The Sword of Maiden's Tears

I read this back in the 1990's when it first came out, and enjoyed it at the time. And I didn't dislike it this time around, but it was more dismal than I remembered. (Naomi's death made the story darker; the dismalness was more the book's overall tone.)

Although I didn't like the book as much this time, I don't regret reading it. It's hard to find a fantasy book with a protagonist older than her teens or twenties, and Ruth is 30. And I have a soft spot for reading about librarians (or student librarians, as the case may be). Also, I had fun imagining how radically different the story would be if the characters had had cell phones. I will probably reread the next two books in the series as well, but I don't see myself coming back to this show more book again. show less

I very much enjoyed this read. I finished it quickly, in about 3 days. I do not read much Fantasy, but this was only minimally Fantasy. Yes, there is an Elflord, an enchanted sword and a monster of legend, but after all it is set in the New York City of a few years ago and no one believes in magic.

I believe the most entertaining stories are Mary Sue stories. The main character, Ruth, is a library science graduate student, and the author has library science degrees. I found the trivial details about day to day lives of graduate students at Columbia University to be a refreshing grounding for the high adventure story that is going on.

It was such a relief to me to read a story with words or more than 2 syllables. All popular writing today show more is dumbed down for about 3rd grade reading levels. Shakespeare would never be able to be published today. "Shakespeare, why do you have to use such difficult words, you will lose your audience!" I could identify with the central characters because they are graduate students and I am a graduate student.

The flow of time in this fantasy felt more real to me compared to most modern fiction. Modern writers know they must plot their stories like a 40 minute television drama. The tension must rise as the action accelerates and the plot points are reached with perfect timing. Of course, no real life adventure occurs like that. Time speeds up unnaturally under threat and stress, while at other times boredom is more dangerous and powerful than the enemy. The time flow in this story varied in ways the characters could not control and they were tossed like dolls in the vortex of events beyond their understanding.

Decisions have consequences, loyalties are tested, broken and reformed. I enjoyed the old fashion Rett Butler type of romance that slowly unfolded in the story. I wanted the characters to live and find happiness. While this is not a grim dark type of story, it has dramatic tone and some tragedy comes to some characters.

Unfortunately, as much as I enjoyed the book, I worry about other readers. There are big words, there are references to other historical literature. The characters do not behave as if they read the script. It is frustrating when characters make mistakes. It is frustrating when characters don't trust their companions and are not completely honest. The characters were not well cast for this fantastic adventure they find themselves thrust into. I suspect the likely readers while have some college classes under their belt and able to tolerated a story that does not move from one predictable plot point to the next. I found it alot of fun and a fast read, I hope others find it and give it a try. show less

An interesting read about an elf hunting a sword that turns ordinary humans into grendel's or cannibalistic monsters. Some ordinary humans (including some library students) try to deal.

Although I'm not typically a fantasy fan, this book happens to be one of my favorite books of all time. It's fun, unique and an easy read - even for those who have a difficult time reading fantasy.