Rating: 
Summary: A great start to a new series
Review: Sean Russell has garnered critical acclaim for earlier works. now with 'The One Kingdom' he's beginning to show signs of winning the heart's of readers everywhere. 'The One Kingdom' inhabits the middle ground between historical fiction and traditional epic fantas, much as George R.R. Martin's phenomenal 'Song of Fire and Ice' series does.'The One Kingdom' begins in the Vale, a cloistered community that segregates itself from the eternal feud between the Wills' and the Rennes'. Three young Valemen decide to leave the Vale and sell artifacts that they've found. They quickly encounter Alaan, a travelling rogue, who's being chased by armed men in black livery. Alaan appears to have preternatural skills and helps the Valemen elude their pursuers. This only begins the story. The Vaelmen leave and fall into the middle of political intrigue. The Rennes' new counselor, Lord Eremon, looks suspiciously like Sir Haffyd, a knight from decades past. Alaan, the skilled rogue, is accompanied by the whist, a bird that precedes death. Just like Martin's series, 'The One Kingdom' doesn't delve deeply into fantasy. The main story is the clash between the two families and their treacherous plots for dominance. There are magical elements, such as the mystical netherworld where Alaan and Eremor travel, the question of Alaan's very existence, and the mysterious potion that, when consumed, causes the windpipe to contract upon telling falsehoods. This is a fine book, the first I've read by Russell. I look forward to his future tales set in 'The Swans' War'. In the meantime I'll be delving into his previous novels. I hope they're as good as this one. Recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the best fantasies I've read in years
Review: Sean Russell's voice reminds me of the great fantasies I read in the late 1970's and early 1980's, before everything sounded and looked the same - 800 page novels in 15 book series, where the story never seems to progress and there is nothing to distinguish one character from another. The story in "The One Kingdom" progresses quickly, and each of the characters has a unique voice and the story is driven as much by the characters themselves, and not by long passages of exposition. I read most of this book while trapped for three hours on a small commuter flight from Atlanta to New York, and the time passed very quickly. "The One Kingdom" is both literate and accessible. I can see myself re-reading this ten years from now and still enjoying it.
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Summary: If you loved Tolkein......
Review: Sean Russell's `The One Kingdom' is an absolute must for any fantasy reader. The book describes in detail the beginnings of a war between two families the Renne and the Wills. The story winds itself around political and emotional intrigue. It will completely wrap you into another world. All I can say in closing is BRING ON A MOVIE! Thank you Mr Russell.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous fantasy political thriller
Review: The King died without naming a successor. Over the next century, the two most powerful aristocratic clans, the Renne and the Wills continually argue and fight for control of Ayr. Both families will do anything including murder of one of their own or even destroy a nation to gain the throne. Toren Renne shocks his kin when he becomes the family leader by wanting peace for the land. He can easily be sacrificed. Her clan plans to use an unwilling Elise Willis as a pawn through a forced marriage. All the Machiavellian maneuvers impact everyday people. Just ask three Valesmen who simply want to make a fortune. Instead they end up in the middle of political and otherworldly intrigue of a powerful venomous sorcerer with the only seeming winner being evil unless one or more of the trio can find a miracle or two and that seems impossible. THE ONE KINGDOM, the first book of the "Swan's War" is a fabulous fantasy political thriller that will excite readers because everything seems genuine. The politics though nasty is intelligent and provides a mundane anchor for the paranormal elements. The characters are real, even the evil sorcerer because Sean Russell makes them complete individuals that provides the audience understanding and motives in their actions. This is a great fantasy tale that the political thriller audience would fully enjoy too. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: An attempt at epic fantasy...
Review: The One Kingdom and, more importantly, Sean Russell show for a poor outing. The book's characters are not defined and rather shallow, able to be pushed over with the slightest breeze. The plot structure is rather forced and unbelievable many times when he tries to introduce something new and magical. The book itself rambled on very slow until the end when it picked up and everything started coming together. For this I give a three star because my interest was caught at the end. But the book itself seems rather amateurish as the dialogue is forced and rather fake. But, I may just yet purchase the next one in the series if only to follow the character Alaan, who is probably the only good character in the book, and perhaps Prince Michael. Certainly not Tam, Fynnol or the others.
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Summary: Russell's First High Fantasy is impressive
Review: THE ONE KINGDOM is the first of a sprawling new trilogy entitled THE SWANS' WAR by Sean Russell. Sean Russell has proven his ability as a writer with previous works such as THE RIVER INTO DARKNESS, but THE ONE KINGDOM is his first take at true High Fantasy. With this opening volume of THE SWANS' WAR, he has succeeded. From the opening chapter, and indeed the opening quote (before the novel even starts) from one of the quarrelling families, we know there will be political intrigue and games of human chess that will leave the mind spinning. Along with the political machinations of the two families, we are introduced to three young men, Tam, Baore and Fynnol who are adventuring from the home, the Vale. As we are introduced to these three young cousins, they say how they are glad to be free of the constraints of the Vale and free to move about on their own. Along the way, the three meet with Alaan, a mysterious wanderer who helps the young men and is shortly thereafter, seemingly killed by raiders. From the time they meet up with Alaan, their life would have been spent easier had they stayed in the Vale. Thankfully for us readers, they didn't stay in the Vale. Another of the many plot threads that Russell skillfully interweaves is the Princess Elise Wills, who with the help of a mysterious helper, escapes here impending marriage to Prince Michael. Prince Michael, as much as he likes Elise, suggests they shouldn't get married, for it will incite the war between the Wills and the Rennes. However, Prince Michael's father's mysterious advisor, Eremon, strives to get the two married to incite this war. Sprinkled throughout the journeys of the Valemen and Elise's escape are spirits and legends that resonate with history, giving this story and the world Mr. Russell has created a believability and richness that is the mark of a great writer. Sean Russell has blended many elements in this story to produce not only an enjoyable fantasy novel but a promising trilogy. Some are wandering minstrels, story finders, river spirits and men-at-arms. One of these is a story finder named Cynddl, who joins up with our three young Valemen. Cynddl is one of the more interesting characters in the story, a person who can "hear" the echoes of the past in the land, telling the history of what happened. Cynddl not only learns about events physical areas, but we also learn much more about all the other characters in the story because of him. Cynddl is perhaps the most important character in the novel, he knows the lore of the land and seems to know everybody the Valemen and Elise come into contact with, either before or while Cynddl is in their company. Perhaps the strongest element in this novel, and quite probably this series is the sense of history Mr. Russell has imbued in his world. The legends and myths add a deeper sense of plausibility and truth to the land and story that is not evident in other fantasies today. The world and indeed the people come to life, breathing and speaking out of the pages of the book. Again, as story finder, Cynddl may stand out as one of the most important characters. Eagerly awaiting the second volume THE ISLE OF BATTLE.
Rating:
Summary: A very good book
Review: This book is amazing. The plot is intriguing and there seem to be many different meanings throughout the story (which also has a lot of mystery to it). After every chapter, there are more questions in my head that keep me reading. The characters also draw me in incredibly. I have more than 4 favorites. I think this book is great for anyone who has deep insight and enjoys thinking a lot, figuring things out.
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Summary: Hints of Better Things
Review: This is a book that taxed my patience. Within 100 pages of the finish the plots and subplots remain vague and mysterious, really just offering glimpses of what might be an intrigueing story. Characters stumble upon a parallel world and mysterious beings, and begin to learn of a land's violent past, and their own ancestor's roles in cataclysmic wars of the past. Political powers are in turmoil and various forces are heading towards war. Lots of possibilities but it all comes off as promissary notes for an action-packed story to be delivered at a later date. As the plot inched forward at glacial speed I didn't find much to keep me entertained. Stewart is an excellent writer, the dialogue is realistic and the action clear. But the characters and events were lackluster. The kingdoms resemble your typical castles-n-jousting fantasy settings. Maybe diehard Stewart fans will be happier with this. Or perhaps this series will evolve into something grand and engaging. But I'm still waiting for him to write books as exciting as the Initiate Brother duology. Given how this first novel read I won't be seeking out the second. My recommendation is wait for paperback or better yet get it from your library.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable, in
Review: This is a very decent book, with a very decent plot, with very decent characters who do very decent things. It's a NIIIICEEE Fantasy Novel (sorry, Romey). While nothing in it will make you jump up and throw out your Robin Hobb books, if you are stuck on an airplane or something and need a nice, decent book, this one will do. I bought the second novel and look forward to reading it. My only fault is that the book needs a better bad guy. I believe the evil sorceror/ghost/whatever he is will start to really rotten up in the second book, so that can only help. If you want a description of the novel, read the back cover, it sums it up nicely and I didn't want to waste words on that here. Again, while nothing about this is extremely original, it's a fun read and it doesn't look like it will get "Jordanesque" on us and last forever and ever and ever.....
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable, in
Review: This is a very decent book, with a very decent plot, with very decent characters who do very decent things. It's a NIIIICEEE Fantasy Novel (sorry, Romey). While nothing in it will make you jump up and throw out your Robin Hobb books, if you are stuck on an airplane or something and need a nice, decent book, this one will do. I bought the second novel and look forward to reading it. My only fault is that the book needs a better bad guy. I believe the evil sorceror/ghost/whatever he is will start to really rotten up in the second book, so that can only help. If you want a description of the novel, read the back cover, it sums it up nicely and I didn't want to waste words on that here. Again, while nothing about this is extremely original, it's a fun read and it doesn't look like it will get "Jordanesque" on us and last forever and ever and ever.....
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