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Artefacts of Power #4
Dhiammara
Maggie Furey's glittering epic sweeping from Aurian through Harp of Winds and Sword of Flame, climaxes as Aurian draws near to a deadly enemy lurking in a city forgotten by time. . .
Bearing the Staff of Earth and the Harp of Winds, the Lady Aurian secretly returns to the holy city of Nexis--ten years in the future. Now its marbled towers are desolate, its river port ravaged, its magefolk a mere legend. Here she must begin the search for her vanished soulmate, Anvar, and her lost child. . . and hunt down the evil adversary who stole from her the Sword of Flame, last of the four great primal weapons. But Aurian's final battle awaits her far away in the southlands. For there dwells her old nemesis, the crazed Archmage Miathan--and there, in the ancient city of Dhiammara, broods a dark magic that could shatter forever the destined redemption of her world.
Bearing the Staff of Earth and the Harp of Winds, the Lady Aurian secretly returns to the holy city of Nexis--ten years in the future. Now its marbled towers are desolate, its river port ravaged, its magefolk a mere legend. Here she must begin the search for her vanished soulmate, Anvar, and her lost child. . . and hunt down the evil adversary who stole from her the Sword of Flame, last of the four great primal weapons. But Aurian's final battle awaits her far away in the southlands. For there dwells her old nemesis, the crazed Archmage Miathan--and there, in the ancient city of Dhiammara, broods a dark magic that could shatter forever the destined redemption of her world.
496 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
About the author
Maggie Furey
28 books191 followersMaggie Furey was born in North East England and spent most of her adult life residing in County Wicklow, Ireland. She was a qualified teacher, but has also reviewed books on BBC Radio Newcastle, been an advisor in the Durham Reading Resources Centre and organized children's book fairs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
April 21, 2019
This was an epic conclusion! So much going on!
It's been many, many years since I've read this series and it still lives on in my mind. My mum introduced me to these books and I think it may have been my first serious foray into adult fantasy.
Clearly there was no going back.
If you loved the series like I did this conclusion should keep you happy! I really must go back and re-read some day!
It's been many, many years since I've read this series and it still lives on in my mind. My mum introduced me to these books and I think it may have been my first serious foray into adult fantasy.
Clearly there was no going back.
If you loved the series like I did this conclusion should keep you happy! I really must go back and re-read some day!
August 2, 2014
The ending was too fast! She built the whole thing so slowly and then - BANG, everything was finished in 10 pages. Too fast for my taste. but I'm glad I re-read it. :D
March 14, 2008
I was really disappointed in the last book of the series. After a build-up with the three previous books she almost completely ditches Anvar. Well the real Anvar and not the body snatching Forral that is.
I understand the whole series is based for Aurian, but I came to enjoy Anvar as a main side character so to speak. And with Forral, please the horse has been kicked so much it doesn't even resemble a horse anymore.
I felt the last book was rushed because there was just so much subplotting going on that she had no other alternative. The ending was tossed together with a feeling of maybe more is coming in the future, or maybe not. I at least got to see poor Anvar returned and that body snatching Forral finally gone bye bye. Even with his amazing mortal powers to just handle Death like a puppy, amazing....!!! The first two books in the series were a great read, I suggest skimming through the rest to see what turns out in the end....
I understand the whole series is based for Aurian, but I came to enjoy Anvar as a main side character so to speak. And with Forral, please the horse has been kicked so much it doesn't even resemble a horse anymore.
I felt the last book was rushed because there was just so much subplotting going on that she had no other alternative. The ending was tossed together with a feeling of maybe more is coming in the future, or maybe not. I at least got to see poor Anvar returned and that body snatching Forral finally gone bye bye. Even with his amazing mortal powers to just handle Death like a puppy, amazing....!!! The first two books in the series were a great read, I suggest skimming through the rest to see what turns out in the end....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2009
I forgot to update that I'd finished this, so hopefully I can give a semi-decent review.
I began reading the series a year and a half ago or something awful like that. I really enjoyed it for a long time till I got bogged down near the middle of this book. I think I just fell out of reading. When I finally picked it back up off my shelf I fell back in love with it. I have to think that my life just cut out reading and that it wasn't anything to do with the book.
It a lot like the Belgariad series (Pawn of Prophecy) in a way. Any one who is really into that type of story would probably like this. The characters aren't as comical as the one in the Belgariad. I really enjoyed this book.
I began reading the series a year and a half ago or something awful like that. I really enjoyed it for a long time till I got bogged down near the middle of this book. I think I just fell out of reading. When I finally picked it back up off my shelf I fell back in love with it. I have to think that my life just cut out reading and that it wasn't anything to do with the book.
It a lot like the Belgariad series (Pawn of Prophecy) in a way. Any one who is really into that type of story would probably like this. The characters aren't as comical as the one in the Belgariad. I really enjoyed this book.
April 2, 2017
Tristesse infinie d'avoir terminé cette saga ... oh la la, tous ces personnages vont tellement me manquer ! Ce tome était encore un bonheur, tellement haletant et avec tant de rebondissements qu'on a l'impression de lire plusieurs tomes. Mais je ne mets que 4 étoiles pcq j'ai trouvé que la fin a été un peu bâclée, des événements qu'on attendait depuis quasiment le début de la série se sont déroulés en quelques pages à peine, si bien que je reste un peu sur ma faim, j'en aurai voulu bien plus pour ce grand final ! Mais ça reste pour moi une saga absolument fantastique, incroyablement riche et palpitante, qui restera longtemps dans mon cœur !
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January 4, 2018I was a little disappointed by the last couple of chapters, which seemed to bring the storylines crashing, very suddenly, into a brick wall... Almost as if the author has lost interest, and is mentally halfway through writing the next series!
Yes... a bad ending to what had been, until then, a really good, suspenseful and enjoyable adventure.
You will enjoy this series if you're thinking about diving in...
Enjoy!
Yes... a bad ending to what had been, until then, a really good, suspenseful and enjoyable adventure.
You will enjoy this series if you're thinking about diving in...
Enjoy!
July 24, 2021
After failing to claim the Sword of Power, Aurian and her friends are thrust into a bleak future. Anvars body is occupied by her deceased lover Forral, her son is trapped in a wolfs body, and many of the Xandim are enslaved to the Fae, who are in turn trying to subjugate humanity. Aurian has many foes to beat, but many friends to rely on before the world ends. A good read but a let-down of an ending. It just ended. Boom. Done. The End. No follow-through at all. Very annoying
May 17, 2022
《Snyposis》
Aurian faced bitter defeat. She has failed to master the Sword of Flame, her only defense 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, 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, a final conflict will take place, in which Aruian must triumph or die.
*MINOR SPOILER AHEAD*
《Thoughts》
3.5 stars.
It actually kind of hurts that I can't give this book a higher rating. This one amped up the tension by 1000% and I was stressed for so much of it. Everything was so bittersweet and I made a note about 1/4 of the way through that I think this book was planning to break my heart.
The fact that Forral comes back into play in this book caused me so much stress and angst, I can't even tell you.
But, unfortunately, the ending was so rushed and left so much to be desired, I couldn't give it as high a rating as I wanted. In fact, about 40pgs from the end, I was convinced there was going to be another book in the series that I'd missed.
However, even that being said, there's so much to play with that an adaptation would still be so fun.
All in all, I would still recommend this series!
Aurian faced bitter defeat. She has failed to master the Sword of Flame, her only defense 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, 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, a final conflict will take place, in which Aruian must triumph or die.
*MINOR SPOILER AHEAD*
《Thoughts》
3.5 stars.
It actually kind of hurts that I can't give this book a higher rating. This one amped up the tension by 1000% and I was stressed for so much of it. Everything was so bittersweet and I made a note about 1/4 of the way through that I think this book was planning to break my heart.
The fact that Forral comes back into play in this book caused me so much stress and angst, I can't even tell you.
But, unfortunately, the ending was so rushed and left so much to be desired, I couldn't give it as high a rating as I wanted. In fact, about 40pgs from the end, I was convinced there was going to be another book in the series that I'd missed.
However, even that being said, there's so much to play with that an adaptation would still be so fun.
All in all, I would still recommend this series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2019
I've really enjoyed this whole series, but I was so disappointed with the ending. It felt like a fair few different story arcs were ended in a single chapter - the rushed ending really took away from what was an excellent series.
October 22, 2018
True epic fantasy
December 5, 2018
Some bits I didn't entirely agree with, but still enjoyed it a lot!
November 13, 2022
Can’t remember a thing because I read this as a kid but remember absolutely loving it so 5 stars for nostalgia
June 17, 2015
***INCREDIBILI SPOILER***
Eccoci arrivati al "vero" finale della Saga dei Manufatti del Potere. Aurian e compagnia dopo innumerevoli avventure riescono ad uccidere Miathan ed Eliseth.
Dopo un'increscioso scambio di spiriti (lo spirito di Anvar si perde per strada e si incarna in un falco, mentre quello di Forral si incarna nel corpo di Anvar, creando non poco scompiglio) e numerosi tradimenti, voltafaccia, colpi di scena, eccetera, durati ben quattro volumi, ci si sarebbe aspettati un finale un po' più curato. Almeno, io me l'aspettavo. Quando leggendo dell'infiltrazione a Dhiammara della banda di Aurian mi sono resa conto che mancavano poche pagine alla fine, ho seriamente pensato di essermi persa un pezzo di libro.
Chiarisco: la Furey è una macchina da guerra, è bravissima nel creare intrecci e non si confonde mai (ammirevole!). Inoltre crea vera suspence e i suoi colpi di scena sono veri colpi di scena. Il finale però era scontato: si sapeva cosa sarebbe successo, o meglio le possibilità erano diverse, ma la Furey ha scelto la più logica, e questa ha tolto un po' di valore catartico al finale. Bastava aggiungere qualche pagina, farci vedere una Aurian pacifica al fianco di Anvar, entrambi circondati dai cuccioli di Shia. Darci magari qualche indizio sui comprimari, a cui sono state dedicate molte pagine. Per esempio, che fine fa Sara?
A parte quel calo di tensione a cose sciolte, che andava curato con qualche pagina di "e vissero per sempre felici e contenti" il lettore deve accettare che dal finale siano esclusi personaggi a cui si era affezionato. Magari personaggi minori, ma a cui era stato dato così tanto spazio da suscitare comunque simpatia e curiosità. O magari personaggi negativi, di cui però si vorrebbe conoscere la fine.
Il mio interrogativo principale è relativo a Chiamh. Il veggente degli Xandim è presto diventato uno dei miei personaggi preferiti. Ad un certo punto nel quarto libro sembrava che si stesse innamorando di Aurian. La sua conversazione con il Leviatano e uno scambio di battute sibillino con Aurian avevano fatto pensare che ci sarebbe stato uno sviluppo, invece sono rimasta a bocca asciutta.
FINE SPOILER
Nel complesso, fortemente godibile come i tre precedenti, anche se dal terzo volume in poi si moltiplicano gli espedienti per allungare la storia. E' un difetto tutto sommato piccolo, che avrei dimenticato se non fosse stato per un finale frettoloso che, dopo aver sommariamente risparmiato, fatto morire, fatto rivivere, fatto rimorire vari personaggi (senza contare le trasformazioni e le gravidanze) si chiude in modo abbastanza tronco ed insoddisfacente.
Eccoci arrivati al "vero" finale della Saga dei Manufatti del Potere. Aurian e compagnia dopo innumerevoli avventure riescono ad uccidere Miathan ed Eliseth.
Dopo un'increscioso scambio di spiriti (lo spirito di Anvar si perde per strada e si incarna in un falco, mentre quello di Forral si incarna nel corpo di Anvar, creando non poco scompiglio) e numerosi tradimenti, voltafaccia, colpi di scena, eccetera, durati ben quattro volumi, ci si sarebbe aspettati un finale un po' più curato. Almeno, io me l'aspettavo. Quando leggendo dell'infiltrazione a Dhiammara della banda di Aurian mi sono resa conto che mancavano poche pagine alla fine, ho seriamente pensato di essermi persa un pezzo di libro.
Chiarisco: la Furey è una macchina da guerra, è bravissima nel creare intrecci e non si confonde mai (ammirevole!). Inoltre crea vera suspence e i suoi colpi di scena sono veri colpi di scena. Il finale però era scontato: si sapeva cosa sarebbe successo, o meglio le possibilità erano diverse, ma la Furey ha scelto la più logica, e questa ha tolto un po' di valore catartico al finale. Bastava aggiungere qualche pagina, farci vedere una Aurian pacifica al fianco di Anvar, entrambi circondati dai cuccioli di Shia. Darci magari qualche indizio sui comprimari, a cui sono state dedicate molte pagine. Per esempio, che fine fa Sara?
A parte quel calo di tensione a cose sciolte, che andava curato con qualche pagina di "e vissero per sempre felici e contenti" il lettore deve accettare che dal finale siano esclusi personaggi a cui si era affezionato. Magari personaggi minori, ma a cui era stato dato così tanto spazio da suscitare comunque simpatia e curiosità. O magari personaggi negativi, di cui però si vorrebbe conoscere la fine.
Il mio interrogativo principale è relativo a Chiamh. Il veggente degli Xandim è presto diventato uno dei miei personaggi preferiti. Ad un certo punto nel quarto libro sembrava che si stesse innamorando di Aurian. La sua conversazione con il Leviatano e uno scambio di battute sibillino con Aurian avevano fatto pensare che ci sarebbe stato uno sviluppo, invece sono rimasta a bocca asciutta.
FINE SPOILER
Nel complesso, fortemente godibile come i tre precedenti, anche se dal terzo volume in poi si moltiplicano gli espedienti per allungare la storia. E' un difetto tutto sommato piccolo, che avrei dimenticato se non fosse stato per un finale frettoloso che, dopo aver sommariamente risparmiato, fatto morire, fatto rivivere, fatto rimorire vari personaggi (senza contare le trasformazioni e le gravidanze) si chiude in modo abbastanza tronco ed insoddisfacente.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2014
Review
'True epic fantasy in the style of David Eddings and Robert Jordan' THE BOOKSELLER 'Rich, colourful and infinitely enchanting...I loved it!' DAVID GEMMELL 'pure magic...a tale of epic fantasy' TODAY
Product DescriptionAurian 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.
July 23, 2011
Published in 1997, this is the 4th in the Artefacts of Power series and also marketed as "the epic conclusion to the Aurian Saga". Ms Furey (b1955) is a British author and is a teacher by profession. Consequences of previous actions are elaborated on with the book declaring in the opening pages "Let the world tremble, for the Phaerie ride once more". This would be a difficult book to read as a stand alone as much of the background and character development has taken place in the previous 3 books. The well drawn characters of Aurian, Archmage Miathan, powerful weather mage Elliseth and dragons ( ancient dragon city of Dhiammara.) makes this a great read and does manage to tie up some loose strings. Some confusing principles but well thought out and explained. Loved the book.
Want to read
December 4, 2014La Mage Eliseth lui la vol� l'�p�e de Feu ainsi qu'Anvar, son grand amour, et l'�chec de la jeune femme a lib�r� les terribles Ph�es qui se d�cha�nent � pr�sent sur sa terre natale. Le dernier espoir d'Aurian est de se lancer aux trousses de son ennemie. Un p�riple d'autant plus dangereux qu'il l'entra�ne... � travers le temps! Au bout de la qu�te d'Aurian se dresse Dhiammara, l'antique cit� du peuple dragon. C'est l�, au c?ur du royaume d'une race �teinte que se d�roulera l'ultime bataille, avec pour seules issues la victoire ou la mort.
June 4, 2014
A well-written series spanning four books shouldn't have been wrapped up so neatly at the end. It seemed as though Furey was rushing through the last few chapters -- the final battle with the Archmage and the confrontation with Eliseth -- as if she had too little time or too few pages to end with the same captivating detail as the rest of the story. It was too fast and weak, killing what should've been a fantastic read.
November 2, 2008
This is the hardest of the four books to make it through, mostly because a lot of people die. The plot feels like it slows down as well because we follow so many people.
I also wasn't quite satisfied with the ending, which feels as if there needs to be another sequel or short stories written to summarize what does happen, maybe an epilogue...
Despite this, I do really like the whole series and think the general story of this book is okay.
I also wasn't quite satisfied with the ending, which feels as if there needs to be another sequel or short stories written to summarize what does happen, maybe an epilogue...
Despite this, I do really like the whole series and think the general story of this book is okay.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2011
Comparitively speaking, this was by far the best of the 4 books in the series. The story went quickly, and didn't seem laborious at all, something I kind of felt with the others. The story wrapped up a little quickly in my opinion, but it the book as a whole was a great way to wrap up the series.
As far as the series goes, I'd say it was so-so at best.
I'd give this book 4 of 5 stars, but the series overall 3.5 of 5 stars
As far as the series goes, I'd say it was so-so at best.
I'd give this book 4 of 5 stars, but the series overall 3.5 of 5 stars
November 24, 2012
While I was a big fan of the Aurian series, I was somewhat disappointed with the final book. After being invested for three novels, the fates of some of the characters just seemed far too anti-climactic. A passable read, but one that felt a little too rushed at times :(
July 23, 2013
Although this is a really good book, I found that it wrapped up a bit too quickly and left too many questions unanswered. Hopefully there will be another book or series that will explain what happens next.
September 3, 2008
I liked it
September 17, 2012
Great book...only the ending was to short
September 10, 2016
The final book in this series was much better than the middle two; it was more exciting and interesting. The ending was decent and went the way I think it "needed" to.
June 20, 2014
I liked it but feel the end could have been better.
March 14, 2015
After the disappointment of the 3rd part of this story, the closing episode does live up to its heritage. Exciting and adventurous it is a well fit ending.
April 30, 2015
Changed my view on fantasy
February 10, 2016
Great saga, but i felt the story isn't over yet.
March 1, 2015
Finally finished this 4-book series... had to work starting about 1/2 way through book 2, but
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews