Prince of Skulls [Paperback]

M.A.R. Barker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2002

Enter the world of Tékumel, where the planes of existence are easily crossed and the skeins of fate twist and turn. Hársan, linguist and priest of the god of wisdom, is sent on a diplomatic mission beyond the frontiers of the Empire of the Petal Throne. He and his companions are caught in a skirmish with ferocious foes, both human and alien, and flee in an ancient underground tubeway car in order to save a spoiled and petulant N'lüss princess. Arriving in distant Ghatón, they discover a plan that could change the very future of Tékumel. And this is only the beginning of their adventures...

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Born in 1929. M.A.R. Barker is a retired professor of Urdu and South Asian Studies. In his youth, he created the world of Tekumel, a fantasy world based on Ancient India, the Middle East, the Aztecs and Mayans, and other non-European sources. Tekumel has spawned three professionally-published roleplaying games over the course of the years ("Empire of the Petal Throne", "Swords & Glory" and "Gardasiyal: Adventures in Tekumel"), as well as fan-produced rules ("Tirikelu" and others). A brand-new roleplaying game set in Tekumel is due to be published in the summer of 2004 by Guardians of Order, currently titled "Tekumel: Empire of the Petal Throne". Currently resides in Minneapolis, MN, USA..

Product Details

• Paperback: 195 pages
• Publisher: Zottola Publishing, Inc (November 2002)
• ISBN-10: 0972588000
• ISBN-13: 978-0972588003
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,364,645 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining read for the initiated, April 13, 2005

By 

Nyelmu "Just hanging in the Garden" (Weeping Snows, Jakalla) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prince of Skulls (Paperback)

Of the three new books by Barker, this is the best. The writing is not brilliant, but entertaining enough. I read these for content not style, and as such these novels are for fans of this richly detailed, very original world. Of the three new novels this one reveals the most about the history of the world, the early mythology, and the most about certain secrets which have been hinted at in the game materials since 1975. Well worth it for the game who has ever played Empire of the Petal Throne. This is a much shorter novel that Man of Gold or Flamesong, and lacks the inner dialogs and inner workings of the characters that made them very good books, but it is still worth reading. In this one Barker dared to reveal things and use a complete ending, something he didn;t have the courage to do in Lords of Tsamra and Death of Kings. Lords is a worthwhile read as well, as is Death, when it comes down to it, but one can clearly see in Death of Kings where the author chickened out and bailed from writing the more complicated, tricky ending that the book builds too and ducks, leaving the reader with the literary equivalent of Azure Spheres. If you know what I mean.

That being said, these 3 novels are indespensible for anyone who has purchased the excellent new game from Guardians of Order. Here's hoping Prof. Barker has it in him to produce another good novel or two along the lines of this book, Flamesong, or Man of GOld.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Neither a kids' book, nor a waste of time, March 31, 2005

By 

R. S. Maxwell (Hayden Lake, ID USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Prince of Skulls (Paperback)

I must preface this by saying that I am a huge fan of anthropology and reading about fantastic cultures. M.A.R. (Phil) Barker has created a wonderfully alien world in Tekumel. The world is fully realized and full of mystery and a "realness" lacking in most fantasy and science fiction worlds.

With that being said, I was disappointed that the novel downplayed the alien elements of Tekumel. The writing is acceptable and the plot is not anything spectacular, but that is not the point of these novels. Experiencing Tekumel is the reason to read them.

If you are looking for a "Great read", then try something else. But if you are seeking to experience Tekumel or wish to be gently introduced to Tekumel, then this is one of the books for you.

I hope that Prof. Barker produces more works in the future. And I hope that he delves deeper and deeper into Tekumel.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars M.A.R. Barkers World of Tekumel lives again!, April 14, 2008

By 

H. L. Marcus - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Prince of Skulls (Paperback)

This is one of three Sequels to the Man of Gold DAW book published in the 1980s. Still able to weave a realistic world view, Professor Barker continues his love of languages and his detailed fantasy world, Tekumel.

Note of caution, this is a detailed novel and not a casual read. Well worth the time to enjoy it.