The Empty Kingdom

By Elizabeth E. Wein

Rating: 4 1/2 stars

This is the second book in the Mark of Solomon sequence, but is part of the larger Arthurian and Aksumite series Wein is famous for (and rightly so). This sequel concludes the story that began in The Sunbird and continued in The Lion Hunter. Telemakos and his toddler sister Athena had been sent to Abreha, the ruler of Himyar, for safety. Telemakos had previously done some spying and come under torture for the emperor of Aksum, and when threats are made towards whomsoever the spy was (no one knows), Telemakos' family feel it best that he get apprenticed to the mapmaker in Himyar. But Telemakos discovers Abreha is the one who is looking for the spy, and when Abreha finds Telemakos snooping in his desk, he punishes him by putting bells on him arm and refusing to let him see his sister. So Telemakos plays a dangerous game as he does his best to continue to spy and get information to the emperor, but not give himself totally away to the najashi. Years pass and the plot is happily littered with much emotional growth by Telemakos as he pieces together what is happening around him and learns to grow into himself and his destiny. A final twist will satisfy readers of these fabulous stories, and we all hope for more to come! Well written, well plotted, and eminently enjoyable.