List Books Toward Kingmaker's Sword (Rune Blade #1)
| Original Title: | Kingmaker's Sword (Rune Blade, #1) |
| ISBN: | 0061056294 (ISBN13: 9780061056291) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Series: | Rune Blade #1 |
Ann Marston
Paperback | Pages: 336 pages Rating: 3.79 | 626 Users | 31 Reviews
Mention Based On Books Kingmaker's Sword (Rune Blade #1)
| Title | : | Kingmaker's Sword (Rune Blade #1) |
| Author | : | Ann Marston |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | First Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 336 pages |
| Published | : | January 1st 1900 by Harper Voyager |
| Categories | : | Fantasy. Fiction. High Fantasy |
Narration As Books Kingmaker's Sword (Rune Blade #1)
Several years ago, while wandering through the science fiction and fantasy section of the local Media Play, I crouched down to see what was on the bottom shelf in the M section. My eyes caught on a book that was faced out and that featured two warriors, one red-headed and one blonde, both of them sporting copious amounts of cloudy hair and swooping kilts, clutching swords in their hands. I'd never heard of KINGMAKER'S SWORD or author Ann Marston before, but I decided to pick it up based on the fact that it was a mass market paperback (and thus inexpensive) and that I liked the colors and the soft, matte finish to the cover. I noted that it was the first in a trilogy--the Rune Blade trilogy--and that the other two books were on the shelf so I could easily come back for them if the first book entertained.Mouse is a slave. Dubbed Foxmouse because of his flaming red hair, he is now known as just Mouse and he is about to make his escape. Two nights ago his sole friend in the world was savagely assaulted and murdered while he watched and that horrific act simultaneously crushed Mouse and did away with any reason he had to stay in the filthy hole he has lived in for as long as he could remember. While on his headlong flight to freedom, Mouse runs into his past in the form of a hulking Tyran clansman on a journey to find his long-lost nephew. Suspecting Mouse may just be that boy, Cullin dav Medroch dubs the boy Kian and takes him under his wing. On their way back to Tyra, Cullin and Kian encounter a determined swordswoman by the name of Kerridwen who is on a quest of her own. When Kerridwen and Kian accidentally cross blades a bond is forged that takes them both unpleasantly by surprise and shapes the direction their paths will take from that point on.
I was pleasantly surprised by KINGMAKER'S SWORD. Judging by the kilts on the cover, I should have known to expect a rollicking Celtic-inspired sword-and-sorcery adventure, and that's exactly what it was. Tyra is essentially a slightly altered Scotland, along with the island of Celi and the province of Skai, where Kerri hails from. The book opens with a breakdown of the different seasons in this world, a pronunciation guide, and a map--sort of the holy triumverate of opening pages when it comes to pulpy sword-and-sorcery novels. There is nothing earth-shatteringly new in these books, but they are undeniably fun, smoothly written, and peopled with enjoyably heroic characters pitted against dastardly evil sorcerers against a suitably epic backdrop. I ate them up with a spoon and they have worn rather well over the years. This trilogy follows three generations of Kian's family, including his children and grandchildren. And while I'm usually dismayed when a series jumps generations like that, I have to say that is not the case here as the second novel, The Western King, is definitely the finest installment. Marston follows this trilogy up with another, the Sword in Exile trilogy, which continues the story of the rune blades and the line of the princes of Skai. It, too, is worth a read. Both series are now out of print, but if you can find a copy I do recommend them, particularly for fans of Jennifer Roberson, Susan Dexter, and Moira J. Moore.
Reading Order: Kingmaker's Sword, The Western King, and Broken Blade
Rating Based On Books Kingmaker's Sword (Rune Blade #1)
Ratings: 3.79 From 626 Users | 31 ReviewsPiece Based On Books Kingmaker's Sword (Rune Blade #1)
A Lost Sword.. This book centers around Mouse, his escape to freedom and the people he meets after his escape.The characters, Cullin, Kian and Kerri were well written and vividly described. The story line included swords, friendship, and loyalty making it an Overall, engaging fantasy.Austin Vanfleet did well with the narration. Note:"This audio book was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review."I was expecting this to be corny or stereotypical. It does have a lot of stereotypical characters, but the plot is wonderfully creative. I like how the characters make detour after detour, ending up where they need to be without realizing that they're there. I am also a fan of the ending, which I didn't quite expect. The one major flaw: dear feisty female lead, why are you marrying somebody who doesn't take you seriously and whose first thought is always to get you out of the way, even though
I first read this book when I was around 14 years old, and now, 16 years later, I can still appreciate it. I absolutely loved it the first time around, when I was a newcomer to the fantasy genre, and it was a great read now, when I qualify as a seasoned veteran. The story follows the path of a boy turned man in a quest against darkness that takes the form of a evil man who uses blood magic to gain power. There's plenty of sword fighting, a touch of romance (rated PG), and a love between a father
Ann Marston weaves a superb beginning to her Rune Blade Trilogy that carries through her Sword in Exile Trilogy. Marston's characters are interesting and believable: Red Kian of Skai is wonderful! Kerri is a thoroughly provocative woman, and a strong female figure. The first chapter is told in 3rd person, but the rest is told in first person. Ann Marston is a wonderful first person storyteller. The world she creates is not too unbelievable, as can happen in many fantasy or scifi worlds. What's
First installment of a fantasy trilogy. I had fun, but was frustrated by the way every single important detail was spoon-fed to the reader. Honestly, if you can't trust me to pick up on details and let my brain start churning them over on their own accord, then I'm not going to trust your storytelling. I want that "surprising yet inevitable" ending, and this story was too predictable, too stale for me to continue the trilogy. The epic fantasy storytelling elements were all there, but the stroke
Will definitely be on my shelf to read again! Along with a great plot and awesome characters, I really appreciated how the female-male dynamics were created. They definitely ring true to the medieval fantasy Europe that this -and many other fantasy novels- employ. Unlike some trash fantasy that tries to have this 'realistic' setting while also subtly perpetrating that if a woman was just as good as a man at being a warrior or had men's respect she would be equal, this book is very clear that
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