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Haven #1
Amber Magic
The humans have no magic and are hunted for sport, but that is about to change. War is coming....
The Sun Dragon spawned nine lesser dragons which devoured their parent for the power the elder possessed. These young dragons fought for choice bits of the Sun Dragon, but each only managed to eat a portion, thus giving them specific powers. Over time, these foul dragons were hunted down and slain by heroes of old. When each body rotted away, nothing remained save for nine Jewels--each the lens of a dragon's left eye. These Nine Eyes, or Jewels, form the basis for all magic in the world.
The Haven Series is a fantasy epic about the Nine Jewels of Power, each of which represents a different form of magic. The Red Jewel, known as Sang, gives the wielder power over Blood Magic. The Blue, named Lavatis, can call the Rainbow and rules the Sky.
Amber Magic is a short introductory book in this epic series of fantasy novels by bestselling author B. V. Larson.
The Sun Dragon spawned nine lesser dragons which devoured their parent for the power the elder possessed. These young dragons fought for choice bits of the Sun Dragon, but each only managed to eat a portion, thus giving them specific powers. Over time, these foul dragons were hunted down and slain by heroes of old. When each body rotted away, nothing remained save for nine Jewels--each the lens of a dragon's left eye. These Nine Eyes, or Jewels, form the basis for all magic in the world.
The Haven Series is a fantasy epic about the Nine Jewels of Power, each of which represents a different form of magic. The Red Jewel, known as Sang, gives the wielder power over Blood Magic. The Blue, named Lavatis, can call the Rainbow and rules the Sky.
Amber Magic is a short introductory book in this epic series of fantasy novels by bestselling author B. V. Larson.
153 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2010
152 people are currently reading
552 people want to read
About the author
B.V. Larson
135 books1,529 followersBrian Larson is an American science fiction and fantasy author
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
February 8, 2011
This is the first novel that I read on my new Kindle (yes, I am a fantasy geek...). The story was well told, although it could have used some more editing. However, it really shows the power of epublishing. This book is only available in digital form, and, according to the author's website, he has already sold tens of thousands of copies of his novel. He tried submitting to major publishing companies multiple times, but he was denied. However, he is able to publish worthwhile and interesting novels in this format. I love that we are getting access to quality novels that, for whatever reason, weren't good enough for the major companies. I think having a Kindle might make me a fan of epublishing!
September 8, 2023
A degree of darkness and wit, reality and fantasy.
Amber Magic Review
Sky Magic Review
Shadow Magic Review
Dragon Magic Review
Blood Magic Review
Death Magic Review
Larson's Hyborean Dragon series is what brought me to this series. A degree of darkness and wit, reality and fantasy. I am very intrigued with the setup in this first book of the relationship between humans and creatures of magic (and all that is in between). I look forward to some adventures involving the group of friends and a budding romance between Brand and Telyn.
The River Folk and the fair Folk, humans and faeries, have had an uneasy Pact for so long that the humans don't quite remember the context of it all. Though the faerie have no love to give each other, and even less for the humans, they all agree that there is danger afoot that they all want to avoid: a dark race of undying hunters.
The faerie seem to be so adept at trickery that they take things too far, resulting in enchanting humans with natural, yet toxic, beauty that usually ends in a lot of human death. If not death, then abominable offsprings from a mixed union, or babies raised as fae (or left for dead) while changelings take their place in the crib, or an ancient bloodlust race that skins humans, drains their life for consumption, and showcases their bones as trophies ... which takes us back to death, of course.
Character Reference:
Creature/Race Reference:
Geography/Events:
Jewels so far:
Amber Magic Review
Sky Magic Review
Shadow Magic Review
Dragon Magic Review
Blood Magic Review
Death Magic Review
Larson's Hyborean Dragon series is what brought me to this series. A degree of darkness and wit, reality and fantasy. I am very intrigued with the setup in this first book of the relationship between humans and creatures of magic (and all that is in between). I look forward to some adventures involving the group of friends and a budding romance between Brand and Telyn.
The River Folk and the fair Folk, humans and faeries, have had an uneasy Pact for so long that the humans don't quite remember the context of it all. Though the faerie have no love to give each other, and even less for the humans, they all agree that there is danger afoot that they all want to avoid: a dark race of undying hunters.
The faerie seem to be so adept at trickery that they take things too far, resulting in enchanting humans with natural, yet toxic, beauty that usually ends in a lot of human death. If not death, then abominable offsprings from a mixed union, or babies raised as fae (or left for dead) while changelings take their place in the crib, or an ancient bloodlust race that skins humans, drains their life for consumption, and showcases their bones as trophies ... which takes us back to death, of course.
Character Reference:
Creature/Race Reference:
Geography/Events:
Jewels so far:
January 7, 2018
I love fantasy stories. I enjoy getting sucked into other worlds and having adventures. Unfortunately, this book did not do that for me. The storyline needs some developing and streamlining; it's choppy and inconsistent. I didn't care about the characters very much and they mostly seemed to have the same personality. I found myself actually hoping the goblins would kill off one of the main characters just so there would be some real excitement. There is no reader to character connection. Some of the phrases the characters used seemed inconsistent, as well. In one part a teenage boy sounded like someone from the Middle Ages when he never sounded like that before or again. There are lots of grammar errors and while I can overlook some of them, it is obvious this book was not edited very well. I would love to see this book edited and revised, as it has a lot of potential to become an epic fantasy adventure. As it is right now, I have no interest in reading the next book in the series. I don't care how the story ends.
November 22, 2017
Read the first book it’s crap. Slow paced, dont care what happens to who, no
connection. started second but, soon realized it’s just more of the same.
connection. started second but, soon realized it’s just more of the same.
June 27, 2018
2 Stars, was not able to get into this book. I don't think I will continue with this series. I have liked other books by this Author but this one did not do much for me.
April 12, 2011
Though it is clumsily written, with paper-thin characters and spotty descriptions, this is not the worst fantasy story I've read.
Where should I begin? How about at the beginning: nothing much happens in the first several chapters, and the chapter breaks themselves seem random. There's no hint of an arc of a story, just half-hearted exposition breaking a flat narrative. This happened, then that happened, then another thing happened. It was a chore to make it anywhere near the first point of conflict in the story. Once there, it doesn't even feel like much of a conflict.
The pace quickens a bit in the fifth chapter, but still nothing much happens. The only thing drawing the characters on is a weak motivation: find some guy (we find out who he is in chapter eleven) who was supposed to be at this town to do some ritual, but hasn't shown up yet. The story wends its way on, meandering back and forth as the River Folk go up and down the river on their errand. A pair of dwarve... I mean "Battleaxe Folk" join the gang. The story plods along, punctuated by some actually interesting brief stories told by the female dwar... uh, I mean, "Kindred," as the Battleaxe Folk are also known.
An ancient Pact between the River Folk and the Battleaxe Folk and the Faeries is broken, and some bad Faeries do some bad things, and some good Faeries do some bad things, and the king of the Faeries helps the river folk. There's a big fight that lasts for a couple chapters and then... the end.
If an editor saw this book at all, they didn't spend much time on it. A few choice quotes:
"Six gray-furred kittens squirmed deliciously."
"After a precarious moment, he regained his feet, years of boating experience coming in to save him."
and my personal favorite, the noisy muscles:
"... his biceps seemed to groan aloud. This groaning, however if it was audible, was entirely drowned out by the frightened bleating of the sheep..." and
"His muscles sang like the taunt [sic] wires of his fiddle..."
So, apart from a lack of the expected rise and fall of tension one expects from a story, awkward grammar, and a lackluster lack of description ("She produced another apple and a small sharp knife from her nondescript garment." and "She wore a black cloak, thigh-high boots and an old wide-brimmed hat of shapeless, colorless material." as two examples), the story actually ends up being not completely awful. However, it is just awful enough for me to utterly lose interest in any of the following books in the "series."
Oh, and as an added bonus, there are no Kindle chapter breaks or table of contents, so navigating the book is a chore.
As I say, I've seen worse. But not often.
Where should I begin? How about at the beginning: nothing much happens in the first several chapters, and the chapter breaks themselves seem random. There's no hint of an arc of a story, just half-hearted exposition breaking a flat narrative. This happened, then that happened, then another thing happened. It was a chore to make it anywhere near the first point of conflict in the story. Once there, it doesn't even feel like much of a conflict.
The pace quickens a bit in the fifth chapter, but still nothing much happens. The only thing drawing the characters on is a weak motivation: find some guy (we find out who he is in chapter eleven) who was supposed to be at this town to do some ritual, but hasn't shown up yet. The story wends its way on, meandering back and forth as the River Folk go up and down the river on their errand. A pair of dwarve... I mean "Battleaxe Folk" join the gang. The story plods along, punctuated by some actually interesting brief stories told by the female dwar... uh, I mean, "Kindred," as the Battleaxe Folk are also known.
An ancient Pact between the River Folk and the Battleaxe Folk and the Faeries is broken, and some bad Faeries do some bad things, and some good Faeries do some bad things, and the king of the Faeries helps the river folk. There's a big fight that lasts for a couple chapters and then... the end.
If an editor saw this book at all, they didn't spend much time on it. A few choice quotes:
"Six gray-furred kittens squirmed deliciously."
"After a precarious moment, he regained his feet, years of boating experience coming in to save him."
and my personal favorite, the noisy muscles:
"... his biceps seemed to groan aloud. This groaning, however if it was audible, was entirely drowned out by the frightened bleating of the sheep..." and
"His muscles sang like the taunt [sic] wires of his fiddle..."
So, apart from a lack of the expected rise and fall of tension one expects from a story, awkward grammar, and a lackluster lack of description ("She produced another apple and a small sharp knife from her nondescript garment." and "She wore a black cloak, thigh-high boots and an old wide-brimmed hat of shapeless, colorless material." as two examples), the story actually ends up being not completely awful. However, it is just awful enough for me to utterly lose interest in any of the following books in the "series."
Oh, and as an added bonus, there are no Kindle chapter breaks or table of contents, so navigating the book is a chore.
As I say, I've seen worse. But not often.
November 22, 2010
Just finished this "introductory" book (I got As a free kindle book), and it was a quick and easy read - a break from reading the long and complex yarns spun in harlots ghost (which is the other main book I am reading).
There are a lot of things this book is not:
- it is not complex - things sort of just happen, characters are thrown at you without much backstory or explanation, and what foreshadowing we see is too obvious. Most annoying to me was the character interactions - they were too simple to be believable.
- it is not a literary masterpiece. I feel the storyline and writing had more in common with the short stories I wrote in early university than with award winning fiction. That's not to say It was terrible - in fact (as you'll see in my next few points) it worked for my reading of it.
- it is not a long read. In fact I finished in about an hour and a half. This was a rather nice difference from the numerous gigantic encyclopedias of fantasy I have recently been reading. The writing style helped in making it easy to consume. Of course, it being only 200 pages helped.
- it is not a brain-ful read. I'll have to explain this one - harlot's ghost and many of the other books ive just finished with are "brain-ful" reads - they make you wonder about the characters, they make you think about different parts of what would happen next, and (especially harlots ghost) they make you go out and research the real world. This book had none of that - you were told exactly what was going on and how and when and what they were thinking and all that jazz. The equivalent of a normal action packed Hollywood movie - brainless but fun.
- it is not expensive. For me, free. Currently $0.99 on kindle. I'd say it was worth my time and 0.99 to read.
I will continue with the rest of the series, if only to help me through more difficult to consume (but interesting) literary fare. By my rating scale this is a 2*, but I'll continue the series and read other works by the author but will never read this book again.
There are a lot of things this book is not:
- it is not complex - things sort of just happen, characters are thrown at you without much backstory or explanation, and what foreshadowing we see is too obvious. Most annoying to me was the character interactions - they were too simple to be believable.
- it is not a literary masterpiece. I feel the storyline and writing had more in common with the short stories I wrote in early university than with award winning fiction. That's not to say It was terrible - in fact (as you'll see in my next few points) it worked for my reading of it.
- it is not a long read. In fact I finished in about an hour and a half. This was a rather nice difference from the numerous gigantic encyclopedias of fantasy I have recently been reading. The writing style helped in making it easy to consume. Of course, it being only 200 pages helped.
- it is not a brain-ful read. I'll have to explain this one - harlot's ghost and many of the other books ive just finished with are "brain-ful" reads - they make you wonder about the characters, they make you think about different parts of what would happen next, and (especially harlots ghost) they make you go out and research the real world. This book had none of that - you were told exactly what was going on and how and when and what they were thinking and all that jazz. The equivalent of a normal action packed Hollywood movie - brainless but fun.
- it is not expensive. For me, free. Currently $0.99 on kindle. I'd say it was worth my time and 0.99 to read.
I will continue with the rest of the series, if only to help me through more difficult to consume (but interesting) literary fare. By my rating scale this is a 2*, but I'll continue the series and read other works by the author but will never read this book again.
January 27, 2021
This book is the first instalment of Larson’s first series ‘Haven’. Having previously read his Mech series and listened to the first of the ‘Undying Mercenaries’ series I decided to read his catalogue from the beginning.
Amber Magic is an easy to read short novel (approx. 150 pages) and is very much the first of a series as it could rightly be described as a scene setting novel which leaves all of the plotlines that have started open so as to draw the reader into book 2. The central arc of this book is around the preparation for the Harvest Moon celebration and the humans of the river meeting their obligations of the pact with the faerie to provide one seventh of their harvest as an offering. In return the faerie are charged with restraining from their usual pranks and disturbances and from the keeping the dark forces outside the area.
Trouble is brewing however. Autumn has come early and is very severe with snow coming earlier than most people can remember. Myrrdi, who is usually responsible for the delivering the ceremonial aspects of the offering is missing and it looks likely that no one will be able to perform the ceremony. A dark shadowy ‘man’ is following Jak and Brand to river boat man, but the significance of this remains a mystery.
There is nothing special about this opening book, but the world building that Larson has done is reasonably well executed and the few characters your are introduced to are nothing new to fantasy readers (farm boy who does not know is significance, dwarves with axes who turn out to be the best fighters, a young girl with burgeoning magical talents to name but three) they are engaging enough. The scene has been set and the story introduced and for me there is just enough of a hook to bring me back for book 2 to see how the story develops.
Amber Magic is an easy to read short novel (approx. 150 pages) and is very much the first of a series as it could rightly be described as a scene setting novel which leaves all of the plotlines that have started open so as to draw the reader into book 2. The central arc of this book is around the preparation for the Harvest Moon celebration and the humans of the river meeting their obligations of the pact with the faerie to provide one seventh of their harvest as an offering. In return the faerie are charged with restraining from their usual pranks and disturbances and from the keeping the dark forces outside the area.
Trouble is brewing however. Autumn has come early and is very severe with snow coming earlier than most people can remember. Myrrdi, who is usually responsible for the delivering the ceremonial aspects of the offering is missing and it looks likely that no one will be able to perform the ceremony. A dark shadowy ‘man’ is following Jak and Brand to river boat man, but the significance of this remains a mystery.
There is nothing special about this opening book, but the world building that Larson has done is reasonably well executed and the few characters your are introduced to are nothing new to fantasy readers (farm boy who does not know is significance, dwarves with axes who turn out to be the best fighters, a young girl with burgeoning magical talents to name but three) they are engaging enough. The scene has been set and the story introduced and for me there is just enough of a hook to bring me back for book 2 to see how the story develops.
December 29, 2015
I enjoyed it enough...though I'm currently on Book 3 and not sure why Chapter 1 of Book 1 was written at all. It isn't wholly irrelevant but not yet sufficiently relevant to justify starting the book in that way - especially since, so far, its relevance is only to an apparently minor side character.
I started with that critique because the author started like that. Otherwise, I find this a reasonably enjoyable...passable easy read. I found book 2 to be just as short as book 1 and though I'm on book 3, nothing has happened yet! These books don't read like a series but rather one book cut into smaller books. Usually, even if there is a major story arc in a series, some event happens in each book, hopefully something that helps in developing the characters. No such luck here - there's no defining adventure or knowledge gained.
And yet I've bought book 2 and 3 because it's been sufficiently interesting that I want to know what will happen. I felt that at free (this book) and $2 and change for the other books, I didn't mind too much. And I might buy book 4 just because I'll probably think I'd come so far that I might as well finish. But I don't know that I'd recommend the series unless you can get a good deal because it's not really a series but one book cut into parts.
I started with that critique because the author started like that. Otherwise, I find this a reasonably enjoyable...passable easy read. I found book 2 to be just as short as book 1 and though I'm on book 3, nothing has happened yet! These books don't read like a series but rather one book cut into smaller books. Usually, even if there is a major story arc in a series, some event happens in each book, hopefully something that helps in developing the characters. No such luck here - there's no defining adventure or knowledge gained.
And yet I've bought book 2 and 3 because it's been sufficiently interesting that I want to know what will happen. I felt that at free (this book) and $2 and change for the other books, I didn't mind too much. And I might buy book 4 just because I'll probably think I'd come so far that I might as well finish. But I don't know that I'd recommend the series unless you can get a good deal because it's not really a series but one book cut into parts.
September 9, 2013
As in some fantasy, things can get a bit confusing as you meet the characters and find out what is going on. I was a bit confused for quite a while in this book but it ultimately came together.
Brand and his brother, Jak must bring the yearly offering for the Fae to the sight of the offering. In the process Brand sees a mysterious horseman who seems to be following them. Once the offering is brought to the offering site it is discovered that Myrrdin, the man who must give the offering is missing. Brand, Jak, Corbin, a cousin, and Brand's lady love, Telyn, go out to find Myrrdin but encounter many problems instead.
I ultimately liked the story but am not in any hurry to read the next installment. I have too many other books to read first.............many of them by fantasy writers much higher on my list.
Brand and his brother, Jak must bring the yearly offering for the Fae to the sight of the offering. In the process Brand sees a mysterious horseman who seems to be following them. Once the offering is brought to the offering site it is discovered that Myrrdin, the man who must give the offering is missing. Brand, Jak, Corbin, a cousin, and Brand's lady love, Telyn, go out to find Myrrdin but encounter many problems instead.
I ultimately liked the story but am not in any hurry to read the next installment. I have too many other books to read first.............many of them by fantasy writers much higher on my list.
March 29, 2011
A lot of reviews I read really bashed this book purely based on its length, claiming it was somehow deceptive and pulled you in only to have to buy the next one. As far as I could see, the length of his book was just as well advertised as any other, and it was only a buck on kindle, so I figured it was worth a go, I like a short read sometimes. All I can say is that it was ok. It was certainly worth the buck, but I'm not going to be going back for more. I always hate criticizing authors, cause I'm sure any author can spin a better tale than I could, but as a reader, this story seemed a little, i don't know, shallow? And the writing was a little rough. Certainly didn't have me on tinderhooks, but like I said, a decent quick read.
November 3, 2014
Got this book for free on the kindle store a while back, and thought I would give it a read. It's actually a shorter introduction to a longer set of novels as I understand it. It kind of gave a glimpse of what was to come in the series. I probably won't pick up the series in the end, because it's not really up my alley.
It felt very Terry Brooks-ish, and that's not a bad thing at all, but I sort of fell out of love with this sort of elves, dragons and fae fantasy when I started to read giant crazy epics like the Wheel of Time and A Song of Ice and Fire.
If however, that is your jam, this is a fun story which promises some pretty cool sounding dragon-faerie magic happenings to come.
It felt very Terry Brooks-ish, and that's not a bad thing at all, but I sort of fell out of love with this sort of elves, dragons and fae fantasy when I started to read giant crazy epics like the Wheel of Time and A Song of Ice and Fire.
If however, that is your jam, this is a fun story which promises some pretty cool sounding dragon-faerie magic happenings to come.
January 31, 2011
Certainly it won't go down as one of the greatest fantasy books ever written, but it was enjoyable enough. It's really novella length, and while I'd like to read out the series I feel like the Kindle pricing on it is just too high. At $2.99 per, it comes out to be rather more expensive than most fantasy novels, and it's just not original enough to justify that. There isn't much character development, and the plot is fairly standard. If I could get it from the library, I'd finish the series, though.
February 7, 2014
Reading the intro from goodreads this seems like a decent novel. However it is not a novel it is just an introduction to a series. I forgot what I spent for this. Hopefully not much. The story starts with a throw away character, Then changes focus and drags a bit. The action starts at about 50% and becomes interesting. The characters are similar to other stories farm boy and friends get involved with some of the Fae and problems ensue. Not much of the intro from goodreads evolves in this intro, and one can wonder why this wasn't simply the first part of the books.
March 24, 2011
This book starts out a little shaky. You can actually follow how the author's writing progresses. The author never gets to a sophisticated style, but the fast pace of the story kept me turning pages. There is definitely a lot of this story that has been borrowed from other fantasy and folklore, but the differences make it interesting. I recommended the whole series as a fun and easy to read adventure.
April 3, 2011
After reading this it feels like I picked up a story half-way through. It moves quickly, with new characters and races continually cropping up without much explanation. It's just my preference, but I like to have some back-story on people and places that are supposed to be significant to a storyline. If I don't know anything about the people/place how am I supposed to know that they/it are important?
November 2, 2011
The opening was slow, incredibly slow. It was a bit of a struggle initially, but it did get slightly more interesting. The characters are rather one-dimensional at this point. I'm hoping they get better in the following books.
As for the plot, it's nothing new. I'd probably only give it 2 1/2 stars as 3 is probably a little too high. However, I am curious to see how the story progresses.
It's an easy read so if you're after something light this isn't too bad.
As for the plot, it's nothing new. I'd probably only give it 2 1/2 stars as 3 is probably a little too high. However, I am curious to see how the story progresses.
It's an easy read so if you're after something light this isn't too bad.
April 2, 2014
I never ever take time out to write reviews of books on here, but I have to say..... this series was AMAZING A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! I absolutely loved the whole series, I could not put it down. If you love fantasy books and to feel close to the characters you read about and love to be kept guessing on what will happen next, and to feel like you are right there with the faries and all the action, this series won't dissapoint you :-) Oh yeah, and did I mention that I loved this book??? :)
October 3, 2011
I agree with many of the other reviewers. This book was clumsily written and poorly edited. The characters really all characters we've seen before in other books, with names and/or races changed (the entire first book reads like Lord of the rings without the creativity or writing skill). Yet, I did buy the nxt two books, as the story was somewhat entertaining. I would rate it 2.5 stars.
December 5, 2010
so far it has an original setting and interesting characters, though the whole book reads like a long expose to the original story. makes you curious and i hope the author can deliver on his promises.
first-chapter-only
September 13, 2011Opens with two country bumpkins taking their boat downriver, and it's vaguely spooky.
I got the feeling that, in a couple of chapters, Gandalf was going to show up and tell them they had to undertake a quest, because of a great evil, et cetera.
I got the feeling that, in a couple of chapters, Gandalf was going to show up and tell them they had to undertake a quest, because of a great evil, et cetera.
January 11, 2012
I guess I was expecting more than I got. This story floundered for the first, 90 or so percent. I felt lost and confused right up until the end, and when it sort of began to make sense it ended. A huge turn off. Not even interested in the next books.
September 23, 2010
It wasn't an awesome first book. Definitely high fantasy with talk of hill giants and the Wee Folk, but I'm willing to read the second book.
February 10, 2011
A good, but somewhat generic read that speaks of an epic storyline to follow. Characters are fairly 3-dimensional, but suffer from some overplayed roles.
March 29, 2020
A cumbersome read. Dated. Ponderous.
No.
No.
April 11, 2011
Good plot. Quick read. Held my attention. Book was a little too short,
but for $1.99 still worth it.
but for $1.99 still worth it.
April 14, 2011
Interesting and quick read. Took a lot to get this story going.
December 14, 2011
I really couldn't get into this. I've trie it a few times and each time i get further but i really didn't enjoy it.
December 6, 2015
Let's just say I won't be buying Book 2 of the Haven series....
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews