SOLVED. Probably 90s fantasy novel, some kind of ancient lost empire that a few artifacts of were floating around [s]

[Sarah]

This was a book I read in high school so it can't have been published after the mid 90s. It was probably a new or recent title at the time. It was classic fantasy. There was some kind of ancient lost empire that a few artifacts of were floating around. The only two things I remember clearly are the statues that stood on either side of a river when some of the characters take a trip (they were gorgeous and huge and the characters weren't sure how they could have been constructed) and a figurine that one character possessed. It was a figure of a woman and small enough to hold in your hand. It looked like stone but could move like a person and dance when some music was played. I'm sorry I don't recall anything else. If anyone has ideas, I'd be really grateful.

[Kirstin]

Do you remember anything about the characters? Were they human? Are they on a trip to find the lost empire? Does the story take place on Earth? Modern times? Was it teen fiction or for adults?

Sorry to ask so many questions!

[Jeremy]

Sounds like Robert Jordan to me. There's a scene fairly early in the series (book 2 or 3 I think - sorry it's been quite some time since I read them) where the characters discuss the newly-rediscovered statue on Toman Head (sp?), which plays a large role later in the series when it turns out to be a power source (sa'angreal) linked to a key which is a miniature version of the statue.

[Sarah]

Kirstin wrote: "Do you remember anything about the characters? Were they human? Are they on a trip to find the lost empire? Does the story take place on Earth? Modern times? Was it teen fiction or for adults?

Sor..."
The characters are all human. It is an a fantasy world, definitely not Earth. Definitely not a modern times sort of world either (it had that time period non-specific rennaisance-ish feel fantasy often has). I believe it would not have been YA.

[Sarah]

Jeremy wrote: "Sounds like Robert Jordan to me. There's a scene fairly early in the series (book 2 or 3 I think - sorry it's been quite some time since I read them) where the characters discuss the newly-rediscov..."

I've only ever read the first Robert Jordan book so I don't think that's it. But thanks for the input.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Sarah, are you still looking for this or did you find it?

[Peter]

Possibly The Far Kingdoms by Allan Cole. I have no idea if the statues are in there, but it's about an expedition to find remnants of an empire that was thought to be legendary.

[K.L.]

possibly the Artefacts of Power series by Maggie Furey? 4 books about a girl called Aurian who has to hunt down various artefacts

[Ann aka Iftcan]

I sent Sarah a message. If she doesn't answer in a reasonable time frame we can move this down to Abandoned

[Sarah]

I think The Far Kingdoms is the right answer. Thank you so much for your help.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Great. Thanks for letting us know.