The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Challenges:
The Royalty Rules Reading Challenge
Young Adult Challenge
What's in a Name Challenge (Color)
First in a Series Challenge
Wow, four challenges in one. And a great book to cover all four.
Royalty Rules: This book is mainly about Harry Crewe, a young orphan girl who is transplanted to a dry and arrid country. She remains curious about the people and place surrounding her. Raised as a tomboy, Harry does chafe at the restrictions placed on young ladies in her new home but she strives to comply. Her life changes with the visit of Corlath, the king of a neighboring and suspiciously different country. Corlath is compelled to kidnap Harry and train her to become one of his Riders, a select group of warriors.
Young Adult: The fantasy involved in the magical kingdom of the Hill People will delight most young people as will the characters of Harry and Corlath. Harry is stubbornly persistent is trying to achieve her goals, learning the ways and language of the Hill People, and just showing Corlath (not sure what but she shows him). Corlath is wonderfully puzzled by her. I loved Harry's horse, Sungold, and the hunting cat, Narknon. They are clearly devoted to Harry and McKinley endows them with some great human characteristics.
What's In A Name: This book was my choice for the color portion of the challenge. The blue sword doesn't actually show up until about halfway into the book, but it plays a key role in the final showdown between the Hill People and the invading force from the North.
First in a Series: Even though The Hero and the Crown takes place in an earlier era than The Blue Sword, the piece about the author claims this is the first book in the series. I am anxious to read The Hero and the Crown as I really enjoy the way Mckinley tells a story. Wonder if there are more books to the series?
Rating: 4.75
Posted by Framed at 8:20 PM

10 comments:
Melissa said...
Nope. Just those two. But McKinley's one of my favorite authors, for the reason you mention: I love the way she tells a story. She's got two different versions of Beauty and the Beast (Beauty and Rose Daughter), and I even liked her vampire book, Sunshine. But I have to admit that Blue Sword and Hero and the Crown are my favorites of hers.
2/14/2008 11:40 AM
Jeane said...
I love these two. They were the first McKinley's I read, and remain my favorites (although Beauty is a close third!)
2/14/2008 6:52 PM
Nymeth said...
I've only read Beauty but I really like the way she writes. This one sounds great too!
2/15/2008 4:29 AM
Melanie said...
Beauty is my favourite of hers, although these 2 books are also great. I liked Sunshine as well; I think it was the first vampire book I actually liked, and it got me started on a few others!
2/15/2008 11:29 AM
Islandsparrow said...
Have you tried the Kingdom series by Cynthia Voigt? Elske is my favourite - another strong female protagonist.
2/16/2008 6:11 AM
Andrea said...
I loved these books, too! For the longest time I thought they were a trilogy and I kept searching for the 3rd, but obviously it isn't out there. Beauty is one of my all time favorite books, you should add it to your TBR list!
2/16/2008 7:54 PM
Booklogged said...
A couple of my nieces on hubby's side of the family recommended this book to me. I really enjoyed it. From the comments I think I'll add Beauty to my TBR list.
2/16/2008 9:31 PM
valentina said...
How come I've never heard of this one?Must get it in! Sounds like a fantasy I'd like to read one day or another...
2/25/2008 2:56 PM
Katie Michelle said...
I'm glad you liked it. I LOVED it. Hope that you enjoy Hero and the Crown when you get to it. It's wonderful, in my opinion better than this one. Though this one is AMAZING!
3/02/2008 1:19 AM
Eigon said...
What I liked about this book was the flavour of the British Raj about it, quite different from what I was expecting.