Book Review: "May Bird and the Ever After" by Jodi Lynn Anderson

SPOIL FREE SUMMARY

May has her own problems to deal with, like fitting in. But when she accidentally gets transported to the land of the dead, called the “Ever after” she discovers she is in danger. And she has to get home as soon as possible. But this is harder than she thinks.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

May is a quiet, introverted girl who would rather spend time with animals than people, or in the woods than at the mall. She has little confidence in herself and knows that other kids think her weird. She is set up pretty early as a victim, not just of the teasing of other children but the attempts of her mom to help, which harm more than anything.

Pumpkin is a house ghost who has lived in May Bird's house for a long time. He is called so for his weird shaped head. He is rather dramatic and cowardly. Even so, he does seem to want to be friends with May and attempts to help her.

Fabbio is a dead soldier who has taken it upon himself to look after a young girl named Bea.

Bea is a young girl who has spent her afterlife trying to find her mother. This is of the utmost importance to her.

Somber Kitty is May's only friend. She originally didn't like him, as her previous cat had died and she didn't wish to try and replace him. He is protective of his owner.

Lucius is a young boy that May meets. She works hard to encourage him when she learns about his circumstances.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH MAY?

May's mom spends most of her time worried about May, and I didn't quite get why. The main problem is that she has no friends. But her mom never thinks that its the other children who may be the problem.

Maybe some are bullies; Maybe she generally has nothing in common with them. Perhaps she is a tomboy in a school of girlie-girls? She does live in a small town after all. Her mom's concern didn't seem warranted until later when May starts having very strange behavior (which she has never had before).

May's mom says something about May needing to be somewhere more “average” and May thinks she means she wants her to be more “average”. Just why does May's mom not like her daughter's eccentricities? I wish this had been delved into more.

MAY'S DAD, WHERE IS HE?

May is raised by her single mom. But there is no reference to a dad, not one. I found that odd, seeing how no child is unaffected by the loss of a parent. It needn't have been a big part of the book, just a simple sentence, referencing that he had passed away in an accident, or they had divorced when May was still a baby. Or something. The complete ignoring of such an important topic (again, it didn't have to be, but it could as least clarify the matter).

If this had been mentioned, it could have added dimension to May's character. Maybe her mom was much more feminine, as opposed to May's boyish characteristics. Or maybe it's not that, it's the fact that her mom is much more practical and routine, while May is whimsical and imaginative.

May could easily dream of a father she had never met and idealize him, thereby putting a wall between her mom's attempts to help her.

FRIENDS NOW?

There is a moment where May almost touches some water, only to have Pumpkin stop her by yelling at her. He says touching it will transfer you to another place, a dangerous one. He admits he was supposed to tell her about it. It was such a dramatic reveal that when he asks for a hug afterwards, I just thought it was awkward. Like Pumpkin was mentally slow. I didn't know what to feel about him.

PACING

The pacing isn't the fastest. But the story doesn't take too much time to explain May's problems about fitting in and her Mother's worries. We see them evolve, becoming much more extreme until we know something must happen. And before that, we get a short history of the house, and how people have disappeared.

To be fair, after the story gets into full swing, many of the chapters cut off at exciting parts. This does help push the story forward at certain points.

A GUIDE FOR MAY

Both Pumpkin and Arista (his master) serve as guides to May. Pumpkin helps her get to Arista and escape those chasing them. While Arista informs May about the danger she is in and why.

MAY AND BEA

When May meets Bea, she realizes she is nothing like all of the girls she knows. And that she already feels comfortable with her. I felt like this was lazy. May was young and had been hurt before. She had never had a real friend, so most likely she would be defensive, detached, or hesitant to trust anyone.

HOPE FOR MAY-SPOILERS

The main goal of the story is to get to the Lady, the one who sent May the letter asking for help. Apparently only she can help get May home and all of her hopes rest in her. Only she sounds kind of scary, or at least intimidating.

But before that we have another task, which is the main thrust of this story, to attain a book.

ARTISTIC DIFFERENCES

This is a subjective note, and has absolutely nothing to do with the quality of the story. It was just something strange that I noticed. The art on the cover and throughout the book does not match. Not even close. The cover art features a cartoonish, big eyed May, who looks anxious, with her arms crossed. Her hair is loose and wild.

However, in the book, the art is rather serious looking. May has straight black bangs and a straight bob, reminiscent of a Japanese school girl.

It was just such a contrast. Every illustration looked serious and eerie. While the cover art is whimsy and childish. I only mention it because it was so incongruous. It seemed to represent a completely different interpretation of the story. More in line with Coraline than May Bird.

KITTY'S STORY-SPOILERS

The story is mainly on May, but there are a portion of short scenes where we see where Somber kitty is and what he's doing. Turns out he was worried about May, so he followed her.

To be honest, I didn't have much interest in his stories. Some of the humor was odd to me, and I kept wondering why we needed this cat at all. I just didn't care what happened to the cat, as bad as that sounds.

HUMOR

The story, in general, doesn't take itself too seriously. Yes, May is in serious danger, but the story never gets too dark. And it doesn't deal with too serious issues (this can be a strength or a weakness). There were plenty of moments that made me smile. And the humor was original and inserted at the right parts, for most of the time.

THE BETRAYAL

Turns out a character that May meets ends up betraying her near the end of the book. I wasn't shocked, as this character didn't seem completely caring. He hadn't put on a big act, so I wasn't taken aback at this reveal. There were a few hints, but nothing overwhelming I suppose.

FORESHADOWING

There is a good use of Somber kitty, that reveals why he was so important. Even if his story portions were rather dull to me. Also, May has a piece of quartz in her pocket that is revealed to be of use. Sure enough, May gets to use it, allowing her to show initiative and bravery. And letting her happen to the story, and not the story happen to her.

MAY THE HERO

In the beginning of the story, May gets a letter, asking for help. She is surprised and intrigued that anyone would think she could be of use. But when she enters the Ever after this only adds to her anxiety. She is no hero. She isn't remotely brave. She can't even get herself to be bold and make friends.

So an inner conflict is set up already. We wonder how May will change, if it will be hard and if she will fight it.

A SECRET-SPOILERS

May doesn't tell Pumpkin that she got a letter from the Lady, asking for help. I thought this was presented in order for him to find out later, and his trust in May would evaporate. Or it would at least cause some tension. But this doesn't materialize. Maybe it was just supposed to show May's hesitation at being seen as some sort of hero.

THE VILLAINS

The villain of the book is Bo Cleevil. But the Bogey, a creature that works for him is in charge of hunting down May. We don't really see either of them and sometimes they are talked about with some humorous aspects. Which kinds of detracts from taking them seriously.

CLIMAX

With our group fully formed, they are hunted down by dogs, only to have the day saved by a surprising ally. They continue on to meet the Lady and plans are made for May to escape which wont happen until the sequel.

CONCLUSION

May is a likable character and the world that Anderson creates is original and full of humor. The pacing is slightly slow at first but doesn't bother me. My main problem is the lack of depth in relationships, mainly being between May and her mother, but also between May and Bea. There wasn't really time to form a relationship with Lucius.

I give “May Bird and the ever after” three stars.

Book Review: "Spellfall" by Katherine Roberts

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

Natalie is a normal girl until she gets involved with a crazy group of people who believe magic is real. The only one who can help her is the son of a member, a boy named Merlin. But he seems far too afraid to do anything, so it's up to Natalie to convince him. But is the group crazy, or a real threat?

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Natalie is a young girl living in a small town. She is rather ordinary and has a stepmother and stepbrother. She is portrayed as being easily bullied.

Merlin is the young son of a powerful caster. He isn't very good at magic himself though. His only friend is his familiar, a rat and he spends most of his free time playing computer games. Because he has spent his whole life being verbally abused by his father, he isn't confident or brave. Most of the story he is portrayed negatively.

Lord Hawk is Merlin's father, named so for his familiar. He constantly abuses his son and named his as a joke. He is uncaring and cruel.

Jo is Natalie's only friend. Because of her size she isn't easily bullied, as she is rather tall. And she is more bold than her friend. She ends up being quite clever and helping develop a plan.

Tim is Natalie's stepbrother. He is rather nasty to her. He doesn't seem to like having a stepfamily and doesn't like referring to his stepfather as his dad. After an experience with magic he plays a more important role.

Mr. Merlin has a secretive past but currently spends most of his time being unemployed and drinking. He may have been close with Natalie at one time, but we don't learn about their past relationship much. He explains about the Boundary between this world and Earthhaven, so he serves that purpose as well as helps Tim figure out how the tree of Oq might be destroyed.

PACING

There are multiple stories going on at once. The main being Natalie's story, the second being Jo's and Tim's story. But their are not many cliffhanger endings that push the story, nor do the separate stories feel like puzzle pieces that must end up together.

FORESHADOWING

There aren't a lot of hints of what's to come. Not where Tim's negative feelings come from. Not as to how close Natalie was to her mother and how she used to be close to her father. Not that Merlin has potential.

Jo mentions that Natalie's dad used to sell weird stuff; Tim mentions Natalie's mother's death; Natalie is the only one who sees the sparkles on a spell.

It just doesn't feel like puzzle pieces begging to come together. Or curiosity and suspense urging the reader on.

AN IMPORTANT TOPIC-SPOILERS

There is a scene were Tim mentions that Natalie's mother died by drowning. It's done in an offhand way and feels out of the blue. I was shocked. I kept thinking, maybe they should have hinted about her mom dying dramatically. But not given the details. How can I shocked by a revelation if I don't even know there is a secret?

VICTIM COMPLEX?

In the beginning of the book, we get hints that Natalie's life is unfair. Her stepbrother is seen bullying her (and it's implied this is the norm). And her father drinks far too much, so she rarely talks to him. I was annoyed at first, but to be fair, this isn't brought back throughout the story. Tim does say something quite nasty and rather unbelievable. But later on he changes. Her father might have neglected her, but he changes. And this isn't even emphasized.

RELATIONSHIPS

The relationships between the characters don't seem that deep. And they don't all have to be. I didn't expect the relationship between Jo and Natalie to be that deep, because they spend most of the book apart.

But what I did expect was a closer relationship with her father. Maybe some recollections of how their relationship used to be. And how she felt abandoned by him since her mother died. I mean, Tim is the only one who reveals to be upset with the marriage. What about Natalie? Maybe she had some hopes it would cure her fathers alcoholism. But it didn't. Did she like her stepmom right away, or did it take time?

I know how difficult remarriages are for children, but we take almost no time plumbing this issue. And even when we do, it's just Tim blurting out his feelings in one, long paragraph.

I do like when characters share their feelings but it was all exposition (as opposed to hints throughout the story where we figure out his true feelings). And with a character he barely knew, someone he probably wouldn't confide in. Perhaps it should have been revealed that they had talked some in the past, and that Jo secretly had a crush that motivated her to try and talk to him.

TIM AND JO

Tim and Jo eventually end up working together to look for Natalie. Although we learn about Tim throughout this time and his character grows, we learn next to nothing about Jo.

We still only know that Natalie was bullied awhile back, and Jo protected her. And that's how they became friends. What the two have in common is that both believe they are responsible for what happens to Natalie. I thought this confession was good, because it kind of bonded to characters, that otherwise, don't know anything about each other.

NATALIE AND MERLIN

Merlin and Natalie's relationship starts out rocky. Merlin is too scared to help her and Natalie thinks he is crazy for believing in magic. Not to mention being party to her kidnapping.

Eventually he helps her but I never really felt like he earned her respect. Even though she sometimes worries about him, Natalie still says and thinks rather mean things about him. She bullies him into coming with her and comes off as annoying. Even later on, when witnessing a death, she thinks Merlin was just being wimpy by warning her about unicorns.

Also, he almost dies and right after she jokes about it, asking what it was like to watch himself go under water (since he can see through his familiar's eyes). That was just strange.

NATALIE AND HER MOM-SPOILERS

Eventually, Natalie gets reunited with her mother. Turns out that dead Spell ladies and lords end up going back to the tree called Oq. The reunion is shocking and overwhelming for Natalie, who knew her mom to be dead.

But the problem for me was that we don't learn anything about their relationship. Like how old Natalie was when she died. Or what her mother was like. Or how her mom's relationship with her dad was. We don't even learn that Natalie's mom was blind until Mr. Marlin mentions it to Tim. It just felt like no effort was put into it. I mean, I get that her mother is barely in the story, but she was a crucial part of it. And probably a big motivating factor to Natalie.

NATALIE & HER DAD-SPOILERS

Natalie and her dad's relationship is nonexistant. So I expected to learn more about their past relationship at least. But not only don't we learn about that but we don't even see Natalie reunite with her father. At the end of the book, there is no scene with them seeing each other for the first time. Not even a conversation with them later on. Instead, the author emphasizes Natalie's relationship with a talking dog she has known for a few days.

MERLIN'S SKILLS & DEVELOPMENT

In the beginning, we learn that Merlin loves computer games. This doesn't seem important, and it's not talked about through most of the story. Until we near the climax and suddenly it is shoved in, to finally make use of Merlin. It felt kind of like a last ditch effort to make him important. Not that he didn't do anything throughout the story. He helps Natalie in two other instances. It just feels played down by Natalie, like he barely helps. Or he does but he's still a wimp.

Also, when he sees his dad again, Merlin explains he has learned about computers so he can cure Oq, because she is like a computer. But this doesn't really make sense, as he is still terrible at magic and never improved his skills throughout the story. He is suddenly just better. I get that having him defeat his father would be poetic, but it also should be believable.

NATALIE'S DEVELOPMENT

Natalie starts the story rather ordinary and kind of scared. She has only one friend and that was made from being protected from a bully. The height of her strength is her anger expressed at her captors. And her ability to make Merlin help her escape. By the end she is brave and bold, willing to do anything to protect Oq. So what's the problem, exactly?

There just doesn't seem enough moments where she struggles, or even fails, and has to try again. Or when she gives up and needs encouragement. Yes, she does show courage and stand up to the council. That is an important scene. But after that she is pretty much done with developing. She is the one who wants to escape. She is the brave one while Merlin is still the weak one.

SORRY ABOUT THAT-SPOILERS

Mr. Marlin actually leaves his stepson to have his memory erased. It was so sudden and shocking that I couldn't believe it. I disliked the man before but now I loathed him. It didn't feel like the intent was to the reader to hate him, because there doesn't seem like any attempt to redeem him later on.

And when he and Tim get reunited later on, he makes a weak apology. And Tim seems fine with it because his stepfather looks pathetic. There. End of that problem.

K'TANAQUI

K'tanaqui is a magehound that has human intelligence. She communicates telepathically with Natalie. I assume this is because of the relationship that she had with Natalie's mother. And the dog is helpful, serving as a guide. She is also brave.

But I didn't like her. The simple reason being the way she speaks. She sounds strange, her “r” sounds being rolled. So everything is like “brrreak” and “thrrrall stone”. It was obnoxious and never absent. I would have tolerated it if it was much less frequent.

There was a part in the story where Natalie has to leave the dog behind and is upset. But I couldn't care less.

IF YOU HAVE TO SAY IT

When Jo and Natalie are reunited Jo eventually says that Natalie has changed. There is no acknowledgment from Natalie and no introspection. That might have been nice. But I don't like when a character has to point it out. I want the reader to slowly see the transformation for themselves. Having to point it out, makes it seem like it's not obvious enough. The author is making a neon sign: “look here, in case you didn't notice!”

Also when Tim and his stepfather are reunited, Tim forgives his father and is kind to him. He remembers what his mom said about crises bringing families together. Again, don't say it. Just show it.

EARTHHAVEN

The world of Earthhaven is full of details. We learn a lot through Mr. Marlin, how he used to find old spells that were still “live” (meaning working) and sell them. He was called a Thrall.

And through the council we learn about the tree called Oq, and why it is so important. Also about the fate of Spell ladies and Spell lords.

We meet unicorns, who are more than what they seem. And we learn some about the type of government they have. It's not Diana Wynne Jones level detail, but it's enough to make the world feel real.

We also learn that every caster has a familiar, and they can see through their eyes.

THE COUNCIL OF OQ

When Merlin and Natalie meet the council it is interesting to eventually learn that we cannot trust them. Their treatment of Merlin makes this obvious, as they want to torture him. Perhaps it would have been more interesting if they had been deceptively charming (like many politicians are).

On a separate issue, when a woman puts moon flowers in Natalie's hair that make her sleepy, her mom explains she probably meant well, because Natalie was so distraught. But Natalie takes it to mean she cannot trust the woman. She completely ignores her mother's words.

CHANGE OF HEART-SPOILERS

A woman who is a member of Lord Hawk's spellclave ends up turning on her master. I didn't really know her so was I was surprised. Although in the few scenes she is in, she seems hesitant to use Natalie, since she is so young. I would have liked to get to know her so her decision to help Natalie would have meant more.

NATALIE'S DAD

I don't really feel like there is enough development in Mr. Marlin. Yes, he stops drinking and goes out searching for Natalie. And then he promptly abandons his stepson.

Yes, he apologizes but he doesn't seem to change that much. There is no gradual realization on his part that he has been a horrible father and husband. No awe of his change or forgiveness of his past sins by Natalie. He should be important, as he does play a part in the plot. But not enough thought went into him.

THE IGNORANT COUNCIL

When Natalie gets to talk to her mother, she asks her daughter for help. Turns out the council is rather insulated and not realistic. Basically their a bunch of lifetime politicians who don't think they can ever be wrong about anything. And it's the job of the little people to obey them unquestioningly.

Certainly this is believable, as politicians tend to surround themselves with people who worship them. But there were a few scenes with them that were rather cartoonish. I would rather have seen how manipulative they could be, and see regular people in Earthhaven being fooled.

CLIMAX

Nat and Jo learn about what the spellcave intends to do to the tree. Merlin is requited by Oq to help protect it. A war breaks out between the council and the Spellclave when the spellclave attacks. Merlin confronts his dad and then gets a teaching job. Natalie is reunited with an old friend.

CONCLUSION

Most of the characters are likable, Mr. Marlin being the exception. Although Natalie is mean to Merlin for too long.

The world is detailed enough and the story, while not too fast paced, is still interesting and moves fast enough.

Although attempts are made at depth for some characters (such as Tim) for others not so much. And I wish I could have learned more about Natalie's past relationship with her mother and father. And perhaps even some more about Jo.

I give “Spellfall” three stars.

Book Review: "The Blue Sword' by Robin McKinley

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

Harry is settling into a new, quiet life with her relatives when she is swept into a strange world of the highlanders. She is suddenly forced into a new role she doesn't understand. And a strange new ability.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Harry is supposedly a tomboy who isn't that close to anyone. Her parents have passed on and she barely knows her brother. She has an interest in the land she now lives but doesn't seem to have many other interests besides that. I wasn't sure what motivated her. With no close family members, I expected her to feel adrift, without any real idea of what she should do. Perhaps depressed or confused. But she seemed bored at the most. Once in a while they would show her angry, or think about being angry.

Corlath is the young king who kidnaps Harry. We don't learn much about him. In the beginning, we only get a hint. Turns out he has had many lovers in the past (so they think he has romantic feelings for a foreigner and are appalled.) Much later on we learn he has no siblings and his parents are dead. He is close to his men. There are few short scenes with his perspective, but we learn nothing of importance about him.

Mathin is Harry's teacher. His family has bred horses.

Colonel Dedham is an older man that Harry meets in the first part of the book. He seems to be the only person she has any real relationship with. But he only seems to be there to give her information about the countries history. And of course, so he can come back later and be useful.

PACING

Probably the weakest part of the story. I read fifty-eight pages before Harry was kidnapped. And although I wanted to believe I had read crucial information before then, I found it doubtful. Maybe the stuff where she leaned about the country's history and wars.

I get the author was trying to show us that Harry really had nothing to cling to. Her parents were dead. Her brother barely knows her. She doesn't have any deep friendships. But they could have told us that in a only a few pages.

KIDNAPPED...I GUESS

If you woke up to find yourself being kidnapped you would probably freak out. And then maybe calm down when they threatened you and refused to tell you why they took you. They might just kill you if you're not worth the trouble, right? You would probably still feel terrified, and think up all kinds of reasons as to why they would want you. Maybe prostitution. Or slavery. Maybe you're a hostage for money?

Luckily Harry only cares about not being made a fool of. She shows she can sit up and withstand long rides on a horse. That'll show those kidnappers! And then she worries about getting their respect when she finally gets to ride a horse herself. And she doesn't bother trying to escape. Or thinking of trying to escape. Or asking what they plan to do with her.

When she eventually does ask why she gets war horses and a sword, the story is almost halfway done. Shouldn't she have been concerned to why she was kidnapped, I don't know, slightly more?

AN EMOTIONLESS HEROINE

I never understand Harry's motivation. Nor what tied her down. She seemed to have no real history and no real past relationships. She felt like she was just made up and born at the beginning. I wanted to know more about her parents and her childhood. But her references to her relationship with her brother were vague and uninspiring.

I guess its good that she isn't overly portrayed as a victim. She has no inheritance because she is female, but the story doesn't go out of its way to make her seem helpless. She doesn't seem angry. But she doesn't really seem like anything. She is supposedly smart, since her friends seem shallow and dumb. That's pretty much why they are there, I guess. Also, she is revealed to be plain looking. So I guess, she must be smart. And athletic.

Whenever she showed emotion, it came out of the blue and felt fake. Like her crying about a story; her anger at her brother; or her anger at Corlath's stubbornness. I feel like the author was trying hard to show she had spirit, but only because he forgot about it in the previous eighty pages.

NO GREAT REVELATIONS-SPOILERS

Harry learns some things, but never anything important. When she learns that was lied to about her heritage, it doesn't really matter. When she learns why she was kidnapped, it doesn't make her angry or scared. Even when she learns Corlath loves her, there is no disblief (since he never showed any affection for her other than sympathy, and that was once).

Even when she learns a man named Tom previously liked her, she seems disconnected.

ANOTHER CULTURE

Harry goes from living in one culture, to another that is supposed to be completely different. It's ruled by a king and believes in magic. And yet there aren't any real differences.

There are no cultural misunderstandings; no practices that seem superstitious (its all backed up by real magic), silly, old fashioned, bigoted, or sexist. Although there is a reference to Coriath seeming kind of bigoted, it's never really brought up. And he is certainly never called out for it. Since his people were the indigenous race, I guess racism towards Harry's race is acceptable.

I felt this was unrealistic, as we all have things we learn about other cultures, often cultures we love, that are sexist or racist. And yet Harry notes no real problems.

A TEACHER

The only other character that Harry gets to know is Mathin, her teacher. He is an older man and we don't learn much about him until much later. Turns out his family has bred horses for generations. I think he has a family. But that's basically it. The usual archetypal relationship is just not there. He isn't loving and full of wisdom. He isn't mysterious with secrets to tell. He is just there so Harry can magically (rather easily) transform into an amazing warrior.

A HORSE & A CAT

Harry ends up with her own horse and a large cat as a friend. For some reason the author goes back and forth, calling the horse by his original name and his translation. It confused me, and for a moment I wondered who she was talking about. Took a few more switches to realize she was referring to the horse.

I love animals in stories because they almost always make the main character likable and sympathetic. But I didn't feel that in this case. I didn't really get the point of the cat. Although he was slightly amusing at times.

A WARRIOR-SPOILERS

After Harry gets a vision of war, she learns she has kelar, which means her ancestors were in common with Coriath's people. She is trained to use a sword and ride a horse while using it. But she is all very indifferent to it. She just says she learned to use it and rely upon it, but not love it like her heroes in children's books. But I never felt her frustration. She should have demanded to know exactly why she had to learn. But she just goes along without a care in the world. And after struggling to mount her horse, everything comes easily. She even admits to being “amazed at her own agility”.

EARNING A SASH

After training with her teacher for six weeks Harry has to fight to earn her sash. It's what proves you have the right to carry a sword. Harry barely has to try in order to win. Eventually she gets annoyed, and then she wins. I just felt like everything came easy for her. She does mention how surprised she was is at how athletic she has become. But none of it feels real.

RELATIONSHIPS-SPOILERS

There are only two people in the entire book that Harry has the chance to have any relationship with. Her teacher, and the king. This makes sense at first, after all she cannot speak their language. But soon she is fluent (another task that seems to come quite easy to her) and there is no excuse for the lack of characters for her to have a friendship with.

Any pretense of relationships are completely unbelievable. Harry hears a story told and bursts out crying and Corlath holds her. It felt completely inconsistent with Harry's character, which is rather stoic and uncaring about being kidnapped. And Corlath seemed to feel nothing at all when it came to Harry. At most he felt annoyance.

They literally have one scene were Corlath shares something about himself. One.

DEDHAM-SPOILERS

When Harry see's Dedham again, he kisses her on the mouth. We don't know why. He had no romantic relationship with her and is much older. It was random and had no effect on Harry or the story.

THE BLUE SWORD

Harry meets a random man who asks how she feels. Which is odd since he is a stranger. She had previously had no real relationships where someone could ever ask her this. So perhaps the author threw this in so Harry could reflect on her feelings. Then he gave her a sword. Also we learn slightly about Corlath, but not much.

CLIMAX

Harry sneaks off and some others come with her (she had no relationship with them prior). I didn't understand why they came. She eventually meets Dedham and defeats an army. The pacing is slow. Corlath shows up and they admit they love each other, besides the fact they have had barely any conversations and barely know anything about each other.

CONCLUSION

The idea is interesting, although not original. But Harry isn't likable, consistently portrayed, or shown with any real flaws. She has no real struggles, and when the author remembers, she suddenly inserts a sentence about her being terrified. Even though she never showed it previously.

The pacing is far too slow and even the battle scene at the climax dragged on too long.

The so called romance between Harry and Corlath was non-existent. Forget romance, they weren't even friends. But to be fair, I found it interesting sometimes. I just got fed up near the climax.

I give “The Blue Sword” one and a half stars.