Sonderbooks Book Review of The Blue Sword

Reviewed July 18, 2002.
Sonderbooks Stand-out 2002 (#1, Young Adult and Children's Fantasy Rereads)
Sonderbooks Stand-out 2010 (Wonderful Rereads)
Ace Books, 1987. 248 pages.
Available at Sembach Library (JF MCK)

What can I say? I simply love this book. Reading Robin McKinley’s story of Damar in Water last week was enough that I had to pick it up and read it again.

This book has the adventure I loved as a kid reading The Black Stallion, with mighty horses riding across the desert. It also includes an important element from Harry Potter--A girl discovers she posesses an amazing magic power and must learn to wield it against powerful forces of evil. But I think the element that completely wins me over is that this is one of the most beautifully written love stories I have ever read.

Robin McKinley weaves the romance so delicately and beautifully. I probably shouldn’t say any more than that, because the first time I read it, I didn’t realize the main character was falling in love until she realized it herself. When I finished the book, I sat down and read it all over again, savoring each bit, seeing that the seeds of the romance had been planted all along. When movie heroines these days fall in love in the blink of an eye, it’s a treat to watch it happening more slowly.

If you have never read a book by Robin McKinley, this one is well-worth tracking down. When I’m pressed to give my one all-time favorite book, I can usually get it down to two: The Blue Castle, by L. M. Montgomery, and The Blue Sword, by Robin McKinley. Yes, my favorite color is blue, too. They may not be profound choices, but they are completely delightful.

Reviews of other books by Robin McKinley:
The Hero and the Crown
Chalice
Pegasus
Water
Fire
Sunshine
Shadows

-top of page-

Book Reviews by Sondra Eklund

******The Blue Sword*

by Robin McKinley