Rating: 
Summary: Good Reading
Review: All of the other reviews I have read for this book pretty much explain it better than I can. All I can say is that I have thouroughly enjoyed the first 2, The Sword and The Ring, and I can't wait to get The Chalice (I should have ordered it before I started the second book but I forgot!). I had read Chesters Alien Chronicles series and loved those. So when I found these books I was in heaven. The only thing that I have to complain about is in the beginning, there was almost *too* much disaster, too many bad things, and not enough good things that happened that I was getting frustrated. But overall a definite page turner.
Rating: 
Summary: Not all that bad
Review: I found myself sceptical when I first started reading this book, but was pleasantly suprised. While it does skip through time rather fast, I was able to keep with the plot and stayed interested to the end.
Rating:
Summary: Much better than I was expecting!
Review: When I first came across this book (and it's two sequels), it sounded intriguing. I was expecting a somewhat above average tale, but what I got was a thoroughly captivating and well written story. By page three, I was unable to put it down. Ms. Chester throws enough hints, myths, and foreshadowings at you and so many hardships and obstacles at her characters that you have no choice but to keep reading to find out what happens next. Plus, since she has no compunction about killing off her characters, the outcome of their encounters is never certain. I was thoroughly caught up in the action scenes with my heart pounding in my throat. I felt like I was actually in the scene, her descriptions were so vivid.Adding to this is the fact that you come to care passionately for the characters. It seemed like her protagonists could never catch a break and that the world was aligned against them with insurmountable odds. Each time it seemed they had achieved a victory, some other hardship would befall them. Their frustrations became mine. Then there are the characters that aren't truly villains, but you hate them nonetheless because they are so despicable. Overall, the reason I enjoyed reading about the characters so much was that they are so realistic. They have fears and hatreds, strengths and weaknesses, everything that makes a person who they are. None of them are perfect and I have yet to find someone who is completely good or completely evil. There is a little bit of selfishness or honor or integrity in all of them. Chester has also created a truly vivid world. Bigotry, hatred, fear, politics, and religion all play major parts in creating the texture of the story. The protagonists must overcome these things, as well as their physical opposition. Then there are her creatures...the forces of the Nonkind (her creatures of darkness) are varied and imaginative and frightening. It reminds me a lot of Jordan's creativity in populating his world with minions of evil (remember reading about a Myrdraal for the first time?). Though there are some similarities with the demons from other stories, she adds enough differences to make them unique and interesting. The combination of the characters, world building, and action make for a very compelling read. I was thoroughly absorbed in the trials and victories of the characters. One thing that did confuse me though: which sword is the title referring to? There were several in this book that had extraordinary qualities, but I am unsure which one is the important one. Other than that though, I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome Read!
Review: This is one of the greatest books that I have ever read (the other one being "The Ring", second in this series...I look forward to reading the conclusion book, "The Chalice")! Chester provides stunning, vivid detail and storytelling on every page, taking the reader captive in her wonderfully spun tale. On a negative point, her descriptions are sometimes a bit too detailed, going on for far longer than is necessary, and she tends to skip around between the three or four subplots. Overall, though, this is a great read and a must buy!
Rating:
Summary: The Sword
Review: Not too shabby. I was dreading the book after a rushed beginning where the characters seemed to encounter one fantastic surprise after another. However, Ms Chester finally settled down and the read became much more enjoyable and believable (as much as a fantasy novel can be). The groundwork is set and I look forward to seeing what happens to Dain in the next round.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent read
Review: I almost didn't buy this book because it sounded fairly predictable. The kingdom taken over by the king's brother, the heir to the throne misplaced for years, and a sword that only the heir can weild. Let's face it: except for the part about the sword, even Disney's done a version of this tale. While the basic plot may be familiar, the story is so much more than that. The characters are believable and the story is well written. The author offers plenty of detail to set the scene, but not so much that you begin to yawn over it. And while I have a good idea of how the trilogy will probably end, based on this book I expect the rest of the journey to be filled with the unexpected as well.
Rating:
Summary: Beatifully written.
Review: The characters in this book are very three dimentional. There is not much on Alexeika and Pheresa but there is just enough to get you interested in them and eager to hear more in the following books. As far as you know in this book, Alexeika is a rebel leader, her father was a prince until his exile. She has a drop of Eldin blood from her mother. Pheresa is a cousin to the prince and she is also his would be wife. She is unseattled by court life since she was raised by nuns. The main focus of the story is Dain (acctually his real name is Faldain). He was left with Jorb the dwarf at two years old, he is three quarters Eldin and has no clue that he is rightful heir to the throne of Nether(although at the end...). Because the story is focused on him it is also focused on Gavril, crown prince of Mandria, who is a selfish, nasty, obnoxious, cruel, spoiled brat, bent on destroying Dain because of his blood and religion. The only person who dares defy him is lord Odfrey, chevard of Thirst hold. This is the type of book that you just continue reading without noticing the chapters fly by and before you know it you are at the end. I can't wait to read the next one.
Rating:
Summary: Captivating
Review: I am a fan of description, and this book filled my need for it. If I closed my eyes after reading a passage, I could easily picture the scene before me. I happened on this book by chance. I was reading a magazine with different book reviews, and I saw The Sword listed, along with a small picture of the cover art. It looked intriguing, and sounded interesting, so the next time I was in a bookstore, I picked it up, and was promptly captivated. The story takes the battle between good and evil and works it masterfully into the plot. The characters are three-dimensional and very human (even those who are not *quite* human). I was drawn into the world and spent many enjoyable hours there. Hours that ended all to soon with the conclusion of the book, leaving me waiting somewhat impatiently for its sequel, The Ring, to come out. A definite must-read for fantasy lovers out there. Especially if you love description and well written characters.
Rating:
Summary: Slow to start but picks up
Review: This book is about a kingdom whose king is murdered and kindgom stolen. The rightful heir to the throne is a 2 year old who in his 14 years of growing never learns the truth about his heritage. This book is very entertaining and enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: Gives Me Some Hope
Review: Don't get me wrong, Deborah Chester's writing is excellent, but I was hoping for just a bit more. It was, I believe, a very long prologue. Half-elven King Tobeszijia has a sinking feeling when his hunting party is separated and he feels that his life and that of his family are in danger. He rushes to his castle only to find his worst fears come to life. The "anti-elf" faction of the church has plotted to steal a coveted artifact, a chalice, that only the king may handle. He manages to save his children, but due to extraneous circumstances, he is banished between worlds along with his chalice and magic sword. There is a lot that goes on in the book, but mostly it leads to the fact that there are evil forces at work and King Tobeszijian's son Dain, a 3/4 elf, must grow up to face it. We meet our heroine later in the book. She is a nobleman's daughter with a self-proclaimed mission to save the handfull of retainers left after dark forces kill all the others. Yes, we have two possibly strong main characters and hopefully they get to grow up a little more in the next book. Nonetheless, our plot has been mercilessly set.
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