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darklaix's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dawn_marie's review
4.0
The Sword Defiant by Gareth Hanrahan is like many fantasy books: there are dwarves, elves, changelings, dragons and other mythical creatures, magic, and prophecy, and when a dark power threatens the world, a group of unlikely companions band together to defeat the enemy. However, unlike other fantasy books, The Sword Defiant focuses on the band after they’ve vanquished the foe and saved the world. It’s twenty years later and they’re older, jaded, cynical, and have gone their separate ways in pursuit of their own dreams/desires. When Sir Aelfric, a member of the famed Nine that defeated the necromancer Lord Bones, receives a vision of a new threat he decides it’s time to get the band back together again.
The story is told mostly through the viewpoints of Sir Aelfric the Lammergeier (Alf to his friends) and his widowed sister, Olva. Olva’s protected/sheltered worldview nicely contrasted with Sir Aelfric’s world weary one. When Olva’s son (Derwyn) learns that he is related to “heroic” Sir Aelfric, he runs away to Necrad in hopes of joining his uncle. Olva, determined to save her son from his own stupidity, recruits Bor, a rather surly and highly suspect individual, to be her guide and assist her journey to Necrad. While Olva is dealing with the dangers of the road, treachery, and devious elves, Sir Aelfric is making his own way to Necrad to warn the city council of the impending danger. Along the way he deals with several monsters and struggles to contain the powers of his magical sentient sword, Spellbreaker. Well, not so much magical as demon, but still. Sentient. Sword. I liked that when Spellbreaker became too obnoxious or blood thirsty, Sir Aelfric quickly shut it down.
The character work was a mixed bag. I thought Sir Aelfric was nicely developed, I enjoyed reading about the aging hero and his day-to-day struggles. Olva was mostly okay, though she became a bit one note (I’m a mother, here to save my son) near the end of the novel. When she wasn’t used to give the reader a glimpse into world, she was a means for the reader to learn about Sir Aelfric before he was The Lammergeier and what the Nine were like (though I would have preferred if these were flashbacks instead of exposition dumps). Everyone that Sir Aelfric and Olva met during their travels were little more than caricatures, serving to either provide the reader with information or give the characters a reason to move from point A to point B or to act in a certain way.
The world created by Mr. Hanrahan is wonderfully imaginative, from the sleepy hamlet where the reader first meets Olva, to the dark forests, to the decaying magical city of Necrad – with Necrad being the most fully realized. Although the magic system was a little squishy, it helped create the creepy atmosphere.
The prose was lovely, especially the poems and myths, and made for an enjoyable read. For a 600+ page book, I thought the pacing was mostly good with only a few draggy sections (whenever Olva gave the reader an exposition dump).
The story is told mostly through the viewpoints of Sir Aelfric the Lammergeier (Alf to his friends) and his widowed sister, Olva. Olva’s protected/sheltered worldview nicely contrasted with Sir Aelfric’s world weary one. When Olva’s son (Derwyn) learns that he is related to “heroic” Sir Aelfric, he runs away to Necrad in hopes of joining his uncle. Olva, determined to save her son from his own stupidity, recruits Bor, a rather surly and highly suspect individual, to be her guide and assist her journey to Necrad. While Olva is dealing with the dangers of the road, treachery, and devious elves, Sir Aelfric is making his own way to Necrad to warn the city council of the impending danger. Along the way he deals with several monsters and struggles to contain the powers of his magical sentient sword, Spellbreaker. Well, not so much magical as demon, but still. Sentient. Sword. I liked that when Spellbreaker became too obnoxious or blood thirsty, Sir Aelfric quickly shut it down.
The character work was a mixed bag. I thought Sir Aelfric was nicely developed, I enjoyed reading about the aging hero and his day-to-day struggles. Olva was mostly okay, though she became a bit one note (I’m a mother, here to save my son) near the end of the novel. When she wasn’t used to give the reader a glimpse into world, she was a means for the reader to learn about Sir Aelfric before he was The Lammergeier and what the Nine were like (though I would have preferred if these were flashbacks instead of exposition dumps). Everyone that Sir Aelfric and Olva met during their travels were little more than caricatures, serving to either provide the reader with information or give the characters a reason to move from point A to point B or to act in a certain way.
The world created by Mr. Hanrahan is wonderfully imaginative, from the sleepy hamlet where the reader first meets Olva, to the dark forests, to the decaying magical city of Necrad – with Necrad being the most fully realized. Although the magic system was a little squishy, it helped create the creepy atmosphere.
The prose was lovely, especially the poems and myths, and made for an enjoyable read. For a 600+ page book, I thought the pacing was mostly good with only a few draggy sections (whenever Olva gave the reader an exposition dump).
lara_lucretia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-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
5.0
discolibrarian's review
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
5.0
grimdark_dad's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
porkbutt's review
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
fellinara's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
One of my favorite characters in the book was Spellbreaker. I thought each of the "9" were characters that were deeply flawed and they knew it. They were who they were but they tried to do what was right. I coukd tell ( was super happy with!) That this was influenced by LoTR, however it is a very different story. It blended elements of D&D as well. Still can't believe this was a debut novel for the author. Well Done! After this book, I wouldn't care if this guy wrote 500 pages about toilet paper, I would buy it automatically.
kariann_reading_journey's review
4.0
“If there’s one thing Aelfric knows, it’s slaying monsters. Even if they used to be his friends.”
✨
✨
Sir Aelfric and his nine companions saved the world, captured dark weapons, and Necrad. Now something is stirring again and Aelfric is seeking is companions once more. However, they’re no longer heroes and adventurers they once were. Some have even become monsters themselves.
✨
✨
This is my first read by Gareth, and it did not disappoint. First of all, what’s not to love, when a talking sword is involved. Second, the vibes of this fantasy combine some of my favorite things: Lord of the Rings and Dungeons and Dragons. Third, the world building was incredibly well done, particularly where Necrad is concerned. Fourth, I loved the characters. They really sold the story and were well fleshed out. Alf quickly became a favorite, and I found myself more drawn to his story as compared to Olva. It’s worth mentioning again that when you can make a sword hold up as a character, you know you’re doing something write in the character category. I definitely enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the sequel.
✨
✨
Sir Aelfric and his nine companions saved the world, captured dark weapons, and Necrad. Now something is stirring again and Aelfric is seeking is companions once more. However, they’re no longer heroes and adventurers they once were. Some have even become monsters themselves.
✨
✨
This is my first read by Gareth, and it did not disappoint. First of all, what’s not to love, when a talking sword is involved. Second, the vibes of this fantasy combine some of my favorite things: Lord of the Rings and Dungeons and Dragons. Third, the world building was incredibly well done, particularly where Necrad is concerned. Fourth, I loved the characters. They really sold the story and were well fleshed out. Alf quickly became a favorite, and I found myself more drawn to his story as compared to Olva. It’s worth mentioning again that when you can make a sword hold up as a character, you know you’re doing something write in the character category. I definitely enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the sequel.