Customer Reviews

Sword-Sworn (Tiger and Del)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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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

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.

Not much actually happens in this book. The questions about Tiger's past are answered only ambiguously, there is very little of our beloved Southron vs. Northern tension, and nothing is truly resolved.

Seeing as this is ostensibly the last of the Tiger and Del novels, one would expect a certain level of resolution. However, at the end of this somewhat less than fulfilling novel, the reader is left without any resolution at all.

Overall, while the promise of having the questions of Tiger's past pulls the reader through most of the book, there isn't much there to make the effort worthwhile. The book just lacks the spirit of the previous volumes.

As the cover says, this is "the final novel of Tiger and Del." And as such, I found it a wonderful--if placid--read. The author portrays Tiger and Del in the same deft manner as always, illustrating how the two have changed--and how then haven't--from the series' inception.

Present in this last volume are the strong emotional underpinnings of the main characters' personalities, the tangible bond between them (both emotional and sexual), and the clear, well-defined flavor of their narratives. Tiger is still Tiger, and Del is still Del, and their actions, if predicable, are only so because of how well we readers have come to know them over the course of five books.

Absent in this novel is any sense of urgency. Previous volumes often had pressing business to attend to. Whether it be Del rushing to fulfill her blood oath, or Tiger struggling to find Shaka-Obre before Chosa-Dei consumed him, there was always a sense of urgency in previous volumes, which is lacking in this final tale. Also missing is the sexual tension which permeated the earlier part of the series. This is both boon and bane, for while its absence shows us how much the two characters have changed (and moves the story forward) it also robs the narrative of its most powerful emotional stimulus.

Overall, my final impression of "Sword-Sworn" was that the entire novel read like one long Epilogue. There was no real conflict in the book (though there are fights and a rescue) nor was I ever really surprised by the unfolding plot. However, that is not to say the novel failed to please. Quite the contrary, in fact. For while I felt I was reading a "where are they now?" sort of story, it is a fun, well-written volume filled with the personalities I've come to love over the previous five. This book isn't about a grand struggle over the fate of the world (or even the South)--but merely one last chance to share the lives of two beloved characters. As such, it made me laugh and smile so often I cannot consider it anything other than an absolute success.

So, the saga of Tiger and Del comes to a close, and this nicely wraps up what has been one of the most enjoyable series I have ever read.

Are there some unexpected turns of events? Yes.

I found that this novel, while wrapping things up nicely, DID finish rather abruptly. I felt that, after all the time in between this novel and the previous, while warranted considering what Ms. Roberson was going through, should have allowed a bit of time to make things more tightly wrapped at the end.

Even still, it gets 5 stars from me.

Jennifer does it again in this last installment of the Tiger and Del series. This is one of my all time favorite writers and after you read this book, (or ANY book she has written) you will see why. Her talent in painting such vivid characters, evocative scenery and in weaving such sensual, colorful worlds with wonderfully unique customs will take your breath away. Its unusual to find such strong female characters that are at the same time believable, but Jennifer is the master! No fan of literature, let alone fantasy, should be with out Jennifer Robersons books. Her historical novels are also beautifully written and with such talent its an effortless journey deep into her worlds! Be sure and check out her web site to learn more about this fascinating author http://www.cheysuli.com/. And, no Im not friend and unfortunately have never had the privilege of even meeting Jennifer. Im just a huge fan and as a writer myself I am in awe of her work and am in total appreciation of her artistry.

I've always strongly enjoyed the Tiger and Del series. They certainly aren't great literature, but they offer a satisfying mix of action-packed fantasy adventure, witty banter between two intelligent protaganists, and a growing and touching romance between the Southern Tiger and his Northern bascha, Del. Perhaps the biggest accomplishment is that a series written by a woman, who obviously has strong feminist convictions, is told from a male point of view, and convicingly at that. Ms. Roberson is also a good world-builder; the North, the South, and also Skandi sometimes seem so real you feel like you are there.

This book brings the series to a satifying conclusion. Tiger and Del have returned to the South, after Tiger's harrowing experience of becoming a mage in Skandi. Tiger has vague dreams of establishing a school to teach his sword-dancing skills, but first he must deal with the horde of other sword-dancers who want to kill him because he broke his own sword-dancer oaths. He also meets up with a young, handsome man who claims he wants to learn from Tiger, but may be interested in Del as well. The series does a good job of tying up all of the loose ends, and includes a number of surprises (including one I had hoped would happen). There isn't quite as much action in this one as in some previous books (especially Sword Dancer, which is still probably the best book in the series) and the banter between Del and Tiger may have finally worn out its welcome, but the last fifty pages will bring one revelation after another. If you've enjoyed Tiger and Del's stories before, you will like this book. If not, read Sword-Dancer to get a feel for the series.

I recently finished reading Sword Sworn and enjoyed every minute of it. I'm sad to say goodbye to this wonderful series, but Jennifer choose a wonderful way to end it! If you haven't read this series I highly recommend them all. If you've read these then I recommend getting Jennifer's other books for some more great reading!

In the five previous Tiger and Del novels, Jennifer Roberson has demonstrated her skill at providing both action and enjoyable interplay among her characters. In this sixth novel, she has outdone herself, providing a highly satisfying -- if not perfect -- conclusion to the series. For those who have been following the Tiger and Del saga (and even for those who haven't), _Sword-Sworn_ is a most gratifying and pleasurable book.