One Kingdom (Swans War 1) [Hardcover]

Sean Russell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 18, 2001 | Series: Swans War 1

From their home in the Vale of Lakes, a group of young traders embark on a quest to make their fortune. Carrying a cargo of ancient artefacts, they journey into a world both strange and terrifying.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the land of Ayr two noble families, the Renn‚ and the Wills, fight for political advantage in this sprawling first volume in a new high fantasy series distinguished by intelligent characters and believable politics. The Renn‚ noblemen set out on a path of treachery, conceiving a plan to murder one of their own at the Westbrook Fair and, by so doing, frame the other family. The Wills plan an equally heinous act; they want to force a spunky young noblewoman to marry a handsome but subjugated prince, in order to produce an heir who'll be their puppet on the throne. Meanwhile, Tam, Fynnol and Baore, three young cousins of supposed peasant background, believing themselves far removed from the politics of the nobles, blithely set out from their sheltered homes in the Vale to make their fortunes. But when they encounter Alaan, a mysterious rogue with a charming demeanor, all their plans go awry. Supernatural forces cause paths and tributaries to mysteriously and unpredictably open, channeling the travelers into unforeseen lands and onto heretofore hidden islands, with hazardous results. Inevitably, all paths lead to the Westbrook Fair. Russell (River Into Darkness) so neatly interweaves the supernatural characters into the story that the magical elements seem an organic part of the history being made. This a perfectly plotted, beautifully written fantasy. Agent, Howard Morhaim. (Feb. 8)Forecast: With rights already sold to Germany and the U.K., for six figures each, as well as a strong blurbs from Stephen Donaldson, Robin Hobb and Janny Wurts, plus a three-city author tour, this novel looks to be on the fantasy fast track.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School-Two sons and a daughter were born to King Wyrr of Ayr. The Swans (as they were known) ended up either killing one another or disappearing to parts unknown. This first book in a new fantasy series starts more than a century after the war that was caused for lack of a successor to King Wyrr's throne. Running beneath a strained peace is a deep hatred between the royal houses of Renn‚ and Wills. Running through the land is a strange river as twisted as the plots hatched by the characters. Toren Renn‚ pushes for peace through diplomacy. His cousins plan to kill him using arrows stolen from the Willses. Elise Wills resists marriage arrangements concocted by relatives bent on amassing a war-size army. In the boondocks, Tam and his buddies strike out for adventure down the river to sell battlefield artifacts. Eventually, Tam realizes that he is on a quest to find answers about his dead father. Encounters with the mazelike river and its spirits conjure up feelings familiar to anyone who has been caught in the woods at twilight. Stories within stories are either revealed or hinted at in a tantalizing fashion. While there is a resolution to Toren's and Elise's predicaments, there are many questions left unanswered. Even with its remarkable depth, the book is fairly easy to follow. Once caught up in Russell's newly created world, readers will undoubtedly be eager to return for more.

Sheila Shoup, Fairfax County Public Library, VA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 564 pages
• Publisher: Orbit (January 18, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841490202
• ISBN-13: 978-1841490205
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,532,412 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Appears Poised To Become The Epic Launch Of The Year, June 12, 2001

By 

Elyon (Mesilla, New Mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The One Kingdom (The Swans' War, Book 1) (Hardcover)

While Sean Russell is not reinventing or adding anything significantly new here to the conventions of traditional high fantasy, he nonetheless is able to infuse enough creative freshness, both in his world-building and his structure of magic, to offer a highly engaging and enjoyable tale that goes beyond the ordinary. As with many of the better epic fantasists currently continuing to pursue the long-held traditions of high fantasy---Robin Hobb or the recent "Sword of Shadows" series by J.V. Jones come to mind---the strengths here are not necessarily in exploring new avenues outside the common conventions of high fantasy, but in the detailed and multifaceted creation of realms and characters that by their depth of description and characterization, as well as their more literate quality of writing, transcend the often one dimensional stereotypes that plague so much of what sits on the shelves in every bookstore's fantasy section. These are well-spun examples of storytelling, simple in their overall objective, yet complex in their plotting, world-building and characterization. Further, their approach to narrative often transcends the linearity found in so much of fantasy fiction, diverse in both their structure and perspective, depending upon more than a sequence of action to propel their unfolding story.

I have noticed that a couple reviewers have referred to this book as being "glacial" in pace. I suppose, compared to works by Glen Cook, Raymond Feist or Terry Goodkind, to name but a few, this book is not as action-driven or dependent upon active conflict for the development of its story, relying more upon, as stated above, evolving, multifaceted plotlines or characterization to enrich and, I would contend, enliven its story. There is no rush to reveal every event or the complete motivation of each character. In certain cases purposes and circumstances change, reflecting both the evolving experiences and knowledge of the characters as well as the reader, a development of narrative that I find far more credible and rich in storyline than a tale for the most part dependent upon a linear linking of climactic actions. While I suppose this might be attributed as a matter of taste, I would contend that a tale that offers more than the typical and anticipated stringing of largely melodramatic conflicts to build a singular and by now predictable and epiphanous moment of resolution possesses far greater potential for providing richness to the reading experience. And, I feel, this novel is laden with enough drama to sustain the adrenaline junkie's interest, as long as his or her reading is seeking more from a book than merely non-stop, singularly propelling action.

I will look forward to Mr. Russell's next installment with anticipation. Should he be able to maintain the quality of writing and storytelling found here, this could easily become one of the better epics of high fantasy opening the new millenium. Highly recommended to fans of traditional high fantasy, and deserving of an additional half star.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Start of Something Great, May 25, 2001

By 

JR "CardiCorgiLover" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The One Kingdom (The Swans' War, Book 1) (Hardcover)

I read the reviews posted here before ordering the book. Because I like Sean Russell's prior work very much, I was familiar with his carefully crafted, deliberate pacing while building to something very special. I was not in the least disappointed. Russell is not anything like the New York Times kind of fantasy epic authors, where characters are made of cardboard and exist only to further a predictable quest plot. Russell's characters are very real, with subtle foibles and occasionally contradictory thought processes--all exactly as people are in real life. This book is not for anyone who wants a fast food kind of book, but for readers who prefer a feast of many courses, each more exquisite than the last. I'm very much looking forward to the next volume. (I give it four, not five stars because it's an obvious first volume that doesn't quite stand on its own.)

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent start to a new series by a rising star, June 20, 2001

By 

Scott Baron (Bronx, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The One Kingdom (The Swans' War, Book 1) (Hardcover)

I won't bore you all with the setup of the book, which you can find out by reading other reviews. Instead, I'll offer my feelings on the book and its writing.

Sean Russell (not Stewart, as someone critical of the book mis-named him) is an established author at this point, with this marking his seventh novel in the genre. Unlike his other books (four set in a Victorianeque world and two in an Asian setting), he has created a world here that smacks of low fantasy, while retaining the great concepts that make George R.R. Martin's recent books so compelling: politics, characterization, and wonderful writing.

Sure, the pace is slow in the book, as Russell takes the readers down the winding river, skirting in and out of the otherworld, and it's beautifully done.

These characters breathe and change. You learn who they are and what drives them.

And you find yourself caring about them.

All setup? I wouldn't say that - there's a lot that happens that makes the book a gripping tale.

Why only 4 stars? Because I know I have to wait a few years to get to the end of this story.... :)