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When Aarin’s father dies, elemental fire answers to human command for the first time in three thousand years. But it is a promise of power that comes with a price. To fulfil his father’s dying wish and restore the lost magic of his world, Aarin must find the masters of that fire – the ancient dragons – who vanished from the world millennia ago, taking their magic with them.But the world has changed, and when Aarin is confronted by a magic he thought lost forever, he finds himself in conflict with powerful forces intent on preventing the return of the dragons at all costs. And, deadlier still, the machinations of an age-old power that would sacrifice anything to see them returned, even the life of the man they have waited thousands of years to find.Beset on all sides, Aarin must sort friend from foe and unravel the mysteries of a past long forgotten. To survive, he must discover why the dragons left and what they risked everything to destroy – before it destroys him.A classic epic fantasy adventure, Silver Mage is the standalone first novel in the Long Dream sequence that concludes with Silver Dawn.

1049 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 31, 2008

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491 people want to read

About the author

C.M. Debell

6 books37 followers
Fantasy fan since forever, coffee-obsessed, cake-loving ex-Londoner, wife, mother, journalist, editor, designer, and cowrie collector.

A free ebook copy of The Siege of Druine is available via my newsletter: https://www.andeira.net/newsletter

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Community Reviews

5 stars
69 (42%)
4 stars
52 (32%)
3 stars
27 (16%)
2 stars
10 (6%)
1 star
4 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Liviu.
2,523 reviews708 followers
December 6, 2009
This is very lovingly written book that made me turn pages despite having very little interest in its subject as it developed; very standard 90's fantasy plot lacking all subtlety and nuance and naming conventions that did not work for me - if you like such (villains that are villainous, heroes that are destined and heroic...) you should try this since it flows very well
36 reviews1 follower
October 5, 2018
4.5 out of 5

Author has crafted a good story. My only criticism is that the characters never really changed throughout the story. Also, some scenes/chapters were changed so abruptly without notice that it was hard to follow.
102 reviews2 followers
November 13, 2019

The dragons once sacrificed everything to destroy their enemy. They failed. Now the burden of that failure falls on the man they have called to reforge what their war destroyed - the link between the races and the magic that holds the world together.


Touched by elemental Fire, Aarin is driven by his need to return the dragons to Andeira. But the dragons vanished three thousand years ago, taking their magic with them, and their ancient partnership with mankind is now no more than legend. Even the memory of the magic they shared is fading, and Aarin's obsession has made him an outsider even to his own people.


But when he is confronted by a magic he thought long lost, he suddenly finds himself in conflict with powerful forces intent on preventing the return of the dragons at all costs. And, deadlier still, the machinations of an age-old power that would sacrifice anything to see them returned, even the life of the man they have waited thousands of years to find.


Beset on all sides, Aarin must sort friend from foe and unravel the mysteries of a past long forgotten. Because, to survive, he must first discover the secret of why the dragons left - and what they risked everything to destroy. 


A classic epic fantasy adventure, Silver Mage is the standalone first novel in the Long Dream sequence. The sequel will be published in 2020.

Profile Image for Teleri.
132 reviews10 followers
December 24, 2019
Top notch high fantasy.

As much as I tire of the oft repeated formula of fantasy fiction, this book stands well above the attempts of other authors. It exemplifies the best of the genre: imaginative, well paced, and with compelling characters. The motivations of the primary character are gripping. The supports my characters are 3 dimensional, with believable emotions and riveting plot devices. You come to care deeply about their fictional lives.
Profile Image for Colman Mannion.
32 reviews2 followers
September 29, 2020
What a fabulous read, right up my street a great epic story about dragons. It’s absolutely brilliant with beautiful flowing passages. At several places it actually brought tears to my eyes. I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone who loves fantasy about dragons. I am eagerly awaiting the continuation of this tale which comes in 2021. I very seldom give a book 5 * stars but could easily give this more. Keep up the good work C M Debell I am rooting for you.
Profile Image for Marc Rieck.
344 reviews2 followers
October 18, 2018
The best epic fantasy I have read since LotR

The characters are memorial, and I cared about them, even the weak ones.

This story of a young man finding his destiny has love, battles, magic and dragons.

The story line works, and the editing was okay. All in all a great read.

I am going to have to get the next part with these characters.
Profile Image for Epper Marshall.
170 reviews21 followers
November 18, 2019
Really didn't pull me in. The prologue tried to be mysterious but left me feeling more befuddled than anything; like what did I just read. Chapter one did not rectify the problem remaining distant and un-intriguing. If the prologue and first chapter aren't interesting I don't think the rest of the book will be any better.
125 reviews
April 22, 2020
I liked this book. I love books about dragons and magic. But it did get a little confusing going back and forth. Also some of the names got confusing. But I would like to read the other books in the series
10 reviews2 followers
October 22, 2020
Brilliant

Best book I've read a long time. Imaginative storytelling, impressive world building and characters to root for and others to hate. Kept me on the edge of my seat and found it hard to put down. A brilliant read and I highly recommend it. You won't be disappointed.
59 reviews2 followers
March 28, 2022
I understand the need to develop the characters however this book went on forever for me with, in my mind, no true resolution. Hopefully the sequel will do so however I doubt that I will be reading it.
27 reviews2 followers
September 22, 2022
excellent

Great characterisation and not the average good v. Evil storyline. First class description of the lands and the suffering. Debell is not someone I have read before but will certainly follow now.
Profile Image for Rich.
40 reviews
December 5, 2023
Blacksmithing of hearts and dreams

A woven tale of hearts that must face themselves in all their strengths and limits. Well developed relationships and characters, living in a world of magic reborn. OK for young adults.
Profile Image for Stephen Levesque.
2,808 reviews
March 25, 2019
This book moves along and keeps you entertained. The characters are good and the story will keep you reading. Good Reading Everyone!
1 review
October 26, 2019
Silver Mage

It was a very good story! The forces of good and evil were really brought out in the story. I would recommend this book.
104 reviews1 follower
December 28, 2019
Couldn’t even finish it. What is with all this author projection in books lately. Tell a story don’t spend thirty pages on self esteem, over and over.
28 reviews
January 5, 2020
Outstanding

0ne of those books that you don't want to put down. A real page turner that keeps you guessing and fascinated. I was transfixed right up until the end.
1 review
September 8, 2020
Fun read

Good story with lots of turns. Good characters, some are a bit predictable. All in all, very glad I read it.
Profile Image for bex.
2,435 reviews24 followers
September 30, 2020
3 star

An interesting story. some things didn't quite come together as well as I want, but overall I enjoyed the read.
Profile Image for Stitch.
299 reviews
October 25, 2020
Mages, dragons, evil priests, armies and a tragic love, what more does a good fantasy book need?
Profile Image for Vellanorah .
485 reviews4 followers
February 19, 2023
An epic adventure that begins with a mother abandoning her son and a father struggling to teach him all he can. There are mercenaries, princesses, mages, magic and dragons. A wonderful world that has gone horribly wrong and one man who is the hope to save them all.
97 reviews1 follower
December 29, 2020
Vision

Idealism or pragmatism is there a middle ground never is it an easy thing to differentiate and this book shows how hard the choice is
5 reviews
March 24, 2009
An excellent debut, if you love fantasy epics, this is the one for you. I think Debell might be someone to look out for in the future!
8 reviews
January 24, 2016
I thought this book was amazing. It took me a while to get into the flow but when I did i couldn't put it down
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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