Sword-Sworn (Tiger and Del) [Hardcover]

Jennifer Roberson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Tiger and Del | Publication Date: February 1, 2002

Sword-Sworn is the long-awaited sixth and final book in Jennifer Roberson's Sword series.

Matching wits as fiercely as they cross swords, Tiger and Del are back-in danger, in trouble, and in love. Just one last time.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In her surprise-filled sixth novel featuring the sword-dancers Tiger and Del (Sword-Dancer, etc.), Roberson packs enough into the finale to more than make up for a tediously talky first half, which is short on both sword and sorcery. Established fans may enjoy the banal and idle chatter between Southron-born Tiger and his beloved "bascha," the ironic term of endearment he constantly uses for the glamorous Northerner Del, but others may wish for more action. On the isle of Skandi, where the pair has taken sanctuary, things do eventually pick up. The two fight a few human enemies, some skilled in magic, as well as the fierce and poison-clawed Sandtiger, which gave Tiger his name and threatens Del. Most exciting is the epic battle between Tiger and the man who has pursued him for years, Abbu Bensir, also a top-flight sword-dancer. But none of this prepares the reader for the warm personal revelations that follow, making this such a satisfyingly human series. In an author's note at the end, Roberson charmingly explains why she chose to use first-person point of view, and a male POV at that, when third-person is the norm for fantasy novels ("Tiger was very insistent on telling his own story"). In addition, she stresses the primacy of storytelling over feminist message, though she's "particularly proud of the male readers who've written to say that the books have altered their views of women." Sensitive readers of both sexes should appreciate how Roberson rises above the usual genre cliches. (Feb. 5)Cheysuli series (Spacehangers Song, etc.).

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Southron sword-dancer Tiger and his sworn partner, Northern sword-singer Delilah, leave the island of Skandi and travel to the desert of Punja, following a series of dream-manifestations that are the result of Tiger's newfound magic. Together, they confront the secrets of their past and the dangers of an uncertain future. The final volume in Roberson's series featuring warrior-partners Tiger and Del wraps up loose ends from previous stories, but it leaves a few enticing hints of future developments. A good choice for most fantasy collections, particularly where the series has a following.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: DAW Hardcover; First Edition edition (February 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0886779545
• ISBN-13: 978-0886779542
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,883,336 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Strong nostalgic value, May 31, 2003

By 

Phome "phome" (NY, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sword-Sworn (Tiger and Del) (Paperback)

Like many other fans, I was drawn to Sword-Sworn because of Tiger and Del. In past books, they and their relationship has always been a fascinating one: a male chauvinist meets girl power and because he falls in love with her, has to learn to deal with it. Certainly, over the span of the series, Tiger's attitude changes and his character becomes more likeable (to women at least).

What does not change (much) is Tiger's thinking, his internal comments and arguments are along the same lines as in early books, but the reader,as well as Tiger himself, recognises that he becomes more hypocritical as result. His chauvinistic tendencies no longer fit. Del has changed him; and he has changed himself. Tiger has become an unlikely hero, messiah and mage. But deep down, Tiger is just Tiger: the best Sword-dancer in the Southern lands.

And in this final epic episode, Tiger proves that he is just that. Despite ordeals Tiger has had to survive and resultant loss of fingers, Tiger can still dance.

I felt that this book started slow. Perhaps this was done with reason - Tiger himself does not really know where he is going (or where he needs to go) until well past half way in. But I felt a bit of strain and struggle by the author here. We dilly-dally and some of the plot development seems stretched. We expect a set-back or two, of course since a hero never reaches his goal without them, but I'm unsure that Del's fate with the sandtiger constitutes a serious obstacle in terms of Tiger's path of growth and discovery. Nor am I entirely convinced that Tiger's exploration of magical abilities is entirely meaningful.

I also felt that, sadly, Del's role in this book was almost redundant. She has become a mere hanger-on, a character with no goals, no purpose, whereas in earlier books, Tiger was Tiger because of Del. Del helped Tiger on his path, helped shape him, made him who he is. We almost forget that in this book, because this story is about Tiger. I found it lacking, since so much of the strength of earlier books was due to the role Del plays in Tiger's life. Here she plays no role, other than to settle Tiger down (and in an almost disappointing way, taking away any kind of adventure to their future lives).

Further, some important developments, such as Tiger's son and daughter, Abbu and the building of a new teaching facility, could have been developed more deeply instead of skimming over them at the end of the book. This might possibly be because of the first person POV, which has its limitations. I can't help but think it could have been handled more meaningfully since although this ties up some loose ends neatly for the author, we know that (psychologically and internally) life does not tend to be as neat.

As an avid fan of the series, I enjoyed this book and am glad that it was written. Personally, I believe the series might have ended 2 books earlier, and let the remaining stories of Tiger and Del live in the readers' imaginations.

.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great entry in a great series, February 11, 2002

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sword-Sworn (Tiger and Del) (Hardcover)

Tiger and Del fled Southron when he failed to heed the call of his sword-dancers as required by his oath in order to rescue her. The partners healed on the island of Skandi, but the loss of some of his fingers leaves Tiger handicapped in a duel. When the vision of a dead woman calls him to return to get the true sword probably buried under rock, Tiger knows he must go home though he faces a certain death penalty.

Tiger and Del travel to Julah where they meet an old friend, cantina owner Fouad, who is frightened to see the legendary pair. When they last met, Fouad betrayed Tiger and Del by spiking their drinks at the demand of the now dead but then deadly Sabra. Word spreads that Tiger is back and a fellow Alimat sword dancer challenges him to the death. If he survives that duel, Tiger and Del know their latest perilous adventure has just begun.

SWORD-SWORN, the sixth Tiger-Del tale, is a fabulous sword and sorcery tale that keeps the characters' behavior constant with past novels yet provides a fresh feel to the adventures. Newcomers will enjoy this book as a stand alone, but gain much more pleasure by starting with the first story. Tiger is an intriguing individual who has grown over the saga due to his association with his Northern lover. On the other hand, Del remains a staunch woman's libber in a world that is shocked by strong females, but often places the duo in unnecessary danger. Still Jennifer Roberson furbishes her readers a powerful epic fantasy that lives up to the author's special dedication.

Harriet Klausner

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice to visit with Del & Tiger again but slow & predictable, December 4, 2003

By 

DFE (Lake Forest, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sword-Sworn (Tiger and Del) (Paperback)

If you've been following Del & Tiger's story all of this years, then of course you're going to read this one too, but if are new to this series, go start at the beginning, because this one will be meaningless to you. The story itself moves in fits and starts, with a few really amazing sequences strung out between plodding expostition on the details of Del and Tigers day to day life. Pages were actually spent detailing how Tiger cared for his horse. This series sure has come a long way from its roots of fastpaced action packed every chapter ending on a cliffhanger roots. These book was nearly double in size of the early ones and it was clear that Roberson was struggling to fill it. This story concerns Tiger making peace, strongling with his feeling of rejection from the mother he never knew who he was told had abandoned him to a life of slavery and with accepting the magical powers he discovered in the last book. Along the way he has a few dramatic swordfights, visits some old friends, and exchanges banter with Del. A young man half his age who wants to be taught to be a swordfighter by him, follows him and he is convinced that this young man and Del are falling in love for much of the book. Due to numeroue hints, and the cover helpfulling telling you that that there are "warm, personal revelations" it is immidiately obvious to the reader who the young man is. Likewise, Tiger is plagued by dreams from the first chapter of the book regarding a dead women who tells him to find her bones, and the big mystery of the book is who this women is - like we didn't see that one coming either. The ending expects us to be surprised by these revelations, ends on a sickingly sweet, all too convient set of events, which is out of character for this series and feels all wrong and ultimately doesn't satisfy. A really sad ending to a great series, especially considering how amazing and bold the last book was.