Aurian

by Maggie Furey

Book Overview

Fast-paced, richly imagined, and filled with unforgettable characters, Aurian is a stunning debut from a talented author.

To the city of Nexis, where magefolk in their white-walled towers rule uneasily over a restive race of Morals, a young girl comes to learn the magic arts. Aurian, a quicksilver swordswoman, has inherited Earth-magic from her mother and Fire-magic from her father. Unawakened within her lie far greater powers,...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553565257
• ISBN13: 9780553565256
• Release Date: July 1994
• Publisher: Spectra Books
• Length: 608 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

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.

Lady Aurian - a mage you'll never forget

I bought this book on a whim- I love dragons and saw that there was one on the cover and the summary talked about the Dragon magic. Never have I been so thoroughly sucked into a book's world (save Anne McCaffery's Pern series). The characters, the plots, and Furey's uncanny way of leaving the story totally open- making you go crazy with anticipation. If you buy this book (which I suggest anyone who loves a good mage story do), be prepared to by the next, and the next, and the next.....

One of my favorite books!

I could not put this book down once I began to read it. As soon as I finished I went right out to the book store and purchased the next one. I needed to know what would happen next. I have now read all the Artifacts of Power books. This series has taken up residence as one of my two favorite of all time!

better than the rest of her series

I'm reading Sword of Flame right now. I liked Aurian better than Harp of winds and the one I'm reading. Aurian just had that certain feel to it, that gets a book it's hallowed spot on your bookshelf. (in other words, it's pretty good)

Plan to settle in

This is a very absorbing, fast paced book. The many charactors in the book could have a series all their own. The rest of the series is just as good. You should try to read them all at once, as it is easy to get lost if you don't. There is another book due out by Maggie in March of 2000, called The Heart of Myrial.