When Harry Crewe's father dies, she leaves her Homeland to travel east, to Istan, the last outpost of the Homelander empire, where her elder brother is stationed. ( )

i read this book when i was about 13, just as fantasy started to steal me away from science fiction. i picked it up again nearly 10 years later and fell back in love with it. wonderful!! ( )

The Blue Sword is one of my ultimate comfort reads, the rare sort of novel that you first encounter in your teens that only gets better every time you revisit it. Of Robin McKinley's fine body of work, this novel is arguably one of the best, and proves her place as one of the best fantasy authors writing today.

A young woman named Harry — short for her hated name, Angharad — has come to the border town of Istan in Damar, a possession of the Homeland crown, as a charity case. Her brother is a subaltern in Her Majesty's army, and when their father died he was left with an entailed estate and an unmarried sister on his hands. Harry is extremely tall and awkward, lacking the beauty that might have made her position easier. Though Lady Amelia and Sir Charles are kindness itself to Harry, her real comfort in her new life is derived from a secret joy in the harsh, beautiful desert. Little does she know that she is about to involuntarily make its acquaintance on much closer terms — and join a desperate attempt to save Damar from the onrush of the demonic Northern army.

What a brilliant idea, to model a fantasy world from life during historical British imperialist rule. "Homeland" is very similar to England, and its characters are properly British in their ideas and manners. Damar's desert culture provides a lovely backdrop for the action of the story, and becomes more than that over the course of the story. It is almost a character in its own right, and forms a large part of the characters' motivations. This is definitely a fantasy novel to read for its world-building.

The characters are wonderful. Harry is fascinating because she is very observant and stubborn, though she tries to meet the expectations of those around her. Her wry sense of humor makes the events of the story feel believable, and she is a good judge of character. But we also get to see her insecurities and fears, which make her accessible and well rounded. I love the snippets of magic and history that we get, that are later explained in The Hero and the Crown. Corlath is also well written, and of course Tsornin and Mathin and the others all have distinct personalities conveyed well in a few words.

McKinley's economy of language is so precise and tight. Every word adds something meaningful to the story, lets us in a little closer to what is happening both externally and within the characters. This isn't always the case with her work — the denouéments of several of her novels are so wildly descriptive and powerful that they are sometimes unclear as to what is actually taking place — but this doesn't happen here. The end of the story is as satisfying as the language in which it is told. And as I was rereading this time, I couldn't help but wish for a really faithful film adaptation of this story. It would be amazing onscreen if it were done well, if the actors could convey all the unspoken undercurrents in the relationships.

With its tight plot, compelling characters, authentic cultures, and deft writing, The Blue Sword is a wonderful example of top-notch fantasy writing. It's one of my all-time favorite books, and I can't recommend it highly enough. ( )

This is a lovely story. Have read this book and The Hero and The Crown at least six times. ( )

A noble woman is kidnapped by a strange people but comes to understand and champion them. I had a hard time engaging with Harry because she was so withdrawn; however, I think this was appropriate given the plot. I prefer The Hero and the Crown to this which is a bit more straight forward narrative. ( )

One of the first fantasy novels I ever read, and with a female heroine. Angel lent me this story, and I am forever grateful. I'm always trying to find a copy of my own to add to my collection ( )

a sequel to The Hero and the Crown, set 500 years later. less satisfying than the first one, because the characters just weren't that interesting. and the parallels to the earlier set the writer wanted to draw were all-too-prominent, with the unfortunate result that it felt like reading the same book twice. still decently well-written, but going nowhere, pretty much. ( )

Sweeping and romantic in the best sense of the word. The world of Damar is utterly real, and so are the people who inhabit it. I admire Harry's inner strength, determination, and self-confidence, and Corlath is one of the sexiest heroes I've ever come across; I've been in love with him for years. ( )

When Harry Crewe's (don't ask her real first name) parents die, she has to move closer to her brother Richard, which means becoming the ward of Lady Amelia and Sir Charles. She falls in love with this wild Hill country and becomes embroiled in the political climate when Corlath, king of the Damarians, comes to parley with Sir Charles. Corlath's magic won't let him forget her, however, so he kidnaps her knowing she has some sort of part to play in the coming war with the Northerners.

I have no real complaints: the characters were interesting (especially Corlath), the story well told. But I never felt fully invested in the story, nor did I feel compelled to read if the book were not already in my hands. ( )

I first read this in middle school, and loved it for years. I finally got around to rereading it something like 10 years later, and was happily reminded of just how good this book is. Harry is real and likeable, the worldbuilding is amazing, and the prose sparkles. Definitely a classic, and recommended for all fantasy lovers. ( )

This Newbery Honor Book should appeal to most fantasy lovers and especially to young adults. The characters are interesting and well developed, the mythical kingdom presented in a way that the reader comes to see it as “real” with a history and a presence. Maps would have been useful to help follow the action, but the descriptions were so well done that I could nearly see the map in my head. The heroine of the story must learn “from scratch” about this kingdom and in the process we get to know it very well. I liked it well enough to want to read the prequel, The Hero and the Crown. As a YA book I highly recommend it and give it 4 stars. ( )

http://allbookedup-elena.blogspot.com... ( )

I know this is a young adult story, but I really enjoy it. I reread it recently and as I get older it becomes more and more obvious that it is a young adult novel. But still I read it and keep it on my favorites shelf, along with THE HERO AND THE CROWN.

The plot is good and the pace of the story keeps moving, which is important. The writing is simple and some of the elements of the plot are too convenient and predictable, but I don't always want my books to be mentally challenging. Sometimes I just like a good story with a happy ending. And this book definitely has that. It also has a SMIDGE of romance, just enough for a young girl's fancy without taking place of the action. Highly recommended. ( )

Angharad, or Harry as she is known by most, is sent to live with her brother on the Damarian continent, after her father's death. Even though she is being treated very well by a childless family, she feels out of place. Then, out of the blue, she is kidnapped by the Damarian king, who had come to warn the Homelanders of the pending invasion of the evil Northerners. Harry must learn to live in their society and fight an evil enemy that she has never seen before. She also must make a choice to betray the man she loves in order to save him and his country from the invaders. This is an obvious fantasy novel, however it does contain some more modern elements along with the magic, magic swords, and castles. The Homelanders have guns, which we find out don't work around Damarians. The story is linear, following Harry through her short stay in the Homelander Fort, to her life and training as a Damarian Warrior, to finally her battle to save Damar from the Northerns. Like Aerin from The Hero and the Crown, Harry doesn't fit in with normal society (Homelander) and sometimes even feels out of place at Damar. Like Aerin, she must find her own place. The story has overlying themes of loyal, honor, and betrayal which are evident in almost all fantasy books... and again, good triumphs over evil. I would recommend this book to 4th graders and up. ( )

I just reread this and am reading The Hero and The Crown now. The one thing that clung in my mind was how easily it would be adapted to a movie. Unexceptional main character living an unfulfilling life is kidnapped into a world of adventure and mystery. Trains to become a champion and beats the big bad. I can name several movies with this exact plot, "Wanted" springs to mind or maybe a compressed Harry Potter. So what you have here is a formula. That said it's a great book. I love the main character Harry. She is presented as a strong willed independent woman, but, unlike the female leads in other fantasy stories she isn't presented as a bitch (I'm looking at you Eddings) or crazy. I also like how she is never really given an age. I had a sense she was in her mid twenties but should could be read as much older or younger. The only tip-offs are how she is treated in the two cultures she inhabits. I'm rambling now. It's a good book. ( )

This book is a pleasing page-turner, at least after the first couple of chapters. The premise of the male romantic-interest kidnapping the heroine had me wincing, but I was pleased to find that it didn't play out in the lame, the-man-is-always-right-and-even-though-she-hates-him-she-loves-him-too way that it could have. Instead, Corlath treats Harry with respect and tries to teach her about his culture so she can understand why he took her. Soon Harry is as passionate about Damar as any other, and works towards the all-important goal of defending their home from the demonic north. ( )

One of my favorite books. Oddly enough, although Harry herself feels like she's being pushed around and 'ridden' by...something...that lets her learn all she needs to know, she doesn't feel as passive as Aerin. Possibly because she thinks about her situation more, and considers alternatives even though she doesn't take them? I don't know. Actually, part of it may be the Homelander aspect, since I grew up in Afghanistan and have always loved tales of the Raj, which is why I love Damar stories. It's not the Raj...exactly, but the attitudes of those involved are quite similar. The only problem with Damar is that there's so little of it - only two novels and a short story, that I know of. OK, love LT again - _several_ short stories. ( )

This Newbery Honor Book chronicles the adventures of Harry, a young girl who has just moved to Damar following the demise of both of her parents. Unexpectedly, Harry loves the desert land, but she dislikes her position as a ward. Little does she know what lies in store when the Hillfolk King, Corlath, comes for her in the night, but it is more than she ever dreamed.

Just like The Hero and the Crown, I loved this book. I was a bit worried when starting it, as it didn’t seem to be close to the same and I’d got my hopes up. As soon as Corlath kidnapped Harry, though, I was hooked. McKinley has a style of writing that makes her books feel like fairy tales, completely enchanting and absorbing. It’s so easy to feel Harry’s emotions and get caught up in her story, just like I could feel for Aerin in the last book. These are also great books for young girls. The heroines are empowering and can take control of their own destinies. Harry is no exception; when she knows that she has to do something, she doesn’t bow to the men in her life, and she accepts her possible fate.

Again, I wish I’d discovered these when I was younger! They were even written at the right time for my age group. Oh well. I’m definitely on the lookout for more YA McKinley novels. I’ll be recommending this one to everyone who is open to young adult fantasy.

http://chikune.com/blog/?p=215 ( )

This is a fun book to read -- the story is interesting and the people and places feel real. Unlike my experience with the Hero and the Crown, however, I first read this book as teenager, not as a kid. I think that may be why I couldn't get past Corlath kidnapping Harry, which is a very pivotal plot point. While I enjoyed the book, this event colored my opinion of the characters and because of it, I had a hard time with the ending. Maybe some authors can gloss over difficult subjects in their books for younger readers, but Robin McKinley is generally good about confronting them head on and I thought this was a bit of a cop out. None of this is to say that I don't think its a good book; it is and I recommend it to any young adult reader. I just think it could have been better.

So, which book should you read first -- Hero, since its first chronologically or Sword, as it was written first? This is probably my bias since this is how I read them, but I would suggest reading Hero first, especially for younger readers. Both books stand alone pretty well, though, so its fine either way.

http://archthinking.blogspot.com/2008... ( )

Harry is a girl unlike any other. She is taller than most men, loves the desert setting that she is currently living in, and bravely meets the eyes of a king that most men are uncomfortable being in the same room with. So when this king kidnaps Harry, she is thrust into a world unlike any she has ever experienced before-a life in the Hills, where strange powers and seeing water guides peoples' actions. What Harry does not know, is that her ancestors are from the Hills, and it is her destiny to become a part of their culture, and possibly save them all from destruction. ( )

A too-tall, not-too-attractive heroine that discovers gifts from her ancestors, not the least of which is a gift for language and horseback riding without reins! ( )

Fantasy that is, in general, set in the real world has if done right a very special appeal for me. I didn't go so far as to check whether the country mentioned in the story actually exists or not, though. It is really alive in my fantasy, and that's all that counts for a novel.

The story itself is, if put into a summary, actually rather simple. In a land occupied by the British, the natives still survive in the hills at the edge of the desert, and there are stories about strange things happening there. But there are also dark neighbors in the North that the Hill people have been at war with for centuries and they are planning another attack.

Together the Britain occupants and the Hillfolk might be able to withstand that attack, and so their king tries comes to the ford for negotiations. He does now find the help he was hoping for, but something else. Desperate times require desperate measures, and a young woman who had only recently come here from a sheltered life on the British Island is thrown into the adventure of her life.

To be honest, my first impression was a little too stereotypical. Or perhaps I have just become far too allergic to anything that does remotely smell like a Mary Sue. That impression goes away after the first part of the story, though. Then the fascination about the world that Harry discovers (and with her the reader) is taking over. I only wish the book were a little longer, with more detail at the end. Somehow I was a little disappointed about the final battle, though. It just seemed too smooth somehow, after all the effort everyone went through. I am the kind of reader who likes the writer to elaborate .. and of course there is my usual problem of just not wanting a story that I like to end. ( )

A coming-of-age story, a tale of discovery, a romance -- Robin McKinley's fantasy has become a classic, a story every girl and woman can read and enjoy. She takes many of the elements of fantasy -- the child with the strange, unknown heritage; the dashing desert prince; a magical education; swordplay; and the runaway who saves the world -- and binds them into a tale that can be read over and over again. Harry Crewe isn't perfect, but she has spirit and curiosity and determination. Corlath is reckless, a bit xenophobic, and sometimes even petty, but his heart is in the right place. The two together become the only hope for lasting peace.

Despite the fact that The Hero and the Crown is the prequel to this book, read this book first. There are elements in The Blue Sword that should be introduced to the reader in that volume; otherwise, much of the mystery of the story falls a bit flat. ( )

I'm just partway into this book, and am enjoying it but for one comment from a friend of mine, who pointed out that it's unfortunate that the white girl has to rescue the minority people here. Food for thought. ( )

http://home.comcast.net/~ktoonen/summ... ( )