Son of the Sword [Paperback]

J. Ardian Lee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2001

"Ancient sword of my people, bring me a hero, to save from tyranny the sons and daughters of this land. Let a Matheson lay hands on you and become that hero."

So speaks the faerie Sianann as she musters what is left of her powers in a desperate attempt to save her beloved homeland. In 1713, Scotland's Jacobite rebels face their darkest hour. They need new blood, a new leader to help them fight English oppression. And they are about to get one...

Dylan Matheson is an ordinary guy with ordinary problems: family, girlfriend-the usual. But he likes his life, living above the dojo where he teaches martial arts and swordfighting. Then one day at a Medieval Faire, he sees a magnificent broadsword. He takes it in hand-and is transported to a time and place he's only read about.

Now Dylan Matheson, ordinary guy, is about to embark upon an extraordinary adventure. And it will take all of his skills-plus a bit of magic-just to survive.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this earnest mix of history and romance, in the tradition of Twain's Connecticut Yankee, a contemporary American travels back in time, here to 1713 Scotland, where Jacobite rebels are in deep trouble. Alas, his story fails to generate much excitement until the poignant ending. England and Scotland have fought off and on over the centuries, with the English usually victorious. After yet another Scottish defeat, the faerie Sinann Eire holds up a great sword and calls upon it to "bring me a hero, a Cuchulain." The sword obliges. From Tennessee, Dylan Matheson, an expert in Scottish history, swordplay and kung fu, suddenly finds himself in a rude Scotland of three centuries earlier. In due course he proves himself a worthy champion to the plain folk, faces death and falls in love with the beautiful Caitrionagh, daughter of a haughty laird. He also tolerates the mischievous attentions of the faerie who plucked him out of the present. Despite an appealing scenario, the action too often bogs down in pedantic history lessons, delivered with gobs of Gaelic. Having done heroic research, Lee seems unwilling to let such details reveal themselves naturally. Nevertheless, those interested in things Scottish will appreciate the background, while most readers will empathize with the likable Dylan, even if by the end they'll be wondering why Sinann didn't select someone with a knowledge of weapons technology instead.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

J. Ardian Lee is the pseudonym of novelist Julian Lee.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Ace Trade; Ace trade pbk. ed edition (July 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441008380
• ISBN-13: 978-0441008384
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,110,572 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

At twelve I began to write for fun, which I think is the only real reason to write fiction. I figured it beat reality any old day, and I liked sitting at the desk in my room, pretending to be doing something worthwhile. Daydreaming with a purpose, and gradually I realized I could gain approval for the very thing teachers used to criticize me for in class.
At thirty I looked for something to do besides acting and changing diapers.
Throughout this time I'd kept writing, though sporadically, and about then I began a second novel. Gradually an inkling came there might be a possibility of becoming published. I sure wasn't any good at anything else I might have done locally. On January 27, 1987 I bought my first copy of Writers Digest. Another turning point in my life. For the next several years I wrote manuscripts, sent the work out, joined writers groups, and workshopped my novels with the Green River Writers in Louisville, KY. After seven years I sold my first short story, Culture Control, to the now defunct Cosmic Unicorn. Immediately afterward I was hired by the local newspaper. From there I went to writing actor interviews for Starlog Magazine , a job for which I was singularly qualified.

I also wrote some video sleeve copy for Fox Home Video. That stands as the most highly paid time per hour I've ever spent, and I loved it even if it did attract sympathy from misguided folks who thought it less honorable than scribbling poetry for no money. I was right there with Liberace, crying all the way to the bank. All the while, though, I continued to write novels and novel proposals to send to New York.

Twelve years, twelve completed novel manuscripts, and eight proposals for uncompleted novels after buying that Writer's Digest, I sold a novel. Sold from an outline, "Son of the Sword" was my thirteenth completed manuscript. Lucky thirteen.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hey Tink!, June 13, 2002

By 

Alanna Solo - See all my reviews

This review is from: Son of the Sword (Paperback)

Wow! I loved this book! Dylan is such an awesome charcater! And I think it's wonderfully written. . . I learned Gaelic words and other terms and lots about the history of the time. He may be a fictional charcater, but the people he meets are not. . . Along with all the historcal babble, this book also has its fantasy element, in the form of a fairy, whom Dylan fondly calls "Tinkerbell." She sends him back in time when Dylan touchs a spelled braodsword. You laugh and then cry; Son of the Sword has all the esstential elements needed in a good book! A surprise ending and a love that spans place and time, just to mention a few. . . I've been to J. Ardian Lee's website and read that a sequel is coming out soon! I'm sure it will be just as butt-kicking as this one!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read, September 15, 2006

By 

Roger D. McCook (Lilburn, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Son of the Sword (Paperback)

An excellent read. Enough historical accuracy to make it compelling without getting too boring. Could use a little more action but overall a very excellent read. Very entertaining. There are other books in the series. I think I'd spring for the money to try the second. (This is the first in the series)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable, good story, enjoyable characters, January 9, 2006

By 

Becky G "beckyg184" (Minneapolis, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Son of the Sword (Paperback)

I had read earlier comments on boards about this book being a "bomb," and almost sent it back to the library. Then I read a few pages, and still, almost sent it back to the library. My compulsion to read the story kept me going, however, past the modern day beginning (which is a bit awkwardly written, as it does not even give the read a glimpse of the complexity of the main character that appears later on). I am glad I read on.

The story is about a modern-day man, Dylan Matheson, self-employed as a martial arts expert, and man of Scottish descent. He is very into his Scottish ancestry, and as such participates in games and gatherings that support and entertain his interest. During the course of one of these, he encounters a rare authentic and ancient Scottish broadsword, and wanting to handle it, makes a bet with the owner, to have a contest to "first touch." He wins the contest, and approaches to inspect the sword.

Several hundred years earlier (early 1700s), prior to the first Jacobite uprisings, the beginnings of British/Scots battle finds a faerie making a spell upon this very sword -- to find a Matheson (clan name) worthy of the sword and able to make a difference in the Scots clash against the Brits. Thus, Dylan, being THE ONE for whom her spell was cast, finds himself transported back to the early 1700s, just prior to events that transform history.

The story is essentially how he bides his time, eventually believing he cannot return to his own time, and over time, the events and characters that transform his sense of wanting to return to the year 2000 to one of truly belonging in 1700s Scotland. The characters are well-written, some likable and some not, the plot is interesting, and the events are well defined. I finished the book with great anticipation for reading the next in the series.