Customer Reviews

Shield of Stars (Shield, Sword & Crown)

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

 

 

Hilari Bell never disappoints her readers, giving us fresh ideas and life-like characters with intriguing situations that keep the pages turning. I've been a fantasy and science fiction fan for several decades and enjoy the novelty of her novels. Although her books are labeled "young adult", even us seniors and those between will enjoy her work. If the other books in the The Shield, Sword, and Crown series are as spectacular as Shield of Stars readers are in for a treat they'll read again and again! This one is as great as Hilari Bell's Songs of Power and Matter of Profit, my two favorites of her books (and in the top 10 of all books I've read.)

I read this book aloud to my daughter in an effort to get her to realize that there are more books out there than Harry Potter!

It was a good read with enough action, twists and suspense that she frequently asked for "one more chapter..." at bedtime.

We're looking forward to reading the next book in the trilogy!

-Very good writing
-Great setting, with swords and guns and very little magic, modern laws and tarot cards based on old gods. A good example of Hilari Bell's world-building talent.
-Interesting enough characters, though not as great as some of her other books
-Slightly contrived plot, based on long shots and coincidence.
-Bit slow in the middle, bit confusing at the end
-Characters making clever plans and carrying them out in a very entertaining manner, as usual in Bell's books.
-An evil regent (what's not to like about that?)

"Shield of Stars" is a good book, but for Hilari Bell's masterpiece, read the Farsala Series (beginning with "Fall of a Kingdom.")

It's not hard to figure out what's important to Weasel. If you ask him, he's happy to tell you. "I care about me first, me second, and nobody else." That's what he claims, anyway. But in truth, Weasel doesn't really feel that way anymore, even if he won't admit it. Three years ago, Weasel tried to pick the pocket of an absent-minded old scholar and found himself well and truly caught by one of the most powerful men in Deorthas, Justice Holis. Instead of turning Weasel in - and possibly see him hang -the Justice took the young street thief into his own home and gave him a warm bed, an education and a job as his clerk. So Weasel may say he doesn't care about anyone but himself, but that's not entirely true. He cares about himself AND Justice Holis. When Justice Holis is arrested for treason, Weasel has two choices. He can slip away quietly or he can try to help his mentor. And that's when Weasel realizes he has no choice at all.

It's clear that Weasel is not going to be able to rescue the Justice without help, but it will take a force of armed men to break him out of the palace dungeon. With that in mind, Weasel sets out in search of the elusive Falcon, the ruthless leader of a band of road bandits who have no love for Deorthas's Regent or his laws. By Weasel's side is a country girl named Arisa. The daughter of a smuggler, Arisa has surprising skills and a ready willingness to use them which Weasel finds both startling and comforting. With just two weeks until Justice Holis's trial, Weasel and Arisa must use all of their talents, guile and cunning to find the Falcon before time runs out.

Hilari Bell's name deserves to be mentioned on any list of the best middle grade/young adult fantasy authors. Her talent for crafting a world so real you can clearly see, smell and hear it is complemented by her ability to people that world with complex, three-dimensional characters. The plot of Shield of Stars (the first novel in the Shield, Sword and Crown trilogy) may have a familiar feel - quests undertaken in a race against time are not new, after all - but it is so wonderfully rendered and exquisitely paced that the story swallows you whole within the first few pages.

I heart this book! Readers will love the adventure as you follow Weasel through his journey to find the Falcon. Plus if you like this book, there are two more that follow!
~One of the best books ever!

WHAT A JOY TO FIND A GREAT SERIES. WEASEL IS A MEMORABLE CHARACTER.
THIS IS EVEN SUITABLE FOR A BOY.

I LOVE fantasy and this book is great. I rank it with the Forgotten Realms and Artemis Fowl!!!
Absolutely wonderful!