An Ode to the Tamuli

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Tasslehoffer

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I was looking at different threads on the forum and somehow felt compelled to write something about the Tamuli and why I like it

There were several things that I liked about the Tamuli:

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****************Edit: Minor Spoilers Follow........... **************************************************
First of all, there were lots of really cool, wonderfully portrayed characters: Sparhawk, Itagne, Oscagne,Kalten, Talen, Stragen, Melidere, Aphrael, Krager, Mirtai, Berit, Ulath, Sarabian, Alean, and....even more

This series, the Tamuli, had the most numerous characters that I truly liked in any fantasy series. And you can compare that with his other series like The Elenium, The Belgariad, the Malloreon. I've never seen as many really cool characters in books by any other author though certainly there have been a fair number I liked much more. (Tyrion from SOIAF) I liked the main characters (except for Ehlana, of course) as well as most of the bad guys (Krager, especially, but also Zalasta who burns forever)

The scenes were truly amusing and well-done. The way the plot is moved forward and the style and dialogue used is like sitting before a warm fire. You take comfort in it and it puts you in good spirits.

I also love the idiosyncrasies of the author which show in all the small peculiarities throughout. The Tamuli Gods were children. Aphrael, both goddess and daughter. The war between the Shining Ones and Sephrenia's people which was a case of unknown betrayal. Sarabian being an intelligent puppet emperor. The utterly odd idea of putting all the government files on the lawn. Scarpa being the ******* son of Zalasta. The characterizations were wonderful and distinct

What else can I say? I'm glad Zalasta wasn't killed but, instead, burns for eternity....

I have read fantasy series that are better overall but never have I read a better humorous fantasy adventure series. I wish I hadn't read it, so I could read it now, perfectly fresh....

-Tasslehoffer
 
I must admit, I did like the Elenium and the Tamuli series - and I, too, couldn't limit the amount of characters I like to just one.:) Talen, Stragen, Melidere, (in fact, most of the thief characters) and a lot of the knights - although my favourite out of them was definitely Kalten.:)

Despite all of the other books I've read, I can always go back to the Elenium/Tamuli (not forgetting the Belgariad and the Malloreon, too). They were amongst the first books I read when I first started getting into fantasy, and I've still got my slightly tatty copies on my bookshelf.
 
havent finished with the Tamuli currently reading the Earthsea Cycle and finished reading the Elenium (good book series)
 
Edding's books are a bit like a long-term relationship, as far I'm concerned. On the one hand I love them, and almost unconditionally, but on the other, they can be REALLY annoying!

Tamuli: good characters, some wonderfully descriptive writing, nice relationship development.
Negatively: Klael - reminds me of the angel-bat-thing in Iron Man, very two-dimensional. Too much waffling around Xanetia's 'skills', plus I really don't think it would work like that. And, most importantly, the ending is a complete and total cop-out! Even the first time I read it, it frustrated me beyond belief. It's so trite, and twee, and a real let down.

But, Kalten and Ulath make me forgive most of the books shortcomings! I had a 'book crush' on Ulath when I was 17. *embarassed now*
 
Though the ending did let me down I liked the Tamuli a lot, and I can even say I had the same 'book crush' on the same certian knight at that age.... :eek: I rushed to the book store the day the newest of the books came out and leafed through before buying to make sure he didn't die.
 
If you like the Eddings' older works, then I recommend you do not touch The Redemption of Althalus with a ten foot pole. Then again, I may be the only one who found that particular story to be a waste of a tree.

I've also heard that his new Gods books are pretty horrible too.
 
After the Belgarion and Sparhawk series I was completely disappointed by The Redemption of Althalus, it was just once to often through similar idea's. My younger sister, who had never read any Edding's loves it, so maybe its not worse writing just very similar. I only read the first of the Elder Gods series and thats been enough to convince me that, although Ive fond memories of reading both Sparhawk and Belagarion series many, many times I'm not likely to get much out of anything new from Eddings.

But I would say that out of the four series The Tamuli would have to be a favourite.

I never realised Ulath was so popular with the ladies :D. His friendship with Bhlokw the troll was great as was his explanations as to why the Genidian knights wear Chain mail rather than plate armour and how they help the church in selecting the preceptors by only sending one name as a nomination.
 
The Genidians were far and away the best knights. Oooh, Ulath, grrr! *blushes*

And Althalus is ok till about four chapters in, where you realsie Althalus has Sparhawk's chin, and Belgarath's bad habits, and Silk's senses of humour. And Emmie is Polgara with fur...

I think they ran out of steam. It's ashame, but it's also a shame they diluted their writing, and obviously kept going past their natural best.
 
It is impossible not to agree about RofA. The characters were all copies or mixtures of the characters from their other two series. RofA disappointed [FONT=&quot]me so much I didn't even bother with the Elder Gods. Was it even worth it?

There seems to be a rather sizable faction of fangirls who prefer Bevier. Anyone read fanfiction.net?

But nope, for me it's Ulath. He's the best. I liked his friendship with the troll, and how it developed into this respect for all trolls. And his constant issue with Gerda's beard ... *swoon Yeah, he's still my favorite. :D
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yah i read the belgariad then the tamuli and found similarities but not enuff to freak over i havent read any others of his books mebbe i will l8r
 
Kalten was funny, and he thought pretty fast on his feet. Like in that tavern in Ruby Knight when they decided to talk to locals to find out about King Sarak? He came up pretty quickly with that whole 'I bet two crowns the battle never got so far north' thing.
 
Zombie said:
Kalten was funny, and he thought pretty fast on his feet. Like in that tavern in Ruby Knight when they decided to talk to locals to find out about King Sarak? He came up pretty quickly with that whole 'I bet two crowns the battle never got so far north' thing.
Click to expand...

And the whole letting Ehlana and Alean know who else was in Natayos (sp?) looking for them by talking to the guard outside the window and dropping hits. He's a clever one when he wants to be :p

xXx
 
Just not likely to win any spelling contests. The Gibberish scene still makes me laugh hard.
 
Wasn't there a thread talking about who you would be in the Tamuli .... I think I would like to be Gibberenian. And since the post is vacant I'll just go ahead and take Queen of the Gibberenians. :D
 
That's exactly why I love Kalten, he's just adorable. Plus I'm a sucker for blonds :D
 
Blonds? *covers Ulath with a pink wig :p Kalten's the only blond I see around here...
 
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