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Synopsis
In this sequel to Ring of Five Dragons and the second volume of the towering fantasy epic, The Pearl, Lustbader returns to his world of Kundala to unearth new riches of wonder and excitement. Having staked his claim as a master of epic fantasy with The Ring of Five Dragons, Eric Van Lustbader now returns to his world of Kundala to unearth new riches of wonder and excitement in this second volume of The Pearl saga. With the help of her friends, Riane, the prophesied redeemer known as the Dar Sala-at, saved Kundala from annihilation, preserving natives and V'ornn invaders alike. Together, the companions avenged terrible crimes and secured the Ring of Five Dragons, but their struggles have only just begun. The Ring averted doomsday, yet it did not open the magical Storehouse Door as expected. That sorcerous treasury remains sealed because of the spell cast by Giyan and her sister. A spell to migrate Annon Ashera's male V'ornn psyche into Riane's dying Kundalan female body. By combining them into a single being, it saved them both and fulfilled the prophecy that the Dar Sala-at would be "born at both ends of the cosmos." But the spell also breached the Abyss, releasing daemons who could wreak havoc on Kundala. The daemons were imprisoned there aeons ago by the Goddess Miina. Now the fiends must be vanquished, not only so the quest for the Pearl can continue, but to save Giyan, who has been possessed by the archdaemon Horolaggia. Their only hope is the fabled Veil of A Thousand Tears.
Is The Veil of a Thousand Tears appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 16 and up.
This epic fantasy sequel features daemon battles, possession, and body-soul merging with strong violence and complex themes about identity, colonization, and redemption. The protagonist is a merged being of two souls that must defeat ancient demons to save both invader and native populations.
What to know going in
This book has strong violence, mild sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include death, possession, and body horror (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Teens will be gripped by Riane's quest to defeat daemons and save her possessed mentor while wrestling with her dual identity as both V'ornn and Kundalan.