The Obsidian Key (Legend of Asahiel, Book 2) [Hardcover]

Eldon Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 3, 2006

In battle's fire, young Jarom became Torin, King of Alson, and now must forge his kingdom from the ruins of an empire. But by recklessly reclaiming the Crimson Sword of Asahiel, Torin reopened a dimensional realm no longer sealed by the power of the Obsidian Key. And now the Illysp have emerged from history's darkest hour—foul spirits that possess men's bodies and enslave their souls. With enemies advancing on all sides, Torin must undertake a perilous voyage to unearth the ancient secrets once used to overcome the vile interlopers. Yet even if Torin can somehow miraculously survive, it may already be too late for his devastated land.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

After washing out as a college quarterback, Eldon Thompson returned to his first love, writing. Unfortunately, he's found wrestling plots and characters to be every bit as rough—though with less physical bruising. The author of The Crimson Sword and The Obsidian Key, he splits his time between the Oregon coast and Southern California.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 528 pages
• Publisher: Harper Voyager (July 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006074152X
• ISBN-13: 978-0060741525
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,823,933 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

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Leaning more towards a 3 1/2!!, July 26, 2006

By 

Stanley Kokoszka (Hereford, Pa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Obsidian Key (Legend of Asahiel, Book 2) (Hardcover)

I have to admit that the book was a good fantasy read and Eldon Thompson is certainly a good writer as far as his use of language is concerened. But, the character development isn't so good and this is what really killed this book as well as the previous book for me. The main characters get a bit annoying. Its clear that they are all reluctent to embark upon the task that is set before them, but there comes a point when it gets old. However, the plot to this story as well as the last was really good......Oh, one more thing. It really bothers me that no one bothers to mention in this book how they could of gotten rid of the demon queen in the first book without causing great harm to the world with the sword. This book harps on the fact that taking the sword was a mistake and yet no one offered up another solution....things like this make the series incomplete...But all and all it was a good story to read.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great continuation of the series, June 20, 2007

By 

Eric Mathiasen (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Obsidian Key (Legend of Asahiel, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

I thought this book was a great continuation from the first one. Thompson has a definite skill in using detail to paint the scenes as you imagine the story unfolding. I read fantasy mainly for the escapism, so I really appreciate it when an author goes to the trouble to covey the world his story is set in - it makes it that much easier to slip into the world of the characters and let myself get lost in an alternate universe for a while.

I might have gone with 4 1/2 star if it were available, because I can't say it's the level of perfection that five stars implies, but I did really enjoy the book which I think is the most important thing for any fantasy novel, so I'm going ahead and rounding up.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Well written but lacking character, January 13, 2009

By 

K mort - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Obsidian Key (Legend of Asahiel, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

I'll write as spoiler free as possible, heck half wont make sense unless you've read it (and then who knows how much of that half will).

It's tough as I don't want to write a mean review for fear of an author actually coming to check out the review and become disheartened for any reasons but here we go.....

To me a big part of reading is the flow of a novel. How well the characters are developed, how they go from event to event, how the in between of big events happens, for fantasy the fighting styles, strengths and weaknesses of characters, and really the most important is whether or not I can remember what I read after i'm done reading it (title, characters, etc). This book sadly I did not remember the title, nor the proper spelling of some characters' names.

Firstly the writing is very dull. It has very good description of environments and surroundings but when it comes to actually swordplay or witty dialogue look elsewhere. Not to knock the book too much but most of the time I get bored reading the fluff that happens from event to event unless there is some point to it but really there seemed to be none. There was very good use of words that aren't used too often though, so makes ya feel kinda smart reading it.

The characters now: I liked Torin. Good noble guy who just wants to do the right thing. I was nearly dumbfounded though at the turn of events at the end, because anyone who finds something in which the entire first book seemed to be the important part and then is just ok with it!?! is well I can't even explain it without giving spoilers. Torin's dialogue is never witty, funny, etc... it's more tailored to his "torment" of not being able to do the nymphs he is with.... that and the twist mentioned before really lend to the written from a male's PoV (not that I care what sex writes a book but some ideas of love really seem to slip)
Now for the best friend and the girlfriend who get trapped over on the other side without Torin (who mind you is out trying to save the world nonetheless).... well I just do not like them anymore. Allion for whatever reason has become a total coward 90% of the time (not everyone is duke nukem but sometimes you gotta ask if they dropped yet) and the whole change of the novel with him and Torin's girlfriend (or was it wife haha!).... well again makes me question myself on how well I read the first book.

sigh who else was there... the entient dad was overly gruff to the point as to how could someone be this angry. His role late redeemed himself some(although again it made me wonder what i was reading because a lot of things seemed to not fall into place... a lot of missed chances, etc)

Now that we're done with writing style and characters I guess the most disappointing part of the book was the plot.

Reading other peoples reviews I guess I took his book a different way... but really to me there was no nice flow to it, something that separates a reading by the toilet novel to one that you can't set down.

all in all not the best book but the firm grasp of the English language (lacking the emotion / dialogue / psyche) makes it a novel you're not embarrassed to have read.