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"Fantastic epic fantasy"

Because of the human blood drank by the dragon-daemon Drakhaoul that possesses him, Prince Gavril Nagarian of Azhkendir defeated the invaders led by Prince Eugene of Tielen (see LORD OF SNOW AND SHADOWS). However, to keep his soul human, Gavril rids himself of Drakhaol. The consequence of purging himself of the dragon-daemon is the loss of the power that enabled his country to vanquish the Tielen forces.

Eugene, still dreaming of uniting the entire Rossiyan people under his rule, leads a counterattack, but this time without the dragon, Gavril fails to drive back the enemy. Gavril is locked away at the remote high security Iron Tower, permanent home for the criminal crazies. The obsessed Prince now possesses five of the "tears" ripped from the giant ruby eye of the sculptured dragon that guards the entrance between two worlds. Drakhaoul returns with the uniting of the tears in the eye of the dragon being the only way to send him back to his realm, but the likely person to accomplish this deed remains locked away in a tower of lunatics.

The second tale of the Tears of Artamon trilogy is a fantastic epic fantasy that contains several strong subplots. The key element is that readers will believe the cast is real to include Drakhaoul and the seesawing emotions inundating Gavril as he goes from hero and free to despondent and prisoner. Eugene is also a delightful individual as the audience observes his fixation through the eyes of his disgruntled spouse and others, but believes he is destined to unite the principalities while human cost does not matter to him. Readers will cherish this excellent tale.

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted July 9, 2004

Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted January 24, 2007

Gavril Nagarian has finally cast out the dragon-daemon. The Drakhaoul is gone - and with it all Gavril's fearsome powers. But now rid of the daemon's unnatural lusts and desires, he understands how he has betrayed his birthright and his people - he has put the ice-bound kingdom of Azhkendir at risk and lost.

Emerging from his battle with the Lord Drakhaon scarred but victorious, Eugene of Tielen exacts a terrible revenge upon the vanquished. For crimes against the Rossiyan Empire, renegade warlord Gavril Nagarian is condemned to spend the rest of his days in an asylum for the insane - for the absence of the Drakhaoul is indeed slowly driving him mad. But Eugene is motivated by something altogether more sinister. He longs to possess the Drakhaoul - whatever the cost to his kingdom and his humanity.

With Gavril imprisoned in Ironsea Tower, it is left to three women to keep his memory alive. His mother - having returned to her homeland - sows the seeds of rebellion, while a young scullery maid whose heart is broken by Gavril's incarceration sends her spirit out to quest the Ways Beyond. And even the Emperor's new wife is haunted by the memory of the handsome young painter who once captured her soul.

As the five realms of a shattered empire are reunited and the last of Artamon's ruby tears adorns Eugene's crown, peace comes to New Rossiya. But peace can be as fragile as a rebel's whisper. Or a captive's desire to be free.

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