Customer Reviews

The Sword Maiden (Large Print)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is not a bad read, but I did not find it as compelling as the Swan Maiden or the Stone Maiden. The legend itself was not as gripping as the other two, and I did not find the main characters as complex or interesting. Life in the Scotland of the time is as well drawn as I have come to expect in Susan King's stories, but everything else seemed less fully-featured. Still, a mediocre Susan King is better than many other authors' best. If you haven't read The Swan Maiden or The Stone Maiden, try them first,but if you are without something to read on a rainy day or a chilly evening, this one is okay company.

Lachlann and Eva could have been very interesting, and the overall plot wasn't too bad, but for heaven's sake, I want dialogue between a hero and heroine that tells a story, not a line or two thrown in just to remind us that there ARE characters in this book, while the author relates page after page ...after page, of smithy work. I appreciate her knowledge of the craft, but I didn't like it as the focal point for the ENTIRE book. This was much more about smithy work than a love story.

Excellent!! A tender story of "first love" that mixes history and legends. It's beautifully written, with a great subplot about Joan of Arc. I loved the smith hero and the feisty sword-weielding heroine, and there is lots of action and swordplay to keep the story moving. Intelligent, well-crafted, good story.

The Sword Maiden third of the trilogy of Maidens this is a beautiful sensual love story between

Eva Macarthur guardian of her island home who desperately tries to save her family and clan from the english through a betrothal to an english commander and Lachlan Mackerron foster son of the local blacksmith.

Susan King has once again produced a masterpiece with her research and knowledge of Scotland in the fifteenth century.
The love between Eva And Lachlann draws the reader in throughout the story which has a surprising twist in it.

A skillful beautifully written story that keeps you entralled from the first page to the last a must for all readers of Scottish historical romance

This is an o.k. story. It wasn't anything special. It didn't make me want to hurl it so that is good. But I did have a hard time finishing it. It wasn't as sensual or romantic as i am use to and the plot was slow and dull for my tastes. I like more to be at stake and this story just didn't do it. There was nothing really wrong with this book it is just that I have read better.

As soon as I got this book, I put everything aside and read it because Susan King is now one of my favorite authors. And this one is excellent! An intense and beautiful romance based on the love since childhood between the two main characters. It is well researched, using legends and history and the background of smithing. The hero's past friendship with Joan of Arc is an unusual and interesting touch that helps make this novel special. A thrilling historical romance that is well worth reading.

This is the third in Susan King's "Maiden" series (the stories are not related to each other though the Swan Maiden is the sequel to Laird of the Wind and both of those are good). This one is set in early 15th century Scotland. It's the story of Eva MacArthur whose clan suffered from the king's cruelty to his barons and she is forced to become betrothed to a dreaded Campbell to save her brothers. But her heart has always belonged to the handsome blacksmith Lachlann MacKerron whose family are swordsmiths and can craft the coveted faery swords. Lachlann has been in France for the last three years becoming a knight of renown and guarding Joan of Arc. But he's back and Eva runs to him for help. King again does a good job of weaving history and legend in a good story with great characters, but this one suffers from a bit too much info about the blacksmithing trade at the time and it slows down in the middle (I found myself speed reading through some paragraphs). She's a great author but this one needed some editing to keep the pace going. Still, it's enjoyable and hence the rating.

The beginning of this novel is totally engrossing as a tale unwinds of a sword that is crafted by faery magic and a Scottish Island that is claimed by a woman who possesses a little faery magic. Eva MacArthur is now the guardian of her Isle of Innesfarna and she is betrothed to Colin Campbell but really she longs for the blacksmith's son Lachlan MacKerron. But Eva is a dutiful daughter and cannot act on her feelings and Lachlan is off to Scotland to fight against the English.

While Lachlan is gone, King James decides to unite all of Scotland and the highland chiefs who do not favor his methods are imprisoned, including Eva's family. Her father is killed and to save her brother she agrees to marry Colin even though she had determined earlier to break the betrothal. Her other brother is in hiding and the clan is disbanded and wanted by the king's army.

In France, Lachlan was one of the Scottish bodyguards of Joan of Arc. Now this is where the plot was very original. Lachlan loved Joan but not as a potential lover instead it was the love a soldier has for a great leader or a supplicant has for a saint. He returns to Scotland after Joan's death carrying her broken sword.

He is surprised to find Eva in his home, the King has garrisoned her island and she does not feel safe there. Lachlan knows of her betrothal and even though he loves her keeps his distance. Eva is torn between her desire to help her brother and their outlawed clan, and her desire for Lachlan. She sees herself as the guardian of the Isle and has been secretly learning sword fighting.

Lachlan is loyal to both the king and Eva so he tries to find a way to bring peace. He has had enough of war to last a lifetime. He is honorable and devoted to Eva, even though she is betrothed to a man he despises.

The last part of this novel moves rather slowly as Lachland and Eva come to grips with their feelings and try to find a way to free her brother in prison and keep Eva's clan together. Joan's broken sword represents so much of their lives torn apart by war and royal decree. Eva recognizes the sword's power and wants it mended but Lachlan is no longer the smithy he once was and it will take Eva's help and Lachlan's trust to bring together all the broken parts of Joan's weapon.

For the most part I enjoyed this novel. Eva was a gentle but fierce heroine and Lachlan was noble. The faery story was woven into the tale very smoothly. The ending was a bit laborious and I enjoyed the part Joan of Arc played in this novel. The allegory of the sword and the couple's future was nicely written too. The only big drawback besides the rather long ending was the very detailed account of sword making. I would have preferred more emotional dialogue between the two leads instead.

A charming and engaging tale of true love between childhood friends. A magical faery legend interwoven into a fairly simple, but not weak, plot. A pretty, brave heroine, a sexy handsome hero. What more could you ask for? An enjoyable romantic story that I read in one day. I can't wait to read Swan Maiden and Stone Maiden. This book was just what I needed to brighten up a rainy day. Also recommended: Sandra Hill's The Last Viking, Outlaw Viking, and Christine Feehan's Dark Prince.

This is the very best kind of historical romance -- unforgettable, original characters and a love story based in history with a touch of mystical magic. Ms. King is a beautiful writer, with a style that rises from the traditions of ancient Celtic legends, and THE SWORD MAIDEN ranks among her best work.
If you're looking for a stereotypical lairds-and-lassies-lovin'-in-the-highlands romance, than this isn't for you. But if you're looking for a special book you can savor, with a love story that will linger with you long after the last page, than try THE SWORD MAIDEN. A genuine five-star-winner!