The Sword and the Chain (Guardians of the Flame) [Paperback]

Joel Rosenberg (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Roc; Reissue edition (April 1, 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451453514
• ISBN-13: 978-0451453518
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,625,147 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All the elements, December 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Sword and the Chain (Guardians of the Flame) (Paperback)

The sword and the chain has all the elements of an excellent fantasy novel. It's got the heroes, the magic, the villain, the party of good guys, its own private little world with a map included for the characters top romp around in, as well as its' own personal twist (the characters are humans from our world tranformed as they stepped through a gate to another world). My only regret about reading this novel is that I can't seem to find the rest of the series, and am therefore forever stuck in a world of questions and doubt.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars FOR PEOPLE WHO ENJOY SIMPLE, BUT EFFECTIVE STORY TELLING!, November 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Sword and the Chain (Guardians of the Flame) (Paperback)

The Sword and the Chain

The Sword and the Chain by Joel Rosenberg is about Karl, Andrea, Ahira, Walter, and Lou. Who are all from present day America. They have been transported to the past, a mystic world in which magic, not science prevails. Bound by their pledge to the Healing Hand society, they cannot return home until they give freedom to each and every person in the world of the past. After intercepting a few slaver caravans, Karl, Andrea, Ahira, Walter, Lou, and their new recruits (the slaves they freed) settle down in a remote valley. Because all of them are wanted criminals or slaves, the valley that no one knows about is the perfect place to settle down. Now, it becomes a race against time to make their valley civilization grow to a sufficient size (so they can protect themselves) before they are discovered. This book would only be interesting to people who like to read fantasy stories. The book is especially interesting because the author puts ideas of the present (freedom and equality of all people) into a book about the past (a time when slavery was widely accepted). The language in the story is very easy to understand if you know the meanings of words used in fantasy and fiction books about medieval times. Although some terminology is unique to this type of book, the author uses a lot of dialogue, a simple show don't tell technique. Since the book has many characters, following the story may be difficult; however, as the reader gets to know the characters, the story becomes clear. The characters in the book are very believable because they fit into the plot of the story. Each character plays a unique roll, making the story very lively. Although the characters play a unique roll, they are dependent on each other to seem real. The Sword and the Chain is for people who enjoy simple, but effective story telling. Because this is a typical fantasy fiction book (about medieval times and magic which contains battle and profanity), I recommend it to young adults, but not young children. The book is exciting, and delivers an important message about freedom.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Quest Continues, November 8, 2001

By 

AllieKat - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sword and the Chain (Guardians of the Flame) (Paperback)

The second book in the Guardians of the Flame series returns the reader to the world of Dungeons & Dragons. Karl, Andrea, Ahira, Walter, and Lou are stuck in a strange world in the bodies of the characters they created and played. These friends are bound to this world through a pledge to bring freedom to the world. They made their pledges to save the life of a friend. Now Karl and his friends must wage a war on slavery, fighting against Wizards and the Slaver's Guild. With the aid of the young dragon Ellegon, from the first novel, Karl and his friends start trying to fulfill their promise. The two books in this series that I have read so far have read mostly like you would expect a Dungeons & Dragons adventure to be. The characters have to adapt to the strange world of magic, with only their wits and the instincts of their bodies. There is, of course, the obligatory quest, and plenty of magic and spells. This book is interesting, easy reading. Do not expect many plot intricacies, but do expect to enjoy the developing story of the Guardians of the Flame.