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Blue Sword | 
 enlarge | Author: Robin Mckinley
Publisher: Ace
Category: Book
List Price: $6.99
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Rating:  232 reviews
Sales Rank: 215717
Media: Paperback
Reading Level: Young Adult
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 256
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.8
ISBN: 0441068804
EAN: 9780441068807
ASIN: 0441068804
Publication Date: March 15, 1987
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Product Description
Harry, bored with her sheltered life in the remote orange-growing colony of Daria, discovers magic in herself when she is kidnapped by a native king with mysterious powers.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 227 more reviews...
 One of my favorite books November 29, 2008
The world-building in this book is excellent and a lot of time is spent on it. The pacing is a bit slower than many books these days, but every scene serves a purpose. The characters are interesting and engaging. My grandpa got this book for me for my birthday when it was out new and I was a teenager. It's been my favorite ever since.
For those who care, there are no sex scenes, but there is some kissing. I'd rate this book as "good, clean fun."
Top-Notch Fantasy September 24, 2008
The Blue Sword is an EXCELLENT book! Yes, it's a little slow getting started, but the plotline is well worth the slow pace of the first chapter or two. Harry is a great heroine, and the adventure and Damar are rich and detailed. I've been waiting for more sequels about Damar for a long time! Come on, Robin!
One of my Top 3 favorite books of all time September 19, 2008
I was recently reading a book on writing that asked me to list my top three favorite books of all time and then analyze what it was I loved about them. I've always had so many favorites that I've never bothered to actually rank them before. What the exercise made me realize is that even after all this time, The Blue Sword is still one of my favorite books, ranking only behind the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
That's really saying something.
For me, the two most important aspects of a fantasy book are character and milieu. Robin McKinley delivers on both. She blends the flavors of Arabia and Middle Earth and creates a new flavor so distinct it will stay with you for years... and years. I've read this book through about a dozen times and am about to read it yet again.
 Good but flawed September 12, 2008
The Blue Sword takes place generations after the events of Hero and the Crown; Aerin is a legend and the former land of Damar is part of the Homeland empire. After her father dies, Harry Crewe is sent there to live with her soldier brother. She is drawn to the hills and to the free-folk who live there, and their king, Corlath, is in return drawn to her. He abducts her, trains her, and she becomes Harimad-sol, the first woman since Aerin to wield the blue sword.
This is a fun book to read -- the story is interesting and the people and places feel real. Unlike my experience with Hero, however, I first read this book as teenager, not as a kid. I think that may be why I couldn't get past Corlath kidnapping Harry, which is a very pivotal plot point. While I enjoyed the book, this event colored my opinion of the characters and because of it, I had a hard time with the ending. Maybe some authors can gloss over difficult subjects in their books for younger readers, but Robin McKinley is generally good about confronting them head on and I thought this was a bit of a cop out. None of this is to say that I don't think its a good book; it is and I recommend it to any young adult reader. I just think it could have been better.
As a side note, the question may come up of which book should you read first -- Hero, since its first chronologically or Sword, as it was written first? This is probably my bias since this is how I read them, but I would suggest reading Hero first, especially for younger readers. Both books stand alone pretty well, though, so its fine either way.
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One of the best in YA fantasy September 8, 2008
This Newbery Honor Book chronicles the adventures of Harry, a young girl who has just moved to Damar following the demise of both of her parents. Unexpectedly, Harry loves the desert land, but she dislikes her position as a ward. Little does she know what lies in store when the Hillfolk King, Corlath, comes for her in the night, but it is more than she ever dreamed.
Just like The Hero and the Crown, I loved this book. I was a bit worried when starting it, as it didn't seem to be close to the same and I'd got my hopes up. As soon as Corlath kidnapped Harry, though, I was hooked. McKinley has a style of writing that makes her books feel like fairy tales, completely enchanting and absorbing. It's so easy to feel Harry's emotions and get caught up in her story, just like I could feel for Aerin in the last book. These are also great books for young girls. The heroines are empowering and can take control of their own destinies. Harry is no exception; when she knows that she has to do something, she doesn't bow to the men in her life, and she accepts her possible fate.
Again, I wish I'd discovered these when I was younger! They were even written at the right time for my age group. Oh well. I'm definitely on the lookout for more YA McKinley novels. I'll be recommending this one to everyone who is open to young adult fantasy.
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