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Silverdawn

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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. ****

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.

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(...)

When she was but a babe, SILVERDAWN was discovered to have magic within her and as a result she was banished to the future, the twenty-first century Australia. Silver knows nothing of her origins or the fact that in return for help from the Goddess in ridding the land of demons, King Mikkasah agreed to expel any trace of magic in Rasteham. In present day London, Silver is Professor Waymans senior assistant at the London Museum of Rare Artifacts and is transcribing a rare find, an ancient book about a place called Rasteham.

Professor Wayman is actually an immortal sorcerer, Iray of Istani, whom King Mikkasah exiled to present day Earth. He has located the pyramid where his demons are trapped and is trying to find the key that will unlock it to unleash the devils on Earth. Silverdawn owns the key in the shape of a small pyramid but even though she senses something unusual about it, she has no idea what it actually is. Knowing that she is in danger, Silvers real father sends his most trusted knight Faren into the future to watch over her, never dreaming that the pair would fall in love with each other. This couple might have a future together if Silverdawn can cope with the truth about her heritage and if they can stop Iray.

Anyone desiring a beautiful adult fairy tale will want to read SILVERDAWN, an urban fantasy novel that includes elements from the romance genre and sword and sorcery sub-genre. Julie DArcy has a flair for writing tales that is reminiscent of the bards of a bygone era. The audience will feel spellbound by this special fantasy.