Enjoyable, good story, enjoyable characters

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	• Son of the Sword J. Ardian Lee Ace, 2003 - 352 pages average customer review:based on 18 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

J. Ardian Lee Fan

I will say this, the series that this book begins is one of my favorites.

That being said, "Son of the Sword" is my least favorite book. Many of the other reviewers have commented (some quite nastily) about the poor plotting and unsympathetic characters. It's true, this books has FIRST NOVEL written all over it; however, everyone starts somewhere, and very few authors hit one out of the ballpark on the first try.

One of the things I like about this book is the narrator's voice. Although one previous reviewer talked about breaking the fourth wall, I'd like to point out that the concept of the "Walls" of fiction is very modern. This books appeals to me, I suppose, because my sensibilities often lie outside modern tastes. Ms. Lee's style of writing is definitely modern in tone and diction, but pre-modern is style. It's a strange combination, but I find it, at the very least, interesting.

Yes, this book is somewhat predictable and somewhat formulaic, but the others in the series (especially "The Sword of King James") are excellent. Ms. Lee's craft was obviously refined by the time "Sword of the White Rose" was written. "Son of the Sword is a worthy beginning, and leads up to better decendents.

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It's like being there...

I loved this book and can't wait for the movie to come out!! It's the first time I've read a book and felt like I was living the story instead of just reading it. If you want to experience life in the Scottish Highlands during the days of the Clans, this series of books is must reading!! I can't recommend it high enough.

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Enjoyable, good story, enjoyable characters

I had read earlier comments on boards about this book being a "bomb," and almost sent it back to the library. Then I read a few pages, and still, almost sent it back to the library. My compulsion to read the story kept me going, however, past the modern day beginning (which is a bit awkwardly written, as it does not even give the read a glimpse of the complexity of the main character that appears later on). I am glad I read on.

The story is about a modern-day man, Dylan Matheson, self-employed as a martial arts expert, and man of Scottish descent. He is very into his Scottish ancestry, and as such participates in games and gatherings that support and entertain his interest. During the course of one of these, he encounters a rare authentic and ancient Scottish broadsword, and wanting to handle it, makes a bet with the owner, to have a contest to "first touch." He wins the contest, and approaches to inspect the sword.

Several hundred years earlier (early 1700s), prior to the first Jacobite uprisings, the beginnings of British/Scots battle finds a faerie making a spell upon this very sword -- to find a Matheson (clan name) worthy of the sword and able to make a difference in the Scots clash against the Brits. Thus, Dylan, being THE ONE for whom her spell was cast, finds himself transported back to the early 1700s, just prior to events that transform history.

The story is essentially how he bides his time, eventually believing he cannot return to his own time, and over time, the events and characters that transform his sense of wanting to return to the year 2000 to one of truly belonging in 1700s Scotland. The characters are well-written, some likable and some not, the plot is interesting, and the events are well defined. I finished the book with great anticipation for reading the next in the series.

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Excellent Read

An excellent read. Enough historical accuracy to make it compelling without getting too boring. Could use a little more action but overall a very excellent read. Very entertaining. There are other books in the series. I think I'd spring for the money to try the second. (This is the first in the series)

SGIAN DUBH BUT NO DIRK

If you're one to enjoy a very light Highlander story and have already read, Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, keeping with the title metaphor, the claymore of the genra, then Son of the Sword may just barely fit the bill. I found myself alternating from hating the simplistic plodding style and poorly developed characters to enjoying the Gaelic speech and minor history lessons. Another reviewer was agitated at the 4th wall being broken and they're right - periodically characters give history lessons to others, but clearly designed for the reader - the mark of a poor writer. I was surprised at the sudden appearence of Rob Roy and was prepared to be irked by this - however, the book seemed to pick up slightly at this point - but not enough for a more glowing review.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4

Dylan is an ordinary modern guy...until extraordinary forces transport him to medieval Scotland-where he will find the bitterness of betrayal...and the sweetness of true love.

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