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Type of bind: Paperback
EAN num: 9780441068807
ISBN number: 0441068804
Label: Ace
Manufacturer: Ace
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 256
Printing Date: March 15, 1987
Publishing house: Ace
Age index: Young Adult
Sale Popularity Level: 18408
Studio: Ace
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
Harry, bored with her sheltered life in the remote orange-growing colony of Daria, discovers magic in herself when she is kidnapped by a native king with mysterious powers.
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers 
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The Blue Sword is an EXCELLENT book! Yes, it's a little slow getting started, but the plotline is well worth the slow pace of the very first chapter or two. Harry is a great heroine, and the adventure and Damar are rich and detailed. I've been waiting for more sequels about Damar for a long time! Come on, Robin!
Rated by buyers -
I was recently reading a book on writing that asked me to list my top three favorite books of all time and then analyze what it was I loved about them. I've always had so many favorites that I've never bothered to actually rank them before. What the exercise made me realize is that even after all this time, The Blue Sword is still one of my favorite books, ranking only behind the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
That's really saying something.
For me, the two most important aspects of a fantasy book are character and milieu. Robin McKinley delivers on both. She blends the flavors of Arabia and Middle Earth and creates a new flavor so distinct it will stay with you for years... and years. I've read this book through about a dozen times and am about to read it yet again.
Rated by buyers 
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The Blue Sword takes place generations after the events of Hero and the Crown; Aerin is a legend and the former land of Damar is part of the Homeland empire. After her father dies, Harry Crewe is sent there to live with her soldier brother. She is drawn to the hills and to the free-folk who live there, and their king, Corlath, is in return drawn to her. He abducts her, trains her, and she becomes Harimad-sol, the very first woman since Aerin to wield the blue sword.
This is a fun book to read -- the story is interesting and the people and places feel real. Unlike my experience with Hero, however, I very 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.
As a side note, the question may come up of which book should you read very first -- Hero, since its very 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.
[...]
Rated by buyers -
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.
Rated by buyers -
Robin McKinley specializes in telling familiar stories in captivating ways. Unlike her retelling of Beauty and the Beast and Robin Hood, the characters and plot of this book are unique creations from her own imagination. Most readers will, however, find the plot guessable after about page 50. Nevertheless, McKinley's memorable characters and setting, as well as her charming writing style, make the book a joy to read.
The surprises in the book are few, but much like a well-loved and often-viewed favorite movie, the predictability of the book is endearing rather than annoying. The main heroine is charming, clever, and brave, and never takes on a role of damsel-in-distress despite her many opportunities to do so throughout the story.
This book can be safely purchased as a gift for any female relative above the age of 10. The only romantic scene in the entire story is intimated only by the cat jumping off the bed, and even the kiss preceding that scene is described briefly without any real details.
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