Customer Reviews

The Hand That Bears the Sword (Trophy Chase Trilogy)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As the story of the Trophy Chase continues we find the suspense building, action more frequent, the political intrigue deepening and the war mounting. As good as book one was I found book two to be a great improvement. I had read book one two years ago and found it had a good stopping point at the end so I never got back to the trilogy until now. I don't have an excuse but I did find the first book effected me so much I jumped right in to book two and remembered everything. Not bad for someone my age.

The writing is very good. Mature in it's style with indepth characters and a storyline that is well thought-out. This is not your Errol Flynn adventure. There's never been a high seas adventure movie made like this.

Biblically the book is powerful, even to the point that I read some out-loud to my wife. The power of God's Word is honored, Jesus is glorified and a few of the characters live a Christ-centered life. As with the first book the debate on whether a Christian should fight physically or just stand by and see God move. I found the debate aggravating at times so I'm hoping book three will give a final conclusion on the issue. The enemy has their man-made religion which curiously resembles Islam. I'm sure it's just a coincidence.

If you enjoy a good swashbuckling adventure you'll love this trilogy. If you don't care for this genre read it anyway and I believe you'll enjoy it just the same.

1 Star = Pathetic

2 Stars = Fair

3 Stars = Good

4 Stars = Excellent

5 Stars = Life changing

At time, I got lost in the good story telling in this book. However far too much of the time it reminds you of those novels from the 1700s that had a moral point to draw. The good is always good, the bad evil and the good can win through good intentions. Was disappointed after reading all the reviews here and buying the book.

Long, long ago, on the other side of the world, Book One of the Trophy Chase Trilogy incited me to write one of my longest book reviews ever. So to say I was pleased when I finally got my hands on Book Two - well, that's an understatement.

Packer and Panna's marital bliss is interrupted after only two weeks when he is called away by royal decree to go to war. The Drammune navy is sailing to invade Nearing Vast, and the king wants Packer on board the Trophy Chase, now commandeered as the flagship of the fleet. What most people don't know is that the Drammune had already destroyed the entire fleet, which means that the Chase and two other ships are all that stands between Nearing Vast and the huge invasion force. So Packer sets sail against incalculable odds.

Panna, remaining in the palace under royal care, fights off the unwelcome attentions of the Crown Prince in her typical determined manner. Trouble piles up until the prince imprisons both her and her father for their stubbornness.

Across the ocean in Drammun, Talon rises to power in the empire - she's the bad girl extraordinaire that we already know from the previous book. As she gains the emperor's confidence, she also gains insight into the treachery of his council, even while their red-sailed ships fly across the ocean to attack Nearing Vast. This is no straight-laced villain, but rather one who often thinks back to her encounters with Packer Throme and the unusual power he gained by faith.

Back on the ocean, the Trophy Chase and her companions soon run into the enemy. Three ships against hundreds? Watch and be amazed. These naval battles are finely choreographed and cleverly paced - and a hungry Firefish adds depth and complexity to what looks like a hopeless situation.

Once again I'm impressed at how the author captures moments in time, stretches them out, and makes them last long enough to insert every possible impression and flash of enlightenment. Even in the midst of battle there is time aplenty to consider the foundations of your theology while the adrenaline pumps through you. Passionate faith glows in every scene and only ventures once or twice into all-out preaching. The story wraps up with several astonishing twists, not the least of which involves two young princes recognising their own shortcomings with startling results.

Full of awe-inspiring large-scale imagery, personal development and international intrigue. A page turner all the way to the end - far into the night!

This was one of the best books I have ever read. I bought it for my kids and when I previewed it I couldn't put it down.

I purchased the trilogy (all three) for my husband and he finished all three within two days. He loved them and was excited to complete one and move onto the next. GREAT READING!!

Packer and Panna Throme are supposed to be basking in their new marriage and enjoying their honeymoon. Unfortunately this is interrupted by Packer being summoned to help fight the Drammun and defend Nearing Vast. Whisked away from his beloved, Packer must spend months aboard the Trophy Chase fighting the pirate Scat Wilkins. Meanwhile Panna refuses to stay at home twiddling her thumbs. She finds herself having to fend off the two faced Prince Mather who has sold his allegiance to the Drammun. And then there is someone who was thought to be dead, who is plotting their revenge on the Thromes....

I think I might have to rethink my views on fantasy fiction. This series has gotten me hooked on the idea of different worlds and realms. I enjoyed the first book in this series and I was thrilled to continue the adventures of Packer and Panna in the sequel. Once again Panna is my favorite character. She is such a strong female character and a wonderful role model for young women. Even though she loves Packer and respects him, she doesn't want to be left at home waiting. Her experiences with the prince showed just how well she's able to take care of herself in tough situations. The contrast between the crown prince and his brother are very apparent throughout the story. One has given in to the dark side, selling not only himself but his country as well. Meanwhile the other has gone against his brother and tries to do what is right and protect his country from evil. There's also a surprise return of a character thought to be dead. This character is again, another one of my favorites, and they once again never cease to amaze me with their back story. There's lots of sword fighting in this story with plenty of battle fights to satisfy the adventurous reader. The firefish also makes another memorable appearance as the reader once again gets to see the story from its point of view. The best part of this book is how detailed the author describes everything. Even though this is an imaginary world, the story is written so well that one can see themselves fighting along side Packer. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this wonderful trilogy.

The Hand that Bears the Sword, by George Bryan Polivka, is the second book of an exciting series - the Trophy Chase Trilogy.

Packer Throme is a fisherman from a poor village. He has been acclaimed a hero in the kingdom of Nearing Vast for his exploits recounted in The Legend of the Firefish. However, when the greed of men threatens to transform his victory into the destruction of Nearing Vast, he must answer the call of duty and loyalty and serve to defend his country in a war against overwhelming odds.

He discovers that God has given him a choice - to raise his hand as the one who bears the sword in blood when no other way seems possible, or to let God work the impossible.

In the first chapter, Mr. Polivka sets the delightful tone of his book.

The man stood unsteadily for a moment, then put a hand to the small of his back, wincing as he stretched. "Awful way to travel," he said.

That being the royal sentiment if he had ever heard on, Cap took a knee and bowed his head dutifully. He wished he had a hat to remove.

"Yokels," the man said.

Cap looked up, startled.

"Stand up, man! I'm not the heavin' king."

Cap struggled to his feet.

The stranger eyed Cap carefully, then spoke in confidence. "He's much fatter than me."

Cap nodded. "Yes, sir."

"I'm his herald." The man said it as though the job had been punishment for some offense. "You have ale inside, I hope?"

After that delightful example of beginning, Mr. Polivka weaves together the stories of the characters who return from his first book. Each must deal with a crisis of faith during, often with intriguing and surprising outcomes.

Mr. Polivka dips into many of his characters' lives in order to get inside their minds and to recount their experiences. Often, these viewpoint changes flow seamlessly and provide a depth to the story that would have been difficult to achieve otherwise. At other times, the multiple viewpoint changes seem intrusive, particularly when a section of narrative summary halts the flow of the storytelling in order to update the reader on what had been happening to the character.

The Hand that Bears the Sword is an engrossing sequel to The Legend of the Firefish, and I am looking forward to reading the concluding volume - The Battle for Vast Dominion.

Newlyweds Packer and Panna Throme are once again thrust into high adventure. Pirate Scat Wilkins returns with evil intentions for Packer as the Trophy Chase sets sail for the deep waters once again. A new and surprising Hezzan in the Kingdom of Drammun has diabolical designs on not just Packer but on the entire Kingdom of Nearing Vast. And, at home, Panna must await Packer's hopeful return while imprisoned by the lecherous Prince Mather.

Will Packer and Panna escape their separate dangers and find happiness in the Kingdom of Nearing Vast...or will the invading Drammune army steal away their future and that of all the people of Packer and Panna's homeland?

Well, I won't give away the answer, but let's just say that in usual Polivka style, The Hand That Bears the Sword ends with a surprising twist--and leaves the story wide open for book three.

What I enjoy most about Polivka's writing is his amazing and fresh descriptions. "Bench Urmond was purpose poured into a granite mold." This is just one small example of the insight he gives to develop a character in the reader's mind. Polivka is a master of showing versus telling.

I also enjoyed the hilarious antics of Panna keeping the prince at arm's length. While men will like the action/adventure of the story, women will cheer for Panna and look forward to the scenes involving her.

The overall theme of the book is that God does answer prayer but most often not in ways we expect--and it's usually better if we don't get in the way. He is sovereign and carries out His purposes even when, or perhaps especially when we lose heart.

If you enjoyed The Princess Bride, then you're sure to enjoy The Hand That Bears The Sword. It's a delightful mix of humor, adventure, and romance. But be forewarned...you will want to rush out and buy book three, The Battle for Vast Dominion, as soon as you've closed the back cover.

Review by Michelle Griep

As both an author and reader of fiction, I was impressed with "the Hand That Bears the Sword". Maybe it is because I have always enjoyed a book that could hold my attention and make me think at the same time. In a nutshell, the characters are believable and yet a little out of the ordinary and the story line unique. Give this book a try. I have not read his first book but now I will.

The Christian fiction book that I have written main story theme is about ten years in the life of a little girl who was "chosen by God" to be the next Madonna in the second coming of Christ.

Tommy Taylor

Author - The Second Virgin Birth

This is one of my new favorite Christian fiction series. The second book was as good as the first.