The Tree of Swords and Jewels

I think I would have enjoyed this book more if I had read the first in the series (I didn't know it was a series until now), or if Cherryh had had a world that could have seen a bit more action. I love stories about the Sidh, I love Welsh and Irish mythology, and it was delightful to see the names in print and be able to pronounce them. But so much of this book happened in the prologue which may have also been the first book in the series, and then the characters seem to do little more than brood, or wring their hands, and poor Branwyn! All she gets to do is worry about her children slipping from her and her husband being part of the Sidh. And while I love a deep, rich writing style, the language here just felt bogged down. I had really show more wanted to read some books by Cherryh, and I do have another one to start soon, but this book just is not going to be it for me. show less

Names are very important in this novel about magical beings. Cherryh uses Old English, Celtic, and Welsh names for places and characters, which gives the setting a rich, full flavor without being too cumbersome. Although I usually don't enjoy her fantasy quite as much as her science fiction work, I did like this book a lot. Essentially, the elves have gone out of the world, all but one leaving it to humans. The last remaining elf has an interest in humans, though, and she meddles in their affairs at Caer Weill, one of the castles near her enchanted forest. So when evil things come awake, the last elf is allied with the lord of Caer Weill and his people.

This wasn't bad, but I did not enjoy it as much as some of Cherryh's other fantasy, and not nearly as much as some of her classic science fiction. However, it is still a good book with some unique and creative ideas, not standard fantasy.

Difficult to understand the last part of the book.

(Ealdwood Duology)