Product Description

Enter the kingdom of Lur, where to use magic unlawfully means death. The Doranen have ruled Lur with magic since arriving as refugees centuries ago. Theirs was a desperate flight to escape a powerful mage who started a bitter war in their homeland. To keep Lur safe, the native Olken inhabitants agreed to abandon their own magic. Magic is now forbidden them, and any who break this law are executed. Asher left his coastal village to make his fortune. Employed in the royal stables, he soon finds himself befriended by Prince Gar and given more money and power than he'd ever dreamed possible. But the Olken have a secret; a prophecy. The Innocent Mage will save Lur from destruction and members of The Circle have dedicated themselves to preserving Olken magic until this day arrives. Unbeknownst to Asher, he has been watched closely. As the Final Days approach, his life takes a new and unexpected turn ...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13358 in Books
• Published on: 2007-04-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 560 pages

Customer Reviews

Standard fare
I quite enjoyed this book, although i can't put my finger on why.
Good points first: Asher. He is a likeable, prickly hero, with an interesting back story and character arc.
The kingdom of Lur and the Wall. I really liked this concept, although it is a little reminiscent of Goodkind's first book in the 'Sword of Truth' series!
A lot of the detail is believable, for example you just know that the author is very familiar with horses.
Bad points. Sidekicks, especially Dathne and Matt. Very cliched, one dimensional characters.
Also, alot of the writing is clumsy, churning out your standard fantasy cliches. I don't mind this, but to make it these days the quality of the writing is all important - there are too many great authors out there in the fantasy world now to get away with sub-standard writing; just check out J. V. Jones, Tad Williams, or newcommers Brian Ruckley, Joe Abercrombie or Alan Campbell if you are not sure that you agree.
This author reminded me mostly of Fiona Mcintosh and Gail Martin (and that is not a complement! although to be fair this is better than anything i have read by those two authors), with a dash of early Feist thrown in (that is a complement!).
Overall an easy, pleasant read, although lacking a flair for writing. It is your standard fantasy fare, with very few shocks or suprises along the way.

Wow!
Welcome to a stellar debut and the newest star in Australian Fantasy writing! Ms. Miller weaves a delightful tale bringing a distinct style, flare and sense of drama to her first fantasy novel.

In the Kingdom of Lur the Doranen, an elegant, magic wielding race, have brought an age of peace and harmony to the native inhabitants, the Olken. But while they use their gifts and more advanced society to rule for the benefit of both the simpler Olken and themselves, the Doranen hide in their history a dark secret. For the kingdom they left behind was devastated by a war of black magic's and the survivors, who have taken refuge in Lur, seek to forget the legacy of the evil mage Morg that stains them.

In an effort to protect themselves and the Olken, the ancient Doranen constructed a wall of glistening magic and light, cutting off all access to the outside world and the horrors they left behind. In return for the protection of their kingdom the Olken have abandon their own traditions of magic; but the Olken have secrets of their own.

A secret society known only as the Circle holds safe the forgotten Olken magic, and a prophecy awaits the coming of the one called the Innocent Mage; destined to save their world from destruction if he retains his innocence, or to herald its doom if he falls.

From the sweeping vistas of Restharven Harbour the tale unfolds as a young man, Asher, leaves home in search of his fortune, only to find himself saving a prince and taking a position in the royal stables. This is traditional fantasy at its best as Miller masterfully weaves Asher's struggle with his own self worth and practical nature against the demands of prophecy and magic. And while Asher rises to fame and fortune the Circle watch him from the sidelines.

Abounding with vivid characterizations and contemporary dilemmas, Miller adds a strong human touch that is lacking in many books of more standard fantasy-fare, whilst marrying the tale to a forward moving plot whose momentum will carry the reader into the small hours of the morning as they find themselves having to read `just one more chapter'. (I write from experience!)

Miller's debut is a blockbuster story crafted with a strong sense of wonder and told with a whimsical charm. Fans of Fiona McIntosh will devour this book and I have no doubt that all readers will be left wanting more when Book One reaches its astounding conclusion!

Lovely Easy Read
This was a deceptively easy book to read. I was caught quite quickly and did not want the story to finish. I'm actively looking forward to the sequel. I say deceptively because this book is in no way patronising. It is intelligent and humourous by turns and the story develops nicely. It does not take a lot of hard work to get through it and so is an ideal read for fantasy fans who enjoy a little escapism now and then. It does not force issues on you but lets you flow along with the tide, which on occasion is a nice thing to do.