Artefacts of Power
The books of this series were part of a special deal, from the book club, that included the hardback version of Maggie Furey latest novel “The Heart of Myrial” which was book one in the Shadowleague series, all for a price that was too tempting to ignore, so even though I had never seen or heard of any of the books before, I was intrigued enough by the synopsis’s, and the cover design, to purchase the books.
I read “The Heart of Myrial” first and was slightly disappointed with it, enough so that I was worried about the quality of the “Artefacts of Power”. Fortunately, my misgivings were unfounded and I was hooked within the first chapter of “Aurian”. The whole series was a delight to read and I enjoyed every moment. It also gave me the desire to purchase the next book in the Shadowleague series, which I also went on to enjoy just as much.
Aurian: Artefacts of Power: Book 01
To the city of Nexis, where magefolk in their white-walled towers rule uneasily over a restive race of Morals, a young girl comes to learn the magic arts. Aurian, a quicksilver swordswoman, has inherited Earth-magic from her mother and Fire-magic from her father. Unawakened within her lie far greater powers, coveted by the Archmage Miathan, who intends to possess her. But Aurian bravely flouts the Mages’ Code and takes a mortal lover.
Maddened by rage and jealousy, the corrupt Archmage schemes to destroy her, unleashing cataclysmic forces from a lost age. Aurian is the only Mage strong enough to oppose Miathan, but to do so she must take up forbidden weapons of long-lost magic, at grave peril of her own destruction . . . or the annihilation of her very world.
Format
PaperbackDate Acquired
27th August 1999Purchase Price
£5.99Number of Pages
618Year Read
1999
Harp of Winds: Artefacts of Power: Book 02
Driven from the holy city of Nexis by the crazed Archmage Miathan, the flame-haired Lady Aurian has survived the deadly sandstorms of the South. But now, round with child and bereft of her magic powers, she and her beloved Anvar have set forth on the perilous journey back—bearing the incandescent Staff of Earth that may be the key to healing a world rent by cataclysm.
Before them lies a landlocked in the icy grip of eternal winter by Miathan’s powerful sorcery. Can they battle their way through and, fulfilling the destiny crafted for them centuries before, destroy the dark forces gathered there.
Format
PaperbackDate Acquired
27th August 1999Purchase Price
£5.99Number of Pages
405Year Read
1999
The Sword of Flame: Artefacts of Power: Book 03
Though Aurian and her fellow Mage Anvar have escaped the clutches of the dread Archmage, they have yet to lift the curse on Aurian's child and put an end to Miathan's evil. Only the Sword of Flame, last and greatest of the Artefacts of Power, can help them - but the Sword is hidden. Meanwhile, Death awaits his third and final meeting with the pair...
As the Mages set out once more, the world stands poised on the brink of conflict. Miathan is fortifying the city of Nexis and, in the south, the fierce Khazalim are arming for war. The Skyfolk have abandoned their long isolation and the Xandim prepare for their last great ride. Both the Leviathans and the Phaerie have decisions to make which will change their existence forever. The future stands balanced on a knife-edge between hope and destruction. All await the coming of the Sword of Flame - and Aurian.
Format
PaperbackDate Acquired
27th August 1999Purchase Price
£5.99Number of Pages
428Year Read
1999
Dhiammara: Artefacts of Power: Book 04
Aurian faces bitter defeat.
She has failed to master the Sword of Flame, her only defence against the forces of evil. But she has also unleashed the deadly, unpredictable Phaerie upon the world, and the end of that is unknowable. And now she must journey through time itself...Eliseth, the coldly ambitious Mage who has been Aurian's nemesis since her first days in Nexis, has captured both the Sword of Flame and Anvar, Aurian's soulmate. Now, Aurian and a few allies travel into an uncertain future. Knowing she must defeat Eliseth, who controls the Cauldron of Rebirth, without destroying the world, Aurian is faced by many dilemmas before she finally reaches the ancient Dragon City of Dhiammara. There, in the home of the extinct fire lizards, a final conflict will take place, in which Aurian must triumph or die.
Format
PaperbackDate Acquired
27th August 1999Purchase Price
£6.99Number of Pages
624Year Read
1999