The Pellinor Saga continues more darkly with the adventures of Hem
Bewertet mit 3 Sternen
The fourth book of the Pellinor saga concentrates on Hem, or Cai of Pellinor as his birth-name is. Hem had accompanied Salimar to Turbansk, a lively town in the south of the Seven Kingdoms. There, Hem attends the Bard school, but remains an outsider. He shows talent, but hates school, cannot concentrate and makes scant progress. When he rescues an white crow from being hacked to death by other crows, he gains a loyal friend.
But the peace does not last long. The dark army marches against Turbansk, and after the Il Dara Wall falls, the town prepares for battle, and all the non-combatants, including children, are sent to safety. Hem convinces his mentor Saliman that he as the only child can stay. He starts supporting the healing bards in the hospital, and shows remarkable ability.
After the fall of Turbansk, Hem and Saliman flee. Hem is sent as a spy on the dark forces, with Irc following hidden and acting sometimes as a messenger. After many reckless adventures, Hem finally arrives in Dagra, the center of the dark forces. He is finally rescued by Irc.
This book is more dark than the others. While Hem spies on the child armies, he is drawn into the center of darkness, and experiences incredible horrors. Over the course of the book, his character evolves, but not as much as Maerad in the other books.
I like that in this book the Pellinor Saga concentrates on different, yet related characters. Also, the magic is developed further, although why the mindtouch is used only by Hem and Irc, but not by other characters I do not understand. I also find it remarkable, that not only the light, but also the dark side fights internal squabbles, even a challenge between the Nameless One, and his strongest captain, who challenges him directly.
Overall, a good, well rounded continuation of the Pellinor Saga. I look forward to the final book, The Singing.