Dark Border 2/King

by Paul Edwin Zimmer

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425064301
• ISBN13: 9780425064306
• Release Date: August 1983
• Publisher: Berkley Books
• Length: 412 Pages
• Weight: 0.43 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Hidden Treasure

I bought my copy of this book from a bargin bin, thinking that it was probably worth a punt.(I liked the cover) I was more than rewarded. I believe that this is the equal of any of the top fantasy titles. As I read it I kept thinking this will get boring, but it never did. It is the second part of the 2 parts and I had some trouble before I was able to get hold of the 1st half. I thought that having already read the 2nd half first it would spoil the the opening, but I was wrong. That is fabulous as well. " A gathering of Heros" is nearly as good, and "Ingulf the Mad" is not quite as good but is still well worth the read. I wish I could get a copy of his unpublished book "The King Who Was of Old".

The Dark Border - King Chondos' Ride

The sequel to the suspenseful "The Lost Prince", this novel is the direct continuation of the story - they are literally one and the same. In a sense, this novel ends on a cliffhanger - you could believe that the story has not been finished and a third book is required. However, there is only one loose end - and that is all that you need to go out and get everything Paul Edwin Zimmer has ever been involved with!But if you need the sequel (and you will!) you'll need to get your hands on "The Gathering Of Heroes".While "The Lost Prince" focused more on the events of the twin princes, and slightly on some military leaders, this novel tends to reverse the situation. You still get your heroics in the many different battles fought, lost and won, however I found the war to be slightly less gripping than the escapism of Chondos. The beauty of these books are the depth. You can read them several times, and always be enamored as much as the first time you read it. One beautiful aspect is that Paul has created situations where conflict arises in places where (under different circumstances) friendship ought to exist.Istvan (the Archer) Di'Vega, hero of the school of the five swords and Martos, student of Istvan's long and dear friend, are placed in charge of armies that war against each other, both knowing the futility of the situation, both being in total awe of the other, and both knowing that the evil force across the border are unnervingly still - as if they were allowing the war to continue.But when they finally meet the circumstances are so outrageous that they battle each other for their life.

There is no third book!

There is no trilogy. The Lost Prince and King Chondos' Ride were originally intended as one book. The ending isn't as open as most people seem to think. Go back and read it again, is there really any doubt to the outcome?"I wrote the ending first," Paul once said, "after reading 'The Defence of Guenevre.' The book was written to lead to the ending."Paul refers to the poem by William Morris. The Defence of Guenevre" The poem ends with Arthur's courtiers straining to hear an approaching sound: "Her cheeks grew crimson, as the headlong speedOf the roan charger drew all men to see The knight who came was Launcelot in good need." The deliberate understatement is stronger than any melodrama. Nor is anything more needed. Aside from the fact that Morris could count on his Victorian readers to know that Guenevre would be rescued, the arrival of a champion is enough to complete the poem. In her defence, Guenevre complains that she is unfairly damned because she was given a choice between two mighty lovers. Put on trial by one of those lovers, she is in despair. The coming of Launcelot, the second one, gives her hope.With that in mind, can there truly be any doubt as to the outcome?

For fans of Gemmell,.C.Hodgell,Gen Cook and Tolkien

The World of the dark border is dominated by the eternal conflict raging between the Dark Lords and The mystic Hastur clan, guardians and protectors of the world. It serves as the underlying background for King Chondos'Ride. Istvan Divega, world reknowned general and swordsman finds himself in command of a relief force of mercenaries and borderman sent to raise the seige of Manjipe an ancient city near the Dark border. Unaware that he and his opponents are the unwitting pawns in a vast deception perpetrated by Prince Jodos, the lost prince. Who is posing as his brother Chondos, whom he has had kidnapped and spirited into the depths of the shadow. At the command of the Master one of the leaders of Dark things. Arrayed against Istvan are; Martos skilled swordsman a student of one Istvan's oldest friends, Lord Jagat ruler of Damenco and Prince Hansio lord of Mahapor who like Istvan a bears a mystic Hastur sword. As their armies meet in battle the Dark things watch and wait for the signal that will send ravening hordes spilling over the Dark Border into mortal lands. The Hasturs, unable to interfere due to two great battles being fought at opposite ends of the Dark border thousands of miles apart. Whilst Prince Jodos using magical powers gained in the shadow weaves a spell of nightmares and fear sewing the seeds of discord and mistrust within the royal court at his brother's capital. This book is a true epic involving characters that are driven by feelings of self doubt and an unwavering sense of duty, they reflect on the choices that they have made but do not sink into a mire of self pity. To them what has been done has been done learn from the lessons that have been taught. Paul Edwinn Zimmer has created a world that is breath takingly complete without having to resort the time honoured method of over description. He has assumed that the reader is intelligent and written accordingly. The Villians of the piece the dark things and their leaders are totally evil possesing no redeeming features yet,they are not shallow, they are totally alien in their needs and desires even the Vampires who were once human veiw the world in terms of their insatiable hunger for blood. Nothing of their former lives has any bearing on their perception of existence. This is a brilliant piece of heroic prose do not read it expecting a Dave Eddings/ Raymond E. Feist novel nothing here can be termed as convenient like a Wesis and Hickman book, here the heroes strive and die. For myself wishing to describe the book within to another reader who was curious about the nature of the writing within . I would describe thus: Its has the heroism of David Gemmell, the tough battle grittyness of Glen Cook's The Black Company, The World building aspects and narrative of P.C.Hodgell's Kencyrath series and the Epic qualities and Poetry of the works of Tolkien. So reader get this tome and enjoy and hope that his last book "The King who was of Old" gets

Great characters and a cliffhanger

I managed to pick up the these books in the '80's and have re-read them many times. The richness of the characters is wonderful. Unfortunately, I have never seen the third book in the series. I believe Playboy books went under and sucked the third book with them. I love the character of Istvan DiVega and the torn nature of this warrior and hero. A definite must read, even missing the third book.