Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
A horse girl fantasy with some Dune and Wheel of Time sprinkled in.
This book really doesn't lose its charm. Of course I notice more (good and bad) each time I reread it, but it holds up.
Of course, I'm still waiting for Pegasus #2 to come out and somehow bring Luthe into it and ruin everything for me, but until that day Damar is still pure and unblemished and some of McKinley's best work.
----
ORIGINAL REVIEW: Robin McKinley's gift is for making fantasy and fairy tale feel, if not possible, then at least plausible. This book is her at her best. The world is just rich enough to feel real, but with plenty of room for your imagination to go wandering. I say this because the rest of my review is going to sound negative, even though I've now read the book about 4 times and I do very much love this book--particularly Harry, who just feels so refreshing. I think this book has earned a place in the young adult fantasy canon.
I really regret that I didn't know about this book until I was in my twenties. I think 15-year-old me would have LOVED the chance to read The Blue Sword. However, 25-year-old me was a little bit perplexed at how closely it resembled the American mythologies of young white women being captured by Native American tribes and "becoming the savage," and also white colonists' fears about "going native," and so a part of me had my hackles up the entire time I first read it because of the direct and extremely racially-charged parallel McKinley was drawing.
McKinley's writing and characters and worlds are always a joy to read, and I do love this book, a lot... but you may find that it needs a grain of salt to go down smoothly.
Of course, I'm still waiting for Pegasus #2 to come out and somehow bring Luthe into it and ruin everything for me, but until that day Damar is still pure and unblemished and some of McKinley's best work.
----
ORIGINAL REVIEW: Robin McKinley's gift is for making fantasy and fairy tale feel, if not possible, then at least plausible. This book is her at her best. The world is just rich enough to feel real, but with plenty of room for your imagination to go wandering. I say this because the rest of my review is going to sound negative, even though I've now read the book about 4 times and I do very much love this book--particularly Harry, who just feels so refreshing. I think this book has earned a place in the young adult fantasy canon.
I really regret that I didn't know about this book until I was in my twenties. I think 15-year-old me would have LOVED the chance to read The Blue Sword. However, 25-year-old me was a little bit perplexed at how closely it resembled the American mythologies of young white women being captured by Native American tribes and "becoming the savage," and also white colonists' fears about "going native," and so a part of me had my hackles up the entire time I first read it because of the direct and extremely racially-charged parallel McKinley was drawing.
McKinley's writing and characters and worlds are always a joy to read, and I do love this book, a lot... but you may find that it needs a grain of salt to go down smoothly.
Definitely feels a bit dated, and the pacing was wack, but it was a pleasant read
http://librarianaut.com/2013/03/25/book-review-the-blue-sword/
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Sadly this book took me a long time to finish: I found it very slow. I enjoyed the ending, but The Blue Sword doesn’t compare to McKinley’s other novels. I would probably recommend Dune instead.
Re-read this childhood favorite too and liked it just as much as HatC! Harry is another brave heroine who rose to the circumstances she was called to.
Again, I can see the shift in fantasy, and would likely give this a four now, but I really enjoyed revisiting a story I loved so much growing up.
Again, I can see the shift in fantasy, and would likely give this a four now, but I really enjoyed revisiting a story I loved so much growing up.
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Good solid fantasy read.
I LOVE THIS BOOK. One of my ALLTIME favorites. It's got an awesome female heroine (Harry), swords, horses, magic, cool new language--everything you want in a fantasy book! For me, it will always be a great comfort read. SO GREAT!
adventurous
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No