Priestess of the White: Age of the Five Gods Trilogy Book 1, The (Age of the Five Trilogy, Book 1) [Kindle Edition]

Trudi Canavan (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In a land on the brink of peace—watched jealously by a ruthless cult from across the sea and beset by hidden enemies—five extraordinary humans must serve as sword and shield of the Gods.

Auraya is one.

Her heroism saved a village from destruction; now Auraya has been named Priestess of the White. The limits of her unique talents must be tested in order to prove her worthy of the honor and grave responsibility awarded to her. But a perilous road lies ahead, fraught with pitfalls that will challenge the newest servant of the gods. An enduring friendship with a Dreamweaver—a member of an ancient outcast sect of sorcerer-healers—could destroy Auraya's future. And her destiny has set her in conflict with a powerful and mysterious, black-clad sorcerer with but a single purpose: the total annihilation of the White. And he is not alone . . .

About the Author

Trudi Canavan is the author of the bestselling Black Magician trilogy—The Magician's Guild, The Novice, and The High Lord—as well as Priestess of the White and Last of the Wilds, Books One and Two of her Age of the Five trilogy. She lives in a little house on a hillside, near a forest, in the Melbourne suburb of Ferntree Gully in Australia. She has been making up stories about things that don't exist for as long as she can remember, and was amazed when her first published story received an Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Short Story in 1999. A freelance illustrator and designer, she also works as the designer and Art Director of Aurealis, a magazine of Australian Fantasy & Science Fiction.

Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 508 KB
• Publisher: HarperCollins e-books (October 13, 2009)
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishers
• Language: English
• ASIN: B000N2HCWY
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable second series from this author, June 13, 2006

By 

M. K. Freeman (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Priestess of the White (Age of the Five Trilogy, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

So that Amazon visitors have a chance to hear two polarised views about this series, I thought I'd better write a review.

I enjoyed the Black Magician trilogy, and was curious to see a new series by Canavan at my local bookshop. Even though I found the Black Magician trilogy thoroughly enjoyable, I also thought it suited more of a young adult market.

I read the first chapter of Priestess of the White in the shop to see if it was worth buying. My first impression, which was sustained throughout the book, was that Canavan's writing has shifted up a gear in this series. The world and plot is rather more complex, and it suits a more mature audience. I had no trouble at all finishing the book, and was very eager to read the sequel, which I didn't find disappointing.

I would encourage any one not sure if they should buy the book because they have read poor reviews here to read the sample chapter that Canavan has online on her website as a guide to whether the style is right for you.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great ideas but a little bland, December 28, 2006

By 

Keith E. Rogers - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Priestess of the White (Age of the Five Trilogy, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the first in a trilogy that takes place in a world where everyone has a *some* magical ability (even plants and animals), though some more than others, and has a treatment of gods and immortals that I haven't seen before (and I've read a *lot*). You can see some influence from Niven's "The Magic Goes Away" and from Zelazny's work, but the ideas are pretty original.

I read Ms. Canavan's Black Magician series earlier this year and was impressed with her originality, if not her characterization. Her books make for good reads, with interesting ideas, but the characters seem a bit too simple. They have modern sensibilities and are all very rational, and I can't figure out whether I think it is refreshing or out of place in the fantasy settings that she is using. She *is* good at drawing out mysterious motivations and keeping the reader eager to find out the details of so-and-so's secret. It's just almost PC in the lack of good/evil. Nothing like the complex characters of George R. R. Martin, who are capable of both good and evil at the same time and come off as much more believable.

Bottom line though is that I read this, read the sequel, and am waiting fairly eagerly for the last in the trilogy. :-)

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars "The Black Magician Trilogy" this is NOT! ... barely rates 3 stars., February 27, 2006

By 

TigerLilium "Nocturn Reader" (MN, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Priestess of the White (Age of the Five Trilogy, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

Truely I was expecting more from Canavan. This book jumps around among its various characters too much, and bogs down in spots. Auraya is supposed to be a true leader and protector of her country. She has shown in the past that she carefully thinks through her plans and decisions. (That's how she saves the town at the start of the book), but she is certainly ready to write off her Dreamweaver lover awfully fast, even though she has known and trusted him for years (and can read his mind). I'm planning to read the next book, but will wait till I can buy it cheap secondhand.