Sequel to the Lion Hunter, this takes up the story of Telemakos, the biracial descendant of Arthur. Now in Himyar (south Arabia) he has to deal with intrigues by the ruler Abreha (the historic Abraha the Ethiopian) who plots to conquer Aksum.

Elizabeth Wein's The Empty Kingdom, second in the Mark of Solomon cycle and fifth in the overall series, completes the plot begun in The Lion Hunter with Telemakos and Athena in the court of Abreha, najashi of Himyar. Telemakos was sent there for his safety, but he soon finds himself in more danger than ever as he learns of a plot against Aksum. Abreha is not to be trifled with.

What really comes to the forefront in this installment is Wein's skill with complex characters and relationships. She makes everything believable: Abreha's quiet death sentence on Telemakos should he send home any word of his stolen knowledge, Telemakos's determination to outmaneuver the terrifying najashi, and the unspoken loyalty of the Scions, the royal children of Himyar's provinces orphaned by the plague, to Telemakos. I spent half the book in terror of Abreha right alongside Telemakos, until I began to wonder about Abreha's reasons, his seeming inconsistency. I don't want to spoil it, but there's a great twist at the end.

I love how Wein never falls into stereotypes. One of Telemakos's desires is for Athena to call him by his name rather than "Boy" or "Tena's boy." It's mentioned a couple times but it's never made into a big emotional moment of triumph to have her pronounce his name (in fact, I don't think she even does). Just like real life.

Telemakos is reminding me more and more of Eugenides from Megan Whalen Turner's Attolia series. Both are resourceful, intelligent young men near the throne who are involved in the various intrigues of their respective courts. Both are fiercely loyal; both are physically handicapped (Gen loses a hand; Telemakos, an arm). Telemakos is far less boastful than Gen, but both have the same instinct for careful plots and intuitive discoveries. They are counterparts worthy of one another.

Is this really the last book of the series? Not that it ends on a cliffhanger, but I want to know more of Telemakos's story and the beautifully imagined world that Wein has brought to life. I don't understand why her work is not better known; she's brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed this series and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys deftly written historical fiction with compelling characters and carefully woven plots. ( )