The third god : book three of the stone dance of the chameleon trilogy

Amidst the massacre he helped bring about, Carnelian is now desperate to find a way to avoid more carnage. His spurned lover Osidian—seeking revenge and determined to win back his stolen throne—has deliberately stoked the wrath of the Masters who rule the world from its center, Osrakum. Osidian's actions threaten to overturn the repressive order of the Commonwealth, and Carnelian soon learns that he and those he loves are inextricably enmeshed in the terrible power game of the Masters. If he is to survive, he has no choice but to stand with Osidian in defiance of the invincible power of the Masters. In his struggle, Carnelian will unleash apocalyptic forces that will bring his world to a reckoning none could have foreseen, though it has been simmering for 4,000 years. Publishers Weekly This concluding volume in Pinto's debut trilogy (after 2003's The Standing Dead) continues the life story of Carnelian Suth as he and his lover, Osidian, leave their exile in the barbarian lands of the Earthsky and race toward an apocalyptic confrontation with the God Emperor in Osrakum. Never using one word when three will do, Pinto evokes a vaguely West Asian mystique amid the tale of the decline of an imperial oligarchy. The narrative, however, gets lost in its own heft, leaving the reader struggling to keep track of characters, understand created words and hunt for shreds of plot. Powerful themes of love and loss dominate Carnelian's tale, but deadpan delivery, a myopic focus on one character, repetitious introspection and lengthy exposition turn a potentially gripping story into a snooze. (Dec.) Amidst The Massacre He Himself Helped Bring About, Carnelian Is Now Desperate To Find A Way To Avoid More Carnage. But It Is Too Late For That. His Spurned Lover, Osidian, Seeking Revenge And Determined To Win Back His Stolen Throne, Has Deliberately Stoked The Wrath Of The Masters Who Rule The World From Its Centre, Osrakum. Osidian's Actions Have Stirred Into Motion Political Events In Osrakum Which Threaten To Overturn The Millennial Repressive Order Of The Commonwealth. Carnelian Learns That He And Those He Loves Are Now Inextricably Enmeshed In The Terrible Power Game Of The Masters. If He And They Are To Survive, He Has No Choice But To Play That Game Himself, Though He Does Not Know How. He Has No Choice But To Stand With Osidian In Defiance Of The Invincible Power Of The Masters. No Choice But To Take His Loved Ones Deeper Into Peril. In His Struggle He Will Find Unlooked-for Allies And Guidance With Dreadful Motives Of Its Own. And Ultimately, He Will Unleash Apocalyptic Forces Which Will Bring Him And His World To A Reckoning None Could Have Forseen, Though It Has Been Simmering For Four Thousand Years.