Silverdawn [Paperback]

Julie D'Arcy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2001

King Mikkasah is forced to send his daughter Silverdawn away from his kingdom and into the unknown future of 21st century Australia, where she grows to maturity and moves to London with her adopted parents. Silverdawn has no knowledge of her origins nor does she know that she holds the key to the safety or destruction of both her new world and her old. Then one night, she is stalked by a lion and a mythical griffin and cast into an adventure that will change her life forever.

Faren Malaan, Knight of Paladia of the Kingdom of Rastehm, is sent forward in time to track and retrieve the Crystal Pyramid,which holds Isanti's demons captive. Mikkasah's astronomers have learned that the pyramid, which shifts through the portals of time, is cracked. If not restored Isanti's demons may soon escape. Through sheer luck Istani was not imprisoned with his minions. He also travels through time, but he must body-hop, taking over the bodies of innocents and casting them aside when he is done with them. But this time Istani is trapped in Peter Waymer's sickly body. His only escape from the cancer eating away at Waymer is to find the pyramid, release his demons and have them heal him. Then, after his salvation, he'll wreak destruction upon mankind.

The fate of two worlds rests in the fading skills of Pendragon, former mage to the king, Silverdawn, the banished Princess of Rastehm , and Faren, Knight of Paladia, who combats his own demons. These three people must join forces to restore the Crystal Pyramid and battle the tormented Istani, who will stop at nothing to gain his prize.

King Mikkasah is forced to send his daughter Silverdawn away from his kingdom and into the unknown future of 21st century Australia, where she grows to maturity and moves to London with her adopted parents. Silverdawn has no knowledge of her origins nor does she know that she holds the key to the safety or destruction of both her new world and her old. Then one night, she is stalked by a lion and a mythical griffin and cast into an adventure that will change her life forever.

Faren Malaan, Knight of Paladia of the Kingdom of Rastehm, is sent forward in time to track and retrieve the Crystal Pyramid, which holds Isanti's demons captive. Mikkasah's astronomers have learned that the pyramid, which shifts through the portals of time, is cracked. If not restored Isanti's demons may soon escape. Through sheer luck Istani was not imprisoned with his minions. He also travels through time, but he must body-hop, taking over the bodies of innocents and casting them aside when he is done with them. But this time Istani is trapped in Peter Waymer's sickly body. His only escape from the cancer eating away at Waymer is to find the pyramid, release his demons and have them heal him. Then, after his salvation, he'll wreak destruction upon mankind.

The fate of two worlds rests in the fading skills of Pendragon, former mage to the king, Silverdawn, the banished Princess of Rastehm , and Faren, Knight of Paladia, who combats his own demons. These three people must join forces to restore the Crystal Pyramid and battle the tormented Istani, who will stop at nothing to gain his prize.

A mixture of Celtic Mythology, Romance, Dark Fantasy, and Time Travel, Silverdawn is a must read for fans of Fantasy and Romance alike.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Julie D'Arcy was born in Bendigo, Australia, lived her younger years in Melbourne, then moved to Wangaratta where she attended the Wangaratta Technical College. At school she enjoyed writing and often had articles published in school magazines. She went on to attend the Caulfield Institute of Technology where she studied Art and Design, majoring in Ceramic Art.

After leaving college she returned to Wangaratta where she set up her own pottery business specializing in fantasy pottery which continues to sell throughout Australia. Julie is married to Frank and has two young daughters, Errin and Tegan but this hasn't slowed down her writing she had several articles published in magazines and won a regional poetry contest.

Julie has been an avid reader of romantic fiction from an early age, later becoming interested in the fantasy genre. She was always frustrated by the lack of romance in good fantasy. Several years ago she decided to try and rectify the matter by taking up writing and combining her two favorite genres.

As far as writing goes, her career has just begun. She has written articles for Realms Beyond, (SF, Fantasy and Paranormal Magazine) and for several craft magazines. She is a member of RWA, RWA Australian Chapter, two North Eastern writing groups and the FAW.  

Julie believes that everyone at sometime or another would like to escape the pressures of everyday life and if reading one of her novels enables readers to do so, if only for a short time, then her dream has been realized.

Product Details

• Paperback: 236 pages
• Publisher: Imajinn Books (May 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1893896560
• ISBN-13: 978-1893896567
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,529,950 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Silverdawn, February 24, 2005

By 

AK "Bro" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Silverdawn (Paperback)

To halt the spread of evil in an ancient land, all magical beings are exiled to other lands and times, no matter their age or rank. Thus, Princess Silverdawn is taken from her mother as an infant, sent through the wall of Eternal Flame into present day London, where she grows up to become a scientist. Unknowing that she is translating her own history, Silverdawn works on learning the secret of eldritch scrolls she encounters in her work. She does have some recognition of their lore, from visions she experiences. When Faren, a brave knight from her true home finds her, she realizes that on some level, she knows him, but finds his tales too fantastic, until the truth is undeniable, as is the love she feels for him. The time has come when the evil she was was sent away from will once again attempt to take over and destroy all that is good; Silverdawn is the hope of preventing that. Yet, how can she risk her life and give up all she knows for a world she has never seen?

**** Lovers of epic fantasy with a small amount of time will find this a rather concise epic, easily read in one sitting. Silverdawn comes off the page as a credible heroine, when she balks at leaving the twentyfirst century's comforts for a world with no running water, readers will empathize at the thought. ****

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderfully written fantasy romance, August 30, 2005

By 

Kelley Hartsell "Kelley" (Irving, TX) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Silverdawn (Paperback)

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Silverdawn was taken away from her home and family when she was but a babe. Her father, Mikkasah, King of Rastehm, was sworn to uphold a decree made by the Goddess Herself that all magick in their world be removed, so as to save their world from the evil sorcerer, Iraj. She was raised in our modern world by a kind and loving family in Australia, then London, never knowing that she held a mystical key to save both worlds.

Faren, a Knight of Paladia and sworn to the service of Mikkasah, has been sent to travel through time and track down a crystal pyramid, used to trap the demonic minions of Iraj of Istani. Iraj managed to avoid imprisonment, and is something of a parasite, taking over bodies, casting out their souls and then tossing aside the bodies when he has used them up. He is currently trapped in the body of Peter Waymer, a cancer victim. The crystal prison has been damaged in a time shift and it is only a matter of time until Iraj has enough power to release his servants so they can heal his body and he can take over both worlds.

Silverdawn gets a shocking revelation when she finds out her true identity from Faren, and the two of them must combine forces with other allies to defeat Iraj, restore the pyramid, and save their respective worlds. But neither counted on the love that would grow between them... Will their passion for one another be enough? And what of Silverdawn? How will she react upon discovering the choices before her as a powerful Princess?

Julie D'Arcy has created a world of magick with Silverdawn that encompasses so much that readers are sure to be pleased with this story. She combines many different facets of paranormal romance into her story so that there is something for everyone, be they fans of romance, fantasy, time-travel, or adventure. The plot is well thought out, driving forward with strength from the opening lines, never losing steam through the final climactic battle of good vs. evil.

Silverdawn is a complex individual who only wishes to live out the life she has always known. When she is suddenly faced with mythical beings like griffins and horrific monsters like undead zombies, though in shock at the change, she handles it all surprisingly well for one who has ever believed there was no such thing as magick. She is more shocked then anyone to find out she is the only one who can save both worlds from destruction.

Faren has only one goal in life, to please his king and fulfill the missions given to him to uphold their world's ways. He is a strong warrior, well trained in the art of war, but still gentle enough to be the shoulder to cry on for his own damsel in distress. His duty surpasses all for him so when he falls in love with Silverdawn, he must choose what is most important, his duty or his love.

The rest of the cast of characters is well done also, from the aging mage Pendragon, to Iraj the evil sorcerer, to Kalden, Faren's foster brother, and the number of other key players. There are also a couple shockers of plot twists involving some of these people that come into play in the story, though for this reader, it is hard to believe that one of those mysteries was not solved by our lead characters earlier on. In spite of that one minor factor that seemed it should have been obvious; this is a delightful story that is a fast, exciting read one will hate to put down even for a minute. Readers will eagerly await more vivid tales from the mind of Ms. D'Arcy.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, December 2004. All rights reserved.

3.0 out of 5 stars Unusual Otherworldly Adventure, May 26, 2005

By 

J. Nusz "Author, reviewer & graphic designer" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Silverdawn (Paperback)

Silverdawn possesses the key to an object of such evil that it could destroy the world. She just doesn't know it yet. She has no idea why it is so easy for her to translate dead languages and why the odd crystal paperweight on her desk projects a feeling of evil. Nor does she have any notion of how the statues of a lion and a griffon could awake from their stony slumber and attack her on her way home from the museum where she works. She also hasn't an inkling of how the man that she has dreamed about for years could come to her rescue. She only knows that these things are so - or else she is going mad.

Faren, the most trusted and noble Paladian Knight of Rastehm, has been charged with an important task. He must travel through time and dimension to the place where the daughter of the King of Rastehm now resides. The Princess Silverdawn was exiled when she was but a babe because she possessed illegal magic. Now, the most feared evil in Rastehm has found the time in which Silverdawn abides and threatens her safety. It is this evil, Iraj of Istani, from which Faren must protect her.

Arriving in Silverdawn's world just in time to save her from being mauled by a griffon, Faren is immediately aware that danger has truly found the royal daughter. Having always taken his duties seriously, Faren sets about insinuating himself into Silverdawn's life in order to guard her closely.

Silverdawn is no fool, although she is ignorant of her lineage, and she soon discovers Faren's true identity. Together, despite their forbidden attraction, the two must work together to keep the key from falling into Iraj's hands. Along the way, Silverdawn discovers the existence of miraculous magics and characters from her own medieval world of Rastehm.

Julie D'Arcy has successfully intertwined romance with otherworldly adventure in SILVERDAWN. With a dungeons and dragons flavor sprinkled liberally throughout the pages of the novel and fantastical creatures inhabiting the storyline, D'Arcy's novel is one that will surely interest fantasy fans.

Reviewed by Janean Nusz(...)