The Broken Sword: Halcyon

A good second book.

This novel is the second one in the "Halcyon" series, written by this author, and it turned out to be an entertaining and interesting book, overall. You find yourself again meeting some of the characters from the first book, but with a different focus and another scenario, plus some new elements that will play their part in the plot. I liked it and it made me like Lorenzo and Qhora even more, but it seems I came to read this with too high expectations and got a little disappointed, specially when it comes to Syfax. ^_^U

Overall, though, it's a great, well-written novel, with the right dose of action, adventure, romance and religion or philosophy, so it's worth reading it. If you're a Syfax fan, like me, you may get your heart a bit broken, but, other than that, it's definitely a good read. :)

"HALCYON 2" (REVIEW)

JOSEPH ROBERT LEWIS' "HALCYON 1 & 2" (REVIEW)

Joseph Robert Lewis has taken the best part of living in a Steampunk age and written two extraordinary novels full of excitement and imagination. Taziri Ohana is one of the best airship pilots around, struggling with home life and her job. When almost the entire fleet of ships as well as their crew is wiped out by an attack, it is up to her to find the ones responsible, discover the conspiracy at a higher level and save the day.

The second book continues the epic saga of Taziri and her friends. Definitely a must-read for anyone that loves Steampunk novels and enjoys works written by a writer that knows his stuff. I definitely enjoyed them and I know you will too! "Halcyon 1: The Burning Sky" & "Halcyon 2: The Broken Sword" don't miss out!

-Kitty Bullard / Great Minds Think Aloud Book Club

Definite read

Just finished reading The Broken Sword and loved it. First book I have read in the steampunk genre and now I'm hooked. Joseph Lewis did a wonderful job of bringing his characters to life. I loved the relationship of the current day town name's used in the book as his characters passed through them. Great read and can't wait for the "movie." At least someone should be thinking about it.

Superb story with interesting fusion of elements!

I didn't enjoy the story and the genre as well. Steampunk fascinates me for quite a short period of time, until I found myself literally drowning in its outrageous concept although The Broken Sword wasn't the first book of the same genre I've read. I just couldn't connect to the story anyhow. While the author did impress me with his imagery of how alternate Spain looks like, somehow his story failed to draw me in. I felt like something is still missing and I was constantly looking for 'it' in the next chapter after the other, only to be more disenchanted.

However, regardless of my negative conviction above, there are a few things about the book that truly interest me. Like I said before, I was impressed by the author's ability in manipulating the backdrop where his story is set. I thought he made real Spain seems more appealing now; the Spain in The Broken Sword is nothing more than dull, frozen Iberian paradise no one wants to be in with roaming ghosts here and there. Apart from that, his characters are finely developed; even his version of Dante Alighieri is put together in fascinating manner, probably far from what he was in real life. Lorenzo is a very interesting male character; a man of faith who is both affectionate and tough fighter at the same time. To me, he's like a crossbreed between Sylvester Stallone and Ewan McGregor's character in Angels and Demons.

Other than that, all I can say is Joseph Lewis had written a superb story with interesting fusion of elements. It's such a shame that I couldn't engage myself in the whimsical world he created. I know his fans won't be disappointed with this series, if only I could feel the same way. Perhaps if I have been reading the first book, my whole perception would be much different.

recommend

I was not a fan of the first book in the series. I really enjoyed reading this one however. It was fast paced and exciting. Look forward to the next book.

Steampunk Fantasy

This is Book 2 in the Halcyon Trilogy, I did not read Book 1. I did feel a little like I was missing things when reading this book. There were references to things that obviously happened in the first book and I didn't always understand what was going on.

Fantasy is my favorite genre, but I had a hard time getting into this novel. There was so much of the same thing going on, travelling here, getting into a fight. Travelling there, getting into a fight. It was usually the same person they were fighting. A lot of the characters were flat and uninteresting. Lorenzo and his wife didn't start feeling real and engaging to me until almost the end.

I loved the huge bird for riding and the pet tiger, I wish they had been used more. I enjoyed the bits of humor that came through here and there throughout the story, if only it had been used more as well.

I see from other reviews that some people did really enjoy this book, so if you enjoy fantasy and steampunk, give this one a look.

I really enjoyed this tale.

A highly entertaining steam punk fantasy set in an alternate universe, The Broken Sword, moves quickly and is filled with interesting and engaging characters. Opening the book I soon found myself shivering through an Ice Age winter in Espana, with Don Lorenzo Quesada de Gadir, fencing master who specializes in the Sword of Life technique. Revolutionary and a pacifist, Don Lorenzo, his Incan wife Qhora, and his fencing pupils find themselves in the midst of a dilemma that could mean the end of peace and perhaps even the end of the world! Along with with a rag tag band of plane crash survivors including a whiny Dante Alighieri and a stalwart Shahera Zade, Don Lorenzo and his group face dangers and overcome obstacles in the best questing tradition. While that may sound simply put any loyal reader of fantasy knows its not the destination, its the journey. In this case the journey is worthwhile when tagging along with this group of characters. I would recommend this if you like fantasy, it was a fast, fun reading experience.

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