The Blue Sword

Rating:
Summary: An excellent book
Review: I have never really liked fantasy books, but after reading THE BLUE SWORD I was hooked. It keeps you guessing and the ending is great and what you would have never expected. It tells of Harry Crewe, an orphan Homelander who gets kidnapped by the King of the Hillfolk, Corlath, and learns how to live like a Hillfolk person. It tells of the legendary sword, Gonturan. It also tells of the traditions of the Hillfolk and the laprun trails and of legendary Lady Aerin and how Harry follows in her footsteps. This is a must read for everybody, especially first time or regular fantasy lovers!

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I have read
Review: I got this book from my mother who thought she would surprise me with it. I was surprised when I read it. I absolutly loved The Blue Sword. The characters were so real and the land was even realer. It begins with Harry Crewe sitting in front of oarnge juice at breakfast. She looks back on her life thinking how she got there. But all changes when the Wild king of the hillfolk comes to talk with the family she is staying with. Once I read this book I couldn't put it down. It was one of the very best books I have ever read.

Rating:
Summary: The Greatest book
Review: I love this book!!! The romance, the adventure, everything! I've read it about 10 times now, and it still never gets boring. It is a must read for YA readers and even adults, for this is a great book for all ages.

Rating:
Summary: ******One of McKinley's best books******
Review: Harry Crewe's father and mother pass away leaving Harry with her only brother, Richard. The only problem is that Harry has to leave her home, and go far away to a place she's never imagined. Her brother awaits her there and asks some of his friends to take her in, which they gladly say yes to. Harry finds that she loves the land before her, but something inside her makes her feel like her life is too simple. Even though she's still trying to get over her loss, she feels that she needs more to her life. She finally discovers that her land may not be as simple as it looks, for she soon finds out that the northerners may cause war. The hill king, King Corlath, comes to warn them about them, and he tries to get their help to stop them. But her country doesn't believe in the king, and they let him storm out of their house. Outside, Harry sees the king for herself, and has a mix of fear and fascination. When the king looks up to see her, his kellar, which you later would find out to be the reason behind his anger (I won't say more about it though) keeps showing him pictures of her in his mind, even when they are far away from the place. Soon his kellar makes him go back to kidnap Harry. Harry, now one of the hills, is soon made to become a great warrior, to her horror. She also finds out that she has a kellar too, which not many people have. The ending is definitely a twist, for me. It was sort of surprising. If you like action, read it.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I failed to get drawn into this story, and I love books about magic and strange lands. There was no real emotion surrounding the main character who gets kidnapped and eventually married by a "foreign" King--no sense of panic, no culture shock, I wasn't "with" her or drawn into her adventures or emotions. There were many boring parts I just skimmed, but didn't fail to notice much that didn't make sense, both in the writing and in the plot. For a REALLY good fantasy/adventure, read Philip Pullman's trilogy, starting with The Golden Compass.

Rating:
Summary: It always draws me into its world
Review: When life in this world gets completely discouraging, and I want to escape, the world of Robin McKinley's Blue Sword is my destination. She has created a story with fascinating, three-dimensional characters who speak a language that is alien at first, but by the end of the novel, the reader feels fluent. Harry Crewe, the heroine, is abducted from her hum-drum life and cast into an adventurous, passionate and magical culture. After a series of events that reveal a magical element within herself, Harry casts her lot with those of her benevolent captors, and their battle becomes her own. It is an exciting, heart-stirring journey that gives me hope every time I read it.

Rating:
Summary: Good For A Million Readings
Review: This is my absolute favorite book and has been since I first read it in fifth grade. Whenever I need something to read I usually pull my copy out, I don't know why, but this is just one of those books that you can read time and time again and it loses absolutely nothing. It has a clssic storyline. Girl is kidnapped and dropped in a country of which she knows nothing. She doesn't know where she is, doesn't know the language, doesn't know anyone, except the King who is said to be mad with magic, and besides, he kidnapped her so he doesn't count...Or does he?

Rating:
Summary: Good, but I liked Hero and the Crown better
Review: I've been making up for some gaps in my young adult reading, and Robin McKinley's books seemed a must. I read The Hero and the Crown first, knowing that it was written after The Blue Sword, but chronologically first. Having done so, I don't have much advice -- I'm not sure if I did it the right way or not -- this is a similar dilemma as that of reading the Narnia Chronicles (do you read them chronologically or in the order they were written?). Perhaps, ideally, you would do both. In any case, I enjoyed The Blue Sword immensely, but definitely feel that The Hero and the Crown is a better book. The characters seem more solid, the plot is more mature. Regardless, both of these books should be a must on any y.a. fantasy reader's list. Also recommended are Lloyd Alexander, Madeline L'Engle, and Sabriel by Garth Nix. What a way to stay young at heart!

Rating:
Summary: I found a new favorite author!!
Review: This book rocks! It is definitely one of my all-time favorites. If you read it, you might want to just skim through the first chapter. It's kind of hard to get in to. Once you get into it, though, The Blue Sword is the kind of book that you just can't put down. I won't say a word on what it's about because everything is connected, so just read another review if you want to get hints. I definitely think you should read it. It's a really good fantasy book, just as good as Harry Potter for those of you who think those books rock. Thanks for reading this!

Rating:
Summary: Finding a Heroine to believe in
Review: The Blue Sword introduces the reader to Harry Crewe, a young woman who finds herself living off the bounty of charity in a foreign land after the death of her parents. Harry is determined to fit into the society in which she finds herself but feels a strong draw to the native people in the occupied territory that she can't explain. Then, Harry is mysteriously thrust into that native world in a way she could never have expected, and she discovers strength and resourcefulness that she never knew she possessed. I definately recommend this book to any reader who is ready to meet a believable woman who finds a new life and the courage to face adventure, mishap, and adversity within herself.