Product Description

When Auraya was chosen to become a priestess, she could never have believed that a mere ten years later she would be one of the White, the gods' most powerful servants. Sadly, Auraya has little time to adapt to the exceptional powers gifted her by the gods. Mysterious black-clad sorcerers from the south plague the land, and rumours reach the White of an army being raised. Auraya and her new colleagues work tirelessly to seal alliances and unite the northern continent under their banner, but time is running out. War is coming to the lands of the White, and unless Auraya can master her new abilities, even the favour of the gods may not be enough to save them ...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3901 in Books
• Published on: 2006-07-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 672 pages

Review
'A wonderfully and meticulously detailed world, and an edge-of-the-seat plot, this book is a must for lovers of good fantasy' Jennifer Fallon 'Canavan is a natural storyteller' Emerald City

About the Author
Trudi Canavan lives in Melbourne, Australia. Her first published story received an Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Short Story in 1999. She has since published the bestselling Black Magician Trilogy and is now a bestselling author in the UK, Australia and the US.

Customer Reviews

Good Gods!
The start of a new series following the author's success with the Black Magician trilogy. This is set in a world ruled by Gods who have five representatives 'The white' - powerful sorcerers who govern on their behalf. These sorcerers are the good guys (and girls!) and they use their powers and influence for the good of the world. The story is about a young girl elected to The White and how she develops her powers against a backdrop of invasion, evil-doing and 'forbidden love'...
It's not bad although similar in many parts to her previous work. It rattles along at a fair old pace until it ends somewhat abruptly. While the story possibly has more appeal to female readers it certainly kept me engaged and I am a middle aged male (but ageing well, honest!!)

This is solid enough stuff and the proof of the pudding is always whether or not you will buy the next in the series. And I will.

Don't Compare!
Yes this book isn't as good as Trudi's BMT, but its only the first of three.(The Magicians Guild wasn't the best of the three in the Black Magicians Trilogy either). Trudi has undoubtedly grown more confident in her writing, and more adventurous. Although there are similarities to her other work, this book is on a much larger scale. The imaginative race of the Siyee and the story of Tryss is yet another great sub-plot. Aurayas life having changed after becoming a white (and immortal)causes emotional problems of her heart and what is right in the eyes of the Gods. The wonderful sub-plot of Emeryl, which later joins up with the main story is also intruging.It is slow to start but once you get into it, it's really hard to put down, leaving you wanting more once its over. My only reservation is how many characters are introduced in it, could potentially be confusing. However, this book is a great new addition to any fantasy book lovers library.

Interesting
This is an interesting novel that tries to tackle the idea of religion but it is too like her previous trilogy. Auraya is too like Sonea from The Black Magician trilogy and Ithania is too like Kyralia due to the old fashioned customs and how magic works. This book is enjoyable but isn't in the same league as The High Lord which is, in my humble opinion, Canavan's best work.

My advice: read The Black Magician trilogy and then read this for your Canavan fix.