Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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".

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.

The story of Anika is one that can best be summed up in one (old)sentence: "If revenge is sweet, why does it leave such a bitter taste?" (this is from the book, too). Anika burns with the thought of revenge against those who have wronged her. As such, she decides to dress as a boy and earn a knighthood. Sir John takes her into his household to learn to be a knight and to serve him as long as he serves the teachings of Jan Huss.

This is a story of not only a young girl fighting for what she believes, but also the history of the church during the 1400s, which was rife with corruption. Jan Huss preached against the things that were wrong in the Church.

The premise to the series is that there are women descended from Cahira O'Connor who rise up to fight against injustice. It should be interesting to read the next 3 books in the series.

This Christian historical romance novel is a good, light read. At times, I felt that the story was more about John Hus than Anika since Anika played a very minor role during those sections. Since Hus was a preacher and Anika avidly listens to his sermons and acts as a scribe to help spread his teachings, the story is almost by definition "preachy." Hus' views on the problems with the Catholic church and on the corruption present in the church at that time might turn off Catholic readers.

While, to my knowledge, the information about Hus was accurate, there were a myriad of details wrong with the "knightly" aspects of the story. (For example, in the novel, the knights wear armor every waking moment, even when eating in the safety of the castle. The knights practice foil-style fencing while using long swords and wearing jousting armor.)

I also felt confused by why Anika has a burning desire to kill one man responsible for her father's death and yet she's horrified by the idea of killing the other man responsible (who also wants to rape her). I also couldn't understand how Anika was so beautiful and girlish (based on comments by friends to her father and by the lustful noble's son) and yet the moment she needs to fit in as a squire, she's described as boyish in figure and no male questions her disguise.

The characters were likable, the heroine spirited, and the plot enjoyable enough, especially if you're interested in the reformation. There was no sex or cussing. Overall, it's "good, clean fun."


Review also posted on Genre Reviews

"The Silver Sword" captivated me from begining to end. It had a great pace and plenty of nailbiting moments! I also enjoy the way the author equips real historical figures (such as Jan Hus) into this writing. "The Silver Sword" is a great book for anyone who enjoys a good, clean, exciting novel!

I could not put this down. I bought it and finished it the day after I purchased the book. Truly a wonderful author. This is her best series yet. The historical content is impressive and has caused me to do some research of my own on the more notable figures in the book. Anyone who likes to read fiction and historical fact all mingled together will enjoy this novel.

A powerful and consuming novel full of energy that literally transports you back in time. Detailing the work, betrayal and murder of the Bohemian pastor, John Huss, The Silver Sword entwines a masterful story about a young lady who choses the path less traveled to joy and freedom. Read it in six hours and loved it!

Bohemia is certainly a location I'd never imagined reading a historical novel about, nor did I think I would ever find one about martyr Jan Hus, but since Random House published this first novel in The Heirs of Cahira O'Connor series, this lack has been remedied, and remedied excellently. The story begins within the frame of a college student researching piebaldism, the same trait she has of a pale streak running through a lock of hair. Through the aid of a mysterious stranger she discovers she is but one in a heroic line of women with this trait, and begins with the story of Anika of Prague.

Amidst the backdrop of the persecution of family friend Jan Hus by Catholic prelates, Anika is forced to go into hiding disguised as a squire to escape a lecherous lord. Previously, I've disliked novels that feature a woman wielding a broadsword because they've never been done convincingly, but author Hunt does this realistically, not trying to gloss over the differences in strength that handicaps the heroine. A wonderful love story is developed gradually between the knight-in-disguise and her lord, John of Chlum.

I learned much about Jan Hus, the Bohemian priest who taught the fundamentals of Christianity rather than the dogmas and traditions of the Catholic church. His teaching formed part of the foundation of the Reformation, and knowing what has gone before enriches my faith.

Like THE VEIL, a Random House book I also reviewed recently, Waterbrook has been innovative enough to let an author write about a unique setting with unusual characters and a subject that is the bedrock of the evangelical Christian faith. I'll be watching for Angela Elwell Hunt's next books!

The stories of the heirs of Cahira O'Connor are well researched and well written. I enjoyed the history along with the fiction. I thought the characters were interesting and the stories enjoyable, but unless your religious beliefs match Ms. Hunt's, you could find the stories a little cloying, especially by the end of the series. And while I agree that the endings were sometimes weak, they fit with the message that Ms. Hunt was relaying. Overall, I enjoyed the entire series, but I easily could have enjoyed them just a little more without the sermonizing in the last book.