Title: Oath of Swords
Author: David Weber
First published February 1, 1995
576 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781416520863 (ISBN10: 1416520864)
Rating: 4.03
Overview
Meet Bahzell Bahnakson, a hradani, a race known for their uncontrollable rages, bloodthirsty tendencies, and inability to maintain civilized conduct. But despite his ethnic burden, Bahzell is an unlikely hero who becomes a Paladin.
He finds himself dealing with a violated hostage bond, a vengeful prince, and a price on his head. He doesn’t want to get involved in anybody else’s problems, let alone a god’s.
But the War God has other plans for him. Bahzell is thrust into a world of political intrigue, assassins, demons, psionicists, evil sorcery, white sorcery, dark gods, gods, bad poets, greedy landlords, and most of Bortalik Bay.
Will Bahzell be able to survive this dangerous world, or will he succumb to the forces that threaten to destroy him? Find out in Oath of Swords by David Weber.
About the Author
David Mark Weber is a renowned author of science fiction and fantasy novels. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1952.
Weber’s stories mainly revolve around military themes, especially the naval genre of science fiction. Interestingly, he has a strong inclination towards portraying female characters in traditionally male roles.
One of Weber’s most popular characters is Honor Harrington. Her name is an allusion to Horatio Hornblower, a fictional character, and her surname comes from a fleet doctor in Weber’s book.
Weber has developed the character and her story through 16 novels and six shared-universe anthologies as of spring 2013. Currently, he is working on other projects as well.
In 2008, Weber donated his archive to the Rare Books and Special Collections department at Northern Illinois University.
Weber’s books are easily accessible online. The Baen Free Library has most of his books available in their entirety, while the more recent ones are available in the form of sample chapters, usually comprising the first 25-33% of the book.
Editoral Review
Oath of Swords by David Weber is an enthralling novel that will capture the attention of any fantasy fan. The novel was first published on February 1, 1995, and since then, it has been praised for its masterful storytelling, intricate world-building, and dynamic characters.
David Weber, a New York Times best-selling author, is known for his epic fantasies and military science fiction novels, and Oath of Swords is no exception. In this novel, we meet Bahzell Bahnakson, a hradani warrior from the northern mountains, who faces a life-changing decision when he becomes the champion of the God of War.
Bahzell must leave his home and travel to a strange land to face new challenges and enemies, all while trying to remain true to his own values and traditions. Along the way, Bahzell meets a diverse cast of characters, including a scholar, a prince, and a mysterious swordsman, who all play significant roles in the unfolding of the story.
The setting of Oath of Swords is wonderfully crafted and fully realized. Weber’s description of the various lands and cultures that Bahzell encounters is vivid and immersive.
Readers will feel as though they are walking the same paths as Bahzell, experiencing the same sights and sounds that he does. The pacing of the novel is also well-handled, with the right balance of action, dialogue, and exposition.
The book is not overly burdened with unnecessary descriptions or details, which keeps the story moving at a brisk pace. Weber also excels in creating compelling and complex characters.
Bahzell is a particularly memorable protagonist, with his bravery, honor, and wit. He is not without flaws, which makes him all the more relatable to readers.
The other characters, such as Brandark, the swordsman, and Tomanak, the God of War, are equally well-crafted and fascinating. The relationships between the characters are realistic and believable, and readers will find themselves invested in their fates.
One of the strengths of Oath of Swords is its exploration of themes such as loyalty, honor, and the struggle between good and evil. Weber does an excellent job of balancing these themes against the action and adventure of the story, making for a well-rounded and satisfying read.
However, the book is not without its flaws. At times, the dialogue can be a bit heavy-handed, especially when characters are discussing religious or philosophical concepts.
Additionally, some of the battle scenes can be difficult to visualize, as the geography of the setting is not always clear. Overall, Oath of Swords is an engaging and enjoyable read that will appeal to fans of the fantasy genre.
The combination of strong characters, rich world-building, and compelling themes make for a satisfying and entertaining experience. I would highly recommend this book, and I give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars.
