- Paperback: 624 pages
- Publisher: Orbit; New edition edition (19 May 1994)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1857239733
- ISBN-13: 978-1857239737
- Product Dimensions: 17.6 x 10.4 x 4.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 301,649 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
'I sat down to read AURIAN in the early evening, and was surprised when the dawn came up. Rich, colourful and infinitely enchanting it is a work that will give enormous pleasure to fantasy readers. I loved it!' DAVID GEMMELL
Product Description
In ages past, there had been four magical weapons, fashioned to be used only by the Magefolk. But their history had been lost, together with the Artefacts themselves, in the Cataclysm which had wrought changes on land and water alike. Lost also had been the history of the Magefolk, and the Winged Ones, the Leviathans and Phaerie. Aurian, the child of renegade Mages, finds herself sent to the city of Nexis to join the Academy and then train as a full Mage. Little does she suspect that she will quickly become entwined with a power struggle between Miathan, the Archmage, and the human inhabitants of Nexis. The only person to whom she can turn in Forral, Commander of the city's military garrison and friend of her dead father. But this friendship infuriates Miathan, and leads to a deadly conflagration, in which the first Artefact is revealed. Aurian's flight, with her servant Anvar, turns into both odyssey and rite-of-passage as she travels to the little-known Southern Kingdoms and begins to rediscover the history of the weapons which are the only hope against Miathan and Armageddon - The Artefacts of Power!
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the first book in the Artefacts of Power tetralogy (followed by Harp of Winds, The Sword of Flame and Dhiammara).
Aurian is a red-haired young girl, daughter of the Magefolk, who lives with her mother Eilin in the crater left by the magical accident that killed her father. Upon hearing of the catastrophe, Forral, a skilled Mortal swordsman, friend of Aurian's late father, comes to offer his help. Although most unwelcome by Eilin at first, he'll take care of Aurian's education and physical training as she grows up. It won't take the little girl very long to fall in love with the man.
But soon it's time for Aurian to move to the city of Nexis and its Academy, to be trained among the Mages. Only then does she realize the social chasm and power struggle that exist between the Mage and Mortal casts.
Anvar is a slave boy working in the kitchens. Being regularly beaten by his master, he escapes one day from the Academy, and stumbles upon Aurian. Being of a gentle nature, she decided to takes him under her wing, as her personal servant.
For Miathan the Archmage, this is going to far, for he wants Aurian for himself. Before long, his jealousy and thirst for power will lead to a terrible confrontation, releasing deadly wraiths, unleashing Hell. Aurian has no choice but to sail away. But in the magical storm created by Eliseth the Weather-Mage, she stands no chance and she soon finds herself stranded on the shores of the beautiful yet hostile Southern Kingdoms, where she'll rediscover the history of the only weapons that can defeat Miathan: the Artefacts of Power.
Aurian is a wonderful fantasy, packed with action and unexpected turns. The world created by Maggie Furrey is enchanting and mysterious, her characters endearing and real. And even though Aurian's capricious and impulsive temper sometimes had the tendency to get on my nerves, I grew very fond of Anvar and I'm looking forward to seeing their friendship evolve and the story unravel.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Why has it taken me so long to find this author! A superb fantasy, rich in characters, ideas and texture - a must for anyone liking this genre.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Wow. Absolutely fantastic. After reading Lord of the Rings, I doubted I would find another fantasy novel so enjoyable, so quickly. This book was perfect. If you are looking for something which you won't want to put down, this is it. Combines magic, unique characters and situations, each with sub-plots and depth not normally accomplished in one novel. Original, fast and funny whilst emotional. Easily one of the best books I've ever read, I just can't wait to read the next three !
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Best saga i've ever read
I am now reading the Artifacts of Power saga for the 3rd time and it's still a very engaging book. I find Maggie Furey's writing style very easy to read and hours pass as I lose... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Jess Moore
A cliched review for a cliched book
I actually can't believe that the author called this series "The artifacts of power". Surely if you are a fantasy author you would be embarrassed to proclaim to all the world that... Read more
Published 16 months ago by MMU
Shallow but enjoyable
This is a difficult book to review. I could spend ages listing all the things wrong with it(cheesy writing, predictability, horribly obvious baddies with names like 'Blacktalon'),... Read more
Published on 4 Nov 2006 by Sarah Kay
A BRILLIENT advertisement for legend fiction.
This is one of the first legend novels I have read and it was a brilliant advertisement. Normally I would dismiss a book like this but I bought it cheaply and it was one of the... Read more
Published on 5 Sep 2004
A must-read
Normally I have always dimissed fantasy books, until this book. I picked Aurian and Harp of Winds in my local libary for 20p each and left them on the self. Read more
Published on 5 Sep 2004
A very sad story.
I enjoy fantasy, and I am forgiving when it comes to cliché's (otherwise it would be difficult to enjoy a genre so full of them! Read more
Published on 17 July 2003 by AJB
The best book ever
This was a great read and I couldn't put it down. Refreshingly unpredictable, original ideas and emotionally gripping. One of the best science fantasy books I have read so far. Read more
Published on 26 Sep 2002 by "its3da"
A beautiful romance and exciting fantasy adventure.
After finishing this book I had withdrawal syptoms!
I find it hard to compare to any other fantasy novels I have read, it belies the gritty realism and accuracy which made The... Read more
I find it hard to compare to any other fantasy novels I have read, it belies the gritty realism and accuracy which made The... Read more
Published on 21 Aug 2002 by Lochm
I felt lost when the book ended.
I dare anyone to read this book and not feel moved in anyway. I felt I knew all the charaters as though they were my best friends. Read more
Published on 21 July 2002 by Donna J Devine
This self centred piece of dross did not deserve publication
Maggie Furey's Aurian is one of the reasons why fantasy fiction so frequently gets an undeservedly bad name. Read more
Published on 22 Oct 2001 by "jonrosenberg2"
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