Aurian (Artefacts of Power) [Paperback]

Maggie Furey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 19, 1994 | Series: Artefacts of Power

In ages past, there had been four magical weapons, fashioned to be used only by the Magefolk. But their history had been lost, together with the Artefacts themselves, in the Cataclysm which had wrought changes on land and water alike. Lost also had been the history of the Magefolk, and the Winged Ones, the Leviathans and Phaerie. Aurian, the child of renegade Mages, finds herself sent to the city of Nexis to join the Academy and then train as a full Mage. Little does she suspect that she will quickly become entwined with a power struggle between Miathan, the Archmage, and the human inhabitants of Nexis. The only person to whom she can turn in Forral, Commander of the city's military garrison and friend of her dead father. But this friendship infuriates Miathan, and leads to a deadly conflagration, in which the first Artefact is revealed. Aurian's flight, with her servant Anvar, turns into both odyssey and rite-of-passage as she travels to the little-known Southern Kingdoms and begins to rediscover the history of the weapons which are the only hope against Miathan and Armageddon - The Artefacts of Power!

Editorial Reviews

Review

'I sat down to read AURIAN in the early evening, and was surprised when the dawn came up. Rich, colourful and infinitely enchanting it is a work that will give enormous pleasure to fantasy readers. I loved it!' DAVID GEMMELL

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 624 pages
• Publisher: Orbit & Abacus (May 19, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1857239733
• ISBN-13: 978-1857239737
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.1 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (74 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,355,130 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent series starter, June 19, 2000

By 

James Dalton - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aurian (First Book) (Mass Market Paperback)

When I bought the entire Artefacts of Power series (Aurian is merely the first), I had picked it as more of a wild card than an actual series I had to read. Now four books later I'm definately glad I bought them. Maggie Furey has created a well thought out world in both the physical and metaphysical sense. The countries and thier inhabitants are very believable in this series (thus making the physical), while the unique system of magic Ms Furey has created is among the best I have ever seen (the metaphysical). But apart from the creative side, I found Ms Furey's style to be quite enjoyable to read. She has a gift that enables her to describe convaluted plots and characters in a simple and fast-paced way. Although I'm used to reading heavy, complicated writing styles, I always enjoy entertaining styles such as the one Maggie Furey writes with. It is the smooth flowing and simple writing of Maggie Furey that allows one to read all four books in such an abnormally short time.

There is only one thing I disliked about this romantic-fantasy adventure, and that was how it all tied together in the last book. I won't spoil anything here, but I found that the majority of Dhiammara had a great plot which was tainted by being compacted into such a small space. The ending to the entire series was very rushed, giving the impression that Ms Furey tried to fit the plots of two books into one single volume. Nevertheless, Aurian and the Artefacts of Power are some of the better fantasy books I've read and a good entrance by Maggie Furey into the world of novel writing.

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love, friendship, grief, magic., October 7, 2002

By 

Stephanie Noverraz "crooty" (Lausanne, Switzerland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aurian (First Book) (Mass Market Paperback)

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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars better than the rest of her series, February 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Aurian (First Book) (Mass Market Paperback)

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)