Rating: 
Summary: Good "Maiden" voyage
Review: "The Sword of Maiden's Tears" is an unusual crossover novel. It's urban fantasy mixed with horror, but done satirically, and done with great flair by Rosemary Edghill (definitely one of my favorite writers).It's rare to see urban fantasy done with humor, although it happens. I've almost never seen horror done with humor, so mixing the three together was a very nice touch. The character that struck me the most was Michael, an ex-cop graduate student in library science. (Well, all the friends are studying to be librarians, and none of them are truly suited to it.) Michael has a depth, weight and richness to him that makes me wonder what happens to him after this novel; as I've skim-read the next two in the series, so far Michael has not reappeared. I'm hopeful that at some point, Ms. Edghill will find a way to write a book about him, because that man still has much to say. As for Ruth, the titular heroine, and Melior, the titular hero, they aren't usual by anyone's standards. Melior is either a raving lunatic or an obsessed fanatic, take your pick; he's likable because he doesn't want the Earth to disappear (even though he doesn't like New York at all), and it will if the grendel-thing isn't stopped, and because of his nearly instantaneous passion for Ruth. Ruth, however, is a bit of a cipher. She spent eight years in a coma, is now biologically thirty but acts much younger and has almost no self-confidence and little to no experience in dating (as she spent almost all her time since "awakening" in school, preparing to become a librarian). She's smart, tough, and witty, but there's something just a bit off about her . . . something that is disclosed in the contents of "Sword of Maiden's Tears." The others of the circle of friends include Naomi, a sort of earth mother who cooks, cleans and mother hens everyone within reach; Jane, who's another character I'd dearly love to find out about, as she's young, smart, tough, nobody's fool, and trying her best despite not believing much in herself; and Philip, a computer hacker with much agita and angst, who sticks around mainly because he likes Naomi and wants to figure out what the rest of them will do next. There are several ways to interpret this book; in a way, it's like Maeve Binchy's "Circle of Friends," except done in 1980s New York amongst a bunch of library students, rather than in Ireland in the 1950s. The relationships and interrelationships between the students and Melior are what makes this novel; what adds immeasurably to it is the wittiness and sarcasm that permeates this book. This isn't Ms. Edghill's best book; that one remains (in my opinion) the recently released "Vengeance of Masks." It's also not quite as good as the Bast novels, and I'd rate it a shade below "The Warslayer," too. But there's much to recommend it. It's humorous, good natured, witty, and engaging; what else can you ask for, really, when you're looking for entertainment?
Rating:
Summary: Good "Maiden" voyage
Review: "The Sword of Maiden's Tears" is an unusual crossover novel. It's urban fantasy mixed with horror, but done satirically, and done with great flair by Rosemary Edghill (definitely one of my favorite writers). It's rare to see urban fantasy done with humor, although it happens. I've almost never seen horror done with humor, so mixing the three together was a very nice touch. The character that struck me the most was Michael, an ex-cop graduate student in library science. (Well, all the friends are studying to be librarians, and none of them are truly suited to it.) Michael has a depth, weight and richness to him that makes me wonder what happens to him after this novel; as I've skim-read the next two in the series, so far Michael has not reappeared. I'm hopeful that at some point, Ms. Edghill will find a way to write a book about him, because that man still has much to say. As for Ruth, the titular heroine, and Melior, the titular hero, they aren't usual by anyone's standards. Melior is either a raving lunatic or an obsessed fanatic, take your pick; he's likable because he doesn't want the Earth to disappear (even though he doesn't like New York at all), and it will if the grendel-thing isn't stopped, and because of his nearly instantaneous passion for Ruth. Ruth, however, is a bit of a cipher. She spent eight years in a coma, is now biologically thirty but acts much younger and has almost no self-confidence and little to no experience in dating (as she spent almost all her time since "awakening" in school, preparing to become a librarian). She's smart, tough, and witty, but there's something just a bit off about her . . . something that is disclosed in the contents of "Sword of Maiden's Tears." The others of the circle of friends include Naomi, a sort of earth mother who cooks, cleans and mother hens everyone within reach; Jane, who's another character I'd dearly love to find out about, as she's young, smart, tough, nobody's fool, and trying her best despite not believing much in herself; and Philip, a computer hacker with much agita and angst, who sticks around mainly because he likes Naomi and wants to figure out what the rest of them will do next. There are several ways to interpret this book; in a way, it's like Maeve Binchy's "Circle of Friends," except done in 1980s New York amongst a bunch of library students, rather than in Ireland in the 1950s. The relationships and interrelationships between the students and Melior are what makes this novel; what adds immeasurably to it is the wittiness and sarcasm that permeates this book. This isn't Ms. Edghill's best book; that one remains (in my opinion) the recently released "Vengeance of Masks." It's also not quite as good as the Bast novels, and I'd rate it a shade below "The Warslayer," too. But there's much to recommend it. It's humorous, good natured, witty, and engaging; what else can you ask for, really, when you're looking for entertainment?
Rating:
Summary: Good "Maiden" voyage
Review: "The Sword of Maiden's Tears" is an unusual crossover novel. It's urban fantasy mixed with horror, but done satirically, and done with great flair by Rosemary Edghill (definitely one of my favorite writers). It's rare to see urban fantasy done with humor, although it happens. I've almost never seen horror done with humor, so mixing the three together was a very nice touch. The character that struck me the most was Michael, an ex-cop graduate student in library science. (Well, all the friends are studying to be librarians, and none of them are truly suited to it.) Michael has a depth, weight and richness to him that makes me wonder what happens to him after this novel; as I've skim-read the next two in the series, so far Michael has not reappeared. I'm hopeful that at some point, Ms. Edghill will find a way to write a book about him, because that man still has much to say. As for Ruth, the titular heroine, and Melior, the titular hero, they aren't usual by anyone's standards. Melior is either a raving lunatic or an obsessed fanatic, take your pick; he's likable because he doesn't want the Earth to disappear (even though he doesn't like New York at all), and it will if the grendel-thing isn't stopped, and because of his nearly instantaneous passion for Ruth. Ruth, however, is a bit of a cipher. She spent eight years in a coma, is now biologically thirty but acts much younger and has almost no self-confidence and little to no experience in dating (as she spent almost all her time since "awakening" in school, preparing to become a librarian). She's smart, tough, and witty, but there's something just a bit off about her . . . something that is disclosed in the contents of "Sword of Maiden's Tears." The others of the circle of friends include Naomi, a sort of earth mother who cooks, cleans and mother hens everyone within reach; Jane, who's another character I'd dearly love to find out about, as she's young, smart, tough, nobody's fool, and trying her best despite not believing much in herself; and Philip, a computer hacker with much agita and angst, who sticks around mainly because he likes Naomi and wants to figure out what the rest of them will do next. There are several ways to interpret this book; in a way, it's like Maeve Binchy's "Circle of Friends," except done in 1980s New York amongst a bunch of library students, rather than in Ireland in the 1950s. The relationships and interrelationships between the students and Melior are what makes this novel; what adds immeasurably to it is the wittiness and sarcasm that permeates this book. This isn't Ms. Edghill's best book; that one remains (in my opinion) the recently released "Vengeance of Masks." It's also not quite as good as the Bast novels, and I'd rate it a shade below "The Warslayer," too. But there's much to recommend it. It's humorous, good natured, witty, and engaging; what else can you ask for, really, when you're looking for entertainment?
Rating: 
Summary: Beginnings are Wonderful
Review: A rare picture of New York. After I read this book, I could barely breath before I found the next one. I love all the characters (except the grendel) Kevin's story makes you really feel the drama of the hero and his "dragon" (or whatever heros quest to slay) in a whole new way. I love Naiomi "sniffle". After this rare and wonderful book, I want to move to New York and wander rainy streets at night in hope of a cute mugee . . . Please excuse the harmonal teenager. At any rate I really enjoyed this book every time I read and reread it. If you liked it the first time, buy it, you're hooked. If you like royal elves, read this book!
Rating: 
Summary: An Extremely Interesting Concept
Review: Edghill's The Sword of Maiden's Tears is a fairly light read, but the author does a splendid job of drawing together story threads, weaving a coherent narrative--and making numerous amusing references to a wide variety of popular fantasy and science fiction. I had a wonderful time reading this book, but it is strictly a light read (or a SCAdian playground, alternatively). The characterizations are occasionally a little flat, but the main characters are likable and very "human"
Rating:
Summary: Elves in NYC, and a Grendel in the Subways . . .
Review: I really identified with the characters in this book, perhaps because most of them are around my age and living in a similar area to where I live. This is a well told, emotional and complex tale of an elf-lord in NYC and the treasure he must find. The ending sticks in my memory. (I won't spoil it here for those who haven't read this yet.) This book appealed to me more than the others in this series, I enjoyed finding out what happened later on. By the way--anyone who reads this will recognize the Babylon nursery rhyme reference, try checking out Deep Secret by Diana Wynne Jones. Okay, that being said, this book struck me with a strong sense of deja-vu. Many years ago I encountered a book called THE GLOVE OF MAIDEN'S HAIR. The book, by Michael Friedman, is about an elf-lord magically transported to a modern-day city. He's the one who rescues the heroine from muggers, but there is a lot of this story that parallels. The style and the emotional quality and the actual stories themselves are very different, but if you liked this you might want to see if you can find a copy of THE GLOVE OF MAIDEN'S HAIR, it's a little dated, but worth a read.
Rating:
Summary: Elves in NYC, and a Grendel in the Subways . . .
Review: I really identified with the characters in this book, perhaps because most of them are around my age and living in a similar area to where I live. This is a well told, emotional and complex tale of an elf-lord in NYC and the treasure he must find. The ending sticks in my memory. (I won't spoil it here for those who haven't read this yet.) This book appealed to me more than the others in this series, I enjoyed finding out what happened later on. By the way--anyone who reads this will recognize the Babylon nursery rhyme reference, try checking out Deep Secret by Diana Wynne Jones. Okay, that being said, this book struck me with a strong sense of deja-vu. Many years ago I encountered a book called THE GLOVE OF MAIDEN'S HAIR. The book, by Michael Friedman, is about an elf-lord magically transported to a modern-day city. He's the one who rescues the heroine from muggers, but there is a lot of this story that parallels. The style and the emotional quality and the actual stories themselves are very different, but if you liked this you might want to see if you can find a copy of THE GLOVE OF MAIDEN'S HAIR, it's a little dated, but worth a read.
Rating:
Summary: Really Great
Review: I really liked this book. I purchased it from the SciFiBookClub, in a trilogy, containg all three of the books, Sword, Cup, and Cloak. I really liked this book. I thought it was kind of sad, all the things that had happend to Ruth, and Micheal. I really did not like the idea that Naomi died. However, out of all the Characters, I most liked Jane, she reminded me of myself, timid, and completly trying to deny everything, but very intelegent. I read on the review of eith the 2nd or 3rd book in the series, that someone thought Ms. Edghill was not a good author for the series, I have yet to read the other two, but I feel that her stop and start method of action and emotion, as well as her sense of humor and drama, really make this book a very good one. Also, I like the idea of the sceptisism of the New York Student Librarians, and the "group of outcasts" well, I have taken up enough of your time.
Rating:
Summary: Pamela Dean meets a slasher movie
Review: I've become a bit of a Rosemary Edghill fan lately, so I opened the cover of this foray into urban fantasy with anticipation. It takes place in New York in the eighties (take note of the clothing styles for a nostalgic chuckle). Thrust into the teeming streets of New York City is elfin lord Melior--and of course, as an out-of-towner, he gets mugged almost instantly. The mugger steals his magic sword and leaves him bruised and shaken. Melior is taken in by a young grad student, Ruth, and gets to know her and her circle of friends. This circle of friends is the best part of the book. Ruth, Philip, Jane, Naomi, and Michael are all intelligent misfits, drawn together by the feeling that they don't fit in anywhere else, and sharing a tight but often uneasy bond. The unofficial "den mother" of the bunch is Naomi; the group spends most of their time at Naomi's apartment, eating Naomi's cooking, and quoting dead poets. In a way, they're a lot like the dorm gang of Pamela Dean's "Tam Lin"--except with more angst. For several of the friends are hiding secrets and emotional wounds. Melior's addition to the group changes everything; the friends fight over whether to help him find the sword, and whether he's really an elf. But if he's an elf--and not a loony or a con artist--they'd better find the sword soon. It is cursed. Any human who touches it will turn into a cannibalistic monster obsessed with two things: eating people, and hanging on to the sword. And the monster can only be killed by--you guessed it--the selfsame sword. New York is in trouble. Unfortunately, the main plot of this book is a little too "slasher movie" for my taste. It isn't bad, but it's violent and sort of simplistic. I almost felt like the interesting characters were wasted on a plot that's mostly "run around New York trying to find this thing without getting killed". I would have liked a more complex plot, not to mention a better-developed romantic subplot. Melior and Ruth meet. BAM! Love. That's about it. I am looking forward to further characterization and character development in the second book, "The Cup of Morning Shadows".
Rating:
Summary: not your average fantasy story
Review: It is late at night in the busy streets of New York City, a place famous for its apathy and hostility. When walking home, you very nearly trip over the body of some unfortunate who just got a first hand look at New York City muggings. But this does not look like your average mugging victim -- he looks more like a Vulcan SCAer or an outcast from a live production of The Lord of the Rings. In short, he is an elf, a real, live (though quite bruised) elf in New York. And so begins Rosemary Edgehill's The Sword of Maiden's Tears, a thoroughly entertaining fantasy story with likable characters, a fast moving plot, and a surprising ending. Although most New Yorkers would probably step over the elf, Melior, without as much as a second glance, student librarian Ruth Marlowe takes him back to her dorm, agreeing to help him find what was stolen from him: a cursed sword that turned any human who touched it into a monster. So now it was up to Ruth, her fellow student librarians, and Melior to get the sword back before the body count became too high, and the beast, known as a grendel, became too strong. But in a city as big as New York, such things are easier said than done. The main characters in the novel are quite likable and very realistic -- they have real faults and real weaknesses. Jane was the bitter product of too many skipped grades and a lost childhood, Ruth was very trusting and in the beginning was the only one who believed Melior's story, Philip was an irritating (but useful) hacker, Naomi was a cook with a lot of common sense and skill in martial arts, Michael was a cool-tempered former cop,and Melior was the at times haughty elf. They were not perfect and, as proved in the ending, the "good guys" do win out in the end, but their victory comes with a price. Although nearly 300 pages in length, The Sword of Maidens Tears was a fast moving, entertaining novel that I am sure I will reread many times. It was not the average fantasy story, since it took place on Earth instead of in some distant Avalon or other such place. It also makes the reader step back and think of how strange our society actually is; how confusing all of the lights and machines and huge cities would be to someone who had never seen such things before. It also made me think about what the world would be like if all the legends were real and monsters like the cannibalistic grendel actually did exist in the world.
|
