Customer Reviews

The Sword (The Sword, the Ring, and the Chalice, Book 1)

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

_The Sword_ is the first of a high-fantasy trilogy and is little more than a prologue for whatever follows. What I mean by that is this: in terms of actual plot development, very little happens here. Each paperback in this trilogy is about 400 pages long (1200 total), so this could easily have been a 2-book saga with little to no impact on its quality.

As for the story itself ... There are some books you can read when you're tired, some you can't, and some that just make you tired. At its best, this book falls into the first category; at its worst, in the third. The writing is clear but rough and unremarkable (much more telling than showing, especially where character emotions are concerned, not one clever simile or metaphor), while the plot is uneven and filled with numerous, extended chase and fight sequences that create a sense of deja vu. (Other reviews here describe the plot, so I won't, except to express complete disappointment with the climax, in which the hero saves the day not through his own talents but through, not just one, but two instances of deus ex machina.) Two sub-plot threads are interspersed with the main one; however, the female protagonists in those receive so little stage-time that one can only hope their actions will actually mean something later in the trilogy.

The book's one strength is its ability to keep you wanting to know what happens next, which is certainly a literary virtue. However, few to none of the other ones (style, plausibility, insight, etc.) are present here. I strongly recommend _A Game of Thrones_ by George Martin or _The Briar King_ by Greg Keyes instead of this (though this one does contain a lesser degree of sexual content, if not violence, than those very fine tales). That said, if you're looking for a fantasy book to distract yourself during a long plane ride, this one would probably work. 2-1/2 disappointed stars.

Having never read anything by Ms. Chester, I was a bit hesitant to pick up this book. The back cover review was quite intruiging, therefore I chose to try it out. Let us just say that I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of "The Ring". Although it took quite some time to actually meet the main characters of the series, the background information you are given leading up to your first meeting with an "adult" Dain, gives you a much greater understanding of what he is to face in the future. It also explains, quite engagingly, why he has no clue as to his true identity and role in the future politics of his homeland. In meeting Alex, I (especially as I am female) found myself being completely drawn into her struggle to keep her father's dream alive of defeating the evil Nobility against the resignation and depression of the "army" she has grown up and fought with. I look forward to the plot's twists and turns within which Dain and Alex will come together to defeat what is thought to be undefeatable.

The triology makes for a nice week of reading and is quite well written. Unfortunately, it does have a couple flaws, which are neglectable if one seeks only entertainment (see below).

Conclusion:
I usually turn off my brain and simply enjoy a story when reading fantasy. For me, a story needs to be gripping, seem real and make me want to not put the book down. Chester delivers those things for sure. The main characters are well developed, the side characters neglected and quickly killed. Sometimes, unimportant things are described in great detail just to never surface again. A love story between the two main characters is somewhat crammed into the last pages: The heroine's affections for the good guy are mentioned and well developed throughout the series, but he's going for some other chick all the time. His sudden decision to dump the other chick and take the heroine instead is unprepared, unexplained, seems unlikely and leaves a sour aftertaste which spoils the closing chapter. It's not exactly an unforgettable series; one can read the books again in a couple of years and pretend it was the first time. I enjoyed the series and - within the frame of the restrictions mentioned before - I do recommend it.

The flaws:
Flaw No. 1: The first 100 pages of the first book drag on and do not really have relevance, it's just an extended prelude about how the father of our hero screws up big time. The triology is actually more thrilling (I'd imagine) if one simply skips the beginning and reads this "prelude" afterwards.
Flaw No. 2: The author obviously does not know or not care about the historically correct meaning and status of aristocratic titels. There's a bunch a princes running around who are neither heir to the throne nor related to any king. That bugged me a little, as it is somewhat confusing.
Flaw No. 3: Our hero rises to high status in various steps. Each step he makes by saving the life of his respective superior: A huntsman to begin with, then a lord, then a prince, then the king. When there's no one else to save, cause there's no one above the king, it turns out our hero's of royal blood himself (which the reader assumed all along but that's a different story). It's somewhat too simple cause one quickly figures out that soon the next situation in which he'll save a life will come up in order to push the story along. Most of these live-saving-situations are quite unlikely, so if one prefers stuff that is thought through, logically sound and "thick" story-telling (like Tolkien), this is not your series. It's comparable to Goodkind's books: Extremely grave danger and a way too simple solution.

Dain, the part-eldin (elvin) boy, has spent his life living with a dwarf, hiding in the forest from enemy dwarven clans, and running from the evil Nonkind. When he obtains a place at Thirst Hold, he continues to be treated as an outsider pagan and is often abused. But Dain is the son of a king, and he has a destiny to fulfill.

I thought this would be another cliche novel, same story we've read time and time again. But as I found to my delight, it's not, and, after finishing it, I'm eagerly looking forward to "The Ring." "The Sword" is very unique, with a wonderfully defined protagonist (Dain) whom you'll admire and want to yell at during many parts of the story. The characters are all believable; each one has many facets to him or herself.

You also get a nice look at Alexeika, a strong young woman, who is mentioned on the back of the book. I'd hoped to read more about her, but the brief peeks are enough to make anyone want to know more about her and Dain.

Anyone who enjoys such authors as Tolkein, Robert Jordan, Terry Goodkind, Terry Brooks, or George R R Martin will enjoy this book.

"The Sword" is a wonderful start to an awesome trilogy! Debroah Chester brings her fantasy world alive, with lovable character, magic, and well developed plot. Characters are well-devloped, and you feel everything they do, and sometimes want to yell at them for making the wrong decision or being too naive.

The Sword starts out tell you the story of King Tobeszijian of Nether, and how, after his wife Queen Nariesse dies, is forced to abandon his two children, Princess Thia (4 years old)and Prince Faldain (2 years old), to live with the dwarves after his 1/2 brother Muncel takes Tobeszijian's throne. 15 years later, you meet you with a teenage boy named Dain, and learn all the things he has to go through being 3/4 eld (like an elf). He must face a lot of prejudice, and prove that eld are the same as any other human. Along the way he makes friends and enemies, and learns to weild a sword, and to become a knight.

The book will then change to a different character named Alexieka. You are told the story of how her father dies in a battle against the King Muncel, trying to take the throne form him so he will stop decimating the land of Nether, and until the lost Prince Faldian of Nether can be found.

As the book continues you learn of the terrifying creatures called Nonkind, and the Believers who control them in the city of Gant. You learn abou the history of this fasinating land, and how religion controls a lot of what people do. This is not, by any means, a religious book, the people's religion is totally made up, but it is interesting to see how their religion affects the people. Example: People don't like eld because they have a pagan regligion, and are cabable of performing magic, both of which are against the Writ of the Circle.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy, or just a good story. The two sequels are just as good, if not better than the first, and the end of The Sword will leave you wanting to know what happens to Dain, and all the other characters.

I almost didn't buy this book because it sounded fairly predictable. The kingdom taken over by the king's brother, the heir to the throne misplaced for years, and a sword that only the heir can weild. Let's face it: except for the part about the sword, even Disney's done a version of this tale.

While the basic plot may be familiar, the story is so much more than that. The characters are believable and the story is well written. The author offers plenty of detail to set the scene, but not so much that you begin to yawn over it. And while I have a good idea of how the trilogy will probably end, based on this book I expect the rest of the journey to be filled with the unexpected as well.

I admit that I am picky about the authors and stories I will read. I am always suspicious purchasing a book by an unknown author. However, I got a wonderful surprise in this book. The story is engrossing and the characters are well written. Although some would say the "prologue" of the story was unneeded, I found that it added a sense of familiarity with the characters. By knowing what happened with King Tobezjian, I couldn't wait to see how Dain came to find out what his destiny would be.

My only complaint would be that the main antagonist, Prince Gavril is SO well written, that I found myself hating him almost too much to pay attention to the rest of the story. I can't wait to read the other two books and find out if he gets what is coming to him.

Oh, and keep this in mind. Though many with the title of Prince are in no relation to the king, often writers will use the title to portray a land where monarchy is given through bloodshed. While the king's descendants are princes and princesses, descendeds of kings who had lost the throne would also retain the title of Prince or Princess. So, the titles fall through the generations, even if the family was not the ruling one. Historical accuracy has nothing do with it.

I am a reader who has read countless thousands of SciFi books (wish I still had just the Ace books-but I digress)I TRULY ENJOYED THIS NOVEL! The author layed the ground work for the "plot" very well. She filled in the main characters, the hero, Dain, and his protagonist, the Crown Prince Gavril, with sufficent detail to make me feel that I knew them. She has also started to fill in the character of Alexeika and I found myself more and more involved till I had to finish the novel. I stayed up untill approximately 2:30 AM and did so. I can't remember any other novels of this ilk (and I include books by Robert Jordan and Simon R. Green and many others) that I enjoyed so thoroughly. This is fantasy at its best! If you can read, buy this book-you won't be disappointed!

When I first picked this book up it seemed like a fairly interesting, if somewhat typical, medieval-esque fantasy novel. By the time I was half way through, I could have had a score card of how many fantasy novel cliches had been incorporated. We have elves, of course and some bonus dwarves. Our hero is a half elf prince who is torn by his conflicted heritage. There is a conflict between paganism and thinly veiled Christianity. As a bonus, there is a thinly veiled holy grail. The good noble king is lost through magical misfortune. The woman raised as a son must lead an army. A debauched king and his corrupt son. blah blah blah. We've seen these elements a bazillion times before, and Chester does little that is interesting with them. While this book is not actually bad, it's really not worth the money. It's a rehash of half the fantasy novels you already have on your shelf.

This is actually the first book of a trilogy entitled "The Sword." The Ring and The Chalice will come later. This book is richly imagined, masterfully plotted, and superbly executed. It is not just good, it's George R. R. Martin good! There is some familiar ground here (after all, it's a fantasy) but there is also a great deal that is fresh. Exciting and highly recommended. If you are familiar with Ms. Chester's "Shadow" trilogy, then you know to expect great action scenes and lots of twists and turns. You'll find more of the same here, but even better! One minor complaint: this book would be better (in my opinion) as a one-volume 1200-page doorstopper fantasy rather than being spread out over the next 18 months (or whatever) in three volumes. A+++.