The Silver Sword (The Heirs of Cahira O'Connor #1) [Paperback]

Angela Elwell Hunt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1998

The auburned-haired O'Connor women share a bond far deeper than their striking physical appearance. These courageous, high-spirited women all push against societal limits in this exciting historical, romantic novel that spans generations and countries from 13th-century Ireland to the excitement and mystery of 15th-century Prague.

It is said that as Cahira, daughter of the great Irish king Rory O'Connor, lay dying of a wound from a Norman blade, she beseeched God that others would follow her calling. To Kathleen O'Connor, Cahira's story was nothing more than a fable--until research divulged that the tale was true. As a stunned Kathleen realizes that she herself bears the mark of Cahira, she wonders if she is destined to continue the legacy.

To uncover the answers, Kathleen delves into the past to find the truth about the Heirs of Cahira O'Connor. It is a journey that carries her across generations, from the battlefields of 13th-century Ireland to the castles of 15th-century Prague. It is a past filled with peril, courage, vengeance, love, and sacrifice beyond anything she has ever known.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Anika O'Connor of Prague is clothed in armor and carries a sword, as one of the knights of Chlum. Her disguise protects her from the lecherous son of Lord Laco, who would never think to search for her among the men at arms. Prague is on fire with religious reform, and Anika joins the struggle for religious freedom that cost her father his life. When Lord John of Chlum learns of Anika's deception, he agrees to allow her to continue as a knight until a time of his choosing. Then she must don the garb of the woman she is. Can Anika give up the life she has come to cherish? And will the love in her heart be returned by the Master of Chlum? The Silver Sword is the first book in the series The Heirs of Cahira O'Conner. Kathleen O'Conner is doing research for a college project when she discovers the legend of Cahira O'Conner and her descendants. Kathleen herself bears the mark of Cahira, a mark that has appeared every two hundred years since Cahira's death in 1235. And each bearer of the mark has left the traditional roles of womanhood to fight for right. Kathleen studies her ancestresses and wonders what she might be called to do! Angela Elwell Hunt has intrigued the reader with a modern heroine in pursuit of her roots, and delivered a heroine from the past whose life stands taller than her black warhorse! Hunt's attention to historical detail makes Anika's actions believable and entertaining. And the teaser at the end for Book Two holds out a promise of equal pleasure! The Silver Sword sings from beginning to end!" The Hunt name on the cover promises quality, and The Silver Sword more than delivers! Linda Fitzner -- Copyright © 1998 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

From the Inside Flap

The auburned-haired O'Connor women share a bond far deeper than their striking physical appearance. These courageous, high-spirited women all push against societal limits in this exciting historical, romantic novel that spans generations and countries from 13th-century Ireland to the excitement and mystery of 15th-century Prague.

It is said that as Cahira, daughter of the great Irish king Rory O'Connor, lay dying of a wound from a Norman blade, she beseeched God that others would follow her calling. To Kathleen O'Connor, Cahira's story was nothing more than a fable--until research divulged that the tale was true. As a stunned Kathleen realizes that she herself bears the mark of Cahira, she wonders if she is destined to continue the legacy.

To uncover the answers, Kathleen delves into the past to find the truth about the Heirs of Cahira O'Connor. It is a journey that carries her across generations, from the battlefields of 13th-century Ireland to the castles of 15th-century Prague. It is a past filled with peril, courage, vengeance, love, and sacrifice beyond anything she has ever known.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press; 1st edition (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578560128
• ISBN-13: 978-1578560127
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,563,051 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Christy-Award winner Angela Hunt writes for readers who have learned to expect the unexpected in novels from this versatile author. With nearly four million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the best-selling author of more than 100 works ranging from picture books (The Tale of Three Trees) to novels.

Now that her two children have reached their twenties, Angie and her youth-pastor husband live in Florida with Very Big Dogs (a direct result of watching Sandlot too many times). This affinity for mastiffs has not been without its rewards--one of their dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest canine in America. Their dog received this dubious honor after an all-expenses-paid trip to Manhattan for the dog and the Hunts, complete with VIP air travel and a stretch limo in which they toured New York City. Afterward, the dog gave out paw-tographs at the airport.

When she's not home writing, Angie often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers' conferences. And to talk about her dogs, of course.

Readers may visit her web site at www.angelahuntbooks.com and write her at [e-mail].

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book was real enough to be true, and an awesome story., November 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Silver Sword (The Heirs of Cahira O'Connor #1) (Paperback)

The Silver Sword was a book that really goes above and beyond what I would expect from a historical fiction book of the 15th century. Written in such a style it could easily be true the pages flew when I read this. While not action packed the subject of such extreme corruption kept me intigued. I couldn't put it down. This book is truly a book that you can learn about life then, come away feeling warm and fuzzy and want to know more about Anika and Lord John. Tremendous praise for The Silver Sword.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Historical Fiction Set During Medieval Times, April 3, 2006

By 

Mom Who Reads A Lot (Washington DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Silver Sword (The Heirs of Cahira O'Connor #1) (Paperback)

I love historical fiction and this novel gives a glimpse of what times were like during the 1400s. Written in the world of Lords and Knights, Catholic Bishops and Kings, it is an enjoyable way to learn more about life and struggles during the Medieval time period. I disagree with a previous reviewer who says this is a predictable story and is written with elementary language. I did not come to the same conclusion. It is enjoyable historical fiction.

The author clearly researched the historical time period and names her sources at the end of the book. Jan Hus, a prominent character in the novel, actually lived and was martyred. One of the popes in the novel also lived in the same time period. A book that is cited, "The Art of Courtly Love", was an actual book used in the time period to educate on courtship.

This book, the 1st in "The Heirs of Cahira O'Conner" series, begins with a college student (Kathleen O'Conner) who, after having a conversation with a Medieval European History professor, discovers she could be related to the royal, beautiful and brave Cahira O'Conner, who lived in Ireland in the 1200s.

Kathleen researches and discovers that Anika of Prague was a fifteen century woman who fought as a knight prior to the Hussite Crusades and is a descendent of Cahira O'Conner. This 1st novel is Kathleen's effort to bring Anika to life, a literature project for one of her college courses.

It is very done and written beautifully. Angela Hunt also writes excellent children's books. One my daughter especially enjoys is "The True Princess".

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WONDERFUL! Beautiful story and hidden truths on life., November 21, 2005

By 

Kendra - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Silver Sword (The Heirs of Cahira O'Connor #1) (Paperback)

I love reading, expecially historical fiction. I picked up the book expecting an interesting story, not the deep philisophical themes touched on by Angela Elwell Hunt.

Anika is not your average medieval girl since she can read and reason better than most men. This disappointed me at first because I am bored with perfect characters. Luckily Hunt gives Anika obstacles of all kinds, rounding out her character. Anika's life goal is to have revenge on the church for the death of her parents. She has her own ideas on how to do this, but discovers that mercy and love trump revenge in all cases.

There is a love story, but it's the charming witty type--not mushy. The characters love each other based on their similar values, and have common struggles together with religion, education, raising children, love of truth, and the role of women in society.

EXCELLENT book with a twisting story line and hidden wise words on life woven seamlessly into the text.