Rating: 
Summary: What the book is about.
Review: The subtext of this novel is to point how how ignorant sexism really is, and to show how a male chauvinist pig gets his consciousness raised. Which is precisely what happens in this novel. The protagonist =is= a male chauvinist pig to start. But he doesn't stay that way
Rating: 
Summary: Well planned, deep, wonderful reading.
Review: The thing that really catches me about this book and the ones that follow it is the depth that is given to the characters. It is usually hard to find a series that focuses on the same characters all the way through without repeating itself. Del and Tiger both have so much mystery in their pasts that their growth is able to span the series easily. Roberson doesn't give away all their secrets at once but lets them grow slowly, giving us glimpses of their pasts and letting unsolved issues affect their present day actions. As a martial artist, I'm also always glad to find books with realistic fighting. The training and psychological side of the sword-dance is also very intriguing to me. A very intelligent, appealing story.
Rating: 
Summary: Quick and Dirty (literally speaking of course)
Review: There is no denying that this book will sweep you away - I finished it in one day. It's short, quick, to the point. It's also refreshing, with its simple and direct storyline recounted by Tiger, whose fate is thrown in with Del.Del is sexy, mysterious, magical and deadly dangerous. Tiger is sceptical at first about her abilities as a sword-dancer, a strong sexist/cultural theme that runs throughout the novel. Del is on a quest in search of her brother, kidnapped as the only surviving family member (apart from Del herself) of a raid on her Northern family by the Southrons. As the novel progresses we learn more about the mysterious background of both Tiger and Del, and Del's magical sword that is cold to the touch. The story has a heart-wrenching realistic edge to it adding deep insight into following ones dreams and then so often finding that they are not what we expected them to be. The "dirty" side of life is not brushed under the carpet, but gradually revealed by lifting the tattered edges. Why only four stars? I felt the novel lacked an intricate plot usually prominent in fantasy series. Though it was refreshing and punchy, I did not really lose myself fully into the story and missing was the savouring of details and interactions. Also, Tiger's story in the first person means that Del remains a mystery throughout the novel - apart from his observations we don't really get an insight into what drives this somewhat mad, yet enticing young woman. Nevertheless, I would strongly recommend this book as a refreshing and captivating read.
Rating:
Summary: Great series, great book...
Review: This book was truly formative in my life. A fantastic story of interesting characters in a great, complex setting and a thorough, believable situation. Fantasy fans will love this book. Don't forget the sequels, either...they're all well worth reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Good but not quite
Review: This is a great book for me at this point in time because I'm in that short phase between longer, harder books and I needed a short mental respite. I finished this book in two days and like most of Jennifer Roberson's books I have read I found it to be a relaxing sort of read. The characters have distinct personalities and the adventure is interesting and well plotted, but it didn't really satisfy me in the way that some books have, but I liked it for itself and it has a dinstinctly Robersonian ending reminiscent of the first book I read by her. At first the main character's first person narrative threw me off and a sudden one chapter switch didn't really help all that much but as it progressed I realized it was really an integral part of the book to have one viewpoint with which to see their world, though at times it felt insubstantial and remote. Despite this I will be reading the rest of the series, just not with the same urgency that I have read others.
Rating:
Summary: Fun book - Though dated by the heavy handed anit-sexism
Review: This is a light read, with a single linear plot filled with plenty of old fashioned cliff hangers of the 'how will our heroes survive now?' ilk. The story is told in the first person through the voice of a male who at first believes (as all other males in his culture) that woman are not capable of fighting and taking care of themselves but quickly comes to respect the heroine. This heavy handed treatment of sexism was fairly typical of fantasy and sci-fi book by woman in the 70's, but less so in the 80's, so this book is a bit of a throwback in this regard. Still the book is entertaining. The characters are believeable and their relationship is explored nicely without making it a big deal whether or not they sleep together. The Sword Dance mythology is interesting as well. If you want a break from 800 page, cast of 1000s trilogy this is a fine way to take it.
Rating:
Summary: Tiger might say, "Hoolies, what a read!"
Review: Tiger is the best sword-dancer in the whole south...but being the best can get old. So a new adventure is exactly what the Tiger needs...especially a new adventure that comes in the shape of a gorgeous blonde named Del. Del is a sword-dancer from the North who has come south in search of her brother who was taken by slavers five years before. Tiger agrees to be Del's guide over the desert and to help her with her search. (Since she is gorgeous and making a few extra coins would not hurt.) And thus begins an epic adventure that will bring Tiger and Del face to face with their greatest fears...and if they had known they would encounter cannibals, slavers, desert storms, and sandtigers (to name a few) on their journey as well, those would have certainly been on the greatest fears list. This book has it all: adventure, danger, sword-play, mystery, fantasy, and perhaps even the beginning of a romance. Everything is told from Tiger's point of view...which is laugh out loud funny. I totally recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: absolutley superb
Review: what can i say, the author (jennifer roberson) starts out the sword series on a superb and amazing note:) this book is absolutley outstanding! there is so much context and subcontext that you could read it over and over again and still want to read it again:) simply outstanding. if you read this and like it, i suggest you try the other books in the series. they are all on par and simply show how awesome and powerful a writer jennifer roberson is. i give the entire series 4.75/5:)
Rating:
Summary: absolutley superb
Review: what can i say, the author (jennifer roberson) starts out the sword series on a superb and amazing note:) this book is absolutley outstanding! there is so much context and subcontext that you could read it over and over again and still want to read it again:) simply outstanding. if you read this and like it, i suggest you try the other books in the series. they are all on par and simply show how awesome and powerful a writer jennifer roberson is. i give the entire series 4.75/5:)
Rating:
Summary: Great book, great author, great series
Review: What else can be said? The series is great and lives up to my expectations of Jennifer Roberson.
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