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The First Sword
"The child must leave ... immediately ... take the sword ... to the Keepers ... there’s a diamond coming..." A murdered man's last words, a four-bladed dagger set with a huge diamond, and a hidden sword launch Kyth, his brother Alder, and their friend Ellah on a perilous journey from theirhome in the Forestlands to the White Citadel, hidden in the distant mountains. Pursued by Knights of the Holy Star and a Majat Assassin, they are joined by Kara, a young mercenary whose fighting skills help save the three teens from their deadly enemies. In Tallan Dar, bloodlines determine destiny, and Duke Evan Dorn's line is of the best. Yet the Reverend Haghos wants to put a puppet on the throne -- his rightful throne. Surrounded by spies and held prisoner in his own castle, Duke Evan makes a desperate break for freedom. To save his Kingdom, to prevent the Reverend from usurping his power, he must find two the child he gave up so many years ago, and the First Sword...
- GenresFantasy
324 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
243 people want to read
About the author
Anna Kashina
24 books158 followersAnna Kashina is a critically acclaimed award-winning author of “The Majat Code” series, featuring adventure, swordplay, intrigue, and romance in a historical fantasy setting. She is the author of the official novelization of Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana, a bestselling video game by Nihon Falcom Co.
Awards: 2015 Prism Award (Fantasy, and "Best of the Best" grand prize), Locus Award Nominee, 2013 ForeWord Book of the Year (IndieFab) Award, 2014 Independent Publishers Book Award (IPPY).
Awards: 2015 Prism Award (Fantasy, and "Best of the Best" grand prize), Locus Award Nominee, 2013 ForeWord Book of the Year (IndieFab) Award, 2014 Independent Publishers Book Award (IPPY).
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 15, 2016
*I won THE FIRST SWORD in a Goodreads giveaway.
Although THE FIRST SWORD had tons of potential, I really feel its greatest failing was in its editing (or possible lack thereof).
On the sentence level, there were silly and avoidable errors, including mistakes in usage, like here v. hear, spaces in the middles of words and other typos, paragraphs consisting entirely of fragments, and verb tense troubles.
Those irritants aside, proper editing could have really helped with other, story level struggles such as character development. Five chapters in, there really are no distinguishing personality traits for any of the main cast. They don't seem to be unique people, with unique thoughts, habits, speech, cares... they are more like luggage, toted around a world in which the writer wanted to live.
I stopped reading around page 75, so take my opinions for whatever 75 pages are worth. However, keep in mind that I'm not the type who quits without a fight, and I ultimately gave up because I felt I hadn't yet been properly introduced to the characters.
Although THE FIRST SWORD had tons of potential, I really feel its greatest failing was in its editing (or possible lack thereof).
On the sentence level, there were silly and avoidable errors, including mistakes in usage, like here v. hear, spaces in the middles of words and other typos, paragraphs consisting entirely of fragments, and verb tense troubles.
Those irritants aside, proper editing could have really helped with other, story level struggles such as character development. Five chapters in, there really are no distinguishing personality traits for any of the main cast. They don't seem to be unique people, with unique thoughts, habits, speech, cares... they are more like luggage, toted around a world in which the writer wanted to live.
I stopped reading around page 75, so take my opinions for whatever 75 pages are worth. However, keep in mind that I'm not the type who quits without a fight, and I ultimately gave up because I felt I hadn't yet been properly introduced to the characters.
September 13, 2012
In this beautifully detailed fantasy, Anna Kashina creates a world where royal heirs are tested by a sword through the heart. Survival indicates worthiness of inheriting the throne. The ancient First Sword must be used in the testing, but it has been missing for years. Additionally the powerful Church led by Reverend Haghos works to stamp out magical power by testing all newborns and killing those with magical abilities. The tyranny of the Church is checked somewhat by the Keepers, an ancient order of scholars that develops magical powers.
Far from the dangerous halls of the ruling elite, live Alder, Kyth, and Ellah in the Forestlands. Alder and Kyth grew up believing they were brothers and their friend Ellah harbors the secret of never being tested by the Church.
As can be expected the plot is driven by the quest to control the First Sword and find the royal heir who was whisked away from Church execution at birth.
Kyth emerges as a strong character, and his inner conflicts and fears are communicated well. Alder and Ellah fade a bit through the novel and don't get developed too much, which makes them feel mostly like placeholders, but all three of the teenagers come through with very genuine behaviors. They are impulsive and poor at judging anything, but their friendship and devotion to each other are heartwarming.
The real strengths of the novel come through in the detailed settings and the characters and cultures that the three young people experience upon their quest. One example is the mysterious and potentially dangerous Forest Woman. She seems to be some kind of deity formed of the female energy of the forest. "Her skin was fair and her thick long hair was the color of ripe ivy buds, light brown with a soft golden tint." wrote Kashina in her description of the Forest Woman.
Another compelling character emerges when the young people travel with a nomadic people called the Cha'ori. They travel with a hort led by the foreteller Dagmara, who informs Kyth that her people are not tested by the Church and that she and other Cha'ori have magical powers. The existence of people living outside Church authority is very eye-opening for him. Dagmara embodies a new worldview for Kyth. She is in touch with her magic, very old, and well respected by her people.
Kashina creates another intriguing female character in the assassin Kara. This time the power is based on mental discipline and physical skill. She contrasts with the mystical female characters in the story and provides another view of how female abilities can be developed.
Although The First Sword will feel familiar to fantasy readers because of its formulaic structure, it provides an engaging and suspenseful read. The action builds slowly but becomes riveting near the end. The narrative appeals to all the senses. The author's skill had me tasting the food and feeling the clothes. I also greatly appreciated Kashina's inspirations from the natural world. Little details like naming species of plants during the characters' travels vividly developed the environment.
The First Sword was a very carefully plotted story. All the loose ends get tied up at the end, which is always satisfying. Kashina deploys some fun diversions in the story that made me wonder who was working for who and who was the object of the Church's hunt.
I really have nothing bad to say about the novel. It was an intriguing fantasy, vividly told, and full of genuine feelings. The First Sword has young adult appeal and also plenty of nuances to keep adult readers hooked.
Far from the dangerous halls of the ruling elite, live Alder, Kyth, and Ellah in the Forestlands. Alder and Kyth grew up believing they were brothers and their friend Ellah harbors the secret of never being tested by the Church.
As can be expected the plot is driven by the quest to control the First Sword and find the royal heir who was whisked away from Church execution at birth.
Kyth emerges as a strong character, and his inner conflicts and fears are communicated well. Alder and Ellah fade a bit through the novel and don't get developed too much, which makes them feel mostly like placeholders, but all three of the teenagers come through with very genuine behaviors. They are impulsive and poor at judging anything, but their friendship and devotion to each other are heartwarming.
The real strengths of the novel come through in the detailed settings and the characters and cultures that the three young people experience upon their quest. One example is the mysterious and potentially dangerous Forest Woman. She seems to be some kind of deity formed of the female energy of the forest. "Her skin was fair and her thick long hair was the color of ripe ivy buds, light brown with a soft golden tint." wrote Kashina in her description of the Forest Woman.
Another compelling character emerges when the young people travel with a nomadic people called the Cha'ori. They travel with a hort led by the foreteller Dagmara, who informs Kyth that her people are not tested by the Church and that she and other Cha'ori have magical powers. The existence of people living outside Church authority is very eye-opening for him. Dagmara embodies a new worldview for Kyth. She is in touch with her magic, very old, and well respected by her people.
Kashina creates another intriguing female character in the assassin Kara. This time the power is based on mental discipline and physical skill. She contrasts with the mystical female characters in the story and provides another view of how female abilities can be developed.
Although The First Sword will feel familiar to fantasy readers because of its formulaic structure, it provides an engaging and suspenseful read. The action builds slowly but becomes riveting near the end. The narrative appeals to all the senses. The author's skill had me tasting the food and feeling the clothes. I also greatly appreciated Kashina's inspirations from the natural world. Little details like naming species of plants during the characters' travels vividly developed the environment.
The First Sword was a very carefully plotted story. All the loose ends get tied up at the end, which is always satisfying. Kashina deploys some fun diversions in the story that made me wonder who was working for who and who was the object of the Church's hunt.
I really have nothing bad to say about the novel. It was an intriguing fantasy, vividly told, and full of genuine feelings. The First Sword has young adult appeal and also plenty of nuances to keep adult readers hooked.
April 2, 2013
The First Sword is a well-written fantasy novel that centers around a trio of teenagers sent on an important quest. On their journey, they face many obstacles and witness some amazing sights. The author provides vivid descriptions that transport the reader into this fantasy world. The characters are likable and the author does an excellent job of providing them with depth. The story is well crafted and has enough mystery and adventure to keep the reader’s interested until the very end. It is billed as an adult novel. However, I feel it will be better received by readers in their late teens.
December 27, 2012
What a lovely surprise. The world felt real. The brutality of the royal lines was dark but believable. THe best part is the truly human who I both loved and hated at times but for the most part loved. Recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews