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Averidan #1
The Crystal Crown
A Crown With a Mind of its Own... When Liras-ven Tsormelezok set off into his garden that morning, he knew he could claim some sort of royal ancestry-but then, so could most of the rest of the population of Averidan. Therefore, being named King while pruning his klimflower vines was a trifle unexpected. But that was only the first of the surprises waiting for Liras. For example, he discovered that the Crystal Crown of the Kings of Averidan could not only speak to him-it could kill him, if it decided he shouldn't be king. And then were certain other inheritances from the late a war about which he knew nothing, and a royal bride-to-be with whom he could not speak. No wonder Liras decided to make a run for it...
- GenresFantasyScience Fiction
208 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 1984
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101 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 9, 2023
I found this book to be a delight!
It is written in the first person and we follow the POV of Liras-ven, a young man who has been chosen to wear the Crystal Crown, a magical crown with the power to heal others.
Liras starts out as a reluctant king, but the reader watches him steadily improve and push himself to become a good king. And in a world with sorcerers, politics, and danger, he has a lot overcome!
I liked this book for many reasons.
First, this book is very easy to read (idk if it’s becuz it’s in first person or not).
Second, I really liked Liras’s journey. Not only is it a nice example of “The Hero’s Journey” but he is characterized in a way that makes him relatable and sympathetic. And I admired his resolve to improve on himself and his desires to become a just ruler. In a way, it reminded me of Rand al’Thor from Wheel of Time and how he accepted himself as the Dragon Reborn. This is about Liras stepping up to the challenge of becoming a hero and a king.
Third, the world this story takes place in is well thought out. This isn’t just a generic Sword and Sorcery / Medieval Fantasy kind of world. The author created well defined cultures and Nations within this world; Averidan, Cayd, and Tiyalir. With names and words like Shan Xao-Lan, Xalan, Lanach, Horfal-yu, Ixfel, Shan Torverlis Tsormelezok, and Siral-sei; you can tell that the author took care in building this world.
Fourth, the way Magic works in this world is better defined. It’s a sort of “soft magic system” with hydromants, geomants, Magus / Magi, and of course there is the Crystal Crown. The author explains why magic isn’t a “do all” kind of tool, but magic is instead a tool with limitations.
Fifth, it is less than 250 pages. Each chapter is less than 15 pages on average, making it easy on the reader if they want to take a break. It is 18 chapters divided into three sections. Basically, it’s not a book that demands a lot from the reader.
So all in all, if you are looking for a book that will transport you to a fantasy world with a relatable protagonist for just a little while, you may enjoy this book. I recommend it if you ever find it at a used bookstore or if you’re looking for a nicely done fantasy adventure online.
It is written in the first person and we follow the POV of Liras-ven, a young man who has been chosen to wear the Crystal Crown, a magical crown with the power to heal others.
Liras starts out as a reluctant king, but the reader watches him steadily improve and push himself to become a good king. And in a world with sorcerers, politics, and danger, he has a lot overcome!
I liked this book for many reasons.
First, this book is very easy to read (idk if it’s becuz it’s in first person or not).
Second, I really liked Liras’s journey. Not only is it a nice example of “The Hero’s Journey” but he is characterized in a way that makes him relatable and sympathetic. And I admired his resolve to improve on himself and his desires to become a just ruler. In a way, it reminded me of Rand al’Thor from Wheel of Time and how he accepted himself as the Dragon Reborn. This is about Liras stepping up to the challenge of becoming a hero and a king.
Third, the world this story takes place in is well thought out. This isn’t just a generic Sword and Sorcery / Medieval Fantasy kind of world. The author created well defined cultures and Nations within this world; Averidan, Cayd, and Tiyalir. With names and words like Shan Xao-Lan, Xalan, Lanach, Horfal-yu, Ixfel, Shan Torverlis Tsormelezok, and Siral-sei; you can tell that the author took care in building this world.
Fourth, the way Magic works in this world is better defined. It’s a sort of “soft magic system” with hydromants, geomants, Magus / Magi, and of course there is the Crystal Crown. The author explains why magic isn’t a “do all” kind of tool, but magic is instead a tool with limitations.
Fifth, it is less than 250 pages. Each chapter is less than 15 pages on average, making it easy on the reader if they want to take a break. It is 18 chapters divided into three sections. Basically, it’s not a book that demands a lot from the reader.
So all in all, if you are looking for a book that will transport you to a fantasy world with a relatable protagonist for just a little while, you may enjoy this book. I recommend it if you ever find it at a used bookstore or if you’re looking for a nicely done fantasy adventure online.
November 9, 2017
On the sentence level, this book is well made. But as a story, it fails to serve in a mythopoetic manner; it cannot qualify as worthwhile high fantasy. I think this is the author’s first book. I bet she got better over time. Why suspect that? The book is not written in the No Style style, which plagues us these days. There are many good sentences.
I may seek out her later work.
I may seek out her later work.
August 10, 2023
I've had this series for decades and read it a few times. It is mostly a light-hearted fantasy romp about a young man who finds that he's been "chosen" to become king against is will with a mystical artifact crown that kills those it doesn't like. Of course he's terrified, but eventually settles in. The pace starts to ramp up as he's drawn from one conflict to another. It's light-hearted so don't expect anything too deep, but I have enjoyed the story every time I've read it.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews