Customer Reviews

Sword-Born (Tiger and Del)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I just finished Sword-Born and loved it. (took me only 3 day to read it!) I was lucky enough to have been able to read all 5 books in the sega one after an other. I now can't wait until Sword-Sworn is released. Diffently worth the money! :-) I really liked the history behind Tiger and Del, and how they joined and made their own together, without losing thier own sense of self worth and determation to complete the quests they had set for themselfs. Jennifer Roberson has a wonderful way of filling your mind with pictures not words. I felt that I was there next to Tiger and Del. I have read at lest 7 of J. Roberson's books and I haven't yet been disappointed in any of them.

I began the Sword Dancer series just a couple of months ago, and bought all six volumes in one purchase. I had never read Jennifer Roberson novels until Sword-Dancer, but something about the story description on the back cover grabbed me. I had not read much in the Science Fantasy genre before, but I was ready to try something different. From that first volume, there have been no regrets. I love stories that take place in another time period, that involve cultural clashes, and if the choice of weapon to settle a disagreement is a sword, I'm in. This is no pirate story, although in Sword Born, Tiger and Del are captured by pirates and taken to what very well may be Tiger's homeland. What he discovers there about himself, in Skandi, strengthens his character, and entices the reader to want to know more about this SandTiger, not only why he was abandoned as an infant, but what his future holds for him, as much as Del does. Each book in the series is a stand alone story, but I recommend reading all of them. Jennifer Roberson appears to have done much research in creating the varied landscapes and locales in which Del and Tiger find themselves traversing. The story of the jivatmas (although in this volume the characters are without them, having lost them in the previous story), how they are created, how they bind to their maker, and how they relate to the one who wields them is quite unique. Swords with personality. The dialogue is real, sometimes funny, sometimes profound. I'm in the middle of her last book in the series, Sword Sworn. Ms. Roberson is an entertaining writer with heart and depth.

This is a great book, it ranks up there with all of the others that Jennifer Roberson has written, she is a master story-teller, and she continues it. The first four books left Tiger and Del hanging and allowed one to make up ones own opinion as to what happened, but this account is very anticipated story gives an account that leaves the avid Roberson reader satified. the only aspect that brings the story down is Tiger without his sword and with, magic? Though Roberson handles this very well a Tiger without his sword, just doesn't seem like Tiger. Tiger's wanderlust is a great idea, and I fully recommend this book.

It was great to find a new tale of Tiger and Del. This one finds Tiger on the hunt to find his roots, and Del goes along. As Tiger finds his magic, they continue to explore and define their relationship -- never a simple process. A good place to introduce new readers to these interesting characters.

Let me start by saying this novel was great! However, the only reason I loved it was because I knew the series. I've grown up reading Tiger and Del (several times for each book in fact). Yet it seems this latest addition was geared more to the beginners of the series. Look, I guarantee no new reader can understand Tiger's history with Stall-Yasta unless they've read the first four! Plus, it really interrupted the story for us veterans when Tiger would say to Del, "Do you remember that time when we....?" and then go on to over-explicitly describe the event. If you're a newcomer start with the first four (you'll read 'em all in a week), and if you're a veteran look forward to the next novel of these two! All in all, it was great, and a good treat to see these two in action again.

I have totally enjoyed all of Tiger and Del's adventures thus far, and I enjoyed Sword-Born until a certain plot twist toward the end caused me to disagree with the author - something I really do not enjoy doing. For four novels, I had the chance to get to know these characters, and so reading Sword-Born was like coming back to a favorite spot. I particularly enjoyed the fact that these two characters had finally reached a point with one another that they could finally relax and truly enjoy the other's company. I was delighted with the humorous tone of the story and the increased banter between the characters. What I did not like was the fact that the author tried too hard to write the book for those who had not read any of the previous Sword books. The constant re-iteration of what had happened before became to boring and slowed the plot. My major complaint, however, is that in my opinion, I feel that, to a point, the author betrayed her character and her readers. The way that one character is changed as a result of the story twist is not, in my mind, a positive experience, and now the character is more limited in options and time. This plot twist forced me to read ahead to convince myself that it was worth continuing, and once I did, I was molified, but not happy. However, I am looking forward to the next book, in the hope that Del and Tiger can go back to what they know best - Sword Dancing.

I enjoyed the early books more. This one seemed less about adventure/combat and more about relationship dynamics and character development. Still, I finished it and enjoyed it, can't say that about most books on the fantasy shelves. Very well-written, intelligent.

A nice story of the continuing adventures of Tiger and Del. Interesting setting on Santorini with drama and mysticism. Its been so long since I read the 1st 4 books, that I needed the flashbacks to remind me what happened. I guess that a "what has happened before" preface would have been more effective for me. The story needs more exposition as to what has happened and why. Is the 1st mate a castrato? What happens when the mages grow old? What is Tiger's Mom like? What will happen to the first mate? Since the next book isn't out yet, I guess I'll reread the 1st 4 books if I get a chance. After all, the series is a keeper.

I found these books when I was in middle school and fell in love with them. I'm now an adult but I reread this series over and over. It's a wonderfully written series, all six of the books are amazing. The characters are very well developed and I laugh out loud constantly!

In this book Tiger and Del make for Skandi, a country that apparently has people in it who look roughly like Tiger. They are beset by pirates and hi-jinks ensue. It's fairly well paced as Tiger is tested to his limit and back again. If you loved the first four books you'll love Sword-Born and of course it's companion Sword-Sworn. And if you haven't read the first four, do. It's a beautiful series.