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The Arbiter Kindle Edition

by M. M. Perry (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 72 ratings
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Drystan tried to free all mages from their enslavement. Now, he's the one in trouble.


Waking from a black out with blood on his hands, Drystan knows the worst has happened. He sought powers he thought he could control only to have them twist him into a tool of evil. Marked for death, now he's hunted by all. His only hope for redemption lies with the Arbiter.


Prue is the Arbiter called to judge Drystan for his crimes. Trained since childhood to be impartial and unemotional, she must ascertain Drystan's motives and decide his fate. There's only one problem. The young mage stirs feelings that threaten to consume her.

As Drystan struggles with his growing affection for Prue and his desire to free the mages once and for all, the world around them boils with revolution. If Drystan chooses to follow his heart, he risks losing his last chance at redemption. His time to choose is coming to an end.

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  1. Print length
    312 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    August 23, 2011
  5. File size
    6537 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Nicely-crafted and creatively written, "The Arbiter" by author M.M. Perry is the second book I've read now by this author (the first being "Whom the Gods Love" - excellent!) and while I really enjoyed that one, I think this one is even better!! Although they are distinct works from one another, the world she creates here is just as impressively conceived, and I was really impressed with the whole premise of the roles of the Arbiters and the mages and the spirits, and with the level of complexity that makes this story feel so 'big'. It is definitely a dystopian/fantasy, but it also has a certain 'philosophical' feel to it as well. Interesting cross of magic, genetics, power, good and evil, and even romance. Liked Prue and Drystan and thought they had really good chemistry. Loved the ending!" - Elizabeth Brown (Goodreads reviewer)

"Strong 4-star rating. Even months after, I recall the characters and their personalities in much detail." - Brian Chrisman (Amazon reviewer)

"The Arbiter is a must read for fans of fantasy. This is a story with real heart and narrative drive set in a fully realized world." - Booked4Life 

"I would recommend this book to every person who is interested in fantasy books. Great story line and character use." - Chuck (Amazon reviewer)

"Great plot, deep characters, and plenty of intrigue to keep you reading." - Hippy Lettuce (Amazon reviewer)

"This book has a well designed and consistent plot and is peopled by credible characters...highly recommend it for fantasy lovers." - Patricia (Amazon reviewer)
"Few things get me more excited than reading a book from an unknown (to me) author and being blown away by the fact that they not only can tell an amazing story, but also that it is not one that I feel like I've read a million times before. How refreshing!!" - Layla (Goodreads reviewer)

"I thought there was an intelligent, philosophical element that was powerful, and spoke to me on a deeper level than just a run-of-the-mill fantasy (I liked this about her other book too)." Marcella Gonzalez (Goodreads reviewer)

From the Author

Excerpt from book:
Drystan felt his will align with Agrona's. Arguments that had seemed crazy every time he had considered them before now made sense. Drystan could no longer even remember why he had ever disagreed with Agrona. Agrona could no longer remember why she had argued with Drystan. They were no longer recognizable as two separate entities. They were one new consciousness, and they had a goal. They would free all the mages. But the only way to do that was to make sure no one could ever enslave a mage again. They must kill anyone who was part of the "civilized" world.
Drystan's hands made the intricate motions required. A swirling mass of smoke and fire leapt from his fingertips, growing in size and density as it soared high into the sky over the small shelters and outbuildings that ran along one edge of the farm, pressed right up against the forest of the Untamed. The women and children working in a small garden next to the farm house were the first to notice the ominous cloud forming. Their screams alerted the men out in the field. They looked up from their work and were horrified. As one, they dropped their tools and left their draft animals untended, running towards their families, desperate to save them.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B005J0274S
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ ; 2nd edition (August 23, 2011)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 23, 2011
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 6537 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 312 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 72 ratings

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
72 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Hippy_Lettuce
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2013
Verified Purchase
Enslaving all magic users for their own personal power, using them as a lowly disposable slave in the nobles never ending wars against each other. Genetic manipulation in breeding the ultimate slave warrior, the nobles need one particular trait in order to make their creation/monster warrior, a Arbiter trait.

Arbiter's are the only class of wizard that has power among the nobles. Bred to sense truth and mistruths, loyal only to the justice code, everyone listens to the judgement of an Arbiter. But they are a hunted people with very few Arbiter's left in the world.

Out in the freedom of the outlands, Arbiter's judge the wrong doings of mage's who have been possessed by spirits, and emotions play a part in the possession, An Arbiter's main ability is to feel no emotions, for they cloud a man's actions and intentions. Cold and inhuman, Arbiter's are outsiders among outsiders.

This is a tale of one Arbiter's adventure in judging a wizard for his crimes. Emotions play a big part as the 2 characters grow fond of each other.

Oh yeah, throw in a wizard/slave revolt into the mix, and the necessity of using an Arbiter to either help or hinder the revolution.

Great plot, deep characters, and plenty of intrique to keep you reading...
6 people found this helpful
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Patricia
4.0 out of 5 stars Fantasy tale with real people!
Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2013
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This fantasy world is broken down into noble houses, one of which is spotlighted. The nobles control everything and one of their foremost pastimes is breeding human slaves for specific traits, such as the ability to use magic in fighting wars against other noble houses. The slaves (all sorts) are fully controlled by the nobles through an enchanted brand, branded onto their faces as infants. The lucky few manage to escape into the Unclaimed, rural unpatrolled lands dominated by dangerous wild animals.
Drystan, a powerful mage, has lived all his life in the Unclaimed and his ill-designed attempt to help slave mages has turned into a horror. Prue, an Arbiter, emotionless and logically rational in the service of justice, is called in to help and judge him. But Prue, who escaped from the nobles as a child, is still being hunted. However, she alone has the power to disobey them despite the brand.
This book has a well designed and consistent plot and is peopled by credible characters. I subtracted one star for spelling errors (strait instead of straight appears repeatedly) but highly recommend it for fantasy lovers.
2 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and well written story!
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2017
Verified Purchase
I have a lot to say about the story, but do not want to spoil it for anyone. So, I will just say that while atrocities are committed by the 'nobles', we do not read about the details for the most part. Thank God!

The story is well written and definitely touches on some deeper subjects, such as slavery. I thought the end was excellent! I would be happy to read more about these characters and this world, but it is not necessary as I can happily imagine how it might turn out. But, it would be nice to read about it. :)
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HA33
4.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2017
Verified Purchase
I have been reading science fiction for fifty years and find this book well written with quite interesting characters. The plot is fairly straightforward but with an interesting twist or two. There is even a smattering of romance as an undertone. Quite an enjoyable read. The only reason I did not give it a five is it has room for greater depth in the development of the characters and plot.
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Booked4Life
5.0 out of 5 stars Not just another fantasy - A genuine delight to read & characters I really cared about
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2011
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The Arbiter is a must read for fans of fantasy. This is a story with real heart and narrative drive set in a fully realized world.

Drystan is a young free mage in a world where most mages are slaves to great houses. He has committed a grave error, and must rectify it or die. Prue is a very special kind of mage, an Arbiter, and she's his only chance at redemption. This is the story of Drystan and Prue, but it's also the story of their world and the harsh life of the slaves of the great houses.

I loved this book. I was totally caught up in the world of the Untamed and the fates of the characters. Absolutely 5 stars!
8 people found this helpful
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Rorym
3.0 out of 5 stars Easy, Enjoyable Read
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2017
Verified Purchase
Good way to pass away a little. Book is an easy read, not a not of character to keep of which to keep track. There are no real suspenseful moments that make you keep reading. That said, the characters are likeable and believable. There is a love interest but it is not blatant or objectionable. The book has an interesting premise; Arbiters judge whether a person was right or wrong in committing a crime. The Arbiter determines their motives and passes judgment. I enjoyed the book but it is not on my "must read again list."
One person found this helpful
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jim211
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2017
Verified Purchase
My favorite thing about this book is the depth of the characters. If your into fantasy you will surely enjoy reading this book, perhaps even if your not. Its well thought out and quite an interesting read. Though it's a work of fantasy fiction, I regularly found interesting parallels between the story and reality, though maybe that's my own skewed perception of reality . Five stars!
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Amazon Customer D. M.
4.0 out of 5 stars What a hell of a good read
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2017
Verified Purchase
Wonderful entertainment, wonderful world building, the only reason that i didnt give this five stars was that i read almost all sci-fi military style, space combat etc. this was an outstanding change of pace, if magic, Paranormal etc gets your fancy this book is mandatory reading keep up the good work Ms. M M Perry Ill be watching for more from you.
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Top reviews from other countries

Wattage
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 2, 2013
Verified Purchase
This is a standard 5 star review i leave on all free books that i would gladly have paid for and really enjoyed reading.

I don't belive in the method of reviews left by most, i do not discuss prose or narrative or storyline etc as thats personal opinion!

You can however gauge whether my opinion is worth anything by the books and authors i LOVE:

Iain M banks
Erikkson and Esselmont
George RR Martin
Neal Stephenson
R Scott Bakker
Stephen R. Donaldson
Patrick Rothfuss
Neil Gaiman
Scott Lynch
Orson Scott Card

If you like reading the books those guys wrote you WILL enjoy reading this book :)

P.S. i wish more people would do it this way so i knew if thier opinion was actually worth anything.
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connie M
5.0 out of 5 stars A bit Different from other fantasy books
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 1, 2017
Verified Purchase
Is there a book 2? If not there is plenty of material for one. Didn't end on a cliff hanger but you will be left wondering what happened to Prue and the other mages. Did she free those trapped with the other clans? Engineered mages who are branded to obey their ruling houses freed by the Arbitrator , no more cliff hangers but I found the book well written, interesting and definitely worth a few hours of my time.
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