Share for friends:

Read The Swordbearer (1993)

The Swordbearer (1993)

Online Book

Author
Genre
Rating
3.53 of 5 Votes: 3
Your rating
ISBN
0812533305 (ISBN13: 9780812533309)
Language
English
Publisher
tor books

The Swordbearer (1993) - Plot & Excerpts

It's a shame Glen Cook has never continued this tale; the ending unarguably leaves room for a follow-up and we as readers can only hope Glen returns to this particular world of his creation one day. "The Swordbearer" is a deftly-written, action-packed high fantasy tragedy with a truly compelling and sympathetic lead character and a host of memorable side personalities. A young boy's idealistic dream of becoming a warrior is thrust upon him all too suddenly and violently in a manner that not only demands he grow up whether he likes it or not but own up to those demons most dark and personal as his goddess-determined fate forces him to become the wielder of a blade that incorporates the souls and memories of those he slays into his own consciousness.The promise of character development through personal tragedy and global disillusionment inherent in a tale of this magnitude is taken full advantage of by Mr. Cook who manages to add a heaping dose of political double-talk, intrigue and personal betrayal into the mix along with his penchant for a full serving of crackling, perfectly-scored swords-and-sorcery action; no one quite writes action with the rhythm, timbre or intensity of Cook. If you love Glen's work, you shouldn't miss this particular stand-alone read. The worst thing that can be said about it would be that the author has never explored further into the world of our hero Gathrid and his dwarf companion Theis Rogala. I truly hope Cook decides to return to this particular miniature saga in the future; it would be a tremendous character study well worth further pursuit.

Why should I read this?Such a short read(everything is speed-up as to focus on choices and personal conflict), with such a solid topic(the unveiling hero with no control on his destiny) but with such a Glen-ian/erikson-ian ageless backstory.What else is this book about/Any other way describing the plot in a technical non spoiler way?One might say is a deconstruction of the teen-adult dream to become a hero. Perfect I could not ask from more from a book...Any 1 warning?(not to be taken as criticism)Although it looks like it’s one of his first, or before he got famous, or before he mastered the pen for the Black company series, or written in a rush, I think the style (fast skimming through the plot progression, and the political subplots, and the third personarson event depicting) is perfect as to focus on the anguish of being a hero not in control of his own fate and also giving depth, and context to his motivation&action.

What do You think about The Swordbearer (1993)?

A very weak boy finds a sword (actually, it is the other way around) which gives him physical strength and ways for vengeance. If this sounds like Elric books by Michael Moorcock, it is because I had exactly this impression. The similarity soon ends; the rest of the book is distinctively Glen Cook: bleak, gritty, full of betrayals and double-crossings. I am a big fan of Glen Cook, but this is probably his weakest book I read. It is not bad by any means, but everything else by the author is better. If you are interested in his works, read Chronicles of the Black Company, Garrett, P.I, The Tower of Fear, or even Dread Empire series first.
—Evgeny

Great novel. I've said it before, but you can really see how Glen Cook has some themes that he likes and revisits in many of his novels. There are many character parallels between this book and the Black Company series. The Toal and the Taken are very similar. Nieroda and The Lady, also very similar. Really, this was a very well-written, full story. Obviously, since its a Glen Cook novel, there are long drawn-out battle descriptions, but they're more clearly written than they were in the Dread Empire series. There seems to be a open road to a second novel, and I wonder why he didn't pursue it. I'm guessing it's because he took so many elements from this novel into The Black Company. I really enjoyed it and surprisingly enjoyed the ending - an area that seems to continuously be Cook's weak point. This novel has a polish to it.
—Joanna Marino

The further along I read in this book, the more I disliked it. Thankfully, it contained only 250 pages.There is this teen boy who wants to be a warrior, but because of infirmities suffered from polio ( yes, even in the mystical fantasy world concocted in the book, there was this very specific disease) is belittled and scorned. Cliche # 1However, danger threatens. An ancient enemy approaches, an army of awakened dead with horrible black magic (Cliche #2)destroys all in its path, including the boy's home. Fleeing the slaughter and chased by a black- robed demon, he falls into a cave where he discovers a sleeping dwarf who is the guard of a magic sword. Cliche #3A sword so powerful it makes a heroic, Arnold Swartenegger gladiator out of the weak teen. But there is a price, of course: the sword is sentient and thirsts for blood. In fact- or fantasy, that is, blood of enemies creases the sword's power over who wields it. # 4 and 5And blah, blah on for the next 200 pages. Treachery, dragon- things, blather, adamsel in danger of sacrifice, combat, blather, wandering the countryside.Rinse, lather, repeat. Not a cliche is missed. What was missed was any depth of character development. I am not sure if the book was meant for the YA audience or not, but it sure was not meant for this reader.
—Ben

Write Review

(Review will shown on site after approval)

Read books by author Glen Cook

Read books in category Humor