Customer Reviews

Moonsword

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I'm not sure how I stumbled upon this self-published book, but I do like fantasy literature and the reviews were so raving about its groundbreaking and masterful storytelling I picked it up on impulse.

While the book was not horrible, I must say it was marred by plotting that was rather hackneyed and disjointed. Major events happen with little buildup or warning. The characters mostly seem two-dimensional. The language is often odd and strained, with weird word-choices (like "disgustingness," just for example). Nor do you get a strong sense of time or place that these characters inhabit--describing the world it takes place in seems almost an afterthought.

A love interest between two primary characters is central to the book, yet the explanation for how they fall in love is very disjointed and abrupt, and you never get a strong feeling for the romance between the characters, there's no buildup to passion. The sex scenes are also rather airy and vague and not particularly passionate.

I've seen finer fantasy writing by countless authors. Nor is the "twist" of a male-to-female character all that interesting. Although I've never seen that done particularly well except in comedies, I've seen it done better than here.

I think Ms. Hignutt has the potential to be a good fantasy writer but I feel this effort falls flat. Those who like the transgendered theme for its own sake will probably enjoy this, but those looking for a solid and enjoyable fantasy adventure for its own sake will probably want to look elsewhere.

Hignutt so far has not lived up to the potential she shows in this book. Interesting concept, flawed execution.

Coming from Diana Hignutt herself:

"I'll expand on this soon, but I ask you NOT to buy my novel, Moonsword published by PublishAmerica. Moonspell, coming from Behler in 2006 is the only authorized edition of this book.
All authors should beware of PublishAmerica, a Marland based POD, neo-vanity press that masquarades as a traditional publisher. I would have saved myself much grief, time and money had I been more wary earlier in my career. However, a scam agent led me into the clutches of PA (PublishAmerica). They claimed to be a real traditional publisher and made considerable promises regarding editing, marketing and royalty payments that were not true. I'll expand on this when I have more time. I urge all authors to avoid them like the plague.

In the meantime, rest assured that my first novel will be reborn in a new revised, re-edited edition coming from Behler Publication in early 2006 under the new title Moonspell, The Moonsword Trilogy, Book 1."

This is the PublishAmerica book, and will give the author no royalties, which is an awful thing for someone who has worked so hard. Whether you like the book or not, if you plan on buying it, don't buy it from here!

Diana Hignutt has written a finely wrought fantasy. Fans of good and evil thrillers will delight in this suspenseful confident and intelligent novel with artistic dimensions galore. The author takes you on an exploration masterly crafted with startling intensity and meticulously shaded in all the right places propelling you to read it at a ballistic speed.

I have to say that the thought of reading this genre held all the essence of a mud puddle for me but after being told several times about this book, I had to giddy up and jump in. Moonsword ensnared me in the first several chapters with a gripping energetical pace combined with a certain emotional signature from the author.

When your flesh is weary from the world and you can use a therapeutic cocktail, read this vivid tale blending danger, destiny, courage and balances. Well done!

Fantasy fans who are tired of the same old stilted fare should try MoonSword. Here you will find yourself enchanted with the hero who must become a heroine in order to fight demon forces threatening the world. Moonsword contains just about all the good and evil, all the struggle, all the monsters, all the conflict and all the love (though you will be surprised at how it works out) that a great fantasy like this can stand. It is nice to see something different in the field for a change. Diane Hignutt has done a wonderful job with this story and I recommend it highly.
Darrell Bain, author of The Sex Gates, The Pet Plague, Ultimate Suggestions, and others.

According to Druid prophecy, "a Demon will arise who shall destroy the world." "The Demon shall be mighty, but not indestructible". "He shall be killed by no man, and by none born female and by no one who is delivered in birth by a living woman". Prince Tolian, a warrior prince and heir to the throne is the only one who potentially meets these qualifications since he was untimely ripped from his dead mother's womb.

This book has several interesting motifs with one of them being gender identity. Prince Tolian reluctantly agrees to become a woman to save the world. Prince Tolian considers suicide rather than face the humility of being a woman. How can he face his father, the king? The prince struggles with the belief that women are inferior. As a man, Prince Tobian is given a love potion and falls madly in love with a Druid maiden. Still in love and now a woman further contributes to his melancholic state.

Prince Tolian realizes that to defeat the Demon, develop her magic and to lead her troops in battle, it is necessary to come to terms with being a woman. Success depends on a positive mental outlook. The author, Dianna Hignutt draws upon her personal experiences to handle these complicated gender identity issues.

The story is fast paced and the author's writing style makes for an easy to read.

Moonsword is Dianna's first book and this reviewer is looking forward to her next book.

Hello there, Diana Hignutt here. I am happy to report that this 2004 Spectrum Awaard Nominated novel has been picked up by Four Elements Press, and is scheduled for release in 2009. This will be the only authorized edition. It will be expanded, revised, priced reasonably, and available in bookstores and, of course, right here at Amazon. I ask you to wait for the new edition, and not waste your money on expensive, used, inferior editions. Thanks for your interest in my work. My very best to you.

Prince Tolian is a hero of mythic stature whose birth was foretold in an ancient prophecy, but the handsome young prince knows nothing of this prophecy until he is kidnapped and forced to begin a quest to retrieve a magical sword and defeat an evil demon set on conquering the world.

That opening premise may sound like a few other fantasy quest novels you've read, but as you read on, you'll quickly discover you're in for a wonderful surprise. Moonsword is a fantasy novel of stunning originality. The hero,  Prince Tolian, starts his quest as a male and ends it as a female.

Tolian is forced into this magical transformation against his will by Druids. At first he hates being a female. But it is only by submitting to this transformation that he can save the world from the demon. The prophecy states the demon can be killed by no man and by none born female.

Tolian is made even more miserable by the fact that he has fallen in love with the beautiful Druidic priestess Brythia, but cannot act on his love since he is now a woman. Tolian doesn't have long to feel sorry for herself though, because the demon is real. She is soon forced to set off on a quest for the magical moonsword that will help her defeat her evil foe.

Many fabulous adventures befall Tolian and her companions, and her inner journey is equally fascinating as she struggles to come to terms with her unexpected and unwanted sex change. Trolian's story is a powerul and compelling, but Moonsword offers the added bonus of a wealth of colorful secondary characters from the author's vivid imagination who come to wonderful life on the pages.

As Tolian and her friends make their final stand against the conquering demon and the hour seems dark, help comes from a totally unexpected quarter. Once again, the plot takes a brilliant and unexpected twist. Author Diana Hignutt weaves the book's many threads together in a marvelous tapestry of enchantment that you will remember long after you read the final page.

This book really thrilled me. I don't know what book Franklinville NY read, but I thought this one had all the elements of an epic. Hignutt knows her plot twists, she has incredible ideas. The story moves quickly and you have to keep up. Moonsword rules!!!!

From start to finish, this book was one wild ride! I loved everything about it. It is filled with action, adventure, and romance! The hero/heroine is a refreshing twist to the same old fantasy formula. Moonsword breaks the mold, creating a world in which I was completely pulled into. Beautiful scenic descriptions compliment the wonderful character developement. I can't wait for the sequal!

Being a long time fan of this genre it is sometimes hard to find something new under this or any other sun! This novel,well written and interesting from start to finish certainly fits the bill.Once begun,I found it difficult to put down!In fact I purchased another copy to give as a christmas gift to a good friend.All in all a sparkling read,well worth a look!