The Ruby Knight (The Elenium Trilogy, #2)

by David Eddings

Book two of the classic ELENIUM trilogy. The quest for the jewel of life continues. Time is running out for poisoned Queen Ehlana and if she is to be saved Sparhawk must find a powerful artefact called the Bhelliom before it's too late. But finding the rose-shaped sapphire, once mounted in the crown of the Thalasian King Sarak is no simple task. No one has set eyes upon it since his death in the heat of a legendary battle. To make things worse, Sparhawk and his allies are not the only party looking for the Bhelliom. The evil god Azash has plans for it himself, and Ghwerig the mad troll-dwarf has been ceaselessly searching for the artefact for centuries, intending to retrieve it at any cost.

• ISBN10: 0246133465
• ISBN13: 9780246133465
• Publish Date: 11 October 1990 (first published 25 September 1990)
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 14 May 1997
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Imprint: Grafton
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 400
• Language: English

Reviews

[Jo]

Originally posted on Once Upon a Bookcase.

Continuing to re-read this trilogy, and I'm still loving it!

The Ruby Knight picks up right where The Diamond Throne ended. After talking to the late King Aldreas' ghost, Sparhawk now knows the only way to save Queen Ehlana after she was poisoned is to find Bhelliom, the sapphire jewel carved into the shape of a rose. Infused with the power of the Troll Gods, Bhelliom is practically invincible, and can do anything. However, Bhelliom has been lost for around give centuries. Sparhawk must again go out to find Bhelliom, which was last seen in the crown of King Sarak, who died during the Zemoch invasion 500 years ago. Travelling with his companions to Lake Rendor, where the majority of the battle took place, they discover a creature of darkness sent by evil  Sytric Elder God Azash hot on their heels, the search becomes more desperate to find Bhelliom, before it falls into the wrong hands.

Sparhawk's journey is long, and with each month that goes by, another knight dies, handing over his sword to Sephrenia. Sparhawk begins to get frustrated and melancholic, and finds he has doubts about their journey and what it will accomplish. Is it just a fool's errand? Will they ever find Bhelliom, and will they even find it in time to save the young Queen? The danger is somewhat amped up in this book with various groups of people trying to hinder their search, and it's absolutely wonderful!

In this book do some of the events I remember take place. Fights with senseless people, raising the dead, an encounter with a crazy woman with insatiable blood lust! It's just incredible! I love the moments when Flute finally speaks and astounds them all, and when they discover the truth about who she is. And I love how we get to know some of Sparhawk's companions better. In The Diamond Throne, he is joined by Tynion, Bevier and Ulath, three brilliant Knights from the other three orders of Church Knights, and they're such great characters. Bevier is so devout and proper, but has no problem loping off someone's head if the situation arises. Ulath is strong and quiet, but has exceptional wit when he does speak, and works wonders when it comes to getting their enemies to comply. Tynian is like Kalten, another humourous, happy-go-lucky Knight, but built as big as an ox, and just as intimidating with a sword as how he looks.

A wonderful second novel, and loving where the final book is going - I've already picked it up. Really can't recommend these books enough!