Note to Reader: My list of favorite books changes constantly with my mood. I'm trying to sort this out with my average opinion, but these books are often exchanging one another's positions.
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| Image taken from amazon.com |
The Blue Sword
by Robin McKinley
The Homelanders have always been at odds with the free Hillfolk. Their cultures and beliefs are vastly different. But now they have a common enemy--the Northerners, a strange, demonic people out on conquest.
Corlath, King of the Hillfolk, understands the consequences of either outcome of the approaching war. His country, brave but small, will get caught in between. If the Northerners win, their empire will not last, and the Hillfolk might be able to rebel. If the Homelanders win, his people and their colorful culture will be swallowed up by the extenstive arm of Homelander control that Corlath has striven so hard to avoid.
There is the remotest chance that these cultures can come to an agreement for the war ahead, but after negotiations fail, Corlath prepares to face his battles alone...until his kelar prompts him to a drastic action he nor anyone else understands...nor will ever forget.
This is the story of Harry Crewe, the Homelander girl who is thrust into a world she does not know, but strangely loves. Her unexpected journey carries her far into the desert land of Damar, where she learns skills beyond her imagination and ultimately discovers herself. This is the story of how she came to carry Gonturan, the Blue Sword, and how it changed both her worlds forever...
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Ahem...so there's my personal literary trailer to the book. Confusing perhaps, but intriguing, I hope.
I curled up to read this book on a slow day and fell absolutely in love with it. It is not a book stuffed with electrifying action. The author takes time to describe everything in vivid detail till you're seeing it right in front of you. The first few chapters are slow, but by Chapter Three, things are really starting to roll. I loved, LOVED, the cultures portrayed in here. The Homelanders have a distinct British feel, while the Hillfolk have a heavy Middle-Eastern flavor.
I adore the characters of quietly courageous Harry and the proud and powerful Corlath.
Robin McKinley writes books that are like food. Chew slowly. They are not a theme-park ride. If after you have read this book, and you feel like you simply must read more of McKinley, I have warnings for you. In my opinion, her books don't stay consistently great. You have to read them through trial and error. Personally, I didn't care for this book's prequel, The Hero and the Crown. Others, however, do like it.
If you are going to read another of hers, I recommend Chalice, which is a beautiful and unusual tale. Unfortunately, its climax was a bit unexplained and it ended too soon afterwards, but other then that, it was great!
I curled up to read this book on a slow day and fell absolutely in love with it. It is not a book stuffed with electrifying action. The author takes time to describe everything in vivid detail till you're seeing it right in front of you. The first few chapters are slow, but by Chapter Three, things are really starting to roll. I loved, LOVED, the cultures portrayed in here. The Homelanders have a distinct British feel, while the Hillfolk have a heavy Middle-Eastern flavor.
I adore the characters of quietly courageous Harry and the proud and powerful Corlath.
Robin McKinley writes books that are like food. Chew slowly. They are not a theme-park ride. If after you have read this book, and you feel like you simply must read more of McKinley, I have warnings for you. In my opinion, her books don't stay consistently great. You have to read them through trial and error. Personally, I didn't care for this book's prequel, The Hero and the Crown. Others, however, do like it.
If you are going to read another of hers, I recommend Chalice, which is a beautiful and unusual tale. Unfortunately, its climax was a bit unexplained and it ended too soon afterwards, but other then that, it was great!
I'll be taking a break from my Favorite Books post until I've read Favorite Book #7 again! : ) But stick around...I'll be talking about my own stories.
5 comments:
I have this book! I started reading it and put it down and just never picked it up again. But I'm hoping to when I have time... I loved the feeling that this could be an alternate version of our world sort of thing... and it was cool getting a glimpse into Corlath's head. I struggle writing male points of view, so reading 'romantic' stories that portray men as men and not just men written through a female lens is really helpful.
I hope you'll find the time to read it soon, Beka! And yes, Corlath is an awesome guy character. Not trying to sound weird, but he's just so...manly. I admire him in the story very much. : )
It's okay, I know what you mean. Men should be manly. :P
Have you read Beauty by Robin McKinly? If not, it is (in my opinion) her very best book.
Yes, I did read it! It was certainly beautifully written, and Beauty was very sweet. I didn't feel it had much of a plot though, or anything to overcome as in the Disney version. But it was a nice rendition. : )
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