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Blackbird #1
A Blackbird in Silver: The Blackbird Series Book One
Three warriors. An epic Quest. They are the world’s last hope…
Award-winning writer Freda Warrington is the author of twenty-one fantasy novels to date. The Blackbird Series of weirdly atmospheric, magical sword-and-sorcery adventures was first published by Hodder & Stoughton in the late 1980s and the novels are still available in print from Immanion Press and as audio books from Audible. Now here they are in Kindle format for the first time. In order: A Blackbird in Silver, A Blackbird in Darkness, A Blackbird in Amber, A Blackbird in Twilight, and Darker than the Storm.
In another universe there drifts a strange Earth, encircled by three Planes – three mysterious dimensions that help sustain the world in its vigorous life and beauty. But the Earth of Three Planes is doomed, overwhelmed by the evil of the great Serpent M’gulfn that dwells in the snows of the far north.
At the House of Rede, last refuge of the wise, Ashurek, Estarinel and Medrian gather to launch a desperate Quest against the Serpent. Ashurek, to right the wrongs he has perpetrated as Prince of the terrible empire of Gorethria. Estarinel, to save the gentle land of Forluin that has been ravaged by the Worm. And Medrian… silent and sinister, she can tell no one her reasons. Together they must travel through realms of wild beauty and utter horror to make the ultimate, impossible sacrifice.
“Fantasy doesn’t come much better than this!” – Starlog
Award-winning writer Freda Warrington is the author of twenty-one fantasy novels to date. The Blackbird Series of weirdly atmospheric, magical sword-and-sorcery adventures was first published by Hodder & Stoughton in the late 1980s and the novels are still available in print from Immanion Press and as audio books from Audible. Now here they are in Kindle format for the first time. In order: A Blackbird in Silver, A Blackbird in Darkness, A Blackbird in Amber, A Blackbird in Twilight, and Darker than the Storm.
In another universe there drifts a strange Earth, encircled by three Planes – three mysterious dimensions that help sustain the world in its vigorous life and beauty. But the Earth of Three Planes is doomed, overwhelmed by the evil of the great Serpent M’gulfn that dwells in the snows of the far north.
At the House of Rede, last refuge of the wise, Ashurek, Estarinel and Medrian gather to launch a desperate Quest against the Serpent. Ashurek, to right the wrongs he has perpetrated as Prince of the terrible empire of Gorethria. Estarinel, to save the gentle land of Forluin that has been ravaged by the Worm. And Medrian… silent and sinister, she can tell no one her reasons. Together they must travel through realms of wild beauty and utter horror to make the ultimate, impossible sacrifice.
“Fantasy doesn’t come much better than this!” – Starlog
386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1986
10 people are currently reading
282 people want to read
About the author
Freda Warrington
52 books326 followersFreda Warrington is an award-winning British author, known for her epic fantasy, vampire and supernatural novels.
“The Blood Wine books are addictive, thrilling reads that are impossible to put down and they definitely deserve more attention” – Worldhopping.net
Her earliest novels, the Blackbird series, were written and published in the 1980s. In the intervening years she has seen numerous novels of epic fantasy, supernatural and contemporary fantasy, vampires, dark romance, horror and alternative history published.
Her novel ELFLAND won the Romantic Times BEST FANTASY NOVEL Award in 2009, while her 1997 Dracula sequel DRACULA THE UNDEAD won the Dracula Society's BEST GOTHIC NOVEL Award.
Four of her novels (Dark Cathedral, Pagan Moon, Dracula the Undead, and The Amber Citadel) have been nominated or shortlisted for the British Fantasy Society's Best Novel award. The American Library Association placed MIDSUMMER NIGHT in its Top Ten for 2010.
Recently Titan Book reissued her popular romantic-gothic Blood Wine vampire series set in the 1920s - A Taste of Blood Wine, A Dance in Blood Velvet and The Dark Blood of Poppies - along with a brand new novel, The Dark Arts of Blood. In 2017, Telos Publishing will publish her first short story collection, NIGHTS OF BLOOD WINE, featuring fifteen lush dark tales - ten set in her Blood Wine world, and five others of gothic weirdness.
In 2003, Simon & Schuster published The Court of the Midnight King, an alternative history/ fantasy retelling of the story of King Richard III. To celebrate all the events surrounding the discovery of Richard III's remains in Leicester, The Court of the Midnight King is now available on Kindle and in paperback format. Most of her backlist titles, including the Blackbird series, Dracula the Undead, Dark Cathedral and Pagan Moon, can already be found on Kindle or will be available in the next few months.
Warrington has also seen numerous short stories published in anthologies and magazines. For further information, visit her website Freda Warrington
Born in Leicester, Warrington grew up in the Charnwood Forest area of Leicestershire. After completing high school, she trained at Loughborough College of Art and Design and worked in medical illustration and graphic design for some years. She eventually moved to full-time writing, and also still enjoys design, photography, art, jewellery-making and other crafts, travelling and conventions.
Series:
* Jewelfire
* Dark Cathedral
* Aetherial Tales
* Blackbird
“The Blood Wine books are addictive, thrilling reads that are impossible to put down and they definitely deserve more attention” – Worldhopping.net
Her earliest novels, the Blackbird series, were written and published in the 1980s. In the intervening years she has seen numerous novels of epic fantasy, supernatural and contemporary fantasy, vampires, dark romance, horror and alternative history published.
Her novel ELFLAND won the Romantic Times BEST FANTASY NOVEL Award in 2009, while her 1997 Dracula sequel DRACULA THE UNDEAD won the Dracula Society's BEST GOTHIC NOVEL Award.
Four of her novels (Dark Cathedral, Pagan Moon, Dracula the Undead, and The Amber Citadel) have been nominated or shortlisted for the British Fantasy Society's Best Novel award. The American Library Association placed MIDSUMMER NIGHT in its Top Ten for 2010.
Recently Titan Book reissued her popular romantic-gothic Blood Wine vampire series set in the 1920s - A Taste of Blood Wine, A Dance in Blood Velvet and The Dark Blood of Poppies - along with a brand new novel, The Dark Arts of Blood. In 2017, Telos Publishing will publish her first short story collection, NIGHTS OF BLOOD WINE, featuring fifteen lush dark tales - ten set in her Blood Wine world, and five others of gothic weirdness.
In 2003, Simon & Schuster published The Court of the Midnight King, an alternative history/ fantasy retelling of the story of King Richard III. To celebrate all the events surrounding the discovery of Richard III's remains in Leicester, The Court of the Midnight King is now available on Kindle and in paperback format. Most of her backlist titles, including the Blackbird series, Dracula the Undead, Dark Cathedral and Pagan Moon, can already be found on Kindle or will be available in the next few months.
Warrington has also seen numerous short stories published in anthologies and magazines. For further information, visit her website Freda Warrington
Born in Leicester, Warrington grew up in the Charnwood Forest area of Leicestershire. After completing high school, she trained at Loughborough College of Art and Design and worked in medical illustration and graphic design for some years. She eventually moved to full-time writing, and also still enjoys design, photography, art, jewellery-making and other crafts, travelling and conventions.
Series:
* Jewelfire
* Dark Cathedral
* Aetherial Tales
* Blackbird
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 5, 2017
Three mismatched companions start out on a quest to find a way to kill the great serpent M'gulfn that is trying to destroy the Earth. The serpent is slowly spreading despair and anguish, causing wars and laying countries to waste so nothing can grow or survive there.
I first read this book about 20 years ago, and it's survived 4 house moves, my years and university and many, many book clear outs.
It's rare that I remember much that happens in books I've read before, and I don't remember how it ends or how it started, but what I do remember is the feeling I got reading this series.
That's stopped me getting rid of the books many times over the years. I always meant to re-read it, but in a few months I'm going to a convention where Freda Warrington will be appearing so I thought I should read it again before I take it to get it signed.
The way it's written reminds me of how Ursula Le Guin or Tanith Lee writes. It's quite simplistic in style, almost in the way a children's book would be, though the content is very adult and the characters find themselves in some dark situations.
The three companions that set out on the quest have rich and detailed backstories and don't instantly bond.
Ashurek's story is very detailed and he is a very complex character. he's been through a lot and done some very bad things but even though he realises this, he also knows it's M'gulfn's influence that sent him on this path. He wants to make amends but he's not consumed by guilt.
Medrian I remembered from the first time I read the book, the cold, pale, dark haired woman that won't explain her reason for joining the quest, I also remembered what her secret is. That's probably affected my re-read, I'm not getting the sense of mystery or confusion over her behaviour that I probably should be. But she is still my favourite character in the story, quiet and withdrawn and acts almost like she is in constant pain, but she still comes alive when in danger or in a fight. We see rare smiles, glimpses of what she would be like if she weren't carrying these dark secrets.
Though the basic story elements are standard fantasy fare it's taken in a different direction. It has strong, unique characters that carry the story and I found myself engrossed in their stories.
Things get very dark, with some almost horror elements finding their way in, demons, torture and dead soldiers raised to fight for the enemy. There's a hopeless, desperate feel that permeates the book.
There's also a bit of sci-fi mixed in, but I won't go into that because I don't want to spoil the plot!
These things make it stand out from the norm, it's something a bit different if you read a lot of fantasy books.
It's a hard one for me to rate, I would normally say 3 stars, but I still think about this book 20 years after reading it and that has to lift it to a 4.
I first read this book about 20 years ago, and it's survived 4 house moves, my years and university and many, many book clear outs.
It's rare that I remember much that happens in books I've read before, and I don't remember how it ends or how it started, but what I do remember is the feeling I got reading this series.
That's stopped me getting rid of the books many times over the years. I always meant to re-read it, but in a few months I'm going to a convention where Freda Warrington will be appearing so I thought I should read it again before I take it to get it signed.
The way it's written reminds me of how Ursula Le Guin or Tanith Lee writes. It's quite simplistic in style, almost in the way a children's book would be, though the content is very adult and the characters find themselves in some dark situations.
The three companions that set out on the quest have rich and detailed backstories and don't instantly bond.
Ashurek's story is very detailed and he is a very complex character. he's been through a lot and done some very bad things but even though he realises this, he also knows it's M'gulfn's influence that sent him on this path. He wants to make amends but he's not consumed by guilt.
Medrian I remembered from the first time I read the book, the cold, pale, dark haired woman that won't explain her reason for joining the quest, I also remembered what her secret is. That's probably affected my re-read, I'm not getting the sense of mystery or confusion over her behaviour that I probably should be. But she is still my favourite character in the story, quiet and withdrawn and acts almost like she is in constant pain, but she still comes alive when in danger or in a fight. We see rare smiles, glimpses of what she would be like if she weren't carrying these dark secrets.
Though the basic story elements are standard fantasy fare it's taken in a different direction. It has strong, unique characters that carry the story and I found myself engrossed in their stories.
Things get very dark, with some almost horror elements finding their way in, demons, torture and dead soldiers raised to fight for the enemy. There's a hopeless, desperate feel that permeates the book.
There's also a bit of sci-fi mixed in, but I won't go into that because I don't want to spoil the plot!
These things make it stand out from the norm, it's something a bit different if you read a lot of fantasy books.
It's a hard one for me to rate, I would normally say 3 stars, but I still think about this book 20 years after reading it and that has to lift it to a 4.
September 5, 2020
It's worth noting, without giving anything away, that the majority of the contents of this book exist because somebody didn't give the protagonists clear instructions at the beginning...
I read this book some time around it's original release date and it, along with three other volumes in the series, have sat on my various bookshelves since, so I must have remembered enjoying it, or at least thought I would re-read it, at some point. Having done so, as part of the new "the Covid crisis means I have more spare time" era, I wonder what my approximately twenty-year-old self actually thought of it.
It's not a bad book. Maybe it's just that fantasy writing has evolved since it was first published. There are hints of Age of Aquarius mysticism, with flat planes, populated by immortal beings, intersecting the novel's "Earth", and mentions of great cosmic forces. Some off the dialogue could come from a Regency novel, at least in style, and there is a possibility that it is meant to come across as "olde worlde", just to reinforce the setting.
But the characters and the world they inhabit are interesting, even if, unlike other quest fantasies, the protagonists are whisked all over the place rather than having to endure the hardships of travel - there's very little in the way of seeking out inns or suitable spots to camp for the night.
I will endure with the rest of the series, but it's likely that these books will, eventually, make way for newer volumes on my shelves.
I read this book some time around it's original release date and it, along with three other volumes in the series, have sat on my various bookshelves since, so I must have remembered enjoying it, or at least thought I would re-read it, at some point. Having done so, as part of the new "the Covid crisis means I have more spare time" era, I wonder what my approximately twenty-year-old self actually thought of it.
It's not a bad book. Maybe it's just that fantasy writing has evolved since it was first published. There are hints of Age of Aquarius mysticism, with flat planes, populated by immortal beings, intersecting the novel's "Earth", and mentions of great cosmic forces. Some off the dialogue could come from a Regency novel, at least in style, and there is a possibility that it is meant to come across as "olde worlde", just to reinforce the setting.
But the characters and the world they inhabit are interesting, even if, unlike other quest fantasies, the protagonists are whisked all over the place rather than having to endure the hardships of travel - there's very little in the way of seeking out inns or suitable spots to camp for the night.
I will endure with the rest of the series, but it's likely that these books will, eventually, make way for newer volumes on my shelves.
February 24, 2020
I discovered this book by happenstance as my local library has all three books of this series available as audiobook.
I started listening and then just gobbled this story up. The narrator's voice is the perfect fit for the story told. It is epic fantasy that takes us onto a quest with three main characters that still have got to find out how they fit together and what to make of each other. Each of them comes from a different nation, with a different background, some of which we know, some of which we don't.
Throughout the journey the backstory of this world is revealed and the devastation, the serpent has recently dealt out. I loved the world building and also how the concept of yin and yang was introduced into it. And then there is magic and magical moments as well as moments of utter despair. There are demons and sages, and different kind of beings, and there is the blackbird too. Not all is yet revealed though, after all, this is book one.
The language is simple and yet, each word is so precisely set as you rarely find in novels that have been written since the computer age came upon us. Can only recommend.
I started listening and then just gobbled this story up. The narrator's voice is the perfect fit for the story told. It is epic fantasy that takes us onto a quest with three main characters that still have got to find out how they fit together and what to make of each other. Each of them comes from a different nation, with a different background, some of which we know, some of which we don't.
Throughout the journey the backstory of this world is revealed and the devastation, the serpent has recently dealt out. I loved the world building and also how the concept of yin and yang was introduced into it. And then there is magic and magical moments as well as moments of utter despair. There are demons and sages, and different kind of beings, and there is the blackbird too. Not all is yet revealed though, after all, this is book one.
The language is simple and yet, each word is so precisely set as you rarely find in novels that have been written since the computer age came upon us. Can only recommend.
did-not-finish
December 3, 2019DNF at 23%. Beyond the first chapter the story hadn't even started yet, almost a quarter into the book. If you love copious amounts of backstory this might be the book for you. Having it dumped on me right at the beginning before I got to know the characters killed any intrigue set up by the first chapter. I'm so disappointed. Promising first step foward, then it tripped over its own cloak and fell flat on its face.
Some things, like EVIL DRAGON!!!! are somewhat dated conventions of the genre but given the publication date it makes sense. However, the simplification of insanity really hasn't aged well, given the rising awareness of mental health in the past decade.
Some things, like EVIL DRAGON!!!! are somewhat dated conventions of the genre but given the publication date it makes sense. However, the simplification of insanity really hasn't aged well, given the rising awareness of mental health in the past decade.
August 24, 2023
I was absolutely delighted to find this book in a charity shop. It was a huge favourite from my teen years that I had lost somewhere along the way.
Absolute joy to read a wonderful sword and sorcery quest that carries the reader along so well, you don’t want to put it down. Love the characters and their dynamic as they get to know each other on their travels. Their assumptions of each other change as they work through each stage of the quest. Ashurek is. perfect antihero and Medrian makes Wednesday look lame. Estarinel from a gentler background develops his tougher side. Looking forwards to the next one.
Absolute joy to read a wonderful sword and sorcery quest that carries the reader along so well, you don’t want to put it down. Love the characters and their dynamic as they get to know each other on their travels. Their assumptions of each other change as they work through each stage of the quest. Ashurek is. perfect antihero and Medrian makes Wednesday look lame. Estarinel from a gentler background develops his tougher side. Looking forwards to the next one.
October 31, 2021
Been a while since I've read a "quest" fantasy novel.
Enjoyable enough, but not really finding much depth to the characters.
It's also taken a long time for them to make not much progress at all.
But, I'll continue on with the series and see how it progresses.
Trying to guess what Medrian's big secret is, and how it fits in with the whole quest will hopefully keep me absorbed for a while yet.
Enjoyable enough, but not really finding much depth to the characters.
It's also taken a long time for them to make not much progress at all.
But, I'll continue on with the series and see how it progresses.
Trying to guess what Medrian's big secret is, and how it fits in with the whole quest will hopefully keep me absorbed for a while yet.
did-not-finish
January 4, 2025DNF at page 52
The first chapter really intrigued me, but the second and third chapters were just back story and it made me realise that the author's writing is just not engaging me. I'm skim-reading, missing bits, skipping pages. I don't care enough about the story to keep on reading, unfortunately.
It's a shame, as I absolutely love the covers of these books and I was really hoping to enjoy them, but life is too short to continue reading books you are not really enjoying.
The first chapter really intrigued me, but the second and third chapters were just back story and it made me realise that the author's writing is just not engaging me. I'm skim-reading, missing bits, skipping pages. I don't care enough about the story to keep on reading, unfortunately.
It's a shame, as I absolutely love the covers of these books and I was really hoping to enjoy them, but life is too short to continue reading books you are not really enjoying.
April 4, 2021
Intense and fast-moving epic fantasy - there are a lot if flashbacks, but a lot of stuff happens in the flashbacks so that's okay. I don't know if I loved it, but I did like it, it's perfectly passable entertainment. The whole thing of racial characteristics being baked-in dates it - at least I hope fantasy writers have left that tendency behind - but doesn't completely spoil it.
July 21, 2019
This is a two-star book that gets an extra star for Ashurek.
January 11, 2021
Disfruté mucho está obra, se hizo muy agradable de leer.
June 11, 2013
I read this years ago and really enjoyed it and the rest of the series. I revisited with my kids recently and it has hooked my eldest into the series (always my aim as he can be reluctant to read at times). Looking at it as an adult, I can see that the author wrote it when she was quite young but it is a good story and it worked for my kids, so well worth the return visit!
August 27, 2016
Please see my detailed review for A Blackbird in Silver Darkness, the omnibus edition of the first two books in the Blackbird series, here: CLICK ME.
Read
August 23, 2008isbn,original
Want to read
March 27, 2009From fears of nuclear holocaust, written very young, author has written lots more.. but it's not my genre. We'll see..
Read
March 29, 2013Awesome!
June 9, 2015
The 'Quest' continues in 'A Blackbird in Darkness'... my next book to read.
September 17, 2015
Liked it at the time but can't recall a thing about it so on that basis, can only give it an average review.
November 6, 2018
"Era una criatura menuda, un pájaro negro, y lloraba en su huida, vapuleado como una mota de polvo en los torbellinos que creaba M'gulfn. Su llanto resonaba en el mundo entero, y semejaba un postrer canto de esperanza y valentía."
3.5/5
Un buen epic/high fantasy, cortito pero con mucha acción.
Lo que más me gustó fue el mundo que crea Freda: es muy original. Además el backstory de los personajes oh my god!, fue increíble la forma en la que esta narrada y todo lo que pasa en pocas páginas.
Las cosas que menos me gustaron: por más que es corto y pasan muchas cosas (que no es tan malo) me perdí en ocasiones porque no te daba ni un respiro el libro. Además, más allá del por qué de los protagonistas en embarcarse en esta misión, no sabemos mucho de ellos y no me sentí tan encariñada con ellos.
El final fue muy bueno e intrigante, ya quiero saber cómo sigue...
"¿Por ventura te has detenido a analizar cuán imperfecta es la existencia de la humanidad? Las criaturas envejecen, mueren y se corrompen en un esquema caótico y absurdo."
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews