Customer Reviews

Prince of Magic (Children of the Sun, Book 1)

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Ariana Varden is the first-born child of the Sun Witch, Sophie Fyne. For the last two years she has gone against the wishes of her parents to be the palace healer of Arik, the ailing emperor of Columbyana. Using the knowledge she learned firsthand from her mother, Ariana utilizes daily everything she knows to continue to keep Arik alive. Her good work will be in vain if Arik's missing son and heir is unable to be found because if Arik succumbs, the kingdom very likely could end up in turmoil without an emperor.

The plot thickens with the arrival of Sian Chamblyn, the grandson of a powerful magician who is hell bent on relaying his grandsire's last prophecy about Columbyana. As he is waiting for his audience, a blonde beauty leaves the imperial suite and Sian can't help becoming angry at being kept waiting while the emperor diddles with his latest ladylove, and he verbalizes that exasperation very loudly, much to the chagrin of the woman. Too late Sian realizes that the woman he just called a concubine is in fact a healer. Things continue to get worse when, after telling Emperor Arik about the last prediction of his grandfather, Arik sends for the sun kissed healer. It seems that Ariana is part of his grandfather's prophecy, whether Sian likes it or not.

Sian must train Ariana for the battle that will ensue. He vows to ignore how alluring and sexy she is but that proves easier said than done. Then, to top it off, Ariana just might be as attracted to Sian as he is to her.

I have to admit that Sian fought a good fight but from the first moment he saw Ariana at the emperor's palace his fate was sealed. Unable to remain impassive, his falling for Ariana was a powerful as her finally becoming the compelling healer she was meant to be. Love was the key and Prince of Magic was emotional, steamy, and for want of a better word, simply magical.

Having been a fan of Linda Winstead Jones since reading her Sisters of the Sun trilogy, I had to read Prince of Magic. In reader heave at the thought of experiencing the Sun Witch's daughter's story, I began to read. Seven hours later I read the last word and the first adjective that came to my mind was "magnificent". Simply magnificent so much so that I had to run out immediately and get the next two installments.

Prince of Magic is the first book of a trilogy called The Children of the Sun. Lovers of paranormal romance won't want to miss this first installment. It was gripping, addictive, and stunning. I loved it.

Talia reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

The Prince of Magic was the first in this Trilogy that for some reason is called "The Children of the Sun Trilogy." Since the three main characters of these novels are the children of the Sun Witch, the Moon Witch and the Star Witch (from the Fyne Witches Trilogy, a name that makes perfect sense...) the name doesn't quite make sense to me.

Reading these easy novels is a bit of a guilty pleasure for me. There seems to be some small plot lurking somewhere and it has to do with the emergence of a demon that eats souls and has inhabited the body of Emperor Arik's son Ciro. Ariana, Sophie Fyne Varden's firstborn, is a witch who has been working in the palace at Arthes to help heal the Emperor who has been dying since his son disappeared (when he was taken by the Isen Demon).

Sian (which is not a great name in my opinion) is a wizard who has the general ability to move things and make illusions. He enters the palace bearing a prophecy from his grandfather which has to do with the firstborn of three "fine" women which the Emperor (knowing the Fyne Sisters) is immediately able to translate to "Fyne." Ariana, being one of the firstborn of the prophecy seems too delicate to be of any use in the war to come so Sian takes it upon himself (stupid, arrogant man) to teach her to strengthen her magic and combat skills.

As any good guilty pleasure goes, Sian falls irrevocably in love with her, risks his life to save her and in the end she saves him and maybe the world as they know it since she is one of the few who can weaken the Isen Demon that threatens them. It was my least favorite of the books I think but then I had trouble finding Sian's character to be likable. Perhaps it was the odd illustration on the cover or her description of his too large nose. Maybe it was his spiky, snarly personality that seemed completely undeserved. I have no problem with a tortured hero but he didn't really have the past to justify his snarky behavior. All in all a 3 of 5 but stick around for the next two as I think they get better.

Healer Ariana Kane Varden does everything she can to keep Emperor Arik from dying, but she knows she is failing. Making matters worse, his only child Prince Ciro is missing. Wizard Sian Chamblyn tells Arik that his grandfather is dead, but left a prophecy that darkness grows and only three fine women can stop it. Arik tells him that fine is actually Fyne, the witch women, and the prophecy means their first offspring, Ariana and her two cousins, Queen Keelia of Anwyn and Prince of Swords Lyr Hern are the champions. Sian says Ariana is too weak, but will teach her though he hides from the healer and his patient that she will die during the quest.

Although he disdains her power, he teaches her to read the colors of souls. She takes him to floor thirteen, a special chamber where the previous Emperor tortured prisoners. The chamber is dark and the spirit Dellia takes control of Adriana demanding a kiss from the wizard for information as she states she knows her host desires him and he wants her. As they work together and he realizes her courage as they begin their quest, they fall in love, but he knows he must let his beloved die if they are to stop the Darkness spread by a demon.

The lead couple is an enchanting pairing of teacher-student while the villain is a fascinating demon. The mystery of the missing Prince is a key element as the lead couple begins her quest. Though this is the opening book of the Prince romantic fantasy trilogy, the well written story line provides closure to Ariana's segue and sets the stage for the next Fyne witch to continue the war against the demon. Fans from both genres will appreciate this terrific first tale especially those who enjoyed Linda Winstead Jones' previous Fyne witch trilogy (see THE SUN WITCH, THE MOON WITCH and THE STAR WITCH)

Harriet Klausner

Ms. Jones does it again - "Prince of Magic" picks up at the last story of the Fyne Witches trilogy and this story between Ariana and Sian is engaging. Readers will enjoy this story and be pulled into the world of magic!

I am so glad the Linda W. Jones decided to write about the Fyne sister's offspring. I was so sad when I finished the Sun, Moon and Star books so this made my day!! This book is about the Sun Witch's first born daughter: Arianna who is a healer. She has issues because she came from a Huge family (5 sisters and three brothers) which she had to help raise and she doesn't like being compared to her very, very beautiful and very fertile Mother. Against both of her parent's wishes Arianna is the ailing Emperor Arik's healer in the palace of Columbyana.
In comes the Enchanter Sian (a wizard) with a prophesy about the Emperor, his missing son Prince Ciro and all of Columbyana. The News Sian brings is of an impending war against darkness led by the first born children of the powerful Fyne witches'. This has Arianna training with Sian so that he may teach her how to hone her powers to use them against a Dangerous Darkness that threatens everyone's Souls. During their time training together both Arianna and Sian begin to have feelings for eachother. Sian however tries to fight these feelings of love and attraction because of his past. Will Arianna and Sian make it to her cousin Keelia, Queen of the Anwyn people in time to gather an army against The Demon who threaton's the land? Read the books to find out!!! Great Book and I am looking forward to reading thw whole trilogy!

After finishing the author's first trilogy I quickly purchased the Children of the Sun trilogy. Once again, I was transported back to a time of magic, real men, and women who love with every fiber of their beings. I love finding an author who has such a strong talent of descriptive writing. I am going to hold on to every book that I have of hers because I know that I will be reading them over and over again.

This is the first in the "Prophesy of the Firstborn" trilogy. One thing about Ms Jones is that her characters are believable and they make you care what happens to them. Ariana is a heroine that you root for. This is definitly a book for the bookcase. I would recommend this trilogy to anyone who loves a "different" kind of romance that doesn't leave out plot or dialoge in addition to the romance.

I just finished Prince of Magic last night and am happy to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. Ms. Jones created incredibly likeable characters in Sian and Ariana. So much so I was sad to see the story come to a close.

If you're looking for a strong fantasy romance with characters you will find intriguing from page one, look no further than this book. It's an asset to any romance lover's book shelf.

All is not well in Columbyana,a creeping darkness is spreading over the land. King Arik is dying of an unknown illness, Prince Ciro, heir to the throne has been missing for months and an evil seed has sprung from the emperial palace itself.

Ariana, daugter of Sophie is healer to the king. She lives at the palace and has been using her modest healing talents to keep the king alive. Arianna knows that unrest will grip the land if the King dies before Prince Ciro is found. It will not be long however, before the threat of civil war is the least of Ariann's troubles.

Sian Chamblyn a stern, brooding, hardshelled wizard has travled to the palace to deliver a prophecy to the king. one that will change Sian and Arianna's lives. The Prophecy of the First Born

A great battle between good and the ultimate evil is looming on the horizon. an army must be led against monsters of unspeakable darkness. if these creatures hold sway all light and hope an good will be destroyed. And who is to lead this army? Expecting to find a seasoned warrior of a least a man, who will answer the call to arms. Sian is disturbed to find that the prophecy written by his grandfather in the last days of his life actually refers to Arianna and two other first born children of the Fayne line. Unimpressed by Arianna's moderate talents, Sian agrees to stay on at the palace and train her for the fight to come. They are drawn to each other almost from the start. But sian holds secrets that could destroy their budding romance. As Arianna's desiny draws near Sian realizes that he can't the woman that he has unwillingly fallen in love with to face her dark and dagerous task alone. will their love be enough to sustain them in the times to come? will the other two people spoken of in the prophecy be able to join the fight? Can Columbyana and perhaps the world from utter dispair? Prince of Magic is the first book in The Children of the Moon trilogy and is followed by Prince of Fire. Which is the story of Keelia, Juliet's first born. And Prince of Swords, The story of Lyr First born to Isadora.