The Blue Sword

A re-read kind of book.

Thought it was a great book. It had a plot and setting that gave it the inch of believability it needed to indulge the less fantastical of readers, while still redeeming its magic and originality. Kept a good pace, and had enough going on to surprise you on the next go 'round. Great characters.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Timeless.

I recently picked up this old favorite of mine for the first time in many years. I'm 30, an attorney, and my tolerance for poor writing has dwindled since I was a teen. I love this book. I still love it. McKinley builds a complete world, with coherent characters and an edge of mystery, without page puffing. (One note: it's not screenplay-type writing (every little visual detail described) and the magic, such as it is, is not reduced to numbing detail (author falls in love with own ideas). A lot of fantasy these days seems to fall into those categories.)

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

one of my favorite books!

I first read this book in high school and I fondly remember it as one of my first encounters with a book that changed what I percieved books capable of. I have read more books than I can begin to count, and I read them all in the hope that they will transport me as The Blue Sword did so many years ago. The characters are well developed, the landscape and history lush with detail and enchantment, and the plot is well written and tight without unintelligible tangents. I highly, highly recommend.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

WARNING!!! Adventurous read, potentially life-altering

I reread this book about every two years and Hari's character inspires me every time. Who says girls can't rise above what's expected of them and surprise everyone around them with what they can accomplish? Robin Makinley, you challenged me to show the world my best through your work. As I accomplish each of my goals, I reread this book and celebrate Hari's joyous successes as well as my own. J Waldrep

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A story to relive again and again

My sister gave this book to me when I was in junior high. I read it and was immediately enchanted by it. It is an adventurous love story with a heroine any girl can admire. I have reread this book dozens of times and it is always just as good as the first time.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Blue Sword

And Harry is so awesome! She's has a great personality, and I like that guy she ends up with--I don't remember his name, though. I thought this had a really good story-line, was well-written, and what some people would call slow paced, I call CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. The author made time to develop the characters, but didn't let the story drag out, either. I loved this book so much! I read it in one day or so.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

one of my favorites

I really loved this book. Action, romance, a new and mysterious land...what more could you ask for?!?

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

one of the best books ive read

This is one of the best books i have ever read. i love the fact that there is a strong female as the main charater.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A reviewer

This book was really good. Not for you if you do like the quick-read, i-wanna-know-what-happens-NOW!-book person, because it is kind of slow, but it is still reasonably so. It was extremely Robin McKinley-ish, and that is what I love!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Masterfully written

I read this book for the first time in the 5th grade for the Battle of the Books competition and Ive reread it many times since. Robin McKinley has a gift for storytelling, and every time I read, I can see the beautiful horses, the colorful clothing of the Hill people, and their beautiful city. I can hear the clamor of battle and can feel Narknon's purrs. Everything in this book is so... real. The imagery alone is enough to bring tears to my eyes. The story is masterfully told, and I can't wait to read another one of her books.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

More than a wonderful tale, a great friend! A hero to look up to

More than a wonderful tale, a great friend! A hero to look up to!

One of my all time favorites

Recently purchased this childhood favorite that I still love to read over and over again til this day! McKinley has a way of writing a whole new world that is familiar, magical and mysterious but fully believable.

If find you liked this book, make sure to read the prequel Hero and a Crown and give Spindle's End a try (also by Robin McKinley - a more fantastical retelling of Sleeping Beauty).

ABSOLUTELY MUST READ

The Blue Sword is one of the most epic YA novels I have ever read! The story is about Harry, a young woman from Homeland who is spirited away in the night by Corlath, king of the Hillfolk. She's whisked away to the desert but she does not feel fearful of her captures, but rather feels a sense of belonging that she's never had while in Home. Harry is found to have the same "seeing" powers as the king, a power that few of the Hill folks are gifted with, let alone an Outlander such as herself. For six weeks after her kidnapping, Harry trains with Mathin, one of the king's Riders, in preparation for Laprun, a competition to become a sword welding warrior for the Hillfolk as it is more important that ever now as war is imminent with the nonhumans who are the Northerners.

<b> What I Liked: </b> The whole thing!! From start to finish, this book felt like an epic journey. The trouble with a lot of epic fantasies such as Lord of the Rings and the like, is that the story is very much drawn out, though I understand that authors are trying to build their fantasy "world." However, McKinley does such a wonderful job building this world without the extra frills and long drawn out descriptions that she made it an absolute JOY to read! The story was fast moving and never had any lag in action. Really wonderful book indeed!

<b> What I Didn't Like: </b> Hmmmm...nothing really! I enjoyed every aspect of this book. Perhaps the only thing I didn't like was how small the letters were in the edition that I borrowed from the library. My eyes got tired after a while of reading such tiny script.

I would highly, HIGHLY recommend this book to EVERYONE!! Yes, as you can see....I love this book. Thanks Robin McKinley, for writing such a wonderful novel for us to enjoy!

AMAZING

I first read this book when I was around 12 or 13 years old. I am now 21, and I am not ashamed to say that I still enjoy this book and many other books by Robin McKinley. She does a wonderful job of telling a story that is well written, and fun, and that is completely original, even when she is retelling a fairytale :) I recommend her books for people of all ages who are looking for a story that is completely innocent, yet still satisfying.

A book that a person can escape into.

Robin McKinley is an amazing author with a rather unique writing stlyle. She has the amazing ability to create a whole new world and fill it with well developed characters. This story is filled with adventure and some romance. It's a book a person can escape into. If you like this book I encourage you to read, "The hero and the crown" , another amazing book by McKinley.

Worth the time

This book is quite good. Its a bit of a fast read ( I read slowly, but finished within a day. I did spend almost the whole day reading though, so take that information as you wish), but is well-written. I've read one of Robin McKinley's books before, "Beauty," and liked it, so when I read the hook it seemed interesting, and I was definitly glad that this book was on my summer reading list for school. I have to say at the ends of both books the... Let's say the ending relationships, seem out of place. Everything else I admire greatly. There's never a dull moment, and the lore and back story are very entertaining.

My favorite book of all time

I love cs lewis, tolkien, and even easy reads like twilight. But Mckinley is special. This book inspires me every time I read it. I keep a well worn copy on my bedside table. Her prose is the best I've ever read. It is so classy and high quality. Not many authors write this well anymore.

Very good!

I recently purchased a nook, and I selected The Blue Sword to be my first novel on it. The story was captivating and the characters were excellent! My only minor critique would be the story's point of view seemed to change hands without starting a new chapter or giving much notice.

Great Read!

I absolutely loved this book! Robin McKinley does an amazing job describing the beautiful land of Damar and it's colorful characters. I loved the storyline, one of adventure, magic and romance all in one. A definite read for adventure and fantasy lovers!

A favorite

This is one of my favorite books and I often reread it! It has such a great story and amazing character development. I was surprised and pleased when I made the connection many years after first reading this book that it was written by the same author of one of my other favorite books that I highly recommend- Beauty: A retelling of Beauty and the beast.