Customer Reviews

Sword Masters

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3 star:		(1)
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I awaited this book with great anticipation after having read the first chapter on the publisher's website. I was NOT disappointed. In fact, the book was even more than I'd hoped and expected. Even after reading almost all of the author's previous books. I couldn't put it down, even in the middle of my last semester of grad school.

The main character, Tarius, wants to be a SwordMaster. However, Tarius is 'not from around here'. Tarius IS, however, the best swordsman that the people who train SwordMasters have ever seen. The problem is that Tarius has a couple of secrets, secrets that would immediately disqualify Tarius from consideration. The least of which is, Tarius is really a woman. After that twist, things REALLY get wild. This is NOT just a simple 'let's see what women can really do' fantasy novel. It's all that and much more.

If you like fantasy and strong female characters... If you like well-crafted stories with a great variety of twists, turns and action... If you like strong supporting characters and well thought out stories, THIS IS THE BOOK YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!

So, run, don't walk, to that shopping cart button and BUY THIS BOOK. You won't be disappointed.

Tarius, of the land of Kartik, travels to the neighboring land of Jethrik to join their swordmaster academy. Both his parents were killed by the Amalites, and Jethrik is currently at war with the Amalites, so Tarius wants to kill Amalites. He quickly distinguishes himself as an expert with the sword, and is noticed by Darian, the headmaster, and by King Persius. Tarius also attracts the notice of Jena, Darian's daughter, who only has eyes for Tarius. He tries everything possible to push her away, to no avail. Tarius is hiding a huge secret, which will not stay secret forever; Tarius is a woman.

Jethrik is a land of rigidly defined gender roles; among them is the absolute prohibition on women wielding steel. Tarius leads several successful campaigns against the Amalites. Persius gets the Amalites to leave Jethrik land, and agree to a peace treaty (over Tarius' strong objections). Beings like the Amalites, with a philosophy of Convert or Die, will not be bound by a piece of paper; they will be back.

Eventually, Tarius' secret is revealed, and, as expected, Persius, Darian and Jena hit the roof. Tarius is to be immediately executed, by being dragged throughout the kingdom, tied to the back of a horse. She is helped by friends, nursed back to health, and heads home back to Kartik. Jena is forced to marry Tragon, a man she despises. After her repeated refusal to let him into her bed, Tragon unintentionally kills her unborn child, and Jena kills Tragon. For a wife to kill her husband is a major offense, so Jena is convinced that fleeing to Kartik, to see if Tarius will take her back, is a really good idea.

This is an excellent piece of writing. It's a sword and sorcery novel with an emphasis more on the "sword" than the "sorcery." The reader will not be disappointed.

Interesting plot, exciting ancient warfare, engaging characters, and a great moral. Everything a reader wants in a fantasy novel.

It is well written and has "interesting" characters. Unfortunately, it is also a Lesbian melodrama. If that doesn't get in you way, you'll enjoy it. Sadly, I just felt mislead. I enjoy E. Moon and her buddy Paks so it isn't a gender issue. But, I don't like be hit over the head by a different lifestyle. You can do your thing and I'll do mine.