Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #904801 in Books
• Published on: 1999-03-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 599 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
After launching her career with the Blackbird sword-and-sorcery quartet (1986- 88), Freda Warrington turned to darker themes with a historical vampire trilogy that received critical praise. Now The Amber Citadel opens a new sequence in the classic epic-fantasy mould. Peace in the land of Aventuria depends on an ancient pact between the earth itself and its various races: humans, haughty elf-like aesthetes, kobold-like miners and a repugnant minority of faceless shapeshifters. The latter have twisted the mind of Aventuria's aging king and gradually lured him into mad actions ... a colossal monument to himself, enslavement of countless young subjects to build this Tower-of-Babel folly and gory black magic that hurts both the pact and the land. Warrington's story focuses on a young girl conscripted for slave labour and three friends from her village who follow in hope of rescuing her. Many others are entangled in the resulting pursuits, escapes, romantic interludes, grisly encounters and general bloodshed. The novel ends with a measure of victory bought at fearful cost--but offstage the vile shapeshifters are still plotting, and two-thirds of this "Jewelfire Trilogy" is yet to come. A colourful and nicely crafted fantasy of above-average quality. --David Langford

Synopsis
Set in the future, humans are forced to share the world with shape-changers from Bhahdradomen, and the mysterious Aelyr. When the shape-changers start a war, two sisters and two brothers from a quiet village find themselves about to be dragged into the conflict.

Customer Reviews

A book that can't be ignored!!!
I have read some of Freda Warrington's other books and thought I'd read this book. I'm not really a fan of fantasy and wasn't sure if I would like the book, but to my surprise I couldn't put it down!! The way she describes certain characters, and makes you wonder if you know everything about them is reveilled in the second book. I just find that an amazing talent, that she can put into the readers head that the chacter's not quite ready to trust. That there is something in their past you don't know!! I'd recomend this book to anyone, even if you're not fond of fantasy.

Excellent novel
This is a truly delightful novel! Ms Warrington has an exceptional talent. I read on average three to four books a week and so, I feel I am very qualified to say that it is one of the best fantasy novels that has been released for some time. The characters and imagery were vivid and the plot was truly enthralling. I recommned this book to all fans of fantasy novels. A stunning combination of magic, undying devotion, suspense, mystery and a healthy dose of lust to spice it up! The tist at the end is very clever and I can't wait for the sequel.

More fool them!
I followed one of those Amazon links, Customers who bought this book also bought ... Amber Citadel. I wonder if they were as disenchanted as I was. Another fantastic world - good - full of totally lame characters - bad- interacting in completely unbelievable ways - worse - who all spoke like teenagers from a good school ( except the Baddies: with names like Facilitor they spoke more like members of the teaching staff ) - worst. How do mere peasants get to hob-nob with lords, and marry royalty? Unconvincing and ultimately irritating.