When reading sci-fi and fantasy, I am always attracted by unique magic systems. Sometimes authors come up with the most creative ideas that enthrall me and give the fantasy world life. I am going to share with you the few of the best I've come across.First on my list is the magic system from The Seventh Tower series by Garth Nix. I love how creative the world building is in this series, and the magic system is integral to it. The story is set in a world of darkness, where a veil covers the sky, hiding the sun completely.
The Chosen, the people who live in the castle below the veil, rely on light magic as a means of life. To use light magic, you have to possess a sunstone, and every Chosen is trained in its use.
Sunstones emit different colours of light when you concentrate on them, and each colour can do different things, or they be weaved together to make more complicated spells. Red, as the first colour in the spectrum, does the most basic spells. Violet, as the last colour, can be used to make the most complex and powerful magic.
Certain powerful artifacts were made out of sunstones, like the fingernail Milla finds that produces an awesome whip of light, and sunstones are used to bind shadows to their masters.
Cool, no? I have no idea how Garth Nix came up with this stuff, but it's brilliant, and it makes this series unique.
I wonder how many times that concept has been copied by other writers.
ReplyDeleteI've only heard of Nix, but not read his stuff. Sounds like a very unique magic system (and I'm a sucker for a good magic system).
ReplyDeleteLove the series idea too - shall be keeping a close eye on this one :)
This system does sound intriguing. I like the magic system used in THE DRESDEN FILES -- it has a logic and common sense feel to it that makes it easy to buy into. :-)
ReplyDeleteInteresting. But what gives the sunstones their power? Where does light magic come from? I'm always interested more in those more fundamental questions of the nature of magic in a given story.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this, but I loved Sabriel, Lirael and Abhorsen. I don't think I could even try to write anything like this but I do enjoy reading it!
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome idea for a post series. That is an interesting magic system. I'd be interested to get the origin story of how the sunstones came to possess these different powers.
ReplyDeletei love the creative minds of fantasy & sci fi writers. imagination has no limits! and those who can weave it, wrangle it, and write a great story with it, are totally awesome!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a really cool magic system. I love detailed world building.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds really cool! I'm going to have to check out that book.
ReplyDeleteooh I'll have to check this out. I loved Garth Nix's other series.
ReplyDeleteNutschell
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