Product Description

Once there were four magical weapons, fashioned to be used only by the Magefolk, but their history has been lost, together with the artefacts themselves, in the Cataclysm which wrought changes on land and water alike. Now Aurian, child of renegade Mages, joins the Academy to train as a full Mage.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #597640 in Books
• Published on: 1994-05-19
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 618 pages

From the Publisher
Praise for Maggie Furey

‘Rich, colourful and infinitely enchanting … I loved it!’ DAVID GEMMELL

‘Truly compelling’ SFX

‘A true classic. It has the potential to stand with the best’ LOCUS

‘Pure magic … a classic tale of epic fantasy’ TODAY

By Maggie Furey

The Artefacts of Power
AURIAN
HARP OF WINDS
THE SWORD OF FLAME
DHAIMMARA

The Shadowleague
THE HEART OF MYRIAL
SPIRIT OF THE STONE

About the Author
Maggie Furey was born in North East England. She is a qualified teacher, but has also reviewed books on BBC Radio Newcastle, been an advisor in the Durham Reading Resources Centre and organised children's book fairs. She now lives in County Wicklow, Ireland.

Customer Reviews

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'), but for all that it was good fun, and I will be buying the next one in the series.

Aurian is an absolutely typical fantasy novel, full of fearless females and power-hungry maniacs; the fantasy equivalent of Mills and Boon. Don't read it expecting Lord of the Rings, and you should be ok.

Love, friendship, grief, magic.
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.

Fantastic
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.