be found throughout the book. Overall, it is what you would expect to find on a free online site devoted to fan fiction. Because of its high cost, this book is not for you unless you are truly enchanted with White's fantasy realm.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Kudos, March 17, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Jewel of Tamar (Paperback)

In this her first work, K. Alease White has introduced us to the rich and multitextured world of Gilalion. In a fluid, readable style, White is uncannily able not only to draw the reader into the extravagant tale she has woven, but also to give the distinct impression that the characters and events unfolded here are but a footnote to an unimaginably larger and even more compelling mythology. If any critique can be leveled at this work, it is that it is far too short, and one can only hope that a sequel is not too long in the making.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gilalion is a world to get lost in!, October 23, 2002

By 

"burkus_aurelius" (Troy, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Jewel of Tamar (Paperback)

This is definitely a book I would recommend to anyone. It has a concentration on character development that does not slow down its fast pace or ignore the diversity and beauty of its setting. Rich characters and landscapes give it heart and a tremendous depth. Any fan of the fantasy genre, or even those new to it, will enjoy this book from cover to cover. Fascinating characters range from the pure-hearted to the darkest of souls and the tragedy of some stuck in between. I definitely can't wait for the next installment in this beautiful and dangerous world of Gilalion!